Apparatus and Method for Packaging

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/634,410, filed Apr. 15, 2024, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

Embodiments herein relate to an apparatus and method for packaging a block, such as a block of cheese.

This summary is an overview of some of the teachings of the present application and is not intended to be an exclusive or exhaustive treatment of the present subject matter. Further details are found in the detailed description and appended claims. Other aspects will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description and viewing the drawings that form a part thereof, each of which is not to be taken in a limiting sense. The scope herein is defined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

In an embodiment, a system for packaging a product, the system comprises a holder for retaining a plurality bags; a rotatable drum, the rotatable drum including a first plurality of vacuum suction cups positioned on a first portion of the drum and a second plurality of vacuum suction cups on a second portion of the drum; a third plurality of suction cups positioned above the drum capable of extending down to secure the bag and retract; and a spreader assembly configured to hold the bag open.

In an embodiment, the rotatable drum comprises a half-cylinder.

In an embodiment, the first plurality of vacuum suction cups are arranged in a generally linear arrangement.

In an embodiment, the first plurality of vacuum suction cups are configured to extend out from a surface of the rotatable drum.

In an embodiment, the first plurality of vacuum suction cups are configured to grab one end of a bag.

In an embodiment, the second plurality of vacuum suction cups are arranged in a generally linear arrangement.

In an embodiment, the second plurality of vacuum suction cups are configured to extend out from a surface of the rotatable drum.

In an embodiment, the first plurality of vacuum suction cups are configured to grab one end of a bag.

In an embodiment, the bags are provided in a tray.

In an embodiment, a printer is provided for labeling each bag.

In an embodiment, the first plurality of vacuum suction cups are configured to extend and retract.

In an embodiment, the first plurality of vacuum suction cups are configured to extend, secure to the bag, and then retract.

In an embodiment, each of the pluralities of suction cups comprise four suction cups.

In an embodiment, each of the pluralities of suction cups comprise three suction cups.

In an embodiment, each of the pluralities of suction cups comprise more than four suction cups.

In an embodiment, the spreader assembly is pneumatically controlled.

In an embodiment, the spreader assembly is configured to spread open the bag.

In an embodiment, the spreader assembly is configured to extend the bag so the bag envelopes the jaws of a block former.

In an embodiment, the spreader assembly is configured to retract to its starting position after the bag envelopes the jaws of a block former.

In an embodiment, a method for packaging a product is disclosed. The method comprises providing a plurality of bags each having an open end and a closed end; securing a first end of a single bag with a rotatable drum including a first plurality of vacuum suction cups extending from a first portion of the drum; rotating the drum and securing a second end of the bag with a second plurality of vacuum suction cups extending from a second portion of the drum; rotating the drum so that the closed end of the bag is on the bottom and the open end of the bag is on top; securing the open end of the bag with a third plurality of vacuum suction cups and retracting the third plurality of suction cups so as to open the bag; and inserting a spreader assembly into the open bag to hold it open and allow for insertion of a product.

In an embodiment, the first plurality of suction cups secures the closed end of the bag.

In an embodiment, the second plurality of suction cups secures the open end of the bag.

In an embodiment, the bags are provided in a stacked arrangement.

In an embodiment, the bags are provided in a stacked arrangement in a tray.

In an embodiment, the rotatable drum comprises a half-cylinder.

In an embodiment, the first plurality of vacuum suction cups are arranged in a generally linear arrangement.

In an embodiment, the second plurality of vacuum suction cups are arranged in a generally linear arrangement.

In an embodiment, the second plurality of vacuum suction cups are configured to extend out from a surface of the rotatable drum.

In an embodiment, the first plurality of vacuum suction cups are configured to grab one end of a bag.

In an embodiment, the first plurality of vacuum suction cups extend and retract to secure the bag.

In an embodiment, each of the pluralities of suction cups comprise four suction cups.

In an embodiment, the bags are retained in an open position by a spreader assembly.

While embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example and drawings, and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the scope herein is not limited to the particular aspects described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope herein.

Referring now to the figures,is a back perspective view of an apparatus for packagingin accordance with various embodiments herein.

is an exploded perspective view of an apparatus for packagingin accordance with various embodiments herein. The apparatus for packagingcan have various components, but in the example shown ina housingcontains a bag holder(typically a tray), a rotatable drum element, a top bar, a spreader assembly, and an optional printer, mounted in a frame assembly.

In use a plurality of bags each having an open end and a closed end are placed in the bag holder; a first end of a single bag is secured with the rotatable drum elementby a first plurality of vacuum suction cups extending from a first portion of the drum (discussed below); the drum rotates and secures a second end of the bag with a second plurality of vacuum suction cups extending from a second portion of the drum (discussed below), the drum rotates back so that the closed end of the bag is on the bottom and the open end of the bag is on top. The open end of the bag is secured by a third plurality of vacuum suction cups mounted on the top bar, which and retract so as to open the bag. The spreader assemblythen inserts into the open bag to hold it open and allow for insertion of a product, such as a cheese block.

is a front perspective view of an apparatus for packagingin accordance with various embodiments herein; showing the rotatable drum element; along with top barand spreader assembly.

is a top view of an apparatus for packagingin accordance with various embodiments herein; showing a top view of the top barand the spreader assembly.

is a front end view of an apparatus for packagingin accordance with various embodiments herein, showing the bag holder(which is a tray that is generally manually filled by operators).

is first side view of an apparatus for packagingin accordance with various embodiments herein.is a second side view of an apparatus for packagingin accordance with various embodiments herein. These views show examples of the exterior of the apparatus for packaging.

is an upper back perspective view of a drum elementfrom an apparatus for packagingin accordance with various embodiments herein. The drum element includes a first plurality of vacuum suction cupsand a second plurality of vacuum suction cups.

is a lower back perspective view of a drum elementfrom an apparatus for packagingin accordance with various embodiments herein. The drum element includes a first plurality of vacuum suction cupsand a second plurality of vacuum suction cups.

is a back view of a drum elementfrom an apparatus for packagingin accordance with various embodiments herein. The drum element includes a first plurality of vacuum suction cupsand a second plurality of vacuum suction cups.

is a top view of a drum elementfrom an apparatus for packagingin accordance with various embodiments herein. The drum elementincludes a first plurality of vacuum suction cups.

a side view of a drum element from an apparatus for packagingin accordance with various embodiments herein. The drum elementincludes a second plurality of vacuum suction cups.

is perspective view of a top barfor grabbing an end of a packagingin accordance with various embodiments herein. The top barhas a third plurality of vacuum suction cupsthat extend from its underside.

is a perspective view of a printerthat can be used to print information on the packaging in accordance with various embodiments herein, such as lot number, manufacturing location, expiration date, ingredients, etcetera.