US 11,814,207 B2
Automated packaging station and system for packaging objects
Brian Vilag, Fort Mill, SC (US); Bradley Powell, Rock Hill, SC (US); Morgan R. Stewart, Belmont, NC (US); Todd Rodgers, Gastonia, NC (US); Joshua Woodie, Troutman, NC (US); Garrett P. Dyer, Charlotte, NC (US); James Bravado, Huntersville, NC (US); Yunji Gu, Gastonia, NC (US); Michael Andrew Clarke, Gastonia, NC (US); Jonathan D. Skolrood, Cornelius, NC (US); and Preston Chad Stephens, Charlotte, NC (US)
Assigned to Sealed Air Corporation (US), Charlotte, NC (US)
Appl. No. 17/414,563
Filed by Sealed Air Corporation (US), Charlotte, NC (US)
PCT Filed Dec. 18, 2019, PCT No. PCT/US2019/067037
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jun. 16, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/131988, PCT Pub. Date Jun. 25, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/783,250, filed on Dec. 21, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2022/0041312 A1, Feb. 10, 2022
Int. Cl. B65B 9/08 (2012.01); B65B 35/12 (2006.01); B65B 43/26 (2006.01); B65B 55/20 (2006.01); B65B 61/02 (2006.01); B65B 67/04 (2006.01); B65B 65/00 (2006.01); B65B 5/02 (2006.01); B65B 9/093 (2012.01)
CPC B65B 9/08 (2013.01) [B65B 5/022 (2013.01); B65B 9/093 (2013.01); B65B 35/12 (2013.01); B65B 43/267 (2013.01); B65B 55/20 (2013.01); B65B 61/02 (2013.01); B65B 65/006 (2013.01); B65B 67/04 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An automated packaging station comprising:
a supply of web material, wherein the automated packaging station is configured to form the web material into a pouch;
a surface;
an aperture configured such that an object can be inserted therethrough, wherein the automated packaging station is configured to bias open the pouch beneath the surface such that the object inserted through the aperture falls into the pouch; and
a closing system configured to close the pouch to form a package around the object in response to the object being inserted through the aperture;
wherein the object is capable of being shipped to a recipient in the package;
wherein the supply of the web material is located below the surface;
wherein the web material has a series of chambers;
wherein the automated packaging station further includes an inflation and sealing system configured to inflate the chambers and to individually seal the chambers as part of forming the web material into the pouch;
wherein the automated packaging station further comprises:
a seal and cutting system configured to form a trailing transverse seal, a leading transverse seal, and transverse line of weakness in the web material after inflation of the chambers, wherein the seal and cutting system is located below the surface;
a movable structure located under the surface; and
a housing located under the surface;
wherein the supply, the inflation and sealing system, and the seal and cutting system are positioned on the movable structure;
wherein the supply, the inflation and sealing system, and the seal and cutting system are located within the housing; and
wherein the supply, the inflation and sealing system, and the seal and cutting system are capable of being moved out of the housing by moving the movable structure.