Method and apparatus for sequentially packaging materials into units of desired volume

Claim 3

The method of packaging materials in accordance with claim 1, including the initial step of transversely closing one end of said container.

Claim 4

The method of packaging materials in accordance with claim 1, including effecting two transverse closures of said Container within the released portions, said closures being axially spaced from one another, and thereafter severing said container between said spaced closures.

Claim 5

The method of packaging materials in accordance with claim 1, including mounting said axially compressed container around a material discharge port, applying an axial restraining force against the portion of said container nearest the discharge end of said port, and filling said container with sufficient force to overcome said restraining force.

Claim 6

The method of packaging materials in accordance with claim 4, including the compacting of said material prior to discharge from said port.

Claim 7

The method of packaging materials in accordance with claim 4, wherein said filling is effected with insufficient force to cause release of the secured axial portions of said container.

Claim 8

The method of packaging materials in accordance with claim 4, including guiding the direction of extension of the container as it is filled, along a predetermined path.

Claim 9

Apparatus for filling elongated containers having one end closed and alternate axial portions thereof secured and unsecured against axial expansion, said secured portions being subject to release under an axial force less than the tearing limit of the material forming said container, comprising in combination; a closed chamber for holding the filling material, having a port for discharging said material, and an extended stationary discharge channel sealed around said discharge port and projecting therefrom; said discharge channel being adapted for mounting said container with said closed end at the downstream end of said channel, the periphery of said channel being substantially equal to the internal peripheral dimensions of one of said containers when mounted thereon; restraining means pressing the downstream end of a mounted container into contact with the surface of the downstream end of said discharge channel, said restraining means exerting an axial holding force on said container less than the axial force required to release said secured portions thereof; and means within said closed chamber for applying sufficient axial force on said material to extrude through said discharge port and said discharge channel into a mounted container, and to propel the material enclosed in said container until all unsecured portions are extended, wherein said restraining means comprise at least two units, each fixedly mounted on the upstream end of said discharge channel, said units including a first rigid member projecting radially outward from the axis of said channel and a second member pivotally connected to the outer end of said first member and projecting towards the downstream end of said channel, and a spring means held in tension between said first and second members and urging the outer end of said second member into contact with the surface of said channel.

Claim 10

Apparatus for filling elongated containers having one end closed and alternate axial portions thereof secured and unsecured against axial expansion, said secured portions being subject to release under an axial force less than the tearing limit of the material forming said container, comprising in combination; a closed chamber for holding the filling material, having a port for discharging said material, and an extended stationary discharge channel sealed around said discharge port and projecting therefrom; said discharge channel being adapted for mounting said container with said closed end at the downstream end of said channel, the periphery of said channel being substantially equal to the internal peripheral dimensions of one of said containers when mounted thereon; restraining means pressing the downstream end of a mounted container into contact with the surface of the downstream end of said discharge channel, said restraining means exerting an axial holding force on said container less than the axial force required to release said secured portions thereof; and means within said closed chamber for applying sufficient axial force on said material to extrude through said discharge port and said discharge channel into a mounted container, and to propel the material enclosed in said container until all unsecured portions are extended, wherein said restraining means comprise at least two units, each fixedly mounted on the upstream end of said discharge channel, said units including a first rigid member projecting radially outward from the axis of said channel and a second member pivotally connected to the outer end of said first member and projecting towards the downstream end of said channel, and a spring means held in tension between said first and second members and urging the outer end of said second member into contact with the surface of said channel.

Claim 11

Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said containers are constrained to extend in a substantially horizontal direction.

Claim 12

Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein two of said units are substantially diametrically opposed on said discharge cylinder and each unit exerts substantially the same holding force on the container.

Claim 13

Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said containers are axially compressed in successive folds, the outer end of said second member being in surface contact with the downstream face of the fold succeeding the last extended fold and being contoured to ride over said downstream face when the axial force of the filling material exceeds said holding force.

Claim 14

Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said discharge channel is substantially cylindrical, and wherein said discharge port includes a tapering portion converging toward the downstream end connected to said discharge channel, said taper effecting a compaction of said material as it is discharged.

Claim 15

Apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein the means for applying the axial force on said material comprises a piston within said closed chamber, operative along a path that is axially aligned with said discharge channel.

Claim 16

Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein the means for applying the axial force on said material comprises an impeller screw within said closed chamber and said discharge port and axially aligned with said discharge channel, said impeller screw having fins disposed to force said material through the discharge port when rotated.

Claim 17

Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said restraining means further comprises a projection extending radially outward from said discharge cylinder at the downstream end thereof.

Claim 18

Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the radially projecting portions of said restraining means are substantially axially aligned.

Claim 19

Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said discharge channel has a length at least as long as the longitudinal length of said container when axially compressed.

Claim 20

Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said discharge channel has a substantially circular cross section.