Continuous process for packaging compressible products
US5735106A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 26, 1996 |
| Grant date | Apr 7, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 26, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65D85/08
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In accordance with the present invention, products are contained within a continuous cylindrical sleeve in a low- or no-tension condition. Products are captured within the sleeve during its formation. The sleeve forms a continuous path encircling the product(s) in at least one plane through the products and package, defining an axial direction normal to the plane and a circumferential direction around the product(s) within the plane. One or more axially-extending pleats are unitarily formed from the material comprising the cylindrical wall of the sleeve, such that the circumference of the cylindrical sleeve is reduced. By reducing the circumference of the cylinder the interior volume of the sleeve, and thus the finished package, is reduced, thus subjecting the products within the package to a compressive force. The compressive force is imparted by a uniform reduction in circumference resulting in a uniform inwardly-directed product compression. Where a single pleat is formed so as to uniformly reduce the circumference of the sleeve, the reduction in circumference is approximately equal to the finished width of the pleat. Multiple pleats multiply the reduction in circumference.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.