Fragile premium separator
AssigneeInsight Promotions, LLC
InventorsAndrew YOUNT, William DAY
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A packaged premium is separated from a bandolier of packaged premiums along a weakened separation line. An upstream gripper actuates to clamp to a selected seal zone, a downstream gripper actuates to clamp to a selected seal zone in an area which is across from a separation line, and the upstream and downstream grippers move in a downstream direction along a path of the bandolier. The downstream gripper is displaced relative to the upstream gripper causing a packaged premium to tear off of the bandolier along the separation line. The downstream and upstream grippers are released and moved in an upstream direction, and the process is repeated for a desired plurality of packaged premiums.
Claims16
A method of separating a packaged premium from a bandolier of packaged premiums separated from each other by transverse seals, each transverse seal containing a weakened separation line, the method comprising the steps of:
- actuating at least one upstream gripper to clamp to a selected seal zone in an area which is displaced from the separation line in the last said seal zone;
- actuating at least one downstream gripper positioned to be downstream from the upstream gripper to clamp to a selected seal zone in an area which is across the last said separation line;
- moving the upstream and downstream grippers in a downstream direction along a path of the bandolier;
- displacing the downstream gripper relative to the upstream gripper, causing an end packaged premium to tear off of the bandolier along the separation line;
- releasing the downstream and upstream grippers;
- moving the downstream and upstream grippers in an upstream direction;
- and
- repeating the above steps for a desired plurality of packaged premiums.
A method of separating a packaged premium from a bandolier of packaged premiums separated from each other by transverse seals, each transverse seal containing a weakened separation line, the method comprising the steps of:
- actuating an upstream gripper to clamp to a selected seal zone in an area which is displaced from the separation line in the last said seal zone, and which is laterally offset to one side of an axis of the path of the bandolier of packaged premiums;
- actuating a downstream gripper positioned to be downstream from the upstream gripper to clamp to a selected seal zone in an area which is across the last said separation line, and which is laterally offset from said axis and on the same side of the axis as the upstream gripper;
- displacing the downstream gripper relative to the upstream gripper, causing an end packaged premium to gradually tear off of the bandolier along the separation line from said side, toward and through the axis, and to the other side opposite said side;
- releasing the downstream and upstream grippers;
- moving at least the downstream gripper in an upstream direction;
- and
- repeating the above steps for a desired plurality of packaged premiums.
A method of separating a packaged premium from a bandolier of packaged premiums separated from each other by transverse seals, each transverse seal containing a weakened separation line, the method comprising the steps of:
- clamping, by at least a first upstream gripper disposed adjacent a path of the bandolier, to a transverse seal of a second packaged premium upstream from a first packaged premium;
- clamping, by at least a first downstream gripper disposed adjacent the path to be downstream from the first upstream gripper, to a transverse seal of the first packaged premium;
- moving the first downstream gripper in a downstream direction;
- responsive to said step of moving, tearing the first packaged premium from the second packaged premium along a weakened separation line separating the first packaged premium from the second packaged premium;
- while the first downstream gripper is still moving, opening the first downstream gripper;
- and
- responsive to the last said step of opening, throwing the first packaged premium in a downstream trajectory.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.