US3308936A

US3308936A - Closed end film package

Info

Publication number: US3308936A
Application number: US347898A
Authority: US
Inventors: Roland Max; Wendell J Stratton; Jr Axel W Stratton
Original assignee: NEBRASKA PACKING CO
Current assignee: NEBRASKA PACKING CO
Priority date: 1964-02-27
Filing date: 1964-02-27
Publication date: 1967-03-14
Anticipated expiration: 1984-03-14

Description

M. ROLAND ETAL CLOSED END FILM PACKAGE fweuroes: Max E04. 0N0 mwaaz. J Srenrra/v OA JQ w 4 firram/sys.

.of the band closure.

United States Patent Ofiice 3,308,936 Patented Mar. 14, 1967 3,308,936 CLOSED END FILM PACKAGE Max Roland, Burlingame, Wendell J. Stratton, Glendale,

and Axel W. Stratton, Jr., Daly City, Calif., assignors to Nebraska Packing Co., Glendale, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Feb. 27, 1964, Ser. No. 347,898 6 Claims. (Cl. 206-46) This invention relates generally to closing of packages, and more particularly concerns improvements having to do with preventing inadvertent release of package closures of the type used for holding a package wrap in gathered condition at an end of the package.

In the past, packages have been closed by collapsing bands about wraps gathered at package ends. For example, so-called chub packaging involves the use of equipment operating to collapse a metallic band or clip about a film wrap to block release of the pack contents, the latter typically consisting of a flowable filler material such as sausage, dog food and the like. However, the subsequent handling of packages of this type frequently leads to inadvertent release of the contents, particularly at the band closed end or ends. It is found that forces accompanying such handling tend to create internal pressures in the flowable filler, and that these pressures can effect suflicient expansion of the collapsed band or clip at the package end to permit oozing of the filler and consequent spoilage or necessary rejection of the pack. Thus, inadvertent dropping or other impacting of the pack can loosen the band suificiently to result in exposure or pressure release of the filler to the exterior.

The present invention has as its main object the provision of an improved package characterized as having a wrap which is closed by a band or clip, and further characterized in that means is retained on and extends about the collapsed band to block expansion thereof in order to prevent exposure of the filler to the exterior, as for example by pressure release of the filler. To this end, a metallic capping means may be provided to fit over the band and at the same time confine that portion of the Wrapper film protruding through the band. Further, the capping means may be in the form of a metallic receptacle having a skirt deformed into tight engagement with the metallic band to prevent band expansion in response to application of pressure generated within the flowable filler material and applied at the band. Additionally, the package -may be hermetically sealed by means of a sealant confined within the capping means.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a package characterized in that the main extent of the film wrap is held in tensioned condition at the periphery of the package by the same means acting to block expansion Thus, the capping means may squeeze the wrapper between the band and the main extent of the package to further gather the wrapper film and eliminate any undesired wrinkles or folds created or existing in the main extent of the wrap as an incident to the introduction of filler into it.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a chub package of the improved type characterized by the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary showing of an end portion of a chub package prior to complete assembly of the package components;

FIG. 3 is a view like FIG. 2 showing the manner in which the package components may be assembled;

FIG. 4 is a view like FIG. 2 but showing the package after assembly of its components;

of the package components.

FIG. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a section taken on line 66 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but showing a modified form of the package assembly.

Referring to FIGS. l6, the elongated package 10 includes a wrapper 11 covering the filler 12 which may typically but not necessarily comprise sausage, dog food or the like, any filler being contemplated so long as it is flowable in response to external force application to the package. The wrap 10 may typically comprise a shrinkable or non-shrinkable plastic film, and it is gathered at opposite end regions 13 of the package for closure by a band 14 collapsed about the terminal portion 15 of the wrapper. Typical films include polypropylene and those having the trade names Mylar and Saran. The band or clip 14 is preferably metallic and is collapsed sufiiciently to hold the gathered terminal portion 15 of the Wrapper in tightly compressed condition, as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. For this purpose, the band may have a C-shape with the terminals 16 thereof collapsed closely toward one another. Other type bands are contemplated, as for example metallic wire, and bands having circular or noncircular shape, with or without overlapping ends. It is to be noted that sufiicient internal pressure generated in the filler and transmitted internally of the wrapper terminal portion 15 may effect expansion of the C-shaped band or clip to permit oozing or other release of the filler unless band expansion is prevented.

In accordance with the invention, means is provided to be retained on and to extend about the collapsed band for blocking expansion thereof, in order to prevent exposure or release of the filler. One such means is shown in the drawings to comprise a metallic cap in the form of a receptacle 17 sized to receive the film terminal portion protruding at 18 through the band 14. The receptacle has an inlet 19 into which the film terminal portion and the band are receivable, and it also has a closed end 20 for completely confining the film terminal portion. A skirt 21 on the receptacle is seen in FIGS. 4 and 6 to be deformed inwardly into tight engagement with the band at the clamping locations 22 spaced about the band. Such deformation of the skirt is preferably carried out by dimpling the band at the locations 22 during assembly Thus, for example, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 the receptacle is initially sized to loosely receive the band as the receptacle is placed over the terminal protruding portion 18 of the film wrap. Thereafter, appropriate tooling shown at 23 squeezes the receptacle skirt 21 at the dimple locations 22 to effect a tight clamping of the receptacle on the band for retention thereon to prevent band expansion. In this regard, the permanent deformation of the receptacle at the dimple locations cold strengthens the receptacle, which may for example be made of aluminum, so as the prevent band expansion.

Receptacle 17 is shown to have an end flange 24 which is turned in order to present its convex side toward the gathered end portion 13 of the wrapper 11. As a result, the rim 25 of the flange does not come into tearing contact with the wrapper during asembly of the cap over the band.

Turning now to FIG. 7, a band capping means in the form of a receptacle 26 is shown to be retained on the band 27 of the same type as previously indicated at 14, the receptacle 26 having a closed end 28 and a skirt 29, these confining the protruding portion 30 of the package wrapper 31. The gathered end portion 32 thereof is squeezed inwardly by the outwardly flanged annular end portion 33 of the receptacle 26, and in spaced relation to the band 27. In the absence of such squeezing, the wrapper end portion 32 would in general flare outwardly and loosely at the broken line location 34, it being the dense to leave voids a'within the package.

purpose of the FIG. 7 form of the invention to maintain the main extent of the film 31 in tensioned condition at the periphery of the package, i.e., to eliminate wrap looseness or wrinkling. The latter may result from the Wrapper filling process wherein fortexarnple thefiller may be heated sufliciently to result in the formation of steam or other gas pockets within the wrapper, and which con- As a result of end squeezing of the package in the manner-referred to above, the voids-may be eliminated and the film, as for example :Mylar, will be tensioned properly, about the package. At the same time, of course, receptacle '26 is retained .on the band 27 inthe same manner as described above in connection with FIGS. 16, in order to prevent band expansion Comparison of FIG. 5 with FIG. 6 shows that the band is further compressed about the vWrap at 15 in respouse to clamping of the capping means 17 thereon, the band terminals 16 typically being closer together in FIG. 6 than in FIG. 5.

FIG. 4 also shows a sealant 36 as confined within the capping means to sealoff against the film terminal portion 18 protruding through the band. The sealant may for example comprise paraffin, wax, an elastomer or, an adhesive for hermetically sealing the package end, confinement of the sealant within the capping receptacle protecting it from injury or destruction.

We claim:

1. An improved package, comprising a film wrap to contain'a filler, a metallic band collapsed about and holding the wrap at one end of the package in, gathered condition to block exposure of the filler to theexterior, ancla metallic receptacle, having an inwardly. deformed skirt tightly retained on and extending about the-collapsed band to block expansion thereof in order to :preventsaid filler exposure, the receptacle having afianged endfirmly engaging the film and interiorly receiving the band sufficiently as to effect film squeezing between the band and the main extent ofthe package thereby inwardly main-,

inwardly deformed skirt tightly retained on and extend ing about the collapsed bandito block expansion thereof in responseto pressure exertedby the filler thereby :to prevent release of the filler through the gathered filmat the band, the receptacle having a 'fianged end firmly engaging the film and interio'rly receiving the band sufliciently as to effect film squeezing between the band and the main extent of the package thereby inwardly maintaining the main extent of the film in tensioned condition at the periphery of said end of the package;

3. An improved package, comprising a flexible film having generally tubular form to contain a flowable filler, a metallic band collapsed about and holding the film at an end of the package in gathered condition to block release of the filler, and a metallic receptacle having an inwardly deformed skirt tightly retained on and extending about the collapsed band to block expansion;

4. thereof in response to pressure exerted by the filler thereby to prevent release of the filler through the gathered film at the band, the receptacle having a flanged end firmly engaging the film and interiorly receivingtthe band sufliciently as to effect film squeezing betweenthe band and the main extentof the' package thereby inwardly main'taining the main extent ofthe film in tensioned condition at the periphery or said end of the package, the film terminal portion protruding through the band and'said receptacle confining said film terminal portion.

4. An improved package, comprising a flexible film having elongated "generally tu-bular form to contain a fiowable solid filler, a metallic band collapsed about and holding the film ateach end of the'package in gathered condition to block release of i the filler, and a metallic receptacle having an inwardly deformed skirt tightly retained on and extending about the collapsed band at each end of the package; to block band expansion-in response to pressure exerted by the filler thereby to prevent release of the filler throughthe gathered film atthe band, each receptacle having a flanged end firmly engaging the film and int'eriorly receiving the band sufficiently as to effect film squeezing between the band and the main extent of the package thereby inwardlyl maintaining the mainextent of the film in tensioned condition at'the periphery of said end of the package;

5.- An improved package, comprising a flexible film having elongated generally tubular form to contain a flowabl solid filler, a metallic band collapsed about and holding the film at an end of the package in gathered condition to block release of the filler, and a metallic, receptacle retained on an *extending about the collapsed band to block expansion thereof in response tolpressure exerted by thezfiller thereby to prevent release of the filler through the gathered film at the band, the film terminal portion protruding through the band and being confined within said receptacle, the receptacle having a skirt permanently deformed inwardly to clamp the :band at spaced locations thereabout, the band having been loosely received within the receptacle-upon initial assembly of the receptacle over the band, and sealant confined within the receptacle to stab off againstthe film terminal portion protruding through the :band,one end of the receptacle being closed, the receptacle having outward flangingat its opposite end, said 'flan'geden'd firmly engagingthe film so as to squeeze the film between the band and the main extent: of the package thereby inwardly maintaining themainextent of the filth in tensioned condition at the periphery of said end of the package} 6.: The package of claim 5 in which the band is generally Oshaped.

References Cited by theExaminer UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,988,058 l/l935 Trailer 206-46 X 2,555,088 5/ 1951' Irwin 206-46 X 2,682,903 7/1954 Gay -3 2,781,900 2/1957 Snyder 20646 2,994,424 8/ 1961 Selby 206-46 LOUIS G. MANCENE, Pi'imdry Exan'iine'r.

Claims

1. AN IMPROVED PACKAGE, COMPRISING A FILM WRAP TO CONTAIN A FILLER, A METALLIC BAND COLLAPSED ABOUT AND HOLDING THE WRAP AT ONE END OF THE PACKAGE IN GATHERED CONDITION TO BLOCK EXPOSURE OF THE FILLER TO THE EXTERIOR, AND A METALLIC RECEPTACLE HAVING AN INWARDLY DEFORMED SKIRT TIGHTLY RETAINED ON AND EXTENDING ABOUT THE COLLAPSED BAND TO BLOCK EXPANSION THEREOF IN ORDER TO PREVENT SAID FILLER EXPOSURE, THE RECEPTACLE HAVING A FLANGED END FIRMLY ENGAGING THE FILM AND INTERIORLY RECEIVING THE BAND SUFFICIENTLY AS TO EFFECT FILM SQUEEZING BETWEEN THE BAND AND THE MAIN EXTENT OF THE PACKAGE THEREBY INWARDLY MAINTAINING THE MAIN EXTENT OF THE FILM IN TENSIONED CONDITION AT THE PERIPHERY OF SAID END OF THE PACKAGE.