Apparatus for packaging compact discs into respective cases and method for packaging compact discs into respective cases
AssigneeTapematic U.S.A., Inc.
InventorLuciano Perego
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for packaging compact disc into respective cases along feed line having one station for opening the cases, a first work station in which an informational leaflet and informational booklet are respectively inserted in a housing portion and a lid portion of the case, a second work station in which a compact disc is engaged with a tray, if present, and a cover are respectively inserted in the housing portion and lid portion, and a final station for closing the case. The lid portion of the case is rotated by means of air blowing nozzles positioned at the opening and closing stations, respectively, to direct an air flow against the lid portion.
Claims29
An apparatus for packaging compact discs into respective cases, the cases being of the type having a housing portion on which a lid portion is laterally hinged at a hinging side thereof, the lid portion being movable between a closed condition, wherein the lid portion lies upon the housing portion, and an open condition, wherein the lid portion extends in a coplanar relation with the housing portion, said apparatus comprising:
- a bearing framework;
- a case feeding unit for arranging the cases in succession on a first feed line provided on said bearing framework;
- conveying means for sequentially moving the cases along said first feed line;
- lid portion opening means disposed along said first feed line for moving the lid portion of each case moving along said first feed line from its said closed condition to its said open condition;
- means for inserting a compact disc within each case provided along said first feed line when said case is in its open condition;
- means for closing said lid portion of said case to move said lid portion from its said open condition to its said closed condition;
- and
- wherein at least one of said lid portion opening and closing means comprises means for blowing air against the lid portion in order to move the lid portion between its open and closed conditions.
An apparatus for packaging compact discs into respective cases, the cases being of the type having a housing portion on which a lid portion is laterally hinged at a hinging side thereof, the lid portion being movable between a closed condition, wherein the lid portion lies upon the housing portion, and an open condition, wherein the lid portion extends in a coplanar relation with the housing portion, said apparatus comprising:
- a bearing framework;
- a case feeding unit for arranging the cases in succession on a first feed line provided on said bearing framework;
- conveying means for sequentially moving the cases along said first feed line;
- lid portion opening means disposed along said first feed line for moving each case along said first feed line from its said closed condition to its said open condition;
- leaflet inserting means for introducing at least one leaflet into the housing portion of the case when the case is in its open condition;
- booklet inserting means operating in a symmetrically opposite position with respect to said leaflet inserting means for disposing at least one booklet into engagement with an inner face of said lid portion;
- means for inserting a compact disc within each said case provided along said first feed line when said case is in its open condition;
- cover inserting means operating in a symmetrically opposite position with respect to the compact disc inserting means for positioning a cover into engagement with an inner face of the lid portion;
- means for closing said lid portion of said case to move said lid portion from its said open condition to its said closed condition;
- and
- wherein at least one of said lid portion opening and closing means comprises means for blowing air against the lid portion in order to move the lid portion between its open and closed conditions.
A method of packaging compact discs into respective cases, said cases being of the type having a housing portion on which a lid portion is laterally hinged at a hinging side thereof, the lid portion being movable between a closed condition, wherein the lid portion lies upon the housing portion, and an open condition, wherein the lid portion extends in a coplanar relation with the housing portion, said packaging method comprising the steps of:
- opening each case by moving the lid portion from its closed condition to its open condition;
- introducing at least one compact disc into the housing portion of the case;
- closing the case by moving the lid portion from its open condition to its closed condition, wherein the movement of the lid in at least one of said steps of opening and closing the case comprises the step of directing air against said lid portion so as to obtain at least a partial displacement of the lid portion between its open condition and its closed condition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.