US3604689A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of and apparatus for feeding flexible pouches
Assignee: Reynolds Metals Co
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Filing: 1970-03-10
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Granted: 1971-09-14
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Expires: 1990-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A method of and apparatus for feeding flexible pouches filled with a food product. In order to ensure that the food product is evenly distributed within the flexible pouch prior to subjecting it to a controlled temperature-time-pressure heating cycle, the pouches are fed to a processing station where they are vibrated within a vacuum pocket formed on the conveyor feed belt means. The vacuum pocket is formed by folding the marginal edge portions of the conveyor belt to form a substantially U-shaped trough. Partition means define the ends of the pockets along the conveyor and a cover means engages both the partition means and marginal edge portions of the conveyor belt to form an airtight pocket. An aperture is provided in each pocket to communicate with a source of vacuum. The vacuum causes the pouches to expand or puff up in which condition they are vibrated to effect a substantially uniform distribution of the food product within each pouch.
Inventors
- 👤 James L Hutcheson
- 👤 Nicholas Constantino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 07:04
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B61/00; B65B61/24; B01; B01F; B01F31/00; B01F31/55
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
An apparatus for feeding flexible pouches filled with a food product comprising: a. conveyor belt means for feeding flexible pouches filled with a food product toward and away from a processing station, b. folding means for folding the marginal edge portions of said conveyor belt means to form a substantially U-shaped trough at said processing station, c. partition means for defining the ends of pocket along said conveyor belt means at said processing station, d. cover means engageable with and forming an airtight seal with said partition means and with said marginal edge portions of said conveyor belt means, e. each pocket formed by said U-shaped trough, said partition means and said cover means having at least one aperture associated therewith, f. means for drawing a vacuum through said aperture associated with each pocket, g. and means for vibrating said pouches at said processing station whereby said food product is leveled within said pouches.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
154 words
An apparatus for feeding flexible pouches filled with a food product comprising: a. conveyor belt means for feeding flexible pouches filled with a food product toward and away from a processing station, b. folding means for folding the marginal edge portions of said conveyor belt means to form a substantially U-shaped trough at said processing station, c. partition means for defining the ends of pocket along said conveyor belt means at said processing station, d. cover means engageable with and forming an airtight seal with said partition means and with said marginal edge portions of said conveyor belt means, e. each pocket formed by said U-shaped trough, said partition means and said cover means having at least one aperture associated therewith, f. means for drawing a vacuum through said aperture associated with each pocket, g. and means for vibrating said pouches at said processing station whereby said food product is leveled within said pouches.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus for feeding flexible pouches filled with a food product as defined in claim 1 wherein said partition means is carried by and spaced longitudinally along said conveyor belt means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus for feeding flexible pouches filled with a food product as defined in claim 1 wherein said aperture associated with each pocket is in said conveyor belt means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus for feeding flexible pouches filled with a food product as defined in claim 1 wherein said aperture associated with each pocket is located in said marginal edge portions of said conveyor belt means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus for feeding flexible pouches filled with a food product as defined in claim 1 wherein said conveyor means comprises a second conveyor belt means mounted above said conveyor belt means for feeding said flexible pouches.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus for feeding flexible pouches filled with a food product as defined in claim 1 wherein said folding means has a longitudinal slot means communicating with said apertures and extending across a plurality of pockets whereby a vacuum may be drawn on a plurality of pockets simultaneously.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus for feeding flexible pouches filled with a food product as defined in claim 6 wherein said partition means is carried by and spaced longitudinally along said conveyor belt means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus for feeding flexible pouches filled with a food product as defined in claim 6 wherein said aperture associated with each pocket is in said conveyor belt means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus for feeding flexible pouches filled with a food product as defined in claim 6 wherein said cover means comprises a seCond conveyor belt means mounted above said conveyor belt means for feeding said flexible pouches.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus for feeding flexible pouches filled with a food product as defined in claim 6 wherein said folding means carries manifold means exteriorly thereof, said manifold means having passageway means communicating from said vacuum means through said slot means to said aperture in said pocket.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus for feeding flexible pouches filled with a food product as defined in claim 10 wherein said partition means is carried by and spaced longitudinally along said conveyor belt means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus for feeding flexible pouches filled with a food product as defined in claim 11 wherein said aperture associated with each pocket is in said conveyor belt means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus for feeding flexible pouches filled with a food product as defined in claim 11 wherein said aperture associated with each pocket is in each marginal edge portions of said conveyor belt means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus for feeding flexible pouches filled with a food product as defined in claim 11 wherein said cover means comprises a second conveyor belt means mounted above said conveyor belt means for feeding said flexible pouches.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus for feeding flexible pouches filled with a food product as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for vibrating said pouches is attached to said folding means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus for feeding flexible pouches filled with a food product as defined in claim 15 wherein said partition means is carried by and spaced longitudinally along said conveyor belt means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus for feeding flexible pouches filled with a food product as defined in claim 16 wherein said aperture associated with each pocket is in said conveyor belt means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus for feeding flexible pouches filled with a food product as defined in claim 16 wherein said aperture associated with each pocket is in said marginal edge portions of said conveyor belt means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus for feeding flexible pouches filled with a food product as defined in claim 16 wherein said cover means comprises a second conveyor belt means mounted above said conveyor belt means for feeding said flexible pouches.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of effecting a leveling of a food product contained within flexible pouches fed along a conveyor belt means having longitudinally spaced partitions upstanding therefrom and aperture means between said partitions, comprising the steps of a. feeding said flexible pouches to and from a processing station along said conveyor belt means, b. folding into a substantially U-shaped trough the marginal edge portions of said conveyor belt means to conform tightly to the upstanding edges of said longitudinally spaced partitions, c. covering said U-shaped trough to form a series of pockets at said processing station, d. drawing a vacuum through said aperture means, e. and vibrating said pouches while maintaining said vacuum to effect a leveling of said food product within said pouches.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of effecting a leveling of a food product contained within flexible pouches fed along a conveyor belt means having longitudinally spaced partitions upstanding therefrom and aperture means between said partitions, comprising the steps of a. feeding said flexible pouches to and from a processing station along said conveyor belt means, b. folding into a substantially U-shaped trough the marginal edge portions of said conveyor belt means to conform tightly to the upstanding edges of said longitudinally spaced partitions, c. covering said U-shaped trough to form a series of pockets at said processing station, d. drawing a vacuum through said aperture means, e. and vibrating said pouches while maintaining said vacuum to effect a leveling of said food product within said pouches.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of effecting a leveling of a food product contained within flexible pouches as defined in claim 20 including the additional step of continuously advancing said conveyor belt means into, through, and from said processing station.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method of effecting a leveling of a food product contained within flexible pouches as defined in claim 21 including the additional step of releasing said vacuum after said pouches leave said processing station.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method of effecting a leveling of a food product contained within flexible pouches as defined in claim 22 wherein said vacuum is released after said pouches leave said processing station by unfolding the marginal edge portions of said conveyor belt means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method of effecting a leveling of a food product contained within flexible pouches as defined in claim 20 wherein said step of covering said U-shaped trough to form a series of pockets is effected by continuous belt means of a sEcond conveyor advancing in the same direction as said pouches.
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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) | 1974-09-13 | 1975-03-15 | 1975-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-13 | 1979-03-15 | 1979-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-13 | 1983-03-15 | 1983-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |