US3661484A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic container making apparatus
Assignee: Mahaffy and Harder Engineering Co
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Filing: 1970-02-12
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Granted: 1972-05-09
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Expires: 1990-02-12
Abstract
Abstract An automatic packaging machine of the type adapted to form packages from continuous rolls of plastic film. The machine includes an improved heating arrangement to apply heat directly to a plastic film while the film is maintained in its original plane of motion along a defined path prior to formation into cups. This heating arrangement includes a heated platen positioned for reciprocating contact with one surface of the film. An elastomeric member is synchronized for movement with the heated platen so as to engage the opposite surface of the film and press it into heat transfer contact with the platen. The elastomeric member has a configuration matching the outline of the film area to be heated.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph M Psota
- 👤 Joel A Hamilton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 17:17
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C51/00; B29C51/26; B29C51/42; B29C51/421; B29B; B29B13/00; B29B13/02; B29B13/023; B65; B65B; B65B47/00; B65B47/02; B29C35/00; B29C35/02; B29C2035/0211
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
303 words
An apparatus for making a container, said apparatus being of the type wherein a plastic sheet is thermoformed into a cupshaped container to be filled and sealed, said apparatus including means for moving the plastic sheet past a series of operating stations at one of which the plastic is heated to forming temperature; the apparatus further including stretchforming means at a station subsequent to said heating station for stretching a segment of the plastic sheet into a cup-shaped container; apparatus for heating a segment of the plastic sheet to a temperature at which it can be stretched by said stretchforming means into a cup-shaped container comprising: a heated platen positioned on one side of the plastic sheet at said one station; a resilient member positioned on the other side of said plastic sheet at said one station; operating means for effecting relative movement to bring said platen into surface contact with said one side of the sheet with said resilient member in compressive engagement with the other side of said sheet, directly opposite said platen, said compressive engagement being throughout said segment subsequently to be stretched into a container, said compressive engagement serving to establish a heat transfer contact between said sheet and said platen while maintaining the physical characteristics of the sheet conditioned for use as a container; said operating means including means arranged to maintain said heat transfer contact for a period of time long enough to raise the temperature of said plastic sheet segment sufficiently to permit it to be stretched into cup shape, without reaching a temperature sufficiently high to adversely affect the plastic sheet properties required for use as a container; and means to advance said heated plastic sheet segment to said stretch-forming station and means to stretch the heated material at that station into a cup-shaped container.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
303 words
An apparatus for making a container, said apparatus being of the type wherein a plastic sheet is thermoformed into a cupshaped container to be filled and sealed, said apparatus including means for moving the plastic sheet past a series of operating stations at one of which the plastic is heated to forming temperature; the apparatus further including stretchforming means at a station subsequent to said heating station for stretching a segment of the plastic sheet into a cup-shaped container; apparatus for heating a segment of the plastic sheet to a temperature at which it can be stretched by said stretchforming means into a cup-shaped container comprising: a heated platen positioned on one side of the plastic sheet at said one station; a resilient member positioned on the other side of said plastic sheet at said one station; operating means for effecting relative movement to bring said platen into surface contact with said one side of the sheet with said resilient member in compressive engagement with the other side of said sheet, directly opposite said platen, said compressive engagement being throughout said segment subsequently to be stretched into a container, said compressive engagement serving to establish a heat transfer contact between said sheet and said platen while maintaining the physical characteristics of the sheet conditioned for use as a container; said operating means including means arranged to maintain said heat transfer contact for a period of time long enough to raise the temperature of said plastic sheet segment sufficiently to permit it to be stretched into cup shape, without reaching a temperature sufficiently high to adversely affect the plastic sheet properties required for use as a container; and means to advance said heated plastic sheet segment to said stretch-forming station and means to stretch the heated material at that station into a cup-shaped container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said platen is made of metal and presents to the sheet of plastic a smooth, flat surface parallel to the plane of the plastic sheet at the region of contact.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said resilient member comprises a layer of elastomeric material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said elastomeric material is foam rubber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said resilient member is compressible and is formed into a shape presenting a working surface corresponding to the area of plastic to be formed into a container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heated platen is covered with a layer of release material assuring that the heated plastic will not stick to said platen upon withdrawal of the platen from contact with the film surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said resilient member is covered with a layer of release material assuring that the heated plastic will not stick to said member upon withdrawaL thereof from contact with the plastic surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including means for cooling the resilient member to a temperature substantially lower than the temperature of said platen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sheet of plastic comprises a laminate with at least two layers of film, one layer having a lower softening temperature than the other, said platen being arranged to engage the exposed surface of said layer of film which has the higher softening temperature.
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Cited
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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) | 1975-05-09 | 1975-11-08 | 1976-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-09 | 1979-11-08 | 1980-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-09 | 1983-11-08 | 1984-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |