US3348360A - End closure of film packages - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 24, W87

END CLOSURE OF FILM PACKAGES 4 Sheets-Sheet Filed April 6, 1964 0X Eli/DELL Li Srenrrou QXEL.

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INVENTORS.

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END CLOSURE OF FILM PACKAGES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 6, 1964 Srenrrou, J2.

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Oct. 24, 1967 M. ROLAND ETAL END CLOSURE OF FILM PACKAGES 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 6, 1964 Oct 1-967 'iva. ROLAND END CLOSURE OF FILM PACKAGES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 6, 1964 0x awn/0 A/ELA. Li; .Srenrrou .QXEA,

United States Patent Tex.

Filed Apr. 6, 1964, Ser. No. 357,355 2 Claims. (Cl. 53-138) This invention relates generally to closing of packages, and more particularly concerns improvements in method and apparatus for processing packages of the type comprising a flexible wrap containing a filler.

In the past, packages have been closed by collapsing bands about wraps gathered at package ends. For example, so-called chub packaging involves the use of equipment operating to collapse a metallic band or clip about a film wrap to block release of the pack contents, the latter typically consisting of a flowable filler material such as sausage, dog food and the like. However, the subsequent handling of packages of this type frequently leads to inadvertent release of the contents, particularly at the band closed end or ends. It is found that forces accompanying such handling tend to create internal pressures in the flowable filler, and that these pressures can effect sufficient expansion of the collapsed band or clip at the package end to permit oozing of the filler and consequent spoilage or necessary rejection of the pack. Thus, inadvertent dropping or other impacting of the pack can loosen the band sufliciently to result in exposure or pressure release of the filler to the exterior.

It is a major object of the present invention to provide apparatus and method for processing packages of the above type and characterized as resulting in a package which overcomes the problems of inadvertent release or exposure of the package contents. In its method aspects the invention basically involves the step of imposing a constraint to be carried by the package and acting on the band to block expansion thereof during package handling. As will be seen, this step is preferably carried out by deforming a retainer such as a cap enclosing the band outer periphery, the cap collapsing about the band to confine it against expansion through transmission of force between theband and cap, placing the latter in hoop tension. As will be seen, the cap is first placed over the banded terminal of the package wrap, and cap deformation may be continued until the band is increasingly collapsed about the package wrap terminal to be blocked against expansion. Additional steps include application of a sealant to seal off the capped wrap terminal, and carrying out cap deformation to squeeze and tension the wrap portion between the band and the main body of the package.

In its broader apparatus aspects, the invention contemplates the provision of means including jaw structure movable relative to a series of packages being processed for imposing sequentially supplied band constraints to act on the bands of sucessive packages blocking expansion thereof during package handling with the imposed constraints carried by the packages, together with means to sequentially supply the constraints to the first means. Typically the jaw structure and jaw actuator structure are operable in predetermined timed relation to movement of the cap supply means and in repeated cycles each characterized by initial reception of a cap at the jaw structure followed by insertion of a wrap terminal portion and its band within the cap recess and deformation of the cap to confine the band against expansion during package handling. As will be seen, the cap supply means may have a first position in which a cap is releasably retained between the jaw structure and the banded end of the pack age wrap for pick-up by the jaw structure during advancement thereof, the cap supply means also having a retracted position in which the jaw structure is advanced relative to the package for effecting cap deformation about the band.

Other objects and advantages of the novel and unusual apparatus include the provision of a carrier for the jaw structure with the jaw actuator including a tubular rnem ber receiving the carrier for axial movement of the carrier and member relatively forwardly toward the banded end of the package to elfect insertion of the bandin the cap, followed by relative movement of the member and carrier to transmit jaw squeezing force therebetween for effecting cap deformation about the band; the provision of a stop located so as to limit jaw forward movement when the insertion is completed, there being a cam to transmit said jaw squeezing force in response to continued forward movement of the carrier following completion of theband in cap insertion; spring fingers on the carrier for urging thejaw structure outwardly to receive the cap therebetween during forward travel of the carrier; a cap magazine and mechanism to feed caps in series sequence from the magazinefor pick-up supply to the jaw structure, and response to movement of the cap supply means between advanced and retracted positions.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of. the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1' is a side elevation of the apparatus taken in sectionto show the jaw structure retracted and the cap supply means advanced, thereby presenting a cap with its recess facing the package wrap banded terminal;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation showing a package having opposite banded ends to be capped;

, FIG. 3 is an enlarged section taken on lines 3-3 of FIG. 2; l

FIG. 4 is a view like FIG. 1, but showing the jaw structure fully advancedto cap the banded end of the package wrap, the cap'supply means being fully retracted;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation showing the completed package after end capping;

FIG.; 6 is' an'enlar'ged section taken on line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation taken in section through the. jaw structure and cap supply means, with the latter in advanced position;

FIG. 8 is a View like FIG. 7, but showing the cap supply means in partially retracted position;

FIG. 9 is a view like FIG. 7, but showing the cap supply means in-fully retracted position, and the jaw structure in fully advanced position relative to the end sealed package;

FIG. 10 is a view taken on line 10-10 of FIG. 7;

FIG; 11 is an, enlarged fragmentary section taken in .elevationvto better illustrate the cap deforming step;

FIG. 12 is a view like FIG. 11 but'showing the manner in which cap deformation may be carried out to tension the package'wrap; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic showing of an automatic control 'for' the-process actuators;

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the elongated package includes a wrapper 11 covering the filler 12 which may typically but not necessarily comprise sausage, dog food or the like, any filler being contemplated so long as it is fiowable in response to external force application to the package. The wrap 10 may typically comprise a shrinkable or non-shrinkable plastic film, and it is gathered at opposite end regions 13 of the package for closure by a band 14 collapsed about the terminal portion 15 of the wrapper. Typical films include polypropylene and those having the trade names Mylar and Saran. The band or clip 14 is preferably metallic and is collapsed sufficiently to hold the gathered terminal portion 15 of the wrapper in tightly compressed condition. For this purpose, the band may have a C-shape with the terminals 16 thereof collapsed closely toward one another. Other type bands are contemplated, as for example metallic wire, and bands having circular or non-circular shape, with or without overlapping ends. It is to be noted that suflicient internal pressure generated in the filler and transmitted internally of the wrapper terminal portion 15 may effect expansion of the C-shaped band or clip to permit oozing or other release of the filler unless band expansion is prevented.

In accordance with the invention, means such as a constraint is provided or imposed to be retained on and to extend about the collapsed band for blocking expansion thereof, in order to prevent exposure or release of the filler. One such means is shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 11 to comprise a metallic cap in the form of a receptacle 17 sized to receive the film terminal portion protruding at 18 through the band 14. The receptacle has .an inlet 19 into which the film terminal portion and the band are receivable, and it also has a closed end 20 for completely confining the film terminal portion. A skirt 21 on the receptacle is seen in FIGS. 5, 6 and 11 to be deformed inwardly into tight engagement with the band at the clamping locations 22 spaced about the band. Such deformation of the skirt is preferably carried out by dimpling the band at the locations 22 during assembly of the package components. Thus, for example, as seen in FIG. 9 the receptacle. is initially sized to loosely receive the band as the receptacle is placed over the terminal protruding portion 18 of the film wrap. Thereafter, the apparatus to be described squeezes the receptacle skirt 21 at the dimple locations 22 to effect a tight clamping of the receptacle on the band for retention thereon to prevent band expansion. In this regard, the permanent deformation of the receptacle at the dimple locations cold strengthens the receptacle, which may for example be made of aluminum, so as to prevent band expansion.

Receptacle 17 is shown to have an end flange 24 which is turned in order to present its convex side toward the gathered end portion 13 of the wrapper 11. As a result, the rim 25 of the flange does not come into tearing contact with the wrapper during assembly of the cap over the band.

Turning now to FIG. 12, a band capping means in the form of a receptacle 26 is shown to be retained on the band 27 of the same type .as previously indicated at 14, the receptacle 26 having a closed end 28 and a skirt 29, these confining the protruding portion 30 of the package wrapper 31. The gathered end portion 32 thereof is squeezed inwardly by the outwardly flanged annular end portion 33 of the receptacle 26, and in spaced relation to the band 27. In the absence of such squeezing, the wrapper end portion 32 would in general flare outwardly and loosely at the broken line location 34, it being the purpose of the FIG. 12 form to maintain the main extent of the film 31 in tensioned condition at the periphery of the package, i.e., to eliminate wrap looseness or wrinkling. The latter may result from the wrapper filling process wherein for example the filler may be heated suificiently to result in the formation of steam or other gas pockets within the wrapper, and which condense to leave voids within the package. As a result of end squeezing of the 4 package in the manner referred to above, the voids may be eliminated and the film, as for example Mylar, will be tensioned properly about the package. At the same time, of course, receptacle 26 is retained on the band 27 in the same manner as described above in connection with FIGS. 5, 6 and 11, in order to prevent band expansion.

Comparison of FIG. 3 with FIG. 6 shows that the band is further compressed about the wrap at 15 in response to clamping of the capping means 17 thereon, the band terminals 16 typically being closer together in FIG. 6 than in FIG. 3.

FIG. 11 also shows a sealant 36 as confined within the capping means to seal off against the film terminal portion 18 protruding through the band. The sealant may for example comprise paraffin, wax, an elastomer or an adhesive for hermetically sealing the package end, confinement of the sealant within the capping receptacle protecting it from injury or destruction.

Referring again to FIG. 1 and also to FIG. 7, the apparatus for processing a series of packages 11 comprises means including jaw structure generally indicated at 40 movable relative to the packages 11 for imposing sequentially supplied band constraints such as the caps 17 to act on the bands 14 of successive packages, blocking expansion of the bands during package handling with the imposing caps then carried by the packages. Typically, a series of jaws 41 are spaced about the axis 42 of jaw movement relatively toward the wrapper terminal portions 15. In this regard, the packages 10 are sequentially supplied to the position shown in FIG. 1 and supported with the banded ends thereof presented for processing. A pressure pad is shown at 43 as pressing downward on the package 10 to hold it in supported position on a table 44. A rod is indicated at 44a for manually or automatically exerting pressure on the pad 43.

The above referred to means movable relative to the packages for applying the caps 17 typically includes a carrier 45 for the jaw structure, the carrier having a tubular cylindrical body 46 and spring fingers 47 projecting from the body to support the inwardly turned jaws. As will appear, the spring fingers are operable to urge the jaws outwardly to the position shown in FIG. 1 to receive the cap between the jaws as better seen in FIG. 8, and during forward axial movement of the jaw structure.

The above referred to means movable relative to the packages for imposing the band caps also typically includes jaw actuator structure generally indicated at 48, and including a tubular member 49 receiving the carrier 45 for axial movement of the carrier and member 49 relatively forwardly toward the banded end of the package to effect insertion of said end within a cap 17, as for example is seen in FIG. 9. Reception of the carrier by the actuator structure is also characterized by relative movement of the member 49 and carrier 45 acting to transmit jaw squeezing force therebetween for effecting cap deformation or squeezing about and onto the band 14, as is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 11. Such relative movement of the carrier and actuator structure may for example be effected by arresting jaw structure forward movement at a stop 50, forward travel of the actuator then continuing until a stop pin 51 projecting transversely through the tubular member 49 and through the carrier body 46 engages the stop surface 52 of the arrested carrier and jaw structure. FIG. 1 shows the pin 51 extending through a transverse slot 53 in the carrier body, the axial dimension of the slot being somewhat greater than the forward dimension of the pin in the direction of the axis 42 to provide the desired or predetermined over travel of the actuator relative to the jaw carrier.

. The means movable relative to the packages may also include a cam to transmit jaw squeezing force between the actuator 4 Sand the jaw structure for effecting deformation of the cap 17 following completion of insertion of the banded end of the package into the cap. As is seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, a typical cam is provided by the rearwardly tapering annular interior surface 54 of the actuator member 49, located to engage the convex buttons or surfaces 55 on the spring finger portions 56 in response to forward over travel of the actuator relative to the jaw structure. As a result, the jaw structure is urged progressively inwardly in its stopped position, to permanently deform the cap skirt inwardly at the dimple locations 22. Inward deflection of the jaw structure may be limited by inward collapse of the spring finger por tions 56 against the periphery of a rod 57 extending axially within the carrier.45' and jaw structure 40. The forward portion of the rod is typically recessed at 58 to loosely receive a cap skirt 21 for assuring guiding of the cap forwardly over the banded end portion of the package.

Upon retraction of the actuator member 49 in a lefthand direction to the position shown in FIG. 1, the stop pin 51 engages the shoulder 59 of the body 46 to retract the carrier and jaw structure leftwardly. During such retraction, a return spring 60 contained within the rod 57 urges the rod and its supported carrier body 46 rightwardly relative to the stop pin 51 to assure the return of the jaw structure to the outwardly expanded condition seen in FIG. 1. Retraction of the actuator structure may be efiected by leftward movement of the rod 61 joined to a cap 62 threaded on the actuator sleeve or member 49. A suitable manual or automatic actuator is provided at 63 for operating the rod.

Means is also provided to supply a series of caps 17 for releasable retention between the jaw structure and the banded end of the package, in order that the caps may be sequentially picked up by the jaw structure during reciprocation thereof toward and away from the banded ends of successive packages present as shown in FIG. 1. The cap supply means typically includes a cap magazine generally indicated at 64, and mechanism to feed caps in series sequence from the magazine and to the position shown in FIG. 1, in response to movement of the cap supply means between advanced and retracted positions, the former indicated in FIGS. 1 and 7, and the latter seen in FIGS. 4 and 9. An intermediate or partially retracted condition of the supply means is illustrated in FIG. 8.

More specifically, a cap magazine 64 may typically be integral with the cap supply means so as to move therewith between retracted and advanced positions. Thus, the magazine may include a pair of cap slide rails 65 connected at 66 to a feeder slide 67, and presenting transversely spaced and vertically extending side rails or shoulders 68 to receive therebetween a vertical stack of cap skirts 21, with the cap flanges 24 retained between the slide rails 65 and the slide plate 67, FIG. illustrating this construction. The caps are adapted to gravitate downwardly one at a time to the lowermost position indicated at 68, where the cap is releasably retained between a pair of spring fingers 69. In this regard, the spring fingers have turned lower portions 70 adapted to spread and release the cap seen at 68 upon upward travel of the slide plate 67 when the jaws 41 have been ad- Vanced to receive the cap skirt 21 therebetween. Such release is better seen in FIG. 8 where the fingers 69 which are carried at 71 are shown as upwardly retracted away from the cap.

The slide plate 67 is suitably supported for vertical reciprocation by a base plate 72 and retainers 73 as illustrated in FIG. 10. The mechanism to feed the caps in series sequence from the magazine typically includes upper and lower cap holders generally indicated at 74 and 74a in FIGS. 7-9 as comprising stops or pins which are received in recesses 75 and 76 in the slide plate 67 for inward and outward displacement relative to the surface 77 of that plate. The construction is such that the upper holder is displaced during upward retraction of the plate 67 to retain the stack of caps in the magazine against downward gravitation, while the lower holder 74a releases the lower cap for supply to the jaw structure, this functioning being best illustrated in FIG. 9. Typically, the holder pins are spring biased as indicated at 78 and 79, with the inner end 80 of the upper holder subject to engagement with the release cam 81 on the base plate 72 to displace the upper holder to stackretain-ing position during retraction of the slide plate. At the same time, a shoulder 82 carried at the inner terminal of the lower holder pin is subject to engagement with the release cam83 to retract the lower holder for releasing the lower cap 68 for supply to the jaw structure.

During downward advancement of the slide plate 67, the upper holder 74 rides down over the cam 81 and is displaced by the spring 78 to release a cap from the stack 84 in the magazine to the lower holder 74, which by that time has been spring urged outwardly from the slide plate surface 77 to retain a dropping cap, all as better indicated in FIG. 7.

