APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PACKAGING

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/634,410, filed Apr. 15, 2024, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments herein relate to an apparatus and method for packaging a block, such as a block of cheese.

SUMMARY

This summary is an overview of some of the teachings of the present application and is not intended to be an exclusive or exhaustive treatment of the present subject matter. Further details are found in the detailed description and appended claims. Other aspects will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description and viewing the drawings that form a part thereof, each of which is not to be taken in a limiting sense. The scope herein is defined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

In an embodiment, a system for packaging a product, the system comprises a holder for retaining a plurality bags; a rotatable drum, the rotatable drum including a first plurality of vacuum suction cups positioned on a first portion of the drum and a second plurality of vacuum suction cups on a second portion of the drum; a third plurality of suction cups positioned above the drum capable of extending down to secure the bag and retract; and a spreader assembly configured to hold the bag open.

In an embodiment, the rotatable drum comprises a half-cylinder.

In an embodiment, the first plurality of vacuum suction cups are arranged in a generally linear arrangement.

In an embodiment, the first plurality of vacuum suction cups are configured to extend out from a surface of the rotatable drum.

In an embodiment, the first plurality of vacuum suction cups are configured to grab one end of a bag.

In an embodiment, the second plurality of vacuum suction cups are arranged in a generally linear arrangement.

In an embodiment, the second plurality of vacuum suction cups are configured to extend out from a surface of the rotatable drum.

In an embodiment, the first plurality of vacuum suction cups are configured to grab one end of a bag.

In an embodiment, the bags are provided in a tray.

In an embodiment, a printer is provided for labeling each bag.

In an embodiment, the first plurality of vacuum suction cups are configured to extend and retract.

In an embodiment, the first plurality of vacuum suction cups are configured to extend, secure to the bag, and then retract.

In an embodiment, each of the pluralities of suction cups comprise four suction cups.

In an embodiment, each of the pluralities of suction cups comprise three suction cups.

In an embodiment, each of the pluralities of suction cups comprise more than four suction cups.

In an embodiment, the spreader assembly is pneumatically controlled.

In an embodiment, the spreader assembly is configured to spread open the bag.

In an embodiment, the spreader assembly is configured to extend the bag so the bag envelopes the jaws of a block former.

In an embodiment, the spreader assembly is configured to retract to its starting position after the bag envelopes the jaws of a block former.

In an embodiment, a method for packaging a product is disclosed. The method comprises providing a plurality of bags each having an open end and a closed end; securing a first end of a single bag with a rotatable drum including a first plurality of vacuum suction cups extending from a first portion of the drum; rotating the drum and securing a second end of the bag with a second plurality of vacuum suction cups extending from a second portion of the drum; rotating the drum so that the closed end of the bag is on the bottom and the open end of the bag is on top; securing the open end of the bag with a third plurality of vacuum suction cups and retracting the third plurality of suction cups so as to open the bag; and inserting a spreader assembly into the open bag to hold it open and allow for insertion of a product.

In an embodiment, the first plurality of suction cups secures the closed end of the bag.

In an embodiment, the second plurality of suction cups secures the open end of the bag.

In an embodiment, the bags are provided in a stacked arrangement.

In an embodiment, the bags are provided in a stacked arrangement in a tray.

In an embodiment, the rotatable drum comprises a half-cylinder.

In an embodiment, the first plurality of vacuum suction cups are arranged in a generally linear arrangement.

In an embodiment, the second plurality of vacuum suction cups are arranged in a generally linear arrangement.

In an embodiment, the second plurality of vacuum suction cups are configured to extend out from a surface of the rotatable drum.

In an embodiment, the first plurality of vacuum suction cups are configured to grab one end of a bag.

In an embodiment, the first plurality of vacuum suction cups extend and retract to secure the bag.

In an embodiment, each of the pluralities of suction cups comprise four suction cups.

In an embodiment, the bags are retained in an open position by a spreader assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Aspects may be more completely understood in connection with the following figures (FIGS.), in which:

FIG. 1 is a back perspective view of an apparatus for packaging in accordance with various embodiments herein.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an apparatus for packaging in accordance with various embodiments herein.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an apparatus for packaging in accordance with various embodiments herein.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an apparatus for packaging in accordance with various embodiments herein.

FIG. 5 is a front end view of an apparatus for packaging in accordance with various embodiments herein.

FIG. 6 is first side view of an apparatus for packaging in accordance with various embodiments herein.

FIG. 7 is a second side view of an apparatus for packaging in accordance with various embodiments herein.

FIG. 8 is an upper back perspective view of a drum element from an apparatus for packaging in accordance with various embodiments herein.

FIG. 9 is a lower back perspective view of a drum element from an apparatus for packaging in accordance with various embodiments herein.

FIG. 10 is a back view of a drum element from an apparatus for packaging in accordance with various embodiments herein.

FIG. 11 is a top view of a drum element from an apparatus for packaging in accordance with various embodiments herein.

FIG. 12 a side view of a drum element from an apparatus for packaging in accordance with various embodiments herein.

FIG. 13 is perspective view of a top bar for grabbing an end of a packaging bag in accordance with various embodiments herein.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a printer in accordance with various embodiments herein.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a spreader assembly in accordance with various embodiments herein.

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a spreader assembly in accordance with various embodiments herein.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of frame elements for an apparatus for packing in accordance with various embodiments herein.

FIGS. 18 to 32 show an example implementation of an assembly for packaging, along with the function of some of the components.

While embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example and drawings, and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the scope herein is not limited to the particular aspects described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a back perspective view of an apparatus for packaging 100 in accordance with various embodiments herein.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an apparatus for packaging 100 in accordance with various embodiments herein. The apparatus for packaging 100 can have various components, but in the example shown in FIG. 2 a housing 205 contains a bag holder 210 (typically a tray), a rotatable drum element 220, a top bar 230, a spreader assembly 240, and an optional printer 250, mounted in a frame assembly 260.

In use a plurality of bags each having an open end and a closed end are placed in the bag holder 110; a first end of a single bag is secured with the rotatable drum element 220 by a first plurality of vacuum suction cups extending from a first portion of the drum (discussed below); the drum rotates and secures a second end of the bag with a second plurality of vacuum suction cups extending from a second portion of the drum (discussed below), the drum rotates back so that the closed end of the bag is on the bottom and the open end of the bag is on top. The open end of the bag is secured by a third plurality of vacuum suction cups mounted on the top bar 230, which and retract so as to open the bag. The spreader assembly 240 then inserts into the open bag to hold it open and allow for insertion of a product, such as a cheese block.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an apparatus for packaging 100 in accordance with various embodiments herein; showing the rotatable drum element 220; along with top bar 230 and spreader assembly 240.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an apparatus for packaging 100 in accordance with various embodiments herein; showing a top view of the top bar 230 and the spreader assembly 240.

FIG. 5 is a front end view of an apparatus for packaging 100 in accordance with various embodiments herein, showing the bag holder 110 (which is a tray that is generally manually filled by operators).

FIG. 6 is first side view of an apparatus for packaging 100 in accordance with various embodiments herein. FIG. 7 is a second side view of an apparatus for packaging 100 in accordance with various embodiments herein. These views show examples of the exterior of the apparatus for packaging 100.

FIG. 8 is an upper back perspective view of a drum element 220 from an apparatus for packaging 100 in accordance with various embodiments herein. The drum element includes a first plurality of vacuum suction cups 222 and a second plurality of vacuum suction cups 224.

FIG. 9 is a lower back perspective view of a drum element 220 from an apparatus for packaging 100 in accordance with various embodiments herein. The drum element includes a first plurality of vacuum suction cups 222 and a second plurality of vacuum suction cups 224.

FIG. 10 is a back view of a drum element 220 from an apparatus for packaging 100 in accordance with various embodiments herein. The drum element includes a first plurality of vacuum suction cups 222 and a second plurality of vacuum suction cups 224.

FIG. 11 is a top view of a drum element 220 from an apparatus for packaging 100 in accordance with various embodiments herein. The drum element 220 includes a first plurality of vacuum suction cups 222.

FIG. 12 a side view of a drum element from an apparatus for packaging 100 in accordance with various embodiments herein. The drum element 220 includes a second plurality of vacuum suction cups 224.

FIG. 13 is perspective view of a top bar 230 for grabbing an end of a packaging 100 in accordance with various embodiments herein. The top bar 230 has a third plurality of vacuum suction cups 232 that extend from its underside.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a printer 250 that can be used to print information on the packaging in accordance with various embodiments herein, such as lot number, manufacturing location, expiration date, ingredients, etcetera.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a spreader assembly 240 in accordance with various embodiments herein, including spreader arms 242.

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a spreader assembly 240 in accordance with various embodiments herein.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of frame assembly 260 showing elements for an apparatus for packaging 100 in accordance with various embodiments herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 18 to 32, figures show an example implementation of an assembly for packaging, along with the function of some of the components. In FIG. 18 the bag tray is shown. Typically the bag tray is filled manually by plant personnel and slid into position at the bottom of the assembly for packaging.

FIG. 19 shows vacuum suction cups extending down from the drum, securing or “grabbing” the top bag (on the closed end of the bag) and retracting.

In FIG. 20 the drum rotates 180° in the direction that pulls the bag away from the stack of bags and secures grabs the other end (on the open end of the bag) with more suction cups. In FIGS. 21 and 22 the drum rotates a further 180° in the same direction so that the closed end of the bag is on the bottom and the opened end of the bag is on the top.

An optional printer prints a serial number/job number/ID tag onto the bag in FIGS. 23 and 24.

In FIGS. 25 and 26 suction cups above the drum extend down to ‘grab’ the bag and then retract, thereby opening the bag.

FIGS. 27 and 28 show a pneumatic spreader-arm-assembly positions itself to hold the bag open after the vacuum suction cups release.

In FIGS. 29 and 30 The vacuum cups all release and the spreader-arm-assembly extends (with the opened bag) so the bag envelopes the jaws of the block former. The block former jaws open, putting tension on the bag, while the spreader-arm-assembly closes and releases the bag at the same time.

In FIG. 31 the spreader arm assembly retracts to its starting position to begin the cycle again on the next bag. In addition to the operation, the design allows for performance of maintenance on the machine, such as depicted in FIG. 32. It will be inserted underneath a conveyor belt, so we enclosed it into a frame that slides out.

It should be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

It should also be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the phrase “configured” describes a system, apparatus, or other structure that is constructed or configured to perform a particular task or adopt a particular configuration. The phrase “configured” can be used interchangeably with other similar phrases such as arranged and configured, constructed and arranged, constructed, manufactured and arranged, and the like.

All publications and patent applications in this specification are indicative of the level of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. All publications and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated by reference.

As used herein, the recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints shall include all numbers subsumed within that range (e.g., 2 to 8 includes 2.1, 2.8, 5.3, 7, etc.).

The headings used herein are provided for consistency with suggestions under 37 CFR 1.77 or otherwise to provide organizational cues. These headings shall not be viewed to limit or characterize the invention(s) set out in any claims that may issue from this disclosure. As an example, although the headings refer to a “Field,” such claims should not be limited by the language chosen under this heading to describe the so-called technical field. Further, a description of a technology in the “Background” is not an admission that technology is prior art to any invention(s) in this disclosure. Neither is the “Summary” to be considered as a characterization of the invention(s) set forth in issued claims.

The embodiments described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art can appreciate and understand the principles and practices. As such, aspects have been described with reference to various specific and preferred embodiments and techniques. However, it should be understood that many variations and modifications may be made while remaining within the spirit and scope herein.