US3596322A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Index mechanism for a packaging machine
Assignee: Union Camp Corp
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Filing: 1970-03-24
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Granted: 1971-08-03
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Expires: 1990-03-24
Abstract
Abstract An index mechanism for a packaging machine having a transport mechanism for picking up individual package cards from a stack of cards and transporting the cards to a heating plate. The transport mechanism picks up another individual card from the heating plate and transports it to a forming die on an indexing mechanism. The indexing mechanism of this invention has four stations, the first of which causes synthetic plastic material on the package cards to be deformed into the shape of the cavities in the forming die. In the second station an item is placed in the package and the card folded. In the third station the card is sealed and in the fourth station the package card is removed from the indexing mechanism. The indexing mechanism has a plurality of hydraulic valves which are actuated sequentially to operate the indexing mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 Dewin W Swezey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 23:16
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B65/00; B65B65/02; B23; B23Q; B23Q16/00; B23Q16/02; B23Q16/04; B23Q16/06; B65B1/00; B65B1/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S425/00; Y10S425/20; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/14; Y10T74/1418; Y10T74/1424; Y10T74/1453
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
375 words
A packaging machine indexing mechanism comprising a support; a shaft rotatably mounted on said support; a disc mounted on said shaft; a plurality of forming dies mounted on said disc, said forming die having a vacuum tube connection; indexing means for rotating said shaft and disc through predetermined increments, said indexing means including a first hydraulic piston and cylinder, said first piston being connected to a rack gear engageable with a pinion gear mounted on said shaft for rotating said shaft, a second hydraulic cylinder and piston, said second piston being connected to said rack gear for moving said rack gear into and out of engagement with said pinion gear, a third hydraulic cylinder and piston, said third piston having vacuum means connected thereto, said vacuum means being movable by said third piston for engagement with said vacuum tube connection of said forming die, a fourth hydraulic cylinder and piston, said fourth piston being connected to a pawl engageable with said pinion gear on said shaft, said pawl being movable into engagement with said pinion gear to lock said shaft and disc in a fixed position; hydraulic means for actuating said indexing means including a first set of hydraulic lines connected to one side of said hyDraulic cylinders and extending first to said fourth cylinder, then to said third cylinder, then to said second cylinder, then to said first cylinder, said pistons in said cylinders being operated in sequence to disengage said pawl from said pinion gear, to disengage said vacuum means from said forming die connection, to engage said rack gear with said pinion gear and to translate said rack gear to cause rotation of said pinion gear and shaft for a predetermined indexing increment; said hydraulic means having a second set of hydraulic lines connected to the other side of said hydraulic cylinders and extending first to said fourth cylinder, then to said third cylinder, then to said second cylinder, then to said first cylinder, said pistons in said cylinders being operated in sequence to engage said pawl with said gear, and to engage said vacuum means with said forming die connection, to disengage said rack from said gear and to return said rack to its starting position for the next indexing cycle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
375 words
A packaging machine indexing mechanism comprising a support; a shaft rotatably mounted on said support; a disc mounted on said shaft; a plurality of forming dies mounted on said disc, said forming die having a vacuum tube connection; indexing means for rotating said shaft and disc through predetermined increments, said indexing means including a first hydraulic piston and cylinder, said first piston being connected to a rack gear engageable with a pinion gear mounted on said shaft for rotating said shaft, a second hydraulic cylinder and piston, said second piston being connected to said rack gear for moving said rack gear into and out of engagement with said pinion gear, a third hydraulic cylinder and piston, said third piston having vacuum means connected thereto, said vacuum means being movable by said third piston for engagement with said vacuum tube connection of said forming die, a fourth hydraulic cylinder and piston, said fourth piston being connected to a pawl engageable with said pinion gear on said shaft, said pawl being movable into engagement with said pinion gear to lock said shaft and disc in a fixed position; hydraulic means for actuating said indexing means including a first set of hydraulic lines connected to one side of said hyDraulic cylinders and extending first to said fourth cylinder, then to said third cylinder, then to said second cylinder, then to said first cylinder, said pistons in said cylinders being operated in sequence to disengage said pawl from said pinion gear, to disengage said vacuum means from said forming die connection, to engage said rack gear with said pinion gear and to translate said rack gear to cause rotation of said pinion gear and shaft for a predetermined indexing increment; said hydraulic means having a second set of hydraulic lines connected to the other side of said hydraulic cylinders and extending first to said fourth cylinder, then to said third cylinder, then to said second cylinder, then to said first cylinder, said pistons in said cylinders being operated in sequence to engage said pawl with said gear, and to engage said vacuum means with said forming die connection, to disengage said rack from said gear and to return said rack to its starting position for the next indexing cycle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The packaging machine indexing mechanism of claim 1 wherein said hydraulic means has a two-way valve, said valve communicating with said first set of hydraulic lines in one position and communicating with said second set of hydraulic lines in a second position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The packaging machine indexing mechanism of claim 2 wherein said two-way valve is actuated by a solenoid and wherein said solenoid is actuated by a pair of switches operated by said rack.
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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) | 1974-08-02 | 1975-02-01 | 1975-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-02 | 1979-02-01 | 1979-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-02 | 1983-02-01 | 1983-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |