Method and apparatus for packaging groups of items in an enveloping film
AssigneeHayssen Manufacturing Company
InventorsLloyd Kovacs, Richard Sorenson, Dale Cherney
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Abstract
An apparatus for enveloping successive groups of items in a plastic film as the items traverse a linear path. Items are gathered in a group, and the group of items is then inserted in a tubular packaging film as the items and the film are conveyed at the same linear velocity. After the items are completely enveloped in the film, the film is severed and sealed to fully encapsulate them in the film. A vacuum is used to eliminate excess air generated within the tube, and also, in one form of the invention, form side gussets as sealing dies are closed. A tight package made at speeds results, with no need for any holes in the film to relieve internal air pressure.
Claims36
An apparatus operated intermittently for enveloping successive groups of items in a film as the items are transferred from an upstream location to a downstream location, comprising
- a. means for collating and accumulating a selected quantity of items in a group,
- b. a source of packaging film,
- c. means for forming the packaging film into a film tube during a packaging cycle,
- d. means for placing an upstream group of items in an equally spaced apart relationship with a downstream group of items located in the film tube with the packaging film being stationary,
- e. means for the placing means, upstream group, downstream group and the film in unison, without the placing means entering the film tube, and
- f. means for clamping, severing and sealing the tube adjacent to an inserted group of items.
A method for intermittently enveloping successive groups of items in a packaging film as the items progress from an upstream location to a downstream location, the method comprising the steps of
- a. collating and accumulating a selected quantity of items in a group,
- b. forming the packaging film into a film tube during a packaging cycle,
- c. placing an upstream group of items into the tube during a packaging cycle in an equally spaced apart relationship with a downstream group of items located in the film tube with the packaging film being stationary,
- d. advancing the pushing device, upstream group, downstream group and the film in unison, without the pushing device entering the film tube, and
- e. severing and sealing the tube at a location between successive groups of items.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.