US3733770A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Processor's method and apparatus for packing photographs
Assignee: Gretag Systems Inc
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Filing: 1971-03-03
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Granted: 1973-05-22
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Expires: 1991-03-03
Abstract
Abstract Items such as processed cut films and interrelated prints representing individual customer orders are packed in respective multi-leaf, flexible strip assembly carriers interjoined at a common edge and separable at the opposite and intervening edges for insertion and removal of films and prints received in the successive inter-leaf spaces. A packing method and apparatus are disclosed utilizing carrier stock comprising an elongated multileaf flexible strip assembly adapted, such as by a series of perforations therein, to be machine fed lengthwise in positive manner and the leaves of which spread apart progressively as they approach a packing station. There the cut films and prints are packed in the strip assembly by transverse insertion into the open spaces between the leaves in such timed relation with advancement of the strip assembly as to space the groups of interrelated items respectively in successive carrier-length sections of the strip assembly. Then the packed individual carrier-length sections are severed from the stock body for subsequent processing. In the preferred embodiment the carrier stock leaves, of material protective to the films and prints, are transversely scored and thereby weakened at carrier-length intervals along their lengths so as to permit severing the carrier-length sections by tearing. The face leaf is transparent so as to permit markings to be seen through it, and is of lesser width than an underlying leaf such that the latter''s projecting edge may serve as a marking tab.
Inventors
- 👤 A Erickson
- 👤 L Tall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 12:47
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B25/00; B65B25/14; G; G03; G03D; G03D15/00; G03D15/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
A method of packing photographic films, prints and similar items in carriers, comprising the steps of providing an elongated multi-leaf flexible strip assembly including interjoined mutually superimposed leaves of paper-like strip material joined together in face-to-face relationship along a common first longitudinal edge and freely separable from each other substantially continuously along their opposite second longitudinal edge, progressively machine feeding the strip assembly lengthwise to a packing station with the strip assembly positionally held by its first edge and with its leaves initially closed upon each other, progressively spreading apart the leaves of the strip assembly to open successive length sections of the adjacent leaves in approaching and reaching the packing station, inserting items to be packed transversely between said opened leaves at the packing station in timed relation with the advancement of the strip assembly so as to space the items respectively at intermediate positions lengthwise of the strip assembly in the successive length sections of the strip assembly, progressively reclosing the leaves to hold the inserted items between the leaves beyond the packing station, and severing the length sections carrying such items successively from the remainder of the strip assembly to form section-length individual carriers open along their second longitudinal edge and along their adjoining side edges holding the inserted items between the leaves of such carriers.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
219 words
A method of packing photographic films, prints and similar items in carriers, comprising the steps of providing an elongated multi-leaf flexible strip assembly including interjoined mutually superimposed leaves of paper-like strip material joined together in face-to-face relationship along a common first longitudinal edge and freely separable from each other substantially continuously along their opposite second longitudinal edge, progressively machine feeding the strip assembly lengthwise to a packing station with the strip assembly positionally held by its first edge and with its leaves initially closed upon each other, progressively spreading apart the leaves of the strip assembly to open successive length sections of the adjacent leaves in approaching and reaching the packing station, inserting items to be packed transversely between said opened leaves at the packing station in timed relation with the advancement of the strip assembly so as to space the items respectively at intermediate positions lengthwise of the strip assembly in the successive length sections of the strip assembly, progressively reclosing the leaves to hold the inserted items between the leaves beyond the packing station, and severing the length sections carrying such items successively from the remainder of the strip assembly to form section-length individual carriers open along their second longitudinal edge and along their adjoining side edges holding the inserted items between the leaves of such carriers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method defined in claim 1, including providing the strip assembly with at least three such interjoined leaves progressively spread apart to open up the spaces between them at the packing station, and inserting items to be packed by groups between the leaves, with at least one item of each group inserted between two leaves and at least one other item of the same group inserted between a different two leaves, in the same length section of the strip assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method defined in claim 2, wherein the items of each group are inserted substantially simultaneously.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method defined in claim 2, wherein the respective items of each group are inserted first between two leaves and thereafter between a different two leaves with the strip assembly further advanced.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method defined in claim 1, wherein the steps of inserting items and severing the length sections of the strip assembly are timed bY indexing elements carried by the strip assembly at interval locations along its length.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method defined in claim 2, wherein the step of progressively spreading apart the leaves is performed by interposing between the leaves physical separation means maintained in substantially fixed position relative to the packing station while advancing the strip assembly past such means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
