US3733773A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus including reciprocating web feeding means for a continuously feeding web
Assignee: RA Jones and Co Inc
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Filing: 1971-05-27
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Granted: 1973-05-22
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Expires: 1991-05-27
Abstract
Abstract A blister packaging machine is provided with a pair of alternating reciprocating clamps which feed a web of sheet material in a continuous motion through the machine by alternately engaging the web by the clamps during the advancing portions of their strokes and transferring engagement back and forth between the clamps while the clamps are moving forwardly at the same velocity. The clamps are driven by a cam and cam follower mechanism linked to the clamps. A movable flat bed work station is supported for movement with one of the clamps and has a working member which works upon the sheet by a reciprocating stroke against the sheet. The actuation of the clamps, the motion of the clamps, and the timing of the actuation of the working elements is derived from the cam mechanism. The machine is particularly useful in forming blister packages for pills and the like through the use of reciprocating dies.
Inventors
- 👤 J Hamilton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 12:17
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C51/00; B29C51/26; B29C51/261; B65; B65B; B65B41/00; B65B41/12; B65B41/14; B65B47/00; B65B47/04; B65B47/06; B65B9/00; B65B9/02; B65B9/04; B65B9/045; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/647; Y10T83/654
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
A machine for forming, filling, and sealing packages from a web of material being continuously transported past a series of work stations, said machine comprising: means for continuously advancing said web along a path past said work stations including: a. a pair of clamp assemblies each adapted to engage said web, b. means for mounting said clamp assemblies for reciprocating movement in forward and reverse strokes along said path, c. a rotatable cam, d. a pair of cam followers, e. means for linking each of said cam followers to a different one of said clamp assemblies, and f. said cam and cam followers being adapted to reciprocate said clamp assemblies in an out-of-phase relationship with each other; at least one of said work stations mounted for reciprocating movement with one of said clamp assemblies; said movable work station including flat bed working elements movable with respect to said work station in a path approximately perpendicular to that of said web and the movement of said work station; means for actuating said working elements to work upon said web while the clamp assembly with which the work station is mounted is engaging and advancing said web; and clamp actuating means for alternately closing said clamp assemblies during a portion of their forward strokes, said clamp assemblies being simultaneously closed only when moving at the same velocity during the forward stroke; whereby said web is continuously moved in a forward direction by the alternative action of said clamp assemblies.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
A machine for forming, filling, and sealing packages from a web of material being continuously transported past a series of work stations, said machine comprising: means for continuously advancing said web along a path past said work stations including: a. a pair of clamp assemblies each adapted to engage said web, b. means for mounting said clamp assemblies for reciprocating movement in forward and reverse strokes along said path, c. a rotatable cam, d. a pair of cam followers, e. means for linking each of said cam followers to a different one of said clamp assemblies, and f. said cam and cam followers being adapted to reciprocate said clamp assemblies in an out-of-phase relationship with each other; at least one of said work stations mounted for reciprocating movement with one of said clamp assemblies; said movable work station including flat bed working elements movable with respect to said work station in a path approximately perpendicular to that of said web and the movement of said work station; means for actuating said working elements to work upon said web while the clamp assembly with which the work station is mounted is engaging and advancing said web; and clamp actuating means for alternately closing said clamp assemblies during a portion of their forward strokes, said clamp assemblies being simultaneously closed only when moving at the same velocity during the forward stroke; whereby said web is continuously moved in a forward direction by the alternative action of said clamp assemblies.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A machine according to claim 1 wherein said working elements include: a reciprocating die assembly operable to deform said web when actuated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
deforming a heated portion of said web to form a plurality of blister-like compartments therein,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
deforming a heated portion of said web to form a plurality of blister-like compartments therein,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
117 words
A packaging machine having forming, filling, and sealing means for working upon a continuous web of sheet material, said machine comprising: means for directing said web in a predetermined path; a flat bed work station positioned along said path; means for continuously advancing said web in a forward direction along said path past said work station, said advancing means including first and second feed elements, each of said feed elements being mounted for reciprocating movement along said path and each being adapted to intermittently engage and advance said web during the forward motion of the element; and drive means for alternately reciprocating said feed elements, said drive means including a mechanical linkage connected between said feed elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
117 words
A packaging machine having forming, filling, and sealing means for working upon a continuous web of sheet material, said machine comprising: means for directing said web in a predetermined path; a flat bed work station positioned along said path; means for continuously advancing said web in a forward direction along said path past said work station, said advancing means including first and second feed elements, each of said feed elements being mounted for reciprocating movement along said path and each being adapted to intermittently engage and advance said web during the forward motion of the element; and drive means for alternately reciprocating said feed elements, said drive means including a mechanical linkage connected between said feed elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
6 words
