Method of and apparatus for packaging
AssigneeLeifeld & Lemke Machinenfabrik & Co. GmbH
InventorHans Leuvering
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wrap-around packaging method wherein a package blank is prefolded to an open-sided configuration, an object to be packaged is positioned within the prefolded blank and the final folding and adhesive closing of the package is then completed in a series of synchronized steps. The prefolding occurs during the course of withdrawal of the package blank from a magazine and its transporting into position to receive the object to be packaged and includes plural folding steps which are individually performed to minimize stress on the packing material. The movement of the preformed packing material blank and object through the final folding and closing stations is accomplished without contact between the conveying means and the object.
Claims39
A method of folding an initially flat package blank at least partly about an article so as to define a generally rectangular-shaped receptacle for the article, the blank having a plurality of regions which define parallel longitudinal fold lines, said longitudinal fold lines defining edges of adjoining sides of the receptacle, the blank further having portions which define closure flaps, said method comprising the steps of:
- preforming the blank by bending about each of the side edge defining parallel longitudinal fold lines thereof to define an open-ended and open-sided packing having a bottom side, the preformed packing also having a front side which extends generally transversely with respect to the bottom side;
- supporting the open-sided packing on its bottom side;
- positioning an article to be packaged on the inwardly disposed face of the open-sided packing bottom side, the open-sided packing and article comprising a pack unit;
- folding a first closure flap of the package blank inwardly to cause said flap to be orientated generally parallel with respect to the pack unit front side;
- and
- moving the pack unit to at least a first folding station by the application of force solely to the open-sided packing.
Packaging apparatus for use in the folding of a packing material blank about an object to be packaged, the packing material blank including a plurality of side defining portions which are interconnected via longitudinally extending fold regions, said fold regions being generally parallel to one another, said side defining portions each having extending therefrom at least one closure flap, said closure flaps being connected to their respective side defining portions by means of fold lines which extend generally transversely with respect to said longitudinal fold regions, said blank further including a rear closure flap which extends from the free end of a first of the side defining portions thereof, said rear closure flap being separated from the first side defining portion by means of a further longitudinal fold region which is generally parallel to said other longitudinal fold regions, said apparatus comprising:
- packing material blank prefolding means, said prefolding means causing deflection of each of said side defining portions relative to the adjoining side defining portions to define an open-sided packing;
- object loading means, said loading means positioning an object to be packaged on a first face of said first side defining portion of the open-sided packing to define a pack unit;
- conveying means for engaging the pack unit and moving the pack unit to a folding station, said conveying means including means for defining clamping planes adjacent to said longitudinal fold regions, said clamping plane defining means causing said rear closure flap to be folded inwardly to assume an orientation which is generally transverse to the object supporting first face whereby the object is captured between said rear closure flap and a second side defining portion of the packing material blank;
- and
- means for cyclically driving said conveying means whereby the pack unit will be caused to move slowly upon initial engagement by said clamping plane defining means during movement from said loading means to a first folding station.
Packaging apparatus for use in the folding of a packing material blank about an object to be packaged to define a generally rectangular shaped receptacle for the object, the packing material blank including a plurality of side defining portions which are interconnected via longitudinally extending fold regions, said fold regions being generally parallel to one another, at least some of said side defining portions having at least one closure flap extending therefrom, said closure flaps being connected to their respective side defining portions by means of fold lines which extend generally transversely with respect to said longitudinal fold regions, said blank further including a rear closure flap which extends from the free end of a first of the side defining portions thereof, said rear closure flap being separated from the first side defining portion by means of a further longitudinal fold region which is generally parallel to said other longitudinal fold regions, said apparatus comprising:
- packing material blank prefolding means, said prefolding means causing deflection of each of said side defining portions relative to the adjoining side defining portions to define an open-sided packing having a bottom formed by said first side defining portion, said open-sided packing further having a front side defined by a second side defining portion which is adjacent to said first side defining portion, said front side extending generally transversely with respect to said bottom;
- object loading means, said loading means positioning an object to be packaged on a first face of said first side defining portion of the open-sided packing to thereby define a pack unit;
- and
- conveying means for moving the pack unit to a folding station, said conveying means engaging only the open-sided packing comprising the pack unit, said conveying means including means for folding said rear closure flap inwardly to an orientation which is generally transverse to the object supporting first face of said first side defining portion whereby the object is captured between said rear closure flap and said second side defining portion of the packing material blank.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.