US3713266A

US3713266A - Apparatus and method for packaging flanged reels

Info

Publication number: US3713266A
Application number: US00122950A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Crow; A Runions
Original assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
Current assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
Priority date: 1971-03-10
Filing date: 1971-03-10
Publication date: 1973-01-30
Anticipated expiration: 1990-01-30
Also published as: DE2211246C3; FR2178275A5; GB1387058A; DE2211246B2; DE2211246A1

Abstract

An apparatus and method for packaging stacks of reels of the type having a hub with an axial bore therethrough and circular flanges secured to the hub ends. In one embodiment, the fixture has a plurality of slidably mounted bars having stepped reel supporting surfaces of varying height. In another embodiment, the apparatus has a rectangular or square reel supporting fixture in which the reel supporting surface is provided with recesses and raised portions between the recesses. Each recess, raised portion or stepped surface has a guide opening to facilitate the loading of a plurality of rows of stacked reels on the fixture with the reel flanges in adjacent stacks arranged in interleaved or nested relation due to the difference in elevation or distance between adjacent reel supporting surfaces. The method of packaging the reels comprises placing a stack of reels on a guide rod, loading the stacks of reels and guide rods, preferably one stack at a time, on the fixture in interleaved relation, placing an inverted box over a full load of the stacks of reels, removing the guide rods from the stacks of reels, and inverting the fixture and box loaded with reels.

Description

United States Patent 1 1 Crow, Jr. et al.

[ 1 Jan. 30, 1973 [54] APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PACKAGING FLANGED REELS [73] Assignee: Eastman Kodak cit, Rochester,

[22] Filed: March 10,1971

21 Appl.No.: 122,950

[52] US. Cl. ..53/26, 53/390, 206/52 F, 269/40 [51] Int. Cl. ..B65b 35/30 [58] Field of Search ..53/26,159, 161, 390, 392; 206152 F, 65 R; 269/40, 45, 50

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,054,514 9/1936 Landes ..53/26 2,710,151 6/1955 Delaney ..206/65 R X 2,738,979 3/1956 Dalton ..206/65 R X 1,622,493 3/1927 Craig ..53/392 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATIONS 220,847 4/1962 Austria ..206/52 F Primary ExaminerGranville Y. Custer, Jr. Assistant ExaminerEugene F. Desmond Att0rneyWilliam T. French, Robert F. Crocker and I Steve W. Gremban [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus and method for packaging stacks of reels of the type having a hub with an axial bore therethrough and circular flanges secured to the hub ends. In one embodiment, the fixture has a plurality of slidably mounted bars having stepped reel supporting surfaces of varying height. In another embodiment, the apparatus has a rectangular or square reel supporting fixture in which the reel supporting surface is provided with recesses and raised portions between the recesses. Each recess, raised portion or stepped surface has a guide opening to facilitate the loading of a plurality of rows of stacked reels on the fixture with the reel flanges in adjacent stacks arranged in interleaved or nested relation due to the difference in elevation or distance between adjacent reel supporting surfaces. The method of packaging the reels comprises placing a stack of reels on a guide rod, loading the stacks of reels and guide rods, preferably one stack at a time, on the fixture in interleaved relation, placing an inverted box over a full load of the stacks of reels, removing the guide rods from the stacks of reels, and inverting the fixture and box loaded with reels.

13 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN 30 I975 SHEET 1 BF 5 i v A weQ R R u m v R R n v R A I U; W Z Z Z k fi w w and: n J v n m w. 0,0. m H P ..H .H L H .H..

ADRIAN 6'. RUN/0M5 RUFUS C. CROW JR.

2v INVENTORS ATTORNEY PATENTED JAN 30 I973 sum 2 BF 5 ADR/A/V 6. RUN/0N5 RUFUS C. CROW JR INVENTORS 4r ram/Er PATENTEDJANSO I973 3.713.266

SHEEI 3 UF 5 ADE/AN C. RUN/0N5 RUFUS C. CROW JR INVENTORS A T TOR/VE Y PATENTED JAN 30 I975 SHEET 5 UF 5 ADR/A/V C. RUN/0N5 RUFUS 6. CROW JR.

INVENTORS.

BY%QM ATTORNEY APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PACKAGING FLANGED REELS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to packaging, and more specifically to an apparatus and method for packaging stacks of flanged reels with the flanges in interleaved relation.

2. Description of the Prior Art Reels have heretofore been packaged by placing an open receiving box preferably in a partially inclined position, placing stacks of the reels with the flanges of the reels interleaved in side-by-side relation along the bottom of the box until the bottom row has been filled, placing a flat spacer board over the bottom row of stacked reels, and repeating the operation until the box is filled with reels. This prior known method of packaging reels, although satisfactory, presents several problems and disadvantages. Since the flanges of the reels are interleaved from side to side only, a large amount of air space exists between the spacer board and the reel hub and flange peripheries, resulting in a box of reels that is not too compact or firm, and one in which the quantity of reels is relatively small. Applicants improved apparatus and method for packaging reels in completely interleaved relation results in greatly increasing the quantity of reels that may be placed in a similar sized package or box, prevents accumulation of dust on reels which results from movement within the package in transit, and results in a box that is much more firm or rigid and resistant to damage during handling and in transit. In addition, such interleaving reduces the packaging material costs by as much as 50 to 75 percent, reduces labor costs appreciably, reduces the net shipping weight, reduces the storage space for an equivalent quantity of reels by as much as 30 percent, and has an ecological advantage in reducing waste disposal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention includes within its scope an improved method and apparatus for packaging reels of the type having a hub with an axial bore therethrough, and circular flanges secured to the ends thereof. The apparatus generally comprises a fixture lying in one plane and having two or more reel supporting surfaces parallel to the plane and displaced different distances therefrom. More specifically, the apparatus in one embodiment comprises a fixture for slidably supporting a plurality of bars having reel supporting stepped surfaces of varying height. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a substantially rectangular or square fixture having a plurality of circular or partially circular reel supporting recesses in one surface of the fixture of the same radius as the reel flanges, and adjacent raised or elevated reel supporting portions between the recesses. The reel supporting recesses, raised portions or stepped surfaces have guide openings therethrough which have one end blocked by a slide plate in its closed position, and which are open at the other end to receive the ends of guide rods onto which is mounted a stack of reels in alignment with one another. By virtue of the arrangement of the recesses, raised portions and stepped surfaces, and the distance between the reel hubs, the flanges of the adjacent rows or stacks of reels I are interleaved. This results in a full load of stacked reels that is firmer, more rigid, and more compact than heretofore possible. When the load of stacked reels is complete, an inverted plastic bag and box is placed over the load of reels, the sliding plate in the fixture is withdrawn to its open position permitting removal of the guide rods which fall via gravity from the stacks of reels and into a receiving bin underneath the fixture, and the fixture and box are inverted. The fixture may then be removed or returned to its original position, and the box closed and sealed for shipment.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for packaging flanged reels that substantially reduces packaging material costs, labor costs, net shipping weight, storage space, and waste disposal over prior known apparatus and methods.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus and method for packaging flanged reels that results in a more compact, firm, and rigid box of reels, thereby substantially reducing the possibility BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the detailed description of the preferred embodiments presented below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of a reel supporting fixture for practicing the method of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational-view of the reel supporting fixture of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the fixture of FIG. 1 showing reels mounted thereon in interleaved relation;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the fixture of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the fixture of FIG. 4 mounted on a table and showing some reels mounted on the fixture in interleaved relation;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a full load of interleaved reels;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view showing a plastic bag and box in inverted position placed over the load of reels;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view showing the fixture and loaded box inverted through substantially for placing the box in an upright position, and further showing the slide plate for removing the guide rods; and

FIG. 9 is a top plan view showing the box in a position to be closed, and the fixture returned to its normal position for receiving another load of reels.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to the drawings, a method and apparatus are shown for packaging flanged reels 8 (see FIGS. 3 and of the type having a hub 10 with an axial bore 12 therethrough, and circular flanges 14 secured to the ends of the hub 10. In the apparatus, a table 16 is provided for supporting a substantially rectangular or square (depending upon the shape of box to be used) reel supporting fixture 18 that is preferably hinged to table 16 along one edge by any suitable hinge 20 as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 8. In the embodiment of the fixture shown in FIGS. 1-3, a frame 22 is provided having a pair of parallel, spaced apart guide rails 24 having their ends secured by any suitable means to opposite sides of the frame. A plurality of bars 26 are slidably mounted on guide rails 24, and each bar is provided with a plurality of stepped, flat, reel supporting surfaces 28 to facilitate interleaving of adjacent reels 8 on bar 26. Each of the surfaces 28 is provided with an opening 30 extending through the bar for receiving a guide rod 32, and the openings 30 are spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the radius of a flange 14 plus the radius of a hub 10 so that adjacent reels 8, when interleaved, have the hub 10 of one abutting the flange 14 of the other. To facilitate mounting a rod 32 and stack of reels 8 on each surface, a substantially V-shaped groove 34 is provided on each surface leading to opening 30 as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. In order to provide interleaving of reels 8 on adjacent bars 26, the bars designated A, C and E in FIG. 2 are identical and have their surfaces 28 displaced predetermined distances from a reference plane passing through the bottom surface 36 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) of the bars. The bars designated B and D in FIG. 2 have surfaces 28 identical to corresponding surfaces 28 on bars A, C and E, and openings 30 spaced apart the same distance. However, the corresponding surfaces 28 on bars B and D are displaced or elevated a greater distance from surface 36 than the corresponding surfaces 28 on bars A, C and E by an amount at least twice the thickness of a flange 14 to facilitate interleaving of corresponding reels 8 on adjacent bars 26 when the bars are moved together. To provide a full load of reels 8, preferably bar A is loaded with stacks of reels starting from the highest center surface 28 and moving toward the ends of the bar. The loaded bar A is moved to one end of the guide rails 24. Then bar B is loaded in a similar fashion and when loaded is slid into engagement with bar A with the reel flanges 14 in interleaved relation. The same procedure is followed for the remaining bars C, D and E until the reel load is completed. The method of packaging a full or complete load of reels 8 will be described hereinafter.

In the embodiment of the fixture 18' shown in FIGS. 4-6, the fixture is provided with a plurality of circular and partially circular recesses 38 of a radius slightly larger than the radius of flange l4, and raised or elevated portions 40 therebetween. The vertical or elevated distance between the reel supporting surfaces of the recesses 38 and the reel supporting surfaces of the raised portions 40 is at least as great as twice the thickness of a flange 14 to facilitate interleaving of adjacent flanges. Each of the recesses 38 and raised portions 40 is provided with an opening 42 extending completely through fixture l8, and the openings 42 are spaced apart a distance at least equal to the radius of a flange 14 plus the radius ofa hub 10 so that the hub 10 and flange 14 of adjacent interleaved reels 8 are in abutting relation. To load fixture 18', the operator initially places reels 8 on a rod 32 to form a stack of reels, and preferably starting from the center of fixture 18' and working out towards the periphery places the stacks of reels 8, one at a time, on the fixture with one of the ends of rod 32 inserted in an opening 42 in a recess 38 or raised portion 40. By virtue of the vertical distance or elevation between the horizontal surfacesof the recesses 38 and raised portions 40, and the distance between adjacent openings 42, which is less than the diameter of a reel 8, and preferably at least equal to the sum of the radius of a reel flange l4 and the radius of a hub 10, the adjacent stacks of reels 8 are mounted in interleaved or nesting relation.

With regard to loading the

fixtures

18, 18' with reels and packaging each load, table 16 is provided with guideways 44 as best seen in FIG. 8 for slidably supporting a thin, flat, rectangular slide plate 46 which in its fully closed position, as seen in FIG. 1, blocks off the lower ends of the

openings

30, 42 in the

fixtures

18, 18' respectively. To form a load of nested stacks of flanged reels 8, the operator places a stack of reels 8 of the correct number and length on rod 32, preferably by inserting the rod through the bores 12 of a stack of reels 8, and then loads the rod with the stacked reels on fixture 18. When the fixture is fully loaded, an inverted plastic bag 48 and box 50, preferably a corrugated cardboard box, is placed over the load of reels 8 as seen in FIG. 7. Following this, the slide plate 46 is moved to an open position for removing the rods which fall via gravity into a receiving bin 52 of any suitable type at the base of table 16. The box 50 and

fixture

18, 18' are then pivoted as a unit through an angle of substantially about hinge 20 to the position seen in FIG. 8, reinverting the box so that it is now in its normal upright position and resting on a platform 54. The

fixture

18, 18' may be returned to its normal position as seen in FIG. 9, and the bag 48 and box 50 may be closed and sealed for shipment. The slide plate 46 is returned to its normal closed position, and the

fixture

18, 18' is once again in position to receive a load of nested reels 8 as seen in FIG. 1.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention as described hereinabove. I

We claim:

1. In an apparatus for use in packaging stacks of positioned relative to one another that flanges of the reels in each stack will interleave with the flanges of an adjacent stack.

2. In an apparatus for use in packaging flanged reels in interleaved relation, the combination comprising:

a fixture having a plurality of reel supporting recesses substantially in abutting relation and large enough to receive a flange of a reel, and reel supporting elevated portions between said recesses in which the vertical distance between the reel-supporting surfaces of said recesses and elevated portions is at least twice as great as the thickness of a flange; and

means comprising openings in said recesses and said elevated portions for releasably holding stacks of reels in predetermined positions thereon, said recesses, said elevated portions and said holding means being so positioned relative to one another that flanges of the reels in each stack will interleave with the flanges of an adjacent stack.

3. The invention according to claim 2 wherein said recesses are circular, and said openings are centrally positioned in said recesses and elevated portions and spaced apart a distance at least equal to the radius of a flange plus the radius of a reel hub.

4. The invention according to claim 2 wherein said apparatus further comprises a support, and said fixture is hingedly mounted on said support.

5. The invention according to claim 2 wherein said apparatus further comprises a support for-said fixture, and said openings in said recesses and elevated portions extend through said fixture, rods for receiving reel hubs and each having one end extending into one of said openings, and blocking means are positioned below said openings and movable between closed and open positions for blocking and unblocking said openings respectively.

6. The invention according to claim 5 wherein said blocking means comprises a slidable plate.

7. The invention according to claim 5 wherein said blocking means comprises guideways on said support below said fixture, and a plate slidably movable on said guideways between said open and closed positions.

8. In an apparatus for use in packaging in interleaved relation reels of the type having a hub and flanges secured to the hub, the combination comprising:

a fixture having guide means, a plurality of bars slidably supported by said guide means, each of said bars having stepped reel supporting surfaces which are displaced different vertical distances from a reference horizontal plane passing through the bottom of said bars, the vertical distances said reel supporting surfaces are displaced for one of said bars being different than the vertical distances the corresponding reel supporting surfaces are displaced for an adjacent bar by a distance at least twice as great as the thickness of a flange; and

means associated with said reel supporting surfaces for releasably holding a stack of reels in predetermined positions thereon, said surfaces and said holding means being 80 positioned relative to one another that the flanges of the reels in each stack will interleave with the flanges of an adjacent stack.

9. The invention according to claim 8 wherein said holding means comprises openings in said reel supporting surfaces spaced apart a distance at least equal to the radius of a flange plus the radius of a reel hub.

10. The invention according to claim 8 wherein said holding means comprises openings in said reel supporting surfaces spaced apart a distance at least equal to the radius of a flange plus the radius of a reel hub, and rods for receiving reel hubs and each rod having one end extending into one of said openings.

11. A method for packaging in interleaved relation reels of the type having a hub with an axial bore and circular flanges secured to the ends of the hub, comprising the steps of:

forming a plurality of stacks of reels by placing a stack of reels on each of a plurality of guide members for holding the individual stacks of reels in alignment; loading said plurality of stacks of reels on a fixture having a plurality of reel supporting surfaces displaced different distances from a reference plane with the flanges of adjacent stacks in interleaved relation; 1

placing a box having an open end over a full load of the stacks of reels on the fixture;

removing the guide members from the stacks of reels; and

inverting the box and fixture so that the open end of the box is now on top and in position to be closed and sealed.

12. A method for packaging in interleaved relation reels of the type having a hub with an axial bore and circular flanges secured to the ends of the hub, comprising the steps of:

forming a plurality of stacks of reels by placing a stack of reels on each of a plurality of rods in which the rod extends through the bores in said hubs;

loading said plurality of stacks of reels, preferably one stack at a time, on a fixture having a plurality of recesses and elevated portions between the recesses for receiving the stacks of reels with the flanges of adjacent stacks in interleaved relation, the rods being insertable in openings in the recesses and elevated portions;

removing the rods from the stacks of reels; and

13. A method for packaging in interleaved relation reels of the type having a hub with an axial bore and circular flanges secured to the ends of the hub, com-,

prising the steps of:

forming a plurality of stacks of reels by placing .a stack of reels on each of a plurality of rods in which the rod extends through the bores in said hubs;

placing a plurality of the rods and stacks of reels on a fixture having a plurality of bars with stepped reel supporting surfaces for receiving the stacks of reels with the flanges of adjacent stacks in interleaved relation;

removing the rods from the stacks of reels; and

Claims

1. In an apparatus for use in packaging stacks of flanged reels in interleaved relation with a plurality of reels in each stack, the combination comprising: a fixture having a plurality of adjacent reel supporting surfaces displaced different distances from a common reference plane; and means comprising an opening in each of said reel supporting surfaces for slidably receiving a rod onto which a stack of reels has previously been mounted for releasably holding said stack of reels in a predetermined position thereon, said reel supporting surfaces and said holding means being so positioned relative to one another that flanges of the reels in each stack will interleave with the flanges of an adjacent stack.

2. In an apparatus for use in packaging flanged reels in interleaved relation, the combination comprising: a fixture having a plurality of reel supporting recesses substantially in abutting relation and large enough to receive a flange of a reel, and reel supporting elevated portions between said recesses in which the vertical distance between the reel-supporting surfaces of said recesses and elevated portions is at least twice as great as the thickness of a flange; and means comprising openings in said recesses and said elevated portions for releasably holding stacks of reels in predetermined positions thereon, said recesses, said elevated portions and said holding means being so positioned relative to one another that flanges of the reels in each stack will interleave with the flanges of an adjacent stack.

5. The invention according to claim 2 wherein said apparatus further comprises a support for said fixture, and said openings in said recesses and elevated portions extend through said fixture, rods for receiving reel hubs and each having one end extending into one of said openings, and blocking means are positioned below said openings and movable between closed and open positions for blocking and unblocking said openings respectively.

8. In an apparatus for use in packaging in interleaved relation reels of the type having a hub and flanges secured to the hub, the combination comprising: a fixture having guide means, a plurality of bars slidably supported by said guide means, each of said bars having stepped reel supporting surfaces which are displaced different vertical distances from a reference horizontal plane passing through the bottom of said bars, the vertical distances said reel supporting surfaces are displaced for one of said bars being different than the vertical distances the corresponding reel supporting surfaces are displaced for an adjacent bar by a distance at least twice as great as the thickness of a flange; and means associated with said reel supporting surfaces for releasably holding a stack of reels in predetermined positions thereon, said surfaces and said holding means being so positioned relative to one another that the flanges of the reels in each stack will interleave with the flanges of an adjacent stack.

11. A method for packaging in interleaved relation reels of the type having a hub with an axial bore and circular flanges secured to the ends of the hub, comprising the steps of: forming a plurality of stacks of reels by placing a stack of reels on each of a plurality of guide members for holding the individual stacks of reels in alignment; loading said plurality of stacks of reels on a fixture having a plurality of reel supporting surfaces displaced different distances from a reference plane with the flanges of adjacent stacks in interleaved relation; placing a box having an open end over a full load of the stacks of reels on the fixture; removing the guide members from the stacks of reels; and inverting the box and fixture so that the open end of the box is now on top and in position to be closed and sealed.

12. A method for packaging in interleaved relation reels of the type having a hub with an axial bore and circular flanges secured to the ends of the hub, comprising the steps of: forming a plurality of stacks of reels by placing a stack of reels on each of a plurality of rods in which the rod extends through the bores in said hubs; loading said plurality of stacks of reels, preferably one stack at a time, on a fixture having a plurality of recesses and elevated portions between the recesses for receiving the stacks of reels with the flanges of adjacent stackS in interleaved relation, the rods being insertable in openings in the recesses and elevated portions; placing a box having an open end over a full load of the stacks of reels on the fixture; removing the rods from the stacks of reels; and inverting the box and fixture so that the open end of the box is now on top and in position to be closed and sealed.