Insert Or Separating Sheet Patents (Class 53/157)
  • Patent number: 5456058
    Abstract: A cartoning apparatus for loading stacked article groups into carton sleeves. The cartoning apparatus comprises at least two article infeed mechanisms, each supplying at least one stream of articles at a predetermined height or level, an article selection and transport mechanism intersecting the article infeed mechanisms to form and move a stream of stacked article groups of a predetermined pattern, a carton supply and transport mechanism synchronized and moving parallel with said article selection and transport mechanism to provide cartons with open ends facing the moving article groups, and an article group transfer mechanism constructed and arranged to move article groups into the open ends of the carton sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Kelly W. Ziegler
  • Patent number: 5454206
    Abstract: An apparatus for the insertion of products of various sizes from a product conveyor into containers on a container conveyor has an insertion chain of carriages whose rams are controlled by endless cams along the carriage travel path. The hold-down tongues on hold-down rods are mounted on slides which are guided on posts of the carriages and controlled by a slide cam and a rod cam on a cam carrier which is split for size adjustment upon movement of a moveable carrier to vary the positions of these cams at the insertion region of the chains when products of different sizes are to be inserted in the boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rudolf Bailer, Fritz Fochler, Bernd Kleinstauber, Reinhold Ruf
  • Patent number: 5438815
    Abstract: An arrangement of spacer means for positioning between articles such as containers comprises at least one spacer portion which is adapted to extend in an upstanding position in a substantially meander-like configuration as viewed in plan between the articles which are arranged in a row. The spacer portion can be formed by a process wherein a straight portion is introduced between two rows of articles, with the articles of one row being in displaced relationship with the articles of the other row. The two rows of articles are then moved together so as to constitute a common row, thereby deforming the straight portion into a portion of meander-like configuration extending between the articles for holding them in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Inventor: Norbert Fleuren
  • Patent number: 5437143
    Abstract: In a method of forming a package of cylindrical beverage cans, a predetermined number of cans is arranged to define a first tier. An insert panel is placed onto the first tier, having formed therein a plurality of substantially circular debossments, each debossment having a diameter not greater than the can top diameter and not less than the can bottom diameter. The debossments are arranged so that one debossment is positioned concentrically on top of each can of the lower tier. Onto the insert panel is placed a second tier of cans by sliding movement of each can along the insert panel until the can is positioned with its bottom seated within one debossment. The first tier, insert panel and second tier are slid together as a unit into a carton through its open end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventors: Will L. Culpepper, James R. Oliff
  • Patent number: 5426917
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the automated and large scale preparation of layered stacks of one or more food items such as sandwich meats, hors d'oeuvre servings and the like ("set-ups"). The apparatus conveys a continuous web of paper through a plurality of slicer stations, each slicer station providing one or more slices of one or more food items to sequentially form set-ups of two or more stacked layers of horizontally spaced food slices. The apparatus is synchronized so that each sliced layer is conveyed to a subsequent slicer station before the next layer of food slices is deposited directly on top of that previous layer. The set-up is formed with two or more stacked layers of food slices before being conveyed to a cutter/wrapping station where the paper web is cut to separate the finished set-ups which are then wrapped by folding a portion of the cut paper over the finished set-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation
    Inventors: Larry E. Daane, Gary A. Handel, John A. Jonovic, James A. Rattmann
  • Patent number: 5409560
    Abstract: A method of making liners for tool boxes provides custom formed liners to fit a specific selection and arrangement of tools in a tool chest, box or drawer. The method comprises first cutting a backing sheet and a tool receptacle sheet to fit the selected tool drawer or container, and laminating the receptacle sheet to the underlying backing sheet. The selected tools are then laid out on top of the receptacle sheet according to the pattern desired and their outlines traced on the top of the receptacle sheet. The tool receptacles are then cut through the receptacle sheet, down to but not through the underlying backing sheet, along the traced lines. A liquid plastic or vinyl material may be added to the bottoms of the completed receptacles if desired, and allowed to cure to further cushion any tools placed therein. The liquid plastic material may be provided in different colors to assist in the proper placement of tools and in the determination of missing tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Inventors: Erik D. Hammer, Leslie L. Staadt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5388391
    Abstract: A new apparatus is provided as part of a system for use in hospitals and the like, which safely stores and packages biohazardous wastes. The upper portion of the apparatus includes a pneumatically operated descending pressure plate and anti-pathogen provisions. The lower portion encloses a slide-out compartment in which disposable waste containers are placed. Bags containing such wastes are deposited in the container from time to time and are continually exposed to ultraviolet light, while air is drawn away for filtering and safe discharge. When several bags of waste have been so deposited, a planar divider for the waste container is pressed downward, gently leveling the bags of waste beneath it, while the air expelled is sprayed with an anti-pathogenic spray. These operations are repeated using a succession of such dividers until a container has been substantially filled; it is then removed for disposal. Novel safety features are incorporated in the pneumatic circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Inventor: Richard D. Parker
  • Patent number: 5388815
    Abstract: A card package production system (10) with interchangeable inserters (24A, 24B) and carrier folders (86A, 86B) to enable use of forms (26A, 26B) of different types verifies the carriers (30) if they are properly produced and rejects them if they are not prior to the attachment to a carrier. A card carrier (26A) has a pair of corner pockets (31) and a flap (33) in which a card (30) is inserted. The corner pockets (31) are opened by bending the carrier form over an arcuate member (170).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Dynetics Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery L. Hill, Gregory S. Hill, Robert J. Bretl, Fred J. Kassabian
  • Patent number: 5379569
    Abstract: A plurality of ice cream cones can have a removable protective covering applied thereto. An conveyor belt moves each cone of a plurality of conveying cones to a predetermined point. Prior to reaching the predetermined point, an edible adhesive is applied to the base of each cone. At the predetermined point, paper is applied to the base of the cone and adhered thereto. The cones are then stacked and packed for transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Inventor: Martin Mueller
  • Patent number: 5358595
    Abstract: A label feeder for use with an automated packaging machine wherein open-top containers are moved along a conveyor line. The label feeder comprises an open frame with a substantially horizontally extending supporting arm extending therefrom and a motor mounted thereon. The supporting arm has at least one label hold bin for holding the labels mounted on it as well as an endless conveyor for moving the label from the label hold bin to a position directly over the open-top container. A loading ram system and an unloading ram system, each with vacuum means, are mounted on the supporting arm to pick a label from the hold bin and deposit a label into the containers, respectively. The label feeder is portable and is used as needed in association with the packaging machine to place the individual label into the open-top container either before or after the articles have been added and before the container is sealed close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Inventor: Roger S. Williams
  • Patent number: 5351461
    Abstract: Method and installation for packaging a palletizable load (20), in which the constituent elements (21) of the load (20) are positioned on the pallet in several levels or layers of palletization by a palletization member, wherein :a sheet (9) of a material having non-slip properties is inserted between each level of palletization; andthe peripheral strapping of the load is carried out by a microcreped stretchable paper tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Newtec International
    Inventors: Philippe Fandard, Georges Jaconelli
  • Patent number: 5323587
    Abstract: A device comprises a conveyor for moving blister packs to a stack forming station where a lift inserts the blister packs 2 coming off the conveyor into a magazine to form a stack of blister packs. Then a pusher moves the stack out of the magazine and into a drawer that receives the stack and that is provided with an outfeed opening which externally has a shape of a beak. The drawer is movable so that this opening comes into contact with an instruction leaflet positioned aside of the drawer and in front of an opening of a carton, while two strikers act in conjunction with the drawer for folding the instruction leaflet. Finally an ejector insert the stack together with the instruction leaflet into the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Inventor: Alessandro Amaranti
  • Patent number: 5311724
    Abstract: Collating apparatus for stacking generally flat articles comprises a chute on opposite sides of which are two pairs of conveyor bands carrying supports for the articles. The conveyor bands are driven as two diagonally opposite pairs so that the stack builds on the supports of one pair of bands while a preceding stack built on the supports of the other pair of bands is discharged from the chute. The supports carried by the bands also comprise members which act on the completed stack to compress it before it is discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Thomas J. Lipton Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey W. Vernon, James Goodwin, David Seaward, Thomas W. Bailey
  • Patent number: 5299409
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the automated and large scale preparation of layered stacks of one or more food items such as sandwich meats, hors d'oeuvre servings and the like ("set-ups"). The apparatus conveys a continuous web of paper through a plurality of slicer stations, each slicer station providing one or more slices of one or more food items to sequentially form set-ups of two or more stacked layers of horizontally spaced food slices. The apparatus is synchronized so that each sliced layer is conveyed to a subsequent slicer station before the next layer of food slices is deposited directly on top of that previous layer. The set-up is formed with two or more stacked layers of food slices before being conveyed to a cutter/wrapping station where the paper web is cut to separate the finished set-ups which are then wrapped by folding a portion of the cut paper over the finished set-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation
    Inventors: Larry E. Daane, John A. Jonovic, James A. Rattmann
  • Patent number: 5285620
    Abstract: Fully automated apparatus and method for manufacturing compact disc holders having a central rotating table about which conveyor tables, rotary tables, placers and other devices align to interdigitate and load compact discs into disc bases, to mate disc bases containing CDs to packaging sleeves, to load booklets into the packaging sleeves, and to handle, glue, fold and otherwise form a package containing CDs and booklets or literature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Thiele Engineering Company
    Inventors: Stephen Kaye, Peter N. Y. Pan
  • Patent number: 5282345
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for disposing a sheet adjacent a flexible member. The apparatus comprises a mechanism for transporting the sheet to a loading position and a mechanism, located adjacent the loading position, for receiving and holding the sheet. The receiving and holding mechanism is capable of moving the sheet into juxtaposition with a surface of the flexible member so that the sheet contacts the surface of the flexible member upon being released by the receiving and holding mechanism. The apparatus further comprises a mechanism for wrapping the flexible member about itself with the sheet interposed between opposed surfaces of the flexible member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Darcy, Boris Haritonoff, Edouard E. Langlois, Karl V. Thomsen
  • Patent number: 5269645
    Abstract: This invention pertains to handling of material on a supporting surface, preferably a pallet (74). It is addressed especially to the handling of material in pallet loads. The invention provides material handling systems and methods for placing material on a supporting surface by a palletizer (10) and removing it from that supporting surface by a depalletizer (210); and wherein the common element necessary to make the system function resides in the use of a special spacing sheet under each layer (178) of material in the load. Supporting members include spacing sheets (161) and (166) having novel characteristics in their top and bottom surfaces, and novel tacky spacing sheets (300) which are lightly and temporarily bonded to the underlying layer or pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Kinetic Robotics Inc.
    Inventor: Ernest P. Winski
  • Patent number: 5228267
    Abstract: Frozen dessert cones made from a cooked batter capable of having lower and higher moisture contents, which respectively cause the cone to assume dimensionally contracted and expanded states, are provided with sanitary jackets while in their dimensionally contracted state. When the cooked batter forming the cone attains a higher moisture content, the cone will dimensionally expand against the walls of the sanitary jacket thereby exerting a restraining force against removal of the jacket from the cone. The sanitary jacket is applied to an interior handle region of a cone so that the sanitary jacket will nest with the exterior surface of a downstream cone handle when stacked therewithin. A chute is provided so as to align and direct the sanitary jacket with respect to the interior handle region of the cone. A stream of pressurized fluid (e.g., air) is then preferably directed against the sanitary jacket so as to propel the same into a seated relationship with the interior handle region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Sweetheart Cup Company Inc.
    Inventors: R. Carl Blankenship, Kenneth H. Kuykendall, Sr., Robert D. Heckner, Kenneth L. Schultz
  • Patent number: 5214901
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing dual cigarette packs having a spacer therebetween. The apparatus of one preferred embodiment includes: an assembly station to receive sequentially in stacked relationship a first pack of cigarettes, a spacer, and a second pack of cigarettes, the assembly station including means to transport said cigarette packs through the assembly station; means to feed cigarette packs at first and third positions along the assembly station; means to place a spacer on the cigarette packs at a second position of the assembly station, the second position being located between the first and third positions of the assembly station; and, means to place cigarette packs onto the spacer at the third position of the assembly station, thereby creating a dual cigarette pack having a spacer therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp.
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Milliner
  • Patent number: 5207050
    Abstract: Process and apparatus for assembly of an ecologically compact disc or media package where a trayed rotating table advances to process a packaging sleeve and place a compact disc or media package on a processed packaging sleeve. A packaging sleeve is placed in a tray on one rotating table and subsequently a pamphlet is glued to the packaging sleeve. A one-piece compact disc or media base on another rotating table is placed on the awaiting packaging sleeve. An end cap can then be separated from the base. The packaging sleeve is secured by glue to the compact disc or media base and end cap. The end cap is either cut away or manually separated from the media base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Thiele Engineering Company
    Inventors: Greg Fulkerson, Peter N. Y. Pan, Stephen Kaye
  • Patent number: 5187920
    Abstract: A pack for cigarettes or the like and a process and apparatus for the production thereof is described. Due to several reasons (cigarette) packs quite often have greater (inner) dimensions than the pack contents (cigarette block 23). In order to fill a cavity formed hereby within the pack, a filling piece (39) is provided which is formed from a flat blank (40) by means of folding up outer blank portions. The filling piece is formed to have a three-dimensional shape by means of being displaced in a folding shaft (57) with laterally arranged folding means. The filling pieces (39) produced in this way are conveyed along a filling piece track (78) and are introduced into a block track (79) in transverse direction so they can each be united with a cigarette block (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Focke & Co., (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventor: Heinz Focke
  • Patent number: 5168687
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a frame for receiving a pallet therein. A supporting member is operatively connected to the frame so as to be horizontally slidable in a fore-and-aft direction with respect to the frame. The supporting member is positioned at a level which is higher than the plates which are generally vertically stood on the pallet. A plurality of vertical elongate members are secured to the supporting member so as to be horizontally slidable along a major surface of the supporting member in a lateral direction. Each elongate member is vertically telescopic and has a axially extending opening formed therein in which the spacer can be received. A pair of rollers are rotatably mounted on a top of each elongate member for guiding the spacer into the opening and lowering the spacer to a first position adjacent a major surface of a first plate which is generally vertically stood on the pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Central Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Chujo, Hayato Miura
  • Patent number: 5157896
    Abstract: An improved packaging machine having a positive retention mandrel device and positive discharge pusher means for transporting semi-rigid containers from one conveyor to a second conveyor. A broad size latitude conveyor providing accurate positioning of such containers for transfer from said conveyor to a second conveyor. A system for utilizing a draped unfettered leaflet for telescopic introduction into a box by employing an inverted semi-rigid bottle as the insertion mechanism with the leaflet ending up in embracing relation to the bottle cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Tisma Machine Corporation
    Inventor: Stevan Tisma
  • Patent number: 5138823
    Abstract: An insertion device is used to introduce foil-like material, in particular paper or synthetic segments, between the slices cut by a cutting machine. Such slices are produced in particular in the food industry in the form of sausage, cheese or other food slices with cutting machines. In the insertion device a paper path is unwound from a paper roller and is carried into the cutting range of the circular knife of the cutting machine through an intermittently driven feed device. The insertion device of the cutting machine is arraged on the machine frame so that it can be moved and secured in order to be able to readily clean the insertion device and also to make the corresponding intake area of the cutting machine readily accessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Natec, Reich, Summer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Franz Hartmann, Roland Zeuschner
  • Patent number: 5117717
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for the slicing of bacon bellies or the like in a manner such that each draft of bacon is of the same weight, irrespective of the topography and density of the belly from which the draft is sliced. A dimensioner assembly has a plurality of pivotally mounted fingers having one end which engages the belly and another end which is a cam surface for transmitting movement of the fingers to a receptor such as an electromicrometer. The finges engage the top, bottom and both longitudinal sides of the belly, and the data thus collected are then transformed into a topography schematic which is particular for each specific belly passing through the dimensioner assembly. These topography data and data concerning the make-up of the particular belly are used for controlling movement of feed into a bacon slicer. Included is a feed assembly which positively and precisely feeds the belly into the slicer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy G. Mally
  • Patent number: 5107656
    Abstract: A system for producing a mass distributable printed packet is disclosed wherein a web of paper has printed thereon a format of successive rectangular pieces in a plurality of longitudinal lines extending parallel to the edges of the web, the web is cut longitudinally between the print patterns and the thus-formed strips are superposed in vertical registry of the printed patterns. The strips are cut to form sets of printed sheets, each including a separator element. The sets are stacked in a hopper and the bottom sets are successively removed and packaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Webcraft Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Katz, John H. Jones, George P. Hipko, Stanford Silverschotz, James Hoffman, Gerard Wollner
  • Patent number: 5105600
    Abstract: A flexible apparatus and method are disclosed for erecting cases and packaging a series of objects (26) which may be delivered in random order on an infeed conveyor (28), including a source (40,42) of a plurality of types of cases for such objects; a controller (48) for storing and providing information on the order of such objects; a station (32) for locating such cases for insertion of such objects; a programmable robot (34), responsive to such information, the robot having an end effector with a multiple purpose tool for selecting the type of case appropriate for a particular object in the series, for erecting the case and for placing the objects into the case; and a station (46) for closing and sealing the packed case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: John DePoint, Jr., Michael L. Koelsch, Gerald C. Pagorek
  • Patent number: 5081816
    Abstract: An apparatus, located downstream of a packaging line for packaging of blister packs, works in conjunction with a carton ready-making line and comprises three devices positioned along a conveyor having an upper surface fitted with crosspieces to delimit seats designed to receive said blister packs. The first device transfers the blister packs from the packaging line to the seats, keeping the blister packs with the blisters turned upwards, while the second device, positioned downstream of a station, fills empty seats, where faulty blister packs where placed and from where the faulty blister packs where removed, with non-defective blister packs, the second device feeding itself with non-defective blister packs taken from the seats. The third device forms stacks of blister packs, folds an information leaflet, and inserts the stacks, together with the leaflet, into cartons coming from the carton ready making line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
    Inventor: Paolo Cardinali
  • Patent number: 5054259
    Abstract: An apparatus for properly positioning a spacer panel relative to a container of items and a package blank which will be subsequently folded around the item container and spacer panel to form a package enclosing the item container and spacer panel. The positioning apparatus includes a plate for receiving and supporting the package blank, spacer panel, and item container in a stacked relationship with the spacer panel disposed between the package blank and item container, and a spacer panel contact blade which is movable back and forth over the plate top to contact just the panel spacer and moving the panel spacer between the package blank and item container to a predetermined location still between the package blank and item container such that when the package blank is subsequently folded to form the package, the panel spacer will be properly positioned therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Miller, Byron L. Lowe, Everett N. Finn, Kenneth M. Milliner
  • Patent number: 5014495
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for sealing pallets of fresh produce inside plastic bags and furnishing the interiors of the sealed bags with a modified gaseous atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Inventors: Kevin J. Bolejack, Frederick Forgnone, Christopher McCoy
  • Patent number: 4996821
    Abstract: A machine for folding and shaping a partition for a case which carries a plurality of articles and for inserting the partition between articles in the case. The machine includes a hopper for holding a plurality of the partitions. Each of the partitions has slot means substantially centrally thereof. Vacuum cups can grip one of the partitions and move in a direction to free the partition from the hopper. A flight conveyor includes flight means for engaging of the partition at the slot means. The flight conveyor advances the partition to a folding station where the partition is folded centrally thereof. The flight conveyor further advances the folded partition to a forming and insertion station. A case having articles therein stops at a loading station below the forming and insertion station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: The International Paper Box Machine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman P. Crowe, Robert A. McCulley, Joseph C. Drilling
  • Patent number: 4964260
    Abstract: A packaging machine for cardboard boxes and a process for packaging articles in the cardboard boxes in which an insert (15) is placed into at least one side of an open cardboard shell (10). Insert units (16, 17), disposed on both sides of a moving track for the cardboard shell (10), each have an insert transmitter (19) which removes insert (15) successively from a magazine (18) and swivels the insert (15) to an upright position. The insert-transmitter (19) is moved synchronously with the packaging machine by an operating rod (22), having two double-armed levers (23, 24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Hugo Mutschall
  • Patent number: 4962625
    Abstract: In an integrated, continuous, container packing machine, where a constant supply of filled containers are moved along an axis and separated into discrete groups with each group fed to an insert station wherein a partition is inserted between containers of the group and then the group with the partition is fed to an operation to be placed or packed in a shipping medium, improvements which permit the machine to be rapidly changed for running a new batch of containers where the physical characteristics of the group and/or the physical characteristics of the containers in the group are different from the corresponding characteristics in the previously run batch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Wayne Automation Corporation
    Inventors: A. David Johnson, Jr., Joseph L. Bachman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4941374
    Abstract: In the loading of pallets (10) with cartons (11) arranged in layers (carton layer 14), intermediate layers (24) consisting of paper or the like frequently have to be introduced between the carton layers (14). The pallets (10) are loaded by a palletizer (13) which is known for these purposes and which has a pivotable and multiply bendable cantilever arm (19). The intermediate layers (24) are laid onto the carton layers (14) by this cantilever arm (19) with a suction holder (23). At the same time, portions of a continuous web of material (25) running off from a reel (26) are drawn onto the completed carton layer (14) and then severed to the correct size from the web of material (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventor: Heinz Focke
  • Patent number: 4939888
    Abstract: A method for producing a mass distributable printed packet is disclosed wherein a web of paper has printed thereon a format of successive rectangular pieces in a plurality of longitudinal lines extending parallel to the edges of the web, the web is cut longitudinally between the print patterns and the thus-formed strips are superposed in vertical registry of the printed patterns. The superposed strips are then cut to form sets of printed pieces which sets are each placed within an individual outer container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: Webcraft Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Katz, John H. Jones, Frederick Grainger, Donald W. Schoenleber, George P. Hipko, Patrick J. Donahue, Stanford Silverschotz, James Hoffman
  • Patent number: 4938656
    Abstract: The equipment is installed between a device by which single commodities are arranged into groups of parallelepiped shape, having one or more layers, and an in-line machine unit by which the groups are to be handled. Proceeding toward the machine unit, each group is supplemented with one or more distance pieces of given thickness, positioned parallel with the layered commodities, in order to compensate for any variation in depth of the group attributable to dimensional variations in the single commodity, and thus to avoid any modification or replacement of the machine unit's working parts that would otherwise become necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: G.D. Societa per Azioni
    Inventors: Antonio Gamberini, Marco Brizzi
  • Patent number: 4912910
    Abstract: A unique and novel storage package and method and apparatus for making the same wherein differences in dimension between the outer receptacle and a package stored therein are compensated by a unique corrugated spacer to provide snug storage, such as in the packaging of cigarette packs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
    Inventors: Byron L. Lowe, Robert T. Lewis
  • Patent number: 4907397
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for packing a box with a plurality of groups of pouches or other flexible containers and inserting a support shelf between the groups. A conveyor is used to support and convey boxes such that means for inserting a first group of pouches into a box inserts a group of pouches into the top portion of a box. The boxes are then positioned such that means for inserting a suport shelf into the box inserts a shelf into the box before means for inserting a second group of pouches inserts a second group of pouches into the box. The support shelf is inserted from the bottom of the box such that the first group of pouches is supported above the second group of pouches and the support legs of the support shelf rest on the bottom of the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: Prototype Equipment Corp.
    Inventor: James A. Goodman
  • Patent number: 4894976
    Abstract: An automotive slicing machine includes a circuit for monitoring the operation of a card dispenser during the processing of a sliced product. In one embodiment, when the monitoring circuit detects that a card dispensing operation has not been performed for two consecutive drafts of a sliced product, the slicing operation is halted until an operator attends to the problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: AMCA International Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Wallace, Robert K. Moore, Richard L. Beckner
  • Patent number: 4815251
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for packing a box with a plurality of groups of pouches or other flexible containers and inserting a support shelf between the groups. A conveyor is used to support and convey boxes such that means for inserting a first group of pouches into a box inserts a group of pouches into the top portion of a box. The boxes are then positioned such that means for inserting a support shelf into the box inserts a shelf into the box before means for inserting a second group of pouches inserts a second group of pouches into the box. The support shelf is inserted from the bottom of the box such that the first group of pouches is supported above the second group of pouches and the support legs of the support shelf rest on the bottom of the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: Prototype Equipment Corp.
    Inventor: James A. Goodman
  • Patent number: 4793117
    Abstract: Articles, such as glass containers, are fed continuously in end-to-end relationship through a pin spacer adapted to provide a space between adjacent rows so that cross partitions can be fed therebetween. The articles are then grouped by a pin type grouper to provide predetermined members of article rows and columns in each group. The columns of articles are then spread slightly to allow longitudinal extending partitions to be fed between adjacent columns. At the same time flat tray blanks are withdrawn from a horizontally extending magazine and provided on a lug conveyor located below the path of the grouped articles and each blank is mated with a group of articles at a load station where the blank is formed around the articles by a pocket chain conveyor and article folding means operated in conjunction with an overhead flight bar conveyor which cooperates with the trailing portion of each pocket to fold all flaps provided on the tray blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: Standard Knapp, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Raudat, Lloyd D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4768325
    Abstract: A paper interleaver for a food patty molding machine of the kind using a mold plate cyclically reciprocating along a linear path between a fill position and a knock-out position comprises a shuttle connected to the mold plate for synchronous movement along a linear path between a transfer position and a pickup position. When the mold plate is at its knock-out position and the shuttle at its pickup position, the shuttle pulls a single paper sheet from the bottom of a storage stack by vacuum; when the mold plate and shuttle are at their respective fill and transfer positions, the shuttle "puffs" the paper sheet up a very short distance to be held by downwardly facing vacuum ports of a fixed paper holder frame, essentially immune to clogging from the food product particles and juices present at the knock-out position. A molded patty subsequently moves down through the frame to pick up the paper sheet when the mold plate returns to the knock-out position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Alfa-Laval AB
    Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, Wilbur A. Janssen
  • Patent number: 4720958
    Abstract: A system for aligning and packing substantially flat objects moving on a conveyor line in irregularly spaced and, nonaligned rows includes a mechanism for separating the rows and aligning the objects and also for feeding the aligned objects onto another conveyor. A packing mechanism transfers the aligned objects from a loading area to a container. An additional device places a strip of protective material on top of the layer of objects. A moving means vertically moves the container a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the object being packed in preparation for the reception of an additional layer of objects. Another transfer device moves the filled container from the loading area and replaces it with an empty container. Another transfer moves the filled container to provide room for the next container and an additional device transfers a supply of empty containers in preparation for another container being placed in the loading area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew K. Wright, Steven C. Forberger
  • Patent number: 4691502
    Abstract: An apparatus for placing a card on a bundle of sheet-like articles comprises a support for supporting the card adjacent the bundle, a feed device for feeding the card into the support, and a mechanism for placing a strap around the bundle, the card being stripped from the support by relative movement between the bundle with the card attached thereto and the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: Harris Graphics Corporation
    Inventor: Frank H. Convey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4671719
    Abstract: A stack of printed sheets is divided into individual tablets by inserting paper boards at intervals of a predetermined number of sheets in the stack. A continuous filament is threaded in zig-zag fashion across each successive board before a binder is coated on one face of the stack to secure the edges of the sheets and boards together. With one end of the filament anchored, the other end is pulled out from between each board and the adjacent sheet in a direction to sever the coating at the edge of the board. As each loop of the zig-zag filament is withdrawn, it cuts the coating at each successive board, dividing the stack into separate tablets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Inventor: Nicholas R. Pulskamp
  • Patent number: 4644729
    Abstract: A machine for slicing slabs of cheese, sausage or the like comprises a feeding mechanism which supports the slab, feeds it intermittently at an inclination to the horizontal and includes a slab-supporting conveyor belt and gripping claws for holding the back of the slab. The conveyor belt runs over freely rotatable direction-changing rollers and on both sides of the conveyor belt parallel to the upper run thereof and displaceable above same the gripping claws are secured on parallel shafts which are provided with pivoting drives and are mounted in support members to be projectable above the upper run and retractable therefrom. The support members are provided with drives for stepwise advance with fast forward and reverse gears. A mechanism for catching the slices is disposed below the front end of the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Natec, Reich, Summer GmbH & Co., K.G.
    Inventor: Ewald Fessler
  • Patent number: 4584821
    Abstract: A machine and method for automatically cartoning fruit in the cells of a protective honeycomb, in which the method includes the steps of positioning a foldable carton blank at a first station, disposing an expanded honeycomb defining a plurality of open cells over the blank, depositing articles such as fruit in the cells to form a fruit-filled honeycomb on the blank, and forming the carton blank into a base portion and side and end portions closely embracing the periphery of the fruit filled honeycomb, thereby to form a self-supporting fruit containing carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: Booth Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: John L. Booth
  • Patent number: 4565053
    Abstract: A machine to divide pastry into portions, leaving a separator at each separation. A turntable supports the pastry, and a blade descends to drive the separator into the pastry. The turntable is rotated incrementally, and the blade's stroke and initial height are adjustable to accommodate pastries of various heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1986
    Assignee: Ronald O. Browne
    Inventors: Ronald O. Browne, William E. Hertzberg
  • Patent number: 4543150
    Abstract: Two belt conveying units, which can be positioned at adjustable mutual distance, receive the belt driving movement by a transmission comprising conical gears slidingly mounted on a motorized shaft with polygonal cross-section situated at the outlet ends of said units. The above mentioned conical gears are provided with vertical outlet shafts, which simultaneously act as driving elements for the belts and as rotation pins for the support structures of the same belts.A threaded shaft for spacial adjustment of the conveying units and a transversal guide system formed by sleeves of limited extension slidingly mounted on a single guide are situated in a same vertical plane at the inlet ends of the conveying units.In addition to the motorization, the conveyor adjustment and the guide, there are thus assured limited rotary movements of the two units, which allow a suitable engagement of the belts with the carton sides for their whole path through the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Inventor: Augusto Marchetti
  • Patent number: 4534548
    Abstract: The invention provides a bacon slicing machine which synchronizes the cutting and laying of bacon on a reception plate with a sheet of non adherent material layed between two successive cut slices of bacon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Inventor: Fernand Hanau