loading articles into said formed compartments,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
6 words
loading articles into said formed compartments,
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
laminating a film to a portion of said web to seal said loaded compartments, and
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
laminating a film to a portion of said web to seal said loaded compartments, and
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A machine according to claim 3 wherein: said work station is fixedly linked to one of said feed elements for reciprocating movement therewith.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
A machine according to claim 4 wherein said work station includes: a working member for working upon said web and mounted for reciprocating movement on said movable work station in a path approximately perpendicular to the path of said web and saId work station.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
154 words
trimming a sealed portion of said web to form a package; and means for continuously advancing said web along a path past said work station comprising: a. a pair of clamp assemblies adapted to engage said web, b. means for mounting said clamp assemblies for reciprocating movement in forward and reverse strokes along said path, c. a rotatable cam, d. a pair of cam followers, e. means for linking each of said cam followers to a different one of said clamp assemblies, f. said cam and cam followers being adapted to reciprocate said clamp assemblies in out-of-phase relationship with each other; and g. clamp actuating means for alternately closing said clamp assemblies during a portion of their forward strokes, said clamp assemblies being simultaneously actuated only when moving at the same velocity during the forward stroke; whereby said web is continuously moved in a forward direction by the alternative action of said clamp assemblies.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
154 words
trimming a sealed portion of said web to form a package; and means for continuously advancing said web along a path past said work station comprising: a. a pair of clamp assemblies adapted to engage said web, b. means for mounting said clamp assemblies for reciprocating movement in forward and reverse strokes along said path, c. a rotatable cam, d. a pair of cam followers, e. means for linking each of said cam followers to a different one of said clamp assemblies, f. said cam and cam followers being adapted to reciprocate said clamp assemblies in out-of-phase relationship with each other; and g. clamp actuating means for alternately closing said clamp assemblies during a portion of their forward strokes, said clamp assemblies being simultaneously actuated only when moving at the same velocity during the forward stroke; whereby said web is continuously moved in a forward direction by the alternative action of said clamp assemblies.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
A machine according to claim 5 further comprising: means for actuating said working element to work upon said web while the sheet feed member with which the work station is mounted is engaging and advancing said web.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
89 words
A machine according to claim 3 further comprising: means for actuating said feed elements to engage said web during the forward movement of the element but to disengage said web during the return movement of the feed element; said feed elements being moved at the same velocity in the forward direction during periods near the beginnings and the ends of their forward movements, said elements momentarily simultaneously engaging said web during said periods; whereby said web is continuously being engaged and advanced by at least one of said elements.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
A machine according to claim 7 wherein: said elements are driven at an approximately constant velocity when engaging said web.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
A blister packaging machine comprising: a supply of thermoplastic sheet material in the form of a web; a plurality of work stations for successively performing, upon said web, the operations of
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
A blister packaging machine comprising: a supply of thermoplastic sheet material in the form of a web; a plurality of work stations for successively performing, upon said web, the operations of
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
82 words
A machine according to claim 9 wherein: at least one of said work stations mounted for reciprocating movement with said clamp assemblies; said movable work station including working elements movable with respect to said work station in a path approximately perpendicular to that of said web and the movement of said work station; and means for actuating said working elements to work upon said web while the clamp assembly with which the work station is mounted is engaging and advancing said web.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
A machine according to claim 10 wherein said movable work station includes: a die forming assembly having an element movable against said web to deform said web while said station is moving at the same velocity as said web.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
A machine according to claim 10 wherein said movable work station includes: a heater assembly having an element movable against said web to heat said web while said station is moving at the same velocity as said web.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
43 words
A machine according to claim 10 wherein said movable work station includes: a press assembly having an element movable against said web to laminate to said web an interposing film material while said station is moving at the same velocity as said web.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
39 words
A machine according to claim 10 wherein said movable work station includes: a die cutting assembly having an element movable against said web to cut said web while said station is moving at the same velocity as said web.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
150 words
In a machine for working upon a web of sheet material at a wOrk station, means for continuously advancing said web along a path past said work station comprising: a pair of clamp assemblies adapted to engage said web; means for mounting said clamp assemblies for reciprocating movement in forward and reverse strokes along said path, a rotatable cam; a pair of cam followers; means for linking each of said cam followers to a different one of said clamp assemblies; said cam and cam followers being adapted to reciprocate said clamp assemblies in out-of-phase relationship with each other; and clamp actuating means for alternately closing said clamp assemblies during a portion of their forward strokes, said clamp assemblies being simultaneously actuated only when moving at the same velocity during the forward stroke; whereby said web is continuously moved in a forward direction by the alternative action of said clamp assemblies.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
150 words
In a machine for working upon a web of sheet material at a wOrk station, means for continuously advancing said web along a path past said work station comprising: a pair of clamp assemblies adapted to engage said web; means for mounting said clamp assemblies for reciprocating movement in forward and reverse strokes along said path, a rotatable cam; a pair of cam followers; means for linking each of said cam followers to a different one of said clamp assemblies; said cam and cam followers being adapted to reciprocate said clamp assemblies in out-of-phase relationship with each other; and clamp actuating means for alternately closing said clamp assemblies during a portion of their forward strokes, said clamp assemblies being simultaneously actuated only when moving at the same velocity during the forward stroke; whereby said web is continuously moved in a forward direction by the alternative action of said clamp assemblies.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
Advancing means according to claim 15 wherein: each of said clamp assemblies includes a pair of elongated clamps extending along said path and on opposite edges of said web, said clamp assemblies being positioned to engage said edges when closed.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
Advancing means according to claim 15 wherein: said cam includes a major portion of uniformly increasing radius; and said cam followers are positioned at diametrically opposite points on said cam.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
187 words
A method for continuously advancing a web of sheet material through a machine having at least one work station for intermittently operating on said sheet material comprising the steps of: engaging said sheet with a first engaging element and feeding said sheet a given distance through said machine with a forward stroke of a first engaging element; then engaging said sheet with a second engaging element which is moving at the same velocity as said first engaging element near the end of its advancing stroke, and thereafter releasing said sheet by said first engaging element; then returning said first engaging element to the beginning of its stroke while advancing said sheet with said second engaging element a second given distance along said path; then re-engaging said sheet with a first engaging element which is moving at the same velocity as said second engaging element near the end of its advancing stroke, and thereafter releasing said sheet by said second engaging element; and moving said work station at the same velocity and direction as said sheet during the intervals that said work station is operating on said sheet.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
187 words
A method for continuously advancing a web of sheet material through a machine having at least one work station for intermittently operating on said sheet material comprising the steps of: engaging said sheet with a first engaging element and feeding said sheet a given distance through said machine with a forward stroke of a first engaging element; then engaging said sheet with a second engaging element which is moving at the same velocity as said first engaging element near the end of its advancing stroke, and thereafter releasing said sheet by said first engaging element; then returning said first engaging element to the beginning of its stroke while advancing said sheet with said second engaging element a second given distance along said path; then re-engaging said sheet with a first engaging element which is moving at the same velocity as said second engaging element near the end of its advancing stroke, and thereafter releasing said sheet by said second engaging element; and moving said work station at the same velocity and direction as said sheet during the intervals that said work station is operating on said sheet.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 18 for continuously advancing a web of sheet material through a machine having at least one work station for intermittently operating on said sheet material comprising the steps of: successively performing the steps set forth in claim 18 a plurality of times.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
122 words
A machine for working upon a continuous web of sheet material comprising: means for directing said web in a predetermined path; a work station positioned along said path; means for continuously advancing said web in a forward direction along said path past said work station, said advancing means including first and second feed elements, each of said feed elements being mounted for reciprocating movement along said path and each being adapted to intermittently engage and advance said web during the forward motion of the element; said work station being fixedly linked to one of said feed elements for reciprocating movement therewith, and drive means for alternately reciprocating said feed elements, said drive means including a mechanical linkage connected between said feed elements.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
122 words
A machine for working upon a continuous web of sheet material comprising: means for directing said web in a predetermined path; a work station positioned along said path; means for continuously advancing said web in a forward direction along said path past said work station, said advancing means including first and second feed elements, each of said feed elements being mounted for reciprocating movement along said path and each being adapted to intermittently engage and advance said web during the forward motion of the element; said work station being fixedly linked to one of said feed elements for reciprocating movement therewith, and drive means for alternately reciprocating said feed elements, said drive means including a mechanical linkage connected between said feed elements.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus comprising a supply of material in web form, a reciprocable work station for performing at least one operation on said web, at least one reciprocable gripper for grasping said web and advancing it past said work station, a single cam, and means connecting said single cam to both said work station and said gRipper to reciprocate said work station and gripper.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus comprising a supply of material in web form, a reciprocable work station for performing at least one operation on said web, at least one reciprocable gripper for grasping said web and advancing it past said work station, a single cam, and means connecting said single cam to both said work station and said gRipper to reciprocate said work station and gripper.
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 |