KR20190119506A - Automatic packaging machine for soft goods and how to use - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an automatic packaging machine, and in particular, the present disclosure relates to a machine for packaging soft enveloped food in a separate packaging sheet.

Description

Automatic packaging machine for soft goods and how to use

The present disclosure relates to an automatic packaging machine, and in particular, the present disclosure relates to a machine for packaging soft enrobed food in a separate packaging sheet.

Some foods, such as coated marshmallow dishes (also known as Malomars, Mohrenkopf, Schokokuss, Krembo), consist of cookies baked on the basis of depositing (optionally) marshmallows and finally enveloping them into very thin chocolates. Can be.

In general, dishes have a round nose bullet shape and are very sensitive to handling. In addition, due to the sensitivity of cooking, most packaging methods are passive, which can be labor intensive, relatively slow and may have a large footprint.

In this dish, individually wrapped in foil, the step of loading each article onto the turntable mold is done manually.

As a result, there is a need for an effective, efficient, low cost automated machine that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.

In various embodiments a machine and method are disclosed for packaging soft enveloped food in separate packaging sheets.

In an embodiment, a first conveyor means for supporting a package and for conveying the package from a loading zone of the package; Package dispensing means for depositing the package within the mold; Second conveyor means for supporting the plurality of sheets of packaging material and for transporting the plurality of sheets of packaging material into the mold; A packaging material dispensing means for a plurality of packaging material sheets, each sheet having substantially constant dimensions, the dispensing means for the plurality of packaging material sheets being operatively connected to the mold and configured to connect the sheet to the mold, Leaving the edges of the packing sheet; And said package dispensing means folding each of the edges of the package sheet over the package; An impeller configured to insert each portion of the packaging material sheet into the mold; Receive and optionally engage each of the plurality of sheets of packaging material; Accepts and optionally engages the package; And a frame configured to transport the packaged package onto the third conveyor means; And a third conveyor means for supporting the packaged package and optionally conveying the packaged package to the cartoning area, a package packaging machine for enclosing the package with the packaging material.

In yet another embodiment, first conveyor means for supporting a package and for conveying the package from a loading zone of the package; Package dispensing means for depositing the package within the mold; Second conveyor means for supporting the plurality of sheets of packaging material and for transporting the plurality of sheets of packaging material into the mold; A packaging material dispensing means for a plurality of packaging material sheets, each sheet having substantially constant dimensions, the dispensing means for the plurality of packaging material sheets being operatively connected to the mold and configured to connect the sheet to the mold, Leaving the edges of the packing sheet; And said package dispensing means folding each of the edges of the package sheet over the package; An impeller configured to insert each portion of the packaging material sheet into the frame; Receive and optionally engage each of the plurality of sheets of packaging material; Accepts and optionally engages the package; And a frame configured to transport the packaged package onto the third conveyor means; And a third conveyor means for supporting the packaged package and optionally conveying the packaged package to the cartoning area. Using a first conveyor means to transport the package towards the frame; Using a second conveyor means to convey the plurality of sheets of packaging material to the packaging material dispensing means; Connecting the packaging sheet to the mold using the packaging material dispensing means; Using an impeller, mating the packing sheet to the mold; Using the package dispensing means to deposit the package into a mold; Folding the edge of the package sheet over the package to form a packaged package; And depositing the packaged package on the third conveyor means, a method of packaging the package with separate packaging materials is provided herein.

With respect to embodiments of the present invention, a better understanding of the machine and method for packaging soft enclosed foods in separate packaging sheets is provided with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to corresponding components or parts throughout. Is done.

1A is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment for transporting food and packaging sheets into a mold, FIG. 1B illustrates the connection of packaging sheets on the mold, and FIG. 1C illustrates the deposition of food into the mold;
2A is a schematic diagram illustrating mating sheets and food in a mold, FIG. 2B illustrates completion of packaging, and FIG. 2C illustrates deposition of a packaged article on a conveyor belt; And
3 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of steps for packaging soft enveloped food into separate packaging sheets.

In some embodiments, provided herein is a machine and method for packaging soft enrobed food in separate packaging sheets.

A more complete understanding of the components, processes, and devices disclosed herein can be obtained with reference to the accompanying drawings. This figure (also referred to herein as “a figure”) is merely a schematic based on the convenience and ease of showing the present disclosure and is therefore not intended to represent the relative size and dimensions of the devices or components of the present disclosure. It is not intended to define or limit the scope of the example embodiments. Although specific terms are used in the following description for the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to specific structures of the embodiments selected for illustration in the drawings and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the disclosure. In the drawings and the following detailed description, it is understood that like numerals refer to components of like function.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A-1C, first conveyor means 150 for supporting an unpackaged article 100 _i and for transporting the unpackaged article from the loading zone of the package; Packaging packaging machine for enclosing the non-packaged product (100 _i), the packaging material containing a combination of packaging distribution means (not shown) for a flap Depot the US packaged goods (100 _i) in the frame 300 ( 10) is illustrated (FIG. 1A). The machine also supports the plurality of packaging material sheets 200 _j and j j Second conveyor means 250 (see, eg, FIG. 1B) for transporting the plurality of packaging material sheets 200 j to the mold 300; Packaging material dispensing means (not shown) for a plurality of packaging material sheets 200 _j , each j th The sheet has a substantially constant dimension and the dispensing means (not shown) for the plurality of packaging material sheets 200 _j are operably connected to the mold 300 and j j Is configured to connect the sheet to the frame 300, leaving an edge portion of the packaging sheet; And i th J th package (100 _i ) Packaging material dispensing means (not shown), which fold each of the edges of the packaging sheet. The mold 300 receives and selectively engages each j- th plurality of packaging material sheets 200 _j ; i th Accepts and optionally engages package 100 _i ; And transport the packaged package on a third conveyor means 375 (see eg FIG. 1C) for supporting the packaged package and for conveying the packaged package to, for example, a cartoning area. have.

Conveyor means 150 (and / or 250) may be one embodiment of a conventional design and is one illustrated form of conveyor means that may be used only. The conveyor means 150 comprises a frame means 155 (not shown) that supports the head pulley 151 and the tail pulley 152. Conveyor belt 153 extends around pulleys 151 and 152 as illustrated in the figure. Conveyor means 150 may be an unpackaged article 100 _i (eg, soft, chocolate enrobed food) or packaged article 101 _i with orifice 154 _n disposed along conveyor belt 153. (See, eg, FIG. 2C) may be in communication with vacuum means 350 to give a better hold to both. In yet another embodiment, the conveyor belt 153 may define an interior depression 155p configured to receive at least a portion of the base of the unpackaged article 100 _i or the packaged article 101 _i . , Indexing of the unpackaged article 100 _i or packaged article 101 _i to the mold 300. In addition (see, eg, FIG. 5), the conveyor means 150 may consist of plates 160 _q connected to each other, forming a conveyor belt 153. Each plate 160 _q can define an internal circular depression 161 having a plurality of holes 162 _m , to maintain communication with the vacuum means 350. Each recessed portion 161 is a non-packed article has a larger diameter than the base of the (100 _i) or the packaged product (101 _i), thus un-packaged article (100 _i) or packaging article (101 _i) To assist in indexing for apparatus processing adapted to handle, for example, the mechanical finger is configured to seal the unpackaged article 100 _i by manipulating corners 220, 220 ′, 221 and 221 ′. Or in another embodiment, it is done by bending the corners 220, 220 ', 221 and 221'.

As shown, the unpackaged article 100 _i has a flat base cylindrical round nose bullet having a substantially soft core (eg, any edible foam) on the base of the substantially baked article (as compared to the core). It may be a soft, chocolate enrobed food, which may have a shaped article (ie, a hemispherical 135 cylindrical 130 shape, eg, see FIG. 1A).

Also and as illustrated in FIG. 1C, the packaged article dispensing means 175 (not shown) for depositing the unpackaged article 100 _i into the mold 300 inverts the unpackaged article 100 _i . It can be configured to flip. That is, from the position on the first conveyor means 150, the i th The package 100 _i is placed on the base 130 of the first conveyor means 150 down on the conveyor means 150, such that the package 100 _i dispensing means 175 (not shown) is a packaged article ( 100 _i ) and to place the unpackaged article underneath in the hemispherical shape of the round nose 135 of the mold 300.

As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the frame 300 includes a housing 313 having an interior cavity 311 with a floor that can be substantially complementary to the rounded nose 135 contour and a tip hole 310. can do. As used herein, the term "complementary" refers to the floor of the cavity 311 having a substantially surface contour as the tip tip 135 of the smooth, enclosed article. Also, the cavity 311 is configured to receive the package 100 _i . The term "accept" is substantially the entire i th in an embodiment Refers to a state where the package 100 _i or in another embodiment the packaged package is located in the cavity 311 of the mold 300. The mold 300 may further include a bore 312 defined within the floor. Bore 312 may be configured to communicate with vacuum means 350. As used herein, the term "communication" refers to a condition in which one member is connected to another member, for example, using gas lines, pipes, conduits or tubing to allow the transfer of gas or liquid between the members. Refer. The transmission may be one way or two way. Other components may be present between the members and include, for example, valves, pumps, sensors, and the like. In an embodiment, the vacuum means can be a vacuum pump operably connected to the cavity 311 via a bore 312 and has a shutoff valve 320 disposed between the cavity 311 and the vacuum means 350. And may be configured to operate between a closed position (eg, see FIG. 1B) and an open position (eg, FIG. 1C).

j th The packaging material sheet 200 _j may be made of an aluminum foil or, in another embodiment, a metallized laminate film of another square (ie, having four sides).

In the embodiment and as illustrated in FIG. 1C, the package dispensing means 175 (not shown) is packaged such that the packaging material 200 _j forms a seal (ie, sealably) over the tip hole 310. each of the j-th of the material sheet (200 _j) high hole 310 to cover a plurality of the packaging material of the frame 300 to the sheet (200 _j) It can be configured to place the sheet. The mold 300 also includes a plurality of packaging material sheets, for example, by applying a vacuum to the cavity 311 of the mold via the bore 312, thereby opening the shutoff valve 320 and using the vacuum means 350. each of the j-th (200 _j) It may be configured to receive and selectively engage the sheet (ie, to counteract unintentional but not limited forces). As also illustrated in FIG. 1B, the impeller 275 is in the j th of each of the packaging materials 200 _j in the cavity 311 of the mold 300. Can be used to mate the sheets. The impeller 275 has an impeller head 280 with a distal surface 278, which may be complementary to the curvature of the floor of the actuator means 276, the impeller arm 277, the cavity 311 of the mold 300. It may include.

In an embodiment, the impeller 275 is fixed while the wrapping sheet 200 _j with corners 220, 220 ′, 221 and 221 ′ is tipped using the vacuum means 350 through the bore 312. Is connected to the hole 310. The mold 300 may then be configured to be disposed above the impeller 275 and to descend onto a fixed impeller, such that each j th of the packaging material 200 _j Mating the sheet to the cavity 311 of the mold 300 and each j th of the packaging material 200 _j Hold the sheet in place.

In an embodiment the impeller 275 also includes a j th of each of the packaging materials 200 _j . Mating the sheet to the cavity 311 of the mold 300 and each j th of the packaging material 200 _j It can be used with a vacuum means 350 (eg a pump) to hold the sheet in place. As used herein, the term "impeller" refers to an impeller head member connected to an arm configured for programmable mutual movement to allow the impeller head member to repeatedly enter and exit the bore of the mold and to conform at least a portion of the packaging material to the bore ( Is intended to represent a member having an impeller-like structure.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2C, after placement of the package 100 _i down into the hemispherical portion 135 of the cavity 311 of the frame 300 and as illustrated in FIG. 2A, package distribution means ( 175 (not shown) can be configured to fold the edges 210, 211, above the flat base 130 (see eg FIG. 2B), so that the mold 300 can be, for example, a third conveyor means. It can be configured to transport the packaged package onto the third conveyor means 375 by manipulating the aperture 310 of the housing 313 of the frame 300 above 375 (see, eg, FIG. 2C). . For example, the mold 300 can be hingedly connected to the bracket configured to invert the mold 300 such that, with the shutoff valve 320 in the open position, the packaged packaged article is still in the vacuum means 350. And hold the packaged package on the third conveyor means 375 and deposit the packaged article upside down on the base 130.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a tip having a bore 312 extending through the housing 313 and having a diameter greater than the diameter defined by the wall 314 of the cavity 311 with the convex floor 317. An enlarged form 300 is illustrated, with a hole 310. The tip hole 310 is defined by the tip surface 315, forms a subsequent right angle 316, and has a wall 314 of the cavity 311. Subsequent right angles 316 may be beneficial to prevent the sheet 200 _j (each sheet may have a thickness from about 0.01 mm to about 0.25 mm) to tear. Further, in another embodiment, the tip surface 315, the subsequent right angle 316 and the inner wall 314 of the cavity 311 may be formed of a resin (eg, a thermoplastic or elastomeric polymer such as LDPE, HDPE). , PDMS, etc.), enabling the formation and holding of the cavity pattern after application of the vacuum to the vacuum means 350.

The machines described herein are used in the manner described. Thus and in yet another embodiment, first conveyor means 150 for supporting the unpackaged article 100 _i and for transporting the unpackaged article from the loading zone of the package; Package dispensing means 175 (not shown) for depositing the package within the mold; Second conveyor means (250) for transporting the support a plurality of the packaging material sheets (200 _j) and and to a plurality of packaging material sheets (200 _j), the framework 300; Packaging material distributing means 265 (not shown) for a plurality of packaging material sheets 200 _j , each j th sheet having substantially constant dimensions, and packaging material distributing means for the plurality of packaging material sheets 200 _j . 265 (not shown) is operably connected to the mold 300 and is configured to connect the j- th sheet to the mold 300, such that the edge portions of the packing sheet corners 220, 220 ′, 221 and 221 ′. Leaving behind; And j th over the package. Said packaging material distributing means for folding respective corners (220, 220 ', 221, and 221') of packaging sheet corners (220, 220 ', 221, and 221'); Each of the j-th of the packaging material sheets (200 _j) An impeller 275 configured to insert a portion of the sheet into the mold 300; Receive and selectively engage each j th sheet of the plurality of packaging material sheets 200 _j ; Accepts and optionally engages package 100 _i ; And a mold 300 configured to transport the packaged package onto the third conveyor means 375; And a third conveyor means 375 adapted for supporting the packaged package and for arbitrarily transporting the packaged package to the cartoning area. See, for example, FIG. 1A. Provided herein is a method of packaging a package with a separate packaging material, comprising the step of providing.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the method of packaging a package with the separate packaging material provided herein uses a first conveyor means 150 to transport the unpackaged article 100 _i towards the frame 300. Step 103; Using a second conveyor means 250 to transport a plurality of sheets of packaging material 200 _j to packaging material distributing means 265 (not shown); Connecting 202 the j th wrapping sheet to the mold 300 using the packaging material dispensing means 265; Using the impeller, the jth by further activating 204 the vacuum means 350 via an open shut-off valve 320 (see eg FIG. 1C). Matching the packing sheet to the cavity 311 of the mold (203), j- th Maintaining the sheet in the cavity 311 of the mold 300; Using the package distribution means 175 (not shown), the j- th unpackaged article 100 _i is removed. By depositing 103 in the cavity of the frame 300, the sheet is formed therein, folding the edges 210, 211 (see, eg, FIG. 2B) of the j th wrapping sheet over the i th package (104). Forming a packaged package; And depositing the packaged package on the third conveyor means 375 (301).

J th using the packaging material distributing means 265 (not shown), which is used in the method for packaging a package with the separate packaging material provided herein. Coupling a packing sheet to the mold 300 is the j-th (out of a plurality of packing sheets (200 _j)) Sealing sheet may include sealingly covering the tip mold hole 310 of the housing 313 of the mold (see eg FIG. 1A), while using the impeller 275 to seal the wrapping sheet into the mold. The mating step may further include drawing the vacuum 350 into the cavity 311 of the mold, for example using the bore 312.

And also, i-th, as shown in FIG. 1c illustrates, used in the process for packaging of the packaging in a separate packaging materials provided herein Deposition 103 of the unpackaged article 100 _i (e.g., Malomar, Mohrenkopf, Schokokuss, Krembo, etc.) into the cavity 310 of the form 300 may comprise a rounded nose of a flat base 130 (135) (eg, see FIG. 1A) may include flipping the article upside down (ie, turning rounded nose 135) within cavity 310 of mold 300.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that step 203 and step 103 of depositing the package into the mold, which are used in the method for packaging the package with the separate packaging materials provided herein, are substantially simultaneous or ie Can be constructed by partially mating with the packaging sheet or in an embodiment, the foil, partially formed foil (e.g. recessed foil) is packaged article (e.g., a soft core laid on a biscuit, chocolate enrobing) It will be readily appreciated that it can act as a cushion for marshmallow rows).

Likewise, as illustrated in FIG. 2C, step 301 of depositing the packaged package on the third conveyor means 375 includes rotating the mold vertically (ie, flipping the mold upside down); And 302 discharging the packaged food package.

All ranges disclosed herein include the end point and the end points may be separately combinable with one another (eg, up to 25 wt% or more specifically, from 5 wt% to 20 wt%) range from “5 wt% to End points in the range 25% by weight ", including all medians, and the like). "Combination" includes admixtures, mixtures, alloys, reaction products, and the like. In addition, the terms "first", "second", and the like are used herein to indicate one component from another without indicating any order, quantity, or importance.

The term “a singular expression” is to be construed to include both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated in the present specification and unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. As used herein, the suffix "(s)" is intended to include both the singular and the plural of the term being modified to include one or more of the terms (e.g., the sheet (s) includes one or more sheets). . Reference throughout the specification to “an embodiment”, “another embodiment”, “embodiment”, and the like, may be directed to specific components (eg, features, structures, and / or properties) described in connection with the embodiment. It is meant to be included in at least one embodiment described herein and may or may not be present in other embodiments. In addition, it is to be understood that the described elements may be combined in any suitable manner in the various embodiments.

The term "selectively" means that it can be activated. In yet another embodiment, the term "selectively engaging" means that the means for engaging the packing sheet can be activated if desired, but the means for indicating that there is no specific requirement for the operation of the machine. Other connection / engagement means may also be used.

Thus and in embodiments, first conveyor means for supporting a package and for conveying the package from a loading zone of the package; Package dispensing means for depositing the package within the mold; Second conveyor means for supporting the plurality of sheets of packaging material and for transporting the plurality of sheets of packaging material into the mold; A packaging material dispensing means for a plurality of packaging material sheets, each sheet having substantially constant dimensions, the dispensing means for the plurality of packaging material sheets being operatively connected to the mold and configured to connect the sheet to the mold, Leaving the edges of the packing sheet; And said package dispensing means folding each of the edges of the package sheet over the package; An impeller configured to insert each portion of the packaging material sheet into the frame; Receive and optionally engage each of the plurality of sheets of packaging material; Accepts and optionally engages the package; And a frame configured to transport the packaged package onto the third conveyor means; And a package packaging machine for enclosing the package with the packaging material, comprising a combination of a third conveyor means for supporting the packaged package and for randomly conveying the packaged package to the cartoning area. ) The package comprises a soft, chocolate enveloped food, (ii) which is a flat base round nose bullet shaped article, has a substantially soft core on a substantially hard baked article base, and (iii) forms a package The package dispensing means for depositing in the container is configured to turn the package upside down, the frame comprising: a housing having a tip hole; An internal cavity having a round nose and a substantially complementary floor, said cavity configured to receive a package; And a bore defined within the floor, (v) the bore is operably connected to a vacuum source, (vi) each of the plurality of packaging material sheets is a rectangular metallized laminate film, and (vii) package distribution means. And (viii) the mold is configured to receive and optionally engage each of the plurality of sheets of packaging material by applying a vacuum to the mold, and (ix) 3 is configured to transport the packaged package onto the third conveyor means by manipulating the housing hole of the mold on the conveyor means.

In another embodiment, provided herein is a method of packaging a package with a separate packaging material, the method comprising:

First conveyor means for supporting the package and for conveying the package from the loading zone of the package; Package dispensing means for depositing the package within the mold; Second conveyor means for supporting the plurality of sheets of packaging material and for transporting the plurality of sheets of packaging material into the mold; A packaging material dispensing means for a plurality of packaging material sheets, each sheet having substantially constant dimensions, the dispensing means for the plurality of packaging material sheets being operatively connected to the mold and configured to connect the sheet to the mold, Leaving the edges of the packing sheet; And said package dispensing means folding each of the edges of the package sheet over the package; An impeller configured to insert each portion of the packaging material sheet into the frame; Receive and optionally engage each of the plurality of sheets of packaging material; Accepts and optionally engages the package; And a frame configured to transport the packaged package onto the third conveyor means; And a third conveyor means for supporting the packaged package and optionally conveying the packaged package to the cartoning area. Using a first conveyor means to transport the package towards the frame; Using a second conveyor means to convey the plurality of sheets of packaging material to the packaging material dispensing means; Connecting the packaging sheet to the mold using the packaging material dispensing means; Using an impeller, mating the packing sheet to the mold; Using the package dispensing means to deposit the package into a mold; Folding the edge of the package sheet over the package to form a packaged package; And depositing the packaged package on a third conveyor means, (x) the package comprising a soft, chocolate enrobed food product, (xi) having a flat base round nose bullet shaped article and A housing having a substantially soft core on a substantially rigid baked article base, and (xii) the frame having a tip hole; An internal cavity having a round nose and a substantially complementary floor, said cavity configured to receive a package; And a bore defined in the floor and connected to the vacuum means, and (xiii) connecting the packing sheet to the mold using the packing sheet dispensing means sealingly covering the mold hole with the packing sheet (ie, the tip hole). (Xiv) mating the wrapping sheet to the mold further comprises drawing a vacuum into the cavity of the mold, and (xv) depositing the package into the mold is a flat, rounded nose. Inverting the article upside down within the mold, wherein (xvi) mating the packaging sheet to the mold and depositing the package within the package mold occur substantially simultaneously, and (xvii) placing the packaged package onto the third conveyor means. Deposition includes rotating the mold vertically; And releasing the food package, and (xviii) each of the plurality of packaging material sheets is a rectangular metallized laminate film.

While particular embodiments are described, alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and replacement equivalents that are or may be presently expected may occur to the applicant or other skilled person. Accordingly, the appended claims as filed and when modified may be intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and replacement equivalents.

Claims (20)

A package wrapping machine for wrapping a package with packaging material,
a. First conveyor means for supporting the package and for conveying the package from a loading zone of the package;
b. Package dispensing means for depositing the package within a mold;
c. Second conveyor means for supporting a plurality of sheets of packaging material and for transporting the plurality of sheets of packaging material to the mold;
d. Packaging material dispensing means for the plurality of packaging material sheets, each sheet having substantially constant dimensions, the dispensing means for the plurality of packaging material sheets operably connected to the mold and the sheet being connected to the mold Configured to connect to, leaving an edge portion of the packing sheet; And said package dispensing means folding each of said package sheet edges over said package;
e. An impeller configured to insert each portion of the sheet of packaging material into the mold;
f. Receive and selectively engage each of the plurality of packaging material sheets; Receive and optionally engage the package; And the frame configured to transport the packaged package onto a third conveyor means; And
g. And combining the third conveyor means for supporting the packaged package and for optionally transporting the packaged package to the cartoning area. The package packaging machine of claim 1, wherein the package comprises soft, chocolate enrobed food. 3. The packaging packaging machine of claim 2, wherein the soft, chocolate enrobed food is a flat base of round nose bullet shaped articles and has a substantially soft core on the base of a substantially hard baked article. The package packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the package dispensing means for depositing the package in the mold is configured to flip the package upside down. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the frame comprises: a housing having a tip hole; An interior cavity having a floor substantially complementary to said round nose, said cavity configured to receive said package; And a bore defined within the floor of the mold. 6. A package packaging machine according to claim 5, wherein the bore is operably connected to a vacuum source. The package packaging machine of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of sheets of packaging material is a rectangular metallized laminate film. 8. A package packaging machine according to claim 7, wherein the package dispensing means is configured to cover the tip hole of the mold with a sheet of packaging material. The package packaging machine according to claim 8, wherein the mold is configured to receive and optionally engage each of the plurality of sheets of packaging material by applying a vacuum to the mold. 10. The package packaging machine according to claim 9, wherein the mold is configured to transport the packaged package onto the third conveyor means by manipulating a housing hole of the mold on the third conveyor means. A method for packaging a package with separate packaging materials,
a. First conveyor means for supporting the package and for conveying the package from a loading zone of the package; Package dispensing means for depositing the package within a mold; Second conveyor means for supporting a plurality of sheets of packaging material and for transporting the plurality of sheets of packaging material to the mold; Packaging material dispensing means for the plurality of packaging material sheets, each sheet having substantially constant dimensions, the dispensing means for the plurality of packaging material sheets operably connected to the mold and the sheet being connected to the mold Configured to connect to, leaving an edge portion of the packing sheet; And said package dispensing means folding each of said package sheet edges over said package; An impeller configured to insert each portion of the sheet of packaging material into the mold; Receive and selectively engage each of the plurality of packaging material sheets; Receive and optionally engage the package; And the frame configured to transport the packaged package onto a third conveyor means; And combining the third conveyor means for supporting the packaged package and for optionally transporting the packaged package to a cartoning area.
b. Using said first conveyor means to convey said package towards said frame;
c. Using said second conveyor means to convey said plurality of sheets of packaging material to said packaging material distributing means;
d. Connecting a packaging sheet to the mold using the packaging material dispensing means;
e. Using the impeller, mating the packaging sheet to the mold;
f. Using the package dispensing means, depositing the package within the mold;
g. Folding the edge portion of the packing sheet over the packing material to form a packaged package; And
h. Depositing the packaged package on the third conveyor means. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the package comprises a soft, chocolate enrobed food. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the soft, chocolate enrobed food is a flat base round nose bullet shaped article, and the package is packaged in a separate packaging material having a substantially soft core on a substantially hard baked article base. Way. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the frame comprises: a housing having a tip hole; An interior cavity having a floor substantially complementary to said round nose, said cavity configured to receive said package; And a bore defined in the floor and connected to the vacuum means. 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of connecting the packaging sheet to the mold using the packaging sheet dispensing means includes sealingly covering the frame hole with the packaging sheet. Way. The method of claim 15, wherein mating the package sheet to the mold further comprises drawing a vacuum to the cavity of the mold. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein depositing the package within the mold includes flipping the flat underlying round nose article upside down within the mold. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of mating the package sheet to the mold and the depositing of the package in the mold occur substantially simultaneously. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein depositing the packaged package on the third conveyor means comprises:
a. Rotating the mold vertically; And
b. A method for packaging a package with a separate packaging material comprising releasing the food package. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein each of the plurality of sheets of packaging material is a rectangular metallized laminate film.

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