Apparatus and methods for inserting flat premium items
US5425217A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 22, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jun 20, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 22, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T83/2216
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Apparatus (10) is disclosed including a series of equally spaced air jets (36) in the center plate (18) of a channel (14). An end cover plate (22) and a cover (48) close the channel (14) to form a tunnel having infeed and outfeed ends. In the most preferred form, the air jets (36) are wedge-shaped depressions formed in the center plate (18) having semicircular end walls (38) including apertures (42) in fluid communication with a compressed air enclosure (44) secured to the center plate (18). The free end of a continuous strip of coupon items is inserted into the infeed end where it is under the control of the air flow created by the air jets (36) within the tunnel. A coupon item is then cut from the continuous strip and travels under the control of the air flow within the tunnel and through the outfeed end thereof. In a preferred form, the end cover plate (22) is arcuately shaped outward and downward to direct the coupon item into a hopper (32) which later receives the ready-to-eat food product. In another preferred form, the coupon item is inserted between a previously filled and sealed bag and a carton receiving such bag.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.