US 12,319,024 B2
Packaging apparatus, system, and method for forming filled cones
Mark W. Holderman, Spokane, WA (US); and Gregory A. Russell, Spokane, WA (US)
Filed by MPI, LLC, Las Vegas, NV (US)
Filed on Sep. 21, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/471,391.
Application 18/471,391 is a continuation of application No. 17/113,429, filed on Dec. 7, 2020, granted, now 11,794,438.
Prior Publication US 2024/0009951 A1, Jan. 11, 2024
Int. Cl. B31B 50/28 (2017.01); B31B 50/12 (2017.01); B31B 50/585 (2017.01); B31B 110/10 (2017.01)
CPC B31B 50/28 (2017.08) [B31B 50/12 (2017.08); B31B 50/585 (2017.08); B31B 2110/10 (2017.08)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of using a folding tip having an axial pin that extends beyond an interior circumferential surface having a plurality of vacuum holes oriented between the axial pin and a contact surface of the folding tip to form a folded package having an interior cavity at least partially defined by a circumferential distal end, the method comprising:
orienting an axis of the package that extends along a length of the package in axial alignment with the folding tip such that a portion of the axial pin is disposed within the package and applying mechanical pressure to the exterior of the distal end of the package so as to compress the distal end of the package toward against the axial pin;
releasing the mechanical pressure to the exterior of the distal end of the package and then drawing air through the interior circumferential surface of the folding tip and thereby applying vacuum pressure to the distal end of the package such that the distal end of the package is drawn toward the interior circumferential surface of folding tip;
while applying the vacuum pressure, causing the package and the folding tip to move relative to one another along the axis and thereby forcing the folding tip and the package together to fold a distal rim of the distal end of the package into the interior cavity.