Patent US3910011A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3910011A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for packaging stacked articles
Assignee: HG Weber and Co Inc
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Filing: 1973-12-05
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Granted: 1975-10-07
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Expires: 1993-12-05
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for and method of packaging stacked articles, as for instance bags, in a shipping container that is formed of a heatshrinkable plastic film heat-sealed at one end and open at the other end, and, preferably provided with gussets therebetween to facilitate the reception thereinto of said stacked articles in a prearranged pattern. The stacked articles while in said shipping container are subjected contemporaneously to controlled pressure to compact said stacks and to sufficient heat to heat-shrink the plastic film thereabout; thereafter while under compaction, cooling of said heat-shrunk film is effected to produce a relatively rigid package and thereby facilitate the handling thereof, as for instance by palletizing said package.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L Beninger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:02
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B53/00; B65B53/02; B65B25/00; B65B25/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
Apparatus for packaging articles, which comprises means for peripherally confining a bundle of said articles while leaving surface portions of said articles accessibly exposed, means for enveloping said bundle within an open-ended sleeve of a heatshrinkable film, means for moving the enveloped bundle to a pressure station, means at said pressure station for effecting pressure contact between said enveloping means and said exposed surface portions and means for heat-shrinking said film into close contact with said exposed article surface portions while leaving film edges surrounding said opening accessible for manual engagement after said heat-shrinking step has been performed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
Apparatus for packaging articles, which comprises means for peripherally confining a bundle of said articles while leaving surface portions of said articles accessibly exposed, means for enveloping said bundle within an open-ended sleeve of a heatshrinkable film, means for moving the enveloped bundle to a pressure station, means at said pressure station for effecting pressure contact between said enveloping means and said exposed surface portions and means for heat-shrinking said film into close contact with said exposed article surface portions while leaving film edges surrounding said opening accessible for manual engagement after said heat-shrinking step has been performed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said articles are collapsible bags maintained in a stack by said confining means with surface portions of the ends of said stack left accessibly exposed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 2, wherein said confining means comprises a hinged set of panels for wrapping contact with the peripheral surfaces of said stack.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 3, wherein an end pusher means engages one end of said stack while the latter is within said confining means and serves to push said stack endwise out of said confining means. 5. Apparatus as defined by claim 4, wherein said pusher means has upper and lower flanges for engagement with the upper and lower surfaces of said one end of said stack.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 5, wherein said confining means is stationary as a unit and said pusher means fits within said confining means with sufficient clearance to allow relative movement therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 6, wherein said pusher means includes a generally rectangular plate having a plurality of openings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 7, wherein means are provided for causing a compressed gas to move said pusher means to advance a stack.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 8, wherein tracks extend from said pusher means for providing a support for said stack while being advanced into a shipping container.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 8, including heat-energized film shrinking means for application against an end of one of said shipping container after being filled to shrink the film thereof into firm contact with portions of the surface of articles within said container and contiguous to said film.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
110 words
In apparatus for loading a stack of smaller satchel or SOS type bags into a larger shipping container formed of a heat-shrinkable film, means comprising hingedly connected rectangular panels adapted to form an open-ended, bag-receiving, peripherally-confining, stationary housing, a relatively rigid pusher plate movable with clearance within said housing, a source of a fluid under pressure for energizing said pusher plate to advance a stack of said bags through and out of said housing, and means for heat-shrinking and compressing said stack after loading the same into a shipping container, means for cooling said heat-shrunk stack and means for maintaining said stack within said shipping container in a compacted state.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
110 words
In apparatus for loading a stack of smaller satchel or SOS type bags into a larger shipping container formed of a heat-shrinkable film, means comprising hingedly connected rectangular panels adapted to form an open-ended, bag-receiving, peripherally-confining, stationary housing, a relatively rigid pusher plate movable with clearance within said housing, a source of a fluid under pressure for energizing said pusher plate to advance a stack of said bags through and out of said housing, and means for heat-shrinking and compressing said stack after loading the same into a shipping container, means for cooling said heat-shrunk stack and means for maintaining said stack within said shipping container in a compacted state.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 11 including a heat energized device for heat-shrinking localized portions of said heat-shrinkable film into contact engagement with surface portions of said stack.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus defined by claim 12, wherein said fluid is air and said device is electrically heated and is adapted to direct heat to localized portions of said shipping container after being loaded.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 12, including means in said housing providing tracks of reduced friction for supporting the stacks as they are moved relative to said housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 14, wherein said track-providing means are a plurality of fingers secured to the lower of said flanges and extending over the corresponding lower one of said panels.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 15, wherein said fingers extend beyond the open end of said housing when said pusher plate is in its farthest advanced position.
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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) | 1978-10-06 | 1979-04-07 | 1979-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-06 | 1983-04-07 | 1983-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-06 | 1987-04-07 | 1987-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |