US4918907A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Forming and filling flexible plastic packaging
Assignee: MESSER Inc
•
Filing: 1988-01-20
•
Granted: 1990-04-24
•
Expires: 2008-01-20
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for automatically assembling and packaging articles including an assembler at which the articles are assembled and discharged one after another, a form and fill packaging line including a vacuum thermoformer where a plastic web is formed to provide receptacles for receiving the articles, a filling station where articles are placed in the formed receptacles, and a sealer where a sheet seals closed the filled receptacles, a transporting line receiving the articles from the assembler and transporting them to the filling station, the articles being presented in a group at a location spaced from the web at the filling station, and a first transfer mechanism for engaging the articles one group at a time and transferring them to a corresponding group of the receptacles at the filling station. Also disclosed are inspecting articles prior to filling receptacles so as to fill receptacles with only defect-free articles; changing spacing between finished products during transfer from a conveyor to another location; and forming the receptacles by providing a first pressure difference on opposite sides of the plastic web when heated to provide an initial contour with uniform stretching and thereafter providing a second larger pressure difference to force the heated web into the desired shape.
Inventors
- 👤 Kevin V. Roach
- 👤 M. Selim Cetiner
- 👤 Vincent E. Faherty
- 👤 Francis P. Ventura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:33
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B9/00; B65B9/02; B65B9/04; B65B47/00; B65B47/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
Apparatus for automatically assembling and packaging articles comprising an assembler at which said articles are assembled and discharged one after another, a form and fill packaging line including a vacuum thermoformer where a plastic web is formed to provide receptacles for receiving said articles, a filling station where articles are placed in the formed receptacles, and a sealer where a sheet seals closed the filled receptacles, a transporting line receiving said articles from said assembler and transporting them to said filling station, said articles being presented in a group at a location spaced from said web at said filling station, and a first transfer mechanism for engaging said articles one group at a time and transferring them to a corresponding group of said receptacles at said filling station.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
Apparatus for automatically assembling and packaging articles comprising an assembler at which said articles are assembled and discharged one after another, a form and fill packaging line including a vacuum thermoformer where a plastic web is formed to provide receptacles for receiving said articles, a filling station where articles are placed in the formed receptacles, and a sealer where a sheet seals closed the filled receptacles, a transporting line receiving said articles from said assembler and transporting them to said filling station, said articles being presented in a group at a location spaced from said web at said filling station, and a first transfer mechanism for engaging said articles one group at a time and transferring them to a corresponding group of said receptacles at said filling station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a means for selectively removing articles from said transporting line, a hopper for receiving said articles when removed, and a reentry mechanism for causing the articles in the hopper to reenter the transporting line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said transporting line comprises a first track on which said articles are maintained in predetermined orientation as they move along said track.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a conveyor belt at the end of said track for presenting said articles at said filling station.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a diverter for selectively diverting some of said articles in said first track, a second track for receiving said articles diverted from said first track, and a loader for loading the articles on said first and second tracks into two rows on said conveyor belt.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said first transfer mechanism includes means for engaging a group of articles including articles in said two rows.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising pushing means to convey said articles along said track.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said articles are syringes, each having wings extending from a body, and said track includes parallel horizontal portions, said portions being spaced from each other so as to permit passage of the bodies of said syringes therebetween and to support the wings of said syringes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising article inspection means for identifying defective articles prior to transfer, and article removal means for selectively removing inspected articles so that only groups containing defect free articles are transferred by said transfer mechanism.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second transfer mechanism for removing groups of packaged articles from said packaging line and placing them in boxes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said second transfer mechanism includes means for engaging a plurality of groups of packaged articles at a time, adjusting the relative positioning of each group with respect to the others during transfer from said packaging line to said boxes, and depositing said groups in separate boxes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
124 words
Apparatus for automatically packaging articles comprising groups of receptacles for receiving said articles, a filling station where articles are placed in said receptacles a packaging line, means for automatically moving said receptacles along said packaging line past said filling station, a conveyor presenting said articles to said filling station, said articles being presented in groups at a location spaced from said group of receptacles at said filling station, a transfer mechanism for engaging said articles one group at a time and transferring them to a corresponding group of receptacles at said filling station, article inspection means for identifying defective articles on said conveyor, and article removal means for selectively removing articles so that only groups containing defect-free articles are transferred by said transfer mechanism.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
124 words
Apparatus for automatically packaging articles comprising groups of receptacles for receiving said articles, a filling station where articles are placed in said receptacles a packaging line, means for automatically moving said receptacles along said packaging line past said filling station, a conveyor presenting said articles to said filling station, said articles being presented in groups at a location spaced from said group of receptacles at said filling station, a transfer mechanism for engaging said articles one group at a time and transferring them to a corresponding group of receptacles at said filling station, article inspection means for identifying defective articles on said conveyor, and article removal means for selectively removing articles so that only groups containing defect-free articles are transferred by said transfer mechanism.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said article removal means comprises means for transferring defective removed articles to one bin and defect free removed products to another bin.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said conveyor comprises a conveyor belt and means for presenting said articles at said filling station on said conveyor belt in two rows, and said transfer mechanism includes means for engaging a group including articles in said two rows.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein there are a plurality of articles in each row in a said group, each row is provided on a separately movable belt, and said transfer mechanism includes means for delaying transfer while said conveyor belt incrementally moves said articles to said location until there is a complete group of defect-free articles for transfer by said transfer mechanism.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said articles are syringes each having a plunger and wings.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said inspection means includes means for determining the distance from said plunger to said wings.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said inspection machine includes means for verifying that all parts of said syringes are present.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said packaging line comprises a vacuum thermoformer for forming a plastic web to provide said receptacles and a sealer for sealing closed with a sheet receptacles filled at said filling station.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
148 words
Apparatus for simultaneously transferring a group of products from one location to another comprising a conveyor presenting said products in a group having first predetermined positions characterized by a first spacing with respect to each other at a first predetermined location, a product receiving station at a second predetermined location spaced from said first location, said product receiving station having second predetermined product positions characterized by a second spacing with respect to each other different from said first spacing, and a transfer mechanism that is movable between said first and second predetermined locations and includes a plurality of product engagers for engaging respective products in a said group, said product engagers being movable with respect to each other so as to engage said products at said first predetermined positions at said first location and to disengage said products at said second predetermined positions at said product receiving station.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
148 words
Apparatus for simultaneously transferring a group of products from one location to another comprising a conveyor presenting said products in a group having first predetermined positions characterized by a first spacing with respect to each other at a first predetermined location, a product receiving station at a second predetermined location spaced from said first location, said product receiving station having second predetermined product positions characterized by a second spacing with respect to each other different from said first spacing, and a transfer mechanism that is movable between said first and second predetermined locations and includes a plurality of product engagers for engaging respective products in a said group, said product engagers being movable with respect to each other so as to engage said products at said first predetermined positions at said first location and to disengage said products at said second predetermined positions at said product receiving station.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said product engagers comprise vacuum engagement members.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 21 and further comprising a plurality of longitudinally extendable arms, at least some of said vacuum engagement members being mounted on respective ones of said longitudinally extendable arms in order to change the positions of the members.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein each said product comprises a package including a plurality of articles.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein there are four said vacuum engagement members and said longitudinally extendable members form a pair of cross arms, each vacuum engagement member being mounted at one end of said pair of cross-arms, each said end being longitudinally extendable.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 24 and further comprising means for pneumatically extending said ends.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 25 and further comprising means for pneumatically extending said ends to a stop position and spring returning said ends to a return position.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 24 and further comprising a robot that is capable of movement along three orthogonal axes and supports said cross-arms.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said conveyor comprises a conveyor belt, and further comprising separate boxes at said second predetermined positions.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said products are packages including a plurality of articles, and further comprising a vacuum thermoformer where a plastic web is formed to provide receptacles for said articles, a filling station where articles are placed in the formed receptacles, and a sealer where a sheet seals closed the filled receptacles to provide said packages.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
172 words
In forming and filling flexible plastic packages comprising forming a web of plastic pulled through and processed in a thermoformer to provide formed receptacles, placing articles in said formed receptacles to provide filled receptacles, providing a cover over said filled receptacles, sealing said cover to said web around said receptacles, and cutting said web between said filled receptacles to provide separate packages, the improvement wherein said forming comprises, advancing a thin flexible web of plastic through said thermoformer, providing a first pressure difference on opposite sides of said plastic web when heated and positioned in a mold of said thermoformer to provide an initial contour with substantially uniform stretching of said heated, plastic web, and thereafter providing a second pressure difference which is larger than said first pressure difference and is sufficiently large to force the heated plastic web into the desired shape of a mold of said thermoformer to provide formed receptacles with a wall thickness at least equal to a predetermined minimum thickness sufficient to maintain integrity of said packages.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
172 words
In forming and filling flexible plastic packages comprising forming a web of plastic pulled through and processed in a thermoformer to provide formed receptacles, placing articles in said formed receptacles to provide filled receptacles, providing a cover over said filled receptacles, sealing said cover to said web around said receptacles, and cutting said web between said filled receptacles to provide separate packages, the improvement wherein said forming comprises, advancing a thin flexible web of plastic through said thermoformer, providing a first pressure difference on opposite sides of said plastic web when heated and positioned in a mold of said thermoformer to provide an initial contour with substantially uniform stretching of said heated, plastic web, and thereafter providing a second pressure difference which is larger than said first pressure difference and is sufficiently large to force the heated plastic web into the desired shape of a mold of said thermoformer to provide formed receptacles with a wall thickness at least equal to a predetermined minimum thickness sufficient to maintain integrity of said packages.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 30 wherein said thermoformer includes a female mold and a facing male mold, and said first pressure difference is provided by a light vacuum at the female mold.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 31 wherein said second pressure difference is provided by positive pressure at the female mold and vacuum at the male mold.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 32 wherein said placing comprises simultaneously transferring a group of articles from an infeed belt to said receptacles.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 33 wherein said transferring comprises engaging said articles at said infeed belt with vacuum engagement feet and disengaging said articles from said vacuum engagement feet at said formed receptacles.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 34 wherein said articles are syringes with barrels.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 35 wherein said vacuum engagement feet have U-shaped recesses for engaging the barrels of said syringes.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 32 and further comprising transferring said separate packages to boxes.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 37 wherein said transferring said separate packages comprises simultaneously transferring multiple packages to multiple boxes.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
108 words
The method of thermoforming flexible plastic web in a thermoformer comprising advancing a thin flexible web of plastic through said thermoformer, providing a first pressure difference on opposite sides of said plastic web when heated and positioned in a mold of said thermoformer to provide an initial contour with substantially uniform stretching of said heated, plastic web and thereafter providing a second pressure difference which is larger than said first pressure difference and is sufficiently large to force the heated web into the desired shape of a mold of said thermoformer to provide a wall thickness at least equal to a predetermined minimum thickness sufficient to maintain integrity.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
108 words
The method of thermoforming flexible plastic web in a thermoformer comprising advancing a thin flexible web of plastic through said thermoformer, providing a first pressure difference on opposite sides of said plastic web when heated and positioned in a mold of said thermoformer to provide an initial contour with substantially uniform stretching of said heated, plastic web and thereafter providing a second pressure difference which is larger than said first pressure difference and is sufficiently large to force the heated web into the desired shape of a mold of said thermoformer to provide a wall thickness at least equal to a predetermined minimum thickness sufficient to maintain integrity.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said thermoformer includes a female mold and a facing male mold, and said first pressure difference is provided by a light vacuum at the female mold.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 40 wherein said second pressure difference is provided by positive pressure at the female mold and vacuum at the male mold.
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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) | 1993-04-23 | 1993-10-23 | 1994-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-23 | 1997-10-23 | 1998-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-23 | 2001-10-23 | 2002-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |