Food packaging with vertical to horizontal transfer loading

US8407973B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Mills, Inc. · US

Inventors

• James W. Finkowski · Andover, US
• Craig E. Gustafson · Bloomington, US
• Mark E. Arlinghaus · Minneapolis, US
• Ralph A Stenvik · Plymouth, US
• Dennis B. Usgaard · New Hope, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 28, 2010
• Grant date: Apr 2, 2013
• Expiry date: Jun 29, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65B61/06
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and system for packaging products provides for initially, vertically stacking a plurality of products during production in a transfer canister, simultaneously removing a stack of the products from the transfer canister, reorienting the stack and horizontally loading the stack into a final product package cavity. The invention has applicability to a wide range of products, particularly food products, such as refrigerated dough products. In one embodiment of the invention, the product package cavity is thermoformed as part as an overall horizontal form, fill and seal system.