US 6,484,479 B1Granted

Form, fill and seal apparatus with cavity bar

AssigneeTetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.

InventorCraig A. Minion

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Abstract

A form, fill and seal packaging machine is adapted to receive a carton blank, erect the carton blank into an open-top carton, fill and seal the open-top carton. The cartons have a predetermined cross-sectional shape and size. The packaging machine includes a frame, a plurality of stations carried by the frame including a carton erection station, a bottom flap sealing station, a filling station and a top flap sealing station, and a drive assembly. A conveying assembly is operably connected to the drive assembly for moving the cartons through the stations. A plurality of cavity bars are carried by the conveying assembly. Each of the cavity bars defines cavities formed therein that correspond generally to the cross-sectional size and shape of the cartons. Each of the cavities is defined by internal peripheral surfaces configured for receiving and securing the carton therein as the carton is conveyed between the stations of the machine.

Claims37

Dependent claims

A form, fill and seal packaging machine adapted to receive a carton blank having top flaps and bottom flaps, erect the carton blank into an open-top carton, fill and seal the open-top carton, each carton having a predetermined cross-sectional shape and size, the machine comprising:

a frame;
means for erecting the carton blank into an open-top carton;
means for sealing bottom flaps of the open-top carton to form a sealed bottom;
means for filling the open-top carton;
means for sealing top flaps of the open-top carton;
a drive assembly;
a conveying assembly operably connected to the drive assembly for moving the cartons through the form, fill and seal packaging machine;
a plurality of cavity bars carried by the conveying assembly, each of the cavity bars defining at least one cavity formed therein corresponding generally to the cross-sectional size and shape of the cartons, each of the cavities being defined by internal peripheral walls having a contiguous periphery, the cavity being configured to receive and support the carton as the carton is conveyed through the form, fill and seal packaging machine;
said cavity bar comprises a collar portion having a cabity matching the cavity of the cavity bar;
and
the internl peripheral walls of said cavities in said bar and collar portion define a plurality of vacuum and vacuum legs with each of said legs having walls in both the cavities of said bar and said collar portion.

8 more elements

A form, fill and seal packaging machine adapted to receive a carton blank, erect the carton blank into an open-top carton, fill and seal the open-top carton, each carton having a predetermined cross-sectional shape and size, the machine comprising:

a frame including means for forming a package;
a drive assembly;
a conveying assembly operably connected to the drive assembly for moving the cartons through the machine through a predetermined path;
a plurality of cavity bars carried by the conveying assembly, each of the cavity bars being a rigid member and defining at least two cavities formed therein corresponding generally to the cross-sectional size and shape of the cartons, each of the cavities having a contiguous internal surface and an open top and bottom, and configured to secure the carton therein as the carton is conveyed along the predetermined path;
said cavity bar comprises a collar portion having a cavity matching the cavity of the cavity bar;
and
the internal peripheral walls of said cavities in said bar and collar portion define a plurality of vacuum openings and vacuum legs with each of said legs having walls in both the cavities of said bar and said collar portion.

4 more elements

a frame;
a plurality of stations carried by the frame including a carton erection station, a bottom flap pre-folding station and a bottom flap sealing station, a filling station, a top flap pre-folding station and a top flap sealing station;
a drive assembly;
a conveying assembly operably connected to the drive assembly for moving the cartons through the stations;
a plurality of cavity bars carried by the conveying assembly, each of the cavity bars being a rigid member and defining at least two cavities formed therein corresponding generally to the cross-sectional size and shape of the cartons, each of the cavities being defined by contiguous internal peripheral surfaces, and open top and an open bottom and upper and lower channels, the channels having a collar portion fitted within each of the channels, each collar portion having a cavity matching the cavity in the cavity bar, the collars and the internal peripheral surfaces having a plurality of vacuum openings formed therein adapted to engage a carton disposed in the cavity to secure the carton to the internal peripheral surfaces by application of a vacuum through the vacuum openings,
wherein the vacuum is applied to the cartons at at least one of the stations to secure the carton within the cavity;
said cavity bar comprises a collar portion having a cavity matching the cavity of the cavity bar;
and
the internal peripheral walls of said cavities in said bar and collar portion define a plurality of vacuum openings and vacuum legs with each of said legs having walls in both the cavities of said bar and said collar portion.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.