US3664085A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Packaging machine
Assignee: Kartridg Pak Co
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Filing: 1969-11-24
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Granted: 1972-05-23
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Expires: 1989-11-24
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method are disclosed for vacuum packaging of a product in a two element package consisting of a preformed rigid base element and a preformed rigid cover element. The apparatus preferably includes a plurality of platens carried on a conveyor through a number of operating stations where the package is assembled with the base element disposed downwardly. The loosely assembled package is moved into sealing station where a concave housing placed over the package elements forms a vacuum chamber with the platen. The chamber is vacuumized, and an annular sealing member carried within the concavity of the housing moves downwardly to press the peripheral portions of the package elements together while a vacuum is maintained within the chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy S Rousseau
- 👤 Raymond J Keating
- 👤 Gary L Steinke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:36
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B31/00; B65B31/02; B65B31/025; B65B31/028
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
An apparatus for vacuum packaging of a product in a two element package consisting of a preformed rigid base element and a preformed rigid cover element, said apparatus comprising at least one platen, means on said platen for holding the package elements in substantially aligned superposed relation on a predetermined portion of said platen, said holding means including a plurality of upstanding members spaced to engage peripheral portions of the package elements to restrict the lateral movement of the package elements with respect to said platen, a concave housing, means for moving said housing into sealing engagement with said platen surrounding said holding means, whereby said housing concavity and said platen define a package-accommodating vacuum chamber, means for applying a vacuum to said vacuum chamber, an annular sealing member carried by said housing within said concavity, said sealing member being normally held in an upwardly disposed retracted position, and power means for moving said sealing member downwardly toward said platen while said housing is in sealing engagement with said platen, whereby the peripheral portions of said package elements may be forced into sealing engagement while a vacuum is being applied to said chamber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
193 words
An apparatus for vacuum packaging of a product in a two element package consisting of a preformed rigid base element and a preformed rigid cover element, said apparatus comprising at least one platen, means on said platen for holding the package elements in substantially aligned superposed relation on a predetermined portion of said platen, said holding means including a plurality of upstanding members spaced to engage peripheral portions of the package elements to restrict the lateral movement of the package elements with respect to said platen, a concave housing, means for moving said housing into sealing engagement with said platen surrounding said holding means, whereby said housing concavity and said platen define a package-accommodating vacuum chamber, means for applying a vacuum to said vacuum chamber, an annular sealing member carried by said housing within said concavity, said sealing member being normally held in an upwardly disposed retracted position, and power means for moving said sealing member downwardly toward said platen while said housing is in sealing engagement with said platen, whereby the peripheral portions of said package elements may be forced into sealing engagement while a vacuum is being applied to said chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said holding means further includes a protuberance positioned to extend through a correspondingly positioned aperture in at least one of the package elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said holding means further includes a plate affixed to said platen, and a resilient cushion on said plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said cushion has a raised central portion and recessed peripheral portions for accommodating the peripheral portions of said package elements when they are forced downwardly by said sealing member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of platens, and means is provided for moving said platens sequentially into and through a plurality of operating stations including a sealing station in which each platen is positioned for sealing engagement with said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and further including means for supplying gas to the vacuum chamber at greater than atmospheric pressure after the peripheral portion of the package elements have been forced into sealing engagement by said sealing member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sealing member carries a plurality of tapered inwardly disposed elements for engaging and centering the cover element with respect to the base element as said sealing member is moved downwardly toward said platen.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and further including means disposed interiorly of said sealing membEr and connected to said housing for dislodging the package elements from said sealing member when said sealing member is returned to its retracted position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein horizontal guide means is provided for maintaining said platens in a substantially horizontal orientation as they are moved into and through said operating stations, and vertical guide means is provided for guiding said platens along a substantially straight path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein on each platen there are a plurality of means for holding the package elements, whereby a plurality of packages may be assembled and sealed on each platen simultaneously.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
274 words
An apparatus for vacuum packaging of a product in a two element package consisting of a preformed relatively flat rigid base element and a preformed inwardly concave rigid cover element, one of said package elements carrying an adhesive whereby when the package elements are pressed together an hermetic seal will be formed therebetween; said apparatus comprising a plurality of platens, means adapted to move said platens sequentially along a predetermined path through a plurality of operating stations, each of said platens having package element holding means thereon adapted to receive and hold the package elements in substantially aligned superposed relation on a predetermined portion of the platen, first package element placement means for placing a base element on said package element holding means at a first station, means for guiding the product into position on the base element at a second station, second package element placement means for placing a cover element over the product and base at a third station, a concave housing, means for moving said housing into sealing engagement with said platen surrounding said package element holding means at a fourth station, whereby said housing cavity and said platen define a package-accommodating vacuum chamber, means for applying a vacuum to said vacuum chamber, an annular sealing member carried by said housing within said concavity, said sealing member being normally held in an upwardly disposed retracted position, and power means for moving said sealing member downwardly toward said platen while said housing is in sealing engagement with said platen, whereby the peripheral portions of said package elements may be forced into sealing engagement while a vacuum is being applied to said chamber.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
