Packaging related process, system & apparatus

Abstract

A method for compacting a slug of product and apparatus for accomplishing the same. The invention describes collecting weighed product in an intermediate settling device to form a compact slug of product. The device can comprise a single settling chamber or can comprise multiple settling chambers which are axially rotatable. The slug can be compacting by jostling and/or vibrating the settling device. Thereafter, the product is discharged to a packaging apparatus. Because the product in the final package is denser, a smaller package can be utilized reducing manufacturing and shipping costs.

1 . Apparatus to facilitate packaging of a settleable product comprising an actuatable assembly, an assembly base, and an assembly actuator operatively linked to said actuatable assembly for selectively actuating said actuatable assembly relative to said assembly base, said actuatable assembly comprising product settling bins, each product settling bin of said product settling bins positionable, via actuation of said actuatable assembly, for receipt of a metered charge of settleable product, successive actuation of said actuatable assembly settling the metered charge of settleable product in furtherance of a discharge of a settled metered charge of settleable product from the apparatus. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said actuatable assembly is indexed via said assembly actuator. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said actuatable assembly is reversibly indexed via said assembly actuator. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said actuatable assembly is periodically actuated via said assembly actuator. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said actuatable assembly comprises a first actuatable assembly readily exchangeable for a second actuatable assembly, said second actuatable assembly comprising product settling bins having an alternate configuration compared to a configuration of those of said first actuatable assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said assembly actuator comprises a mechanical system. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said assembly actuator comprises a pneumatic system. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said assembly actuator comprises a hydraulic system. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said assembly actuator comprises a selectively controlled motor. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said assembly actuator comprises a servo-drive. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said assembly actuator comprises a selectively driven motor. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said product settling bins of said actuatable assembly are readily exchangeable with alternately configured settling bins. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said product settling bins of said actuatable assembly comprise a first set of product settling bins readily exchangeable for a second set of product settling bins, said second set of product settling bins having an alternate configuration compared to a configuration of those of said first set of product settling bins. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said product settling bins of said actuatable assembly comprise alternately configurable settling bins. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said product settling bins of said actuatable assembly include a metered charge ingress portion and a settled metered charge egress portion, said ingress portion characterized by a sectional area which exceeds a sectional area of said egress portion. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said product settling bins of said actuatable assembly include a metered charge ingress portion and a settled metered charge egress portion, a transverse dimension of said bin generally decreasing toward said egress portion from said ingress portion. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said product settling bins of said actuatable assembly include a funnel-like metered charge ingress portion. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said product settling bins of said actuatable assembly include a metered charge ingress portion comprising a metered charge reservoir. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said product settling bins of said actuatable assembly include a metered charge ingress portion and a settled metered charge egress portion, said ingress portion comprising metered charge reservoir characterized by a sectional area of about 1.25-2.5 times greater than a sectional area of said egress portion. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said assembly base is adapted to selectively permit passage of a settled metered charge of settleable product to a bag forming mandrel in furtherance of bag formation. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said assembly base is adapted to selectively permit passage of a settled metered charge of settleable product to a bag forming mandrel having at least a lower segment comprising air passage apertures. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said assembly base includes a settled metered charge discharge port. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said assembly base includes a selectively actuatable settled metered charge discharge port over which filled product settling bins are positionable in furtherance of a discharge of a settled metered charge of settleable product from the apparatus to a packaging station. 
     
     
         24 . A system for volumetrically reducing a settleable product in advance of packaging same, said system comprising an actuatable carrier and an actuator operatively linked to said actuatable carrier for selectively actuating said actuatable carrier, said actuatable carrier comprising a plurality of compacting chambers, each settling chamber characterized by a ingress portion, and an egress portion opposite said ingress portion. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24  wherein said ingress portion of said compacting chamber is characterized by a reducing sectional area in a direction toward said egress portion of said compacting chamber. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 24  wherein said ingress portion of said compacting chamber tapers toward said egress portion of said compacting chamber. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 24  wherein said ingress portion of said compacting chamber is characterized by a cross sectional area which exceeds a cross sectional area of said egress portion of said compacting chamber. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 24  wherein said ingress portion of said compacting chamber comprises a funneled free end. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 24  in combination with a transfer mechanism for selectively passing settled settleable product from a select compacting chamber in furtherance of packaging. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29  wherein said transfer mechanism comprises a bag forming mandrel, characterized by a vented lower segment, through which settled settleable product passes. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 24  in combination with a bag manufacturing and packaging station characterized by a bag forming mandrel comprising a tube through which settled settleable product passes, said tube comprising an apertured segment below a forming shoulder thereof. 
     
     
         32 . A packaging related process comprising:
 a. providing a product settling station comprising an actuatable assembly characterized by a plurality of settling chambers;   b. delivering a metered mass of settleable product to a select settling chamber of said plurality of settling chambers of said actuatable assembly; and,   c. imparting an inertial change upon said actuatable assembly in furtherance of settling the metered mass of settleable product delivered to said select settling chamber.   
     
     
         33 . The packaging related process of  claim 32  wherein said inertial change comprises a velocity change. 
     
     
         34 . The packaging related process of  claim 32  wherein said inertial change comprises an acceleration change. 
     
     
         35 . The packaging related process of  claim 32  wherein said inertial change comprises a stoppage of motion associated with an actuation of said actuatable assembly. 
     
     
         36 . The packaging related process of  claim 32  wherein said inertial change comprises a periodic actuation of said actuatable assembly. 
     
     
         37 . The packaging related process of  claim 32  wherein said inertial change comprises a periodic actuation of said actuatable assembly so to indexingly advance said select solid settling chamber. 
     
     
         38 . The packaging related process of  claim 32  wherein said solid settling chambers are arranged so as to produce a settled charge of a metered mass of settleable product having a substantially uniform height. 
     
     
         39 . The packaging related process of  claim 32  further comprising establishing a settled and formed charge of a metered mass of settleable product by the settling of the metered mass of non-uniform consumable solids via said settling chambers of said plurality of settling chambers for release to a bagging station. 
     
     
         40 . The packaging related process of  claim 32  further comprising transferring a settled and formed charge of a metered mass of settleable product by the settling of the metered mass of non-uniform consumable solids via said settling chambers of said plurality of settling chambers to a bagging station via a conduit through which the settled and formed charge passes, said conduit having a lower apertured portion. 
     
     
         41 . The packaging related process of  claim 32  wherein either said actuatable assembly or said plurality of settling chambers thereof are readily exchangeable with either an alternately configured actuatable assembly or an alternately configured plurality of settling chambers respectively.