Packaging apparatus and process
Abstract
Abstract AN APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR PACKAGING COMESTIBLES IN CONTAINERS SEMI-PERMANENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH CARRIER TRAYS WHEREIN THE TRAYS THEMSELVES ARE HANDLED BY THE APPARATUS THROUGHOUT THE PACKAGING PROCESS, THEREBY ELIMINATING THE NEED FOR MANUALLY HANDLING INDIVIDUAL CONTAINERS. A STACK OF TRAYS HAVING INTERESTED CONTAINERS ARE PROVIDED AT A DISPENSING STATION, AND THE TRAYS ARE DISPENSED ONE AT A TIME UPON A CONTINUOUSLY MOVING CONVEYOR. THE CONVEYOR MOVES THE TRAY TO A STERILIZING STATION, WHERE THE CONTAINERS IN THE TRAY ARE STERILIZED. THE STERILIZED CONTAINERS ARE THEN TRANSPORTED TO A FILLING STATION, WHERE THE COMESTIBLE TO BE PACKAGED IS PLACED WITHIN THE CONTAINERS. THE FILLED CONTAINERS THEN PROGRESS TO A COVER APPLYING STATION WHERE A COVER FILM IS HEAT SEALED TO THE FILLED CONTAINERS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE COVERED CONTAINERS MOVE TO A CUTTING STATION WHEREIN THE COVER FILM IS BOTH LONGITUDINALLY AND TRANSVERSELY SLIT TO SEGREGATE EACH OF THE INDIVIDUAL CONTAINERS ON ITS CARRIER TRAY. THE TRAYS WITH THE FILLED AND SEALED CONTAINERS THEN PASS TO A REMOVAL STATION, WHERE THE TRAYS ARE REMOVED AND PACKED FOR SUBSEQUENT SHIPMENT TO AN END USER.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin Mueller
- 👤 Carl Byrd
- 👤 Rodney E Ludder
Bibliographic Details
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 0References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-22 | 1974-08-24 | 1975-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-22 | 1978-08-24 | 1979-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-22 | 1982-08-24 | 1983-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |