Patent · US Expired

Compression package wrapping apparatus and method

US5406774A · kind A · utility

17Cited by
18References
40Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 7, 1992
Grant dateApr 18, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 7, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65B63/02
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A package wrapping apparatus and method compresses a package of napkins or a similarly soft bulked product during the wrapping operation to provide a tight wrapped package which does not become loose with settling. An air activated expandable elevator plate allows the bottom of the napkin package to be completely supported during the wrapping operation, and contracts to allow the plate to be lowered between front and rear underfolders. This allows the napkin stack to undergo a greater degree of compression without defects, since folding or curling of the napkin edges over the elevator plate is avoided. An air activated movable top compression plate applies variable downloading against the top of the package. As the elevator plate is raised, the package presses against the top compression plate and is thereby compressed. The top compression plate is then withdrawn to a position corresponding to the desired finished package height, and a sliding transfer operation of the package to a heat seal device is performed. This transfer operation is completed before the compressed package has recovered to the desired package height. In this manner, downward pressure on the package during the …

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