US 5,309,697 A · Chewing gum packaging machine

Abstract

A packaging machine for individual flat strip-like articles, in particular chewing gum strips (10), comprises means for cutting (110) and supplying (100), wrapping (300) and grouping (400; 500) of the individual articles. The packaging machine comprises a first fast section through which the articles pass continuously, i.e. substantially without retardations or accelerations. In this machine section the chewing gums are first cut from sheets (20) to strips (10) in a cutting device (110) and thereafter individually wrapped, a turning drum (340) possibly being employed. Subsequently, they are combined to groups in a grouping means (400; 500). In this second machine section the chewing gum groups are further conveyed intermittently in cycles with lower speed to a collective packing machine. By exchanging components in the grouping means of the fast machine section the articles can be combined to groups different in number and arrangement.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A method for supplying, wrapping and grouping individual flat, strip-like articles, comprising the steps of:

(a) supplying the individual articles along two continuous paths extending parallel to one another, with the individual articles on said paths having corresponding spacings relative to one another;
(b) thereafter continuously uniting the articles for movement along one path with mutual spacing between the individual articles;
(c) continuously individually wrapping the articles on said one path;
and
(d) finally, on a further path, continuously combining the wrapped articles by retarding the movement of the articles to form groups of articles.

2 more elements

Apparatus for supplying, wrapping and grouping individual flat, strip-like articles comprising:

a pair of conveying members defining parallel conveying paths with one path disposed above another path for transporting individual articles in mutually spaced relationship relative to one another;
means for merging the individual articles from said pair of conveying paths onto a conveyor defining a single conveying path;
and
a transfer conveyor following said merging means for receiving the articles and maintaining the articles in spaced-apart relation relative to one another.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Chewing gum packaging machine

Life of this patent

Chewing gum packaging machine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28