US4383954A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Forming and delivering stackable articles
Assignee: Genpak Corp
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Filing: 1981-04-06
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Granted: 1983-05-17
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Expires: 2001-04-06
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for continuously forming articles and stacking them ready for formation of batches from the stack. Some of the articles are treated by being given a disfigurement which makes them identifiable in the stack so that batch lengths containing predetermined numbers of articles are clearly seen. These disfigurements are caused by moving a moveable element forming part of the forming surface of the machine whereby the surface shape is changed to cause change in shape of the articles. The invention is particularly useful during forming and stacking of shallow thermoformed thermoplastic articles.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward W. Rider, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 14:22
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C51/00; B29C51/26; B29C51/30; B29C51/34; B29C51/346
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of continuously forming stackable articles in a moulding machine and forming a stack of said articles easily identifiable as to equally numbered batches of said stack comprising, (a) feeding a sheet of mouldable material along a pass line and through a moulding station of the machine; said machine having a plunger as a part of and flush with a mould surface when making identically moulded stackable articles; (b) repeating a cycle of a moulding operation to make a predetermined number of identical articles in succession; (c) stacking said identically moulded articles; (d) thereafter during the repeating cycle of moulding at least one article, following the moulding operation making a predetermined number of identical articles, moving said plunger from said mould surface to alter said mould surface configuration and subject said article to an additional moulding treatment so that said additionally moulded article is easily identifiable from said identically moulded articles; (e) placing said additionally moulded article in said stack; and (f) continuously repeating steps (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of continuously forming stackable articles in a moulding machine and forming a stack of said articles easily identifiable as to equally numbered batches of said stack comprising, (a) feeding a sheet of mouldable material along a pass line and through a moulding station of the machine; said machine having a plunger as a part of and flush with a mould surface when making identically moulded stackable articles; (b) repeating a cycle of a moulding operation to make a predetermined number of identical articles in succession; (c) stacking said identically moulded articles; (d) thereafter during the repeating cycle of moulding at least one article, following the moulding operation making a predetermined number of identical articles, moving said plunger from said mould surface to alter said mould surface configuration and subject said article to an additional moulding treatment so that said additionally moulded article is easily identifiable from said identically moulded articles; (e) placing said additionally moulded article in said stack; and (f) continuously repeating steps (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method according to claim 1 comprising providing consecutively treated articles in amounts each sufficient to form a batch in the stack and alternating said amounts with amounts of consecutively untreated articles, the amounts of the consecutively untreated articles also forming batches in the stack.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
99 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the sheet is unfoamed thermoplastics sheet and is brought into intimate contact with a forming surface by differential pressure conditions upon the two surfaces of the sheet, and at the specific surface position of the forming surface, the forming surface is partially formed by one end of said plunger which is flush with said forming surface when making identically moulded stackable articles, the plunger being moved relative to the forming surface to extend therefrom to alter the forming surface configuration at the specific position for forming each of said additionally moulded articles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
110 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the sheet is a foamed thermoplastics sheet and is disposed between two opposed forming surfaces in the forming station, the sheet being shaped into articles by closure of the mould parts to bring the forming surfaces into intimate engagement with the two sides of the sheet, and at specific opposing positions of the forming surfaces, plungers have ends defining parts of the forming surfaces and flush therewith, the plungers being moved relative to the forming surfaces in the same direction to extend and withdraw therefrom to alter the forming surfaces configurations in said opposing positions for forming each of said additionally moulded articles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein each article is formed with a rim and the treated articles are subjected to said treatment by forming disfigurements on their rims, said disfigurements being visually apparent when articles are in the stack.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method according to claim 5 wherein the rim is formed with a flange extending in an axial direction and which is at least partly exposed to view when articles are in a stack, and said disfigurements are provided upon the flanges so as to be visually identifiable when the treated articles are in the stack.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
193 words
A method of continuously forming stackable articles in a moulding machine and forming a stack of said articles easily identifiable as to equally numbered batches of said stack comprising, (a) repeating a cycle of a moulding operation in a moulding station to make a predetermined number of identical articles in succession; (b) transmitting a signal to an automatic counting means as each cycle is performed; (c) stacking said identically moulded articles; (d) thereafter during the repeating cycle of moulding at least one article, following the moulding of a predetermined number of identical articles, activating a plunger operating means by said counting means after a predetermined member of signals have been received by said counting means to extend a plunger from the mould surface to alter the mould surface configuration and effect change in the shape of part of said article so that said article is easily identifiable from said identically moulded articles, said plunger operating means having a plunger with a surface flush with the mould surface during steps (a), (b) and (c); (e) delivering said plunger changed article to said stack; and (f) continuously repeating steps (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e).
Claim 9
Independent Claim
193 words
A method of continuously forming stackable articles in a moulding machine and forming a stack of said articles easily identifiable as to equally numbered batches of said stack comprising, (a) repeating a cycle of a moulding operation in a moulding station to make a predetermined number of identical articles in succession; (b) transmitting a signal to an automatic counting means as each cycle is performed; (c) stacking said identically moulded articles; (d) thereafter during the repeating cycle of moulding at least one article, following the moulding of a predetermined number of identical articles, activating a plunger operating means by said counting means after a predetermined member of signals have been received by said counting means to extend a plunger from the mould surface to alter the mould surface configuration and effect change in the shape of part of said article so that said article is easily identifiable from said identically moulded articles, said plunger operating means having a plunger with a surface flush with the mould surface during steps (a), (b) and (c); (e) delivering said plunger changed article to said stack; and (f) continuously repeating steps (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e).
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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) | 1986-05-16 | 1986-11-15 | 1987-05-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-05-16 | 1990-11-15 | 1991-05-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-05-16 | 1994-11-15 | 1995-05-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |