Patent US2292024A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3744210A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Packaging machine and method
Assignee: Standard Packaging Corp
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Filing: 1971-06-28
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Granted: 1973-07-10
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Expires: 1991-06-28
Abstract
Abstract A machine and method for packaging cheese are disclosed as including apparatus having a four unit die for enabling the vacuum packaging of four cheese packages at any one time. The packages are formed by top and bottom plastic webs which are first partially sealed, then evacuated, then finally sealed, partially cut, examined for leaks, and then fully cut and separated to eliminate defective packages. The examination for leaks is accomplished by a novel leak detection system including apparatus for sensing package leaks after final seal has been accomplished.
Inventors
- 👤 Lenick A O
- 👤 I Wyslotsky
- 👤 D Roome
- 👤 R Spyra
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:05
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/20; G01M3/22; G01M3/226; G01M3/229; B; B65; B65B; B65B31/00; B65B31/02; B65B31/021; G01M3/227
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
367 words
An apparatus for vacuum packaging at a plurality of operation stations comprising a first operation station, a second operation station, a third operation station, and a fourth operation station, said first operation station including means for forming a package structure having a package bottom and a package top in general contact with each other to define a package chamber and first and second areas of contact, and means for partially sealing said package bottom to said package top in said first area of contact therebetween, said second operation station including means for evacuating said package chamber having a chamber unit overlying said package structure, means for introducing a leak tracer substance to said package chamber, and a final seal unit within said chamber unit, such that a leak tracer substance is introduced to said package through a chamber opening defined by said second area of contact whereby, at said third operation station, leak detection for such package structure is accomplished by sensing said leak tracer substance in the proximity of said package structure after final sealing is provided for said second area of contact by said final seal unit of said second operation station, said third operation station further including means for partially cutting said package structure in a transverse direction before leak detection, a leak detection chamber unit defining a leak detection chamber within which said finally sealed package structure is placed, conduit means connected to said chamber, vacuum means operatively connected to said conduit means, compressed air means operatively connected to said conduit means, control means for operating said compressed air means such that said leak detection chamber is evacuated by said vacuum means to detect the presence or absence of tracer substance within said leak detection chamber and said chamber is purged by said compressed air means after said evacuation, said fourth operation station including means for selectively cutting said finally sealed package structure completely in said transverse direction depending upon said detection of the absence of tracer substance within said leak detection chamber, means for transmitting information of said detection from said leak detection chamber to said means for cutting completely, and removing means for removing packaging units from said means for forming.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
367 words
An apparatus for vacuum packaging at a plurality of operation stations comprising a first operation station, a second operation station, a third operation station, and a fourth operation station, said first operation station including means for forming a package structure having a package bottom and a package top in general contact with each other to define a package chamber and first and second areas of contact, and means for partially sealing said package bottom to said package top in said first area of contact therebetween, said second operation station including means for evacuating said package chamber having a chamber unit overlying said package structure, means for introducing a leak tracer substance to said package chamber, and a final seal unit within said chamber unit, such that a leak tracer substance is introduced to said package through a chamber opening defined by said second area of contact whereby, at said third operation station, leak detection for such package structure is accomplished by sensing said leak tracer substance in the proximity of said package structure after final sealing is provided for said second area of contact by said final seal unit of said second operation station, said third operation station further including means for partially cutting said package structure in a transverse direction before leak detection, a leak detection chamber unit defining a leak detection chamber within which said finally sealed package structure is placed, conduit means connected to said chamber, vacuum means operatively connected to said conduit means, compressed air means operatively connected to said conduit means, control means for operating said compressed air means such that said leak detection chamber is evacuated by said vacuum means to detect the presence or absence of tracer substance within said leak detection chamber and said chamber is purged by said compressed air means after said evacuation, said fourth operation station including means for selectively cutting said finally sealed package structure completely in said transverse direction depending upon said detection of the absence of tracer substance within said leak detection chamber, means for transmitting information of said detection from said leak detection chamber to said means for cutting completely, and removing means for removing packaging units from said means for forming.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
115 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said means of transmitting includes a leak detection sensor, leak detection electronics, a memory module, a solenoid means and an air cylinder for operating said means for cutting completely, such that said leak detection sensor detects the presence of tracer substance to provide an electrical signal to said leak detector electronics, which in turn provides a signal for said memory module, said memory module providing a delay for said signal equivalent to the time necessary for said sealed package structure to move from said third operation station to said fourth operation station, after which said memory module controls said solenoid means to inhibit operation of said air cylinder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
8 words
depositing perishable items into said bottom members; and,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
8 words
depositing perishable items into said bottom members; and,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
depositing said packages onto a conveyor unit for further processing of those packages for which the absence of tracer was sensed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
depositing said packages onto a conveyor unit for further processing of those packages for which the absence of tracer was sensed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
9 words
enclosing tandem package units in a leak detection chamber;
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
9 words
enclosing tandem package units in a leak detection chamber;
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
8 words
introducing to said space a tracer substance; and,
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
8 words
introducing to said space a tracer substance; and,
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
overlying said items with a plurality of package top members thus to form packages; b. In a first station:
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
overlying said items with a plurality of package top members thus to form packages; b. In a first station:
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
thereafter completely sealing said members to each other; d. In a third station:
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
thereafter completely sealing said members to each other; d. In a third station:
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
4 words
evacuating said chamber; and
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
4 words
evacuating said chamber; and
Claim 18
Independent Claim
23 words
A method for vacuum packaging of perishable items during a plurality of station operations comprising the steps of: a. In a preliminary station:
Claim 19
Independent Claim
23 words
A method for vacuum packaging of perishable items during a plurality of station operations comprising the steps of: a. In a preliminary station:
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
a method according to claim 3 including the step of transmitting information containing the sensed presence or absence of tracer substance to a means of controlling said fourth station cutting step.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
sensing the presence or absence of tracer substance in said chamber to detect leaking of said units; e. In a fourth station:
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
sensing the presence or absence of tracer substance in said chamber to detect leaking of said units; e. In a fourth station:
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3592049A
Cited
US3591944A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-09 | 1977-01-08 | 1977-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-09 | 1981-01-08 | 1981-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-09 | 1985-01-08 | 1985-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |