US3805486A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Packaging apparatus and techniques
Assignee: Mahaffy and Harder Engineering Co
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Filing: 1972-05-31
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Granted: 1974-04-23
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Expires: 1992-05-31
Abstract
Abstract Automatic packaging apparatus and methods for packaging food products such as bacon in evacuated or gas-filled packages. The disclosed machine is capable of convexly thermoforming two webs of packaging material into respective sets of pockets which are brought together in opposed positions to enclose the product. One preferred package made by the disclosed techniques comprises a transparent semi-rigid cup-like shell and a back-formed flexible film sealed over the shell opening. In operation of the disclosed machine, the product is loaded into the semi-rigid package shell from below, so that the upper sides of the product as introduced into the machine are pressed up against the inside surface of the shell, and after evacuation are held in that position by atmospheric pressure acting through the flexible film beneath the product. Thus, such upper sides of the product are visible through the transparent shell which serves as the display side of the package.
Inventors
- 👤 R Mahaffy
- 👤 J Hamilton
- 👤 W Pinney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:25
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B31/00; B65B31/02; B65B31/021; B65B41/00; B65B41/12; B65B41/14; B65B9/00; B65B9/02; B65B9/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
344 words
An automatic packaging machine adapted to make hermetically sealed packages for food products and the like, comprising: a first conveyor for transporting a first web of packaging material along a first path; first forming means for thermoforming said packaging material into a first series of cup-like pockets; said first path having, subsequent to said first forming means, a portion which extends in a generally horizontal direction and wherein said pockets are presented with their openings facing upwards adapted to receive products to be packaged; a package assembly station adjacent said generally horizontal portion of said first path; a rotary conveyor above said package assembly station to transport a second web of packaging material from a position above said assembly station along a second path comprising a curved portion leading from said position down into said station and joining said first web at an angle with respect thereto; said rotary conveyor including second forming means operable on said second web while it is passing along said second path curved portion for thermoforming said second web into a second set of cup-like pockets adapted to mate with said first set of pockets at said assembly station to define package assemblies; means at or subsequent to said package assembly station for sealing said first and second webs together to form sealed packages; first clamp means on said first conveyor for positively gripping said first web of packaging material while moving along said second path portion to assure precise control over the advancing movement of said first web; and second clamp means on said second conveyor for positively gripping said second web of packaging material to assure precise control over the advancing movement thereof into said assembly station so as to provide exact synchronism with the first web of packaging material entering said assembly station from said second path portion, thereby to effect positive alignment of the corresponding pairs of pockets of said first and second sets and to accurately seal said corresponding pairs of pockets with the product in the container formed by each corresponding pocket pair.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
344 words
An automatic packaging machine adapted to make hermetically sealed packages for food products and the like, comprising: a first conveyor for transporting a first web of packaging material along a first path; first forming means for thermoforming said packaging material into a first series of cup-like pockets; said first path having, subsequent to said first forming means, a portion which extends in a generally horizontal direction and wherein said pockets are presented with their openings facing upwards adapted to receive products to be packaged; a package assembly station adjacent said generally horizontal portion of said first path; a rotary conveyor above said package assembly station to transport a second web of packaging material from a position above said assembly station along a second path comprising a curved portion leading from said position down into said station and joining said first web at an angle with respect thereto; said rotary conveyor including second forming means operable on said second web while it is passing along said second path curved portion for thermoforming said second web into a second set of cup-like pockets adapted to mate with said first set of pockets at said assembly station to define package assemblies; means at or subsequent to said package assembly station for sealing said first and second webs together to form sealed packages; first clamp means on said first conveyor for positively gripping said first web of packaging material while moving along said second path portion to assure precise control over the advancing movement of said first web; and second clamp means on said second conveyor for positively gripping said second web of packaging material to assure precise control over the advancing movement thereof into said assembly station so as to provide exact synchronism with the first web of packaging material entering said assembly station from said second path portion, thereby to effect positive alignment of the corresponding pairs of pockets of said first and second sets and to accurately seal said corresponding pairs of pockets with the product in the container formed by each corresponding pocket pair.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
290 words
An automatic packaging machine adapted to make hermetically sealed packages for food products and the like, comprising: a first conveyor for transportimg a first web of packaging material along a first path; a first set of clamp elements on said first cOnveyor and spaced along the side edges of said first web to hold it in position; first forming means for thermoforming said packaging material into a first series of cup-like pockets; said first path having, subsequent to said first forming means, a portion which extends in a generally horizontal direction and wherein said pockets are presented with their openings facing upwards adapted to receive products to be packaged; a package assembly station adjacent said generally horizontal portion of said first path; a rotary conveyor above said package assembly station to transport a second web of packaging material along a second path leading into said station and joining said first web at an angle with respect thereto; the lowermost portion of said rotary conveyor being aligned with said first path portion to maintain said second web of material effectively coplanar with said first web within said assembly station; a second set of clamp elements on said rotary conveyor and spaced apart along the side edges of said second web to hold it in position; said first and sedond sets of clamp elements being effectively in the same plane at said assembly and interleaved to prevent interference; second forming means for thermoforming said second web into a second set of cup-like pockets adapted to mate with said first set of pockets at said assembly station to define package assemblies; and means at or subsequent to said package assembly station for sealing said first and second webs together to form sealed packages.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
290 words
An automatic packaging machine adapted to make hermetically sealed packages for food products and the like, comprising: a first conveyor for transportimg a first web of packaging material along a first path; a first set of clamp elements on said first cOnveyor and spaced along the side edges of said first web to hold it in position; first forming means for thermoforming said packaging material into a first series of cup-like pockets; said first path having, subsequent to said first forming means, a portion which extends in a generally horizontal direction and wherein said pockets are presented with their openings facing upwards adapted to receive products to be packaged; a package assembly station adjacent said generally horizontal portion of said first path; a rotary conveyor above said package assembly station to transport a second web of packaging material along a second path leading into said station and joining said first web at an angle with respect thereto; the lowermost portion of said rotary conveyor being aligned with said first path portion to maintain said second web of material effectively coplanar with said first web within said assembly station; a second set of clamp elements on said rotary conveyor and spaced apart along the side edges of said second web to hold it in position; said first and sedond sets of clamp elements being effectively in the same plane at said assembly and interleaved to prevent interference; second forming means for thermoforming said second web into a second set of cup-like pockets adapted to mate with said first set of pockets at said assembly station to define package assemblies; and means at or subsequent to said package assembly station for sealing said first and second webs together to form sealed packages.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
308 words
Packaging apparatus comprising: a first conveyor for transporting a first web of packaging material along a first path to a package assembly station, said path being generally horizontal at least in the portion thereof immediately preceding said assembly station; said first conveyor comprising a plurality of edge clamps mounted in an endless loop and arranged to grip the side edges of said first web; said edge clamps each comprising first and second elements forming a gripping jaw at the ends thereof; means pivotally mounting at least one of said elements and operable when the jaw is opened to provide for retractile movement of one element away from the side edge of the web; said one element being pivotally mounted at a point vertically offset from the axis of said other element and in a position between said chain and the end of the jaw; said other element being movably mounted with respect to said chain, and arranged to move with said one element away from said web as the clamp is opened; a first forming station for thermoforming said first web into a first set of container pockets the openings of which face upwards in said horizontal path portion; a second conveyor for transporting a second web of packaging material along a second path distinct from said first path and leading to said package assembly station, the portion of said second path immediately preceding said assembly station extending downwards towards said first path at an angle with respect thereto; a second forming station adjacent said second path for thermoforming said second web into a second set of container pockets the openings of which face downwards at said assembly station, thereby to mate with said first set of container pockets to define package assemblies; and sealing means for securing together the first and second sets of mated container pockets.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
308 words
Packaging apparatus comprising: a first conveyor for transporting a first web of packaging material along a first path to a package assembly station, said path being generally horizontal at least in the portion thereof immediately preceding said assembly station; said first conveyor comprising a plurality of edge clamps mounted in an endless loop and arranged to grip the side edges of said first web; said edge clamps each comprising first and second elements forming a gripping jaw at the ends thereof; means pivotally mounting at least one of said elements and operable when the jaw is opened to provide for retractile movement of one element away from the side edge of the web; said one element being pivotally mounted at a point vertically offset from the axis of said other element and in a position between said chain and the end of the jaw; said other element being movably mounted with respect to said chain, and arranged to move with said one element away from said web as the clamp is opened; a first forming station for thermoforming said first web into a first set of container pockets the openings of which face upwards in said horizontal path portion; a second conveyor for transporting a second web of packaging material along a second path distinct from said first path and leading to said package assembly station, the portion of said second path immediately preceding said assembly station extending downwards towards said first path at an angle with respect thereto; a second forming station adjacent said second path for thermoforming said second web into a second set of container pockets the openings of which face downwards at said assembly station, thereby to mate with said first set of container pockets to define package assemblies; and sealing means for securing together the first and second sets of mated container pockets.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said one element comprises two sections; one section engaging said other element as part of said jaw and extending generally away from the end of said jaw to a region of joinder with the other section; said other section extending transversely across the axis of said other element to the pivot point, and engaging said other element to provide for motion thereof as said one element is moved.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
236 words
Packaging apparatus comprising: first forming means to thermoform a first continuous web of paCkaging material into a first series of cup-shaped containers: second forming means to thermoform a second continuous web of packaging material into a second series of cup-shaped containers adapted to mate with said first series of containers to define package assemblies; first conveyor means to carry said first web along a first path extending in a generally horizontal direction with said first series of containers disposed with their openings facing upwards to receive products loaded from above the web line; second conveyor means to carry said second web with said second series of cup-shaped containers along a second path which extends down towards said first path at an angle with respect thereto and joins said first path at a package assembly station where said second series of containers are placed, opening downwards, over said first series of containers; means at or subsequent to said assembly station for sealing said two series of containers together; said second conveyor means comprising die means defining a series of cavities to receive said second series of containers; and said die means comprising rough-shaped rigid material covered with a thin continuous sheet of precision-cast resilient material adhesively secured to said rigid material and establishing the required container shape, whereby to accommodate thermoforming said second web of packaging material in the cavities established by said sheet of resilient material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
236 words
Packaging apparatus comprising: first forming means to thermoform a first continuous web of paCkaging material into a first series of cup-shaped containers: second forming means to thermoform a second continuous web of packaging material into a second series of cup-shaped containers adapted to mate with said first series of containers to define package assemblies; first conveyor means to carry said first web along a first path extending in a generally horizontal direction with said first series of containers disposed with their openings facing upwards to receive products loaded from above the web line; second conveyor means to carry said second web with said second series of cup-shaped containers along a second path which extends down towards said first path at an angle with respect thereto and joins said first path at a package assembly station where said second series of containers are placed, opening downwards, over said first series of containers; means at or subsequent to said assembly station for sealing said two series of containers together; said second conveyor means comprising die means defining a series of cavities to receive said second series of containers; and said die means comprising rough-shaped rigid material covered with a thin continuous sheet of precision-cast resilient material adhesively secured to said rigid material and establishing the required container shape, whereby to accommodate thermoforming said second web of packaging material in the cavities established by said sheet of resilient material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said second conveyor means comprises a rotatable polygonal structure presenting a series of cavities at its outer periphery; a single integral sheet of said resilient material covering the interior of each cavity and, as well, covering the flange areas immediately surrounding each cavity to serve as heat-seal beads.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said sheet of resilient material has a substantially uniform thickness throughout.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said sheet of resilient material is molded about a precision-formed core shaped to match the desired containers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
149 words
In packaging apparatus of the type wherein a web of packaging material is transported with an intermittent indexing motion by edge supports which grip the side edges of the web so as to suspend the central web portions therebetween, and wherein means are provided for forming the central web portions into downwardly extending pockets to be loaded with product for conveyance to a subsequent station where further packaging operations are performed; that improvement for effecting controlled product conveyance as the loaded pocket is shifted into said station comprising: a restraining element at said station; means mounting said element in the path of motion of said loaded pocket so that said pocket engages said element near the end of its indexing motion; said mounting means providing for movement of said element out of the path of said pocket after contact therewith whereby said pocket can be indexed further without interference.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
149 words
In packaging apparatus of the type wherein a web of packaging material is transported with an intermittent indexing motion by edge supports which grip the side edges of the web so as to suspend the central web portions therebetween, and wherein means are provided for forming the central web portions into downwardly extending pockets to be loaded with product for conveyance to a subsequent station where further packaging operations are performed; that improvement for effecting controlled product conveyance as the loaded pocket is shifted into said station comprising: a restraining element at said station; means mounting said element in the path of motion of said loaded pocket so that said pocket engages said element near the end of its indexing motion; said mounting means providing for movement of said element out of the path of said pocket after contact therewith whereby said pocket can be indexed further without interference.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said restraining element is a plate pivotally mounted for rotary motion as it is struck by the advancing pocket.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, including a spring urging said plate in a direction against a stop, to provide a tilt angle resulting in a glancing blow when struck by the pocket.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
225 words
Packaging apparatus comprising: a first conveyor for transporting a first web of packaging material along a first path to a package assembly station, said path being generally horizontal at least in the portion thereof immediately preceding said assembly station; a first set of edge clamps forming part of said first conveyor and arranged to grip the side edges of said first web to provide positve and precisely controlled movement thereof with said first conveyor; a second conveyor for transporting a second web of packaging material along a second path distincT from said first path and leading to said package assembly station, the portion of said second path immediately preceding said assembly station extending downwards towards said first path at an angle with respect thereto; a second set of edge clamps forming part of said second conveyor to grip the side edges of said second web to provide positive and precisely controlled movement thereof with with the advancing movement of said first web as the two webs enter said package assembly station; a forming station adjacent at least one of said paths for thermoforming the corresponding web into a set of container pockets to be advanced into said assembly station for assembly with the other web to define package assemblies; and sealing means for securing together the first and second webs to form hermetically sealed packages.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
225 words
Packaging apparatus comprising: a first conveyor for transporting a first web of packaging material along a first path to a package assembly station, said path being generally horizontal at least in the portion thereof immediately preceding said assembly station; a first set of edge clamps forming part of said first conveyor and arranged to grip the side edges of said first web to provide positve and precisely controlled movement thereof with said first conveyor; a second conveyor for transporting a second web of packaging material along a second path distincT from said first path and leading to said package assembly station, the portion of said second path immediately preceding said assembly station extending downwards towards said first path at an angle with respect thereto; a second set of edge clamps forming part of said second conveyor to grip the side edges of said second web to provide positive and precisely controlled movement thereof with with the advancing movement of said first web as the two webs enter said package assembly station; a forming station adjacent at least one of said paths for thermoforming the corresponding web into a set of container pockets to be advanced into said assembly station for assembly with the other web to define package assemblies; and sealing means for securing together the first and second webs to form hermetically sealed packages.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said first set of edge clamps grips said first web as it advances through said assembly station and to a position beyond said assembly station; said sealing means comprising means located at said position beyond said assembly station for effecting a complete seal of the packages advanced thereto by said first conveyor edge clamps.
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) | 1977-04-22 | 1977-10-22 | 1978-04-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-22 | 1981-10-22 | 1982-04-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-22 | 1985-10-22 | 1986-04-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |