US20040068964A1 - Automated netter - Google Patents
Automated netter Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20040068964A1 US20040068964A1 US10/618,562 US61856203A US2004068964A1 US 20040068964 A1 US20040068964 A1 US 20040068964A1 US 61856203 A US61856203 A US 61856203A US 2004068964 A1 US2004068964 A1 US 2004068964A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- netting
- roll
- loop
- label
- handle
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 74
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 40
- 208000019300 CLIPPERS Diseases 0.000 claims abstract description 37
- 208000021930 chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids Diseases 0.000 claims abstract description 37
- 238000005303 weighing Methods 0.000 claims 3
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 210000000554 iris Anatomy 0.000 abstract description 93
- 241000286209 Phasianidae Species 0.000 description 16
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 5
- 244000144977 poultry Species 0.000 description 5
- 235000013580 sausages Nutrition 0.000 description 5
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 4
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- 240000002129 Malva sylvestris Species 0.000 description 3
- 235000006770 Malva sylvestris Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 235000013351 cheese Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000000391 smoking effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 241000288147 Meleagris gallopavo Species 0.000 description 2
- 210000000481 breast Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 238000010411 cooking Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 241000271566 Aves Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002457 flexible plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000004124 hock Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008520 organization Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004416 thermosoftening plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
- B65B9/10—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs
- B65B9/15—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the preformed tubular webs being stored on filling nozzles
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A22—BUTCHERING; MEAT TREATMENT; PROCESSING POULTRY OR FISH
- A22C—PROCESSING MEAT, POULTRY, OR FISH
- A22C11/00—Sausage making ; Apparatus for handling or conveying sausage products during manufacture
- A22C11/001—Machines for making skinless sausages, e.g. Frankfurters, Wieners
- A22C11/005—Apparatus for binding or tying sausages or meat, e.g. salami, rollades; Filling sausage products into sleeve netting
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
- B65B25/06—Packaging slices or specially-shaped pieces of meat, cheese, or other plastic or tacky products
- B65B25/064—Packaging slices or specially-shaped pieces of meat, cheese, or other plastic or tacky products of poultry
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
- B65B25/06—Packaging slices or specially-shaped pieces of meat, cheese, or other plastic or tacky products
- B65B25/065—Packaging slices or specially-shaped pieces of meat, cheese, or other plastic or tacky products of meat
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
- B65B51/04—Applying separate sealing or securing members, e.g. clips
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
- B65B61/14—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for incorporating, or forming and incorporating, handles or suspension means in packages
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
- B65C7/00—Affixing tags
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
- B65B9/10—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs
Definitions
- This invention is generally directed to a system for enclosing materials, such as poultry, hams, or other materials, in netting and applying a handle and a label to the package.
- Nets are also applied to other food products, such as poultry, hams, sausages, or cheeses, prior to further processing, such as smoking.
- a handle is also applied to the package. Sausages and hams are enclosed in netting prior to cooking or smoking. The use of a handle is mandated, as there must be some way to handle the product in the cooking or smoking apparatus. The handles on these products are generally discarded after processing.
- the handle is also useful to workers and customers in retail establishments, especially when the product is frozen, to make it easier to grab the product.
- a handle facilitates maneuvering the products, such as moving the products in and out of display cases, through check-out lanes, or in and out of the consumer's own refrigerator or freezer. Additionally, some consumers prefer to use a handle in order to avoid touching the package itself. Accordingly, there is a marketing advantage to having a handle on the product. In the case of turkeys or other poultry, it is important that the handle be applied at the rear-most point of the birds, which is where the legs point, to provide a pleasing appearance to purchasers.
- the label displays such data as weight, price per unit of weight, and total price. Other data, such as lot numbers, batch identification, product identification, or expiration date, are also common.
- the label can also contain identification information such as brand names or logos.
- Netting is manufactured in a long, continuous tube, usually of a hard thermoplastic but also from natural fibers.
- the prior art method of enclosing a turkey in netting was to clip one end of the netting tube, place the turkey in the tube, manually pull the netting tightly around the turkey, clip the open end to enclose the turkey in the netting, and cut the netting. If a handle was desired, the additional step was, after the netting was pulled around the turkey, to form a loop while holding the netting tightly against the turkey, clip the netting at the close of the loop, and cut the netting.
- Prior art methods to automate the process have been unsuccessful.
- One method used clippers built into gathering plates, but that method was awkward and slow because the gathering plates had to move. Since an opening must be at least 14 inches to accommodate the largest turkeys, the gathering plates had to move at least seven inches and, to be practical, had to move more like 10 inches. Accordingly, they were big, heavy, and slow.
- the prior art automated processes also worked only for consistently-sized turkeys. Application of a predetermined length of netting had to be based on the largest turkeys available. If the predetermined length of netting was sufficient to enclose the largest turkeys, however, all smaller turkeys would be netted loosely, which caused a marketing disadvantage.
- the present invention discloses an apparatus and a method to insert material such as a turkey into netting, to pull the netting tightly around the material, to form a loop at one end for carrying the material, and to apply a label with data concerning the material.
- the apparatus and method described accomplish this purpose, and allow for encasing not just whole turkeys but also turkey breasts, hams, sausages, cheeses, and any other materials which one might desire to place in netting.
- the method and apparatus provide for pulling the netting tight by machinery, instead of by hand, easing the task of the worker and providing for a uniformly tight appearance.
- the apparatus comprises a product tube, a first clipper, a handle-maker, and a second clipper.
- the apparatus places the material to be enclosed in a continuous cylinder of netting, previously clipped on one end.
- the apparatus pulls the material through two irises, pulling the netting about the material.
- the two irises then close, gathering the netting.
- One iris moves away, tightening the netting about the material.
- the handle maker grasps the gathered netting, pulling it tightly around the material, and further makes a loop.
- the first clipper clips the netting and also severs it.
- the second clipper clips the loop adjacent the material, to enclose the material in a tight net with a looped handle.
- the second clipper also clips a label to the loop, for product information.
- a general object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for encasing materials very tightly in netting, to reduce labor costs and injuries and to obtain an uniform appearance.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus to encase materials very tightly in netting and automatically to apply a label with identifying data concerning the packaged materials.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus to encase materials very tightly in netting and to apply a loop in the netting, to act as a handle for further processing or for consumer use.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method that accommodate variations in sizes of materials to be encased.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method to make the hocks of turkeys point in the correction direction.
- FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a view of the first iris plate of the apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a view of the first clipper of the apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a view of the moving iris plate of the apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 7 is a view of the second clipper of the apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 8 is a view of the dump tray of the apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 9 is a view of the handle maker of the apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 10 is a view of sample labels of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- the present disclosure describes the method and apparatus as used to encase whole turkeys.
- the same method and apparatus can be used for other whole poultry, for poultry parts, such as turkey breast, or for any other material that one may wish to enclose in netting, such as hams, sausages, cheeses, or other food or non-food products, without departure from the invention.
- the apparatus 2 is built with a frame 4 having a front 6 , rear 8 , left 10 , and right 12 . Attached to the frame are a product tube 30 , a first iris plate 60 , a moving iris plate 132 , a tray 202 , an orienter 216 , a handle maker 230 , a printer 260 , an air supply 274 , and electronic controls 276 .
- a scale 16 is located apart from but close to the front of the frame 6 .
- the product tube 30 is a standard pneumatic tube, open at both ends, and is attached to the front of the frame 6 .
- the product tube 30 is oriented to slope down slightly toward the rear 8 , so that products, such as turkeys, placed in the upper end of the product tube 30 will slide by gravity the length of the product tube 30 and into the netting area of the apparatus 2 , as explained below.
- a roller tray 32 is placed inside the product tube 30 , to allow products, such as hams, to roll the length of the product tube 30 and into the netting area of the apparatus 2 , as explained below.
- the product tube 30 is oval in cross-section and is of a sufficient height and width to accommodate the largest turkeys. Any suitable cross-section and size will suffice, depending on the material to be netted.
- the product tube 30 has two tube guides located on the inside, to keep turkeys oriented in the proper direction as they slide the length of the product tube 30 . Similar tube guides can be used for other products.
- a product tube circular in cross-section can be used for cylindrical products such as sausages.
- a roller tray, a conveyor belt, robotic arms, or any other means of delivering the materials to be encased into the apparatus 2 can be used.
- the netting 38 is, in the preferred embodiment, comprised of a hard but flexible plastic. It is manufactured in a cylindrical shape and rolled into a torus. One end of the roll of netting 38 is clipped to close it and the roll is then placed around the outside of the product tube 30 .
- a break ring 14 is used to hold the netting 38 in place.
- the break ring 40 comprises a flexible cable, attached to an air cylinder, and surrounding the netting 38 on the product tube 30 . The air cylinder actuates to tighten the cable to hold the netting 38 snugly to the product tube 30 , or releases to loosen the cable around the netting 38 .
- the air cylinder actuates, tightening the cable, and providing resistance to further unfurling of the netting 38 .
- the air cylinder shuts off after the turkey has been clipped, as later explained, loosening the cable and freeing the netting 38 for unfurling by the next turkey.
- the break ring 14 is a flexible rubber hose, attached to an air supply, surrounding the product tube 30 to hold the netting 38 in place. A simple rubber band can also be used to hold the netting about the product tube.
- the product tube 30 leads to a first iris plate 60 .
- the first iris plate 60 shown in more detail in FIG. 4, comprises a vertically oriented sheet of material containing a first iris 62 .
- the first iris 62 comprises three separators 64 a , 64 b , and 64 c , which are actuated by a first iris separator cylinder 66 .
- a first iris left gate assembly 68 and a first iris right gate assembly 72 are attached to the rear of the first iris plate, as shown in FIG. 5. These two gate assemblies are actuated by a first iris left gate cylinder 70 and a first iris right gate cylinder 74 .
- the three separators 64 a , 64 b , and 64 c operate like a camera lens, to open to allow material, such as a turkey, to pass through it, and to close to gather the netting 38 .
- the first iris left gate assembly 68 and the first iris right gate assembly 72 rotate inwardly to further gather the netting 38 and retract to allow material, such as a turkey, to pass through the first iris 62 .
- FIG. 5 shows the first iris left gate assembly 68 and a first iris right gate assembly 72 rotated inward to the closed position.
- a first clipper 102 shown in FIG. 5, is attached to the first iris plate 60 .
- the first clipper 102 is actuated by a first clipper main cylinder 104 and has a first clipper die support 106 .
- a knife 108 is also attached to the first iris plate 60 and is actuated by a knife cylinder 110 .
- the first clipper 102 clips the netting 38 after it has been gathered by the first iris 62 and the first iris left gate assembly 68 and the first iris right gate assembly 72 .
- the knife 108 severs the netting 38 after it has been clipped.
- a moving iris plate 132 To the rear of the first iris plate is a moving iris plate 132 , shown in FIG. 6.
- the moving iris plate 132 is moved by a moving iris plate cylinder 134 .
- the moving iris plate 132 travels along four traveling rods 148 a , 148 b , 148 c , and 148 d , which are attached to the first iris plate 60 and to the frame 4 , so that the moving iris plate 132 is always parallel to the first iris plate 60 .
- the moving iris plate 132 comprises a vertically oriented sheet of material containing a moving iris 130 .
- the moving iris 130 comprises three separators 136 a , 136 b , and 136 c , and operates like a camera lens, to open to allow material, such as a turkey, to pass through it, and to close to gather the netting 38 .
- the separators 136 a , 136 b , and 136 c are actuated by a moving iris separator cylinder 134 .
- a moving iris left gate assembly 140 and a moving iris right gate assembly 144 are attached to moving iris plate 132 at the front of the moving iris 130 , as shown in FIG. 7. These two gate assemblies 140 and 144 are actuated by a moving iris left gate cylinder 142 and a moving iris right gate cylinder 146 .
- the moving iris left gate assembly 140 and a moving iris right gate assembly 144 operate in the same manner as described above for the first iris plate 60 : the moving iris left gate assembly 140 and a moving iris right gate assembly 144 rotate inward to gather the netting and rotate outward to allow material, such as a turkey, to pass through the moving iris 130 .
- a second clipper 160 shown in FIG. 7, is attached to the moving iris plate 132 .
- the second clipper 160 is actuated by a second clipper cylinder 164 and contains a die support 166 .
- the second clipper 160 clips the netting 38 after it has been gathered by the moving iris 130 and the moving iris left gate assembly 140 and a moving iris right gate assembly 144 .
- the second clipper 160 clips the netting after it has been gathered and after the handle maker 230 , described below, has formed a loop in the netting 38 .
- the second clipper 160 contains a reel brake 162 to hold the clips tightly and to prevent shaking of the clips as the second clipper 160 travels.
- the tray 202 To the rear of the moving iris plate 132 is the tray 202 , shown in FIG. 8.
- the tray 202 is mounted to the traveling rods 148 a , 148 b , 148 c , and 148 d and moves in a front to rear direction, actuated by a tray cylinder 204 .
- Mounted on top of the tray 202 is a dump tray 206 , which is actuated by a dump tray cylinder 212 .
- the dump tray 206 is sized to accommodate the material being netted.
- the dump tray 206 contains a dump tray eye that senses when material arrives on the dump tray 206 .
- the dump tray 206 contains two pan flanges, to control the orientation of the turkey on the dump tray 206 .
- the dump tray 206 protrudes through the moving iris 130 and the first iris 62 , which are open. Material, such as a turkey, slides down the product tube 30 , contacts the closed end of the roll of netting 38 , moves through the first iris 62 and the moving iris 130 , pulling the netting 38 along, and lands on the dump tray 206 . The moving iris 130 and the first iris 62 then close to gather the netting 38 as described above. The tray 202 then retracts to the rear, taking along the dump tray 206 and the turkey, and slightly tightening the netting 38 around the turkey.
- the handle maker 230 shown in FIG. 9, is comprised of a handle maker clamp 232 , a rotating cylinder 234 , a clamping cylinder 236 , a lifting cylinder 238 , a first prox switch 240 , a second prox switch 242 , and a vacuum assembly 262 .
- the handle maker 230 is located just to the rear and just below the first iris plate 60 .
- the rotating cylinder 234 causes the handle maker clamp 232 to rotate in a horizontal plane.
- the lifting cylinder 238 causes the handle maker 230 to arise and descend vertically.
- the clamping cylinder 236 causes the handle maker clamp 232 to open and close.
- the two prox switches 240 and 242 sense the location and limits of movement of the handle maker clamp 232 .
- the handle maker 230 ascends after the netting 38 has been gathered and the netting 38 is stretched inside the open handle maker clamp 232 .
- the handle maker clamp 232 when actuated, closes to grasp the netting 38 .
- the handle maker 230 rotates, actuated by the rotating cylinder 234 , to form a loop in the netting 38 .
- the second clipper 160 then clips the netting 38 to close the netting around the turkey and to form a handle in the netting 38 .
- the printer 260 is located below the product tube 30 . It is a standard printer of any suitable manufacture, so long as it is capable of printing labels 266 .
- the labels 266 shown in FIG. 10, comprise a label body 268 , a label neck 270 , and a perforation 272 .
- a tag clamp 264 grabs a label 266 as it exits the printer 260 , pulls on the label 266 to tear it at the perforation 272 , and places the label 266 on top of the handle maker clamp 232 .
- a vacuum assembly 262 holds the label 266 in place.
- the label neck 270 protrudes next to the netting 38 .
- the second clipper 160 when it clips the netting as described above, clips both netting 38 and the label neck 270 , so that the label 266 is securely fastened to the package.
- the scale is placed at a convenient location near the front of the frame 6 .
- the scale communicates with the printer 260 through a scale cable 18 .
- the weight of the material such as a turkey, is transmitted to the printer 260 .
- the printer 260 prints the label 266 , it can add the weight of the turkey as well as any other data that is desired.
- All moving parts are actuated by air cylinders as described above. Each air cylinder is connected to a standard air supply (not shown).
- An electronic control 276 monitors and operates the apparatus 2 by controlling the various cylinders.
- the electronic control is a standard Siemens central processing unit, with a “power 5 6EP1333-1SL11” power supply, a “Simatic S7-300 314-1AEO4-0AB0” PLC, a 32-output “SM322 321-1BL00-0AA0” card, a 32-input “SM 321 321-ABL00-0AA0” card, and a 16-input “SM 321 321-1BH0S-0AA0” card.
- the clippers 102 and 160 have unique features. To achieve the objects of the invention, the clippers 102 and 160 must have long gates, the cylinders 104 and 164 must be offset to the side instead of being right over the clip channel (to save room), the punch holder must be offset to the center line of the punch (to shorten the height of the apparatus 2 in order to fit into standard rooms), and the punch, which is a standard wear item, must be able to be changed in about one minute, instead of the usual 30 minutes change time.
- the netting 38 is placed over the product tube 30 .
- the netting 38 is clipped in a standard manner, at the rear of the product tube 30 .
- both irises 62 and 130 are open, the moving iris plate 132 is moved to its most forward position, just behind the first iris plate 60 , the tray 202 has moved to its most forward position, and the dump tray 206 protrudes through the eyes of each of the irises 62 and 130 .
- the handle maker 230 is at its recessed or most downward position.
- the material to be netted such as a dressed and wrapped turkey, is placed on the scale 16 .
- the scale 16 weighs the product and transmits this data to the printer 260 .
- the printer 260 prints a label 266 with whatever data is required, such as weight, cost per pound, and total cost.
- the printer 96 ejects the label 266 , whereupon the tag clamp 264 grasps the label 266 , tears it at the perforation 272 , and places it on the handle maker clamp 232 .
- the vacuum assembly 262 draws a slight vacuum through two small holes on the handle maker clamp 232 , to keep the label 266 in place.
- the operator takes the turkey off the scale and places it in the product tube 30 . Because of the downward slant of the product tube 30 , the turkey slides down the product tube 30 . If it fails to slide, a slight push by the operator will propel it. For this reason, the product tube is longer than a person's arm, to keep the operator's hands out of any moving parts.
- the turkey slides against the clipped end of the netting 38 , through the first iris 62 and the moving iris 130 , and onto the dump tray 206 .
- the dump tray eye 214 senses the arrival of the turkey and signals the electronic control 276 . Since the end of the netting 38 had been clipped, the turkey pulls the netting 38 along with it.
- the break ring 14 prevents the netting 38 from unrolling too much and maintains a slight amount of tension on the netting 38 .
- the tray 202 then moves toward the rear, taking, of course, the dump tray 206 and the turkey with it, moving an amount sufficient to clear both irises 62 and 130 .
- the orienter 216 now descends and pushes down on the turkey. If the turkey is askew, the orienter 216 forces the legs of the turkey to point toward the front 6 , as that is where the handle will be applied. Both irises 62 and 130 close, somewhat gathering the netting 38 .
- the orienter 216 then ascends back to its original position.
- the moving iris plate 132 and the tray 202 then move to the rear, pulling the netting 38 through the now-closed moving iris 130 and tautening the netting 38 around the turkey. Please note that the traveling components, the moving iris plate 132 and the tray 202 , only move as far to the rear as is necessary, and merely make the netting 38 snug around the turkey, not tight.
- the handle maker 230 now rises and the handle maker clamp 232 closes, grasping the netting 38 .
- the first iris left gate assembly 68 and first iris right gate assembly 72 rotate toward the center of the first iris 62 , further grasping the netting 38 .
- the first clipper 102 now fires to clip the netting 38 at the point where it is grasped in the center of the first iris 62 . As soon as the first clipper 102 fires, the knife 108 cuts the netting 38 just to the rear of the newly-applied clip.
- the handle maker 230 now rotates 180 degrees horizontally to make a loop out of the gathered netting 38 .
- the moving iris plate 132 moves forward slightly, about five inches, in order to provide enough slack for the handle maker clamp 232 to rotate.
- the handle maker 230 rotates, it pulls the netting 38 tightly around the turkey. This step allows the apparatus 2 to accommodate any size of turkey and still obtain a tight fit of netting 38 .
- the moving iris left gate assembly 140 and moving iris right gate assembly 144 rotate toward the center of the moving iris 130 , further grasping the netting 38 .
- the netting 38 is now gathered by the moving iris 130 and by the moving iris left and right gate assemblies 140 and 144 , so that the netting 38 tightly encloses the turkey, then forms a loop around the handle maker clamp 232 and extends back in between the moving iris left and right gate assemblies 140 and 144 to form a loop.
- the neck 270 of the label 266 also extends into this same area.
- the second clipper 160 now fires, clipping the netting 38 and label 266 together.
- the handle maker clamp 232 then descends to its original, downward position and rotates back to its original orientation, the tray 202 and the moving iris plate 132 move to the most rearward position, all gate assemblies 68 , 72 , 140 , and 144 rotate back to their original, open positions, and both irises 62 and 130 open.
- the dump tray 206 then rotates to the right, dumping the now-netted turkey out of the apparatus 2 .
- the dump tray 206 then retracts to its original, level position and the tray 202 and moving iris plate 132 move forward to their original positions.
- the dump tray 206 then moves forward into its original position inside the now-open irises 62 and 130 .
- the apparatus 2 is now ready for another turkey.
- the dump tray 206 can dump the netted turkey out either the left or right side of the apparatus 2 , or even out the rear, depending on the user's needs.
- the handle maker step can be eliminated if no handle is desired, or the label step can be eliminated if no label is desired.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Zoology (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
- Labeling Devices (AREA)
- Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
- Preparation Of Compounds By Using Micro-Organisms (AREA)
- Exchange Systems With Centralized Control (AREA)
- Massaging Devices (AREA)
- Package Closures (AREA)
- Bag Frames (AREA)
- Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
Abstract
An apparatus and method of enclosing material in a net and supplying a handle for ease of carrying the netted material, comprising clippers, irises, and a handle maker. The irises gather the netting around the material, the first clipper cuts and closes the netting, and the handle maker forms a loop out of the severed netting. The second clipper attaches the loop back to the netting to form a handle. A scale can be used to weigh the material and a printer can create a label, with the weight or whatever other information is desired, for attachment to the netting.
Description
- This patent application claims the benefit of domestic priority of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/395,199, filed on Jul. 12, 2002.
- This invention is generally directed to a system for enclosing materials, such as poultry, hams, or other materials, in netting and applying a handle and a label to the package.
- The food industry often wishes to place products in nets. For example, large fowl, particularly turkeys, are encased in a plastic, see-through wrapper, for sanitary reasons, and then enclosed in netting for package integrity and ease of handling. The netting provides a strong structure to hold the turkey and allows the consumer to see the packaged material. It is important that the netting be tight around the package, to provide a pleasing appearance to consumers. There is a marketing advantage to having tightly-netted packages.
- Nets are also applied to other food products, such as poultry, hams, sausages, or cheeses, prior to further processing, such as smoking.
- In many cases, a handle is also applied to the package. Sausages and hams are enclosed in netting prior to cooking or smoking. The use of a handle is mandated, as there must be some way to handle the product in the cooking or smoking apparatus. The handles on these products are generally discarded after processing.
- The handle is also useful to workers and customers in retail establishments, especially when the product is frozen, to make it easier to grab the product. A handle facilitates maneuvering the products, such as moving the products in and out of display cases, through check-out lanes, or in and out of the consumer's own refrigerator or freezer. Additionally, some consumers prefer to use a handle in order to avoid touching the package itself. Accordingly, there is a marketing advantage to having a handle on the product. In the case of turkeys or other poultry, it is important that the handle be applied at the rear-most point of the birds, which is where the legs point, to provide a pleasing appearance to purchasers.
- Most of the same products also have a label of some type applied to the product. The label displays such data as weight, price per unit of weight, and total price. Other data, such as lot numbers, batch identification, product identification, or expiration date, are also common. The label can also contain identification information such as brand names or logos.
- Netting is manufactured in a long, continuous tube, usually of a hard thermoplastic but also from natural fibers. The prior art method of enclosing a turkey in netting was to clip one end of the netting tube, place the turkey in the tube, manually pull the netting tightly around the turkey, clip the open end to enclose the turkey in the netting, and cut the netting. If a handle was desired, the additional step was, after the netting was pulled around the turkey, to form a loop while holding the netting tightly against the turkey, clip the netting at the close of the loop, and cut the netting.
- This prior art method was labor intensive. Additionally, it was difficult to obtain uniform tightness of netting. Additionally, the method requires quite a bit of manual pulling and wrapping, making hand fatigue and injuries common.
- Prior art methods to automate the process have been unsuccessful. One method used clippers built into gathering plates, but that method was awkward and slow because the gathering plates had to move. Since an opening must be at least 14 inches to accommodate the largest turkeys, the gathering plates had to move at least seven inches and, to be practical, had to move more like 10 inches. Accordingly, they were big, heavy, and slow. The prior art automated processes also worked only for consistently-sized turkeys. Application of a predetermined length of netting had to be based on the largest turkeys available. If the predetermined length of netting was sufficient to enclose the largest turkeys, however, all smaller turkeys would be netted loosely, which caused a marketing disadvantage.
- Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus and method of encasing material such as turkeys or hams, in netting, that will reduce labor costs by reducing the amount of labor required, easing the tasks of the workers that are required, and still provide a pleasing appearance to consumers. There is also a need for an apparatus and method of encasing material such as turkeys or hams, in netting, that will provide a loop in the netting to act as a handle, for subsequent processing or for consumer use. There is also a need for an apparatus and method of applying a label with identifying data, as part of the same netting process. The present invention meets these needs.
- The present invention discloses an apparatus and a method to insert material such as a turkey into netting, to pull the netting tightly around the material, to form a loop at one end for carrying the material, and to apply a label with data concerning the material. The apparatus and method described accomplish this purpose, and allow for encasing not just whole turkeys but also turkey breasts, hams, sausages, cheeses, and any other materials which one might desire to place in netting. The method and apparatus provide for pulling the netting tight by machinery, instead of by hand, easing the task of the worker and providing for a uniformly tight appearance.
- The apparatus comprises a product tube, a first clipper, a handle-maker, and a second clipper. The apparatus places the material to be enclosed in a continuous cylinder of netting, previously clipped on one end. The apparatus pulls the material through two irises, pulling the netting about the material. The two irises then close, gathering the netting. One iris moves away, tightening the netting about the material. The handle maker grasps the gathered netting, pulling it tightly around the material, and further makes a loop. The first clipper clips the netting and also severs it. The second clipper clips the loop adjacent the material, to enclose the material in a tight net with a looped handle. The second clipper also clips a label to the loop, for product information.
- A general object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for encasing materials very tightly in netting, to reduce labor costs and injuries and to obtain an uniform appearance.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus to encase materials very tightly in netting and automatically to apply a label with identifying data concerning the packaged materials.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus to encase materials very tightly in netting and to apply a loop in the netting, to act as a handle for further processing or for consumer use.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method that accommodate variations in sizes of materials to be encased.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method to make the hocks of turkeys point in the correction direction.
- The organization and manner of the structure and operation of the invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings:
- FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a view of the first iris plate of the apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a view of the first clipper of the apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a view of the moving iris plate of the apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 7 is a view of the second clipper of the apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 8 is a view of the dump tray of the apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 9 is a view of the handle maker of the apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 10 is a view of sample labels of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- While the invention may be susceptible to embodiments in different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, a specific embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to that as illustrated and described herein. For example, the present disclosure describes the method and apparatus as used to encase whole turkeys. The same method and apparatus can be used for other whole poultry, for poultry parts, such as turkey breast, or for any other material that one may wish to enclose in netting, such as hams, sausages, cheeses, or other food or non-food products, without departure from the invention.
- The
apparatus 2, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, is built with aframe 4 having afront 6, rear 8, left 10, and right 12. Attached to the frame are aproduct tube 30, afirst iris plate 60, a movingiris plate 132, atray 202, an orienter 216, ahandle maker 230, aprinter 260, an air supply 274, andelectronic controls 276. Ascale 16 is located apart from but close to the front of theframe 6. - The
product tube 30 is a standard pneumatic tube, open at both ends, and is attached to the front of theframe 6. In one embodiment, theproduct tube 30 is oriented to slope down slightly toward the rear 8, so that products, such as turkeys, placed in the upper end of theproduct tube 30 will slide by gravity the length of theproduct tube 30 and into the netting area of theapparatus 2, as explained below. In another embodiment, a roller tray 32 is placed inside theproduct tube 30, to allow products, such as hams, to roll the length of theproduct tube 30 and into the netting area of theapparatus 2, as explained below. - In the preferred embodiment, the
product tube 30 is oval in cross-section and is of a sufficient height and width to accommodate the largest turkeys. Any suitable cross-section and size will suffice, depending on the material to be netted. In one embodiment, theproduct tube 30 has two tube guides located on the inside, to keep turkeys oriented in the proper direction as they slide the length of theproduct tube 30. Similar tube guides can be used for other products. Alternatively, a product tube circular in cross-section can be used for cylindrical products such as sausages. A roller tray, a conveyor belt, robotic arms, or any other means of delivering the materials to be encased into theapparatus 2 can be used. - The netting38 is, in the preferred embodiment, comprised of a hard but flexible plastic. It is manufactured in a cylindrical shape and rolled into a torus. One end of the roll of netting 38 is clipped to close it and the roll is then placed around the outside of the
product tube 30. A break ring 14 is used to hold the netting 38 in place. In the preferred embodiment, thebreak ring 40 comprises a flexible cable, attached to an air cylinder, and surrounding the netting 38 on theproduct tube 30. The air cylinder actuates to tighten the cable to hold the netting 38 snugly to theproduct tube 30, or releases to loosen the cable around the netting 38. After material such as a turkey has traveled down theproduct tube 30, contacted the netting 38, and landed on thedump tray 206, as later explained, the air cylinder actuates, tightening the cable, and providing resistance to further unfurling of the netting 38. The air cylinder shuts off after the turkey has been clipped, as later explained, loosening the cable and freeing the netting 38 for unfurling by the next turkey. In another embodiment, the break ring 14 is a flexible rubber hose, attached to an air supply, surrounding theproduct tube 30 to hold the netting 38 in place. A simple rubber band can also be used to hold the netting about the product tube. - The
product tube 30 leads to afirst iris plate 60. Thefirst iris plate 60, shown in more detail in FIG. 4, comprises a vertically oriented sheet of material containing afirst iris 62. Thefirst iris 62 comprises threeseparators 64 a, 64 b, and 64 c, which are actuated by a firstiris separator cylinder 66. A first iris leftgate assembly 68 and a first irisright gate assembly 72 are attached to the rear of the first iris plate, as shown in FIG. 5. These two gate assemblies are actuated by a first iris leftgate cylinder 70 and a first irisright gate cylinder 74. The threeseparators 64 a, 64 b, and 64 c operate like a camera lens, to open to allow material, such as a turkey, to pass through it, and to close to gather the netting 38. The first iris leftgate assembly 68 and the first irisright gate assembly 72 rotate inwardly to further gather the netting 38 and retract to allow material, such as a turkey, to pass through thefirst iris 62. FIG. 5 shows the first iris leftgate assembly 68 and a first irisright gate assembly 72 rotated inward to the closed position. - A
first clipper 102, shown in FIG. 5, is attached to thefirst iris plate 60. Thefirst clipper 102 is actuated by a first clippermain cylinder 104 and has a firstclipper die support 106. Aknife 108 is also attached to thefirst iris plate 60 and is actuated by aknife cylinder 110. Thefirst clipper 102 clips the netting 38 after it has been gathered by thefirst iris 62 and the first iris leftgate assembly 68 and the first irisright gate assembly 72. Theknife 108 severs the netting 38 after it has been clipped. - To the rear of the first iris plate is a moving
iris plate 132, shown in FIG. 6. The movingiris plate 132 is moved by a movingiris plate cylinder 134. The movingiris plate 132 travels along four traveling rods 148 a, 148 b, 148 c, and 148 d, which are attached to thefirst iris plate 60 and to theframe 4, so that the movingiris plate 132 is always parallel to thefirst iris plate 60. - The moving
iris plate 132 comprises a vertically oriented sheet of material containing a movingiris 130. The movingiris 130 comprises three separators 136 a, 136 b, and 136 c, and operates like a camera lens, to open to allow material, such as a turkey, to pass through it, and to close to gather the netting 38. The separators 136 a, 136 b, and 136 c are actuated by a movingiris separator cylinder 134. - To accommodate the largest turkeys, an opening must be14 inches in diameter. The use of three separators 136 a, 136 b, and 136 c in the moving
iris 130 and threeseparators 64 a, 64 b, and 64 c in thefirst iris 62 allows for use of actuatingcylinders 66 and 138 with only a four-inch movement, which can be operated quickly to achieve high production rates. - A moving iris left
gate assembly 140 and a moving irisright gate assembly 144 are attached to movingiris plate 132 at the front of the movingiris 130, as shown in FIG. 7. These twogate assemblies gate cylinder 142 and a moving irisright gate cylinder 146. The moving iris leftgate assembly 140 and a moving irisright gate assembly 144 operate in the same manner as described above for the first iris plate 60: the moving iris leftgate assembly 140 and a moving irisright gate assembly 144 rotate inward to gather the netting and rotate outward to allow material, such as a turkey, to pass through the movingiris 130. - A
second clipper 160, shown in FIG. 7, is attached to the movingiris plate 132. Thesecond clipper 160 is actuated by asecond clipper cylinder 164 and contains a die support 166. Thesecond clipper 160 clips the netting 38 after it has been gathered by the movingiris 130 and the moving iris leftgate assembly 140 and a moving irisright gate assembly 144. When a handle is desired on the package, thesecond clipper 160 clips the netting after it has been gathered and after thehandle maker 230, described below, has formed a loop in the netting 38. Note that, in the preferred embodiment, thesecond clipper 160 contains areel brake 162 to hold the clips tightly and to prevent shaking of the clips as thesecond clipper 160 travels. - To the rear of the moving
iris plate 132 is thetray 202, shown in FIG. 8. Thetray 202 is mounted to the traveling rods 148 a, 148 b, 148 c, and 148 d and moves in a front to rear direction, actuated by atray cylinder 204. Mounted on top of thetray 202 is adump tray 206, which is actuated by adump tray cylinder 212. Thedump tray 206 is sized to accommodate the material being netted. In one embodiment, thedump tray 206 contains a dump tray eye that senses when material arrives on thedump tray 206. In another embodiment, thedump tray 206 contains two pan flanges, to control the orientation of the turkey on thedump tray 206. - When the
tray 202 is in its most forward position, thedump tray 206 protrudes through the movingiris 130 and thefirst iris 62, which are open. Material, such as a turkey, slides down theproduct tube 30, contacts the closed end of the roll of netting 38, moves through thefirst iris 62 and the movingiris 130, pulling the netting 38 along, and lands on thedump tray 206. The movingiris 130 and thefirst iris 62 then close to gather the netting 38 as described above. Thetray 202 then retracts to the rear, taking along thedump tray 206 and the turkey, and slightly tightening the netting 38 around the turkey. - The
handle maker 230, shown in FIG. 9, is comprised of ahandle maker clamp 232, arotating cylinder 234, aclamping cylinder 236, alifting cylinder 238, a first prox switch 240, a second prox switch 242, and avacuum assembly 262. Thehandle maker 230 is located just to the rear and just below thefirst iris plate 60. Therotating cylinder 234 causes thehandle maker clamp 232 to rotate in a horizontal plane. Thelifting cylinder 238 causes thehandle maker 230 to arise and descend vertically. Theclamping cylinder 236 causes thehandle maker clamp 232 to open and close. The two prox switches 240 and 242 sense the location and limits of movement of thehandle maker clamp 232. - The
handle maker 230 ascends after the netting 38 has been gathered and the netting 38 is stretched inside the openhandle maker clamp 232. Thehandle maker clamp 232, when actuated, closes to grasp the netting 38. After thefirst clipper 102 has clipped the netting 38 and theknife 108 has severed the netting 38, thehandle maker 230 rotates, actuated by therotating cylinder 234, to form a loop in the netting 38. Thesecond clipper 160 then clips the netting 38 to close the netting around the turkey and to form a handle in the netting 38. - The
printer 260 is located below theproduct tube 30. It is a standard printer of any suitable manufacture, so long as it is capable of printing labels 266. Thelabels 266, shown in FIG. 10, comprise alabel body 268, alabel neck 270, and aperforation 272. Atag clamp 264 grabs alabel 266 as it exits theprinter 260, pulls on thelabel 266 to tear it at theperforation 272, and places thelabel 266 on top of thehandle maker clamp 232. Avacuum assembly 262 holds thelabel 266 in place. When alabel 266 is desired, thelabel neck 270 protrudes next to the netting 38. Thesecond clipper 160, when it clips the netting as described above, clips both netting 38 and thelabel neck 270, so that thelabel 266 is securely fastened to the package. - The scale is placed at a convenient location near the front of the
frame 6. The scale communicates with theprinter 260 through ascale cable 18. The weight of the material, such as a turkey, is transmitted to theprinter 260. When theprinter 260 prints thelabel 266, it can add the weight of the turkey as well as any other data that is desired. - All moving parts are actuated by air cylinders as described above. Each air cylinder is connected to a standard air supply (not shown). An
electronic control 276 monitors and operates theapparatus 2 by controlling the various cylinders. In the preferred embodiment, the electronic control is a standard Siemens central processing unit, with a “power 5 6EP1333-1SL11” power supply, a “Simatic S7-300 314-1AEO4-0AB0” PLC, a 32-output “SM322 321-1BL00-0AA0” card, a 32-input “SM 321 321-ABL00-0AA0” card, and a 16-input “SM 321 321-1BH0S-0AA0” card. - All moving parts are enclosed by doors (not shown) with limit switches (not shown) to sense the position of the doors. For safety, the entire apparatus will stop all movement if a door is opened. In the preferred embodiment, a Banner Machine Safety GM-FA-10J module monitors and controls all limit switches.
- Please note that the
clippers clippers cylinders apparatus 2 in order to fit into standard rooms), and the punch, which is a standard wear item, must be able to be changed in about one minute, instead of the usual 30 minutes change time. - To begin operation of the
apparatus 2, the netting 38 is placed over theproduct tube 30. The netting 38 is clipped in a standard manner, at the rear of theproduct tube 30. At this point, bothirises iris plate 132 is moved to its most forward position, just behind thefirst iris plate 60, thetray 202 has moved to its most forward position, and thedump tray 206 protrudes through the eyes of each of theirises handle maker 230 is at its recessed or most downward position. - The material to be netted, such as a dressed and wrapped turkey, is placed on the
scale 16. Thescale 16 weighs the product and transmits this data to theprinter 260. Theprinter 260 prints alabel 266 with whatever data is required, such as weight, cost per pound, and total cost. The printer 96 ejects thelabel 266, whereupon thetag clamp 264 grasps thelabel 266, tears it at theperforation 272, and places it on thehandle maker clamp 232. Thevacuum assembly 262 draws a slight vacuum through two small holes on thehandle maker clamp 232, to keep thelabel 266 in place. - In the meantime, the operator takes the turkey off the scale and places it in the
product tube 30. Because of the downward slant of theproduct tube 30, the turkey slides down theproduct tube 30. If it fails to slide, a slight push by the operator will propel it. For this reason, the product tube is longer than a person's arm, to keep the operator's hands out of any moving parts. The turkey slides against the clipped end of the netting 38, through thefirst iris 62 and the movingiris 130, and onto thedump tray 206. The dump tray eye 214 senses the arrival of the turkey and signals theelectronic control 276. Since the end of the netting 38 had been clipped, the turkey pulls the netting 38 along with it. The break ring 14 prevents the netting 38 from unrolling too much and maintains a slight amount of tension on the netting 38. - The
tray 202 then moves toward the rear, taking, of course, thedump tray 206 and the turkey with it, moving an amount sufficient to clear bothirises front 6, as that is where the handle will be applied. Both irises 62 and 130 close, somewhat gathering the netting 38. The orienter 216 then ascends back to its original position. The movingiris plate 132 and thetray 202 then move to the rear, pulling the netting 38 through the now-closed movingiris 130 and tautening the netting 38 around the turkey. Please note that the traveling components, the movingiris plate 132 and thetray 202, only move as far to the rear as is necessary, and merely make the netting 38 snug around the turkey, not tight. - The
handle maker 230 now rises and thehandle maker clamp 232 closes, grasping the netting 38. The first iris leftgate assembly 68 and first irisright gate assembly 72 rotate toward the center of thefirst iris 62, further grasping the netting 38. - The
first clipper 102 now fires to clip the netting 38 at the point where it is grasped in the center of thefirst iris 62. As soon as thefirst clipper 102 fires, theknife 108 cuts the netting 38 just to the rear of the newly-applied clip. - The
handle maker 230 now rotates 180 degrees horizontally to make a loop out of the gathered netting 38. The movingiris plate 132 moves forward slightly, about five inches, in order to provide enough slack for thehandle maker clamp 232 to rotate. When thehandle maker 230 rotates, it pulls the netting 38 tightly around the turkey. This step allows theapparatus 2 to accommodate any size of turkey and still obtain a tight fit of netting 38. - As soon as the
handle maker clamp 232 has rotated 180 degrees, as sensed by the prox switches 240 and 242, the moving iris leftgate assembly 140 and moving irisright gate assembly 144 rotate toward the center of the movingiris 130, further grasping the netting 38. The netting 38 is now gathered by the movingiris 130 and by the moving iris left andright gate assemblies handle maker clamp 232 and extends back in between the moving iris left andright gate assemblies neck 270 of thelabel 266 also extends into this same area. - The
second clipper 160 now fires, clipping the netting 38 andlabel 266 together. Thehandle maker clamp 232 then descends to its original, downward position and rotates back to its original orientation, thetray 202 and the movingiris plate 132 move to the most rearward position, allgate assemblies irises - The
dump tray 206 then rotates to the right, dumping the now-netted turkey out of theapparatus 2. Thedump tray 206 then retracts to its original, level position and thetray 202 and movingiris plate 132 move forward to their original positions. Thedump tray 206 then moves forward into its original position inside the now-open irises apparatus 2 is now ready for another turkey. - Please note that many variations can be made of this method without departing from the invention. For example, the
dump tray 206 can dump the netted turkey out either the left or right side of theapparatus 2, or even out the rear, depending on the user's needs. The handle maker step can be eliminated if no handle is desired, or the label step can be eliminated if no label is desired. - While a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Claims (25)
1. An apparatus for enclosing material in a net, comprising
a product tube,
a clipper situated adjacent to said product tube, and
a handle-maker,
whereby material placed in said product tube is encased in netting, said clipper closes and severs said netting, and said handle-maker creates a handle from said netting.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising means for printing information on a label and means for attaching said label to said netting.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising a scale to measure a weight of said material and transmit said weight to said means for printing.
4. A method for enclosing material in a net, comprising
closing an end of a roll of netting,
placing material in said roll of netting,
closing said roll of netting to enclose said material in said netting,
creating a loop from said roll of netting and severing said loop from said roll, and
closing said loop to create a handle on said netting enclosing said material.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein closing said loop comprises attaching said loop to said netting.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein said attaching step comprises clipping.
7. The method of claim 4 , further comprising inserting a label in said loop when closing said loop.
8. The method of claim 4 , further comprising weighing said material and printing a weight of said material on said label.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising printing other information on said label.
10. An apparatus for enclosing material in a net, comprising
a roll of netting, said roll having an open end and a closed end,
means to place material in said netting through said open end of said roll,
a first clipper to close and sever said netting surrounding said material from said roll,
a handle maker to form a loop from said severed netting, and
a second clipper to close said loop.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising means for printing information on a label and means for attaching said label to said netting.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising a scale to measure a weight of said material and transmit said weight to said means for printing.
13. A method for enclosing material in a net, comprising,
placing material in a roll of netting, said roll having a closed end and an open end,
closing said open end to enclose said material in said netting,
pulling said material to tighten said netting around said material,
severing said tightened netting from said roll of netting and sealing said roll to form a new closed end,
creating a loop from said netting severed from said roll, and
attaching said loop to said netting to create a handle.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein said attaching step comprises clipping.
15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising inserting a label in said loop when closing said loop.
16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising weighing said material and printing a weight of said material on said label.
17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising printing other information on said label.
18. An apparatus for enclosing material in a net, comprising
a roll of netting, said roll having an open end and a closed end,
means to place material in said netting through said open end of said roll,
first means to gather said netting around said material,
second means to gather said netting around said material,
means for moving said second means to gather relative to said first means to gather, whereby
said netting is stretched between said first means to gather and said second means to gather,
a first clipper to close and sever said netting at said first means, to create a new closed end on said severed roll,
a handle maker to form a loop from said stretched netting, and
a second clipper to close said loop at said second gathering means.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 , further comprising means for printing information on a label and means for attaching said label to said netting.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 , further comprising a scale to measure a weight of said material and transmit said weight to said means for printing.
21. A method for enclosing material in a net, comprising
placing material in a roll of netting, said roll having an open end and a closed end,
gathering said netting around said material,
moving said material to tighten said netting around said material and creating a length of stretched netting,
severing said tightened netting from said roll of netting and sealing said roll to form a new closed end,
forming a loop from said length of stretched material, and
attaching said loop to said netting to close said loop to form a handle.
22. The method of claim 21 , wherein said attaching step comprises clipping.
23. The method of claim 21 , further comprising inserting a label in said loop when closing said loop.
24. The method of claim 23 , further comprising weighing said material and printing a weight of said material on said label.
25. The method of claim 24 , further comprising printing other information on said label.
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US10/787,988 US6883297B2 (en) | 2002-07-12 | 2004-02-26 | Apparatus for enclosing material in a net |
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US10/618,562 US20040068964A1 (en) | 2002-07-12 | 2003-07-11 | Automated netter |
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US20060266010A1 (en) * | 2005-05-25 | 2006-11-30 | Kirk Edward D | Netting knife cutter |
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USD729294S1 (en) | 2013-08-26 | 2015-05-12 | Tipper Tie, Inc. | Gripper for automated ruckers, reruckers, deruckers and/or skin brakes |
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US7222469B2 (en) | 2002-01-11 | 2007-05-29 | Tipper Tie, Inc. | Netting chutes with floors having channels for packaging products with clippers |
US6883297B2 (en) * | 2002-07-12 | 2005-04-26 | Poly-Clip System Corp. | Apparatus for enclosing material in a net |
US7237369B2 (en) | 2003-10-03 | 2007-07-03 | Tipper Tie, Inc. | Automated clipping packaging systems |
WO2006001992A2 (en) * | 2004-06-15 | 2006-01-05 | Tipper Tie, Inc. | Automated clipping packaging apparatus and associated devices, methods, systems and computer program products |
US7322163B2 (en) | 2004-06-15 | 2008-01-29 | Tipper Tie, Inc. | Clipping packaging apparatus and methods |
CA2571162C (en) | 2004-06-15 | 2013-08-13 | Tipper Tie, Inc. | Modular clipping packaging apparatus and associated devices, methods and systems |
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US9242752B2 (en) | 2003-10-03 | 2016-01-26 | Tipper Tie, Inc. | Clipper mechanisms and related devices |
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US8423179B2 (en) | 2003-10-03 | 2013-04-16 | Tipper Tie, Inc. | Computer program products for automated clipping packaging apparatus |
US8028497B2 (en) | 2003-10-03 | 2011-10-04 | Tipper Tie, Inc. | Automated clippers |
US20110056171A1 (en) * | 2003-10-03 | 2011-03-10 | Griggs Samuel D | Automated clippers |
US20100107566A1 (en) * | 2003-10-03 | 2010-05-06 | Griggs Samuel D | Computer program products for automated clipping packaging apparatus |
US7854103B2 (en) | 2003-10-03 | 2010-12-21 | Tipper Tie, Inc. | Automated clippers |
US20100223884A1 (en) * | 2003-10-03 | 2010-09-09 | Griggs Samuel D | Automated clippers |
US7478515B2 (en) * | 2003-10-03 | 2009-01-20 | Tipper Tie, Inc. | Braking systems and methods for automated clipping packaging apparatus |
US20090100798A1 (en) * | 2003-10-03 | 2009-04-23 | Griggs Samuel D | Automated clippers |
US7739855B2 (en) * | 2003-10-03 | 2010-06-22 | Tipper Tie, Inc. | Automated clippers |
US20050229758A1 (en) * | 2004-04-20 | 2005-10-20 | Robert Pinto | Air cut knife |
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US7430839B2 (en) * | 2004-10-04 | 2008-10-07 | Tipper Tie, Inc. | Embossed netting chutes for manual and/or automated clipping packaging apparatus |
US9278771B2 (en) | 2004-10-04 | 2016-03-08 | Tipper Tie, Inc. | Methods of forming embossed netting chutes for manual and/or automated clipping packaging apparatus |
US20050284108A1 (en) * | 2004-10-04 | 2005-12-29 | Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. | Embossed netting chutes for manual and/or automated clipping packaging apparatus and related methods |
US7216469B2 (en) * | 2005-05-25 | 2007-05-15 | Poly-Clip System Corp. | Netting knife cutter |
WO2006127770A3 (en) * | 2005-05-25 | 2008-01-17 | Poly Clip System Corp | Netting knife cutter |
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US7356975B2 (en) * | 2005-05-25 | 2008-04-15 | Ploy-Clip System Corp. | Apparatus for packaging material in netting including a netting knife cutter |
US20060266010A1 (en) * | 2005-05-25 | 2006-11-30 | Kirk Edward D | Netting knife cutter |
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US20110232238A1 (en) * | 2010-03-26 | 2011-09-29 | May Dennis J | Multiple station automated bagger systems, associated devices and related methods |
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US9010072B2 (en) | 2010-03-26 | 2015-04-21 | Tipper Tie, Inc. | Multiple station automated bagger systems, associated devices and related methods |
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USD729294S1 (en) | 2013-08-26 | 2015-05-12 | Tipper Tie, Inc. | Gripper for automated ruckers, reruckers, deruckers and/or skin brakes |
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US10011380B2 (en) | 2013-08-26 | 2018-07-03 | Tipper Tie, Inc. | Ruckers, reruckers, deruckers and/or skin brakes with stacked gripper layers and related grippers |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2004007298A2 (en) | 2004-01-22 |
ES2334025T3 (en) | 2010-03-04 |
EP1545985A2 (en) | 2005-06-29 |
EP1545985A4 (en) | 2007-03-21 |
CA2492302A1 (en) | 2004-01-22 |
ATE444231T1 (en) | 2009-10-15 |
DK1545985T3 (en) | 2010-02-01 |
DE60329506D1 (en) | 2009-11-12 |
EP1545985B1 (en) | 2009-09-30 |
AU2003256498B2 (en) | 2008-12-18 |
CA2492302C (en) | 2007-10-30 |
WO2004007298A3 (en) | 2004-04-08 |
AU2003256498B9 (en) | 2009-01-08 |
PT1545985E (en) | 2009-12-28 |
AU2003256498A1 (en) | 2004-02-02 |
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Legal Events
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: POLY-CLIP SYSTEM CORP., ILLINOIS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:KIRK, EDWARD;PINTO, ROBERT;HASCHKE, EGGO;REEL/FRAME:015585/0008 Effective date: 20050110 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |