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.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Apparatus for settling a product slug, said system comprising:
 a product slug chamber; and,   a translation assembly for operative translational support of said product slug chamber;   said product slug chamber being indexably translated from a product slug transfer station to a product slug dwell station, product slug ingress and egress in relation to said product slug chamber being conducted at said product slug transfer station, product settling being conducted in relation to said product slug dwell station.   
     
     
         2 . A system for settling a product slug, said system comprising:
 a first product slug apparatus;   a second product slug apparatus; and,   a translation assembly for operative translational support of said first product slug chamber and said second product slug apparatus;   each of said first and said second product slug apparatuses being indexably translated from a product slug transfer station to either of a corresponding first product slug dwell station or second a product slug dwell station.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said translation assembly comprises a single carriage, said first product slug apparatus and said second product slug apparatus being commonly supported thereby in furtherance of indexed translation. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said translation assembly comprises a first carriage for translating said first product slug apparatus in furtherance of indexed translation of said first product slug apparatus. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said translation assembly comprises a second carriage for translating said second product slug apparatus in furtherance of indexed translation of said second product slug apparatus. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said translation assembly comprises a first carriage for translating said first product slug apparatus in furtherance of indexed translation of said first product slug apparatus, and a second carriage for translating said second product slug apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . A system for settling a product slug, said system comprising:
 a first product slug apparatus;   a first translation assembly operatively supporting said first product slug apparatus for translation;   a second product slug apparatus;   a second translation assembly operatively supporting said second product slug apparatus for translation; and,   each of said first and said second product slug apparatuses being indexably translated from a product slug transfer station to either of a corresponding first product slug dwell station or second a product slug dwell station.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein each of said first and second product slug apparatuses is characterized by a product slug reservoir for receipt of a product slug. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7  wherein each of said first and second product slug apparatuses is characterized by a product slug reservoir for receipt of a product slug, said product slug reservoir having a reducing cross section in relation to an ingress portion thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7  wherein each of said first and second product slug apparatuses is characterized by a product slug dwell sleeve for retention of a settled product slug. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7  wherein each of said first and second product slug apparatuses is characterized by a product slug dwell sleeve for retention of a settled product slug, said product slug dwell sleeve having a uniform cross section throughout a length thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7  wherein each of said first and second product slug apparatuses is characterized by a product slug dwell sleeve for retention of a settled product slug, said product slug dwell sleeve having a reducing cross section in relation to an ingress portion thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 7  wherein each of said first and second product slug apparatuses is characterized by a product slug dwell sleeve for retention of a settled product slug, said product slug dwell sleeve having an increasing cross section in relation to an ingress portion thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 7  wherein each of said first and second product slug apparatuses is characterized by an upper a product slug reservoir for receipt of a product slug and a lower product slug dwell sleeve for retention of a settled product slug from said upper product slug reservoir. 
     
     
         15 . A method of settling a product slug comprising:
 a. introducing a product slug to an upper portion of a product slug chamber of a product slug settling device at a first processing station;   b. transferring the product slug from said upper portion of said product slug chamber to a lower portion of said product slug chamber of said product settling device during travel of said product settling device to a second processing station; and,   c. releasing a settled product slug from said lower portion of said product slug chamber upon return of said product settling device to said first processing station from said second processing station.   
     
     
         16 . Apparatus for settling a product slug, said apparatus comprising a chamber for receipt of a product slug and an assembly operatively linked to said chamber for at least selective partial rotation of said chamber about an axis of rotation associated therewith, said chamber having an egress portion opposite an ingress portion and comprising a sidewall, said sidewall having a product slug surface characterized by a vane. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said ingress portion of said chamber is dimensioned so as to be greater that said egress portion of said chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said egress portion of said chamber is dimensioned so as to be substantially equivalent to a dimension of said ingress portion of said chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said sidewall is of a cylindrical configuration. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said sidewall is of a frustoconical configuration. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said chamber is adapted for travel along a preselect travel path in furtherance of receipt of a product slug and/or discharge of a settled product slug. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said chamber is adapted for travel along a preselect travel path in furtherance of receipt of a product slug and/or discharge of a settled product slug, said chamber undergoing selective partial rotation during said travel. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said chamber is adapted for travel along a preselect travel path in furtherance of receipt of a product slug and/or discharge of a settled product slug, said chamber being rotated at travel position correlating to a discharge local for discharge of a settled product slug. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said chamber is adapted for travel along a preselect travel path in furtherance of receipt of a product slug and/or discharge of a settled product slug, said chamber undergoing at least 360 degree rotation at travel position correlating to a discharge local for discharge of a settled product slug. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said chamber is adapted for intermittent travel along a preselect travel path in furtherance of receipt of a product slug and/or discharge of a settled product slug. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said chamber is adapted for intermittent travel along a preselect travel path in furtherance of receipt of a product slug and/or discharge of a settled product slug, said chamber undergoing selective partial rotation during said intermittent travel. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said chamber is adapted for intermittent travel along a preselect travel path in furtherance of receipt of a product slug and/or discharge of a settled product slug, said chamber undergoing selective partial rotation during travel portions of said intermittent travel. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said chamber is adapted for intermittent travel along a preselect travel path in furtherance of receipt of a product slug and/or discharge of a settled product slug, said chamber undergoing selective partial rotation during non-travel portions of said intermittent travel. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said vane is spirally configured in relation to said product slug surface of said chamber. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said product slug surface of said chamber is characterized by vanes. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said product slug surface of said chamber is characterized by vanes, each vane having a non-linear configuration. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said product slug surface of said chamber is characterized by a plurality of vanes. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said product slug surface of said chamber is characterized by a plurality of vanes, each vane having a non-linear configuration. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said assembly comprises a diver and a driven element in operative combination, said driven element operatively united with said chamber. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said assembly comprises a diver and a driven element in operative combination, said driver being selectively operable. 
     
     
         36 . A system for settling a product slug, said system comprising:
 a. a product slug receiving reservoir for receipt of an initial product slug charge;   b. a settled product sleeve, spaced apart from said product slug receiving reservoir, for receipt of the initial product slug charge from said product slug receiving reservoir; and,   c. a keeper, positioned to be interposed between said product slug receiving reservoir and said settled product sleeve so as to thereby prevent passage of the initial product slug charge from said product slug receiving reservoir to said settled product sleeve, said keeper, or a combination of said product slug receiving reservoir and said settled product sleeve, being selectively actuatable in furtherance of allowing passage of the initial product slug charge from said product slug receiving reservoir to said settled product sleeve.