# US 2014/0196404 A1 · Pivoting hold-down device for use with an apparatus for manufacturing a package > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0196404 A1 - Document ID: US20140196404A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/156,194 - Filed: 2014-01-15 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-16 - Assignees: Coveris Flexibles US LLC - Applicants: Exopack LLC - Inventors: David Lee Roberts; Michael J. Douglas - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140196404A1 ## CPC - B65B 51/10: Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof {(welding of plastics per se B29C65/02; closing plastic tube ends in general B29C57/10)} - B65B 45/00: Apparatus or devices for supporting or holding wrappers during wrapping operation - B65B 7/06: by collapsing mouth portion, e.g. to form a single flap - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) ## Abstract The present disclosure relates to a hold-down device for use in the packaging industry. For example, the hold-down may be used with an apparatus for manufacturing a package. The hold-down may be configured to retain a packaging structure during the evacuation and/or sealing steps of a packaging process. The hold-down may include an elongate member and an attachment assembly. The elongate member may be configured to pivot and/or rotate about its longitudinal axis in response to a force exerted on the packaging structure during an evacuation and/or sealing step of a packaging process. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A hold-down device for use in an apparatus for manufacturing a package, comprising: an elongate member having a longitudinal axis, the elongate member being configured to rotate about its longitudinal axis; and an attachment assembly, wherein the attachment assembly comprises a post, a fastener, and first and second fastener blocks, wherein a first end of the post is coupled to the elongate member such that the post extends from the elongate member in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the elongate member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The hold-down device of claim 1, further comprising a second attachment assembly. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The hold-down device of claim 1, wherein the post is substantially cylindrical in shape. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The hold-down device of claim 1, wherein the post is further configured to be coupled to a spring. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The hold-down device of claim 1, wherein the elongate member is approximately 12 inches long. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The hold-down device of claim 1, wherein the elongate member is made of stainless steel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The hold-down device of claim 1, wherein the elongate member is substantially U-shaped along a transverse cross-section. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The hold-down device of claim 1, wherein the first and second fastener blocks are coupled within a channel of the elongate member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The hold-down device of claim 8, wherein the fastener is configured to couple the post to the first and second fastener blocks. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The hold-down device of claim 9, wherein the fastener is a pin that is cylindrical in shape. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The hold-down device of claim 8, wherein the first and second fastener blocks each comprise an aperture extending therethrough, and the first end of the post comprises an aperture extending therethrough, wherein the fastener couples the post to the first and second fastener blocks by extending at least partially through the aperture in the first fastener block, extending through the aperture in the first end of the post and extending at least partially through the aperture in the second fastener block. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The hold-down device of claim 7, further comprising an aperture extending through the elongated member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The hold-down device of claim 12, wherein the post extends through the aperture in the elongate member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The hold-down device of claim 1, further comprising an elastomeric member that is coupled to the elongate member. ### Claim 15 A hold-down device for use in an apparatus for manufacturing a package, comprising: an elongate member having a longitudinal axis; a post; a fastener; and a first fastener block, wherein the elongate member is configured to rotate about its longitudinal axis in response to a force exerted on a packaging structure during an evacuation or sealing step of a packaging process. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The hold-down device of claim 15, wherein the elongate member is substantially U-shaped along a transverse cross-section. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The hold-down device of claim 15, wherein the elongate member is configured to rotate about its longitudinal axis in response to a force exerted on the packaging structure during an evacuation step. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The hold-down device of claim 15, wherein the elongate member is configured to rotate about its longitudinal axis in response to a force exerted on the packaging structure during a sealing step.