US3807128A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Packaging machine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-04-24
•
Granted: 1974-04-30
•
Expires: 1992-04-24
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus is provided which serves to separate loose items to be packaged, which are continuously supplied, and to combine the items in sets. In that apparatus, a conveyor continuously feeds the items to be packaged. Distributing mechanisms are provided, which distribute the items to be packaged to a plurality of parallel paths of travel, which are separated by guides. These distributing mechanisms comprise abutment fingers, which obstruct the items to be packaged before separated sets of items are supplied to a machine for wrapping the sets with plastic material sheeting. A set-forming device is provided in the plane of the feeding conveyor and divides the continuously supplied items to be packaged into the desired, separate sets of items to be packaged. The device comprises a movable shifting device, by which the items to be packaged in a unit are laterally shifted from the feeding paths of travel so as to separate the items. The shifting device in its shifted position blocks the flow of items on the feeding paths of travel whereas the shifted items are so offset in the shifted position of the shifting device that they are no longer obstructed by the abutment fingers, which are disposed laterally of and define paths of travel between the abutment fingers. A first pusher is provided, which pushes the set of items to be packaged onto a lowerable platform against a forward stop. The items are confined on the platform by lateral guides so that the items are located relative to each other on the platform. The platform is adapted to be lowered to a second plane, in which the items are no longer obstructed by the forward stop. A second pusher pushes the set of items under the stop into a machine for wrapping the set with plastic material sheeting.
Inventors
- 👤 E Bauer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:13
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B35/00; B65B35/30; B65B35/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
300 words
An apparatus for separating loose items to be packaged, which are continuously supplied, and to combine said items in sets, in which apparatus a conveyor continuously feeds the items to be packaged and distributing means are provided, which distribute the items to be packaged to a plurality of parallel paths of travel, which are separated by guides, said distributing means comprising abutment fingers, which obstruct the items to be packaged before separated sets of items are supplied to a machine for wrapping said sets with plastic material sheeting, characterized in that a set-forming device is provided in the plane of the feeding conveyor which divides the continously supplied items to be packaged into the desired, separate sets of items to be packaged, said device comprising a movable shifting device, by which the items to be packaged in a unit are laterally shifted from the feeding paths of travel so as to separate said items, said shifting device in its shifted position blocking the flow of items on the feeding paths of travel, whereas the shifted items are so offset in the shifted position of the shifting device that they are no longer obstructed by the abutment fingers, which are disposed laterally of and define paths of travel therebetween, a first pusher device is provided, which pushes the set of items to be packaged onto a lowerable platform against a forward stop, the items being confined on the platform by lateral guides so that the items are located relative to each other on the platform, the platform is adapted to be lowered to a second plane, in which the items are no longer obstructed by the forward stop, and a second pusher pushes the set of items under the stop into a machine for wrapping the set with plastic material sheeting.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
300 words
An apparatus for separating loose items to be packaged, which are continuously supplied, and to combine said items in sets, in which apparatus a conveyor continuously feeds the items to be packaged and distributing means are provided, which distribute the items to be packaged to a plurality of parallel paths of travel, which are separated by guides, said distributing means comprising abutment fingers, which obstruct the items to be packaged before separated sets of items are supplied to a machine for wrapping said sets with plastic material sheeting, characterized in that a set-forming device is provided in the plane of the feeding conveyor which divides the continously supplied items to be packaged into the desired, separate sets of items to be packaged, said device comprising a movable shifting device, by which the items to be packaged in a unit are laterally shifted from the feeding paths of travel so as to separate said items, said shifting device in its shifted position blocking the flow of items on the feeding paths of travel, whereas the shifted items are so offset in the shifted position of the shifting device that they are no longer obstructed by the abutment fingers, which are disposed laterally of and define paths of travel therebetween, a first pusher device is provided, which pushes the set of items to be packaged onto a lowerable platform against a forward stop, the items being confined on the platform by lateral guides so that the items are located relative to each other on the platform, the platform is adapted to be lowered to a second plane, in which the items are no longer obstructed by the forward stop, and a second pusher pushes the set of items under the stop into a machine for wrapping the set with plastic material sheeting.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
91 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the products are fed along raIls consisting of narrow webs, and the abutment fingers are disposed at the forward ends of said webs, with a means being provided which pushes a flat support under the rails adjacent to the shifting device, the shifting device shifting the items in such a manner that the same fall on the support in the guide paths formed between the rails, and the set of items is then pushed by the first pusher onto the lowerable platform.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the guides which laterally confine the set of items on the lowerable platform are carried by the second pusher.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the support is pushed on a supporting plate formed with longitudinal grooves, and said second pusher the teeth which extend into the grooves.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the first pusher is comblike and is provided on its upper side with recesses which receive the guide rails along which the items to be packaged are fed so that a pusher is used which is as high as possible.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of sets of items which are parallel and separated by guides are formed on the platform.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the lateral guides are adjustable to combine items in sets of different sizes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the platform can be lowered only to such an extent that the items to be packaged are just movable under the stop, which is stationary in the machine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the leading items of the set are pushed forward to tightly engage a tightly stretched sheeting of plastic material in the succeeding machine for wrapping the items with plastic material sheeting and this engagement prevents the items from moving apart.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, including rollers mounted on rocker arms which hold tightly stretched plastic material sheeting available in a quantity which is sufficient to wrap the set of items when a pulling bar is being lowered.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, including a pulling bar which feeds the plastic material sheeting over the forward end of the set of items to be packaged to a retaining gripper, said pulling bar being provided with an elastic pressure rib on its forward side.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, including a severing knife to sever the plastic material sheeting.
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) | 1977-04-29 | 1977-10-29 | 1978-04-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-29 | 1981-10-29 | 1982-04-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-29 | 1985-10-29 | 1986-04-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |