Patent ID: 7444794
Filing Date: 2008-11-04
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
1. A bulge reducer for a gable top package that is formed, filled and sealed on a form, fill and seal packaging machine, the package having upstanding side walls and a sealed gable top, the form, fill and seal packaging machine having a drive element and plurality of discrete package carriers for conveying the packages along a conveyance path through the packaging machine, the bulge reducer comprising: a drive member operably connected to the machine drive element; a reciprocating member operably connected to the drive member, the reciprocating member reciprocating toward and away from the conveyance path to contact one of the package side walls as the packages move along the conveyance path, wherein the reciprocating member contacts the package side wall to exert an inward force on and urge the side wall inwardly of the package; and a sprocket operably engaged with the drive element for rotating the sprocket, the sprocket including a cam element mounted thereto and operably connected to the reciprocating member, such that rotation of the cam element moves the cam element to reciprocate the reciprocating member.