US2712717A - Packaging machine and method - Google Patents

Description

July 12, 1955 A. M. KELLER PACKAGING MACHINE AND METHOD 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 18, 1948 July 12, 1955 A. M. KELLER PACKAGING MACHINE AND METHOD l2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 18, 1948 INVENTOR. Jan/we JV/T ifs/.1. 15/3 HTTURA/EK? B; fw

July 12, 1955 A. M. KELLER PACKAGING MACHINE AND METHOD l2 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 18, 1948 1-1,- 15-11.!!! llil: n "K R m W M Q & i F 2 J? M r NWHHM k m w w m an 5 r IIHIIHIHI" July 12, 1955 A. M. KELLER PACKAGING MACHINE AND METHOD l2 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 18, 1948 JNVENTOR .771 Tl/l/li .flf 1%51 LE/f A TTORNE rs JHI IW 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 lim- July 12, 1955 A. M. KELLER PACKAGING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed March 18, 1948 July 12, 1955 A. M. KELLER PACKAGING MACHINE AND METHOD l2 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed March 18, 1948 ,47'TURNEY5 July 12, 1955 A. M. KELLER PACKAGING MACHINE AND METHOD 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed March 18, 1948 zzvmvrom 07/ 77/01? J11. JfELLE BY IITTURNEYS July 12, 1955 A. M. KELLER PACKAGING MACHINE AND METHOD 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed March 18, 1948 INVENTOR. BY .27 5 n/u/g a. ifs/.11

y 1955 A. M. KELLER 2,712,717

PACKAGING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed March 18. 1948 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 IN V EN TOR.

A. M. KELLER 2,712,717

12 Sheets-Sheet ll H w lvlll pllllfmwlllnfi ll :57: Ill! lilllF ll Irm July 12, 1955 PACKAGING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed March 18, 1948 Patented July 22,

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2,712,717 PACKAGlNG MACHINE AND mirror) Arthur ivl. Keller, Livingston, N. 5., assignor to Mason- Keller Corporation, a corporation of New Jersey Application Pflarch 18, 1948, Serial No. 15,695 8 Qlaims. (Cl. 53-105) This invention relates to a more particularly to a packagin machine which forms, fills, seals and slits a novel package, and to a novel method of pre-forming the material to constitute such package, fill and seal the same, and slit the material from which the package is formed.

In previous packaging machinery making pockets cou sisting of webs of foil, paper, etc., sealed marginally, with an unsealed center portion which contained the powder or other mechandise, the depth dimension resulted as a function of the packaged material itself. This resulted in wrinkled misshapen webs to the detriment the contained material, as such distortion of the container material caused cracking, pinholes and an unattractive package.

in addition, there was a wastage of material due to 1 need of utilLing heavier gauge material to withstand wrinkling in making, filling and sealing the container.

Another difiiculty encountered in the previous packaging machines was the lack of uniformity of the disposition of the mechandise within the pocket. Some of the material, especially if in powdered form, would become trapped in the marginal seals which resulted in a weak or leaky package. esides the hazards stated above, there was variation in th measured amount of the mechaudise and also damage to the mechandise itself.

it is, therefore, the main object of this invention to provide a packaging machine which will preform a commodity-holding pocket and seal a cover marginally onto said pocket.

Another object of this invention is to provide a packaging machine which will permit a saving in the pack aging material because of the use of lighter gauges of films.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a packaging machine which will produce a more durable package due to the absence of wrinkles, cracks and pinholes.

Another object of this invention is to provide a packaging machine which automatically confines the merchandise to the recessed pocket area of the package and strengthens the formed web material in the forming process.

Another object of this invention is to provide a packmachine which increases the production rate many times over that achieved by equipment heretofore used.

An equally paramount object of this invention, as compa" .l to the broad object relating to the apparatus, is to provide a method of pro-forming web materials to form a smooth pocket or pockets fill them with a commodity, whether in powder or pill form, so that no further drawing or wrinkling of the webs is required to close the package. This main object is attained by means of fluid pressure applied to a rigid plate containing apertures, whereby a clamping force for sealing the package marginally is obtained as a result of the fluid pressure. The aperture in the plate is of such area that the web material is forced into a forming die by flow of fluid, the flow of such fluid packaging machine and tight engagement with the packaged commodity being determined as a time and pressure function in conjunction with said aperture.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a method of measuring and conditioning powdered materials for the purpose of filling packages therewith, wherein a slotted drum member discharges the powder into measuring cups with a constant pressure irrespective of the condition or amount of the powder contained in a hopper in which said drum operates.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means of filling powdered materials into packages by means of a slotted rotating drum used in conjunction with measuring cups, whereby the relative position of the drum with respect to the measuring cups may be varied infinitely to effect fine control of the measured quantity, irrespective of day to day variations in the density, granulation or moisture content of such powders.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method of sealing to one another such webs of material as may be used to form packages, wh rein the pressure required to seal is derived from a fluid pressure and a self-levelling construction which insures intimate contact of all surfaces to be sealed and with such pressures adjustable over a very wide range.

Another object of this invention is to provide methods for forming, filling and sealing improved packages when used in combination with each other.

In its broadest aspects, my invention therefore consists in the provision of a method and apparatus for forming, from any suitable web material, a smooth package for a commodity, such as a powder, by means of fluid pressure, in a suitably shaped die disposed below the web material, the fluid pressure being impressed through apertures in a blanket which is simultaneously forced into marginal edges of the die, to form a seal securely clamping the film or web at such marginal edges. in other words, the margins of the web or foil are held down during the application of the fluid pressure.

As will be seen from the above brief rsum the invention discloses an automatic packaging machine which fundamentally forms a commodity holding pocket of one web material While another web acts as a cover and is sealed marginally to the first web. I

By shaping the pockets to contain the packaged commodities I achieve several desirable purposes, as:

(l) The commodity is confined to its proper position with relation to the margins during the processes of locating and joining the cover web. This insures against damage to the commodity; variation of the measured or weighed amount of commodity; and, possible inclusion of commodity in marginal seals (particularly when commodity is a powder or granulation) which would result in weak or leaky packages.

2) A more rigid package aifording better mechanical protection to the packaged commodity because of en hanced strength of formed web material by the shaping or forming process.

3) Reduction of possibility of cracking of web materials during handling and storage as sharp creasing is eliminated and thus stress concentrations are avoided.

(4) High degree of moisture proofness for reasons brought out in (3) above.

(5) Good retention of flavor or other essentials in for reason brought out in (3) above.

(6) Shape and contour of poc :et may be varied to best suit shape and nature of commodity.

(7) Shape and contour of pocket may be valuable as planned identification of contents when other identification means are undesirable or may become illegible.

(8) Trade names, trademarks or even text matter can be embossed in pocket when drawn.

(9) By use of pockets drawn into two webs and opposed, capacity of pockets can be increased.

(10) by use of three webs, two with shaped pockets and nesting and third web as cover, two commodities can be included in same package while sealed from one another.

As variations of the fundamental form there are the following:

(1) Two webs, one web shaped, other web flat.

(2) Two webs, both shaped and pockets opposing.

(3) Two webs, both shaped and pockets matching or nesting.

(4) Three webs, one shaped and two fiat.

(5) Three webs, two webs shaped and pockets opposing, third web flat and interposed.

(6) Three webs, two webs shaped and pockets nesting, third web flat across pockets.

(7) Three webs, all shaped, pockets of two webs matching or nesting and pocketsof third web opposing.

(8) Three webs, one with commodity pockets, another web as a cover for the first, and a third web sealed marginally to the first two and provided with a perforated flap.

A specific embodiment of an apparatus embodying the principles of my invention and the carrying out of my novel method is illustrated, by way of example, rather than by way of limitation, in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the entire packaging machine.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the packaging machine shown in Fig. 1, partially in phantom.

Fig. 3 is a side sectional view of the forming section of the packaging machine showing the forming die in the closed position. 7

Fig. 4 is the same section as Fig. 3 showing the forming die in the open position.

Fig. 5 is a rear elevational viewof the forming section oftFig. 3 taken along the lines 5-5, in 'Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a side sectional view of the feeding hopper.

Fig. 7 is a detailed side elevational sectional view of the hopper of Fig. 6 taken along the lines 7-7, in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is another side sectional view of the feeding hopper showing the slide valve partially open. 7

Fig. 9 is the same view of the feeding hopper of Fig. 8 showingthe slide valve wide open.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the feeding hopper of Fig. 9 partially in phantom to show the relationship between the feeding slots of the feeding drum and the measuring cups at the bottom of the hopper.

Fig. 11 is a side sectional view of the sealing section of the packaging machine showing the sealing section in the closed position.

Fig. 12 is the same view as Fig. ll showing the sealing section in the open position.

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of the driving, slitting and cut-off stations of the packaging machine, partially in section.

Fig. 14 is a section Fig. 15 is a transverse sectional view of the sealing station of Fig. ll, taken along the lines 15-15 in Fig. 11.

Fig. 16 is a plan view of the slitting cutters.

Fig. 17 is a front elevational view of the slitting cutters of Fig. l6 taken along the lines 17--17.

Fig. 18 is a front elevational view of the cut-off station partially in section.

Fig. 19 is a wiring diagram of the 3-phase squirrel cage drive motor.

Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit used to automatically and manually control the operation of the packaging machine.

Referring now to the drawings of the packaging machine and in particular to the packaging machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2, said packaging machine comprises a frame 1 supported: by a plurality of legs 2 which rest on the floor or other support. A' standard roll 3 of film material 4, such as, for example, aluminum foil with 3.

along the lines 14-14 of Fig. 13.

thermo-plastic or similar outside coating, is mounted on a shaft 5 supported on frame 1. A pair of lever arms 7 are pivoted at one end in bearings 9 attached to the side of frame 1. Between the other ends of lever 7 a roller 8 is supported, under which the Web material passes. Some of the weight of the lever arms 7 and roller 8 is counterbalanced by torsion springs 16 and a tension spring 6 attached to one of the arms 7 and connected to a brake strap 6' creates a frictional resistance varying with the position of the idler roller 8 as the brake strap 6' is in contact with its brake drum. The web material 4 now passes over an idler roller 11 and is then fed to the forming station 12 which will be described in more detail later.

After the web material 4 has been formed into suitably shaped pockets 13,'it passes to the filling hopper 14 which will be described in more detail hereinafter.

From there the formed pockets 13 pass to the sealing station 15 at the same time that a cover web 16 and a third web 17, carrying printed matter, are fed to the correct position over the formed pockets 13. The cover web 16 and printed web 17 are fed from rolls 18 and 19, respectively, to pass together under tension roller 20, over idler roller 21, and past an incandescent lamp 22 and a photo tube 208 whose functions will be described hereinafter and then under rollers 2143. Each of the supply rolls 13 and 19 is equipped with a brake drum 18 and 19, respectively, over which brake straps pass and are anchored. The brake drums 18 with that with which strap 6 is in contact.

After the filling of the formed pockets 13 at the filling hopper 14 and when webs 16 and 17 have been scaled thereto, the then completed packages 13 are separated from each other by means of the slitting and cutoff stations 25 and 26, respectively, so that the individualpackages 13 slide down an incline 27 to fall upon an endless belt 198, which is operated over roller 28 and are then carried away in the direction of the arrow.

The entire mechanism is operated by a drive motor 29 whose power is transmitted to the various stations by means of sprockets, chain and belt drives which will be described in more detail hereinafter.

Referring now to the drawings of the pocket formng station 12 shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, said pocket forming station 12 comprises a forming die composed of a stationary upper part31 attached to a supporting frame 32 which is adjustably movable along the length of the 1" beam frame 1. A take-up threaded nut and sleeve 33 is used to hold the set position of the frame 32 on the I beam frame 1.

Disposed along the center of the upper die 31 are a number of conduits 34 for carrying compressed air or other suitable fluids under pressure against a metal plate 35 which has a number of small apertures 36 therein. Beneath this plate 35 is an elastic gasket or blanket 37 having a number of much larger apertures 38 therein. The web material 4 passes beneath this gasket or blanket. Said stationary upper die 31 is fastened to stationary bracket arms 39 by means of bolts 40, and the other end of bracket arms 39 contains bearings in which rod 41 is held.

Situated beneath the web material 4 is the movable lower forming die 43 consisting of a number of dies 44 locked in position by set screws 45. A plurality of escape openings 46 are provided in the dies 44 to permit the escape of the air trapped in the forming chamber 47 of the dies 44. The remainder of the movable forming die 43 is attached by means of bolts '48 to movable lever arms 49 which are fixed to the rod 41. Collars 5G, fixed to shaft 41, prevent axial movement of the shaft 41.

Said movable forming die 43 is attached at each end to supporting platforms 51 to which are attached cam rollers 52. Beneath the said cam rollers 52 are situated rotating cams 53 which are mounted on rotatable shaft 54. Rotating earns 53 are located on both sides and 19' are identical of the machine beneath each cam roller '2. Shaft mounted upon anti-friction bearings 54.

At one end of the rotatab. 2 shaft 54 is located a cam 55' which is adapted to activate a roler 56 attached to a lever arm 57 which in turn operates an air valve 58 for releasing compressed air or other fluid into the vertical feeder h ose 25 and thus into the forming die 12 through nipples 34. Said forming dies 12 may be any suitable member aligned in parallel arrangement as shown in Fig. 5. The compressed air feeding hose 34 are arranged 2 the line of the parallel pocket forming dies feferring now to the filling hopper shown Figs. e, 7, 8, 9, and it), said filling hopper 1 comprises sup- Sorting 59 to which is attached the hopper reservoir 5t by means of bolts 61. Said reservoir 60 may have any suitable shape but preferably V shaped as shown. At the bottom of the reservoir 6i) are measur g cnps oz arranged in cone shape with the narrovope 'n" leading from the reservoir to and the wider opening racing oowriw. d direct its contents into the formed pockets 13 as they pass beneath it.

Set within the reservoir 59 is a rotatable feeding drum 63 having a plurality of horizontal parallel slits 64 running the length of said drum 63. These slits 64 are s1tu; ated in approximately half the surface of the drum 6.) 'while the other half of the surface is closed. Said drum s3 is fixed to and rotates with a shaft 55 to which is also attached a cam es. A plurality of swinging levers 66, 67, and 67 respectively, are rotatably suspended from the frame 59 by means of a pivot shaft 58 which oscillates in bearing locks 69. Connecting link 79 1s pivotally attached at one end to the lower end of lever 67 at 72, while the other end of said shaft 7;) is pivotally attached to the lower end of lever 67' at 74. Mounted on the connecting link 70 is a cam roller which 18 so positioned that cam 66 will cause a swinging movement of the entire linkage when shaft 65 turns. Attached to an an' le iron 76 is a clamp 77 having a horizontal aperture therethrough. A rod 73 passes through and is clamped in said aperture in said clamp '77. A fiat member 81, having two vertical arms 79 and 8%, which slide on rod 73, supports a slide valve 52 attached at one end 83. The top end of arm 79 is pivotally attached to one end of a drive link 4 while the other end of drive link 84 is pivotally attached to the lower forked end 85 of lever 66.

Adjustability of the drum 65 to proximity with the measuring cups 62 is secured by mounting the shaft 65 in bearing 65' at each end of such shaft by means of which bearin s, the drum may be lowered. Sliding plates 65 on each side of the hopper, in close contact with the sides of the hopper, effect the side sealing of the hopper.

It will be noted that my novel apparatus, in the provision of the rotating drum within the hopper constituting the source of supply of the commodity to be packaged, automatically breaks up any lumps in the powder. The provision of the drum also eliminates the conventional heavy powder pressure when a filling hopper is full or nearly full. Also, ample space is provided in the drum of my apparatus for displaced air when the measuring cups are filled.

A pocket operated limit switch 85 is shown with its roller 36 between twoadjacent pockets 13. Said roller 86 is connected to the contact arm 87 of the switch 85' whose function will be described hereinafter in connection with the wiring diagram shown in Fig. 20. Said switch S5 is attached to a supporting bracket 38 which is attached to frame 1.

A tension spring 89 interconencts the frame 59 and lever 67 and maintains roller 75 against cam 66.

Attached to rotatable shaft 99 are cam 91, a large sprocket wheel 92, a small sprocket wheel 93 and double sprock t wheels 9 and 95. Said rotatable rod 95 is supported in bearings 96 and 97' by supports 96 and 97 13? which are, in turn, attached to the bottom of cross frame 98.

An adjustable idler sprocket 99 controls the tension of the chain 189 which interconnects sprocket wheel 93 and sprocket wheel 161 which rotates shaft 65 of the feeding drum 63. Said sprocket 99 is adjustable along the supporting I beam 1 by means of a bracket 102. Limit switch cam 91 is situated beneath a cam operated switch 1173 which is operated by the vertical movement of the roller 1% and its associated lever arm 105.

A cross fixed rod 186 is attached to opposing I beams Attached to said rod 196 are a plurality of tracks 107 support said pockets 13 without compressing the bottom of said pockets 13.

The sealing station 15 shown in Figs. 11 and 12 of the drawings comprises the supporting beam 1 to which i" attached a supporting frame 1%. Aifixed to said frame 1% is the upper stationary half 1439 of the sealing station 15 which has openings through which a number of air pipes 34 extend. A number of plates 110 are sandwiched between gaskets 111 and 112, which are firmly clamped to the block 113 of the upper half 109 of the sealing station 15, thus creating an air space 11 which is walled by the downward protruding lips 115 of the block 113.

Attached to the frame 168 are the fixed brackets 116 which contain bearings in which shaft 117 is supported.

lower half 115 of the sealing station 15 is movable is attached by means of brackets 119 to the transverse rod 117. A heating block 121, to which is attached a grid-like die 122, is insulated by means of a gasket 123 from the lower half 118 of the sealing station 15. Incorporated in the heating block 121 are ling elements 12 thermometers 125 and thermostats 126 as shown in the transverse section of the sealirg station 15 in Fig. 15 of the drawings.

Supported on supporting platforms 127 are paired 311 rollers 128 situated directly over rotating cams 129 which are airixed to rotating shaft 139. Another earn 131 is also affixed to said shaft to actuate the compressed air valve plunger 132 by moving the roller 133 and its associated lever 134.

13 shows the combined web material driving station, control unit, slitting and cut-olf stations.

The driving station 135 comprises a sprocket wheel 36 which is operated by chain drive 137. Said sprocket wheel 13% continuously drives axle 138 to which it is .ttached. Spaced along the axle 133 are a plurality of rive wheels 139 having rubber tires 143 thereon. An L bracket 141 is attached to the I beams 1 and support the drive station 135.

Beneath each drive wheel 139 is located an idler wheel lei which rotates about an axle 143 which is supported by bifurcated arms 14%. Said bifurcated arms 144 are attached to a transverse shaft 152 by means of a clamping sore" 14d. arm 14a is equipped with an adjusti screw 1- -37 and lock nut iti. Said adjusting screw 47 bears against a cross-member 145 which is in turn attached to two vertical members 148, each equipped with a bearing and capable of oscillating on shaft 152. A lever 15% is pivotally attached to shaft 152 at its upper end and is linked to a solenoid 159 by a link 157 at its lower end and is located axially on shaft 152 by set collars i51. A spring housing 153 is embodied in lever and contains a plunger and a spring 154. Shaft 1 52 passes through bearings in L-shaped brackets 141 and is rec to oscillate therein. The longer arm of the rocker arm 50 is pulled back by a spring 155 attached between said rocker arm 15-i and the frame 1.

The solenoid 159 is affixed to part of the frame 169 by means of a bracket 161.

Referring now to the slitting station 25 and cut-off station. 2a of Figs. 13, 16, 17 and 18 said slitting station comprises a pair of rotatable shafts 162 and 163 which are supported by fixed transverse rods 164, 165, and opposing cross brackets 166 and 167. Spaced along said rotatable shaft 162 the distance of one pocket 13 are disc knives 168, while along shaft 163 are corresponding cutters 169 which are shaped to avoid the pouch of the pocket 13 while compressing the webs between pockets 13 against the edges of the disc knives 168.

Shaft 163 is rotated by an attached sprocket wheel. 179 which is driven by a chain 171 and sprocket wheel A gear 173 attached to the other end of rotating shaft 163 transmits its rotary motion to gear 174 which rotates the shaft 162 carrying the disc knife 168. Gear 173 also rotates gear 175 which is on the same axle as sprocket wheel 176, which in turn drives the chain 137 and sprocket wheel 136 of the drive station 135.

Shaft 177 and the paired mitre gears 178 and 179 are rotated by chain 206' through a sprocket shown in Fig.

2 and thus power is transmitted by. these mitre gears v 178 and 179 to paired shafts 180 and 181 which rotate cams 182 and 183, respectively, in the directions indicated by the arrows. Said cams 182 and 183 contact rollers 184 and 185 respectively, which lift vertical a knife 188 and its associated snubber bar 189 are bolted to said shafts 186 and 187, so that vertical movement of said shafts 186 and 187 will raise or lower said knife 188 and its snubber bar 189, which has coiled springs 190 to maintain the pressure of the snubber head against the material tobe cut and backed by stationary knife 196A. Leaf springs 191 hold said snubber bar 189 close to the cut-off knife 18%. Some of the weight of knife 188 and associated parts is relieved by spring 192 which is. compressed between bearing housings 193 and collars 194 at the ends of shafts 186 and 187. The upper part of the shafts 186, 137 and spring 192 are enclosed in a housing 195. Said knife 188. and snubber bar 189 operate between horizontal channel bars 196 and 197. A curved inclined plane 27 deposits the cut off packages onto a moving belt 193 which is operated by shaft 180, sprockets 199, 206, shaft 281 and roller 28.

'Power of motor 29 is transmitted to pulley 202 by belt 203, and power from pulley 202 is. transmitted to sprocket wheel 92 by chain drive 2 34, as shown in Fig.

2. This rotates all the sprocket wheels aligned along rotating axle 9t) and by means of other chain drives 2G5, 206 and 206', this power is synchronously transmitted to other stations as will be described hereinafter in the operation of the packaging machine.

'To insure accuracy of the stop and go movement of the web material through the various stations of the packaging machine, a system of electric controls is utilized as shown in Figs. 19 and 20.

