Packaging apparatuses and systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11053038-B2
Application number	US-201916284865-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 25, 2019
Priority date	Oct 2, 2014
Publication date	Jul 6, 2021
Grant date	Jul 6, 2021

Abstract

A packaging apparatus comprising a base surface, in turn comprising a first end and a second end is disclosed. The packaging apparatus further comprises a feed tube between the first end and the second end of the base surface, a transporter between the first end of the base surface and the feed tube, a first sealer between the feed tube and the second end of the base surface, and a second sealer between the first sealer and the second end of the base surface.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A packaging apparatus, comprising:
a base surface, comprising a first end and a second end;
a feed tube between the first end and the second end of the base surface;
a transporter between the first end of the base surface and the feed tube;
a first sealer between the feed tube and the second end of the base surface; and
a second sealer between the first sealer and the second end of the base surface;
wherein the base surface has an angle β with respect to a virtual horizontal plane.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a packaging dispenser at the second end.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the transporter comprises first rollers.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the transporter further comprises at least one active roller.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the first rollers are passive rollers.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the transporter comprises a low-friction surface.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the transporter comprises an air bearing.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the angle β is adjustable.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first end of the base surface is elevated relative to the second end of the base surface.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the base surface is tiltable about an axis, parallel to the feed tube.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a position sensor, operatively coupled to at least one of the first sealer and the second sealer.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a position sensor, operatively coupled to the transporter.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the position sensor is operatively coupled to at least one of the first sealer and the second sealer.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first sealer and the second sealer are separated by a distance D.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the distance D is adjustable.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the base surface further comprises a track, and the distance D is adjustable by moving at least one of the first sealer and the second sealer along the track.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an end cap, configured to cover a leading end of a component to be packaged.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the end cap comprises a curved convex leading surface.

19. A packaging system, comprising:
a base surface, comprising a first end and a second end;
a feed tube between the first end and the second end of the base surface;
a transporter between the first end of the base surface and the feed tube;
a first sealer between the feed tube and the second end of the base surface;
a second sealer between the first sealer and the second end of the base surface;
a position sensor between the first sealer and the second sealer; and
a robotic arm, operatively coupled with the position sensor;
wherein the base surface has an angle β with respect to a virtual horizontal plane.

20. A packaging apparatus, comprising:
a base surface, comprising a first end and a second end;
a feed tube between the first end and the second end of the base surface;
a transporter between the first end of the base surface and the feed tube;
a first sealer between the feed tube and the second end of the base surface; and
a second sealer between the first sealer and the second end of the base surface;
wherein at least a portion of the base surface is tiltable about an axis parallel to the feed tube.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Tiffany Todd S
• Lee Tristan E

Classifications

• B65B19/34

  Packaging other rod-shaped articles, e.g. sausages, macaroni, spaghetti, drinking straws, welding electrodes · CPC title

• B65B51/14

  by reciprocating or oscillating members (B65B51/148 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B65B9/13

  the preformed tubular webs being supplied in a flattened state · CPC title

• B65B35/22 Primary

  by roller-ways · CPC title