Air removal apparatus
US5433061A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 16, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jul 18, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 16, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65B61/24
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Apparatus (1) for removing excess air from sealed packages so as to prevent ballooning. The apparatus (1) comprises a first conveyor belt (3) along which the packages move through the apparatus (1). The conveyor (3) Is driven by two rollers (4 and 5) and is also arranged to vibrate, by means of vibrator (2), in order to settle the contents, e.g. rice, in the packages throughout the operation. When a package is in a predetermined position, as determined by a sensor, such as a photoelectric cell (7), the package is punctured by a suitable device such as a spike (8). As the package continues down the conveyor (3), excess air is removed from the package by means of a spring loaded conveyor (19) which is biased against the package. As spring loaded conveyor (19) is pressed against the package, air in the package Is forced out through the hole made by spike (8). Once the excess air in the package is removed, the package reaches a position where a sticker is placed over the hole in the package by a sticker applicator (18), which can be of any known type.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.