GB542148A - Improvements in methods of and apparatus for packing goods in pre-formed flimsy containers - Google Patents

Abstract

542,148. Packeting. BEE BEE BISCUITS, Ltd., and BUXBAUM, E. K. June 24, 1940. No. 10815. [Class 94 (i)] Relates to the packeting of fragile articles such as biscuits, and granular and comminuted materials, in preformed open containers made of flimsy material, such as thin sheet cellulose acetate, metal foil, or waxed paper. According to the invention, the containers are moved stepby-step through the machine, and the mouths of the containers are closed by the successive action of a movable folder, which operates while the container is at rest, and a number of passive folders which act while the containers are moving between successive periods of rest. The containers are supported by cups 4, Figs. 1 and 4, secured to an endless conveyer chain 1 which is moved intermittently by a Geneva wheel 5. The cups are detachably secured by central screws 10, Fig. 4, to plates 11 attached to the chain, so that they can be replaced by others of a different size. The movement of the conveyer brings each cup to rest in eight stations, I ... VIII. At station I, a cup receives an open container from a mechanism A of the kind described in Specification 542,244. At station II, a label is deposited in the bottom of the empty container by mechanism of the kind described in Specification 543.463, [Group XVI]. At stations III, IV and V a biscuit or the like is deposited in the container by mechanism of the kind described in Specification 542,228. At station VI, the leading side of the container meets and is indented by a stationary folder 29. while the rear side is folded down on top of the biscuits by an oscillating folder 15. During this operation, the sides of the containers are engaged and supported by suction heads 31 which are connected by pipes 33 to a vacuum main, a camoperated valve 35 controlling the application of suction. During the movement of the cup from station VI to station VII, the folder 29 folds the leading side of the container down on to the depressed rear side, and at station VII these folded portions are heat-sealed to one another by an electrically-heated die 43 which is lowered on to the folded material. The upstanding ears are folded down by converging rods 49 during the movement of the container from station VII to station VIII, and in the latter position the folded ears are heated sealed by an electricallyheated die 51. A disc of insulating material may be inserted after the filling operation if the goods will not stand the heat of the sealing dies. The completed package drops out of the cup on to a conveyer belt 58 and travels over other belts 59, 59a to a delivery point. In order to hold the empty containers in the cups, each screw 10, Fig. 6, is drilled with an axial channel 63, and the plate 11 travels over and in contact with a suction box 60 so that suction is applied to hold the empty container in place. Instead of heat-sealing the containers as they are folded, an adhesive label may be applied to the folded container.