Patent US3777445A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3777445A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for pricing case packed canned goods
Assignee: WR Grace and Co
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Filing: 1972-08-09
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Granted: 1973-12-11
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Expires: 1992-08-09
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a method and apparatus for pricing, at a central location, canned goods packed in cartons. The method comprises the steps of slitting the cartons so that at least the bottom forms a tray, removing the unused part of the carton, placing the pricing information on the canned goods, and then wrapping the canned goods and tray in sheet material; and, the apparatus comprises means for conveying the cartons of canned goods, means for slitting or cutting the cartons away from the canned goods, means for placing the pricing information on the canned goods, and wrapping means. After wrapping, the priced goods are then ready for distribution to retail grocery stores and supermarkets.
Inventors
- 👤 R Anderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 01:24
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B69/00; B65B69/0033; B65B61/00; B65B61/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of pricing canned goods packed in two tiers in cartons comprising the steps of: a. slitting the carton in two parallel cuts, both of said cuts being horizontally and continuing completely around the periphery of said carton so that the top and bottom of said carton form trays; b. removing said top tray thereby leaving the two tiers of canned goods disposed upon the bottom tray; c. lifting the upper tier of said canned goods; d. moving the lower tier from below said upper tier; e. positioning said top tray below said upper tier; f. lowering said upper tier to the same level as said lower tier into said top tray; and, g. placing pricing information on each of the canned goods in said upper and lower tiers.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of pricing canned goods packed in two tiers in cartons comprising the steps of: a. slitting the carton in two parallel cuts, both of said cuts being horizontally and continuing completely around the periphery of said carton so that the top and bottom of said carton form trays; b. removing said top tray thereby leaving the two tiers of canned goods disposed upon the bottom tray; c. lifting the upper tier of said canned goods; d. moving the lower tier from below said upper tier; e. positioning said top tray below said upper tier; f. lowering said upper tier to the same level as said lower tier into said top tray; and, g. placing pricing information on each of the canned goods in said upper and lower tiers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 including the additional steps of: i. lifting said lower tier; ii. moving said upper tier under said lower tier; and, iii. lowering said lower tier onto said upper tier thereby regrouping said canned goods.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a magnet is employed to lift said tiers.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
354 words
A method of preparing canned goods for retail display and sale, said canned goods being packed in two tiers in a paperboard carton and said cans comprising a ferro-magnetic material, said method comprising the steps of: a. slitting the carton in two horizontal, parallel cuts whereby the top and bottom of said carton form two shallow trays; b. removing said carton top and middle section thereby exposing the two tiers of canned goods on the bottom tray; c. placing a flat plate on top of said upper tier of canned goods, said plate covering the upper surfaces of said canned goods in said upper tier; d. positioning a magnet on top of said plate, said magnet applying magnetic force to all cans in said upper tier and said magnet being of sufficient strength to hold and lift all cans in said upper tier; e. lifting said plate and said magnet thereby lifting said upper tier of canned goods from said lower tier; f. moving said lower tier from under said upper tier; g. placing the carton top below said upper tier to form a tray therefor; h. lowering said upper tier to the same horizontal level as said lower tier; i. holding said plate while moving said magnet out of magnetically attractive relationship with said cans; j. removing said plate from one top of said upper tier; k. placing pricing information on the tops of said cans in each of said tiers; l. placing a second flat plate on top of the cans in one of said tiers thereby covering same; m. placing a second magnet on top of said second plate, said second magnet being capable of holding and lifting all the cans in the tier; n. lifting said second plate and said second magnet thereby lifting the cans in said tier; o. positioning the other tier under the tier being lifted; p. lowering the lifted tier onto the other tier; and, q. holding the second plate and moving the second magnet out of contact with said cans and thereafter removing said second plate whereby said cans are grouped in a case lot.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
354 words
A method of preparing canned goods for retail display and sale, said canned goods being packed in two tiers in a paperboard carton and said cans comprising a ferro-magnetic material, said method comprising the steps of: a. slitting the carton in two horizontal, parallel cuts whereby the top and bottom of said carton form two shallow trays; b. removing said carton top and middle section thereby exposing the two tiers of canned goods on the bottom tray; c. placing a flat plate on top of said upper tier of canned goods, said plate covering the upper surfaces of said canned goods in said upper tier; d. positioning a magnet on top of said plate, said magnet applying magnetic force to all cans in said upper tier and said magnet being of sufficient strength to hold and lift all cans in said upper tier; e. lifting said plate and said magnet thereby lifting said upper tier of canned goods from said lower tier; f. moving said lower tier from under said upper tier; g. placing the carton top below said upper tier to form a tray therefor; h. lowering said upper tier to the same horizontal level as said lower tier; i. holding said plate while moving said magnet out of magnetically attractive relationship with said cans; j. removing said plate from one top of said upper tier; k. placing pricing information on the tops of said cans in each of said tiers; l. placing a second flat plate on top of the cans in one of said tiers thereby covering same; m. placing a second magnet on top of said second plate, said second magnet being capable of holding and lifting all the cans in the tier; n. lifting said second plate and said second magnet thereby lifting the cans in said tier; o. positioning the other tier under the tier being lifted; p. lowering the lifted tier onto the other tier; and, q. holding the second plate and moving the second magnet out of contact with said cans and thereafter removing said second plate whereby said cans are grouped in a case lot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 4 including the steps of wrapping the regrouped canned goods in clear, heat shrinkable thermoplastic material and thereafter heat shrinking the material around said regrouped canned goods.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus for pricing canned goods packed in tiers in cartons comprising: a. conveying means for conveying said cartons to and through the succeeding enumerated means; b. carton slitting means for cutting said carton into at least one tray upon which said cannEd goods rest; c. can transfer means for lifting the uppermost tier of canned goods and lowering same onto said conveying means; d. means for placing pricing indicia on each row of canned goods; and, e. means for regrouping said tiers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus for pricing canned goods packed in tiers in cartons comprising: a. conveying means for conveying said cartons to and through the succeeding enumerated means; b. carton slitting means for cutting said carton into at least one tray upon which said cannEd goods rest; c. can transfer means for lifting the uppermost tier of canned goods and lowering same onto said conveying means; d. means for placing pricing indicia on each row of canned goods; and, e. means for regrouping said tiers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
179 words
Apparatus for pricing canned goods packed in two tiers and cartons comprising: a. conveying means to move said cartons and canned goods horizontally through the following enumerated means; b. carton slitting means to cut two parallel, horizontal cuts about the periphery of a carton whereby the top and the bottom of said carton form shallow trays; c. first lifting means for lifting an upper tier of canned goods from a lower tier permitting the lower tier to move horizontally on said conveying means from under said lifted tier and thereafter placing said upper tier on said conveying means; d. carton positioning means to position cartons traveling on said conveying means; e. printing means to apply pricing information to the tops of said cans in each of said tiers; f. second lifting means to lift a tier of canned goods above said conveying means whereby as a following tier of canned goods moves under said lifted tier, said lifted tier can be lowered on top of said following tier; and g. wrapping means to enclose said tiers in sheet material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
179 words
Apparatus for pricing canned goods packed in two tiers and cartons comprising: a. conveying means to move said cartons and canned goods horizontally through the following enumerated means; b. carton slitting means to cut two parallel, horizontal cuts about the periphery of a carton whereby the top and the bottom of said carton form shallow trays; c. first lifting means for lifting an upper tier of canned goods from a lower tier permitting the lower tier to move horizontally on said conveying means from under said lifted tier and thereafter placing said upper tier on said conveying means; d. carton positioning means to position cartons traveling on said conveying means; e. printing means to apply pricing information to the tops of said cans in each of said tiers; f. second lifting means to lift a tier of canned goods above said conveying means whereby as a following tier of canned goods moves under said lifted tier, said lifted tier can be lowered on top of said following tier; and g. wrapping means to enclose said tiers in sheet material.
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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) | 1976-12-10 | 1977-06-11 | 1977-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-10 | 1981-06-11 | 1981-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-10 | 1985-06-11 | 1985-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |