Package Advanced By Folding Carrier Patents (Class 53/232)
  • Patent number: 11911993
    Abstract: A box erecting device for folding a box is disclosed herein. The box erecting device includes a folding plate and a lid erecting system. The folding plate is configured for erecting a box, and a folding notch including a first edge and a second edge is formed in the folding plate. The first edge is configured for erecting a first dust flap of the box, and the second edge is configured for erecting a second dust flap of the box. The lid erecting system is disposed adjacent to the folding plate and is configured for erecting a lid of the box. The lid erecting system includes a tab funnel and a folding tool. The tab funnel includes a ramp for retaining the dust flaps while closing the lid. The folding tool includes a hooked ramp for causing a distal end of the lid to be inserted into the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: IME AUTOMATION, LLC
    Inventors: Leo Wright, Derek Hall, Peter Coles
  • Patent number: 9199747
    Abstract: An ice cream sandwich apparatus for making and wrapping ice cream sandwiches. The ice cream sandwich apparatus includes a plurality of stations driven by servo motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: DARIFILL, INC.
    Inventors: Scott Spears, Eric Rousculp, Jack Spencer
  • Patent number: 8333050
    Abstract: A machine for making outer envelopes (101) in which a filter bag (103) for an infusion product is wrapped in an overwrapping (S) comprises: stations for making the filter bags (103), means (106) for moving the filter bag (103) towards a station (107) for wrapping a sheet (S) of overwrapping material around the filter bag (103); and a station (109) for closing longitudinal end edges (S1, S2) and a transversal end edge (S3) of the “U”-wrapped sheet (S) to form an outer envelope (101); the closing station (109) comprises a joining carrousel (110) equipped with a plurality of sealing elements (112) which are movable in rotation with the joining carrousel (110) and designed to receive respective single filter bags (103) with the folded overwrapping sheet (S) and to allow simultaneous closing of the longitudinal edges (S1, S2) and the transversal edge (S3) of the sheet (S).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Ima Flavour S.R.L.
    Inventors: Dario Rea, Giacomo Noferini, Emanuele Rubbi
  • Publication number: 20110302886
    Abstract: A packing method and unit (11) for folding a sheet (3) of packing material about a group (2) of cigarettes, and having: a first packing conveyor (12) having a first pocket (14) for receiving the group (2) wrapped in the tubular-folded sheet (3) of packing material; a second packing conveyor (18) having a second pocket (20) for receiving the group (2) wrapped in the tubular-folded sheet (3) of packing material; and a transfer device (24) which transfers the group (2), wrapped in the tubular-folded sheet (3) of packing material, from the first pocket (14) to the second pocket (20), and has a pusher (26) located at the first pocket (14) and engaging a first base wall (4) of the group (2), and a counter-pusher (27) located at the second pocket and engaging a second base wall (4), opposite the first base wall (4), of the group (2); the pusher (26) and/or the counter-pusher (27) of the transfer device (24) having respective lateral appendixes (28) which engage minor lateral walls (6) of the group (2), when the push
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: G.D SOCIETA' PER AZIOI
    Inventors: Marco Ghini, Roberto Polloni, Andrea Biondi
  • Patent number: 7669387
    Abstract: Transponders are used for identifying objects such as packaging, packaging material or machines and machine elements and are attached to the object to be identified. The transponders contain data which are provided by an electronic write unit and which can be recognized by a read unit. The transponders are provided in a concealed manner on the machines, machine parts, etc. or are embedded in the machine part, for example, inside a recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co. KG)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Jurgen Focke, legal representative, Doris Focke, legal representative, Tobias Jacobi, Gisbert Engel
  • Patent number: 7559186
    Abstract: A packaging apparatus for wrapping a carton around a packaged product comprises a box mandrel conveyor including a plurality of mandrels which support the packaged product thereon. Packages are precisely fed to the mandrels of the box mandrel conveyor by a conditioning conveyor. Carton blanks are delivered to a conveying system from a carton magazine and are conveyed in vertical confronting relation to a mandrel. Each mandrel moves the carton blank against a plow device thereby causing the carton blank to be folded around a mandrel containing a package. Folding and compression devices are provided for folding and compressing an end panel against a manufacturer's flap. Suitable flap closing means close the end flaps and upper and lower flaps after the mandrel is withdrawn from the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Inventor: Brenton L Smith
  • Patent number: 7555876
    Abstract: For the purpose of wrapping articles, in particular groups (19) of packs, in a blank (10), use is made of a folding turret (21) having a single pocket (23) passing through its diameter. Lateral boundaries of the pocket (23) comprise belts (30, 31) which, upon introduction of a group (19) of packs with blank (10), can be moved in the pushing-in direction and which butt in a friction-free manner against legs (27, 28) of the blank (10), which is folded in a U-shaped manner. A block-form stop component (37) can be moved within the pocket (23) from one end position to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co. KG)
    Inventors: Alfred Drenguis, Michael Wegmann, Andreas Storcks
  • Patent number: 7131246
    Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping groups of rolls of products with a sheet of film comprises a station for packaging and moving, with a stepping motion, in a predetermined direction, a succession of groups of products wrapped in a sheet of film, having an open front side defined by two opposite flaps, and means for closing the open side comprising a unit consisting of: two pairs of mobile elements, arranged side by side in said direction, to allow the flaps of film of the two groups of products arranged one after another to be brought together and closed; first movement means for the unit, allowing synchronized movement of the two pairs of elements, respectively, in the same direction as the groups, for one group feed step, bringing together and closing the flaps, and a movement opposite to said direction over a distance equal to the distance previously traveled, simultaneously with a feed step of the groups to be packaged, so as to position the unit at two further and subsequent groups of products to be closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: T.M.C. S.p.A.
    Inventors: Davide Dall'Omo, Christian Zagnoni
  • Patent number: 6945009
    Abstract: An operating wheel of a packing machine comprises an annular drum, a number of through pockets carried by the annular drum and each for receiving a respective product, a first drive for rotating the annular drum in steps to feed the pockets along an annular path extending through a loading station and an unloading station, first and second pusher for engaging respective pockets at the loading station and the unloading station respectively, a second electric drive for imparting to the pushers respective substantially radial reciprocating movements to and from respective withdrawn rest positions inside the annular drum and through the respective pockets, a first safety device for preventing the annular drum from rotating when at least one of the pushers engages a respective pocket, and a second safety device for preventing the pushers from moving from the respective withdrawn positions when the annular drum is rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: G.D. Societa' per Azioni
    Inventors: Mario Spatafora, Alver Tacchi
  • Patent number: 6918226
    Abstract: The automatic utensil wrapping machine is an apparatus for wrapping a napkin around one or more utensils for use as a place setting. The apparatus comprises a housing, a support frame and an assembly of elements mounted to the support frame. The assembly of elements includes a napkin lifting station, a napkin wrapping station, a napkin transfer station, a utensil transfer station, and a napkin folding station. The apparatus wraps each napkin around a predetermined amount of utensils without the need for human contact. The napkins are wrapped by first positioning a stack of napkins on the lifting station, then individually transferring napkins from the lifting station to the wrapping station. The utensils are then transferred from the individual cartridges and placed onto the napkin. Two opposing corners of the napkin are then folded over and the napkin is subsequently wrapped around the utensils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Inventors: Rebecca A. Heilman, Eric A. Heilman, Andre LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 6796103
    Abstract: In a machine for packaging stacks of multiply articles of paper into wrapping sheets, a first line conveys stacks of multiply articles of paper to a a wrapping station while a second feeds wrapping sheets to the wrapping station. Each sheet is kept vertically in a waiting position in the wrapping station until one stack is moved towards the sheet, so that the sheet gradually folds around the stack with overlapping parallel edges to be heat-welded. In the said second line there are first endless belts and second endless belts for a wrapping sheet received from conveying means situated upstream. The sheet is pulled up to the wrapping station and is clamped in the wait position by suction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventor: Gianluigi Gamberini
  • Patent number: 6694703
    Abstract: Blanks for conversion into hinged-lid packets for block-shaped arrays of cigarettes in metal foil envelopes are supplied by a first turntable to an assembling station where successive blanks are overlapped by successive arrays furnished by a second turntable. Each blank is draped around the envelope of the respective array in part at the assembling station and in part at a further station downstream of the assembling station, as seen in the direction of joint advancement of the arrays and the corresponding blanks toward an evacuating station. Each array is moved at the assembling station vertically downwardly from a pocket of the second turntable into a pocket of the first turntable; the latter thereupon advances the arrays and the blanks jointly to the further station, and the finished packets—with the arrays confined therein—to the evacuating station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Topack Verpackungstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Grossmann, Frank Bley, Josef Glösmann, Michael Kleine Wächter
  • Patent number: 6691492
    Abstract: An elevator device in a machine for forming packs of rolls includes an auxiliary plate member, situated between wrapping sheet folders and a constraining plate of a conveying line. The auxiliary plate member moves vertically between a lower end position near and above the folders, and an upper end position in alignment with the constraining plate. When an elevation plate is raised to push a group of rolls partially wrapped with a wrapping sheet against the constraining plate, the auxiliary plate member keeps the rolls and the sheet firm and is moved synchronously with the plate thus carrying the group of rolls and the sheet upwards until they are received within holding means of a conveying line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Gianluiigi Gamberini
  • Patent number: 6643996
    Abstract: A method of overwrapping packets in the form of a rectangular prism, whereby a packet, as it is fed continuously along a wrapping path, is first centered with respect to a relative conveying seat, and is then paired with a relative sheet of wrapping material, which is folded about the packet to form a tubular wrapping projecting axially from the packet in the form of two tubular appendixes, which are folded to form a closed overwrapping; each tubular appendix being at least partly folded onto the relative packet before the relative tubular wrapping is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: G.D. Societa' Per Azioni
    Inventors: Mario Spatafora, Fabrizio Tale
  • Patent number: 6640522
    Abstract: A method of packing rearms of sheets, wherein each ream is defined by sheets stacked to form a rectangular-base prism of a given height, and has two base faces defined by respective end sheets in the ream, two lateral faces perpendicular to the base faces, and two end faces. The method providing for feeding the ream along a given path in a feed direction parallel to the base faces. Placing a sheet of packing material along the path of the ream and perpendicular to the feed direction, and conveying the ream and the sheet of packing material in the feed direction through a folding spindle to fold the sheet of packing material into a U about the ream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Innopack SRL
    Inventors: Luca Antoniazzi, Andrea Cinotti
  • Patent number: 6381920
    Abstract: A packing machine comprising a rotary assembly (2) which is adapted to receive articles (4) travelling along a path which is adjacent one region of the periphery of the assembly, and means (26) for receiving foil (14) or other wrapping material, at a different peripheral region, the foil then being oriented in a tangential plane; the assembly further comprising means for reorienting the foil into a plane which is perpendicular to said tangential plane (20) at a subsequent rotary position, where it is suitably aligned with a cooperating article wrapping means (40, 32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Molins PLC
    Inventors: Thomas William Bailey, Andrew John Cleall, Graham Richard James, Robert Howard Taylor
  • Patent number: 6223506
    Abstract: A method and machine for wrapping a product in a sheet of heat-seal wrapping material, whereby the sheet of wrapping material is folded by a fixed folding device onto a wall of the product so as to superimpose at least two portions of the sheet of wrapping material; the sheet of wrapping material, once folded, is gradually released from the fixed folding device; and a sealing surface of a sealing head is brought gradually into a position facing the superimposed portions as the superimposed portions are gradually released from the folding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: G. D Societa'per Azioni
    Inventors: Marco Ghini, Mario Spatafora
  • Patent number: 6023909
    Abstract: A packing machine for producing semi-finished packets of cigarettes having respective blanks of packing material and respective wrappings, wherein a forming drum rotates continuously about a given axis to form the packets by partially folding the blanks about the respective wrappings; the drum being located along a packing path having an input branch, an output branch, and an intermediate branch defined by the drum and extending substantially in a spiral about the given axis; the input branch and the output branch being straight and tangent to the intermediate branch; and the drum having a number of orienting assemblies for feeding the packets to the output branch with respective longitudinal axes of the packets oriented parallel to an output direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: G.D. Societa' per Azioni
    Inventor: Fulvio Boldrini
  • Patent number: 5996309
    Abstract: In the manufacture of certain types of packets, rotary folding units (10) are used which have along their perimeter a plurality of hollow folding mandrels (14) projecting at one side. On these mandrels, blanks, namely inner blank (10) and pouch blank (11) are folded in succession. Holding bands (34, 59) serve to position the blanks exactly on the folding mandrels (14), said bands extending outside the movement region of the folding mandrels (14) and lying with a holding bight (35) against the side of the folding mandrels (14), or the blanks, lying radially on the outside, fixing same as they do so.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Hans-Jurgen Bretthauer
  • Patent number: 5930976
    Abstract: A unit for wrapping packets, wherein a first seat, carried on a first conveyor, closed by a sheet of wrapping material and housing a packet, is brought into engagement with a second seat on a second conveyor to insert the packet inside the second seat and fold the sheet into a U about the packet; the first seat engaging a respective packet by the end surfaces of the packet; and the second seat engaging the packet by a pair of lateral walls crosswise to the end surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: G.D Societa' per Azioni
    Inventors: Fulvio Boldrini, Francesco Bertuzzi
  • Patent number: 5493957
    Abstract: An apparatus for the preparation of comestible-containing sandwich products comprises a sandwich product assembly station and corresponding means for the fabrication and assembly of a sandwich product in the vertical direction. The apparatus includes an extruder nozzle, wafer trays and corresponding components for the location of wafers on opposite sides of the extruded product, an indexing wheel for receiving the assembled sandwich product, and conveying means for conveying to a wrapping station and from there to a discharge end, wherein all of the components of the machine are mounted in cantilevered fashion on a vertical support or base member. The sandwich product assembly station, the indexing wheel and the wrapping station may be disassembled and retrofitted with like components of different size to accommodate corresponding differences in the sandwich product being fabricated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Interbake Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Cory R. Kennedy, Steven D. Balzer
  • Patent number: 5412926
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus for rejecting defective packages in the region of a packaging machine are disclosed. In the production of bundles formed from several individual packages, especially from a group (11) of cigarette packages (10), it is required to inspect the cigarette packages (10) as regards completeness of the group. Packages (13) which are thus found to be defective are marked in an exteriorly visible manner and are rejected at a later stage, especially in the region of a discharge track (26). The defective package (13) is marked by way of folding over a folding tab of an outer wrapping (12), especially a lower tab (33) in the region of a rearward side wall with respect to the conveying direction. The lower tab (33) forms a gusset (36) which is folded over to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventor: Heinz Focke
  • Patent number: 5331788
    Abstract: In a machine for packaging rolls of household paper products, packs are restrained between groups of vertical teeth associated with a conveyor passing through a wrapping station, a folding station and a heat seal station; equipping the wrapping station with additional vertical teeth fixed to a support afforded by the machine which are positioned alongside and offset from the group of conveyor teeth remote from the folding station, at a distance from the remaining group of conveyor teeth less than the distance which separates the two groups of conveyor teeth, a tighter restraint can be applied as the rolls are enveloped initially in the relative sheet of wrapping film, whereupon the movement of the conveyor teeth beyond the station will allow the sheet to slacken, and the rolls to regain their normal shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Wrapmatic, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Andrea Cinotti
  • Patent number: 5301489
    Abstract: A conveying device with levers for wrapping machines for delicate products equipped with a gripping device for strips of material for wrapping products. The device has a supporting structure sliding on a radial guide which forms part of a carrousel conveyor revolving around a support placed on a supporting plate; a first operating lever for conveying the products, rotates around a first pivot supported by the supporting structure; a second operating lever for conveying the products rotates around a second pivot supported by the supporting structure; a limit stop for the movements of one of the levers is integral with the supporting structure, the purpose of which is to cooperate with one of the said operating levers, constitute a gripping device for the strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: B.F.B. S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gino Benedetti
  • Patent number: 4920731
    Abstract: A machine for packaging plural types of products inside a plastic stretchable film, including a bundling unit and a complete sealing unit. The bundling unit includes a device for longitudinally stretching a film web segment before wrapping it around the articles, a device for wrapping the stretched and tensioned film around the periphery of the articles, as well as a sealing device adapted to join both ends of the film segment which has been stretched and tightly wrapped around the articles to be packaged. The complete sealing unit includes a device for transversely stretching the side edges of the film segment used for bundling, protruding out of the sides of the bundled articles, and a device for sealing closed the film wrapping around the bundled articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: A.W.A.X. Progettazione E Ricerca S.r.l.
    Inventors: Renato Rimondi, Angelo Cappi
  • Patent number: 4854108
    Abstract: An automatic, continuous-cycle machine adapted for the wrapping of products consisting of groups of paper rolls, in which the product (P) is conveyed along a longitudinal path of travel and a wrapping sheet (15) in positioned thereon, said sheet being severed from a continuous ribbon which is unwound from a reel (21). The wrapper sheet is folded into tubular shape on the product, with partial overlapping of its edges (115-215) on the bottom of said product, and continuous sealing of said overlapped edges is then effected. Successively, the product with the tubular wrapper is rotated 90.degree. about a vertical axis, so that the portions of said wrapper which are still open are subjected to the action of final folding and sealing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Cassoli Macchine Automatiche Confezionatrici S.r.l.
    Inventor: Paolo Cassoli
  • Patent number: 4628664
    Abstract: An ice cream sandwich wrapping apparatus includes an elevator which raises the ice cream sandwich to a wrapping position at which the wrapper extends over the top of and is draped along the sides of the ice cream sandwich, the elevator including a platform having a supporting surface for supporting the ice cream sandwich; a conveyor positioned adjacent the platform and including a conveying surface substantially coplanar with the supporting surface such that the ice cream sandwich can be pushed from the supporting surface to the conveying surface, the conveying surface including at least one recessed section open at an end thereof adjacent the platform; and a shoe movable in a direction toward and into abutment with the ice cream sandwich when the latter is on the supporting surface of the elevator, the shoe including a rear tucker for wrapping a rear buttom tuck panel of the wrapper about the ice cream sandwich as the shoe travels in the direction toward the ice cream sandwich, and a pusher fixedly connected
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Assignee: Burry-Lu, Inc.
    Inventor: Floyd W. Price
  • Patent number: 4313290
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for packing a box or other product is disclosed which involves wrapping a packing sheet about the product in an improved fashion. The method includes lapping the packing sheet around the product, folding opposed side edges of end portions of the packing sheet over ends of the product and folding upper and lower edges of the folded end portions of the sheet over the product ends. The upper edges of the sheet are folded upwardly at the same time that side edges are folded over at least one end of the product. Upper and lower edges of the end portions are then folded over the product ends and attached to each other. The apparatus for performing the method includes a packing sheet lapping section, a product transfer path located adjacent to a leading side of the lapping section, a pusher positioned adjacent to a trailing side of the lapping section and a plurality of folding elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1982
    Assignee: Tokyo Automatic Machinery Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Furuya, Susumu Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 4308708
    Abstract: An apparatus for making and filling a hinged box of a foldable material, more particularly cardboard, especially a hinged box for cigarettes, which box comprises a blank with front, rear and end walls, side walls formed from lateral flaps and a hinged lid. The end wall and front wall and the lateral flaps thereof are first simultaneously folded by movement of the blank in relation to folding tools into a position perpendicular to the rear wall and part of the blank adjoining the rear wall and thereafter further foldings are performed by the movement of folding tools in relation to the already partially folded blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1982
    Assignee: Focke & Pfuhl
    Inventor: Heinz Focke
  • Patent number: 4279116
    Abstract: Method of and apparatus for wrapping reams of paper or the like in which the ream being wrapped is placed on an elevator mechanism at a lower level and raised by the elevator mechanism to an upper level. The elevator mechanism comprises a central support and two outboard supports extending endwise of the ream. The outboard supports are movable inwardly from an outer position wherein they are spaced outwardly from the central support. The outboard supports occupy their outer position as the ream is placed on the supports and while the ream is being raised. As the ream is raised, it engages a wrapper sheet and portions of the wrapper sheet fold down on the sides of the ream. When the ream is raised, underfolders move in under the ream from opposite sides of the ream to fold portions of the sheet in under the bottom of the ream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1981
    Assignee: Hayssen Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert C. James, Dennis P. Horsman, Richard D. Sorenson
  • Patent number: 4148170
    Abstract: A high speed, automatic machine for wrapping elongate semi-rigid products such as spaghetti. The machine includes means for cutting and positioning two sheets of wrapping material during a single portion period of the machine into two tandem buckets mounted on a conveyor. The machine also includes two high speed product weighers that deposit weighted amounts of the product onto the two sheets in the two buckets. The weighers operate in duplex and each fills a bucket during a single period of pause in the motion of the machine. After filling each bucket the wrapping machine has means for folding the leading and trailing margins of the two sheets of wrapping material. The two sheets are folded during a single motion period of the machine. The two folded sheets are then simultaneously heated sealed by two, tandem wrapper sealers. Each wrapper sealer makes a complete longitudinal seal for each package during one period of pause in the motion of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1979
    Inventor: Rene J. Gaubert
  • Patent number: RE29362
    Abstract: Packaging apparatus in which units to be wrapped and flexible packaging material for wrapping the units are fed forward with the units spaced apart in the direction of feed, with a dwell interval between successive feed cycles, and having means for forming a seal across the width of the material between two successive units during each dwell interval. The units are fed forward by conveyor means intermittently driven via a chain and sprocket drive including a crank rotatable about a predetermined axis, means for continuously rotating the crank in one direction about its said axis, a first sprocket secured to the crank with the axis of the first sprocket offset from the crank axis for rotation of the first sprocket about the crank axis without rotation of said first sprocket about its own axis, a second sprocket and a chain trained around said first and second sprockets. The sealing means is operated during the dwell intervals by a similar chain and sprocket drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1977
    Assignee: Anderson Bros. Mfg. Co.
    Inventor: Laurie M. Reid