Method for packaging bulk materials composed of elongated pieces
First Claim
1. A method of aligning and packaging bulk materials composed of elongated pieces, which comprises:
- measuring a pre-selected amount of the material;
substantially separating the material into individual pieces by free fall;
causing the pieces to free-fall for partial vertical alignment thereof;
guiding the free falling pieces into a fill tube for alignment thereof;
collecting the pieces within the fill tube; and
packaging the material so collected in selected packaging material.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and method for the packaging of bulk materials composed of elongated pieces. The apparatus and method are particularly useful in the packaging of food materials such as french fries, carrots, celery hearts, and the like. The method includes the steps of weighing and apportioning the material, separating the material into individual pieces, causing free-fall of the pieces resulting in substantial alignment and guiding the pieces into a fill tube for packaging. Apparatus for packaging includes apportioning buckets, a transition chute with a stream-out member, a fill tube, and a packager. A bag catcher for settling the product within the package may also be provided.
22 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method of aligning and packaging bulk materials composed of elongated pieces, which comprises:
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measuring a pre-selected amount of the material; substantially separating the material into individual pieces by free fall; causing the pieces to free-fall for partial vertical alignment thereof; guiding the free falling pieces into a fill tube for alignment thereof; collecting the pieces within the fill tube; and
packaging the material so collected in selected packaging material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of packaging bulk materials composed of elongated pieces, which comprises:
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weighing and apportioning the material into preselected weight units; dividing the apportioned material into two or more substantially equal portions; separating each of the portions of the material into substantially separate pieces; causing free-fall of the separated pieces of each of the portions for partial alignment of the pieces; guiding the pieces of each portion into a fill tube while maintaining separation of the portions; and recombining and packaging the substantially aligned material. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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Specification