Patent ID: 7308784

Claim:
A method for packaging articles in clear plastic clamshell packages of the type having an article-receiving portion, and a lid portion that is hinged to the article-receiving portion, both portions having side flanges and one of said portions having raised parts extending along its periphery and the other portion having complementary grooves on its periphery for receiving the raised parts, said method including the steps of: a) providing a multitude of said packages in nested configuration, the outer periphery of each package being flexible and resilient, and releaseably supporting the lowermost of said multitude by its outer periphery, while exposing flat major surfaces of said lowermost package; b) grasping said surfaces of the lowermost package by vacuum means and dispensing said package from said nested multitude; c) releasing the vacuum hold on said package and engaging said package by its opposing flanges and advancing it linearly with said package in an open position with its lid rotated about 180 degrees position ahead of the article-receiving portion relative the direction of movement; d) inserting articles of commerce in the article-receiving portion of said package; e) coating the raised parts of said advancing package with liquid UV adhesive; f) directing a jet of air upwardly to cause the lid of said advancing package to rotate substantially towards a position covering said article-receiving portion; g) pressing said rotated package lid downwardly by a roller causing said raised parts to fully engage said grooves; and h) illuminating said package with UV light to cause instant curing of said adhesive.