266 words
Apparatus for packing photographic films, prints and similar items in carriers formed from carrier stock comprising an elongated multi-leaf flexible strip assembly including mutually superimposed leaves of paper-like strip material joined together along a common first longitudinal edge in face-to-face relationship and freely separable from each other substantially continuously along their opposite second longitudinal edge, said apparatus comprising feed means engageable with the strip assembly adjacent the first longitudinal edge thereof with the leaves of the strip assembly closed upon each other to advance the strip assembly lengthwise in controlled manner to a loading station, guide means operatively associated with the feed means and physically interposed between the leaves of the strip assembly so as to progressively open up successive length sections of such leaves in approaching and reaching the loading station, loading means at the loading station in such relative position and operable so as to insert items to be packed into the space between successive leaves of the assembly, said loading means being operable in timed relation to advancement of the strip assembly to the loading station so as to locate the inserted items in successive carrier-length sections along the length of the strip assembly, said guide means being formed and positioned to permit progressive reclosure of successive sections of the leaves upon the items inserted therebetween in advancing beyond the loading station, and means beyond the loading station adapted for use in severing the reclosed leaves to form section-length individual carriers open along their second longitudinal edge and along their adjoining side edges holding the inserted items between the leaves of such carriers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
266 words
Apparatus for packing photographic films, prints and similar items in carriers formed from carrier stock comprising an elongated multi-leaf flexible strip assembly including mutually superimposed leaves of paper-like strip material joined together along a common first longitudinal edge in face-to-face relationship and freely separable from each other substantially continuously along their opposite second longitudinal edge, said apparatus comprising feed means engageable with the strip assembly adjacent the first longitudinal edge thereof with the leaves of the strip assembly closed upon each other to advance the strip assembly lengthwise in controlled manner to a loading station, guide means operatively associated with the feed means and physically interposed between the leaves of the strip assembly so as to progressively open up successive length sections of such leaves in approaching and reaching the loading station, loading means at the loading station in such relative position and operable so as to insert items to be packed into the space between successive leaves of the assembly, said loading means being operable in timed relation to advancement of the strip assembly to the loading station so as to locate the inserted items in successive carrier-length sections along the length of the strip assembly, said guide means being formed and positioned to permit progressive reclosure of successive sections of the leaves upon the items inserted therebetween in advancing beyond the loading station, and means beyond the loading station adapted for use in severing the reclosed leaves to form section-length individual carriers open along their second longitudinal edge and along their adjoining side edges holding the inserted items between the leaves of such carriers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus defined in claim 7, wherein the strip assembly is provided with a series of openings adjacent the interjoined edge of the leaves and the feed means comprises elements positively engaged in said openings to positively advance and position the strip assembly in relation to the loading station.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus defined in claim 7 further including photoelectric sensing means to operate the loading means in timed relation to positioning movement of the strip assembly, the strip assembly having marks thereon effective to actuate the photosensing means, such marks being placed at intervals along the length of such strip assembly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus defined in claim 9 further including a shear positioned beyond the loading station and connected to be controlled for operation in response to the photosensing means in timed relation to positioning movements of the strip assembly by the feed means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus defined in claim 7, wherein the loading station comprises a plurality of separate but mutually adjacent loading guides operable to and positioned in relation to the openings between leaves to insert different but related items between different pairs of leaves in the same carrier-length section of the strip assembly.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-21 | 1976-11-20 | 1977-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-21 | 1980-11-20 | 1981-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-21 | 1984-11-20 | 1985-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |