Patent US3832822A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3832822A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-level, in-line system for packaging articles
Assignee: Graphic Packaging International LLC
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Filing: 1973-01-30
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Granted: 1974-09-03
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Expires: 1993-01-30
Abstract
Abstract Multi-level, in-line method and apparatus for packaging articles such as doors which automatically folds and seals a five-panel, corrugated packing folder about the doors as the doors and the folder move in a generally ''''U''''-shaped path through the machine, most of the folding being accomplished by static guides. In the method and apparatus of the present invention the package is formed around the doors by dropping them with an appropriately positioned packing folder downward into the receiving well of the machine and then horizontally advancing the package through the various positions from the initial first and second positions to the sixth position where a traveling glue applicator applies glue to the last flap of the package, with the package then traveling upward to the seventh (compression) position to set the glue, and then finally out of the machine generally in-line with the door construction line. The package thus begins by moving down in a vertical direction in the first section of the machine, then forward along a horizontal plane in the middle or second section of the machine, and then up in the third section, following generally a ''''U''''shaped path through the machine. This vertical-horizontalvertical line of travel, combined with the operative steps of folding (the bulk of which is formed by static guides), gluing and setting along the way, result in a much improved and more compact system than heretofore achieved. The beginning and ending of the package at approximately the same general vertical level also greatly enhances the practical, production in-line use of the system of the present invention. In the intermediate, horizontal section and the final vertical section there are included intermittent, reciprocating drive systems which allow a traveling glue pot applicator to laterally traverse the width of the machine to apply glue to the final, sealing flap and the final flap to be held under static compression after the article has been completely packaged.
Inventors
- 👤 E Sherman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 14:55
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B11/00; B65B11/06; B65B11/18; B65B11/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
608 words
A multi-level, in-line packaging machine for continuously packaging an article in a packing folder having a final sealing flap, said machine having multiple, continuous, juxtaposed sections, comprising: an initial vertical section; a horizontal section; and a final vertical section, said sections being connected together in line with at least one of the other sections for packaging the article, said vertical sections being structurally separated, with said horizontal section being intermediately disposed between said initial vertical section and said final vertical section, the article with the packing folder traveling first through said initial vertical section, then across said horizontal section, and finally through said final vertical section; said initial vertical section having at one vertical extremity thereof article and packing folder receiving means for receiving the article to be packaged along with a packing folder, and including within it vertically moving means positioned vertically in line with said receiving means upon which the article with packing folder is positioned for moving the article and folder in a vertical direction through said initial vertical section; said initial vertical section further including within it first operative means located about said vertically moving means for at least folding a portion of the packing folder about the article, at least a portion of said first operative means being static means for causing a part of the packing folder to be folded vertically as it moves along past said static means; said horizontal section having along its length article and packing folder moving means for carrying the article and folder across its length, and including within it horizontally moving, intermittent drive means for intermittently driving the article and folder across in a horizontal direction; said horizontal section further including within it second operative means for folding and at least in part securing the packing folder around the article, at least a portion of said second operative means being static means for causing a part of the packing folder to be folded back as it moves horizontally along said static means as it moves through said horizontal section, and traveling glue applicator means, which laterally travels across the width of the machine during the pause portion of said horizontally moving, intermittent drive means, for applying glue to the underside of the final sealing flap, said traveling glue applicator being located at the down-stream end portion of said horizontal section and at the entrance portion of said final vertical section; said final vertical section having located at one vertical extremity thereof ejecting means for moving the article along with the packing folder out of said final vertical section, and including within it vertically moving, intermittent drive means positioned adjacent but vertically removed from said ejector means upon which drive means the article with packing folder thereabove is positioned for intermittently moving the article and folder in a vertical direction through said final vertical section to said ejecting means; said final vertical section furthEr including within it third operative means located about said vertically moving, intermittent drive means for folding the final sealing flap portion of the packing folder about the article, at least a portion of said third operative means being static means for causing the final sealing flap of the packing folder to be folded vertically as it moves along past said static means, and static compression means placed on opposite sides of the section for holding the completely packaged article under static compression after the final sealing flap has been folded by said static means; whereby each article and packing folder follow vertical paths and a horizontally across path as the packing folder is folded, primarily by static means, and secured about the article.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
608 words
A multi-level, in-line packaging machine for continuously packaging an article in a packing folder having a final sealing flap, said machine having multiple, continuous, juxtaposed sections, comprising: an initial vertical section; a horizontal section; and a final vertical section, said sections being connected together in line with at least one of the other sections for packaging the article, said vertical sections being structurally separated, with said horizontal section being intermediately disposed between said initial vertical section and said final vertical section, the article with the packing folder traveling first through said initial vertical section, then across said horizontal section, and finally through said final vertical section; said initial vertical section having at one vertical extremity thereof article and packing folder receiving means for receiving the article to be packaged along with a packing folder, and including within it vertically moving means positioned vertically in line with said receiving means upon which the article with packing folder is positioned for moving the article and folder in a vertical direction through said initial vertical section; said initial vertical section further including within it first operative means located about said vertically moving means for at least folding a portion of the packing folder about the article, at least a portion of said first operative means being static means for causing a part of the packing folder to be folded vertically as it moves along past said static means; said horizontal section having along its length article and packing folder moving means for carrying the article and folder across its length, and including within it horizontally moving, intermittent drive means for intermittently driving the article and folder across in a horizontal direction; said horizontal section further including within it second operative means for folding and at least in part securing the packing folder around the article, at least a portion of said second operative means being static means for causing a part of the packing folder to be folded back as it moves horizontally along said static means as it moves through said horizontal section, and traveling glue applicator means, which laterally travels across the width of the machine during the pause portion of said horizontally moving, intermittent drive means, for applying glue to the underside of the final sealing flap, said traveling glue applicator being located at the down-stream end portion of said horizontal section and at the entrance portion of said final vertical section; said final vertical section having located at one vertical extremity thereof ejecting means for moving the article along with the packing folder out of said final vertical section, and including within it vertically moving, intermittent drive means positioned adjacent but vertically removed from said ejector means upon which drive means the article with packing folder thereabove is positioned for intermittently moving the article and folder in a vertical direction through said final vertical section to said ejecting means; said final vertical section furthEr including within it third operative means located about said vertically moving, intermittent drive means for folding the final sealing flap portion of the packing folder about the article, at least a portion of said third operative means being static means for causing the final sealing flap of the packing folder to be folded vertically as it moves along past said static means, and static compression means placed on opposite sides of the section for holding the completely packaged article under static compression after the final sealing flap has been folded by said static means; whereby each article and packing folder follow vertical paths and a horizontally across path as the packing folder is folded, primarily by static means, and secured about the article.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
117 words
The multi-level, in-line packaging machine of claim 1 wherein said vertical sections are separated apart a substantial distance and said horizontal section is connected and disposed between said vertical section at their bottom portions, said initial vertical section being connected at its upstream end and said final vertical section being connected at its downstream end, the article with packing folder being initially received at the top of said down vertical section and traveling during the packaging thereof down through said initial section, then across said horizontal section and then up through said final vertical section; whereby the article and packing folder follow a generally U-shaped path as the packing folder is folded and secured about the article.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
216 words
The multi-level, in-line packaging machine of claim 2 wherein the packing folder is a five-panel, at least generally rectangular, packing folder having initial front and back panels, top and bottom panels and a final, sealing, front panel and a multitude of side end flaps, and wherein said static means of said first operative means includes two vertically and laterally disposed static guide elements placed on opposite sides of said downwardly moving means, the front and back panels of the folder being folded up by said static means as the package progresses down said initial vertical section; said static means of said second operative means includes a top, horizontally and laterally disposed static guide placed above said horizontal drive means, and at least two side, longitudinally disposed static guides placed on opposite sides of said horizontal drive means, the top panel and at least two of the end flaps being folded down and back, respectively, by said static top guide and side guides, respectively, as the package progresses across said horizontal section; and said static means of said third operative means includes a static guide element placed along the side of said vertically moving drive means, the final, sealing, front panel being folded down by said static means as the package progresses up said final vertical section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The multi-level, in-line packaging machine of claim 1 wherein the vertical level of said receiving means and said ejecting means are approximately equal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
The multi-level, in-line packaging machine of claim 1 wherein the positions of said operative means are adjustable and include adjusting means for adjusting their positions, and the machine further includes a generally open framework in said three sections, allowing free and easy access to said adjusting means, whereby the machine can be readily and easily adaptable to many different size packing folders by adjusting the position of said operative means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
89 words
The multi-level, in-line packaging machine of claim 1 wherein said horizontally moving drive means comprises at least two parallel, longitudinally disposed support bars upon which the article and packing folder rest during its travel across said horizontal section and a reciprocating chain drive disposed parallel to but below said support bars, the chain drive having projecting drive elements for contacting and driving the article and packing folder which are rigidly Mounted when the chain drive is driven forwardly and are freely moveable downardly when the chain is driven rearwardly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The multi-level, in-line packaging machine of claim 1 wherein said vertically moving means in said initial vertical section is a pneumatic cylinder which allows a restrained downward movement which is caused by the weight of the article itself.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
The multi-level, in-line packaging machine of claim 1 wherein said vertically moving, intermittent drive means comprises an intermittent, reciprocating drive system including a reciprocating, vertically moving portion and a static holding portion, and wherein said holding portion includes said static compression means, the packaged article being held under compression between said static compression means when in said holding portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
82 words
The multi-level, in-line packaging machine of claim 8 wherein said holding portion comprises at least two opposed sets of two swinging support dog elements which support a packaged article during the pause portion of said vertically moving, intermittent drive means, the next succeeding packaged article pushing the four swinging support elements aside and pushing the previously supported packaged article up during the moving portion of the intermittent drive system, said next succeeding packaged article then being supported by said swinging support elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
75 words
The multi-level, in-line packaging machine in claim 9 wherein said swinging support elements each are pivoted and have an inclined bottom portion and a supporting upper ledge, the minimum separation distance between each set of support elements being less than the corresponding dimension of the packaged article, a packaged article pushing said swinging support elements aside as it moves up in contact with said inclined bottom portions and then being supported by said upper ledges.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The multi-level, in-line packaging machine of claim 8 wherein said static compression means are two opposed stationary vertical dead plates which extend down and across the width of the machine and resiliently bear inwardly against the packaged article, slightly compressing it.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
402 words
The method of folding and securing packing folders, each having a final sealing flap, about articles comprising the following steps: a. providing a multi-level, in-line packaging machine for continuously packaging articles in the packing folders, said machine having multiple, continuous, juxtaposed sections, comprising an initial vertical section; a horizontal section; and a final vertical section, said sections being connected together in line with said horizontal section being intermediately disposed between said vertical sections, each of said initial vertical and said horizontal sections having at least two static, folding, opposed elements placed on opposite sides of the section, said final vertical section having at least one static, folding element placed along one side of said section and having static compression means disposed on opposite sides of said section, said horizontal section also including at its down-stream end portion traveling glue applicator means moveable laterally across the width of the machine for applying glue to the underside of the final sealing flap, said horizontal and said final vertical sections each also including intermittent drive means for intermittently driving each article and packing folder through said section; b. first moving each article with a packing folder appropriately positioned about the article vertically through said initial vertical section past the static guides therein thereby vertically folding a portion of the packing folder about the article; c. then moving the article and packing folder horizontally across said horizontal section past the static guides therein folding back a further portion of the packing folder about the article; d. moving said traveling glue applicator means laterally across the width of the machine, to thereby apply glue to the underside of the final seaLing flap of the packing folder, during the pause portion of the intermittent drive means of said horizontal section; e. moving the article and packing folder vertically through said final vertical section past the static guide therein folding the final sealing flap portion of the packing folder about the article and securing the packing folder about the article; and f. statically holding the completely packaged article between said static compression means during the pause portion of the intermittent drive means of said final vertical section; whereby the article and packing folder follow a generally vertical-horizontal-vertical path as the packing folder is folded and secured about the article and whereby at least the major portion of folding the packing folder about the article is accomplished by static guides.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
402 words
The method of folding and securing packing folders, each having a final sealing flap, about articles comprising the following steps: a. providing a multi-level, in-line packaging machine for continuously packaging articles in the packing folders, said machine having multiple, continuous, juxtaposed sections, comprising an initial vertical section; a horizontal section; and a final vertical section, said sections being connected together in line with said horizontal section being intermediately disposed between said vertical sections, each of said initial vertical and said horizontal sections having at least two static, folding, opposed elements placed on opposite sides of the section, said final vertical section having at least one static, folding element placed along one side of said section and having static compression means disposed on opposite sides of said section, said horizontal section also including at its down-stream end portion traveling glue applicator means moveable laterally across the width of the machine for applying glue to the underside of the final sealing flap, said horizontal and said final vertical sections each also including intermittent drive means for intermittently driving each article and packing folder through said section; b. first moving each article with a packing folder appropriately positioned about the article vertically through said initial vertical section past the static guides therein thereby vertically folding a portion of the packing folder about the article; c. then moving the article and packing folder horizontally across said horizontal section past the static guides therein folding back a further portion of the packing folder about the article; d. moving said traveling glue applicator means laterally across the width of the machine, to thereby apply glue to the underside of the final seaLing flap of the packing folder, during the pause portion of the intermittent drive means of said horizontal section; e. moving the article and packing folder vertically through said final vertical section past the static guide therein folding the final sealing flap portion of the packing folder about the article and securing the packing folder about the article; and f. statically holding the completely packaged article between said static compression means during the pause portion of the intermittent drive means of said final vertical section; whereby the article and packing folder follow a generally vertical-horizontal-vertical path as the packing folder is folded and secured about the article and whereby at least the major portion of folding the packing folder about the article is accomplished by static guides.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 12 wherein in the machine of step ''''a'''' said vertical sections extend above said horizontal section, and wherein the article and packing folder in step ''''b'''' are moved in a downward direction and in step ''''e'''' in an upward direction; whereby the article and packing folder follow a generally U-shaped path as the packing folder is folded and secured about the article.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-02 | 1978-03-04 | 1978-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-02 | 1982-03-04 | 1982-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-02 | 1986-03-04 | 1986-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |