US3094823A - Apparatus and method for forming sales packages - Google Patents

Apparatus and method for forming sales packages Download PDF

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US3094823A
US3094823A US164057A US16405762A US3094823A US 3094823 A US3094823 A US 3094823A US 164057 A US164057 A US 164057A US 16405762 A US16405762 A US 16405762A US 3094823 A US3094823 A US 3094823A
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Prior art keywords
strip material
folded
folds
longitudinally
strip
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US164057A
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Robert E Merritt
Sydnor Frank
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RENFRO HOSIERY MILLS CO
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RENFRO HOSIERY MILLS CO
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
    • B65B25/20—Packaging garments, e.g. socks, stockings, shirts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
    • B29C66/431—Joining the articles to themselves
    • B29C66/4312—Joining the articles to themselves for making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles, e.g. transversal seams
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
    • B29C66/432—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles for making tubular articles or closed loops, e.g. by joining several sheets ; for making hollow articles or hollow preforms
    • B29C66/4322—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles for making tubular articles or closed loops, e.g. by joining several sheets ; for making hollow articles or hollow preforms by joining a single sheet to itself
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/18—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/74—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area
    • B29C65/743—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area using the same tool for both joining and severing, said tool being monobloc or formed by several parts mounted together and forming a monobloc
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/112—Single lapped joints
    • B29C66/1122—Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/13—Single flanged joints; Fin-type joints; Single hem joints; Edge joints; Interpenetrating fingered joints; Other specific particular designs of joint cross-sections not provided for in groups B29C66/11 - B29C66/12
    • B29C66/133—Fin-type joints, the parts to be joined being flexible

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to an improved apparatus and method for forming packages of a continuous strip of flexible material and more particularly to an improved apparatus and method for forming bags or envelopes adapted to receive articles of wearing apparel, such as socks, to form sales display packages which prevent soiling of the articles while permitting inspection and easy removal of the articles from the packages.
  • FIGURE 1 is a somewhat schematic isometric view of the upper portion of the improved bag forming apparatus of the present invention
  • FIGURE 2 is a View similar to FIGURE 1 but omiting many of the machine parts to illustrate the manner in which the bags are formed by the improved apparatus and showing one of the completed open-ended bags with an article positioned therein;
  • FIGURE 3 schematically illustrates the apparatus for closing the open end of the bag
  • FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 except looking at the opposite side of the folded strip material and illustrating the manner in which one told of the material is slit and then guided into overlapping relationship;
  • FIGURE 6 is an isometric view of the completed package or envelope.
  • FIGURE 7 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 77 and illustrating the manner in which portions of one side of the package overlap each other to form an access opening.
  • the frame of the improved apparatus includes a vertical standard 10, a cross member 11 suitably secured to the post 10 and a pair of outwardly projecting support arms 12 and 13. One end of each of the arms 12, 13 is secured to the cross member 11 and the free ends have downwardly extending portions.
  • the support arm 13 rotatably supports a roll R of folded flexible material F which is preferably transparent and may have suitable indicia printed thereon.
  • the material F may be formed of any suitable thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene, or other type of material which is heat-scalable or material which is treated to render it heat-scalable.
  • the ends of a pair of guide rods 20 and 21 are support-ed in a bracket 22 which is fixed on the vertical support post 10 and a bracket 23.
  • a material separating rod 25 is supported in the bracket 23 for inward and outward adjustment and extends inwardly between the guide rods 20 and 21.
  • One end of a bracket 26, best shown in FIG- URE 4 is adjustably supported on the rod 25 and extends downwardly therefrom where its lower end adjustably supports a blade supporting rod 30.
  • the inner end of the blade supporting rod 30 has a sharpened blade 31 suitably secured thereto.
  • the blade 31 is positioned to slit one fold of the material F, in a manner to be later described.
  • One end of a feed roll 33 is rotatably supported in a bracket carried by the upper end of the vertical standard 10.
  • the shaft of the feed roll 33 is provided with a oneway clutch and a driving pinion 35 (FIGURE 1) which is engaged by a vertically movable rack 36.
  • the rack 36 is connected to the upper end of the piston rod of a pneumatically operable cylinder 37 which is supported on the post 10.
  • a pair of friction rollers 40 and 41 are disposed above the feed roll 33 and engage the material F as it passes thereover.
  • the friction rollers 40 and 41 are suitably supported on a rod'42, opposite ends of which are suitably supported in brackets 43, 44 adjacent opposite ends of the feed roll 33.
  • a Y-shaped material guide wire 45 engages the outer edge of one fold of the film material and is adjustably supported in one end of a support "bar 46, the other end of which is suitably secured to the arm 13.
  • the downwardly extending free end portions of the arms 12 and 13 support opposite ends of substantially V-shaped guide wires 50 and 51, the medial portions of which extend inwardly between the two folds of the material F to maintain them separated.
  • a heated material severing and sealing blade 55 is suitably supported for movement into and out of engagement with a block 56. When the blade 55 is moved into engagement with the block 56, it will simultaneously sever and seal or seam together adjacent folds of the film material F which is positioned therebetween.
  • the film material F be folded longitudinally along a medial portion before it is wound to form the roll R.
  • the material may be supplied in flat condition and in this case the apparatus could be provided with j 3 means for folding the flat film material as it feeds into the apparatus.
  • the material F is folded before it is wound onto the roll R and, for ease of description, one fold of the material is indicated at 60 and the other at 61 (FIGURE 5).
  • the folded film F passes upwardly from the roll R, above the guide rod 20, then downwardly beneath the guide rod 21 (FIGURES 2 and 5).
  • the separator rod 25 As the film F extends between the guide rods 20 and 21, the two folds 60 and 61 are separated by the separator rod 25 (FIGURES 4 and 5) which extends inwardly between the two folds of the film F.
  • the folds 60 and 61 are separated by the rod 25 (FIGURE 5)
  • the fold 60 is engaged by the blade 31 to slit the same and provide a pair of free edges which are positioned intermediate opposite edges of the fold 60.
  • the slitting of the fold 60 divides the same into two separate portions, indicated at 60a and 60b in FIGURE '4.
  • the folded film F passes upwardly from the guide rod 21, over the feed roll 33 and then downwardly therefrom.
  • the folds 60 and 61 are separated by the guide wires 50, 51 and their lower transverse edges are heat-sealed together to form an article receiving pocket therein (FIG- URES 2 and 4).
  • the outer edge of the slit portion 60b is engaged by the Y-shaped guide wire 45 and guided inwardly to cause adjacent portions of the slit portions 60a and 60b to overlap each other, as is clearly shown in FIGURES 2 and 4.
  • the two folds of the film F are held in separated position by the guide wires 50 and 51 so that an operator can easily place an article, such as a pair of socks, indicated at S in FIGURE 2, into the article receiving pocket above the joined together transverse edge of the film F.
  • the operator may actuate the apparatus and the cylinder 37 will then raise and lower the rack 36 to impart rotation to the feed roll 33 to thereby draw a predetermined length of film F from the roll R and move the pocket containing the article S below the level of the heat-sealing blade 55.
  • the film will move inwardly against the block 56 to simultaneously sever and heat-seal the folded film transversely and form an open-ended package, as shown in the lower portion of FIGURE 2.
  • This inward movement of the heated blade 55 also heat-seals the lower transverse edges of the folds 60, 61 together to form another article receiving pocket.
  • the open-ended package thus formed includes a side panel, broadly indicated at 70, and a second side panel 71 with the ends of the side panels being integrally connected together along a fold line indicated at 72 (FIGURE 7).
  • the opposite side edges of the panels 70 and '71 are joined together along heat-sealed edges indicated at 73 and 74.
  • the panel 70 is divided into two portions 70a and 70b which overlap at their juncture's to form an access opening in a medial portion of the panel 70 of the bag or envelope.
  • the open-ended envelope with the article S therein may be closed in a separate opera-tion, as shown in FIG- URE 3, or the apparatus shown in FIGURE 2 may be modified to include means for closing the open-ended envelope before it is discharged from the apparatus.
  • the open-ended envelope is positioned with one end on a bar 80 and a heated blade 81 is brought downwardly into contact with the bar 80 to simultaneously sever and heat-seal together the panel portion 70b and the panel 71 along a seam line 82 (FIGURE 7 be easily reversed by merely changing the manner in which the portion 60b of the film F is guided into overlapping relationship with the portion 60a.
  • it is possible to vary the position on the panel 70 at which the portions 70a and 70b overlap by merely changing the transverse position of the blade 31 along the width of the fold 60 of the film F.
  • the package produced with the apparatus and method of the present invention is shown containing socks S, it is to be understood that other types of articles could also be packaged.
  • the access opening formed in the panel 70 between the overlapping edges of the panel portions 70a and 70b may be utilized to inspect or remove the goods packaged therein and this access opening also allows air in the package to escape. This is important when a great number of these pack-ages are" stacked in a shipping box or the like, in which event, the packages can be compressed and will not take up as much space as they would if they were filled or partially filled with trapped air. Also, this type of package prevents the goods packaged therein from becoming soiled as very little, if any, dirt, dust and the like can enter through the access opening between the overlapped edges of the panel portions 701: and 701;.
  • An improved apparatus for forming open-ended envelopes of flexible strip material which has been folded widthwise to form a pair of juxtapositioned folds comprising (a) means for feeding the folded strip material longitudinally along a predetermined path,
  • (0) means positioned adjacent the path of travel of said strip material for positioning proximal portions of said disconnected strip material and said one fold in overlapping relationship with each other, and (d) means operatively associated with said feeding means for transversely severing and joining together the folded and overlapped strip material at longitudinally spaced points to form the side edges of the open-ended envelopes.
  • An improved apparatus for forming open-ended envelopes of flexible strip material which has been folded widthwise to form a pair of juxtapos-itioncd folds comprising (a) means for feeding, the folded strip material in a step-by-step manner and longitudinally along a pre- 7 determined path,
  • An improved apparatus for packaging articles in open-ended envelopes for-med of flexible strip material which has been folded widthwise to form a pair of juxtapositioned folds comprising (a) means for feeding the folded strip material in a step-by-step manner and longitudinally along a predetermined path,
  • An improved apparatus for packaging articles in open-ended envelopes formed of flexible strip material which has been folded widthwise to form a. pair of juxtapositioned folds comprising (a) means for feeding the folded strip material in a step-by-step manner and longitudinally along a predetermined path,
  • (0) means positioned adjacent the path of travel of said strip material for positioning proximal portions of said disconnected strip material and said one fold in overlapping relationship with each other
  • An improved apparatus for packaging articles in open-ended envelopes formed of flexible strip material which has been folded widthwise to form a pair of juxtapositioned folds comprising (a) means for feeding the folded strip material in a 6 step-by-step manner and longitudinally along a predetermined path,
  • An improved appanatus for packaging articles in open-ended envelopes formed of thermoplastic strip material which has been folded widthwise to form a pair of juxtapositioned folds said apparatus comprising (a) means for feeding the folded strip material in a step-by-step manner and longitudinally along a predetermined path,
  • (0) means positioned adjacent the path of travel of said strip material for positioning proximal portions of said disconnected strip material and said one fold in overlapping relationship with each other
  • An improved apparatus for packaging articles in open-ended envelopes comprising (a) a frame,
  • a feed roll rotatably supported on said frame and being operable to withdraw the folded strip material from the roll and feed the same in a step-by-step manner and longitudinally along a predetermined path
  • guide means adjustably supported on said frame and being positioned to engage and shift a proximal portion of said disconnected strip into overlapping relationship with a proximal portion of said one fold,
  • a method of forming open-ended envelopes of flexible strip material which has been folded widthwise to ftgrm a pair of juxtapositioned folds comprising the steps (a) slitting one of the folds of the strip longitudinally to form a disconnected strip portion,
  • a method of forming open-ended envelopes of flexible strip material which has been folded widthwise to fdrm a pair of juxtapositioned folds comprising the steps 0 (a) feeding the folded strip material longitudinally along a predetermined path,
  • a method of forming open-ended envelopes of flexible strip material which has been folded widthwise to form a pair of juxtapositioned folds comprising the steps of (a) periodically feeding predetermined lengths of the folded strip material longitudinally along a predetermined path,
  • a method of forming open-ended envelopes of flexible strip material which has been folded widthwise to form a pair of juxtapositioned folds comprising the steps of (a) periodically feeding predetermined lengths of the folded strip material longitudinally along a predetermined path,
  • a method of packaging articles in open-ended envelopes formed of flexible strip material which has been folded medially of its width to form a pair of juxtapositioned folds of substantially equal width comprising the steps of V (a) feeding the folded strip material longitudinally along a predetermined path,
  • a method of packaging articles in open-ended envelopes formed of thermoplastic strip material which has been folded medially of its width to form a pair of juxtapositioned folds of substantially equal width comprising the steps of (a) feeding the folded strip material longitudinally along a predetermined path,
  • a method of packaging articles in envelopes formed 1 of flexible strip material which has been folded medi- I ally of its width to form a pair of juxtapositioned folds of substantially equal width comprising the steps of (a) feeding the folded strip material longitudinally I along a predetermined path,
  • a method of packaging articles in open-ended envelopes formed of thermoplastic strip material which has been folded medially of its width to form a pair of juxtapositioned folds of substantially equal Width comprising the steps of (a) feeding the folded strip material in a step-by-step manner and longitudinally along a predetermined path,

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Description

June 25, 1963 R. E. MERRITT ETAL 3,094,823
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING SALES PACKAGES 2 Sheet s-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 3, 1962 INVENTORS! ROBERT E. MEREHT and FRANK SvbNoR BY $mifilwi ATTORNEYS June 25, 1963 R. E. MERRlTT ETAL 3,
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING SALES PACKAGES Filed Jan. 3, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS ROBE-RT E. MEERITT and FRANK fnvbuok ATTORNEYs United States Patent Office 3,094,823 Patented June 25, 1963 3,094,823 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING SALES PACKAGES Robert E. Merritt and Frank Sydnor, Mount Airy, N .C-, assignors to Renfro Hosiery Mills Company, Mount Airy, NC, a corporation of North Carolina Filed Jan. 3, 1962, Ser. No. 164,057 16 Claims. (Cl. 53-28) The present invention relates generally to an improved apparatus and method for forming packages of a continuous strip of flexible material and more particularly to an improved apparatus and method for forming bags or envelopes adapted to receive articles of wearing apparel, such as socks, to form sales display packages which prevent soiling of the articles while permitting inspection and easy removal of the articles from the packages.
It is well known to package articles, such as shirts, sweaters and the like in transparent bags or envelopes which are formed by folding continuous strip material longitudinally, severing and heat-sealing the folded material transversely to form open-ended bags and then heatsealing the open end to form a closed envelope encasing the article. Although, this type of package provides attractive display of the articles and prevents them from becoming soiled, it is not easy to remove the articles from the envelopes and because some air is trapped in the sealed packages, they cannot be compressed flat when being boxed for shipment.
With the foregoing inmind, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus and method for forming bags or envelopes for use in a sales package of the type having front and rear panels that are heat-sealed together at the sides and in which an access and air escape opening is formed in one panel by making the panel in two sections and overlapping adjacent portions of the two sections.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus and method which permits the economical formation of bags or envelopes of the type described from a continuous strip of thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus and method for forming sales packages, bags or envelopes of the type described wherein a folded over flexible strip of thermoplastic material is fed longitudinally, one fold of the flexible material is slit during the feeding thereof, portions of the fold adjacent the slit are guided int-o overlying relationship, and then the folded over strip material is severed and heat-sealed transversely to form open-ended bags or envelopes in which one side of the envelope is formed of two sections whose edges overlap to form an access opening.
Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1 is a somewhat schematic isometric view of the upper portion of the improved bag forming apparatus of the present invention;
FIGURE 2 is a View similar to FIGURE 1 but omiting many of the machine parts to illustrate the manner in which the bags are formed by the improved apparatus and showing one of the completed open-ended bags with an article positioned therein;
FIGURE 3 schematically illustrates the apparatus for closing the open end of the bag;
FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 except looking at the opposite side of the folded strip material and illustrating the manner in which one told of the material is slit and then guided into overlapping relationship;
folds of the strip material are separated and then slit;
FIGURE 6 is an isometric view of the completed package or envelope; and
FIGURE 7 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 77 and illustrating the manner in which portions of one side of the package overlap each other to form an access opening. I
Referring particularly to FIGURE 1, it will be noted that the frame of the improved apparatus includes a vertical standard 10, a cross member 11 suitably secured to the post 10 and a pair of outwardly projecting support arms 12 and 13. One end of each of the arms 12, 13 is secured to the cross member 11 and the free ends have downwardly extending portions. The support arm 13 rotatably supports a roll R of folded flexible material F which is preferably transparent and may have suitable indicia printed thereon. The material F may be formed of any suitable thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene, or other type of material which is heat-scalable or material which is treated to render it heat-scalable.
The ends of a pair of guide rods 20 and 21 are support-ed in a bracket 22 which is fixed on the vertical support post 10 and a bracket 23. A material separating rod 25 is supported in the bracket 23 for inward and outward adjustment and extends inwardly between the guide rods 20 and 21. One end of a bracket 26, best shown in FIG- URE 4, is adjustably supported on the rod 25 and extends downwardly therefrom where its lower end adjustably supports a blade supporting rod 30. The inner end of the blade supporting rod 30 has a sharpened blade 31 suitably secured thereto. The blade 31 is positioned to slit one fold of the material F, in a manner to be later described.
One end of a feed roll 33 is rotatably supported in a bracket carried by the upper end of the vertical standard 10. The shaft of the feed roll 33 is provided with a oneway clutch and a driving pinion 35 (FIGURE 1) which is engaged by a vertically movable rack 36. The rack 36 is connected to the upper end of the piston rod of a pneumatically operable cylinder 37 which is supported on the post 10. A pair of friction rollers 40 and 41 are disposed above the feed roll 33 and engage the material F as it passes thereover. The friction rollers 40 and 41 are suitably supported on a rod'42, opposite ends of which are suitably supported in brackets 43, 44 adjacent opposite ends of the feed roll 33.
A Y-shaped material guide wire 45 engages the outer edge of one fold of the film material and is adjustably supported in one end of a support "bar 46, the other end of which is suitably secured to the arm 13. The downwardly extending free end portions of the arms 12 and 13 support opposite ends of substantially V- shaped guide wires 50 and 51, the medial portions of which extend inwardly between the two folds of the material F to maintain them separated.
A heated material severing and sealing blade 55 is suitably supported for movement into and out of engagement with a block 56. When the blade 55 is moved into engagement with the block 56, it will simultaneously sever and seal or seam together adjacent folds of the film material F which is positioned therebetween.
Method of Operation As has been stated, it is preferred that the film material F be folded longitudinally along a medial portion before it is wound to form the roll R. However, it is to be understood that the material may be supplied in flat condition and in this case the apparatus could be provided with j 3 means for folding the flat film material as it feeds into the apparatus. I
In the present instance, the material F is folded before it is wound onto the roll R and, for ease of description, one fold of the material is indicated at 60 and the other at 61 (FIGURE 5). The folded film F passes upwardly from the roll R, above the guide rod 20, then downwardly beneath the guide rod 21 (FIGURES 2 and 5). As the film F extends between the guide rods 20 and 21, the two folds 60 and 61 are separated by the separator rod 25 (FIGURES 4 and 5) which extends inwardly between the two folds of the film F. While the folds 60 and 61 are separated by the rod 25 (FIGURE 5), the fold 60 is engaged by the blade 31 to slit the same and provide a pair of free edges which are positioned intermediate opposite edges of the fold 60.
The slitting of the fold 60 divides the same into two separate portions, indicated at 60a and 60b in FIGURE '4. The folded film F passes upwardly from the guide rod 21, over the feed roll 33 and then downwardly therefrom. The folds 60 and 61 are separated by the guide wires 50, 51 and their lower transverse edges are heat-sealed together to form an article receiving pocket therein (FIG- URES 2 and 4).
As the folded film F extends downwardly from the feed roll 33, the outer edge of the slit portion 60b is engaged by the Y-shaped guide wire 45 and guided inwardly to cause adjacent portions of the slit portions 60a and 60b to overlap each other, as is clearly shown in FIGURES 2 and 4. The two folds of the film F are held in separated position by the guide wires 50 and 51 so that an operator can easily place an article, such as a pair of socks, indicated at S in FIGURE 2, into the article receiving pocket above the joined together transverse edge of the film F.
When an article is placed in the article receiving pocket between the folds of the film F, as shown in FIGURE 2, the operator may actuate the apparatus and the cylinder 37 will then raise and lower the rack 36 to impart rotation to the feed roll 33 to thereby draw a predetermined length of film F from the roll R and move the pocket containing the article S below the level of the heat-sealing blade 55. As soon as the film has moved downwardly far enough that the article S is positioned just below the heated blade 55, it will move inwardly against the block 56 to simultaneously sever and heat-seal the folded film transversely and form an open-ended package, as shown in the lower portion of FIGURE 2. This inward movement of the heated blade 55 also heat-seals the lower transverse edges of the folds 60, 61 together to form another article receiving pocket.
The open-ended package thus formed (FIGURES 2 and 3) includes a side panel, broadly indicated at 70, and a second side panel 71 with the ends of the side panels being integrally connected together along a fold line indicated at 72 (FIGURE 7). The opposite side edges of the panels 70 and '71 are joined together along heat-sealed edges indicated at 73 and 74. The panel 70 is divided into two portions 70a and 70b which overlap at their juncture's to form an access opening in a medial portion of the panel 70 of the bag or envelope.
The open-ended envelope with the article S therein may be closed in a separate opera-tion, as shown in FIG- URE 3, or the apparatus shown in FIGURE 2 may be modified to include means for closing the open-ended envelope before it is discharged from the apparatus. As shown in FIGURE 3, the open-ended envelope is positioned with one end on a bar 80 and a heated blade 81 is brought downwardly into contact with the bar 80 to simultaneously sever and heat-seal together the panel portion 70b and the panel 71 along a seam line 82 (FIGURE 7 be easily reversed by merely changing the manner in which the portion 60b of the film F is guided into overlapping relationship with the portion 60a. Also, it is possible to vary the position on the panel 70 at which the portions 70a and 70b overlap by merely changing the transverse position of the blade 31 along the width of the fold 60 of the film F.
Although the package produced with the apparatus and method of the present invention is shown containing socks S, it is to be understood that other types of articles could also be packaged. In the completed package, the access opening formed in the panel 70 between the overlapping edges of the panel portions 70a and 70b may be utilized to inspect or remove the goods packaged therein and this access opening also allows air in the package to escape. This is important when a great number of these pack-ages are" stacked in a shipping box or the like, in which event, the packages can be compressed and will not take up as much space as they would if they were filled or partially filled with trapped air. Also, this type of package prevents the goods packaged therein from becoming soiled as very little, if any, dirt, dust and the like can enter through the access opening between the overlapped edges of the panel portions 701: and 701;.
In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.
We claim:
1. An improved apparatus for forming open-ended envelopes of flexible strip material which has been folded widthwise to form a pair of juxtapositioned folds, said apparatus comprising (a) means for feeding the folded strip material longitudinally along a predetermined path,
(b) means positioned in the path of travel of said folded strip material for longitudinally slitting one of the folds thereof to form a disconnected strip portion,
(0) means positioned adjacent the path of travel of said strip material for positioning proximal portions of said disconnected strip material and said one fold in overlapping relationship with each other, and (d) means operatively associated with said feeding means for transversely severing and joining together the folded and overlapped strip material at longitudinally spaced points to form the side edges of the open-ended envelopes.
2. An improved apparatus for forming open-ended envelopes of flexible strip material which has been folded widthwise to form a pair of juxtapositioned folds, said apparatus comprising (a) means for feeding the folded strip material in a step-by-step manner and longitudinally along a predetermined path,
(b) means positioned in the path of travel of said folded strip material for longitudinally slitting one of the folds thereof to form a disconnected strip portion,
(0) mens positioned adjacent the path of travel of said strip material for positioning proximal portions of said disconnected strip material and said one fold in overlapping relationship with each other, and
(d) means operatively associated with said feeding means for transversely severing and joining together the folded and overlapped strip material following each step-by-step movement to form the side edges of the open-ended envelopes.
3. An improved apparatus for forming open-ended envelopes of flexible strip material which has been folded widthwise to form a pair of juxtapos-itioncd folds, said apparatus comprising (a) means for feeding, the folded strip material in a step-by-step manner and longitudinally along a pre- 7 determined path,
(b) means positioned in the path of travel of said folded strip material for separating the two folds of strip material,
(c) means positioned in the path of travel of said folded trip material for longitudinally slitting one of the separated folds thereof to form a disconnected strip portion,
(d) guide means positioned to engage said disconnected strip portion and position an edge portion thereof in overlapping relationship with a corresponding edge portion of said one fold, and
(e) means operatively associated with said feeding means for transversely severing and joining together the folded and overlapped strip material following each step-by-step movement to form the side edges of the open-ended envelopes.
4. An improved apparatus for packaging articles in open-ended envelopes for-med of flexible strip material which has been folded widthwise to form a pair of juxtapositioned folds, said apparatus comprising (a) means for feeding the folded strip material in a step-by-step manner and longitudinally along a predetermined path,
(b) means positioned in the path of travel of said folded strip material for longitudinally slitting one of the folds thereof as it is fed longitudinally to form a disconnected strip portion,
() means positioned adjacent the path of travel of said strip material for positioning proximal portions of said disconnected strip material and said one fold in overlapping relationship with each other,
(d) means operatively associated with said feeding means for transversely severing and joining together the folded and overlapped strip material following each step-by-step movement to form the side edges of the open-ended envelopes, and
(2) means positioned between said slitting means and said severing means for separating the folds of the strip material to form an article receiving pocket adapted to receive an article before each feeding step.
5. An improved apparatus for packaging articles in open-ended envelopes formed of flexible strip material which has been folded widthwise to form a. pair of juxtapositioned folds, said apparatus comprising (a) means for feeding the folded strip material in a step-by-step manner and longitudinally along a predetermined path,
(b) a blade supported for widthwise adjustment and in engagement with one fold of the strip material for longitudinally slitting the same as it is fed longitudinally to form a disconnected strip portion,
(0) means positioned adjacent the path of travel of said strip material for positioning proximal portions of said disconnected strip material and said one fold in overlapping relationship with each other,
(d) means operatively associated with said feeding means for transversely severing and joining together the folded and overlapped strip material following each step-by-step movement to form the side edges of the open-ended envelopes, and
(e) means positioned between said slitting means and said severing means for separating thefolds of the strip material to form an article receiving pocket adapted to receive an article before each feeding step.
6. An improved apparatus for packaging articles in open-ended envelopes formed of flexible strip material which has been folded widthwise to form a pair of juxtapositioned folds, said apparatus comprising (a) means for feeding the folded strip material in a 6 step-by-step manner and longitudinally along a predetermined path,
(b) a separator rod supported to extend inwardly between the folds of the strip material and separate the same,
(c) a blade supported for widthwise adjustment and in engagement with one separated fold of the strip material for longitudinally slitting the same as it is fed longitudinally to form a disconnected strip portion,
(d) means positioned adjacent the path of travel of said strip material for positioning proximal portions of said disconnected strip material and said one fold in overlapping relationship with each other,
(e) means operatively associated with said feeding means for transversely severing and joining together the folded and overlapped strip material following each step-by-step movement to form the side edges of the open-ended envelopes, and
(f) means positioned between said slitting means and said severing means for separating the folds .of the strip material to form' an article receiving pocket adapted to receive an article before each feeding step.
7. An improved appanatus for packaging articles in open-ended envelopes formed of thermoplastic strip material which has been folded widthwise to form a pair of juxtapositioned folds, said apparatus comprising (a) means for feeding the folded strip material in a step-by-step manner and longitudinally along a predetermined path,
(b) means positioned in the path of travel of said folded strip material for longitudinally slitting one of the folds thereof as it is led longitudinally to form a disconnected strip portion,
(0) means positioned adjacent the path of travel of said strip material for positioning proximal portions of said disconnected strip material and said one fold in overlapping relationship with each other,
(d) means operatively associated with said feeding means for transversely severing and heat-sealing together the folded and overlapped strip material following each step-by-step movement to form the side edges of the open-ended envelopes, and
(e) means positioned between said slitting means and said severing means for separating the folds of the strip material to form an article receiving pocket adapted to receive an article before each feeding step.
8. An improved apparatus for packaging articles in open-ended envelopes comprising (a) a frame,
(b) means supported by said frame for rotatably supporting a roll of thermoplastic strip material which has been folded medially of its Width to form a pair of juxtapositioned folds of substantially equal width,
(0) a feed roll rotatably supported on said frame and being operable to withdraw the folded strip material from the roll and feed the same in a step-by-step manner and longitudinally along a predetermined path,
(d) a blade adjustably supported on said frame and being positioned to slit one of the folds of the strip material longitudinally as it is fed longitudinally to form a disconnected strip portion,
(e) guide means :adjustably supported on said frame and being positioned to engage and shift a proximal portion of said disconnected strip into overlapping relationship with a proximal portion of said one fold,
( means operatively associated with said feed roll for transversely severingand heat-sealing the folded and overlapped strip material following each feeding step to form the side edges of the open-ended envelopes and separate the open-ended envelopes from the folded strip material, and
(g) a pair of V-shaped guide wires supported on said frame and being positioned to extend between and separate the two folds of strip material following the slitting of said one fold to form an article receiving pocket adapted to receive an article before each feeding step.
9. A method of forming open-ended envelopes of flexible strip material which has been folded widthwise to ftgrm a pair of juxtapositioned folds comprising the steps (a) slitting one of the folds of the strip longitudinally to form a disconnected strip portion,
(b) positioning proximal portions of said disconnected strip portion and said one fold in overlapping relationship with each other, and
(c) transversely severing and joining together the folded and overlapped strip material at longitudinally spaced points to form the side edges of the open-ended envelopes.
10. A method of forming open-ended envelopes of flexible strip material which has been folded widthwise to fdrm a pair of juxtapositioned folds comprising the steps 0 (a) feeding the folded strip material longitudinally along a predetermined path,
(b) slitting one of the folds of the strip material longitudinally to form a disconnected strip portion,
(c) positioning proximal portions of said disconnected strip portion and said one fold in overlapping relationship with each other, and
(d) transversely severing and joining together the folded and overlapped strip material at longitudinally spaced points to form the side edges of the openended envelopes.
11. A method of forming open-ended envelopes of flexible strip material which has been folded widthwise to form a pair of juxtapositioned folds comprising the steps of (a) periodically feeding predetermined lengths of the folded strip material longitudinally along a predetermined path,
(b) slitting one of the folds of the strip material longitudinally to form a disconnected strip portion,
(c) guiding the disconnected strip portion to position proximal portions of said disconnected strip portion and said one fold in overlapping relationship with each other, and
(d) transversely severing and joining together the folded and overlapped strip material following each periodic feeding step to form the side edges of the open-ended envelopes.
12. A method of forming open-ended envelopes of flexible strip material which has been folded widthwise to form a pair of juxtapositioned folds comprising the steps of (a) periodically feeding predetermined lengths of the folded strip material longitudinally along a predetermined path,
(b) separating the two folds of strip material,
(0) longitudinally slitting one of the separated folds of the strip material while it is being fed to form a disconnected strip portion,
(0!) positioning proximal portions of said disconnected strip portion and said one fold in overlapping relationship with each other, and
(e) transversely severing and joining together the folded and overlapped strip material following each periodic feeding step to form the side edges of the open-ended envelopes.
13. A method of packaging articles in open-ended envelopes formed of flexible strip material which has been folded medially of its width to form a pair of juxtapositioned folds of substantially equal width comprising the steps of V (a) feeding the folded strip material longitudinally along a predetermined path,
(12) slitting one of the folds of the strip material longitudinally to form a disconnected strip portion,
(0) guiding the strip material to overlap proximal portions of said disconnected strip portion and said one fold with each other,
(d) transversely severing and joining together the folded and overlapped strip material along a predetermined seam line,
(e) separating the folds of strip material adjacent the transverse seam to form an article receiving pocket between the folds,
(f) placing an article in the article receiving pocket between the folds,
(g) again longitudinally feeding the folded strip material with the article positioned between the folds, and
(h) again transversely severing and joining together the folded strip closely adjacent the side of the article opposite the first formed transverse seam to complete the open-ended envelope and separate the same from the folded strip material.
14. A method of packaging articles in open-ended envelopes formed of thermoplastic strip material which has been folded medially of its width to form a pair of juxtapositioned folds of substantially equal width comprising the steps of (a) feeding the folded strip material longitudinally along a predetermined path,
([1) slitting one of the folds of the strip material longitudinally to form a disconnected strip portion,
(c) guiding the strip material to overlap proximal portions of said disconnected strip portion and said one fold with each other,
(d) transversely severing and heat-sealing together the folded and overlapped strip material along a predetermined seam line,
(e) separating the folds of strip material adjacent the transverse seam to form an article receiving pocket between the fold-s,
(f) placing an article in the article receiving pocket between the folds,
(g) again longitudinally feeding the folded strip material with the article positioned between the folds, and
\(h) again transversely severing and heat-sealing together the folded strip closely adjacent the side of the article opposite the first formed transverse seam to complete the open'ended envelope and separate the same from the folded strip material.
15. A method of packaging articles in envelopes formed 1 of flexible strip material which has been folded medi- I ally of its width to form a pair of juxtapositioned folds of substantially equal width comprising the steps of (a) feeding the folded strip material longitudinally I along a predetermined path,
(b) slitting one of the folds of the strip material longitudinally to form :a disconnected strip portion,
(c) guiding the strip material to overlap proximal portions of said disconnected strip portion and said one fold with each other,
(d) transversely severing and joining [together the folded and overlapped strip material along a predetermined seam line,
(e) separating the folds of strip material adjacent the transverse seam to form an article receiving pocket between the folds,
(f) placing an article in the article receiving pocket between the folds,
(g) again longitudinally feeding the folded strip material with the article positioned between the folds, and
(it) again transversely severing and joining together the folded strip closely adjacent the side of the article opposite the first formed transverse seam to complete the open-ended envelope and separate the same from the folded strip material, and
(i) joining together the disconnected strip portion and the juxtapositioned fold of strip material along a line extending at right angles to the second-formed seam and adjacent the open end of the envelope to close the same.
16. A method of packaging articles in open-ended envelopes formed of thermoplastic strip material which has been folded medially of its width to form a pair of juxtapositioned folds of substantially equal Width comprising the steps of (a) feeding the folded strip material in a step-by-step manner and longitudinally along a predetermined path,
(11) longitudinally slitting one of the folds of the moving strip material to form a disconnected strip portion,
() engaging the disconnected strip portion to shift the same and overlap proximal portions of said disconnected strip portion and said one fold with each other,
(d) transversely severing and heat-sealing together the folded and overlapped strip material along a predetermined seam line,
(e) separating the folds of strip material adjacent the transverse seam to form an article receiving pocket between the folds,
(f) placing an article in the article receiving pocket between the folds,
(g) again longitudinally feeding the folded strip material with the article positioned between the folds, and
(it) again transversely severing and heat-sealing together the folded strip closely adjacent the side of the article opposite the first formed transverse seam to complete the open-ended envelope and separate the same from the folded strip material, and
(i) severing and heat-sealing the envelope adjacent its open end and along a line extending at right angles to the side seams to join together the disconnected strip portion and the juxtapositioned fold and close the envelope.
No references cited.

Claims (1)

1. AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR FORMING OPEN-ENDED ENVELOPES OF FLEXIBLE STRIP MATERIAL WHICH HAS BEEN FOLDED WIDTHWISE TO FORM A PAIR OF JUXTAPOSITIONED FOLDS, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING (A) MEANS FOR FEEDING THE FOLDED STRIP MATERIAL LONGITUDINALLY ALONG A PREDETERMINED PATH, (B) MEANS POSITIONED IN THE PATH OF TRAVEL OF SAID FOLDED STRIP MATERIAL FOR LONGITUDINALLY SLITTING ONE OF THE FOLDS THEREOF TO FORM A DISCONNECTED STRIP PORTION, (C) MEANS POSITIONED ADJACENT THE PATH OF TRAVEL OF SAID STRIP MATERIAL FOR POSITIONING PROXIMAL PORTIONS OF SAID DISCONNECTED STRIP MATERIAL AND SAID ONE FOLD IN OVERLAPPING RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH OTHER, AND (D) MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID FEEDING MEANS FOR TRANSVERSELY SEVERING AND JOINING TOGETHER THE FOLDED AND OVERLAPPED STRIP MATERIAL AT LONGITUDINALLY SPACED POINTS TO FORM THE SIDE EDGES OF THE OPEN-ENDED ENVELOPES.
US164057A 1962-01-03 1962-01-03 Apparatus and method for forming sales packages Expired - Lifetime US3094823A (en)

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Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5027684A (en) * 1973-07-13 1975-03-20
JPS5189064U (en) * 1975-01-10 1976-07-16
JPS51100886A (en) * 1975-02-26 1976-09-06 Kyosaburo Inoe
FR2487292A1 (en) * 1980-07-23 1982-01-29 Schwarz Karl Garment bagging machine - pulls tubular bag length over garment hanging in a cabinet then seals and cuts bag
US4590747A (en) * 1984-05-11 1986-05-27 Robert Alameda Positive displacement filling machine
WO2001044052A1 (en) * 1999-12-14 2001-06-21 K.C. Technical Services, Inc. Vertical bagging apparatus

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5027684A (en) * 1973-07-13 1975-03-20
JPS5189064U (en) * 1975-01-10 1976-07-16
JPS51100886A (en) * 1975-02-26 1976-09-06 Kyosaburo Inoe
FR2487292A1 (en) * 1980-07-23 1982-01-29 Schwarz Karl Garment bagging machine - pulls tubular bag length over garment hanging in a cabinet then seals and cuts bag
US4590747A (en) * 1984-05-11 1986-05-27 Robert Alameda Positive displacement filling machine
WO2001044052A1 (en) * 1999-12-14 2001-06-21 K.C. Technical Services, Inc. Vertical bagging apparatus
EP1248727A1 (en) * 1999-12-14 2002-10-16 K.C. Technical Services Inc. Vertical bagging apparatus
US6775962B1 (en) * 1999-12-14 2004-08-17 K.C. Technical Services, Inc. Vertical bagging apparatus
EP1248727A4 (en) * 1999-12-14 2006-04-12 K C Technical Services Inc Vertical bagging apparatus

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