Automatic packaging machine for multiple small items with desired orientation
US5890350A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 28, 1997 |
| Grant date | Apr 6, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 28, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65B35/405
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An automatic packaging machine inserts small items, such as candy coated chewing gum, into a box with the small items arranged in a desired orientation. First, the small items are swept into a grid of individual pockets in plates on a conveyor. Then, the grid is inverted over an insertion tray having grooves which receive the small items without disturbing the desired orientation. The entire tray is inserted into a box and then withdrawn from the box. A ridge is formed adjacent said grooves for lifting a side of the box confronting the small items while the tray is inserted into the box so that there is almost no friction between the small item and the box, which might otherwise disturb the desired orientation. The small items are blocked during a withdrawal of the tray so that they are laid down in the desired orientation on the bottom of the box.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.