US 6,499,274 B1
Method for high speed loading, vacuumizing and sealing of a bagged article
Gregory E. McDonald,
Simpsonville, S.C. (US);
Jeffrey L. Walker,
Easley, S.C. (US);
Glenn W. Killinger,
Simpsonville, S.C. (US);
and Andrew W. Moehlenbrock,
Simpsonville, S.C. (US)
Assigned to Cryovac, Inc.,
Duncan, S.C. (US)
Filed on 20-Jun-2000, as Appl. No. Cryovac, Inc.,
Duncan, S.C. (US)
Int. Cl.7B65B 31/00
U.S. Cl. 53-434
10 Claims
US 6,499,274 B1
Method for high speed loading, vacuumizing and sealing of a bagged article
Gregory E. McDonald,
Simpsonville, S.C. (US);
Jeffrey L. Walker,
Easley, S.C. (US);
Glenn W. Killinger,
Simpsonville, S.C. (US);
and Andrew W. Moehlenbrock,
Simpsonville, S.C. (US)
Assigned to Cryovac, Inc.,
Duncan, S.C. (US)
Filed on Jun. 20, 2000, as Appl. No. 9/597,680.
Int. Cl.7B65B 31/00
U.S. Cl. 538212;434
10 Claims
1. An apparatus comprising:
a) a plurality of subplatens each capable of carrying a bagged article, the subplatens each comprising
i) a carrying portion having a top and bottom,
ii) a side groove disposed along at least one side of the carrying portion,
iii) a bottom groove disposed on the bottom of the carrying portion, and
iv) a clamp anvil disposed on the bottom of the carrying portion;
b) a conveyor for advancing the subplatens from a loading station toward a vacuum/seal apparatus, the vacuum/seal apparatus
having a plurality of platens capable of moving in a circuit; and
c) a synchronizing assembly capable of loading each subplaten onto a platen of the vacuum/seal apparatus, the synchronizing
assembly comprising:
i) an endless chain assembly, the chain assembly having a chain capable of being rotated about two spaced apart axes,
ii) a plurality of lugs disposed in spaced apart arrangement along the chain;
iii) a queuing device disposed near an upstream end of the chain assembly; and
iv) a locking pin disposed in an upper surface of at least one platen of the vacuum/seal apparatus.