Patent ID: 6089000
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
A method for packing items in selectively variable numerical quantities, including the steps of:providing a track assembly adapted to receive the items and translate therealong;loading a plurality of batches of the items into one end of the track assembly;translating the items to a medial portion of the track assembly and accumulating a large plurality of the items in the medial portion of the track assembly;providing a packaging assembly at the other end of the track assembly;delivering selectively variable quantities of the items from the medial portion of the track assembly to the packaging assembly;said plurality of batches all containing the same quantity of the items;said step of translating the items to a medial portion including providing a first pusher element to engage each batch that is loaded into said one end of the track assembly and urge said each batch toward said medial portion of the track assembly, thereafter disengaging said first pusher element from said each batch and moving said first pusher element retrograde to said one end of the track assembly, and reiterating the step of translating the items to a medial portion, whereby a plurality of the items are disposed in said medial portion of the track assembly in abutting, impinging, uniformly spaced relationship;said step of delivering selectively variable quantities of the items including providing a second pusher element, moving said second pusher element proximally to a location at a selected distance from said other end of the track assembly, said selected distance corresponding to a desired quantity of the items stored in said track assembly between said location and said other end of the track assembly, and thereafter translating said second pusher element toward said other end to push said desired quantity of the items to said packaging assembly;said step of providing a packaging assembly including providing a tubular packaging cylinder fixedly secured to said other end of said track assembly, said tubular packaging cylinder having one open end adapted to receive a packaging container and another open end adapted to receive a plunger, and reciprocally translating said plunger to urge items accumulated in said packaging cylinder into the packaging container;further providing a slot opening in said tubular packaging cylinder extending tangentially and longitudinally therein, and placing said other end of the track assembly in registration with said opening to transfer the items through said slot opening into said tubular packaging cylinder.