1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for packaging clear plastic packages for small articles. More particularly it relates to UV packaging systems for clamshell type packages.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It has become popular to secure small articles of commerce in clear plastic packages such as clamshell-type packages and that permit prospective purchasers a view of the product while providing a seal against tampering and pilferage. Advances in the industry have led to the development of UV adhesive based systems whereby articles of commerce and associated product information card are placed in the cavity of a clamshell package, adhesive applied along “proud points” or raised male portions of the package, then the lid is manually closed to bring the proud points into corresponding grooves, and then the closed package is sent to a UV illumination chamber for instant curing and sealing.
Although improved packaging has resulted, conventional methods for producing these packages are labor intensive and remain limited by interruptions, excessive dwell-time and pauses.
In view of the foregoing it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for packaging items in clam-shell packages.
Another object is to provide a quicker, more effective as well as versatile way to package items.
These and other objects and advantages are provided by the present invention of a method for packaging articles in clear plastic clamshell packages of the type having a first portion with an article-receiving cavity, and a lid portion that is hinged to the article-receiving portion. The lid has raised parts or “proud points” or raised male portions extending along its periphery and the other portion has complementary grooves for receiving the proud points.
The invention includes a conveyor assembly comprising a pair of relatively narrow conveyor belts that are laterally spaced apart so as to support a package by its opposing peripheries. Lateral spacing is adjustable for supporting packages of differing widths.
In a preferred embodiment there is dispensing means for supporting a multitude of packages in stacked nested configuration in open position with the bottoms of packages fully received in the cavity portions of adjoining packages, and for successively withdrawing the lowermost package from the stack and placing it on the front end of the moving conveyor belts to provide packages spaced along the conveyor in open, lid-forward positions. In one preferred embodiment a pivotally mounted arm has releasable suction means on its free end and is adapted to rotate back and forth to grasp the lowermost supported package by releasable suction means and place it on the conveyor.
One preferred embodiment of the invention incorporates a robotic arm unit that senses speed and position of advancing packages on the conveyor, and will grasp pre-positioned articles of commerce and any associated product cards and place and release the same into the cavity of advancing packages.
Spaced above and transverse of the conveyor surface is a rotating UV adhesive-coated roller that coats the proud points of advancing packages.
The package is further conveyed to the point where sensor means triggers an upward jet of air from an air knife for a predetermined duration, which jet impacts the package lid causing it to rotate to a closed position, the proud points making initial engagement with the grooves. Next, rotating roller means spaced above the conveyor assembly urges the lid into full closure, which fully engages the proud points and grooves, effectively spreading adhesive over the engaged surfaces. Finally the package is delivered to a UV illumination chamber where the adhesive is instantly cured to complete the package.
In a preferred embodiment, a unique arrangement of pressure rollers and UV LED arrays is employed to provide improved UV sealing.
In a variant of the invention the conveyor assembly has three relatively narrow, parallel, spaced apart conveyor belt units, the middle of said belt units cooperating with the other belt units to provide two parallel means for advancing said packages.
Preferably the middle belt is adapted for being disassembled so that the other belt units combine to provide a single track for handling substantially wider packages.
Referring now to the drawings,
The spacing between units 31 and 35 is adjusted to support package 13 in its open position shown, by the peripheries of its opposing sides. Adjustment between the units can be made as desired to accommodate packages of differing widths. Also, there is sufficient vertical clearance below the level of the belts to allow package conveyance to be unhindered by the downward projection of the cavity portion 17.
The general method and apparatus of the present invention can be appreciated by reference to
Finally the package, shown as 13(d), is fed for conveyance through a UV illumination chamber 55 where the adhesive is instantly cured to complete the packaging.
A preferred embodiment of apparatus according to the invention is shown in
As
Near the rear end of module 121 is a roller press unit 181 including motorized roller 183 that is vertically adjustable by virtue of a conventional knob-equipped screw mechanism 110. Its rotational speed is synchronized to the speed of the underlying conveyor belt. Module 121 can be maneuvered to bring the off end of conveyor 131 to the intake of a UV illumination device.
A preferred embodiment incorporates at the loading end of the module 121 a package de-nester apparatus 44, shown in
As
Note that the working arm 56 is positioned to make reciprocal rotational movement (indicted by arrows) in the space between the two conveyor belts of conveyor belt unit 131. Suction cup units 60(a) and 60(b) include venturi-type vacuum generators and are connected via coiled air lines and control valves (not shown) to a pressurized air source and are oriented so that when the arm 56 is rotated to the position shown in broken lines in
In a preferred embodiment the take-off end of module 121 is provided with innovative UV LED-powered illuminator and roller mechanism 221, illustrated in
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown, it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto. Various modifications and variations of the invention will be evident to persons of ordinary skill in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure, and it is intended that the invention be given its full scope and breath as defined in the claims that follow.
This is a Continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/251,650, filed 10/17/2005, now abandoned.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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3866393 | Warner et al. | Feb 1975 | A |
3877205 | Gundersen | Apr 1975 | A |
3884015 | Melton | May 1975 | A |
4297826 | Woertche | Nov 1981 | A |
5603203 | Robache | Feb 1997 | A |
6550224 | Kleinschmidt | Apr 2003 | B2 |
Number | Date | Country |
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06171609 | Jun 1994 | JP |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20070084744 A1 | Apr 2007 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 11251650 | Oct 2005 | US |
Child | 11400831 | US |