Patent US3810344A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3810344A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Machine for packaging flexible articles
Assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
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Filing: 1972-03-29
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Granted: 1974-05-14
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Expires: 1992-03-29
Abstract
Abstract A machine for packaging flexible articles, e.g. disposable diapers, which includes mechanism for forming a stack containing a predetermined number of articles including devices for moving the stack and pushing it into a suitable container. The machine includes an infeed conveyor section used to convey and compress the articles whereupon they are ultimately delivered into successive slots of a pad wheel. The articles are stripped from the slots and simultaneously formed into stacks containing a predetermined number of articles. A pusher element and a stack controller arm are provided to convey each stack into the pocket of an intermittently rotating stack wheel. The stack wheel moves successive stacks into alignment with a support plate whereupon a transfer pusher moves each successive stack fully onto the support plate. A tamper plate is provided to exert a small amount of compressive force on the stack prior to lateral movement of the stack between the support plate and a ceiling plate which is adjacent the tamper plate. A reciprocating side pusher is used to move the stack laterally into position for ultimate movement into a container. A container wheel is intermittently rotated alongside the support plate. Container supporting nozzles project from one side of the container wheel, there being a container telescoped over each of the nozzles. When a nozzle containing an empty container is moved into contiguous relationship with the article stacks, a container load pusher is actuated to move the stacks into the container whereupon on further indexing of the container wheel, the filled container is removed by a full container pusher.
Inventors
- 👤 S Evans
- 👤 E Sorensen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 03:17
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B63/00; B65B63/02; B65B25/00; B65B25/14; B65B25/141; B65H; B65H29/00; B65H29/38; B65H29/40; B65H33/00; B65H33/16; B65H2701/00; B65H2701/10; B65H2701/19; B65H2701/1924; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/10; Y10S414/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A machine for packaging flexible articles comprising the combination of: a. means for forming a plurality of articles into a stack containing a predetermined number of articles, b. means for conveying and moving said stack onto a support plate, c. means for compressing said stack on said support plate, means for thereafter moving said stack into position on said support plate for insertion into a container, and means for continuously maintaining said stack in compressed condition during movement thereof on said support plate, d. means adapted for receiving and supporting a container in an article receiving attitude including means for aligning said container supporting means with said stack of articles, and e. means for pushing said stack of articles into a container while said stack is maintained under compression by said means for maintaining said stack in compressed condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A machine for packaging flexible articles comprising the combination of: a. means for forming a plurality of articles into a stack containing a predetermined number of articles, b. means for conveying and moving said stack onto a support plate, c. means for compressing said stack on said support plate, means for thereafter moving said stack into position on said support plate for insertion into a container, and means for continuously maintaining said stack in compressed condition during movement thereof on said support plate, d. means adapted for receiving and supporting a container in an article receiving attitude including means for aligning said container supporting means with said stack of articles, and e. means for pushing said stack of articles into a container while said stack is maintained under compression by said means for maintaining said stack in compressed condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
A machine for packaging flexible articles as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stack forming means comprises a pad wheel having a plurality of spaced arcuate slots on its periphery, means for depositing articles into the slots thereof and a stripper plate for intercepting a leading edge of each article while supported in a slot to remove the articles from said slots and form a stack of superposed articles on said stripper plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
A machine for packaging flexible articles as claimed in claim 1 wherein said conveying and moving means comprises an intermittently moving pushing element for moving a newly formed stack to a stack wheel having a plurality of pockets in its periphery and moving said stack into one of said pockets, means for indexing said stack wheel, and a transfer pusher for removing said stack from said pocket into said support plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A machine for packaging flexible articles as claimed in claim 1 wherein said compressing means comprises as oscillating tamper plate, and mechanism for moving said tamper plate from a retracted position to a position at which it compresses the stack delivered to the support plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
A machine for packaging flexible articles as claimed in claim 2 wherein said conveying and moving means comprises an intermittently moving pushing element for moving a newly formed stack to a stack wheel having a plurality of pockets in its periphery and moving said stack into one of said pockets, means for indexing said stack wheel, and a transfer pusher for removing said stack from said pocket onto said support plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A machine for packaging flexible articles as claimed in claim 2 wherein said compressing means comprises an oscillating tamper plate, and mechanism for moving said tamper plate from a retracted position to a position at which it compresses the stack delivered to the support plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A machine for packaging flexible articles as claimed in claim 3 wherein said compressing means comprises an oscillating tamper plate, and mechanism for moving said tamper plate from a retracted position to a position at which it compresses the stack delivered to the support plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A machine for packaging flexible articles as claimed in claim 5 wherein said compressing means comprises an oscillating tamper plate, and mechanism for moving said tamper plate from a retracted position to a position at which it compresses the stack delivered to the receiving plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
166 words
A machine for packaging flexible articles comprising the combination of: a. means for forming a plurality of articles into a stack containing a predetermined number of articles, b. means for conveying and moving said stack onto a support plate, c. means for compressing said stack on said support plate and means for thereafter moving said stack into a position for insertion into a container, d. means adapted for receiving and supporting a container in an article receiving attitude including a container wheel having a plurality of openings, a nozzle secured to the outboard side of each of said openings, means for holding a container in telescoping engagement with said nozzle, and means for aligning said container supporting means with said stack of articles including means for indexing said container wheel to successively align one of said openings with a stack of articles on said support plate prior to pushing the stack into the container, and e. means for pushIng said stack of articles into a container.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
166 words
A machine for packaging flexible articles comprising the combination of: a. means for forming a plurality of articles into a stack containing a predetermined number of articles, b. means for conveying and moving said stack onto a support plate, c. means for compressing said stack on said support plate and means for thereafter moving said stack into a position for insertion into a container, d. means adapted for receiving and supporting a container in an article receiving attitude including a container wheel having a plurality of openings, a nozzle secured to the outboard side of each of said openings, means for holding a container in telescoping engagement with said nozzle, and means for aligning said container supporting means with said stack of articles including means for indexing said container wheel to successively align one of said openings with a stack of articles on said support plate prior to pushing the stack into the container, and e. means for pushIng said stack of articles into a container.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
73 words
A machine for packaging flexible articles as claimed in claim 9 wherein said stack forming means comprises a pad wheel having a plurality of spaced arcuate slots on its periphery, means for depositing articles into the slots thereof and a stripper plate for intercepting a leading edge of each article while supported in a slot to remove the articles from said slots and form a stack of superposed articles on said stripper plate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
71 words
A machine for packaging flexible articles as claimed in claim 9 wherein said conveying and moving means comprises an intermittently moving pushing element for moving a newly formed stack to a stack wheel having a plurality of pockets in its periphery and moving said stack into one of said pockets, means for indexing said stack wheel, and a transfer pusher for removing said stack from said pocket onto said support plate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
A machine for packaging flexible articles as claimed in claim 9 wherein said compressing means comprises an oscillating tamper plate, and mechanism for moving said tamper plate from a retracted position to a position at which it compresses the stack delivered to the support plate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
71 words
A machine for packaging flexible articles as claimed in claim 10 wherein said conveying and moving means comprises an intermittently moving pushing element for moving a newly formed stack to a stack wheel having a plurality of pockets in its periphery and moving said stack into one of said pockets, means for indexing said stack wheel, and a transfer pusher for removing said stack from said pocket into said support plate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
A machine for packaging flexible articles as claimed in claim 10 wherein said compressing means comprises an oscillating tamper plate, and mechanism for moving said tamper plate from a retracted position to a position at which it compresses the stack delivered to the support plate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
A machine for packaging flexible articles as claimed in claim 1 wherein said compressing means comprises an oscillating tamper plate, and mechanism for moving said tamper plate from a retracted position to a position at which it compresses the stack delivered to the support plate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
A machine for packaging flexible articles as claimed in claim 13 wherein said compressing means comprises an oscillating tamper plate, and mechanism for moving said tamper plate from a retracted position to a position at which it compresses the stack delivered to the support plate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-05-13 | 1977-11-12 | 1978-05-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-13 | 1981-11-12 | 1982-05-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-13 | 1985-11-12 | 1986-05-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |