Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
  • B65B35/56—Orientating, i.e. changing the attitude of, articles, e.g. of non-uniform cross-section
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
  • B65B25/005—Packaging other articles presenting special problems packaging of confectionery
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
  • B65B35/30—Arranging and feeding articles in groups
  • B65B35/44—Arranging and feeding articles in groups by endless belts or chains
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
  • B65B35/56—Orientating, i.e. changing the attitude of, articles, e.g. of non-uniform cross-section
  • B65B35/58—Turning articles by positively-acting means, e.g. to present labelled portions in uppermost position
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B41/00—Supplying or feeding container-forming sheets or wrapping material
  • B65B41/02—Feeding sheets or wrapper blanks
  • B65B41/04—Feeding sheets or wrapper blanks by grippers
  • B65B41/06—Feeding sheets or wrapper blanks by grippers by suction-operated grippers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
  • B65B51/02—Applying adhesives or sealing liquids
  • B65B51/023—Applying adhesives or sealing liquids using applicator nozzles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B15/00—Attaching articles to cards, sheets, strings, webs, or other carriers
  • B65B15/02—Attaching small articles, e.g. buttons, to cards
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
  • B65B43/12—Feeding flexible bags or carton blanks in flat or collapsed state; Feeding flat bags connected to form a series or chain
  • B65B43/14—Feeding individual bags or carton blanks from piles or magazines
  • B65B43/145—Feeding carton blanks from piles or magazines

Definitions

• the field of the present disclosure relates generally to individually wrapped articles such as chewing gum and, more specifically, to systems and methods of manufacturing a foldable package for containing a plurality of individually wrapped articles.
• Packaging of confectionery products and other consumable products is important for marketing and display of the products. It is desirable to present an attractive and distinctive package with space for brand names, graphics and text, while at the same time being fully functional and appealable to the consumer for carrying. Packaging must also serve practical needs such as keeping the products from being damaged during shipping, keeping the products fresh, and in some cases providing a reusable and re-closable container, for example, when not all of the products are likely to be consumed at one time.
• a system for forming a foldable package housing individually wrapped articles includes a first conveyor device including at least one lug that at least partially defines a first slot and a second slot on opposing sides of the at least one lug.
• the first slot is sized to receive a first set of individually wrapped articles and the second slot is sized to receive a second set of individually wrapped articles.
• the first conveyor device is configured to advance the individually wrapped articles towards a loading station.
• the system further includes a feeder device configured to position a sheet of packaging material over the individually wrapped articles at the loading station.
• the sheet of packaging material is for coupling to the individually wrapped articles.
• the at least one lug has a width such that a predefined distance is defined between the first and second sets of individually wrapped articles when coupled to the sheet of packaging material.
• a method of manufacturing a foldable package housing individually wrapped articles includes arranging the plurality of individually wrapped articles on a first conveyor device that includes at least one lug.
• the at least one lug at least partially defines a first slot and a second slot on opposing sides of the at least one lug, and the plurality of individually wrapped articles are arranged on the first conveyor device such that a first set of individually wrapped articles is received within the first slot, and such that a second set of individually wrapped articles is received within the second slot.
• the method further includes advancing, with the first conveyor device, the individually wrapped articles towards a loading position, positioning a sheet of packaging material over the individually wrapped articles, and coupling the individually wrapped articles to the sheet of packaging material.
• the at least one lug has a width such that a predefined distance is defined between the first and second sets of individually wrapped articles when coupled to the sheet of packaging material.
• FIG. 1 is block diagram of an example packaging system for use in packaging a plurality of individually wrapped articles.
• FIG. 2 is a side view of a conveyor system that may be used in the packaging system shown in FIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the conveyor system shown in FIG.
• FIG. 4 is a side view illustration of a conveyor system in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure in a first operational position.
• FIG. 5 is a top view illustration of the conveyor system shown in
• FIG. 6 is a side view illustration of the conveyor system shown in FIG. 4 in a second operational position.
• FIG. 7 is a top view illustration of an example first conveyor device that may be used with the conveyor system shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with a first embodiment of the disclosure.
• FIG. 8 is a top view illustration of the first conveyor device shown in FIG. 7 at a card loading station.
• FIG. 9 is an end view illustration of an example foldable package formed using the first conveyor device shown in FIG. 7, in accordance with the first embodiment of the disclosure.
• FIG. 10 is a top view illustration of an example first conveyor device that may be used with the conveyor system shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with a second embodiment of the disclosure.
• FIG. 11 is a top view illustration of the first conveyor device shown in FIG. 10 at a card loading station.
• FIG. 12 is an end view illustration of an example foldable package formed using the first conveyor device shown in FIG. 10, in accordance with the second embodiment of the disclosure.
• FIG. 13 is a top view illustration of an example first conveyor device that may be used with the conveyor system shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with a third embodiment of the disclosure.
• FIG. 14 is a top view illustration of the first conveyor device shown in FIG. 13 at a card loading station.
• FIG. 15 is an end view illustration of an example foldable package formed using the first conveyor device shown in FIG. 13, in accordance with the third embodiment of the disclosure.
• FIG. 16 is a top view illustration of an example first conveyor device that may be used with the conveyor system shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the disclosure.
• FIG. 17 is a top view illustration of the first conveyor device shown in FIG. 16 at a card loading station.
• FIG. 18 is an end view illustration of an example foldable package formed using the first conveyor device shown in FIG. 16, in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the disclosure.
• the embodiments described herein relate to a foldable package containing a plurality of individually wrapped articles, such as individually wrapped sticks of chewing gum.
• the foldable package has either a bi-fold or multi-fold design capable of being easily folded between a closed configuration and an open configuration. As such, a consumer is able to access contents of the foldable package in a convenient and simplified manner.
• the foldable package is generally formed from a single sheet of packaging material having the individually wrapped articles adhered thereto, thereby resulting in minimal packaging material being used to form the foldable package. Forming the foldable package from a single sheet of packaging material also results in a slim profile when in the closed configuration, which makes it easier for the consumer to store or transport the foldable package.
• unfolding the foldable package to access the contents thereof provides a revealing feature for the consumer, and also provides opportunities for including aesthetically appealing packaging designs when the package contents are revealed.
• the system includes a conveyor device having a lug and chain type device.
• the lug and chain type device includes at least one lug that separates sets of individually wrapped articles from each other.
• the at least one lug has a width such that a predefined distance is defined between the sets of individually wrapped articles when coupled to the sheet of packaging material.
• FIG. 1 is block diagram of an example packaging system 100 for use in packaging a plurality of individually wrapped articles.
• packaging system 100 includes, in succession, an article wrapping station 102, an adhesive application station 104, a card loading station 106, a folding station 108, and a package wrapping station 1 10.
• Packaging system 100 also includes a conveyor system 1 12 that facilitates advancing the individually wrapped articles along the packaging process.
• the stations may be sequenced in any manner that enables packaging system 100 to function as described herein.
• article wrapping station 102 facilitates individually wrapping a plurality of articles (not shown in FIG. 1) for packaging in a sheet of wrapping material.
• the articles can include a consumable product such as, but not limited to, sticks of chewing gum.
• an example wrapping material includes, but is not limited to, a foil material having a decorative design on at least one surface thereof.
• article wrapping station 102 can be used to wrap any single-serve, single-use, or non-perishable product.
• conveyor system 1 12 After wrapping the articles, conveyor system 1 12 then advances the individually wrapped articles towards adhesive application station 104 for applying adhesive to the wrapping material. The individually wrapped articles are then advanced towards card loading station 106 for coupling the individually wrapped articles to a flat sheet of packaging material. Once coupled, conveyor system 1 12 advances the unfolded package towards folding station 108. The unfolded package is folded from an open configuration to a closed configuration, as will be described in more detail below, and conveyor system 112 advances the folded package towards package wrapping station 1 10. The folded package is then wrapped in a transparent sheet of overwrap material that includes, but is not limited to, a polyvinylidene chloride material. Wrapping the folded package in overwrap material maintains the folded package in a closed position, and seals the contents of the folded package from an ambient environment.
• overwrap material includes, but is not limited to, a polyvinylidene chloride material. Wrapping the folded package in overwrap material maintains the folded package in a closed position, and seals the contents of the folded package from an ambient environment
• FIG. 2 is a side view of conveyor system 1 12 that may be used in packaging system 100 (shown in FIG. 1)
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of conveyor system 1 12.
• conveyor system 1 12 facilitates advancing individually wrapped articles 114 along the packaging process. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, conveyor system 1 12 facilitates advancing individually wrapped articles 1 14 from adhesive application station 104, towards card loading station 106, and towards folding station 108.
• conveyor system 112 includes a first conveyor device 116 including a lug and chain device 1 18.
• Lug and chain device 118 includes a plurality of lugs 120 a chain 122 extending between adjacent lugs 120.
• first conveyor device 116 receives and collates individually wrapped articles 114 into sets of two or more, for example, within each slot.
• first conveyor device 116 can include any conveyance device that facilitates advancing individually wrapped articles 1 14 along the packaging process.
• packaging system 100 further includes an adhesive application device 124 located at adhesive application station 104, a feeder device 126 located at card loading station 106, an elevating device 128 and a card holder 130 located at card loading station 106, a turning device 132, an inverter device 134, and one or more actuatable folding arms (not shown) located at folding station 108.
• individually wrapped articles 1 14 are loaded onto first conveyor device 1 16 from article wrapping station 102 (shown in FIG. 1), and first conveyor device 116 advances individually wrapped articles 1 14 towards adhesive application station 104.
• the wrapping material is folded on the articles such that a free flap 136 of wrapping material is folded over a first side of each individually wrapped article 1 14.
• individually wrapped articles 1 14 are arranged on first conveyor device 116 such that free flap 136 is facing away from first conveyor device 116.
• adhesive application device 124 applies an adhesive to individually wrapped articles 114, forming a bead 138 of adhesive on each individually wrapped article 114.
• First conveyor device 1 16 advances individually wrapped articles 114 towards card loading station 106, and feeder device 126 positions a sheet 140 of packaging material over individually wrapped articles 114 for coupling to individually wrapped articles 114, and for forming a foldable package.
• Feeder device 126 contains a plurality of sheets 140 of packaging material such that individually wrapped articles 1 14 can be coupled to each sheet 140 of packaging material in a substantially continuous manner.
• the adhesive is applied to sheet 140 of packaging material.
• the plurality of lugs 120 have a height greater than a thickness of individually wrapped articles 114. As such, a gap 142 is formed therebetween when sheet 140 of packaging material is positioned over individually wrapped articles 114.
• First conveyor device 116 advances individually wrapped articles 1 14 and sheet 140 of packaging material together towards elevating device 128 to facilitate coupling individually wrapped articles 114 to sheet of packaging material, thereby forming an unfolded package 144. More specifically, elevating device 128 biases individually wrapped articles 114 towards sheet 140 of packaging material, which uncouples individually wrapped articles 1 14 from lug and chain device 1 18.
• ramp 146 includes an inclined surface that successively guides individually wrapped articles 114 towards sheet 140 of packaging material as they are advanced through card loading station 106. Moreover, card holder 130 biases against sheet 140 of packaging material as individually wrapped articles 1 14 are guided along ramp 146 to create a firm bond therebetween. Lug and chain device 118 is then recirculated to further receive individually wrapped articles 1 14 from article wrapping station 102.
• Conveyor system 1 12 then advances unfolded package 144 towards turning device 132 which, in one embodiment, re-orients unfolded package 144 by about 90° into a desired folding orientation. Unfolded package 144 is then advanced towards inverter device 134, which flips unfolded package 144 such that sheet 140 of packaging material is positioned between a surface 148 of folding station 108 and individually wrapped articles 1 14. Sheet 140 of packaging material is then folded upon itself to form a foldable package 150.
• the adhesive is selected such that individually wrapped articles 1 14 are selectively removable from foldable package 150.
• bead 138 is applied over only a portion of individually wrapped articles 114 such that a free end thereof is grippable by a consumer for removal of individually wrapped articles 114 from foldable package 150.
• inverter device 134 is omitted from packaging system 100 and sheet 140 of packaging material is folded upon itself to form foldable package 150. Put another way, unfolded package 144 need not be inverted such that individually wrapped articles 1 14 are facing upwards to fold sheet 140 of packaging material upon itself to form foldable package 150.
• FIG. 4 is a side view illustration of conveyor system 1 12 in a first operational position in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure
• FIG. 5 is a top view illustration of conveyor system 112 shown in FIG. 4
• FIG. 6 is a side view illustration of conveyor system 1 12 in a second operational position.
• conveyor system 1 12 includes first conveyor device 1 16 and a second conveyor device 152 positioned to receive individually wrapped articles 1 14 from first conveyor device 116.
• Second conveyor device 152 further advances individually wrapped articles 114 towards card loading station 106 (shown in FIG. 1). More specifically, in one embodiment, second conveyor device 152 includes rotating members 154 positioned on either side of first conveyor device 116.
• lugs 120 have a width such that a predefined distance is defined between adjacent sets of individually wrapped articles when coupled to sheet 140 of packaging material.
• rotating members 154 rotate at a speed such that the predefined distance is maintained when individually wrapped articles are transferred from first conveyor device 1 16 to second conveyor device 152.
• conveyor system 1 12 is in the second operational position such that individually wrapped articles 114 are at card loading station 106 and substantially aligned with feeder device 126.
• elevating device 128 includes a biasing member 156 that actuates when individually wrapped articles 114 are at card loading station 106. As such, biasing member 156 biases individually wrapped articles 114 towards sheet 140 of packaging material simultaneously for coupling thereto.
• FIG. 7 is a top view illustration of an example first conveyor device 158 that may be used with conveyor system 1 12 (shown in FIG. 2), in accordance with a first embodiment of the disclosure
• FIG. 8 is a top view illustration of first conveyor device 158 at card loading station 106 (shown in FIG. 2)
• FIG. 9 is an end view illustration of an example foldable package 160 formed using first conveyor device 158, in accordance with the first embodiment of the disclosure.
• first conveyor device 158 includes a first lug 162 that defines a first slot 164 and a second slot 166 on opposing sides of first lug 162.
• first conveyor device 158 includes a rear lug 168 that further defines second slot 166.
• Rear lug 168 includes a stepped portion 170 that mates with sheet 172 of packaging material, as will be described in more detail below.
• First slot 164 is sized to receive a first set 174 of individually wrapped articles 1 14 and second slot 166 is sized to receive a second set 176 of individually wrapped articles 114.
• a set of individually wrapped articles can include one or more individually wrapped articles 114.
• first lug 162 has a first width Wl such that a predefined distance is defined between first and second sets 174 and 176 of individually wrapped articles 114 when coupled to sheet 140 of packaging material.
• the predefined distance is selected to ensure individually wrapped articles 1 14 are properly arranged prior to being coupled to sheet 172 of packaging material. More specifically, referring to FIG. 9, sheet 172 of packaging material is positioned over individually wrapped articles 114.
• Sheet 172 of packaging material includes a leading edge 178, a trailing edge 180, a top edge 182, a bottom edge 184, and a first fold line 186 and a second fold line 188 defined between leading and trailing edges 178 and 180.
• any fold lines can also be embodied as a score line.
• First and second fold lines 186 and 188 define a first support panel 190, a first end panel 192 extending from first support panel 190, and a second support panel 194 extending from first end panel 192.
• feeder device 126 (shown in FIG. 2) and, more specifically, sheet 172 of packaging material is positioned such that fold lines 186 and 188 do not overlap with individually wrapped articles 114 when coupled to sheet 172 of packaging material.
• stepped portions 170 of rear lugs 168 mate with trailing edge 180 to orient sheet 172 of packaging material in a proper loading position.
• first set 174 is aligned with first support panel 190 and second set 176 is aligned with second support panel 194.
• foldable package 160 is formed by folding sheet 172 of packaging material such that first and second sets 174 and 176 of individually wrapped articles 114 are stacked on top of one another.
• first width Wl (shown in FIG. 7) is selected to be at least equal to twice the thickness of individually wrapped articles 114.
• Foldable package 160 is then advanced towards package wrapping station 1 10 (shown in FIG. 1) for wrapping with the overwrap material.
• FIG. 10 is a top view illustration of an example first conveyor device 200 that may be used with conveyor system 1 12 (shown in FIG. 2), in accordance with a second embodiment of the disclosure
• FIG. 11 is a top view illustration of first conveyor device 200 at card loading station 106 (shown in FIG. 2)
• FIG. 12 is an end view illustration of an example foldable package 202 formed using first conveyor device 200, in accordance with the second embodiment of the disclosure.
• first conveyor device 200 includes first lug 162 and a second lug 204 spaced from each other such that second slot 166 is defined between first and second lugs 162 and 204, and such that a third slot 206 is at least partially defined on a side of second lug 204 opposing second slot 166.
• First conveyor device 200 further includes rear lugs 168 that further define third slot 206.
• Third slot 206 is sized to receive a third set 208 of individually wrapped articles 114
• First lug 162 has first width Wl and second lug 204 has a second width W2 greater than first width Wl such that a first predefined distance is defined between first and second sets 174 and 176 of individually wrapped articles 114, and such that a greater second predefined distance is defined between second and third sets 176 and 208 of individually wrapped articles 114 when coupled to sheet 210 of packaging material.
• sheet 210 of packaging material further includes a third fold line 212 and a fourth fold line 214 are defined between leading and trailing edges 178 and 180.
• a second end panel 216 extends from second support panel 194 and a third support panel 218 extends from second end panel 216.
• feeder device 126 (shown in FIG. 2) and, more specifically, sheet 210 of packaging material is positioned such that fold lines 186, 188, 212, and 214 do not overlap with individually wrapped articles 114 when coupled to sheet 210 of packaging material.
• stepped portions 170 of rear lugs 168 mate with trailing edge 180 to orient sheet 210 of packaging material in a proper loading position.
• first set 174 is aligned with first support panel 190
• second set 176 is aligned with second support panel 194
• third set 208 is aligned with third support panel 218.
• foldable package 202 is formed by folding sheet 210 of packaging material such that first set 174 of individually wrapped articles 114 is stacked on top of second set 176, and further folding sheet 210 of packaging material such that third set 208 of individually wrapped articles 114 is stacked on top of first set 174, and indirectly stacked on top of second set 176.
• first width Wl (shown in FIG. 10) is selected to be at least equal to twice the thickness of individually wrapped articles 114
• second width W2 shown in FIG. 10) is selected to be at least equal to three times the thickness of individually wrapped articles in addition to the thickness of first support panel 190.
• Foldable package 202 is then advanced towards package wrapping station 110 (shown in FIG.
• FIG. 13 is a top view illustration of an example first conveyor device 300 that may be used with conveyor system 112 (shown in FIG. 2), in accordance with a third embodiment of the disclosure
• FIG. 14 is a top view illustration of first conveyor device 300 at card loading station (shown in FIG. 2)
• FIG. 15 is an end view illustration of an example foldable package 302 formed using first conveyor device 300, in accordance with the third embodiment of the disclosure.
• first conveyor device 300 includes first lug 162, second lug 204, and a third lug 304 spaced from second lug 204 such that third slot 206 is defined between second and third lugs 204 and 304, and such that a fourth slot 306 is at least partially defined on a side of third lug 304 opposing third slot 206.
• Fourth slot 306 is sized to receive a fourth set 308 of individually wrapped articles 114.
• First and third lugs 162 and 304 have first width Wl and second lug 204 has a third width W3 greater than first width Wl such that a first predefined distance is defined between first and second sets 174 and 176 of individually wrapped articles 114 and between third and fourth sets 208 and 308 of individually wrapped articles 114. Further, a greater third predefined distance is defined between second and third sets 176 and 208 of individually wrapped articles 114 when coupled to sheet 310 of packaging material. More specifically, referring to FIG. 14, a fifth fold line 312 and a sixth fold line 314 are defined between leading and trailing edges 178 and 180. As such, a third end panel 316 extends from third support panel 218 and a fourth support panel 318 extends from third end panel 316.
• feeder device 126 (shown in FIG. 2) and, more specifically, sheet 310 of packaging material is positioned such that fold lines 186, 188, 212, 214, 312 and 314 do not overlap with individually wrapped articles 114 when coupled to sheet 310 of packaging material.
• stepped portions 170 of rear lugs 168 mate with trailing edge 180 to orient sheet 310 of packaging material in a proper loading position.
• first set 174 is aligned with first support panel 190
• second set 176 is aligned with second support panel 194
• third set 208 is aligned with third support panel 218, and fourth set 308 is aligned with fourth support panel 318.
• foldable package 302 is formed by folding sheet 310 of packaging material such that first and second sets 174 and 176 of individually wrapped articles 114 are stacked on top of one another, thereby forming a first folded subassembly 320.
• Foldable package 302 is further formed by folding sheet 310 of packaging material such that third and fourth sets 208 and 308 of individually wrapped articles 114 are stacked on top of one another, thereby forming a second folded sub-assembly 322, and by folding sheet 310 of packaging material such that first and second folded sub-assemblies 320 and 322 are stacked on top of one another.
• first width Wl shown in FIG.
• Foldable package 302 is then advanced towards package wrapping station 110 (shown in FIG. 1) for wrapping with the overwrap material.
• FIG. 16 is a top view illustration of an example first conveyor device 400 that may be used with conveyor system 112 (shown in FIG. 2), in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the disclosure
• FIG. 17 is a top view illustration of first conveyor device 400 at card loading station 106 (shown in FIG. 2)
• FIG. 18 is an end view illustration of an example foldable package 402 formed using first conveyor device 400, in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the disclosure.
• first lug 162 has first width Wl
• second lug 204 has second width W2 greater than first width Wl
• third lug 304 has a fourth width W4 greater than second width W2 such that a first predefined distance is defined between first and second sets 174 and 176 of individually wrapped articles 114, such that a greater second predefined distance is defined between second and third sets 176 and 208 of individually wrapped articles 114, and such that an even greater fourth predefined distance is defined between third and fourth sets 208 and 308 of individually wrapped articles 114.
• foldable package 402 is formed by folding sheet 404 of packaging material such that first set 174 of individually wrapped articles 114 is stacked on top of second set 176. Further, foldable package 402 is formed by folding sheet 404 of packaging material such that first and second sets 174 and 176 of individually wrapped articles 114 are stacked on top of third set 208, and by folding sheet 404 of packaging material such that first, second, and third sets 174, 176, and 208 of individually wrapped articles 114 are stacked on top of fourth set 308.
• first width Wl shown in FIG. 16
• second width W2 shown in FIG.
• Foldable package 402 is then advanced towards package wrapping station 1 10 (shown in FIG. 1) for wrapping with the overwrap material.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Basic Packing Technique (AREA)

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• 2016
  • 2016-06-29 EP EP16818654.2A patent/EP3317187B1/de active Active
  • 2016-06-29 CN CN201680038685.6A patent/CN107709171B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2016-06-29 PL PL16818654T patent/PL3317187T3/pl unknown
  • 2016-06-29 WO PCT/US2016/040029 patent/WO2017004163A1/en active Application Filing

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