초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for packaging products in containers while the containers are continuously moving along a path is disclosed herein. The containers are sequentially dropped from a nested stack towards an apertured conveyor that defines the path for the containers and a negative pressure is pro

A method and apparatus for packaging products in containers while the containers are continuously moving along a path is disclosed herein. The containers are sequentially dropped from a nested stack towards an apertured conveyor that defines the path for the containers and a negative pressure is produced below the conveyor to assist in drawing the containers into the apertures of the conveyor. The conveyor moves the containers to a filling station where the product is flowed into the containers at several different locations, so that the containers are filled in stages while being moved by the conveyor. The filled containers then progress to a cover applying station and are preferably arranged in at least a pair of rows with a continuous web of heat sealable cover film heat sealed to the filled containers at the cover applying station. In one embodiment, the continuous web of material is then severed longitudinally and transversely between each adjacent pair of containers to produce rectangular covers and the periphery of the covers are folded under the rim of the container by automatic folding means. In another embodiment, the web is only partially severed between groups of containers while the web in the remaining areas forms an interconnection between adjacent containers and the severed portions of the webs are folded downwardly to produce an interconnected group of filled containers. In both embodiments, the apparatus includes novel heating and pressure applying means for sealing the web to the container rims and simplified structure for severing the webs at selected locations. The severing mechanism produces individual separated containers, each having four gripping tabs on the cover, in one embodiment while producing interconnected groups of containers in the alternate embodiment with each container having four gripping tabs on the cover.

대표청구항 ▼

A package for storing a product comprising a plastic container having a circular bottom wall and a side wall extending upwardly therefrom with a circular rim extending outwardly from the upper end of said side wall, said rim defining a generally flat upper surface having a circular peripheral edge,

A package for storing a product comprising a plastic container having a circular bottom wall and a side wall extending upwardly therefrom with a circular rim extending outwardly from the upper end of said side wall, said rim defining a generally flat upper surface having a circular peripheral edge, and a cover including a rectangular flexible sheet of film having sealing characteristics on one surface with said surface sealed to only said flat upper surface, said sheet being formed of a material that is capable of taking on a permanent set and said sheet having a peripheral edge extending beyond said rim and being tucked around said circular peripheral edge of said flat upper surface and under said rim, said rectangular sheet having generally triangularly shaped corners extending substantially below said rim and each corner being free from said container below said circular peripheral edge to define a gripping member for removing said cover from said container to allow removal of said contents.