US3827210A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for packaging flexible duct
Assignee: Johns Manville Corp
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Filing: 1973-01-02
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Granted: 1974-08-06
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Expires: 1993-01-02
Abstract
Abstract An axially collapsible duct is packaged by inserting the duct into an open end of a tube, placing an open end of a bag over a tube so that the bag encloses the open end of the tube, compressing the duct, ejecting the duct from the tube into the bag while the duct is compressed, closing the open end of the bag about the duct while the duct is compressed, and fastening the open end while it is closed to retain the duct within the bag in a compressed state. A negative pressure can be created within the tube as the duct is being collapsed and ejected into the bag to hold the bag about the open end of the tube and to prevent the duct from expanding within the bag.
Inventors
- 👤 R Smalley
- 👤 J Staudinger
- 👤 H Smith
- 👤 B Meeker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 00:59
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B63/00; B65B63/02; B65B1/00; B65B1/20; B65B1/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of packaging an axially collapsible duct comprising: a. inserting an axially collapsible duct into an open end of a tube, b. placing an open end of a bag over the tube with the bag enclosing the open end of the tube, c. compressing the duct, d. ejecting the duct from the tube into the bag, e. exerting a force on the bag in a direction opposing the movement of the duct into the bag to maintain the open end of the bag on the tube and to restrict expansion of the duct within the bag to maintain the duct compressed, f. closing the open end of the bag about the duct while the duct is compressed, and g. fastening the open end closed to retain the duct within the bag in a compressed state.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of packaging an axially collapsible duct comprising: a. inserting an axially collapsible duct into an open end of a tube, b. placing an open end of a bag over the tube with the bag enclosing the open end of the tube, c. compressing the duct, d. ejecting the duct from the tube into the bag, e. exerting a force on the bag in a direction opposing the movement of the duct into the bag to maintain the open end of the bag on the tube and to restrict expansion of the duct within the bag to maintain the duct compressed, f. closing the open end of the bag about the duct while the duct is compressed, and g. fastening the open end closed to retain the duct within the bag in a compressed state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the force is exerted on the bag by: a. creating a negative pressure within the tube as the duct is being collapsed and ejected into the bag.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as defined in claim 2 including: a. simultaneously collapsing the duct and ejecting the duct into the bag.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as defined in claim 1 including: a. simultaneously collapsing the duct and ejecting the duct into the bag.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method as defined in claim 4 including: a. preventing a pressure build up within the tube during initial stages of the collapsing and ejecting operation, and b. creating a negative pressure within the tube during a remainder of the collapsing and ejecting operation to exert the force on the bag in the direction opposing the movement of the duct into the bag.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method as defined in claim 1 including: a. closing the open end of the bag about the duct by twisting a portion of the bag that encloses the duct relative to a portion of the bag remaining about the tube to neck down bag between the duct and the tube.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
210 words
An apParatus for packaging an axially collapsible duct comprising: a. a tube which is open at one end for receiving a duct within the tube and for receiving a bag over the tube, b. a ram within the tube for collapsing the duct and ejecting the duct from the tube into the bag, the ram having a forward face for contracting the duct and a rear face, the ram having a first exhaust port means passing from the forward surface to the rear surface to prevent a buildup of air pressure within the tube as the ram moves from the retracted position to the open end of the tube, the first exhaust port means having a check valve means for permitting air to flow through the exhaust port means from the forward surface to the rear surface and for preventing air from flowing through the exhaust port means from the rear surface to the forward surface, and the ram having a second exhaust port on the forward surface which communicates within a vacuum pump to exhaust air from the tube and creates a negative pressure within the tube, and c. drive means for moving the ram between a retracted position within the tube and the open end of the tube.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
210 words
An apParatus for packaging an axially collapsible duct comprising: a. a tube which is open at one end for receiving a duct within the tube and for receiving a bag over the tube, b. a ram within the tube for collapsing the duct and ejecting the duct from the tube into the bag, the ram having a forward face for contracting the duct and a rear face, the ram having a first exhaust port means passing from the forward surface to the rear surface to prevent a buildup of air pressure within the tube as the ram moves from the retracted position to the open end of the tube, the first exhaust port means having a check valve means for permitting air to flow through the exhaust port means from the forward surface to the rear surface and for preventing air from flowing through the exhaust port means from the rear surface to the forward surface, and the ram having a second exhaust port on the forward surface which communicates within a vacuum pump to exhaust air from the tube and creates a negative pressure within the tube, and c. drive means for moving the ram between a retracted position within the tube and the open end of the tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
85 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein: a. the drive means for moving the ram moves the ram to a position at the open end of the tube where a forward surface of the ram projects beyond the open end of the tube prior to retracting the ram to the retracted position, and b. the vacuum pump for creating a negative pressure continues to operate as the retraction of the ram is started to neck down the bag about the end of the duct.
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) | 1977-08-05 | 1978-02-04 | 1978-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-05 | 1982-02-04 | 1982-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-05 | 1986-02-04 | 1986-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |