The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 05, 2009
Filed:
Nov. 27, 2007
Samuel D. Griggs, Raleigh, NC (US);
Dennis J. May, Pittsboro, NC (US);
William M. Poteat, Fuquay-Varina, NC (US);
Derek L. Brown, Apex, NC (US);
David R. Gupton, Wake Forest, NC (US);
Samuel D. Griggs, Raleigh, NC (US);
Dennis J. May, Pittsboro, NC (US);
William M. Poteat, Fuquay-Varina, NC (US);
Derek L. Brown, Apex, NC (US);
David R. Gupton, Wake Forest, NC (US);
Tipper Tie, Inc., Apex, NC (US);
Abstract
Packaging systems and apparatus include a product chutes a clipper mechanism residing downstream of the product chute, and a vertically extendable and retractable product holding member disposed downstream of the clipper mechanism. In operation, the product holding member is configured to: (a) automatically vertically move to a first operative position whereby the holding member contacts and traps a target product to inhibit the target product from traveling downstream thereof, then (b) automatically vertically move to a second different position to allow a product to travel downstream thereof.