Container insert apparatus and method
First Claim
1. An apparatus for producing a container insert comprising:
- a dispensing station for dispensing a material and folding the material upon itself along a longitudinal axis thereof to form a generally U-shaped folded material having opposing sides, a folded end, and an open end;
a folding station including a pair of spaced apart plates for receiving the generally U-shaped folded material from the dispensing station and a material folding member selectively received between the plates for causing the folded end to be received between the opposing sides to form a generally W-shaped folded material;
a sealing station including a seam forming element to form a seam extending from the folded end to the open end of the w-shaped folded material;
a material advance mechanism to advance the material through the apparatus; and
a cutting station to cut the w-shaped configured material along the seam formed therein;
wherein the folding station includes a framework to support the pair of spaced apart plates and a pair of reciprocatively mounted material gripping members configured to move toward and away from the plates, wherein the gripping members secure the opposing sides of the generally U-shaped folded material against the plates while the material folding member is received between the plates to push the folded end of the generally U-shaped folded material therebetween to form the generally w-shaped folded material.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A container insert, and an apparatus and a method of producing the container insert. The container insert is formed as a deformable pouch adapted to be received in an interior of an associated container. The pouch has a closed lower end, an open upper end, and spaced apart sealed edges. The lower end of the pouch includes two leg portions. The pouch is manipulatable to generally conform to the interior of the contained and form a hollow interior space therein for receiving an object and providing a lining for the interior of the container. The apparatus and the method for producing the insert provides for a substantially automatic and continuous production of the insert from a roll of material.
95 Citations
11 Claims
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1. An apparatus for producing a container insert comprising:
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a dispensing station for dispensing a material and folding the material upon itself along a longitudinal axis thereof to form a generally U-shaped folded material having opposing sides, a folded end, and an open end; a folding station including a pair of spaced apart plates for receiving the generally U-shaped folded material from the dispensing station and a material folding member selectively received between the plates for causing the folded end to be received between the opposing sides to form a generally W-shaped folded material; a sealing station including a seam forming element to form a seam extending from the folded end to the open end of the w-shaped folded material; a material advance mechanism to advance the material through the apparatus; and a cutting station to cut the w-shaped configured material along the seam formed therein; wherein the folding station includes a framework to support the pair of spaced apart plates and a pair of reciprocatively mounted material gripping members configured to move toward and away from the plates, wherein the gripping members secure the opposing sides of the generally U-shaped folded material against the plates while the material folding member is received between the plates to push the folded end of the generally U-shaped folded material therebetween to form the generally w-shaped folded material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification