Patent EA-000293-B1 (EA)
Title: Tagged packets and their production
Inventor: APPELBE HARVEY WILLIAM FRANCIS
IPC: B65B29/04
Filed: 1996-11-20
Abstract: 1. A method of producing tagged packets in which a series of tags is located in spaced relation on a displaceable carrier, a thread is laid over the tags and lengths of the thread between adjacent pairs of tags are formed in a convoluted pattern substantially co-planar with said adjacent tags of the series, said tags being secured to the drawn-out thread and a web of a packet material being attached to the thread and tags. 2.A method according to Claim 1 wherein the thread is drawn out into said convoluted pattern after being laid over the tags. 3.A method according to Claim 1 wherein the thread is laid onto the carrier in said convoluted pattern to extend over the tags. 4. A method according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the tags engage and locate portions of the thread in the formation of said convoluted pattern. 5. A method according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the thread is secured to the tags ny folding the tags over the thread and adhering the folded parts of each tag together while the tags are held on the carrier. 6. A method according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein said convoluted thread patterns are formed in alternate inter-tag spaces to be associated with the pairs of tags at opposite sides of said alternate spaces. 7. A method according to Claim 6 wherein, after the tags are secured to the thread, portions of the thread in the inter-tag spaces between said alternate spaces are removed while the tags are held in their locations on the carrier to maintain the remaining portions of the thread in said convoluted pattern. 8. A method according to any one of the preceding Claims in which the web with the attached thread and tags is given a tubular shape around a hollow cylindrical form and its side edges sealed together in a form-fill process for filling and separating the packets, the tags being substantially diametrically opposite said sealed side edges in the tubular shape. 9. Apparatus for producing tagged packets comprising a displaceable carrier having a face or faces on which a series of seats for individual tags are spaced apart in the direction of displacement, and means for laying a thread on the carrier along a path extending over the tags, holding elements being disposed on said face or faces between adjacent pairs of said seats for locating the thread in a convoluted pattern, the apparatus further comprising means for securing the thread to the tags, means for applying a web of packet material to the tags and thread on said carrier face or faces and for attaching said web to them. 10. Apparatus according to Claim 9 wherein the holding elements project from the carrier to engage the thread, and means are provided for the movement of at least one of said elements laterally to the thread path to spread the thread in its convoluted pattern on the carrier in said spaces between the tags. 11. Apparatus according to Claim 9 comprising a dispensing guide through which the thread is fed to the carrier, means for moving said dispensing guide on a path that passes the holding elements on the carrier to deploy the thread onto said elements for it to be held in said convoluted pattern by said elements. 12. Apparatus according to Claim 11 wherein means are provided to maintain the thread in tension while it is being deployed so as to draw it into said convoluted pattern against the holding elements. 13.Apparatus according to any one of Claims 9 to 12 wherein the holding elements are disposed in alternate spaces between tag seats and thread severing means are provided for removal of portions of the thread in the remaining spaces between tag seats after the thread has been secured to the tags. 14. A tagged packet in which a thread located on the exterior of the packet is secured at opposite ends to the tag and to an end edge of the packet, the remainder of the thread between said secured ends being disposed on said exterior of the packet away from the tag and being releasably attached to said exterior in convoluted form. 15. A packet according to Claim 14 wherein the attachment to said end edge seal is laterally offset from the location of the tag on the packet. 16. A packet according to Claim 14 or Claim 15 wherein the thread extends substantially perpendicular to said end edge at its attachment thereto. 17. A tagged packet in which the contents of the packet are enclosed between end seals formed in mutually transverse directions across opposite ends of the packer, and in which a thread located on the exterior of the packet has one end secured to a tag releasably attached to the packet and the other end secured to one of said end seals, a length of the thread between said attachments being releasably attached in convoluted form tp the packet between the tag and said end edge. 18. A packet according to Claim 17 wherein the attachment to said end edge is at an end region of said edge forming a corner of the packet.