Ferris-Wheel Type Vacuum Packaging System And Method

Inactive Publication Date: 2014-12-11
CRYOVAC INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a vacuum packaging system and method for sealing and vacuumizing unsealed packages. The system includes a conveyor apparatus and a ferris wheel-type vacuum packaging apparatus, which work in a linear path to load and seal the packages. The method involves sequentially placing the packages on the conveyor, advancing them onto a platen conveyor, closing a vacuum chamber, rotating the chamber and platen assembly, and unloading the sealed package. The technical effects of this patent include improved efficiency and accuracy in vacuumizing and sealing unsealed packages, as well as more automation and flexibility in the packaging process.

Problems solved by technology

Accordingly, the vacuum packaging machine may cause a bottle-neck in the overall packaging process.
One disadvantage of these machines is that they have a large footprint, and therefore take up a large amount of floor space.
A further problem is that these machines generally require manual loading and bag spreading and are thus difficult to incorporate in a fully automated process.
This often disrupts a “streamlined” product flow through the packing area.

Method used

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  • Ferris-Wheel Type Vacuum Packaging System And Method
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  • Ferris-Wheel Type Vacuum Packaging System And Method

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0046]The system of the invention is described below, and methods of operation of the invention then follow.

[0047]FIGS. 1 to 6 show in front perspective view the ferris wheel-type vacuum packaging system 10 at various stages in the packaging sequence. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, a platen-stabilizing device 151 in the form of a belt system is utilized. Conveyor apparatus 12 includes an in-feed conveyor 14, an out-feed conveyor 16, and a frame 18. Ferris wheel-type vacuum packaging apparatus 30 includes a first vacuum chamber 32 and associated first platen assembly 38, a second vacuum chamber 34 and associated second platen assembly 39, and a third vacuum chamber 36 and associated third platen assembly (not shown). Chamber 32 and platen assembly 38 are linked by first linear rail system 62. Chamber 34 and platen assembly 39 are linked by second linear rail system 64. Chamber 36 and its associated platen assembly are linked by third linear rail system 66. In the embodiment...

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Abstract

A vacuum packaging system for vacuumizing and sealing unsealed packages including a plurality of vacuum chambers each linked with a respective platen assembly having a platen and conveyor, each chamber and assembly arranged to receive an unsealed package and perform a vacuum sealing operation on the package, characterized by a) a conveyor apparatus including an in-feed conveyor to load each platen conveyor with an unsealed package, and an out-feed conveyor to unload each vacuumized, sealed package from each platen conveyor; and b) a ferris wheel-type vacuum packaging apparatus including at least three radially arranged vacuum chambers each linked with a respective platen assembly, each chamber and platen assembly rotatable about a central horizontal axis disposed parallel to the linear path of the conveyor apparatus, the ferris wheel-type apparatus operable in a vertical plane of rotation disposed perpendicular to the linear path of the conveyor apparatus.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a ferris wheel-type vacuum packaging system and method.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Vacuum packaging in heat sealable plastic bags is a conventional way of packaging food products such as meat and cheese, and involves placing the food item in a bag having a bag mouth, and then evacuating air from the bag through the bag mouth and collapsing the bag about the contained food product. The bag is then heat sealed in its evacuated condition so the food product becomes encased in a generally air-free environment. Often the bag is heat shrinkable, and after the heat sealing step, is advanced to a hot water or hot air shrink tunnel to induce shrinkage of the bag around the food product.[0003]Vacuum packaging machines of a known type include a vacuum chamber arranged to receive an unsealed loaded bag and operable to perform a vacuum sealing operation on the loaded bag. After loading and closing the vacuum chamber, the vacuum se...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): B65B31/02B65B51/10
CPCB65B51/10B65B31/02B65B25/068B65B31/022B65B31/024B65B61/005B65B25/065B65B35/24B65B51/146B65B65/02
InventorBRINKMAN, JACOBKOKE, JOHN
OwnerCRYOVAC INC