Summarizing, the steps of the method of operation include supporting the package 11 with the banded end thereof presented for processing, advancing a recessed cap to the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 in which the cap recess is presented toward the package banded end, efl'ecting relative displacement of the cap from that position toward the package end to insert the banded end into the cap recess as illustrated in FIG. 9, and thereafter deforming or crimping the cap skirt 21 onto the band to confine it against expansion during package handling. Such deformation or crimping typically effects the transmission of force between the band and the cap, placing the cap skirt 21 in hoop tension whereby a frictional interlock is maintained between the band and the cap, for holding the cap on the hand during package handling. While the process may be carried out manually, FIG. 13 shows a control 86 for operating the apparatus component in predetermined sequence described above. In this regard, a control line 87 leads to an operator 88 for the jaw actuator, a control line 89 leads to an operator 90 for the slide plate 67 of the cap supply means, a control line 91 leads to the operator 92 for the pressure pad 43, and finally a control line 93 leads to an operator 94 which sequentially supplies the packages 11 to the position seen in FIG. 1.

We claim:

1. Apparatus of the character described for use in processing a series of packages each comprising a flexible wrap containing a filler, each package including a band holding the Wrap terminal portion in gathered condition at an end of the package to block exposure of the filler to the exterior, said apparatus including first means movable to supply a series of caps each recessed to receive a wrap terminal portion and band, and other means including jaw structure and jaw actuator structure movable relative to the packages, said means being operable in predetermined timed relation to movement of said first means and in repeated cycles each characterized by initial reception of a cap at the jaw structure followed by insertion of a wrap terminal portion and band within the cap recess and deformation of the cap to confine the band against expansion during package handling, said first means having an advanced position in which a cap is releasably retained between said jaw structure and said band end of the package for pick-up by the jaw structure during advancement thereof, said first means also having a retracted position in which the jaw structure is advanced relative to said package for effecting said cap deformation, a cap magazine, and mechanism to feed caps in series sequence from the magazine for supply between said jaw structure and said band end of the package in response to movement of said first means between advanced and retracted positions, said magazine and first means moving as a unit for feeding caps by gravitation from a stack in the magazine, and said mechanism including upper and lower cap holders, the upper holder displaced during retraction of said first means to retain the stack of caps in the magazine while the lower holder releases a lower cap for supply to said jaw structure, the upper holder displaced during advancement of said first means to release a cap from the stack to the lower holder.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said mechanism includes camming to so displace said holders during said advancement and retraction of said first means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,493,063 1/1950 Frank et a1. 53-l28 X 8 2,682,903 7/1954 Gay 99-176 x 2,886,073 5/1959 Beck 99-176 X 3,029,665 4/1962 Baugh et al. 53-356 X 5 OTHER REFERENCES 135,397 11/1933 Austria.

640,684 7/1950 Great Britain.

TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner.

FRANK E. BAILEY, Examiner.

R. ALVEY, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. APPARATUS OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED FOR USE IN PROCESSING A SERIES OF PACKAGES EACH COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE WRAP CONTAINING A FILLER, EACH PACKAGE INCLUDING A BAND HOLDING THE WRAP TERMINAL PORTION IN GATHERED CONDITION AT AN END OF THE PACKAGE TO BLOCK EXPOSURE OF THE FILLER TO THE EXTERIOR, SAID APPARATUS INCLUDING FIRST MEANS MOVABLE TO SUPPLY A SERIES OF CAPS EACH RECESSED TO RECEIVE A WRAP TERMINAL PORTION AND BAND, AND OTHER MEANS INCLUDING JAW STRUCTURE AND JAW ACTUATOR STRUCTURE MOVABLE RELATIVE TO THE PACKAGES, SAID MEANS OPERABLE IN PREDETERMINED TIMED RELATION TO MOVEMENT OF SAID FIRST MEANS AND IN REPEATED CYCLES EACH CHARACTERIZED BY INITIAL RECEPTION OF A CAP AT THE JAW STRUCTURE FOLLOWED BY INSERTION OF A WRAP TERMINAL PORTION AND BAND WITHIN THE CAP RECESS AND DEFORMATION OF THE CAP TO CONFINE THE BAND AGAINST EXPANSION DURING PACKAGE HANDLING, SAID FIRST MEANS HAVING AN ADVANCED POSITION IN WHICH A CAP IS RELEASABLE RETAINED BETWEEN SAID JAW STRUCTURE AND SAID BAND END OF THE PACKAGE FOR PICK-UP BY THE JAW STRUCTURE DURING ADVANCEMENT THEREOF, SAID FIRST MEANS ALSO HAVING A RETRACTED POSITION IN WHICH THE JAW STRUCTURE IS ADVANCED RELATIVE

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