US3736722A - Packaging machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine is provided with a conveyor provided with a series of platens having package-shaped recesses for carrying a first strip of paper initially past a first product discharge and compressing station where the product is given the desired shape, and then past a second station where a second strip of paper deposited upon the first paper strip and the compressed product is heat sealed to the first paper strip and the package is completed and separated from the two strips.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Rosenberg 51 June 5, 1973 [541 PACKAGING MACHINE 3,589,913 6/1971 Rosenberg ..53/28 [75] Inventor, Harry Rosenberg, Springfield, Ni 2,695,483 11/1954 Toews .s3/1s2 x [73] Assignee: New Jersey Machine Corporation, P i r Examiner-Travis S. McGehee Hoboken, N-J- Attorney-Sylvester J. Liddy. John .1. Hart, Joe E. 221 Filed: July 1,1971 Daniels 6131- [21] [57] ABSTRACT Appl. No.: 158,744

US. Cl ..53/l24 E, 53/182, 53/184, 53/204 Int. Cl ..B65b 63/02, B65b 9/04 Field of Search ..-53/24, 28, 124 E, 53/1'82,184,13, 204

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1965 Eitzen ..53/24 The machine is provided with a conveyor provided with a series of platens having package-shaped recesses for carrying a first strip of paper initially past a first product discharge and compressing station where the product is given the desired shape, and then past a second station where a second strip of paper deposited upon the first paper strip and the compressed product is heat sealed to the first paper strip and the package is completed and separated from the two strips.

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IN VENTOR HARE) ROSENBERG Arum/s Y PACKAGING MACHINE The present application relates to packaging machines for making packages of the type disclosed in my pending application, Ser. No. 498,354, filed Oct. 20, 1965, and more particularly to a packaging machine for making doughnut-shaped packages from porous sheet material and simultaneously filling the doughnutshaped package as it is being formed with pulverulent material such as coffee to provide a package for use in a conventional percolator coffee maker.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved packaging machine which can make filled doughnut-shaped packages dependably and efficiently on a mass production basis.

Other and further objects will become apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example, a machine embodying the invention constructed to make coffee packages on a mass production basis, and wherein FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view of the machine showing the conveyor for feeding a first strip of paper past a filling and compressing station where the pulverulent material is given a doughnut shape, and showing the feeding of a second cover strip of paper over the compressed material and under the heatsealing and cut-off station;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, detailed, isometric view with the supporting frame omitted for clarity and showing the conveyor chain with the package supporting platens thereon being fed through the filling and compressing station and showing the manner in which the cover paper is applied over the compressed material and the package sealed and severed at the second sealing and cut-off station;

FIG. 3 is a partial plan view looking along the line 33 of FIG. 2, and showing the clam-shaped scrapers in open position for moving coffee to the central opening of the platform and upon a portion of the first strip of paper supported on a package supporting platen therebelow;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in FIGS. 2 and 3 and showing the coffee on the first strip of paper being compressed by the compressor into the doughnut-shaped article;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary schematic view showing the timing machanism for operating the switches which control the solenoids that open and close the valves for operating the air cylinders and the conveyor in timed relation in making the packages; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective of a modification of the sealing and cutting portion of the apparatus which is constructed to close the center of the doughnut-shaped packages with eyelets.

Briefly, the present invention for making porous doughnut-shaped packages of coffee for use in percolators includes a chain conveyor composed of square platens having annular or doughnut-shaped recesses provided on the upper surfaces thereof, a platform having an opening through which coffee is dropped onto a portion of the paper strip overlying a platen recess and with which is associated means to compress the coffee into a doughnut shape, and vacuum means to retain the compressed cofiee mass in proper position on the paper portion in the recess. The platen with the coffee deposited and compressed thereon are fed under a second strip of paper toward a sealing and cutting station where a second strip of paper is superimposed on and intimately secured to the first paper strip around the periphery of the doughnut-shaped mass of coffee and at the center thereof.

The aforesaid operations are generally shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, wherein the conveyor C which is composed of a chain running over sprockets S,S, carries a first strip of paper P from a supported reel R thereof under a filling and compressing first station P where charges of the coffee are successively deposited onto such paper strip and formed into doughnutshaped masses D thereon. The doughnut-shaped masses D then successively pass under a second strip of paper P feeding from a supported reel R thereof and under a heat-sealing and cutting second station H. At the second station, the second strip of paper P is effectively connected both around the periphery of each doughnut-shaped mass D of coffee and at the center of such mass. At the second station I-I also, the excess paper adhered around the periphery of the coffee mass is cut away and a hole is punched through the paper in the center of such mass to enable a coffee percolator pipe to pass therethrough. The completed packages may then be discharged from the conveyor C into any suitable collector I.

As will be seen from a comparison of FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the conveyor C includes an endless chain 10 which is supported at its ends on the sprockets 8,8 and intermediate such sprockets passes through a guide channel 11 formed in the frame member 11' fixedly mounted on the machine frame. The chain 10 carries a plurality of platens 12 each having a doughnut-shaped recess 13 formed therein with a peripheral knife-receiving groove 14 surrounding the outer periphery of such recess. At the central portion of the platen enclosed by the recess 13, the platen is provided with a shallow seat 15 in which is mounted a rubber washer 15'. The central portion of the platen at the center of the seat 15 thereof is also provided with a central aperture 16 which is lined with a hardened tubular insert 16' for cooperation with a punch. The washer 15 has a central aperture that is in alignment with the opening in the insert 16'.

Each platen 12 has within the area of the recess 13 thereof a plurality of apertures 17 which extend therethrough and communicate with an annular groove 18 in the bottom of the platen 12. Fixed to the bottom of each platen 12 is a plate 19 which has one or more apertures l9 therethrough that are in communication with vacuum grooves 20 provided in the portion of the frame member 11 forming the bottom wall of the channel 11. The grooves 20 communicate with feed conduits 20' which are connected to a suitable source of vacuum which is capable of providing sufficient vacuum to retain both the portion of the paper P on which has been formed the compressed ring of coffee and such coffee ring within the doughnut-shaped recess 13, and which has associated therewith suitable means for maintaining the vacuum at all times. Between adjacent platens 12 a gasket of rubberlike material 21 prevents the loss of the vacuum from the groove 20 which extends along the frame member 11' throughout the length of travel of the platens through the filling and compressing station F and into the heat sealing and cutting station I-I (note FIG. 1 Thus, the paper P and the coffee ring are maintained in each doughnut-shaped recess 13 until the vacuum is released by the platen 12 in which such recess is formed passing beyond the end of the groove 20 formed in the frame member 11.

The paper strip P and the platen' 12 are fed under a platform 22 which has an aperture 22 therethrough that is located directly over and successively comes into registration with the paper covered recess 13 of each cooperating platen 12. The conveyor C is intermittently stopped in this position with a suitable accurate indexing action which is accomplished by an air cylinder 23 in FIG. 2 suitably supported on the machine frame and successively forcing a follower 23F into the notches 23N provided in the edges of the platens 12. The air cylinder 23 is controlled by a timing mechanism T in FIG. 5, that, as is hereinafter pointed out, drives suitable cams to operate switches which control solenoid valves connected to the various air cylinders used in this machine, and which also control the accurate starting and stopping of the motor for the conveyor C, with the control for such conveyor motor being a solenoid released brake that is aPplied by a spring in a well-known manner, and therefore, not shown in detail.

Nesting within the opening 22' of the platform 22 is a clamping ring 24 which is connected to the legs 25,25 of an arch member which also includes a cross bar 26 mounted of such legs. The arch member is vertically movable by means of air cylinders 27,27 suitably supported on the frame of the machine and connected to the ends of the cross bar 26 which project beyond the legs 25,25. When air under pressure is supplied to the air cylinders 27,27 the clamping ring 24 through the cross bar 26 and legs 25,25, is forced into contact with the portion of the paper P which surrounds the recess 13 in the platen 12 registered with the opening 22. Also, supported in depending relation from the cross arm 26 of the arch member is a rod 28, the lower end of which engages the central portion of the paper P overlying the platen recess 13 and forces it against the rubber-like washer As a result of the combined clamping actions of the ring 24 and rod 28, the web of paper or other suitable material covering the registered platen recess 13 is effectively retained in the condition shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings.

After the paper is clamped by the ring 24 and rod 28 and while the compressor member 29 is in the raised full line position shown in FIG. 2 and in the dotted line position shown in FIG. 4, coffee is deposited on the platform 22 by a plurality of funnel- shaped chutes 30,30 between a pair of clam- shaped jaws 31,32. The jaws 31, 32 are mounted on pins 3l',32 for pivotal movements about the axii of such pins and have integrally formed therewith gear segments 31G, 326, which enclose and connect the jaws to such pins. The segment 316 has a lever arm 31L which is connected to and controlled by an air cylinder 31C which is operable after coffee is deposited on the platform 22 to actuate the jaws 3l,32 to gather the coffee charge deposited on the platform 22 and wipe it over the top of the compression ring 24 and onto the portion of the paper P covering the doughtnut-shaped recess 13.

Thereafter, the compression member 29 which is provided with a suitably shaped annular recess 29R on its bottom surface, is moved downwardly to its compressive position shown in solid lines in FIG. 4 and coacts with the rod 28 and the clamping ring 24 to compress the coffee into a doughnut-shaped mass D on the paper P. The compressor member 29 is supported on the lower end of a cylindrical member 33 which has suitable openings 330 to guide the vertical movements of the cross bar 26 and to permit relative movement between the cylindrical member 33 and the arch-shaped member constituted of the members 25, 25, 26 and thereby to permit independent operation of such parts. The cylindrical member 33 is provided with a threaded end wall 33E in FIG. 4 which receives the threaded end of the piston rod 33F of an air cylinder'33C mounted on the frame work in any suitable manner.

After the doughnut-shaped mass D is formed and compressed, the compression element 29 is raised by reverse operation of cylinder 33C and then the archshaped member 25,25, 26 is raised thereby raising the rod 28 and the clamping ring 24 to free the compressed doughnut-shaped mass D. The conveyor C is then operated one step to bring the next adjacent platen 12 under the filling and compressing station F and to position a previously advanced platen 12 on which has been formed a compressed mass D under the heat-sealing and cutting means located at the station I-I. As previously indicated the proper registrations of the platens 12 at stations F and H are obtained by the coaction of the cam follower 23F with a recess 23N in the platen 12 that will be registered at station H. As indicated in the drawings, the heat-sealing and cutting station I-I may be spaced from the filling and compressing station F by one platen l2 and includes a closed hollow cutting cylinder 35 having a cutting edge 35A on its lower edge which engages in the groove 14 in the platen to sever the superimposed layers of paper P and P. The cutting cylinder is connected to the piston rod 37R of an air cylinder 37.

Mounted for sliding movement within the cutter cylinder 35 is a presser member 36 of cylindrical shape having a doughnut-shaped recess 36R in its bottom surface which comes into engagement with the paper strip P overlying the compressed mass D on the registered platen 12. The presser member 36 also has a peripheral presser portion 36F and a central presser portion 36C which cooperate with respectively, the corresponding portions of the platen 12 adjacent to the opening 22' thereof and the washer 15' at'the center of the platen 12 to press the paper P into sealing contact with the paper P. As indicated in FIG. 2, the presser member 36 is normally urged beyond the cutting edge 35A of the cutting cylinder 35 by springs 368 located between the peripheral presser portion 36? and the top wall of the cutter 35. The member 36 is prevented from excess movement in such direction by a suitable stop 34 thereon engaging the lower end of a recess in the wall of cylinder 35. The cylinder 35 with the presser member 36 are moved axially by the air cylinder 37 in timed relation with the conveyor C by the timing mechanism Tin FIG. 5, in both the operative direction of sealing and cutting, and in the inoperative direction in which the cylinder 35 and the member 36 are moved away from the platen 12.

Suitable heating elements 36H are provided to maintain the sealing member 36 in proper heated condition to join the plys of paper P and P when engaged by the presser portions 36? and 36C. The paper plys are provided with a heat-sealing coating which permanently secures the sheets of paper together under such heated pressure application. While the two sheets P and P are being so adhered together, the cutting edge 35A cuts out the doughnut-shaped package from the paper strips P and P. Centrally of the pressure member 36 is a punch member 38 which is urged by a spring 388 to a projected position in which it cooperates with the hardened insert 16 lining the central opening 16 in the platen 12 to cut an aperture through the two plys of paper at the center of the package, thereby enabling the package to be readily threaded on the vertical pipe of a coffee percolator. Suitable coacting stop elements 38E are provided to limit the movements of the punch member 38. The conveyor C is then advanced another step, and during each step-by-step movement thereof, a completed package 45 is discharged from the endmost platen 12 as it moves from the top conveyor run at the end of the conveyor C and into a collector I for assembly of the completed packages into a desired number.

Alternatively the center of the doughnut-shaped package may be secured together by an eyelet by the mechanism shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings. The heatsealing structure shown in FIG. 6 is similar to the above described mechanism at station H except that it has been modified by providing a slot in the top of the cylindrical cutter supporting member 35Z and providing a slot in the presser member 36Z through which slots an eyelet guide 40 is extended. As is customary in such devices, the eyelet guide is provided with means at its discharge end to position a flanged eyelet 40E at the center of the cooperating registered platen 12. In the registered position of the platen 12, a set cap 40Y with its spindle 40X is positioned in alignment with the center opening 16 in the platen so that the set spindle 40X can impale a registered eyelet 40B and carry such eyelet through the center of the doughnut-shaped package and against the set die 40D which is arranged to pass upwardly through the opening 16 in the center of the platen 12 and cooperate with the set cap and spindle 40Y and 40X, respectively, in a well-known manner to secure'the eyelet to the paper sheets P and P at the center of the package. The set cap 40Y may be arranged to move vertically'by a separate air cylinder through a hollow piston rod in the air cylinder 37C and the set die 40D may be moved into position by an air cylinder in a similar manner, the eyelet 40E forming a hole through the paper during such operation and serving as the punch to produce the center hole in the package.

From the above description of the operation of the machine, it is believed to be obvious that the conveyor C is moved by the timing mechanism T a step at a time by control of a motor and brake drive and stop with accurate indexing being accomplished by the follower 23F engaging the notches 23N in the edges of the platens 12. The paper P is fed from the supply roll R through a pinch roller PR onto the conveyor C and into contact with the cooperating platen 12 moving upwardly into the start of the top run of such conveyor. As the plate 12 enters into the guide channel 11 a vacuum is applied to the paper P through the vacuum supplied through the platen 12 from the manifold and press plate structure of channel 11. The coffee is fed through the funnel hoppers 30,30 onto the platform 21 while the paper P is clamped against the platen 12 by the ring 24 and the rod 28. The charge of coffee deposited on the platform 21 is moved into the doughnutshaped recess 13 by the clam jaws 31,32. Thereafter, the presser member 29 compresses the coffee into the doughnut-shaped form D. The coffee in its compressed condition is a solid mass that enables the vacuum applied to the paper to obtain an effective positive grip such as to hold both the paper and the compressed coffee securely on the recess 13 until the end of the groove 20 has been reached. After such compressing operation, the clamping ring 24, the rod 28 and the compressing member 29 are withdrawn upwardly and the conveyor is moved a step so that the next platen comes into position for such operation. Simultaneously an advance platen carrying a previously formed doughnut mass will be moved into registered position at the heatsealing and cutting station H and a completed package 45 will be discharged into the collector I. Just prior to the entry of the advance platen 12 into station H a paper layer P from the reel R will be deposited thereon by a suitable guide roller P'R. When the advance platen comes into registration at station H, the cutting and pressing structures 35 and 36, will be moved downwardly to heat-seal the periphery of the doughnut-shaped package outwardly of the mass of coffee and to heat-seal the center of the doughnutshaped package while simultaneously cutting a hole through the center thereby completing the package. The severance of the completed package from the paper strips P,P leaves two superimposed webs of paper which are engaged at their extreme edges by paper feed rollers P'G which cooperate with roller P'R to advance the webs of paper in proper relation into station H for the completion of the next package. The finished packages 45 are collected in the I and subsequently assembled for sale and use.

As shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, the timing mechanism T includes a drive motor which is controlled by a control dial T to vary the speed of an output shaft T carrying a plurality of cams T of suitable shape to operate cooperating switches T opening or closing contacts connected by conductors T to solenoid controlled valves for controlling air pressure to the various air cylinders and to the motor and brake for controlling the movements of the conveyor C, whereby the sequence of operations described above will be positively accomplished.

The heating coils 36H in the presser 36 at station H are provided with a source of electricity and a thermostatic control to provide the correct heat for the sealing areas 36? and 36C of the sealing cylinder 36. The coffee will be supplied in measured quantities to the hoppers 30,30 with the feed controlled by a cam on timer shaft T.

While I have illustrated and described by way of example, preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made in the specific disclosed structures within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A machine for making doughnut-shaped packages of pulverulent material, such as coffee, comprising a conveyor having a series of doughnut-shaped depressions to form doughnut-shaped cavities for the coffee, means operable during a period of swell of said conveyor to grip the web around the periphery and within the interior of a doughnut-shaped cavity, to feed a quantity of material into such cavity while the web is so gripped, and to compress the material into a doughnutshaped mass in said cavity while the web is so gripped,

means to feed a second web over said first web and said compressed doughnut-shaped mass, and means to seal the webs together around the periphery and center of said compressed doughnut-shaped mass.

2. A machine for making doughnut-shaped packages of pulverulent material such as coffee comprising a conveyor, means to feed a web onto said conveyor, means to hold the web on the conveyor forming a cavity for the coffee, said holding means comprising a plurality of platens forming part of said conveyor and each having a doughnut-shaped recess therein for receiving the first web and the coffee, said conveyor being supported on a channeled frame member, a platen mounted above the conveyor, means to feed a measured quantity of coffee into such cavity, means to compress the material into a doughnutshaped mass, said means for feeding a measured quantity of coffeeinto said doughnut-shaped cavity initially depositing the same on said platform, the platform being provided with an opening registering with the doughnut-shaped recess in the underlying platen, and said coffee feeding means comprising clam-shaped members to move the coffee on the platform through the platform opening therethrough and into such recess, means to move the conveyor, sealing and cutting means in the line of feed of the conveyor, means to feed a second web over the doughnut-shaped mass, means. to seal the webs together along the periphery of the doughnut-shaped mass and the center, and means to'. operate the holding and sealing means in timed relation with the movement of the conveyor.

3. A machine in accordance with claim 1, in which said operable means includes an annular web gripping means movable into gripping relation with the portion of said first web around the periphery of the doughnutshaped cavity, a gripping member movable into gripping relation with the web forming the central portion of said cavity, means to feed a quantity of material into the space between said annular gripping means and said gripping member, and an annular compression member located between said annular gripping means and said gripping member, said annular gripping means, gripping member and compression member cooperating with the conveyor depression to compress the deposited material into a doughnut-shape.

4. A machine in accordance with claim 3 in which said operable means includes a platform having an opening registerable with a conveyor depression, said annular gripping means, gripping member and compression member being movable in said platform opening, and said annular gripping means when gripping said first web being no higher than the top surface of said platform, said material feeding means including means to deposit the material on the top surface of said platform around the opening thereof, and means to sweep the deposited material over said annular gripping means and into the space between the latter and said gripping member.

'5. A machine in accordance with claim 1, in which said sealing means includes eyelet applying means for securing the center portions of the two webs together while providing an opening through the center of the package formed by the two sealed webs.

Claims (5)

1. A machine for making doughnut-shaped packages of pulverulent material, such as coffee, comprising a conveyor having a series of doughnut-shaped depressions to form doughnut-shaped cavities for the coffee, means operable during a period of swell of said conveyor to grip the web around the periphery and within the interior of a doughnut-shaped cavity, to feed a quantity of material into such cavity while the web is so gripped, and to compress the material into a doughnut-shaped mass in said cavity while the web is so gripped, means to feed a second web over said first web and said compressed doughnut-shaped mass, and means to seal the webs together around the periphery and center of said compressed doughnut-shaped mass.

2. A machine for making doughnut-shaped packages of pulverulent material such as coffee comprising a conveyor, means to feed a web onto said conveyor, means to hold the web on the conveyor forming a cavity for the coffee, said holding means comprising a plurality of platens forming part of said conveyor and each having a doughnut-shaped recess therein for receiving the first web and the coffee, said conveyor being supported on a channeled frame member, a platen mounted above the conveyor, means to feed a measured quantity of coffee into such cavity, means to compress the material into a doughnutshaped mass, said means for feeding a measured quantity of coffeeinto said doughnut-shaped cavity initially depositing the same on said platform, the platform being provided with an opening registering with the doughnut-shaped recess in the underlying platen, and said coffee feeding means comprising clam-shaped members to move the coffee on the platform through the platform opening therethrough and into such recess, means to move the conveyor, sealing and cutting means in the line of feed of the conveyor, means to feed a second web over the doughnut-shaped mass, means to seal the webs together along the periphery of the doughnut-shaped mass and the center, and means to operate the holding and sealing means in timed relation with the movement of the conveyor.

3. A machine in accordance with claim 1, in which said operable means includes an annular web gripping means movable into gripping relation with the portion of said first web around the periphery of the doughnut-shaped cavity, a gripping member movable into gripping relation with the web forming the central portion of said cavity, means to feed a quantity of material into the space between said annular gripping means and said gripping member, and an annular compressIon member located between said annular gripping means and said gripping member, said annular gripping means, gripping member and compression member cooperating with the conveyor depression to compress the deposited material into a doughnut-shape.

4. A machine in accordance with claim 3 in which said operable means includes a platform having an opening registerable with a conveyor depression, said annular gripping means, gripping member and compression member being movable in said platform opening, and said annular gripping means when gripping said first web being no higher than the top surface of said platform, said material feeding means including means to deposit the material on the top surface of said platform around the opening thereof, and means to sweep the deposited material over said annular gripping means and into the space between the latter and said gripping member.

5. A machine in accordance with claim 1, in which said sealing means includes eyelet applying means for securing the center portions of the two webs together while providing an opening through the center of the package formed by the two sealed webs.

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