274 words
An apparatus for vacuum packaging of a product in a two element package consisting of a preformed relatively flat rigid base element and a preformed inwardly concave rigid cover element, one of said package elements carrying an adhesive whereby when the package elements are pressed together an hermetic seal will be formed therebetween; said apparatus comprising a plurality of platens, means adapted to move said platens sequentially along a predetermined path through a plurality of operating stations, each of said platens having package element holding means thereon adapted to receive and hold the package elements in substantially aligned superposed relation on a predetermined portion of the platen, first package element placement means for placing a base element on said package element holding means at a first station, means for guiding the product into position on the base element at a second station, second package element placement means for placing a cover element over the product and base at a third station, a concave housing, means for moving said housing into sealing engagement with said platen surrounding said package element holding means at a fourth station, whereby said housing cavity and said platen define a package-accommodating vacuum chamber, means for applying a vacuum to said vacuum chamber, an annular sealing member carried by said housing within said concavity, said sealing member being normally held in an upwardly disposed retracted position, and power means for moving said sealing member downwardly toward said platen while said housing is in sealing engagement with said platen, whereby the peripheral portions of said package elements may be forced into sealing engagement while a vacuum is being applied to said chamber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 11 and further including product alignment means intermediate said product guiding means and said cover placing means for aligning the product on the base element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
91 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein at least one of said package element placement means includes means above said conveyor at the associated station for holding a stack of package elements, an arm mounted for movement relative to said frame and carrying package element attachment means for engaging and releasably attaching to the lowermost package element in the stack, means for moving said arm first to effect removal of the attached package element from the stack and then to effect movement of the package element onto said package element holding means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said arm is pivotally mounted on said frame and is movable first radially inwardly to effect removal of the attached package element, then is pivotally moved to a position above said holding means and then is moved radially outward to place the package element in said holding means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said means carried by said arm for engaging and releasably attaching to the lowermost package element in the stack is a resilient cup, and means is provided for drawing a vacuum within said cup when said cup is in engagement with the lowermost package element in the stack and for releasing the vacuum when that package element has been moved onto said package element holding means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
82 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said product alignment means includes a subframE, at least two product engaging members mounted on said subframe for limited movement toward and away from each other, and means for moving said subframe from a raised position above said package element holding means to a lowered position within said package element holding means whereby when said members are moved toward each other they will engage and align the product on the base element within said holding means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
125 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein there are two package element holding means on each platen, and said product alignment means includes a subframe, at least two sets of product alignment plates carried by said subframe, each set comprising two pairs of plates, the plates in each pair being substantially parallel and relatively movable with respect to one another, the pairs of plates in each set being disposed substantially perpendicular with respect to one another, means for moving said subframe from a raised position above said package element holding means to a lowered position, and means for moving the plates in each set toward each other to substantially simultaneously engage and align the products on the base elements within said two package element holding means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said product alignment means includes two pairs of product engaging members, said pairs being mounted on said subframe for transverse movement with respect to each other, whereby the product may be aligned on four sides.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 11 and further including means for removing the sealed package from said platen after said platen has moved from the sealing station.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
77 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said means for removing the sealed package from said platen includes at least one suction cup, means for moving said suction cup between two locations, and means for applying a suction to said suction cup in one location and releasing it in the other location, whereby said suction cup may attach to the package in said one location and the package may be transported to and released in said other location.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
104 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said means for removing the sealed package from said platen includes a support, an arm mounted on said support for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, package attachment means mounted on said arm for rotational movement about a horizontal axis, and means for rotating said package attachment means relative to said arm at substantially the same angular rate and in the opposite direction as the pivotal movement of said arm with respect to said support, whereby said package attachment means will maintain substantially the same orientation with respect to the horizontal throughout the pivotal movement of said arm.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said means for rotating said package attachment means relative to said arm includes a first pulley affixed to said support, a second pulley affixed to said package attachment means, and an endless band encircling said pulleys.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
217 words
An apparatus for vacuum packaging of a product in a package consisting of two rigid package elements, said apparatus comprising a plurality of platens, means for moving said platens sequentially along a predetermined path through a plurality of operating stations, each of said platens having package element holding means thereon adapted to receive and hold the package elements in substantially aligned superposed relation on a predetermined portion of the platen, means for holding a supply stack of each of said preformed package elements and for sequentially transferring said elements from the supply stacks to said platens at predetermined operating stations, a concave housing, means for moving said housing into sealing engagement with said platen surrounding said package element holding means after said package elements have been positioned thereon, whereby said housing cavity and said platen define a package-accommodating vacuum chamber, means for applying a vacuum to said vacuum chamber, an annular sealing mEmber carried by said housing within said concavity, said sealing member being normally held in an upwardly disposed retracted position, and power means for moving said sealing member downwardly toward said platen while said housing is in sealing engagement with said platen, whereby the peripheral portions of said package elements may be forced into sealing engagement while a vacuum is being applied to said chamber.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
