US4068448A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Small article packaging apparatus
Assignee: IN PAC CORP
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Filing: 1976-08-09
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Granted: 1978-01-17
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Expires: 1996-08-09
Abstract
Abstract A small article packaging apparatus is provided and comprises a housing which is subdivided into six separate working areas. An elongated conveyor strip is fed sequentially through each of the six working areas while an elongated closure strip is fed through and covers the conveyor strip in the final three working areas. The first working area includes labeling means for imprinting desired indicia on the conveyor strip while indentation means at the second work area forms an indentation in the conveyor strip. The desired small article or articles are placed within the indentations formed in the conveyor strip at the third working area while the fourth working area includes means for sealing the conveyor strip to the closure strip in a closed loop encircling the indentation in the conveyor strip. The fifth working area includes means for simultaneously incrementally advancing the joined conveyor and closure strips through the respective work areas. The last work area includes means for cutting the joined conveyor and closure strip between adjacent indentations thereby forming individual packages from the conveyor and closure strips. The labeling, indenting, sealing, and cutting means are synchronized in their operation while the advancing means is asynchronous with these aforementioned means.
Inventors
- 👤 Marvin O. Modeen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 08:50
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B61/00; B65B61/26; B65B61/04; B65B61/06; B65B9/00; B65B9/02; B65B9/04; B65B9/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
239 words
In a machine for packaging items in sealed pockets of packages formed from a pair of strips of packaging material; means defining a continuous path of movement for one of the strips first in one direction and thereafter in a direction opposite said one direction, means disposed in the path for intermittently printing a label on one side of one of the strips when disposed for movement in said one direction, means located in the path for intermittently indenting said one strip at an opposite side thereof when disposed for movement in said opposite direction, said indenting means including a recessed punch member cooperating with an opposing die member for cold pressing spaced indentations in said one strip, means for directing the other of said strips in flat form to overlie said indented strip after the items to be packaged are loaded in said indentations, means adjacent said directing means for intermittently heat sealing said strips together along the periphery of said indentations to provide a strip of sealed packages, said sealing means including a heated platen cooperating with an opposing heat sink member, means for intermittently advancing said strip of packages along said path, and means for intermittently cutting said strip of packages between said indentations, said cutting means including a bearing block cooperating with an opposing blade member, said punch member, platen and bearing block being mounted for reciprocating movement into contact with their respective opposing members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
239 words
In a machine for packaging items in sealed pockets of packages formed from a pair of strips of packaging material; means defining a continuous path of movement for one of the strips first in one direction and thereafter in a direction opposite said one direction, means disposed in the path for intermittently printing a label on one side of one of the strips when disposed for movement in said one direction, means located in the path for intermittently indenting said one strip at an opposite side thereof when disposed for movement in said opposite direction, said indenting means including a recessed punch member cooperating with an opposing die member for cold pressing spaced indentations in said one strip, means for directing the other of said strips in flat form to overlie said indented strip after the items to be packaged are loaded in said indentations, means adjacent said directing means for intermittently heat sealing said strips together along the periphery of said indentations to provide a strip of sealed packages, said sealing means including a heated platen cooperating with an opposing heat sink member, means for intermittently advancing said strip of packages along said path, and means for intermittently cutting said strip of packages between said indentations, said cutting means including a bearing block cooperating with an opposing blade member, said punch member, platen and bearing block being mounted for reciprocating movement into contact with their respective opposing members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
In the machine according to claim 1, wherein said opposing die, heat sink and blade members are each cushion mounted for yielding movement upon contact by their respective punch member, platen and bearing block.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
In the machine according to claim 2, wherein said printing means includes a support member cooperating with an opposed stencil pad, said support member being mounted for reciprocating movement relative to said pad, and said support member, punch member, platen and bearing block being mounted for simultaneous reciprocating movement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
In the machine according to claim 3, including a rotatable cam shaft associated with said printing, indenting, sealing, advancing and cutting means, cam means on said shaft associated with said support member, punch member, platen and bearing block for effecting simultaneous reciprocating movement thereof upon each complete rotation of said cam shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
In the machine according to claim 4, wherein said advancing means includes a pair of opposed strip gripping spools means on one of said spools engageable with said cam shaft for effecting a gripping of said strip of packages upon movement of said support member, punch member, platen and bearing block away from their respective opposing members.
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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) | 1981-01-16 | 1981-07-18 | 1982-01-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-16 | 1985-07-18 | 1986-01-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-16 | 1989-07-18 | 1990-01-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |