US3820304A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Packaging machine
Assignee: Reynolds Metals Co
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Filing: 1973-01-18
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Granted: 1974-06-28
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Expires: 1993-01-18
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for packaging food products or the like which is readily convertible from a machine which packages directly into cartons, to a sheeter-wrapper unit or vice versa. When used as a carton packaging machine, longitudinally extending guide means permit an operator standing in front of a flat bed of the machine to stand immediately adjacent the cartons which are moved along a conveyor over the flat bed. In this position, the operator may grasp the free end of a plastic sheet, withdraw a desired amount from a roll supply and drape it over an open-topped carton. The food product is placed into the carton, drawing the film down into the carton at the same time. The operator then severs the sheet with a hot wire which he actuates with a foot pedal and completes wrapping the food product. The machine is readily converted into a sheeter-wrapper unit by placing a substantially flat work surface above the conveyor but beneath the payout of the plastic sheet. In a preferred form, the flat work surface is provided by a table having two legs to support a front portion thereof and a pair of clip members to support a rear portion thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 H Bailey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:45
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B67/00; B65B67/08; B65B67/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
An apparatus for packaging food products or the like which comprises: a. a flat bed constituting a base support for said apparatus, b. a section of a conveyor overlying said bed and adapted to receive open-topped cartons for packaging food products therein, said cartons having a plurality of closure flaps including oppositely disposed front and rear flaps which extend toward the front and rear of said bed, c. guide means extending longitudinally of said bed and adapted to engage said front and rear flaps of said cartons and position said front and rear flaps closely adjacent their respective walls of the cartons as the cartons are being filled and while said cartons are being moved over said bed on said conveyor section, d. means for supplying film means from a roll supply thereof over the open-topped portion of said cartons, e. means for severing said film means from said roll supply to facilitate wrapping of said food products in said film means, f. and a substantially flat work surface and means for positioning said substantially flat work surface above said conveyor but beneath the payout of said film means thereby converting said packaging apparatus into a sheeter-wrapper unit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
198 words
An apparatus for packaging food products or the like which comprises: a. a flat bed constituting a base support for said apparatus, b. a section of a conveyor overlying said bed and adapted to receive open-topped cartons for packaging food products therein, said cartons having a plurality of closure flaps including oppositely disposed front and rear flaps which extend toward the front and rear of said bed, c. guide means extending longitudinally of said bed and adapted to engage said front and rear flaps of said cartons and position said front and rear flaps closely adjacent their respective walls of the cartons as the cartons are being filled and while said cartons are being moved over said bed on said conveyor section, d. means for supplying film means from a roll supply thereof over the open-topped portion of said cartons, e. means for severing said film means from said roll supply to facilitate wrapping of said food products in said film means, f. and a substantially flat work surface and means for positioning said substantially flat work surface above said conveyor but beneath the payout of said film means thereby converting said packaging apparatus into a sheeter-wrapper unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus for packaging food products as defined in claim 1 wherein said section of a conveyor is a roller conveyor section which rests on said flat bed and which is readily removable for cleaning of said apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus for packaging food products as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for severing said film means includes a hot wire controlled by foot pedal means actuated by an operator who is positioned in front of said flat bed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus for packaging food products as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for positioning said flat work surface includes clip means attached to said apparatus above said flat bed and beneath the payout of said sheet means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus for packaging food products as defined in claim 4 wherein said substantially flat work surface is provided by a table having a front portion thereof supported by a pair of legs resting on said flat bed and a rear portion thereof supported by said clip means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus for packaging food products as defined in claim 5 wherein said table is provided with a rear skirt portion which extends downwardly from the rear of said substantially flat work surface and is received in said clip means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
An apparatus for packaging food products as defined in claim 6 wherein said clip means consists of a pair of clip members each of which has a pair of unequal legs substantially J-shaped in cross section with the longer leg being attached to said apparatus above said flat bed and beneath the payout of said film means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
An apparatus for packaging food products as defined in claim 7 wherein said table is formed with a pair of end skirt portions each of which extends downwardly from the ends of said substantially flat work surface and said pair of clip members are positioned substantially adjacent the rear corners of said table and whereby engagement with the edges of said pair of clip members serves to limit longitudinal movement of said table.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-27 | 1977-12-27 | 1978-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-27 | 1981-12-27 | 1982-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-27 | 1985-12-27 | 1986-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |