US3795085A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for the evacuation, clipping and trimming of bag-like packages
Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation Inc
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Filing: 1972-01-20
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Granted: 1974-03-05
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Expires: 1992-01-20
Abstract
Abstract A device for the evacuation, clipping and trimming of product containing, bag-like packages comprising a rotatable assembly having a circular table portion, a plurality of radially oriented evacuation nozzles and clamping means for each nozzle for sealingly affixing a product containing bag-like package thereon. The device has circumferentially arranged about the rotating assembly a bag insertion position having clamp closing means, vacuum initiating means, vacuum terminating means, means to clip the bag-like package and to trim the excess end therefrom, clamp releasing means, means to divert the package from the table portion of the rotating assembly to further processing equipment and means to dispose of the excess bag end. Finally, means are provided to rotate the assembly and each of its nozzle and clamping means through the above noted positions.
Inventors
- 👤 L Andre
- 👤 W Barthalomew
- 👤 P Worline
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:28
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B31/00; B65B31/04; B65B31/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
420 words
A device for the evacuation, clipping and trimming of baglike product-containing packages, said device comprising a framework having a hollow center post, a circular assembly comprising a central hub rotatively mounted on said center post, a plurality of pairs of upper and lower frame members extending radially from said hub, the upper and lower frame members of each pair lying in the same vertical plane, and annularly downwardly and outwardly sloping table structure comprising the peripheral portion of said circular assembly, and means at the ends of said upper and lower radial frame members to support said annular table structure, a plurality of radially oriented nozzle assemblies mounted on said circular assembly, a vacuum source, said central hub being surmounted by a hollow vacuum tube rotatable with said hub, the interior of said vacuum tube being connected by a fluid tight seal to the interior of said center post, means to close the upper end of said vacuum tube with a fluid tight seal, said vacuum tube having a plurality of ports equal in number to the number of said vacuum nozzle assemblies, hose means connecting each of said vacuum nozzle assemblies to one of said vacuum tube ports, means for connecting the interior of said center posts to said vacuum source, a plurality of openable and closable clamping means mounted on said circular assembly each in association with one of said nozzle assemblies for sealingly engaging the open end of one of said packages to the adjacent nozzle assembly, means for rotating said circular assembly, said device having a first circumferential position with respect to said circular assembly wherein said packages are sequentially placed on said table each with its open end about that nozzle assembly passing by said first position at the time of placement of said package, said device having a second circumferential position wherein said packages are removed from said table, means to seal said package end, means on said frame to mount said sealing means adjacent said second position and in the path of travel of said packages from said first position to said second position, means to close each of said clamping means after it has passed through said first position, means to open each of said clamping means after it has passed said second position but before it again passes said first position, and means to open each vacuum nozzle immediately after the closing of its respective clamping means and to close each nozzle immediately prior to its passage by said sealing means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
420 words
A device for the evacuation, clipping and trimming of baglike product-containing packages, said device comprising a framework having a hollow center post, a circular assembly comprising a central hub rotatively mounted on said center post, a plurality of pairs of upper and lower frame members extending radially from said hub, the upper and lower frame members of each pair lying in the same vertical plane, and annularly downwardly and outwardly sloping table structure comprising the peripheral portion of said circular assembly, and means at the ends of said upper and lower radial frame members to support said annular table structure, a plurality of radially oriented nozzle assemblies mounted on said circular assembly, a vacuum source, said central hub being surmounted by a hollow vacuum tube rotatable with said hub, the interior of said vacuum tube being connected by a fluid tight seal to the interior of said center post, means to close the upper end of said vacuum tube with a fluid tight seal, said vacuum tube having a plurality of ports equal in number to the number of said vacuum nozzle assemblies, hose means connecting each of said vacuum nozzle assemblies to one of said vacuum tube ports, means for connecting the interior of said center posts to said vacuum source, a plurality of openable and closable clamping means mounted on said circular assembly each in association with one of said nozzle assemblies for sealingly engaging the open end of one of said packages to the adjacent nozzle assembly, means for rotating said circular assembly, said device having a first circumferential position with respect to said circular assembly wherein said packages are sequentially placed on said table each with its open end about that nozzle assembly passing by said first position at the time of placement of said package, said device having a second circumferential position wherein said packages are removed from said table, means to seal said package end, means on said frame to mount said sealing means adjacent said second position and in the path of travel of said packages from said first position to said second position, means to close each of said clamping means after it has passed through said first position, means to open each of said clamping means after it has passed said second position but before it again passes said first position, and means to open each vacuum nozzle immediately after the closing of its respective clamping means and to close each nozzle immediately prior to its passage by said sealing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The structure claimed in claim 1 including first conveying means to bring said packages to said first position and a second conveying means to conduct said packages away from said second position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The structure claimed in claim 1 including deflecting means mounted on said framework to remove said packages from said circular assembly at said second position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said means to rotate said circular assembly comprises a variable speed motor operatively connected to said circular assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said sealing means comprises means to apply a clip about said package end whereby said evacuated package is sealed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said means on said frame to mount said sealing means is such as to permit limited travel of said sealing means in the direction of a package being sealed whereby said circular assembly may rotate during the sealing operation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The structure claimed in claim 1 including in association with said sealing means a means to trim the excess package end extending beyond the seal made by said sealing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said vacuum source comprises a single vacuum pump.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
222 words
The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said nozzle assemblieS comprises an elongated hollow body with a port connected to said vacuum suurce, the rearward end of said body having a closure means with a bore therethrough having a sealing means therein, a nozzle element affixed to the forward end of said body, said nozzle element having a bore with a sealing means therein, an elongated probe of circular cross section slidably mounted in said bore of said closure means and said nozzle element and their respective sealing means, said probe having rearward and forward ends and a pair of longitudinally extending diametrically opposed depressions spaced inwardly of its forward end, said probe being slidable axially between a retracted nozzle-closed position wherein said sealing means of said closure means and said nozzle element make a fluid-tight seal with said probe and an extended nozzle-open position wherein said sealing means of said closure means makes a fluid tight seal with said probe, said probe depressions spanning said sealing means in said nozzle element bore whereby the seal between said last mentioned sealing means and said probe is interrupted and a vacuum is drawn by said nozzle assembly, said means to open and close said nozzle assemblies comprising means to move said nozzle assembly probes between their nozzle open and closed position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said clamping means comprises a pair of jaws movable between an open position and a closed position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The structure claimed in claim 2 wherein said first and second conveyors are oriented at right angles with respect to each other.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The structure claimed in claim 2 wherein the axes of said first and second conveyors are parallel, the direction of travel of said packages on said first and second conveyors being the same.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The structure claimed in claim 2 wherein the axes of said first and second conveyors are parallel, the direction of travel of said packages on said first and second conveyors being opposite.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The structure claimed in claim 5 including in association with said clipping means a means to trim the excess package end extending beyond said clip.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The structure claimed in claim 7 including disposal means for removing said trimmed package end from its respective nozzle assembly after release thereof by the opening of the adjacent one of said clamping means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The structure claimed in claim 7 wherein said vacuum source comprises a single vacuum pump.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
145 words
The structure claimed in claim 9 wherein said means to open and close said nozzle assemblies comprises a lever for each nozzle assembly, each of said levers having an upper and a lower end, each of said levers being pivotally affixed to said circular assembly at a point between said upper and lower ends, the upper end of said lever being pivotally connected to said rearward end of its respective probe whereby movement of the lower end of said lever in one direction will cause movement of said probe in the opposite direction, a continuous cam, cam follower means on the lower end of each of said levers, said cam follower means of all of said levers being in continuous contact with said cam, said cam being so configured as to result in the opening and closing of said nozzle assemblies at the proper times.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
The structure claimed in claim 9 wherein each of said nozzle elements has an external peripheral groove, each of said clamping means being configured to engage its respective nozzle element in said groove with said package end therebetween when said clamping means is closed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The structure claimed in claim 9 wherein the nozzle element of each of said nozzle assemblies is detachable from said elongated body.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
The structure claimed in claim 10 wherein each of said nozzle assemblies has an external peripheral groove, each of said clamping means being configured to engage its respective nozzle assembly in said groove with said package end therebetween when said jaws are in said closed position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The structure claimed in clAim 10 wherein the clamping surfaces of said jaws are made of resilient material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
The structure claimed in claim 10 wherein said jaws are joined by linkage elements, said linkage elements being configured to pass through a dead center position when said jaws move between said open and closed positions by said clamping means opening and closing means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
The structure claimed in claim 14 including vacuum disposal means for removing said trimmed package end from its respective nozzle assembly after the release thereof by the opening of the adjacent one of said clamping means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
244 words
The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein one of said nozzle assemblies is affixed to each one of said upper radial frame members by bracket means, each of said nozzle assemblies being located above and in parallel spaced relationship to its respective upper frame member, each one of said nozzle assemblies comprising an elongated hollow body with a port connected by one of said vacuum hoses to one of said vacuum tube ports, the rearward end of said body facing said vacuum tube having a closure means with a bore therethrough having a sealing means therein, a nozzle element affixed to the forward end of said body, said nozzle element having a bore with a sealing means therein, an elongated probe of circular cross section slidably mounted in said closure means and nozzle element bores and their respective sealing means, said probe having rearward and forward ends and a pair of longitudinally extending diametrically opposed depressions spaced inwardly of its forward end, said probe being slidable between a retracted nozzle closed position wherein said sealing means of said closure means and said nozzle element make a fluid-tight seal with said probe and an extended nozzle-open position wherein said closure means sealing means makes a fluid-tight seal with said probe, said probe depressions spanning said sealing means in said nozzle element bore whereby the seal between said last mentioned sealing means and said probe is interrupted and a vacuum is drawn by said nozzle assembly.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
189 words
The structure claimed in claim 24 wherein said means to open and close said nozzle assemblies comprises an elongated U-shaped lever for each of said nozzle assemblies, each of said U-shaped levers comprising a pair of elongated leg portions in parallel spaced relationship joined at their bottom ends by a transverse portion, the upper ends of the leg portions of each lever having the probe of their respective nozzle assembly extending therebetween and pivotally connected thereto, said leg portions lying on either side of the pair of upper and lower frame members with which their respective nozzle assembly is associated, said leg portions being pivotally affixed to said lower frame member whereby movement of the lower end of each lever in one direction will cause movement of its respective probe in the opposite direction, a continuous cam extending about said center post, a roller affixed to said transverse portion of each of said levers, said rollers of all of said levers being in continuous contact with said cam, said cam being so configured as to result in the opening and closing of said nozzle assemblies at the proper times.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
93 words
The structure claimed in claim 25 wherein each of said clamping means comprises a pair of jaws supported by and pivotally affixed to bracket means on one of said upper frame members, said jaws being swingable between open and closed positions, the nozzle element of each of said nozzle assemblies having an external peripheral groove, the clamping surfaces of said jaws being made of resilient material and being configured to engage the adjacent nozzle assembly in said nozzle element groove with said package end therebetween when said jaws are in said closed position.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
216 words
The structure claimed in claim 26 including a pair of links, one end of each link being pivotally affixed to one of said jaws, the other end of each link being pivotally affixed to each other and to the upper end of aN elongated actuating rod, the upper end of said actuating rod moving toward said jaws through a dead center position when said jaws swing to said closed position, said means to close said said clamping means comprising a cam surface appropriately located on said framework to move said actuating rod upwardly with its upper end passing through said dead center position, a trip lever pivotally affixed to said bracket means supporting said jaws, said trip lever being pivotable between a neutral position and a tripped position, a portion of said trip lever contacting said upper end of said actuating rod when said jaws are in said closed position and said trip lever is in said neutral position, said portion of said trip lever being so configured as to force said actuating rod downwardly through said dead center position opening said jaws when said trip lever is shifted to said tripped position, said means to open said clamping means comprising means appropriately located on said framework to shift said trip lever to said tripped position.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The structure claimed in claim 27 including V-shaped tray means affixed to each of said upper frame members below the nozzle element of the adjacent nozzle assembly.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
474 words
A device for the evacuation, clipping and trimming of bag-like packages, said device comprising a framework, a circular assembly rotatively mounted on said framework, a plurality of radially oriented nozzle assemblies mounted on said circular assembly, a vacuum source, means to connect said nozzle asemblies to said vacuum source, a plurality of openable and closable clamping means mounted on said circular assembly each in association with one of said nozzle assemblies for sealing engaging the open end of one of said packages to the adjacent nozzle assembly, means for rotating said circular assembly, said device having a first circumferential position with respect to said circular assembly wherein said packages are sequentially placed on said circular assembly each with its open end about that nozzle assembly passing by said first positon at the time of placement of said package, said device having a second circumferential position wherein said packages are removed from said circular assembly, means to seal said package end, means on said frame to mount said sealing means adjacent said second position and in the path of travel of said packages from said first position to said second position, means to close each of said clamping means after it has passed through said first position, means to open each of said clamping means after it has passed said second position but before it again passes said first position, and means to open each vacuum nozzle immediately after the closing of its respective clamping means and to close each nozzle immediately prior to its passage by said sealing means, each of said nozzle assemblies comprising an elongated hollow body with a port connected to said vacuum source, the rearward end of said body having a closure means with a bore therethrough having a sealing means therein, a nozzle element affixed to the forward end of said body, said nozzle element having a bore with a sealing means therein, an elongated probe of circular cross section slidably mounted in said bore of said closure means and said nozzle element and their respective sealing means, said probe having rearward and forward ends and a pair of longitudinally extending diametrically opposed depressions spaced inwardly of its forward end, said probe being slidable axially between a retracted nozzle-closed position wherein said sealing means of said closure means and said nozzle element make a fluidtight seal with said probe and an extended nozzle-open position wherein said sealing means of said closure means makes a fluid tight seal with said probe, said probe depressions spanning said sealing means in said nozzle element bore whereby the seal between said last mentioned sealing means and said probe is interrupted and a vacuum is drawn by said nozzle assembly, said meanS to open and close said nozzle assemblies comprising means to move said nozzle assembly probes between their nozzle open and closed position.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
474 words
A device for the evacuation, clipping and trimming of bag-like packages, said device comprising a framework, a circular assembly rotatively mounted on said framework, a plurality of radially oriented nozzle assemblies mounted on said circular assembly, a vacuum source, means to connect said nozzle asemblies to said vacuum source, a plurality of openable and closable clamping means mounted on said circular assembly each in association with one of said nozzle assemblies for sealing engaging the open end of one of said packages to the adjacent nozzle assembly, means for rotating said circular assembly, said device having a first circumferential position with respect to said circular assembly wherein said packages are sequentially placed on said circular assembly each with its open end about that nozzle assembly passing by said first positon at the time of placement of said package, said device having a second circumferential position wherein said packages are removed from said circular assembly, means to seal said package end, means on said frame to mount said sealing means adjacent said second position and in the path of travel of said packages from said first position to said second position, means to close each of said clamping means after it has passed through said first position, means to open each of said clamping means after it has passed said second position but before it again passes said first position, and means to open each vacuum nozzle immediately after the closing of its respective clamping means and to close each nozzle immediately prior to its passage by said sealing means, each of said nozzle assemblies comprising an elongated hollow body with a port connected to said vacuum source, the rearward end of said body having a closure means with a bore therethrough having a sealing means therein, a nozzle element affixed to the forward end of said body, said nozzle element having a bore with a sealing means therein, an elongated probe of circular cross section slidably mounted in said bore of said closure means and said nozzle element and their respective sealing means, said probe having rearward and forward ends and a pair of longitudinally extending diametrically opposed depressions spaced inwardly of its forward end, said probe being slidable axially between a retracted nozzle-closed position wherein said sealing means of said closure means and said nozzle element make a fluidtight seal with said probe and an extended nozzle-open position wherein said sealing means of said closure means makes a fluid tight seal with said probe, said probe depressions spanning said sealing means in said nozzle element bore whereby the seal between said last mentioned sealing means and said probe is interrupted and a vacuum is drawn by said nozzle assembly, said meanS to open and close said nozzle assemblies comprising means to move said nozzle assembly probes between their nozzle open and closed position.
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) | 1977-03-04 | 1977-09-03 | 1978-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-04 | 1981-09-03 | 1982-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-04 | 1985-09-03 | 1986-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |