Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and method of packaging large items

US4069643A · kind A · utility

13Cited by
1References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 27, 1977
Grant dateJan 24, 1978
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 27, 1997

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65B31/02
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

This invention discloses a packaging apparatus and method 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 and film are brought in way of a film heater and then are moved to a vacuum chamber whereat the spreader prob…

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