Fig. 19 shows the circuit of a 3-phase squirrel cage motor.

The parts of the schematic circuit of Fig. 20 are identified by the key on the same drawing, in which the printed web 17 has a spot 287 located between each section of printed matter. Set at the proper angle of incidence to receive the reflected light of the lamp 22 is a photo-tube 208 whose current is amplified by amplifier 209, which has relay 218 is connected to one terminal 211 of an S. P. D. T. switch 212 while the other contact of relay 210 is. connected to common terminal 213 of the cam operated switch 103 and pocket operated limit switch 85. The other contact point of switch 85' is connected to terminal 214 of the S. P. D. T. switch 212 whose movable contact arm 2151s connected to one side of the line L2. The other terminal of the cam operated switch 103 is connected through the coil of relay 216 to the other side of the line L1. The contact points of relay 216 are placed in series with the winding of solenoid 159 and this circuit is connected across lines L1 and L2. An S. P. 'S. T. switch 217 is in' series with the phototube amplifier across the lines L1 and L2 while another S. P. S .T. switch 218 is in series with the line L2.

The heating element 124 is placed across the lines L1 and L2 and also in series with contact points 219 of relay 220.

In addition, a thermostatic switch 126 is placed in series with the windings of relay 220 and this circuit parallels the heater circuit across lines L1 and L2.

The operation of the packaging machine is as follows:

A standard roll of film material 4, such as aluminum foil with a thermoplastic outside coating is pulled from a roller 5. Said web material 4 is fed under tension roller 8 to the top of roller 11 and then between the upper and lower forming station 12.

Due to the synchronized controls, when the webs of material stop, cams 53 contact rollers 52 of the lower half 43 of the forming station 12 and push the lower half 53 up into close contact with the upper half 31. At this instant, cam 55 pushes roller 56 and its associated lever arm 57 to release the compressed air or other fluid into the pipes 34. A volume of compressed air or other fluid is admitted to the space above plate 35 and by reason of the sealing gasket 31' a high compressive eifort is initiated between the metal plate 35 and the margins shafts 186 and 187. T ransversely across the machine, I of the digs thus tightly clamping the Web At the same time, a relatively small volume of compressed air passes through orifice 36 and impresses the web 4 down into the pocket forming space 47. Residual air which might have been trapped in the space 47 is vented through orifices 46. In practice, a differential pressure is maintained across the orifices 36 of the nature of 10 to l,

in order to maintain a high clamping force at the margins of the dies 44. Cams 53 and 55 continue to cycle so that the air is exhausted backward through conduits 34 and is released to the atmosphere before the earns 53 have advanced far enough to open the dies by dropping the lower half 43. After the dies have opened, the web material is permitted to advance one increment, whereupon the cycle is repeated; resulting in a continuous Web having impressed therein, in lateral and lengthwise rows, commodity holding pockets 13.

At the pocket filling station 14, a slide valve 82 closes the bottoms of the cone-shaped openings 62 in the bottom of the hopper 6% which is filled with powder, or other.

commodity for the package. Drum 63 rotates in the direction of the arrow shown. in Fig. 6 and picks up' powder through the slots 64 which then discharge the powder into the openings 62 when the slots 64 arrive at the bottom of the hopper 61). As the last slot 64 passes the opening 62, the cycling cam 66 begins to move away from the roller 75, as shown in Fig. 8, and spring 89 pulls lever 67 which moves the slide valve members, 79, 80, 81, S2, 84 back, and thus pulls the valve 82 away from the bottom of the cone-shaped openings 62. At this time, the pockets 13 are moving under said openings 62 and the powder begins to be discharged into said pockets 13. In Fig. 9, the cam 66 is down and the.

'82 until the slide valve 82 again closes the opening 62.

At the neXt station, covering web 16 and printed web 17 are passed together under tension roller 2% and over roller 21 to pass said webs 16 and 17 by a lamp 22 and phototube 298, which record the position of the printed matter by means of a dot 2G7, whereby when the printed web 17 and cover web 16 are advanced enough that proper spacing of the pockets 13 maybe efiected; then said phototube 208 will-energize the solenoid 159 and halt the feed of the webs. The combined webs now pass under paired rollers 21B and move to the sealing station where the cover web 16 in contact with the pocket 13 which halts between the upper and lower parts of said sealing station.

Now cams 129 contact rollers 12% and raise the lower movable part 118, so that its grid-like die 122 presses the web lips between pockets 13 against the resilient gasket 111 of the rigid upper part 113 of the sealing station 15. At the same moment, cam 131, also contacts roller 133 which moves its associated lever arm 13 against the air valve release button 132 which permits compressed air to flow through hose 34 into air chamber 114 and compressed plates and gaskets 112 and 111 firmly against the lips of the pockets 13. As the cams 129 and 131 continue their cycle, the compressed air is shut off and exhausted back through pipes 34 and the lower part of the sealing station 118 drops down and the sealed pocket 13 moves on to the next station which is the driving station 135.

Here, a plurality of rubber-tired wheels 13? are retated continuously by shaft 138 and its associated sprocket wheel 136 which is driven by chain 137 and sprocket wheel 176. An equal number of clutch wheels 1'52 are disposed along shaft 152 so as to be in alignment with wheels 139. When solenoid 159 is energized it pulls lever which causes the clutch wheels 14-2 to compress the web material against turning rubber-tired wheels 139 thus moving the material forward. When the web materials have been advanced sufiiciently to bring the next successive row of pockets opposite the forming station 12, the filling station 14 and the sealing station 15, the solenoid 15 is deenergized by means of electrical circuit components and spring 156 retracts arm 156, allowing clutch Wheels 142 to withdraw from contact with the webs and thus the driving effort is relieved to halt the webs.

At the slitting station, are constantly turning slitting cutters 168 and 169 which bisect, lengthwise, the marginal seal between pockets. This motion is achieved by the sprocket wheel 170 and the spur gears 173 and 174.

At the neXt station, is a cam operated cut-oft" knife 188 disposed transversely to the webs. At a rate of once per cycle this knife 188 raises to bisect the sealed pocket margins. Cams 182 and 183 raise their associated cam rollers 184 and 185 and knife carrying rods 186 and 187, while coiled springs 192 within housings 195 tend to relieve some of the weight of the knife assembly from the cams. A snubber bar 189 is attached to the knife assembly and is activated by coiled springs 19%. hold said snubber bar 189 against the cut-off knife 188. The knife 188 rises slightly beyond the snubber bar 189 which is halted by stationary blade 196A while compression of springs 199 insures a clean cut by the cut-ofi knife 188. The cut-01f packages 13 now fall upon inclined plane 27 and slide onto the conveyor belt 198 ready for packing and shipment.

The motor is started by a suitable switch while switch 218 controls the sealing heaters. S. P. B. T. switch 212 is used to switch feed control to either the phototube amplifier set up or the pocket operated limit switch arrangement which operates in coordination with the cam operated switch 103 which together activate relay 216 and the solenoid 159 to start or stop the movement of the web material at the right moment.

S. P. S. T. switch 217, in series with the amplifier 299, is adapted to disconnect this control from the circuit when a printed web is not used on the cover web. Then spacing control is provided by the pocket operated limit switch 85 by throwing the movable contact 215 of S. P. D. T. switch 212 from contact 211 to 214. In addition the thermostatic swtich 126 maintains the proper temperature of the heating element 124 which is located in the sealing station 15.

, ing station, drawing a pocket While, in disclosing the principles of my invention and its preferred embodiment, I have described various detailed structure and relationship, it will be understood that such embodiment and details are given by way of example only and not as limiting the scope of my invention.

the web materials, no limitations are implied and they may be metals or metallic alloys, fibrous organic films, synthetic resins, textiles, and others, or, any combination of these as laminations, with or without additional coatings. In addition there may be printing, art Work, etc., on any or all surfaces of any or all webs.

It is also understood that the marginal joining of the webs in whatever combination is being used can be by means of thermo-plastic coatings sealed by heat or, adhesives may be applied at any time during the operations.

I claim:

I. A packaging machine having means for forming a commodity containing pocket in a fiat web of flexible, permanently deformable material comprising a member having a flat surface and aperture therein, means for successively positioning adjacent portions of said web into position overlying said member, a female die, means for alternately positioning said die adjacent said web with one of said portions of said web lying between said die and said member, with the peripheral edges of said die forcing the peripheral edges of said portion of said web against said member and forming a fluid tight seal therebetween, and positioning said die away from said mem to a position whereby said web may be a l to the surface of said member, and means for forcing a finial under pressure through said aperture against said web, said fluid pressure forcing said portion of said web into said die permanently deform ng said portion of said web.

2. A packaging machine having means for hermeti- Cally sealing together two webs incorporating a sealable medium, to form a sealed package for a commodity, one of said webs having a plurality of portions thereof in a series extending transverse of the web depressed to form pockets therein, comprising means for supporting said web having the pockets therein comprising a member having a flange adapted to engage said web about the periphery of said pockets, and a member overlying said first mentioned member, means for introducing said two webs juxtaposition between said two members, and means for applying fluid pressure to said second mentioned member to urge it toward the first mentioned member sealing the two webs together about the periphery of said pockets.

3. Method for packaging materials from a plurality of webs of flexible material and a supply of particulate material to be packaged whi..h comprises feeding a web of packaging material in a straight line, to a pocket formfrom said material by means of fluid pressure, feeding said web with the pockets formed therein in a straight line to a dispensing station remote from said pocket forming station, dispensing said material to be packaged from said supply in predetermined quantity and density and depositing it in said drawn pockets, feeding a second web of package material above said first web and positioned to overlie the drawn and filled and applying iluid pressure to seal together said first mentioned web about tr e marginal edges of said pocket and said second mentioned web, porating a scalable medium.

4. Method for packaging materials fromv a plurality of webs of flexible material and a sup-ply of material to be packaged which comprises feeding a web of pa "age material deformable beyond its elastic limit to a pocket form station, drawing a pocket from said material by means fluid pressure and simultaneously clamping the porti 13s of said webs constituting the margin of said pocket against movement or deformation, followed by material to be packaged from said supply in predeterthereby preventing the 'modity, means for feeding a mined quantity and density and depositing it in the pockets, feeding a second web of package material above said first web so as to overlie the drawn and filled pockets and applying fluid pressure to seal togetherthe portions of said first web forming the marginal edges of said pocket and adjacent portions of said second web, one of said webs incorporating a sealable medium.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of dispensing comprises tumbling and aerating said material,

tendency of the same to cake.

6. The'method of claim 3 including the step of clamping the margin of the first mentioned web against movement or deformation during the application of fiuid'pressure to form the pocket therein.

7. A packaging machine having means for forming a commodity containing pocket in a flat web of extensible permanently deformable material comprising a member having an aperture therein, resilient means for supporting said member, means for moving a portion of said web into position overlying said member, a female die positioned adjacent said web with said portion of said web lying between said member and said die, said die having a peripheral flange extending towards said member and means for forcing a fluid under pressure against said member, urging said member towards said die and effect- 'in a fluid tight seal between said member and said web, said aperture forming a passageway for said fluid under pressure and a portion of said fluid under pressure flowing through said aperture and forcing said portion of said web into said die, permanently deforming said portion of said web.

8. A packaging machine comprising a frame, means for feeding a web of flexible, permanently deformable material along said frame, a pocket forming unit including fluid pressure means therein for pneumatically drawing the web material into the shape of a commodity containing pocket, a source of supply of a particulate comportion of said particulate commodity into said drawn pocket and means for controlling the quantity and density of .said portion of the particulate commodity, means for feeding and positioning a second web of flexible material above said firstmentioned web and covering said pockets, one of said of fiuid pressure first and second mentioned webs incorporating a scalable medium, means for sealing portions of the second mentioned web material to the portions of the first mentioned Web material which define the marginal edges of said pocket, thereby producing the filled package and means for severing the filled and sealed package from the moving webs, said pocket forming unit comprising upper and lower members, a cross frame adapted forfiXedly supporting said upper member, said upper members having a plurality of aligned apertures therein, a source for passage through said apertures, a pocket-shaped die attached to said lower member, and a plurality of exhaust outlets in said pocket-shaped die, the first mentioned web material being adapted to pass between said upper and lower members of said pocket-forming unit. a

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,835,914 Stockdale Dec. 8,-1931 1,929,301 Batcheller Oct. 3, 1933 2,057,021 Gammeter Oct. 13, 1936 2,142,445 Helwig Q Ian. 3, 1939 2,188,342 England Jan. 30, 1940 2,210,509 Strauch Aug. 6, 1940 2,227,728 Lombi Ian. 7, 1941 2,232,783 Hausheer Feb. 25, 1941 2,300,110 De Hoog Oct. 27, 1942 2,315,162 Rasmussen Mar. 30, 1943 2,350,930 Salfisberg June 6,1944 2,365,920 Vaughn Dec. 26, 1944 2,385,083 Kemerer Sept. 18, 1945 2,387,747 Cowley Oct. 30, 1945 2,408,221 7 Michel Sept. 24, 1946 2,438,089 Carson Mar. 16, 1948' 2,490,781 Cloud Dec. 13, 1949 2,494,484 Nicolle Ian. 10, 1950 2,497,212 Donofrio Feb. 14, 1950 2,530,306 Land Nov. 14, 1950 2,546,059 Cloud Mar. 20, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 511,549 Great Britain 'Aug. 21, 1939.

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