US3015917A

US3015917A - Individual packaging apparatus, method, and package

Info

Publication number: US3015917A
Application number: US688756A
Authority: US
Inventors: Moore Howard Nelson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1957-10-07
Filing date: 1957-10-07
Publication date: 1962-01-09
Anticipated expiration: 1979-01-09

Description

H. N. MOORE Jan. 9, 1962 INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Filed on. 7, 1957 16 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Howard Nelson Moore ATTORNEYS H. N. MOORE Jan. 9, 1962 INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Filed Oct. '7, 1957 16 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 48.

FIG, I B.

FIG. 58.

FIG. 3B.

INVENTOR Howard Nelson Moore xiii;

Jan. 9, 1962 H. N. MOORE 3,015,917

INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Filed on. 7, 1957 16 Sheets-Sheet s ZNVENTOR Howard Nelson Moore ATTORNEYS H. N. MOORE 3,015,917

INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Jan. 9, 1962 16 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 7, 1957 INVENTOR Howard Nelson Moore mom 5 i5 :6 Q i Jan. 9, 1962 H. N. MOORE 3,015,917

INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Filed Oct. 7, 1957 16 Sheets-Sheet 5 8 Q PuperRoll N Solenoid Control Geneva Stop FIG. 8

4; Air Feed fi Exhuusf Axr To Pull Buck Air Feed To Valve INVENTOR Howard Nelson Moore ATTORNEYS H. N. MOORE 3,015,917

16 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR Howard Nelson ATTORNEYS Jan. 9, 1962 INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Filed Oct. 7, 1957 Jan. 9, 1962 H. N. MOORE 3,015,917

INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Filed Oct. '7, 1957 16 Sheets-Sheet 7 FIG. 6A.

FIG. IOA.

INVENTOR Howard Nelson Moore ATTORNEYS Jan. 9, 1962 H. N. MOORE 3,015,917

INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Filed Oct. 7,. 1957 16 Sheets-Sheet 8 FIG. I78.

34" I Elm I 1 M13 FIG. I28. I

INVhNTOR Howard Nelson Moore BY I ATTORNEY H. N. MOORE Jan. 9, 1962 INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Filed Oct. '7, 1957 16 Sheets-Sheet 9 FIG. [48.

FIG' 13B.

FIG. I5B.

FIG. I98.

'IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIJ INVENTOR Howard Nelson Moore FIG. I88.

ATTORN Jan. 9, 1962 H. N. MOORE 3,015,917

- INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Filed oat. 7, 1957 16 Sheets-Sheet 1o FIG. II.

Air To Pull 210 Back INVENTOR Howard Nelson Moore ATTORNEYS Jan. 9, 1962 H. N. MOORE 3,015,917

INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Filed Oct. 7, 1957 16 Sheets-Sheet l1 In, "254 E INVENT OR Howard Nelson Moore ATTORNEYS Jan. 9, 1962 H. N. MOORE 3,015,917

INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Filed Oct. '7, 1957 16 Sheets-Sheet 12 Pull Buck Cylinder FIG. I5.

MoIn Cylinder Cutting Die INVENTOR Howard Nelson Moore W M ATTORNEYS H. N. MOORE 3,015,917

INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Jan. 9, 1962 16 Sheets-Sheet 15 Filed Oct. 7,. 1957 Bond Wheel INVENTOR Howard Nelson Moore Ma ATTORNEYS Jan. 9, 1962 H. N. MOORE 3,015,917

INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Filed Oct. 7, 1957 16 Sheets-Sheet 14 5 Micro- Switch 25s/ O A v 0 260 IAIII Solenoids Four Pack ling One Release ZNVENTOR Howard Nelson Mo ore ATTORNEYS H. N. MOORE Jan. 9, 1962 INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Filed 00%.. '7, 1957 16 Sheets-Sheet 15 Howard Nelson Moore ATTORNEYS Jan. 9, 1962 H. N. MOORE 3,015,917

INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Filed Oct. 7, 1957 16 Sheets-Sheet 16 o2 2B A. Vacuum B. Inert Gas Under i Pressure, May Be I Irradiated Or Entrain C. Coil- :egt/ geaiir h 216 Antibiotic Dust Or n r Spra Frequency y D. Storage 216 Extended 4 z. E 7 7' E 4 A 40l H 7 7' V I E Irradiation Chamber Or F. Flash Freeze G. Deep Freeze H. Dehydrofreeze sfo'oge I. Pasturization Package Sent To Storage D i There g) Be After 0 Or Any Subsequent Compartmented Chambers Event E,F,G,H And/Or 40| Where Pressure Sea! is Used Without Heat Package May Be Sent To Storage Without Treatment INVENTOR Howa rd N. Moore ATTORNEYS United States Patent C) 3,015,917 INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Howard Nelson Moore, Apt. 201, 1901 East West Highway, Silver Spring, Md. Filed Oct. 7, 1957, Ser. No. 688,756 18 Claims. (Cl. 5321) The present invention concerns the packaging of a number of relatively similar objects, articles or units of material in a multicompartmental package, and the preservation of the packaged uni s.

Reference is made to US. Letters Patent No. 2,255,- 432, granted to me September 9, 1941, on analogous subject matter, for supplementary disclosure and background.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of my copending applications Serial No. 411,235, filed September 17, 1941, now abandoned in view of Serial No. 92,476, filed May 10, 1949, now US. Patent No. 2,808,691, granted October 8, 1957, and Serial No. 454,912, filed September 9, 1954.

It is an object of the invention to provide a package of similar units of material which are individually wrapped, each unit being sealed against contamination or change by any foreign matter, bacteria, moisture, undesired oxidation, other undesirable chemical changes, or the like. The present invention provides a package comprising individual units of similar character which are contained in individual compartments formed of cup-shaped elements which may overlap in sealing relation one with the other to form a unitary package of substantial strength whereby to guarantee the integrity of the sealed character of the individual compartments.

It is an object of the invention to package individually, like units of material comprising candy lozenges, candy mints, pigments, putty, extracts, chemicals, tablets, pharmaceuticals, slices of bread, cakes, cookies, cheese, fish, sea food, meat, meat products, tobacco, spices, tea, sugar, flour, meal and without limitation, loose materials of all kinds, including granulated, powdered or viscous materials and liquids. These products may be packaged in measured units to facilitate use without waste and to achieve a desired result. Diverse articles may be packaged such as complete meals, food and drink mixes, sandwiches, condiments or any compound ready mixed or in its component parts.

It is an object of the invention to provide a package for individual units of perishable materials, such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, foodstuffs and the like which can be irradiated by fissionable material or a radiation generating device, or any suitable radioactive material or source.

The radiation herein referred to may be low level radiation of materials before packaging or preferably of the packaged material with all coverings and seals intact. Although low level radiation is at the present time preferred because it provides adequate normal protection to the otherwise perishable contents without interference with taste, odor, or other characteristics, the invention is not limited to this type of irradiation. Where the objection to discoloration, changes in smell, and taste, are not limiting factors or they are controllable within acceptable limits, the invention is intended to be utilized for the packaging of food which is sterilized completely whereby refrigeration can, in most cases, be dispensed with entirely. Such packages may be used in the field on long trips or merely stored on a shelf and used a unit at a time as required.

While the present technique of relatively low level irradiation for pasteurization is preferred, and it is not 3,015,917 Patented Jan. 9, 1962 intended for normal use to make the packages or their contents radioactive, such treatment is not precluded where the maintenance of the otherwise perishable contents under highly adverse conditions is paramount to taste, smell and other requirements regarding changes in characteristics. Even in these cases, sterilization is all that would be required and it is only where there is danger of contamination from the outside by penetration or rupture of the compartment walls or the sealed joints that radioactivation of the contents, however mild, is resorted to. Until these techniques are improved, it is contemplated that the pasteurized packages of the more delicate or more perishable foods will be refrigerated as well.

The air contained in the individual compartments of the package may be withdrawn and replaced by an inert gas such as nitrogen or other air which has been sterilized. Nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon, neon or the like are preferred where oxidation is a deleterious factor. If desired, the sterilized air or inert gas itself may be radioactivated before injection in those cases where a long period of storage under highly adverse conditions is contemplated. If any chemical reaction, perfuming efiect, coloring, taste, texture or food value change or any other chemical or physical combination or mixture is desired, the proper gas or material may of course be introduced during packaging or later.

It is to be understood that in all cases where the package and its contents are radioactivated, sutlicient shelf life or other storage time must be allowed prior to human consumption to assure against poisoning from this source. Such packages, as well as those just discussed above, are preferably dated, showing time of sealing or the date after which they may be opened and used with good effect and safety.

It is an object of the invention to provide means for producing a package of a number of articles which are individually wrapped.

It is an object of the invention to provide means for producing a package containing a number of substantially sterile articles, each of which is sealed against contamination by any foreign matter, moisture or the like.

The present invention provides a device whereby individual units of similar character may be rapidly and securely packaged individually by a single strip of paper. While the invention is primarily intended to package relatively small articles such as lozenges, candy mints, tablets, pharmaceuticals, it nevertheless may be applied to much larger things such as slices of bread, cakes, cookies or anything which is fairly regular in outline and has two reasonably fiat surfaces.

It is not, however, limited to such articles and may be utilized to package loose material such as tobacco or sugar which need not necessarily be compressed into tablet form. The invention finds an important application in the field of food packaging. Many perishable foods, for example meat patties, may be packaged individually in the same package by the present invention and may thereby eliminate the need of refrigeration where the food product has been irradiated, mixed with antibiotics, or other preservative means employed. It will be appreciated that the opening of one or more compartment units will neither disturb nor contaminate the remainder of the package. While the units need not be round, they should preferably be substantially uniform in shape.

The term article is used herein as a thing of a particular class or kind, as defined at page 156 of Websters New International Dictionary, Second Edition, Unabridged, G. & C. Merriam Company, publishers, 1947.

The present invention may utilize a feeding table in the central portion of which is an aperture of such size as to receive the article. The aperture is surrounded by a depending tube with a flaring lip. A roll of wrapping paper of suitable width is disposed at one side of the table and led by suitable guides and feeding rollers across the aperture. Above the aperture is positioned a die punch. 'The paper is fed across the aperture by suitable mechanism and the article to be wrapped positioned thereon. A die punch is then lowered to cut a suitable blank from the paper. The edges of the blank may be tongued or not as desired. A punch which is associated with the die structure ,forces the article to be wrapped and the small paper blank upon which it rests into the flaring mouth of the aperture. There is sufficient margin provided on the paper blank to leave an upstanding annular collar extending well above the article to be wrapped. The article rests within the tube in a dishlike compartment, the top of which is open. The feeding rollers advance the paper strip so-that it again covers the aperture and a second article is deposited thereon over the aperture and substantially centrally thereon. The die punch again descends, cuts a second blank and forces the article and the blank on which it rests into the tube on top of the first article. The second blank will be seen to form a cover for the first article and the marginal portion of the first blank will extend up around the sides of the second article on the outside of the second blank. This operation is repeated and the articles force each other down the tube which, after the mouth portion is passed, is of such diameter as to cause the marginal portion of the blanks to fit snugly against the outside of the side of the next succeeding article and blank. The tongued portions permit easy overlap at this stage. The paper may be waxed, coated, or of heat sealing cellophane or the like. 'A portion of the periphery of the tube may be heated by any suitable means such as a heating coil, causing the marginal portions of the blanks which are folded against the sides of the succeeding blanks to adhere thereto in a vapor-proof gas-tight seal. The article is entirely enclosed between the two blanks in an individual compartment. If desired, the die punch structure may be made hollow and the articles deposited. on the paper strip over the aperture from amagazine feed in the hollow portion of the punch. In this way the article is deposited substantilly simultaneously with the dieing out of the paper blank. A perhaps simpler construction may be obtained by employing a separate mechanism for positioning the articles. This is particularly true where some variation in size must be dealt with. If desired, pre-formed cups may be used to form the package by nesting them in the tube where the cup walls overlap and are sealed. The invention also embraces compartments formed in a plastic material wrapper by twisting the individual compartment portions. The twisting can all be in the same direction or reversed, as to alternate compartments. Pre-formed cups may also be pre-filled.

In addition to the other means for the preparation of food, disclosed herein, it is an object of the invention to use'the penicillins and the mycins, such as aureomycin, alone or together with similar and related antibiotics, which shall be selected for their disinfecting or antibiotic properties, with a minimal eflect on taste and color. These substances may be added to the foods'prior to packaging, and mixed therewith or sprayed thereon as desired. Again, the method of food preservation employed herein may utilize short sound waves which are ultrasonic in character, alone or in addition to' the irradiation discussed at length. It is also contemplated that dehydrofreezing, that 'is deep or quick freezing with small crystal formation supplemented by sublimation of the ice crystals with or without the application of a vacuum, may be incorporated as steps in the process of forming a package according to the invention. It will be understood that: in order to maintain quality 4 with minimum deleterious action on the packaged foods two or more of the above preserving means or processes may be employed in combination or successively on food to be packaged or food in the packages.

In the drawings like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary elevation in section of one form of the invention. 2

FIGURE 2 is an elevation in section of the die punch mechanism and one form of event wheel.

FIGURE 3 is a section taken along line 33 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a second form of eventwheel.

FIGURE 5 is one form of package having a formed closure of part of the wrapper.

FIGURE 6 is another form of package having an added closure member.

FIGURE 7 is a general arrangement detail showing a side elevation of a presently preferred form of individual packaging machine. 1

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of the form of machine shown in FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a side elevation of the mechanism for handling and placing articles or units to be packaged.

FIGURE 10 is an end elevation of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is a general arrangement detail showing air piping from valve to operating cylinder of the individual packaging machine.

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary sectional view along line 12-12 of FIGURE 11.

FIGURE 13 is a detail arrangement elevation of package sealing and package release.

FIGURE 14 is a'detail arrangement plan of package sealing and package release of FIGURE 13.

FIGURE 15 is a sectional elevation of a general arrangement detail of operating cylinder cutting die and punch. I

FIGURE 16 is an elevation partially in section of a general arrangement detail of air valve and the operating cam.

FIGURE 17 is a plan view of a general arrangement detail of micro-switches for operating solenoids in sealing and releasing.

FIGURE 18 is a side elevation of FIGURE 17.

FIGURE 19 is an end elevation of FIGURE 17.

FIGURE 20 is an elevation of a general arrangement detail of packing paper holder and feed.

FIGURE 21 is an end elevation of a general arrangement detail of wastepaper removal structure.

. FIGURE 22 is an end elevation of FIGURE 21.

FIGURE 23 is a schematic showing of the various treatments to which the package may be subjected in sequence.

FIGURE 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of one form of the new package. 7

FIGURE 2a is a plan view of one form of partition member.

FIGURE 30 is a section along line 33 of FIGURE 2a.

FIGURE 4a is a fragmentary portion of FIGURE 1a enlarged to show detail.

FIGURE 5a is a modification of FIGUR-E 4a.

' FIGURE 6a is a modified form of the invention.

FIGURE 7a is a plan view of the form of partition members used in FIGURE 6a.

FIGURE 8a is a section taken along line 88 of FIG- URE 7a.

FIGURE 9a is a sectional viewof a modified form of the invention.

FIGURE 10a is a plan view of one of the elements of FIGURE 9a.

FIGURE lla is a section along line 1111 of FIG- URE 10a.

FIGURE 12a is a section of a modified form of the invention. A a

FIGURE 1b is a longitudinal sectional view of one form of the new package.

FIGURE 2b is a plan view of one form of partition member.

FIGURE 3b is a section along line 33 of FIGURE 2b.

FIGURE 4b is a fragmentary portion of FIGURE 1b enlarged to show detail.

FIGURE 5b is a modification of FIGURE 411.

FIGURE 61; is a modified form of the invention.

FIGURE 71') is a plan view of the form of partition members used in FIGURE 6b.

FIGURE 8b is a section taken along line 8-8 of FIGURE 7b.

FIGURE 9b is a sectional view of a modified form of the invention.

FIGURE 10!) is a plan view of one of the elements of FIGURE 9b.

FIGURE 11b is a section along line 11-11 of FIG- URE 10b.

FIGURE 12b is a section of a modified form of the invention.

FIGURE 13b is an enlarged section of the package of FIGURE 9b Without an outer wrapper.

FIGURE 14b is an enlarged section of the package of FIGURE 9b with a modified closure.

FIGURE 15b is an enlarged section of the package of FIGURE 9b with a closure such as shown at the top of FIGURE lb.

FIGURE 16b is a modified form of the invention for packaging larger fiat units such as slices of bread, hamburger patties, cheese slices, luncheon meat, sandwiches and the like.

FIGURE 17b is a section of a modified form of package using an outer wrapper shell.

FIGURE 18b is a sectional elevation of one form of spacer or support element to be employed where the packaged contents are fragile or delicate in one sense or another.

FIGURE 19b is a section closure or spacer element which may be employed in certain forms of the invention.

One form of the invention comprises a machine frame 10 of usual construction which supports a table 11 having a central aperture 12. An annular guide ring 13 is mounted on the under side of the table 11 and surrounds aperture 12. A tapered channel 14 in ring 13 connects aperture 12 and tube 15 which is mounted on the under surface of ring 13. Aperture 12, channel 14 and tube 15 are aligned and form a continuous passage which is progressively smaller in cross sectional area from aperture 12 to the upper end of tube 15. While aperture 12 and channel 14 are shown as frusto conical and tube 15 is cylindrical it Will be understood that these elements may have polygonal, elliptical, or any other suitable cross-section to conform with or to form the packaged units or the package produced. The lower end of tube 15 may have a somewhat enlarged diameter at 16 and may be connected with another tube or slide to deliver completed packages to a box or other grouping of packages as a merchandizing sales package.

At one side of aperture 12 a narrow roll 17 of strip packaging material such as waxed paper, coated heat or pressure sealing cellophane, coated heat or pressure sealing foils or the like is mounted at 18 on frame 10 and table 11. The narrow strip 19 is lead over curved guide 20, along the upper surface of table 11 between feed rolls 21 and 22 and over aperture 12 to a very slightly raised stop edge 23 in table 11. Table 11 is constructed with its upper surface at two slightly different levels, that portion to the left of stop edge 23 in FIGURE 1 bemg higher than the portion to the right by the thickness of strip 19. Additional feed rolls 21, 22 may be provided if desired to assure that strip 19 lies flat and does not buckle.

A guide sleeve 24 is supported by frame 10 directly over aperture 12 in table 11. A cutter member 25 1S shdably 6 mounted within guide sleeve 24 and provided with an annular cutting edge 26 and radial slitting knives 27. Annular cutting edge 26 dies out a circular blank from strip 19 and radial knives 27 cut radial slits in the outer edge of the blank. Where pucker is a problem slitting knives 27 may take the form shown at 28 and remove small wedge-shaped sectors from a blank.

Centered within guide sleeve 24 is a tube 29 which makes sliding contact with an air tight packing gland 30 in the upper closed end 31 of guide sleeve 24. An annular piston plate 32 is mounted on tube 29 at 33 and slides smoothly within the guide sleeve 24. A coil spring 34 is connected at one end to the lower side of annular piston 32, at the end to to the upper side of cutter member 25 and surrounds that portion of the tube 29 between piston 32 and cutter 25. Mounting means 33 firmly unites piston 32 and tube 29, but cutter member 25 can slide relative to both sleeve 24 and tube 29 under the reaction of the cutting force exerted on strip 19 and the effect of spring 34.

Tube 29 may contain a central resilient plunger element 35 of rubber or the like as shown in FIGURE 1,

or it may contain a series of closure members 36 of card board, fiber, plastic or other material as shown in FIG- URE 3. Where closure members 36 are employed tube 29 extends upward into a supply hopper in which it reciprocates under the combined action of piston 32 and restoring spring 37. Restoring spring 37 is anchored to the inner wall of sleeve 24 by bolts 38 and acts against the under surface of piston 32. It is to be understood that although sleeve 24, cutter member 25 and tube 29 are shown as circular in cross-section they may be of any shape suitable to cooperate with aperture 12, channel 14 and tube 15.

As will be seen in FIGURE 3 the upper portion of sleeve 24 between end closure 31 and annular piston 32 comprises pneumatic cylinder to which air under suitable pressure is supplied from compressor-reservoir combination 39 by pipe 49. A combination control and bleed valve 41 is connected in pipe 40 and is operated by solenoid 42 connected in turn to control panel 43 by lead wires 44.

Closure member ejector 45 is mounted on an inner wall of sleeve 24 with the pneumatic cylinder portion. Ejector 45 comprises a pointed armature 46 movable toward closure elements 36 underthe action of energizing winding 47 connected to control panel 43 by lead wires 43. A light compression spring 49 maintains armature 46 inoperative when winding 47 is not energized. Armature 46 operates by extending through slot 50 in tube 29 and holding the column of closure members 36 stationary momentarily until the lowest element 36 is ejected from tube 29.

An article supply tube 51 is mounted on frame 161 adjacent sleeve 24. Supply tube 51 may be connected to a hopper or other supply for continuous feed of articles 52 to be packaged or the tubes 51 may be replaceable when empty. Beneath article supply tube 51 is mounted article positioning arm 53 having a curved article receiving face portion 54 and an elongate arcuate tail portion 55. Tube 51 is raised suificiently above table 11 to allow ample clearance for the passage of arm 53 and a single article 52. Arcuate tail portion supports the remaining articles 52 until arm 53 is returned. Arm 53 is operated by a spring return solenoid 56 and pivoted connecting rod 57 with suitable linkage. Solenoid 56 is connected to control panel 43 by lead wires 58.

Feed rolls 21 and 22 are driven by motor 59 connected to control panel 43 by lead wires 69. Motor 59 delivers just the right amount of strip 19 without drift.

Where the outline of cutting edge is other than rectangular an edging knife 61 is mounted on cutter member 25 by stud bolts 62 which move in slot 63 in guide sleeve 24. Trimmings are removed through cleaner channel 64 connected with a suitable source of low pressure and having a valve 65 operated by the descent of cutter member 25 or synchronized therewith through lead wires 44. Instead of using knife 61, roll 22 may be a serrating roll of a circumference equal to the length of Wrapping portion 79 and positioned close enough to aperture 12 that only a single serration 80 exists in strip 19 at any one time.

In that form of the invention which employs resilient plunger element 35 instead of closure members 36 closure of a package is effected in a different manner. A solenoid 66 is mounted on the underside of table 11. A depending arm 67 provides a pivot for bent lever arm 68 one end of which is connected to plunger 69 of solenoid 66 and the other end has a widened package engaging portion 70. An elongate slot 71 in the lower part of tube 15 permits the passage of lever portion 70 which may be curved to fit the bottom of the package. Lead wires 72 connect solenoid 66 to control panel 43 and may have a suitable delay device or network 73 in the circuit.

Top closure forming mold 74 is mounted on top of table 11 on an arm 75 which swings it clear of strip 19 which may be carried in a recessed channel in table 11. Arm 75 is mounted in and operated by a spring return solenoid 76 which is connected to control panel 43 by lead wires 77. Heating element 78 is mounted on table 11 directly above closure mold 74 and is connected to a suitable source of power.

The operation of the various elements is controlled by event timing wheel 81 shown with ten segments by way of example only. Wheel 81 is rotatably mounted on frame or table 11 by pivot 82 and driven by motor 83 with a small friction wheel 84 which bears against the outer edge of wheel 81. A cable bar 85 is mounted on pivot 82 and control panel 43 and carries a series of micro-switches connected to the various terminals of the bus bar and bus lead.

That form of the invention which utilizes closure elements 36 and forms a package 88 of eight units 52 is provided with an event timing wheel 81 with events as shown in FIGURE 2. Five micro-switches 89, 90, 91, 92 and 93 of the mercury tilt type are spaced along cable bar 85 to correspond with five

event circles

94, 95, 96, 87 and 98 on wheel 81.

The outer circle 94 is provided with eight cam-like projections 99 positioned at the leading edge of each segment 100-107, inclusive, which tilt mercury switch 89 and connect circuit 58 and solenoid 56 across the power supply to actuate arm 53 position unit 52 on strip 19 over aperture 12.

Circle 95' is provided with eight cam-like projections 110 centrally located in each of the segments 100 to 107, inclusive, to cause switch 90 to connect circuit 44 and solenoid 42 across the power supply.

Circle 96 is provided with eight cam-like projections 111 located adjacent the trailing edge of segments 100 to 106, inclusive, and 108 to cause switch 91 to connect circuit 60 across the power supply and energize motor 59.

Circle 97 is provided with a single cam-like projection 112 positioned in segment 107 to close switch 92 just before switch 90 opens. Switch 92 places circuit 48 across the power supply and actuates plunger 46 when tube 29 is in its lowest position. Switch 92 opens when tube 29 has returned the distance of the thickness of one closure unit 36. In view of the critical character of this last action it may be desirable to actuate and release plunger 46 by having tube 29 or piston 32 operate a switch in circuit 48.- A mercury tilt switch in-circuit 48 could be closed by a trip when tube 29 is in its lowest position and opened by a second trip when tube 29 has been raised the thickness of one closure unit 36.

That form of the invention which utilizes top closure forms mold 74 and forms a package 113 is provided with an event time wheel 114 which is similar to wheel 81 in the first seven segments through 106, inclusive, as shown by segments 115 through 121, inclusive. Segment 122 closes circuits 58 and 44, respectively, in the same time sequence as in segment 107 of wheel 81, but circuit 48 has been eliminated. In segment 122, circle 97, cam-like projection 125 closes switch 92 and connects circuit 77 to the power supply, actuating solenoid 76 and placing top mold 74 over aperture 12.. Switch 92 also closes circuit 72 and places solenoid 66 across the power supply through delay device 73, thus assuring top mold 74 ample time to reach its position over aperture before package engaging portion 70 forces the package 113 upward, so that form 74 folds the upper flaps of package 113 over and seals them.

Package 88 usually contains six, eight or ten merchandise units 52 each contained in individual nested establish a substantial overlap with a nested member and closely approach the bottom of the second next adjacent nested cup, leaving a narrow annular band 127 of single thickness of material such that the strength of the package 88 as a column is but slightly decreased and the opening of a single individual compartment is greatly facilitated. It is only necessary to force a fingernail against narrow band 127 to give rise to a relatively high localized stress in shear in this narrow strip of single thickness. Theclosely adjacent edge of the double wall portion provides a still resistant shearing edge which cooperates with the fingernail much like the blades of a pair of scissors. Where the cup members 126 are made of heat sealing. cellulose or other coated sheet material the nested members 126 are sealed together by a ring of sealing material adhering to, the outside of the cupshaped member 126 adjacent its bottom and adhering to the inside of the next adjacent member 126 below adjacent to its top, forming a strong unitary structural member of the nestedcup members 126. Closure 36 is preferably a little larger than the units 52 to assure a good seal under pressure as the cups 126 pass heat ring 128 surrounding tube 15. For quicker setting of the heat seal, particularly for package 113, the heating elfect of ring 128 is localized by making it part of the inner wall of tube 15 and insulating ring 128 from the rest of tube 15 with fiber, porcelain, wood or the like. Where desired, as with medicaments, closure 36 may be a folded coiled direction sheet.

Package 113 differs from package in the top closure which is formed by folding over wall portions 129 of the uppermost cup member 126 and heat sealing them. Portions 129 should butt seal together in the center and overlap radially Without the necessity of adding an outer paper disc seal. However, such thin seals can be substituted for resilient column 35 and added at the final punch operation for each package 113 if desired. To allow for variations and assure a complete closure a drop of liquid cellulose acetate cement may be added by top mold 74 to the center 130 during the forming step. Again, wall portions 129 may be of such length that they extend slightly beyond center 130.. a

The operation of the machine and formation of the package 88 is as follows:

Tube 51 is filled with units 52 to be packaged and an adequate supply from a hopper or other source is at hand. Strip 19 is advanced to stop 23 and covers aperture .12. Event timing wheel 81 is driven slowly counter-clockwise

Claims

13. THE METHOD OF PACKAGING A PLURALITY OF ARTICLES BY AUTOMATIC MACHINERY COMPRISING THE STEPS OF PLACING AN ARTICLE ON A CUP-SHAPED FIRST WRPPER ELEMENT, PLACING A SECOND ARTICLE ON A SECOND CUP-SHPED WRAPPER ELEMENT NESTING SAID SECOND CUP-SHAPED WRAPPER ELEMENT AND SAID FIRST WRAPPER ELEMENT WITH SAID FIRST ARTICLE THERETBETWEEN, CONTROLLING THE NESTING OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND WRAPPER ELEMENTS TO LIMIT THE FORCE EXERTED BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND WRAPPER ELEMENTS DURING THE NESTING THEREOF, PROVIDING OVERLAPPING SIDE WALLS OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND CUP-SHAPED WRAPPER ELEMENTS, PLACING IN A THIRD ARTICLE ON A THIRD WRAPPER ELEMENT, NESTLING SAID THIRD WRAPPER ELEMENT AND SAID SECOND WRAPPER ELEMENT WITH SAID SECOND ARTICLE THEREBETWEEN, CONTROLLING THE NESTING OF