Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and method of packaging large items

US4024692A · kind A · utility

19Cited by
5References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 18, 1976
Grant dateMay 24, 1977
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 18, 1996

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65B9/026
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

This invention discloses a packaging apparatus, method and the resulting package for large size products such as subprimals of meat. The products to be packaged are characterized as often having irregular surfaces and voids which make sealing of the film without wrinkles very difficult, particularly after bringing to a condition of reduced pressure. There is shown apparatus for forming a drape of film from two rolls of film and into this drape of film is advanced the product to be packaged. This drape is formed into a tubular film around the product and with this tube open at both ends. Into these open ends of the tube are moved spreader probes or bars which operate as pairs and are moved away from one another by a pneumatic cylinder which is actuated by appropriate apparatus so that the spreader probes as they move apart cause the film in these ends to be brought to a narrow opening and under a slight stretch. This elongated opening is substantially equally spaced from a theoretical center line of the tubular film. With the probes moved to a condition for stretching the film, the encased product is brought to a vacuum chamber whereat the spreader probes are withdrawn from the ends…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.