Patent ID: 6523330
Filing Date: 2003-02-25
Classification: B65B,B65C,B67B

Abstract:
A process for machine packing a plurality of collapsible plastic containers 22 into a magazine clip means for subsequent handling of the collapsible plastic containers, each plastic container having a collapsible body portion and a non-collapsible neck portion defining an opening to the plastic container, the process comprising the steps of:a) mechanically selecting one of said plastic containers from a serially arranged row of said plurality of containers by gripping said first collapsible plastic container about said neck portion; b) mechanically translating said selected collapsible plastic container to a predetermined capping station; c) at said capping station, mechanically applying to the non-collapsible neck portion of the selected collapsible plastic container, in closed, sealing relation to said opening of the collapsible plastic container, a closure cap having a rim portion and a lid portion connected to the rim portion by a hinge means; d) mechanically translating said selected collapsible plastic container to a predetermined collapsing station; e) at said collapsing station, mechanically opening the lid portion of said closure cap to break said sealing relation to said opening of the collapsible plastic container by hinged movement in a first direction of the lid portion about said hinge means; f) at said collapsing station, mechanically removing a substantial portion of the volume of air from within the selected collapsible plastic container so as to cause substantial collapse of the body portion of said selected collapsible plastic container at said collapsing station; g) at said collapsing station, mechanically closing the lid portion of said closure cap to re-establish said sealing relation with said opening of the selected collapsible plastic container by hinged movement of the lid portion in a second direction opposed to said first direction about said hinge means; h) mechanically translating said selected collapsible plastic container to a predetermined magazine loading station; and, i) at said magazine loading station, mechanically loading said selected collapsible plastic container into said magazine clip means so as to hold said selected collapsible plastic container within said clip means by way of frictional interaction between said non-collapsible neck portion and said magazine clip means.