U.S. patent application number 12/963235 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-03 for form fill seal packaging method and apparatus for compressible goods.
This patent application is currently assigned to ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.. Invention is credited to Timothy Michael Arends, Donald Lee Crevier, Daniel McDonald, Thomas Moeller, Stanley Piotrowski, Lawrence Share, Lisa Taylor, Gregory Topel, Alan J. Varacins.
Application Number | 20110266188 12/963235 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44541343 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110266188 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Share; Lawrence ; et
al. |
November 3, 2011 |
FORM FILL SEAL PACKAGING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSIBLE
GOODS
Abstract
The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for compressing
woven material or other compressible material, such as, but not
limited to, a comforter set or bedding set. The bedding set or
other woven material is placed into a reclosable storage bag
through the open bottom thereof. The bag is compressed by a
compression apparatus and the open bottom of the storage bag is
sealed shut. The result is a package with reduced volume, which
reduces shipping and display costs, and is more aesthetically
attractive to the consumer.
Inventors: |
Share; Lawrence; (Skokie,
IL) ; Arends; Timothy Michael; (St. Charles, IL)
; Topel; Gregory; (Oak Park, IL) ; McDonald;
Daniel; (Palatine, IL) ; Crevier; Donald Lee;
(Essex, IL) ; Moeller; Thomas; (Northbrook,
IL) ; Taylor; Lisa; (Lawrenceville, GA) ;
Varacins; Alan J.; (Burlington, WI) ; Piotrowski;
Stanley; (Addison, IL) |
Assignee: |
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Glenview
IL
|
Family ID: |
44541343 |
Appl. No.: |
12/963235 |
Filed: |
December 8, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12823823 |
Jun 25, 2010 |
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12963235 |
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12823331 |
Jun 25, 2010 |
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12823823 |
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61359133 |
Jun 28, 2010 |
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61304734 |
Feb 15, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/524.8 ;
53/432; 53/436 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 43/465 20130101;
B65B 63/02 20130101; B65B 43/14 20130101; B65B 61/188 20130101;
B65B 63/026 20130101; B65B 43/123 20130101; B65B 43/267 20130101;
B65B 9/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/524.8 ;
53/436; 53/432 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/20 20060101
B65D081/20; B65B 31/04 20060101 B65B031/04; B65B 63/02 20060101
B65B063/02 |
Claims
1. A method, including the steps of: providing a package with a
first end and a second end, including a closure at the first end
and an opening at the second end; placing compressible material
within the package through the opening; compressing the package
thereby expelling a portion of air from the package; and sealing
the opening.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the closure is a reclosable
zipper.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the compressible material includes
woven material.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the compressible material includes
textile or cloth.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of compressing the
package is performed in the absence of a vacuum being applied to
the package.
6. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of compressing the
package is performed with vacuum being applied to the package.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of compressing is
performed with at least 2.5 pounds per square inch of force applied
to the package.
8. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of compressing is
performed with at least 3.5 pounds per square inch of force applied
to the package.
9. The method of claim 5 wherein the reclosable zipper includes two
interlocking profiles which, when interlocked, form a
leak-resistant seal.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein a peel seal is provided adjacent
to the reclosable zipper.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing a package
includes the step of providing a series of packages.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of providing a series
of packages includes the step of providing a stack of packages
include apertures through which at least one pin passes.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of providing a stack of
packages includes provided a wicketed stack of packages.
14. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of providing a series
of packages includes the step of providing a sequential chain of
packages, wherein packages are attached to adjacent packages.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the sequential chain of packages
is provided in a stack.
16. The method of claim 11 including the step of providing the
packages in an inverted vertical configuration.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of placing compressible
material within the package through the opening is performed
vertically.
18. The method of claim 11 including the step of providing the
packages a horizontal configuration.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of placing compressible
material within the package through the opening is performed
horizontally.
20. The method of claim 1 further including the step of extruding
first and second zipper profiles onto a single sheet of web and
folding the web align the first and second zipper profiles with
each other and to form walls of the package.
21. The method of claim 1 wherein the packages and the compressible
material are provided horizontally in a first direction, and
wherein the step of placing compressible material within the
package through the opening is performed horizontally in a second
direction, perpendicular to the first direction.
22. The method of claim 21 further including a preliminary
compression step prior to the step of placing compressible material
within the package through the opening.
23. The method of claim 21 wherein the preliminary compression step
is performed by a funnel shaped apparatus.
24. A packaging of compressible material, comprising: a package
including front and rear walls, a mouth with a reclosable zipper;
and a sealed bottom; compressible material contained within the
package, the compressible material being in a compressed state
resulting from a compressive force of at least 2.5 pounds per
square inch, and the package being at least partially evacuated of
air, the compressible material having been inserted into the
package prior to sealing of the bottom; wherein the packaging is
sold in a retail establishment.
25. The packaging of claim 24 wherein the compressible material
includes woven material.
26. The packaging of claim 24 wherein the compressible material
includes textile or cloth.
27. The packaging of claim 25 wherein the reclosable zipper
includes two interlocking profiles which, when interlocked, form a
leak resistant seal.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/359,133,
filed on Jun. 28, 2010; provisional application Ser. No.
61/304,734, filed on Feb. 15, 2010, the contents of all of which
are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Additionally, this application is a continuation-in-part of
application Ser. Nos. 12/823,823 and 12/823,331, both filed Jun.
25, 2010 and both claiming priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) of
said provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/304,734, filed on
Feb. 15, 2010, the contents of all of which are hereby incorporated
by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a form fill and seal
method and apparatus for producing compact shipping for woven
fabric articles or compressible materials, such as, but not limited
to, bedding materials.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0003] In the prior art, it is well known to package woven fabric
articles or compressible materials, such as bedding material, in a
package or bag made from polymeric or similar material. However,
the resulting packaging can be bulky which increases
transportation, storage and display costs throughout the chain of
commerce. Similarly, a consumer may be less prone to buy an
unwieldy package.
[0004] The storage of polymeric bag within a box is disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 7,588,160, entitled "Combined Storage Apparatus",
issued on Sep. 15, 2009 to Chen.
[0005] While the embodiments disclosed in parent application Ser.
Nos. 12/823,823 and 12/823,331, both filed Jun. 25, 2010 and
entitled "Method and Apparatus for Compressing and Holding in
Compression Woven Fabric Articles" have been satisfactory for their
intended purposes, further improvements are desired, such as
increasing the manufacturing speed and possibly increasing the
automation of the method and apparatus.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0006] It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to
provide further improvements in a method and apparatus for
compressing woven fabric articles or compressible materials, such
as, but not limited to, bedding materials, in order to provide a
compact and aesthetically pleasing package. These improvements may
include increasing the manufacturing speed and possible increasing
the automation of the method and apparatus.
[0007] This and other objects are attained by the present
disclosure by providing a method and apparatus wherein a series of
plastic storage bags with open bottoms are provided. The plastic
storage bags are typically of the type with a reclosable zipper
(but may be a plain closure or a non-reclosable closure, such as
with a hard seal sealing the top edges of the front and rear walls
together), and typically provided in a successive chain
configuration, a stacked configuration, a wicketed configuration or
a similar configuration. The compressible materials are placed into
an open bottom of a plastic storage bag. The compressible material
and plastic storage bag are compressed, typically with a pneumatic
or hydraulic apparatus. After the compression step has been
performed, the bottom is sealed closed thereby retaining the
package in its compressed state.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Further objects and advantages of the disclosure will become
apparent from the following description and from the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
compression apparatus of the present disclosure, implementing the
compression step in the vertical direction.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a stack of open bottom
zippered packages or bags in a wicketed configuration.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a plan view of an embodiment for providing
packages or bags from a wicketed stack in a vertical direction to a
compression device which implements compression in the horizontal
direction.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a side or cross-sectional view of a blanket or
similar compressible material with the package or bag and
positioned within the compression apparatus prior to compression in
the horizontal direction.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a side or cross-sectional view of a blanket or
similar compressible material with the package or bag, after the
compression step in the horizontal direction has been performed by
the compression apparatus, with the seal jaws preparing to form the
seal in the package or bag.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment for providing
packages or bags from a wicketed stack in a horizontal direction to
a compression device which implements compression in the horizontal
direction.
[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates a chain of inverted packages or bags with
the open bottoms facing upwardly.
[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates a chain of inverted packages being
removed from a container, filled with compressible goods and sealed
shut.
[0017] FIG. 9 illustrates a chain of packages being removed from a
container, and configured into a horizontal configuration, in
anticipation of subsequent filling, compressing and sealing.
[0018] FIG. 10 illustrates the extrusion of zipper profiles onto a
film for the production of the packages or bags used in an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 11 illustrates the folding of the film to join the
profiles of the zipper.
[0020] FIG. 12 illustrates the folded film with cross-seals,
thereby forming the open bottom bags of an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
present disclosure. configured as a horizontal compression fill
rotary seal apparatus.
[0022] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
present disclosure, configured as a horizontal funnel fill seal
apparatus.
[0023] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
present disclosure, configured as a horizontal funnel fill seal
apparatus with ninety degrees to the feed conveyors.
[0024] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
present disclosure, configured as a horizontal pre-compression
filling apparatus with sealing station with in-line conveyors.
[0025] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
present disclosure, configured as a horizontal funnel filling open
zipper apparatus.
[0026] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
present disclosure, configured as a horizontal compression index
loading apparatus.
[0027] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a pre-compression inserter
device which is adaptable to at least the illustrated embodiments
of FIGS. 13, 16 and 18.
[0028] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a final compression and
sealing device which is adaptable to at least the illustrated
embodiments of FIGS. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18.
[0029] FIGS. 21A-C form a series of perspective views showing a
compression device for various illustrated embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 22 is a perspective view illustrating an apparatus of
the present disclosure, using guide rails to guide and open the
packages or bags.
[0031] FIG. 23 further illustrates the use of guide rails, in
combination with packages or bags with perforations for the removal
of a portion of the packages or bag.
[0032] FIG. 24 further illustrates the use of guide rails to open
the packages or bags.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like
numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, one
sees that FIG. 1 is a perspective view of pressing apparatus 10 of
the present disclosure. The apparatus of FIG. 1 was disclosed in
the above-referenced parent applications of the present
application. Pressing or compression apparatus 10 includes a frame
12, typically made from metal, which further includes a
ground-engaging rectangular base 14, upright vertical elements 16
at the corners, and an upper horizontal portion 18. Tray 20 is
positioned on rectangular base 14. Tray 20 typically includes an
extended floor 21 which can serve as a feeding ramp. Tray 20
further typically includes first and second side elements 22, 24
which are inwardly and outwardly adjustable to accommodate
different sizes of packages and may be configured as being movable.
Tray 20 further typically includes rear element 25. Rear element 25
may be hinged to provide further access to storage bag 104
(described hereinafter) and to allow the storage bag 104 (including
compressible material 102) to be pushed out of the rear of pressing
or compression apparatus 10. The use of first and second side
elements 22, 24, along with rear element 25, allows the storage bag
104 (including compressible material 102) to be compressed into a
controlled shape, with the contents typically remaining very flat
and smooth. Additionally, different shapes for the resulting
product may be achieved by placing elements into different
configurations.
[0034] Compression arm 30 reciprocates vertically toward and away
from tray 20. Compression arm 30 includes flat compression plate 32
(typically sixteen by sixteen inches for applications involving
bedding materials) which moves toward and away from tray 20 and
impinge against the storage bag 104, with compressible material 102
contained therewithin. The compression plate 32 provides a
compression surface and is connected by first and second horizontal
cross-beams 34, 36 which are, in turn, connected to respective
first and second vertical guide rods 38, 40 which are engaged by
respective first and second guide apertures 39, 41 and thereby
constrained to vertical motion. Vertical drive rod 37 is connected
between pneumatic drive 48 and compression plate 32. Pneumatic
drive 48 thereby moves compression plate 32 vertically and applies
a force to compression plate 32, thereby causing a compression
force to be exerted across the area of compression plate. It has
been found that a force of at least 2.5 to 3.5 pounds per square
inch typically is required for sufficient compression of most
compressible materials, such as, but not limited to, woven textile
or cloth, particularly those frequently used for bedding
materials.
[0035] While FIG. 1 illustrates the compression taking place in a
vertical direction. Other embodiments may implement compression in
the horizontal direction. Additionally, in all of the illustrated
embodiments, while not illustrated, a small amount of vacuum may be
applied during compression in order improve the appearance of the
compressed material.
[0036] FIG. 2 illustrates a stack 200 of storage bags 104. Sealable
storage bags 104 include front and rear walls 106, 108, typically
of transparent polymeric material, with an airtight or
leak-resistant reclosable zipper 110 at a top or first end thereof,
with first and second interlocking profiles 112, 114 which can be
selectively opened (separated) or closed (interlocked) by movement
of an optional slider (not shown). The stack 200 is typically
provided with the first and second interlocking profiles 112, 114
interlocked with each other. A pre-activated peel seal 115 may be
provided on the product side of zipper 110 to further insure the
air-tight characteristics of the top of the storage bag 104. While
not shown in FIG. 2, one of the front and rear walls 106, 108 may
include a reclosable air valve with an open position which allows
air to pass freely therethrough and a closed position which
provides an airtight or leak-resistant configuration. As shown in
FIG. 2, sealable storage bags 104 are initially provided with an
open bottom (or opening) 120 at a second end thereof, with rear
wall 108 including a supporting portion 122 below a perforated or
otherwise tearable line 124. The supporting portion 122 includes
first and second apertures 126, 128 which align with like first and
second apertures 126, 128 of successive storage bags 104, thereby
allowing respective first and second pins 130, 132 to pass
therethrough, resulting in what is known to those skilled in the
art as a wicketed configuration. This allows the storage bags 104
to be provided from the stack 200 by tearing along perforated or
otherwise tearable lines 124, thereby typically resulting in front
and rear walls 106, 108 of substantial equal length. Storage bags
104 may be provided in different ways, such as, but not limited to,
in a stack free of connection with each other, or in a chain-type
configuration wherein the sides of subsequent storage bags are
connected to each other.
[0037] FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate a sequence of compressing and
sealing package 104 with compressible material 102 therewithin.
Individual storage bags 104 are taken from wicketed stack 200.
Compressible material 102, such as, but not limited to, a comforter
set, is placed into an inverted storage bag 104 (with the first and
second interlocking profiles 112, 114 interlocked with each other)
through the upwardly facing open bottom 120 thereof, and dropped,
typically by gravity, between compression plate 32 and fixed
vertical wall 14' of horizontally oriented compression apparatus
10. The storage bag 104 and the compressible material 102 are then
compressed horizontally between compression plate 32 and fixed
vertical wall 14' as shown in FIG. 5. As further shown in FIG. 5,
then first and second seal bars 50, 52 engage and seal the lower
edges of front and rear walls 106, 108, thereby forming a bottom
air-tight seal 140 so as to maintain the compressible material 102
in a compressed state within the air-tight storage bag 104. The
compression plate 32 may then be retracted to the position shown in
FIG. 3 and lower hinged plate 25' lowered so as to allow the
storage bag 104, with compressible material 102 therein, to drop
from the compression apparatus.
[0038] Compressible material 102 may further include, but is not
limited to, comforters, pillows, blankets, quilts, bedspreads,
mattress pads, bath towels beach towels. dish towels, kitchen
towels, toilet lid and tank covers, bath accessories, bedding
accessories, sleeping bags, duffel bags, toys, apparel, fabrics,
cotton batting, and fill materials (such as polyester fill).
[0039] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the stack 200 of storage
bags 104 is provided in a wicketed configuration, and in a vertical
orientation. The orientation can further be considered to be
inverted in that the open bottoms 120 are facing upwardly. The
swing arm 300 is configured to swing through a range of 180 degrees
and, by using a vacuum or similar device, takes a single storage
bag 104 from stack 200 and moves the storage bag 104 in a generally
horizontal direction to horizontally oriented compression apparatus
10, as accessed through hinged side door 60. A process similar to
that shown in FIG. 5 is then typically used to insert the
compressible material 102 into storage bag 104 and form the bottom
seal.
[0040] FIG. 7 illustrates a connected chain of inverted storage
bags 104, with the open bottoms 120 facing upwardly. The inverted
storage bags 104 are connected to adjacent inverted storage bags
104 by their respective edges. The downward facing tops of the
storage bags 104 include reclosable zippers 110, but the reclosable
zippers may be replaced with non-vacuum laminate film.
[0041] FIG. 8 illustrates a connected chain of inverted storage
bags 104, wherein the storage bags 104 are stored in a horizontal
configuration in stack 200 and subsequently mounted on spreader
rails 410, 412 (typically by passing spreader rails 410, 412
through respective loops formed in front and rear walls 106, 108)
and conveyed in a vertical configuration. As the spreader rails
410, 412 engage the front and rear walls 106, 108, respectively,
increasing the distance between spreader rails 410, 412 can serve
to spread apart the opening of the storage bag 104.
[0042] FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 8, but the storage bags 104 are
conveyed in a horizontal configuration on table 404.
[0043] As shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, the first and second zipper
profiles 112, 114 can be extruded on a single sheet of web which is
folded to align the zipper profiles 112, 114 with each other, and
further to form front and rear walls 106, 108. Cross seals 117 are
formed to provide the separate storage bags 104 as shown in FIG. 12
Cross seal 117' illustrates an incomplete cut in the cross seal,
thereby allowing a chain to be formed by successive storage bags
104.
[0044] FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of form fill seal (FFS)
apparatus 500 with horizontal pre-compression ninety degrees rotate
seal capability. Chain linked open-bottom storage bags 104 are
indexed horizontally while lying flat and guided by the zipper
profiles 112, 114. The compressible material 102 is also indexed
along parallel to the storage bag movement. At the fill station
502, the compressible material 102 enters the pre-compression
inserter device 504 (see FIG. 19) and is compressed between platens
507, 509 and pushed by automated pusher arm 520 into the open bag
which is between the platens 508, 510 of the final compression and
sealing device 506 (see FIG. 20). The platens 508, 510 complete the
compression, the storage bag 104 is rotated ninety degrees about a
vertical axis, and sealer 512 (similar to the seal bars 50, 52 of
FIGS. 3 and 5) seals the open bottom of storage bag 104.
[0045] FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment of form fill seal (FFS)
apparatus 500 with a horizontal funnel filling sealing station with
in-line conveyors. Chain-linked open-bottom storage bags 104 are
indexed horizontally while lying flat and guided by the zipper
profiles 112, 114. The compressible material 102 is likewise
indexed parallel to the movement of the storage bags 104. At the
fill station 502, the compressible material 102 is pushed through a
sizing funnel 516 by plate 511, thereby performing preliminary
compression, and into the opened storage bag 104 that is placed
between two horizontal conveyor belts 513, 515 that are aligned in
the same direction as the movement of the compressible material 102
and the storage bag 104. The conveyor belts 513, 515 are angled
together, so that when they index, the conveyor belts 513, 515
continue to compress the storage bag 104 to expel the excess air.
The almost fully compressed filled storage bag 104 continues to
index in the same direction into a final compression and sealing
device 506 (see FIG. 20) which further compresses and seals the
storage bag 104. Final compression and sealing device 506 may
include side containment walls 518 which assist with the final
sizing of storage bag 104.
[0046] FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment of form fill seal
apparatus 500 with a horizontal funnel filling sealing station with
ninety degrees to feed conveyor. Chain-linked open bottom storage
bags 104 are indexed horizontally while lying flat and guided by
the zipper profiles 112, 114. The compressible material 102 is also
indexed parallel to the storage bag movement. At the fill station
502, the compressible material 102 is pushed through a sizing
funnel 516 by plate 511 and into the opened storage bag that is
placed between two horizontal conveyor belts 513, 515 that are
aligned perpendicular to the direction of the movement of the
storage bag 104 and the compressible material 102. Similar to the
embodiment of FIG. 14, the conveyor belts are angled together, so
that when they index, the conveyor belts continue to compress the
storage bag 104 to expel the compressed air. The almost fully
compressed filled storage bag 104 continues to index in the same
direction into a final compression and sealing device 506 (see FIG.
20) which further compresses and seals the storage bag 104. Final
compression and sealing device 506 may include side containment
walls 518 which assist with the final sizing of storage bag
104.
[0047] FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment of form fill seal
apparatus 500 with horizontal pre-compression with a sealing
station in line with the conveyors. Chain-linked open bottom
storage bags 104 are indexed horizontally while lying flat and
guided by the zipper profiles 112, 114. The compressible material
102 is indexed along parallel to the storage bag movement. At the
fill station 502, the compressible material 102 enters the
pre-compression inserter device 504 (see FIG. 19) is compressed
between platens 507, 509. While plates 507, 509 are in the
compressed position, the pre-compression insertor device 504 moves
perpendicularly to the bag motion into the open bottom of the
storage bag 104. An automated pusher arm pushes 520 the filled
partially compressed storage bag 104 from the platens 507, 509 and
between the two horizontal conveyor belts 513, 515 that are aligned
in the same direction as the movement of the compressible material
102 and the storage bag 104. The conveyor belts 513, 515 are angled
together, so that when they index, the conveyor belts 513, 515
continue to compress the storage bag 104 to expel the excess air.
The almost fully compressed filled storage bag 104 continues to
index in the same direction into a final compression and sealing
device 506 (see FIG. 20) which further compresses and seals the
storage bag 104. Final compression and sealing device 506 may
include side containment walls 518 which assist with the final
sizing of storage bag 104.
[0048] FIG. 17 illustrates an embodiment of form fill seal
apparatus 500 with horizontal funnel filling through an open
zipper. Chain-linked open-bottom storage bags 104 are indexed
horizontally while lying flat. The compressible material 102 is
likewise indexed parallel to the movement of the storage bags 104.
At the fill station 502, the compressible material 102 is pushed
through a sizing funnel 516 by plate 511, through the opened zipper
profiles 112, 114 and the opened storage bag 104 that is placed
between two horizontal conveyor belts 513, 515 that are aligned in
the same direction as the movement of the compressible material 102
and the storage bag 104. The conveyor belts 513, 515 are angled
together, so that when they index, the conveyor belts 513, 515
continue to compress the storage bag 104 to expel the excess air.
The almost fully compressed filled storage bag 104 continues to
index in the same direction into a final compression and sealing
device 506 (see FIG. 20) which further compresses and closes the
zipper profiles 112, 114 of the storage bag 104. Final compression
and sealing device 506 may include side containment walls 518 which
assist with the final sizing of storage bag 104.
[0049] FIG. 18 illustrates an optional loading device with
horizontal compression and index loading. Compressible material 102
loaded onto an indexing feeding device which is configured as
conveyor belt 540 with partitions 542 spaced at package-width
intervals. This apparatus further includes pre-compression inserter
device 504 (see FIG. 19) and final compression and sealing device
506 (see FIG. 20) as previously described.
[0050] FIG. 19 illustrates the pre-compression inserter device 504
which is incorporated into the previously described embodiments of
FIGS. 13, 16 and 18. Platens 507 and 509 are used to grasp and
initially or preliminarily compress compressible material 102.
Compressible material 102 is then urged out of device 504 by
automated pusher arm 520 (with a pusher plate) into the open
storage bag 104.
[0051] FIG. 20 illustrates the final compression and sealing device
506 which is incorporated into the previously described embodiments
of FIGS. 13-16, 18 and 19. After the final compression of
compressible material 102 with storage bag 104 (with an open
bottom) is performed between platens 508, 510, the device 506 can,
depending upon the requirements of the specific embodiment, rotate
90 degrees about a vertical axis in order to present the open
bottom film-to-film section to the sealer 512.
[0052] FIGS. 21A-21C show a further improvement to final
compression and sealing device 506 wherein side plates 522, 524 are
provided. A similar back plate (not shown) may also be provided.
The movable side plate 522, 524 pivot inwardly from both sides
toward the storage bag 104. As they pivot inwardly, they can also
slide upwardly to allow for clearance as the top platen 508
compresses the storage bag 104. The side plates 522, 524 function
as constraints to compress the open bottom bag symmetrically,
squeezing from both sides simultaneously rather than from just on
side, or, only from the top. This provides increased uniformity in
the control of the compression of the storage bag containing
compressible material 102, thereby, in some applications, perhaps
producing a more aesthetically pleasing, less wrinkled product.
[0053] FIGS. 22-24 illustrate how spreader rails 410, 412 can be
attached to front and rear walls 106, 108 of storage bag 104,
thereby allowing the increasing of distance between spreader rails
410, 412 to open the storage bag 104 as desired. Additionally, as
shown in FIG. 24, spreader rails 410, 412 may be hollow with
radially oriented apertures 414 in order to allow compressed air to
be injected into spreader rails 410, 412, thereby reducing friction
between the spreader rails 410, 412 and the front and rear walls
106, 108 of storage bag 104, thereby enabling the rapid movement of
the storage bags 104 along spreader rails 410, 412.
[0054] The resulting storage bags 104, with the compressed material
102 sealed therewithin, can be sold within a retail establishment,
and may include the configuration disclosed in parent application
Ser. Nos. 12/823,823 and 12/823,331.
[0055] Thus the several aforementioned objects and advantages are
most effectively attained. Although preferred embodiments of the
invention have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it
should be understood that this invention is in no sense limited
thereby and its scope is to be determined by that of the appended
claims.
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