217 words
An apparatus for vacuum packaging of a product in a package consisting of two rigid package elements, said apparatus comprising a plurality of platens, means for moving said platens sequentially along a predetermined path through a plurality of operating stations, each of said platens having package element holding means thereon adapted to receive and hold the package elements in substantially aligned superposed relation on a predetermined portion of the platen, means for holding a supply stack of each of said preformed package elements and for sequentially transferring said elements from the supply stacks to said platens at predetermined operating stations, a concave housing, means for moving said housing into sealing engagement with said platen surrounding said package element holding means after said package elements have been positioned thereon, whereby said housing cavity and said platen define a package-accommodating vacuum chamber, means for applying a vacuum to said vacuum chamber, an annular sealing mEmber carried by said housing within said concavity, said sealing member being normally held in an upwardly disposed retracted position, and power means for moving said sealing member downwardly toward said platen while said housing is in sealing engagement with said platen, whereby the peripheral portions of said package elements may be forced into sealing engagement while a vacuum is being applied to said chamber.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
258 words
An apparatus for vacuum packaging of a product in a two element package consisting of a preformed relatively flat rigid base element and a preformed inwardly concave rigid cover element; said apparatus comprising a plurality of platens, means adapted to move said platens sequentially along a predetermined path through a plurality of operating stations, each of said platens having package element holding means thereon adapted to receive and hold the package elements in substantially aligned superposed relation on a predetermined portion of the platen, first package element placement means for placing one of said elements on said package element holding means at a first station, means for guiding the product into position with respect to said one element at a second station, second package element placement means for placing the other of said elements over the product and said one element at a third station, a concave housing, means for moving said housing into sealing engagement with said platen surrounding said package element holding means at a fourth station, whereby said housing cavity and said platen define a package-accommodating vacuum chamber, means for applying a vacuum to said vacuum chamber, an annular sealing member carried by said housing within said concavity, said sealing member being normally held in an upwardly disposed retracted position, and power means for moving said sealing member downwardly toward said platen while said housing is in sealing engagement with said platen, whereby the peripheral portions of said package elements may be forced into sealing engagement while a vacuum is being applied to said chamber.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
258 words
An apparatus for vacuum packaging of a product in a two element package consisting of a preformed relatively flat rigid base element and a preformed inwardly concave rigid cover element; said apparatus comprising a plurality of platens, means adapted to move said platens sequentially along a predetermined path through a plurality of operating stations, each of said platens having package element holding means thereon adapted to receive and hold the package elements in substantially aligned superposed relation on a predetermined portion of the platen, first package element placement means for placing one of said elements on said package element holding means at a first station, means for guiding the product into position with respect to said one element at a second station, second package element placement means for placing the other of said elements over the product and said one element at a third station, a concave housing, means for moving said housing into sealing engagement with said platen surrounding said package element holding means at a fourth station, whereby said housing cavity and said platen define a package-accommodating vacuum chamber, means for applying a vacuum to said vacuum chamber, an annular sealing member carried by said housing within said concavity, said sealing member being normally held in an upwardly disposed retracted position, and power means for moving said sealing member downwardly toward said platen while said housing is in sealing engagement with said platen, whereby the peripheral portions of said package elements may be forced into sealing engagement while a vacuum is being applied to said chamber.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus for vacuum packaging of the product in a two element package consisting of a preformed rigid base element and a preformed rigid cover element, said apparatus comprising at least one platen, a plurality of means on said platen for holding the package elements in substantially aligned superposed relation on a predetermined portion of said platen, whereby a plurality of packages may be assembled and sealed on each platen simultaneously, a concave housing, means for moving said housing into sealing engagement with said platen surrounding said holding means, whereby said housing concavity and said platen define a package-accommodating vacuum chamber, means for applying a vacuum to said vacuum chamber, an annular sealing member carried by said housing within said concavity, said sealing member being normally held in an upwardly disposed retracted position, and power means for moving said sealing member downwardly toward said platen while said housing is in sealing engagement with said platen, whereby the peripheral portions of said package elements may be forced into sealing engagement while a vacuum is being applied to said chamber.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus for vacuum packaging of the product in a two element package consisting of a preformed rigid base element and a preformed rigid cover element, said apparatus comprising at least one platen, a plurality of means on said platen for holding the package elements in substantially aligned superposed relation on a predetermined portion of said platen, whereby a plurality of packages may be assembled and sealed on each platen simultaneously, a concave housing, means for moving said housing into sealing engagement with said platen surrounding said holding means, whereby said housing concavity and said platen define a package-accommodating vacuum chamber, means for applying a vacuum to said vacuum chamber, an annular sealing member carried by said housing within said concavity, said sealing member being normally held in an upwardly disposed retracted position, and power means for moving said sealing member downwardly toward said platen while said housing is in sealing engagement with said platen, whereby the peripheral portions of said package elements may be forced into sealing engagement while a vacuum is being applied to said chamber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-23 | 1975-11-22 | 1976-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-23 | 1979-11-22 | 1980-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-23 | 1983-11-22 | 1984-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |