MXPA98007663A - Apparatus for loading stacked articles groups in ca - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mechanism for transferring a group of articles for use in a continuous moving box forming assembly, comprising: (a) a frame structure, (b) a plurality of transfer elements arranged at longitudinally predetermined spaced apart, the transfer elements are for laterally moving articles that are longitudinally transported in at least one box-forming assembly current, each of the transfer elements includes a stepped loading head for movable contact with a group of articles, the stepped loading head has a fixed face member coupled to a support plate, the support plate has an opening and an extensible face member with a tail portion extending through the opening in the support plate, the transfer element further includes a support member connected to the stepped loading head and a member with In order to direct the lateral movement of the transfer elements, the control member has a first cam pusher connected to the support member and controls the lateral movement of the transfer elements, a second cam pusher pivotally connected to the support member and which is further connected to the support plate by means of connecting means, the second cam pusher provides differential lateral movement to the fixed face member, a third cam pusher pivotally connected to the second cam pusher and further connected to the tail portion. of the extensible member by means of the joining means, the third cam pusher provides differential lateral movement to the extensible face member, (c) means for longitudinally moving the transfer elements, the means for longitudinal movement are connected to the support member; and (d) a cam track assembly having a predetermined configuration nothing to move laterally the transfer elements, the cam rail assembly iscooperatively matching with the first, second and third cam pushers

Description

APPARATUS TO LOAD GROUPS OF ITEMS STACKED IN BOXES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to apparatuses and methods used in the packaging industry. More particularly, the invention relates to a transferable mechanism of groups of articles for use in assemblies of continuously moving boxes, which load groups of stacked or two articles. rows in boxes or packages. The article group transfer mechanism, or barrel cam loader, is a device of lateral or transverse load type. The present invention has particular utility in the loading of relatively unstable stacked article groups, in carton or other boxes in a fast and reliable manner. The stackable bottles are an example of this instability, since the top layer of the bottles are resting on the relatively small top parts of the bottom bottles. The present invention also has utility in the load of imperfect round items or other items that tend to rotate during the loading process. However, the invention may also have utility in other applications. 2. BACKGROUND INFORMATION In the past, various devices and methods have been used or proposed to load groups of articles into boxes or other sleeves, templates or packaged wraps, into a box or other packaging machine. However, these devices and method are believed to have significant limitations and disadvantages. A problem occurs when a box loads groups of relatively unstable stacked articles in box sleeves, for example, a group of bottles is unstable since the upper group of bottles tends to lean or lean over the smaller upper portions of the bottles in the container. lower group. The instability of the upper group may interfere with the loading of groups of items and may cause the top items to fall out of the box before the box ends are closed and the items are secured in the box. Another problem occurs when articles imperfect, such as labeled bottles are pushed or loaded into boxes. When the rows of these imperfect articles are loaded in a tight cardboard sleeve, friction between the outer rows of articles and the side walls of the sleeves of the box causes the outer articles to rotate or roll towards the side walls of the sleeves. from the box. The rotation of the outer articles tends to shake the middle row of articles forward and can cause the middle articles to fall out of the box sleeve before the ends of the box close. Examples of devices over which the article group transfer mechanism of the present invention can be used are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,456,058 (hereinafter ** "Patent '058"), Patent of the United States 5,241,806 (hereinafter referred to as "Patent * 806") and United States Patent (hereinafter referred to as "Patent 0796"). Patent 058 ', Patent * 806 and Patent' 796 are all assigned to the assignees of the applicants and are incorporated herein by reference.

Patent '058 discloses a continuous motion box assembly for loading groups of articles stacked or viewed in layers in boxes. The box assembly comprises an article feed mechanism supplying at least two streams of articles at distinctly different levels; a mechanism for selecting and conveying the article group by selecting the article feed mechanism to form a longitudinal stream of article groups of a predetermined stacked pattern; a synchronized box delivery and transport mechanism and moving parallel with the article group selection and transport mechanism to provide boxes with open ends facing the moving items groups; and an article group transfer mechanism, constructed and arranged to move the groups of articles at the open ends of the box sleeves. This box assembly provides a method for continuously loading boxes with stacked item groups, having upper and lower subgroups of at least one article. -The method comprises the steps of supplying an input stream of items in a first location, selecting the items in the first location to form a subgroup of inferior items, transport subgroups of inferior items longitudinally to a second location, supply an input stream of items at the second location, select the items at the second location to form a subset of items superior to the upper part of the lower subgroup of articles, to thereby form a group of stacked articles, supply and transport longitudinally a box in spatial synchronization with the stacked article group, and laterally transfer the stacked article group to the longitudinally transported box. The '806 patent discloses a box assembly for loading groups of articles into open-box sleeves. It is used to load non-stacked bottles or cans in cardboard sleeves. The box assembly comprises an article feed mechanism supplying at least one stream of articles, an article selection mechanism intercepting the article feed mechanism to form and move a stream of item groups of the predetermined pattern, a mechanism of synchronized and moving box transport Parallel to the article selection mechanism for providing boxes with open ends facing the groups of articles in motion, and a group transfer mechanism constructed and arranged to move the groups of articles at the open ends of the box sleeves . The article selection mechanism has a plurality of transverse, stationary, stationary flight bars disposed thereon which linearly select the articles of the article feed mechanism which is angled with respect to the article selection mechanism. The article group transfer mechanism has reciprocally transverse arm assemblies, including stepped, cam split heads, to load groups of products in an initially nested configuration, having a differentially thinner loading dimension. The article group transfer mechanism includes cam driven means to guide the product groups to the boxes. The box transport mechanism has improved cash flight phase adjustment means.

Patent '796 describes an article group transfer mechanism constructed and arranged to move groups of articles towards the open ends of the box sleeves. The mechanism is incorporated into a continuous motion box assembly, or box, for loading groups of items into boxes. The box comprises: an article feeding mechanism, supplying at least one article stream; a mechanism for selecting and transporting article groups by intercepting the article feed mechanism to form and transport a longitudinal current-of groups of articles of a predetermined pattern; a synchronized box transport supply mechanism and moving parallel with the article group selection mechanism to provide boxes with open ends facing the groups of articles in motion; and an article group transfer mechanism. The article group transfer mechanism is constructed and arranged to move the groups of articles toward the open ends of the box sleeves. One mode of the merchandise category transfer mechanism provides a lateral transfer device that comprises: a frame structure; a plurality of transfer elements "disposed at predetermined longitudinally spaced intervals, wherein the transfer elements laterally move the articles being longitudinally transported in at least one stream of the article processing system, each transfer element includes a member of stepped contact for mobile contact with articles; a support member connected to the contact member; and a control member for directing the lateral movement of the transfer elements, the control member includes a first cam roller connected to the support member, wherein the first cam roller controls the lateral movement of the transfer elements, and further includes a second cam roller pivotally connected to the support member and connected to the contact member via link means, wherein the second cam roller provides differential lateral movement to the step contact member; means, connected to the support member, for longitudinally moving the transfer elements; and a cam track assembly capable of moving laterally the transfer elements, and which is cooperatively coincident with the first and second cam followers. Despite the need in the art for a continuous movement box assembly, which overcomes the disadvantages, shortcomings and limitations of the prior art, none has been developed so far. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an article group transfer mechanism that maintains the stability of higher article groups, especially during the stacking of articles with a top portion smaller than the bottom. Another object is to provide an article group transfer mechanism that successfully loads articles that tend to rotate during the loading process, using article group transfer structures, having transverse reciprocal arm assemblies with stepped head transfer heads , driven by cam. The stepped transfer heads load groups of articles in a nested initial configuration having a differentially thinner loading dimension.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an apparatus for loading stacked case groups, or an article group transfer mechanism, into a continuous motion cage assembly or case constructed and arranged to move stacked article groups at the open ends of the article. box sleeve. In a preferred embodiment, the transfer mechanism comprises a plurality of transfer elements arranged at predetermined longitudinally spaced intervals, the transfer elements being for the lateral movement of groups of articles, which are being longitudinally fed into a stream, each element The transfer includes a lower contact member and a stepped upper contact member, a support member connected to the contact members, and a control member for directing the lateral movement of the transfer elements. The control member includes: a first cam roller connected to the support member, the first cam roller, controlling the lateral movement of the elements. from transfer; a second cam roller pivotally connected to the support member and the contact member through attachment means, the second cam roller provides differential lateral movement between the upper and lower contact members; and a third cam roller pivotally connected to the support member and further connected to the contact member through attachment means, the third cam resistor 11o provides differential lateral movement to predetermined portions of the stepped contact member. The control member further includes means, connected to the support member for longitudinally moving the transfer elements and a cam rail assembly capable of laterally moving the transfer elements, since it is cooperatively coincident with the first, second and third rollers of cam. The article group transfer mechanism of the present invention solves the problems associated with the known art. Divert items located in the top layer relative to items in the bottom layer, so that items in the top layer are stable, as they tend to tilt back towards the contact member. In this manner, the present invention prevents the articles from leaning forward and exiting through the back of the box sleeve before closing the box sleeve ends. In addition, it diverts the middle row of items relative to the outer rows of items, so that the rotation of imperfect items in the outer rows will not shake the items in the middle row forward. The aspects, benefits and objects of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, with reference to the description, claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a side view of an apparatus for forming boxes of articles, including an article loading mechanism of the present invention. Figure 2 is a top plan view of the box forming apparatus of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top view of the mechanism of car qs. of article group. Figure 4 shows an end view of the article group loading mechanism. Figure 5 is a top plan view of the loader arm assembly of the present invention. Figure 6 is a side view of the loader arm assembly of Figure 5. Figure 7 is an end view of the loader arm assembly of Figure 5. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view along the line 8. -8 of Figure 5. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view along line 9-9 of Figure 5. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view along line 10-10 of the Figure 5. Figure 11 is a cross sectional view 1 along line 11-11 of Figure 5.

Figure 12 is a side view of one embodiment of a magazine assembly showing groups of stacked bottles, nested in loading. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the cam tracks of the article group loading mechanism. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the guide rails of the loading mechanism of the article group. Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the magazine chain guides. Figure 16 is a perspective view of an example of a carton processed through the mechanism of the present invention. Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view along line 17-17 of Figure 16, showing a group of stacked article.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The apparatus for loading groups of stacked items, or article group loading mechanism , is used in a continuous high-speed box forming or box-forming apparatus 12. Figures 1 and 2 show the box former 12, loading groups of stacked bottles 14 into cardboard box sleeves 16, and production boxes 30. The box former 12 generally comprises a "box 18" mechanism, a pair of article 20 feeding mechanisms, a group selection mechanism of article 22, an article group transport mechanism 24, a positioning mechanism: of division 26, and a loading mechanism of article group 10. These mechanisms are supported by a unitary frame structure 28. The loading mechanism of article group 10, cooperates with and is synchronized both for the box transport mechanism 18 and for the article group transport mechanism 24 of the box formers 12. The box sleeves 16 or templates are arranged on the mechanism of box transport 18 and subsequently are transported in a linear fashion to an exit end 34 of the box former 12. The article 20 feeding mechanisms are shown are disposed at the entry end 32 of the box former 12. A first portion of each article feed mechanism 20 is arranged spatially parallel to the article group selection mechanism 22 and the article group transport mechanism 24, and a second portion comes out, at a predetermined angle, with the article group transport mechanism 24 to supply article streams to two separate positions along the article group transport mechanism 24. These emerging mechanisms 20 and 24 are additionally constructed and arranged to dose individual items using flight bars in predetermined stacked article groups 14 on the mechanism. The stacking function of the device is achieved by forming a first group or lower group 36 at a low level, by placing a separator or split sheet 38 on the lower group 36 through the division sheet positioning mechanism., and then simultaneously forming a second group or upper group 40 downstream to a higher level and allowing the upper group 40 to slide through the division sheet 38 by means of the action of the flight bars of the group selection mechanism. Article 22. The article group transport mechanism 24 is arranged adjacent and parallel to the box transport mechanism 18 and downstream, in a linear orientation. The groups of Outgoing or stacked articles 14 are transported downstream thereof in a separate and metered form, each group 14 is aligned with a box sleeve 16 traveling over the transport box mechanism 18. The article group loading mechanism 10 they have loader arm assemblies 42 which extend transverse or perpendicular with respect to the transport mechanisms 18 and 24, and move the stacked article groups 14 over the transport mechanism of the article group 24 towards the aligned casing sleeves 16 which they travel on the box transport mechanism 18, thus loading the box sleeves 16 with the stacked article groups 14. Preferably, each of the aforementioned mechanisms has a conveyor type structure with a return chain or band. end 44 formed around end driving means 48 and guide pulley 46, rotating and moving longitudinally with respect to the former input streams 32 (upstream) and output 34 (downstream) of the box former. The movement of each mechanism is further synchronized with each other, for example, through common drive and / or gear means.

The article 10 group transfer mechanism or barrel cam loader of the present invention is synchronized with the aforementioned apparatus elements to move the article groups -stacked 14 which. they travel on the article group transport mechanism 24 towards the aligned box sleeves 16 traveling on the box transport mechanism 18. As shown in Figures 3-15, the article 10 transfer mechanism, basically it comprises a plurality of loader arm assemblies 42, a guide tube and flight chain assembly -50 to which the loader arm assemblies 42 are attached at predetermined intervals, and which provides a component of longitudinal movement thereto, and a control cam assembly 52, comprising a predetermined transverse movement component for the loader arm assemblies 42. The flight tube and flight guide assembly 50 has a downstream or upper section 54 and a return or return section. 56 and comprises extreme means of guide pulley 56 and 58 and drive 48 and a pair of spatially parallel flight chains 44, which are connected to, and rotated around the end means of guide pulley 46 and drive 48. The track chains 44 are maintained in a rectilinear configuration on both the upper 54 and bottom 56 through chain guides 58, which are linked to the frame 28. through the members of vertical supports. Pairs of guide tubes 60 are disposed at predetermined intervals along the flight chains 44, each guide tube 60 is directly connected to one end of the external flight chain, and at its opposite end to the internal flight chain , so that they are oriented transversely and with respect to the axis of the box former 12 and the upper downstream section 54 of the article group transfer mechanism 10. The guide tubes 60 have a low friction outer surface to provide a support sliding of the loader arm assemblies 42. Additional stability is obtained through the guide blocks 62 (connected to the inner ends of the guide tubes 60 through screw groups) traveling on a longitudinally oriented guide rail 64, which is attached to the frame 28 through a support. It mounts side seals 66 on top of each guide block 62 for guiding the loader arm assemblies 42 of transverse movement. The spacing between the successive (pairs) groups of guide tubes 60 corresponds to the spacing between the flight bars of the article group transport mechanism 18 and the flight projections 68 of the box transport mechanism 18 so that the loader arm assemblies 42 are aligned to push the article groups 14 from the flight bars to the box sleeves 16. The loader arm assemblies 42 are movably mounted on the guide tubes 60, and in a transverse orientation with respect to the box former axis 12. The loader arm assemblies 42 are transported in a longitudinal direction, downstream, while simultaneously moving reciprocally in a transverse direction influenced by the assembly. of control cam 52 described later. Each loader arm assembly 42 basically comprises an elongated, rectilinear base plate 70 and a loading head 72 located at one end of the base plate 70. The base plate 70 is shown having an elongated, flat, rigid structure, the which is oriented horizontally. A stiff reinforcing bar 74 is connected to the upper surface of the base plate 70 and is vertically oriented to increase the stiffness and strength of the arm assembly 42. Preferably, a plurality of holes 76 are disposed in the base plate -70 and the reinforcing bar 74 to reduce the weight. The inwardly disposed end of the base plate 70 is slidably supported by the side retainers 66 of the guide block 62. A first outer hub block 78 is connected to the bottom of the base plate 70 at its opposite end. The first bushing block 78 has a pair of openings, including bushings, through which the guide tubes 60. they are slidably extended. A second bushing or inner block 82 is similarly connected to the base plate 70 and borders the guide tubes 60 a short distance from the first bushing block 78. The bushing blocks 78 and 82 are additionally connected through the bushing. a separation bar, which is oriented and runs between the space of the guide tubes 60. A first rotating cam roller 86 is connected to the bottom of the separator bar 84. The first cam roller 86 which travels longitudinally, cooperates with the rails of the control cam assembly 56 to cause the elements of the loader arm assembly 42 to move reciprocally transversely over the guide tubes 60 and through the lateral retainers 66 of the guide blocks 62 The loading head 72 has one or more fixed face members 96 and one or more extensible face members 98. The term "fixed face member" does not indicate a lack of movement in the face member, since it has lateral and longitudinal movement. Rather, as will be described later, it means distinguishing the fixed face member from the extension face member with respect to its differential movement. The fixed box members 96 are connected to a back plate 94. The back plate 94 is pivotally connected to the connecting rod through a backup connecting rod 92. A second rotary cam roller 90 cooperates with the rails of the control cam assembly 52 to cause the back plate 94 and the fixed face members 96 to extend. The extension face member 98 has a rear or end portion 100, which extends through an aperture 102 in the end plate. backrest 94 and laterally supported by vertical supports 104. End portion 100 is pivotally connected to the connecting rod via an extension connecting rod 106. A third rotating cam roller 108 is connected to the connecting rod of extension 106 and cooperates with the cam guide assembly 88 to cause the extension face member 98 to extend. Each face member 96 and 98 is contacted with an individual article located and exposed for contact at one end of the article group 14. Since the articles are arranged in rows, as the loader arm assemblies 42 come into contact with each other. moving forward, the face members 96 and__98 push the rows of articles forward, from the article transport mechanism 24 to the boxes 30. In addition, face members 96 and 98 are shown to be. staggered or alternating so that the adjacent rows of the articles are also alternating or without. to line up. In this configuration, relatively cylindrical or round articles in adjacent rows lean closer to one another than they could when they are aligned. Therefore, the width of the nested items is less than that of the groups aligned This reduced width of article group is referenced during the loading of the box to improve the reliability and speed of entry of the groups of articles O-S. After loading, this nested item group configuration is altered, as described later, to provide a fully loaded, taut box with minimal wasted space as shown in Figures 16 and 17. The "differential item group" configuration provided by the stepped loading head 110 is particularly beneficial, given the manufacturing tolerances of Also, the fully loaded, tight boxes are more stable for improved storage and handling, with less displacement and breakage of items, which is especially desirable in glass beverage containers. 72 of a preferred embodiment of the invention, includes an upper stepped loading head 110 as previously described, and a lower flat loading head 112. The upper stepped loading head 110 forms a nested article group, which has thinner loading dimensions. and it is easier to load in cardboard sleeves 16.

In addition, the middle row of items is out of phase with the outer rows of bottles, and thus will not be moved forward through the bottles by rotating in the outer rows. In addition, the upper stepper loader 110 offset the lower flat loader head 112, so that the top articles will tilt backward in the stepper loader 110. In the apex position 114 of the appearance of each arm assembly 42, the member of fixed face 96 and extension face member 98 both are shown moving relative to the flat lower loader head 112. Just after, the member of. extension face 96 is shown moving from a retracted position with respect to fixed face members 96 toward an extended apposition, where it is absolutely flooded with fixed box members 96. This occurs at the point at which the groups of articles 14 are completely inserted into the box sleeve 16. This is the extension that aligns the rows of groups of articles with each other, resulting in a normal article group. The extension face member 98_ is controlled through the cam assembly 52 through the pivot arm 120. The cam assembly 52 simultaneously controls the reciprocal transverse movement of the entire load arm assembly 42. A pivot arm 120 is disposed at the drive end 116 of the arm assembly 42. Importantly, the support arm 120 cooperates with the load arm assembly. cam 52 for driving the fixed face members 96 and the extension face member 98. The pivot arm 120 has a horizontal rod-shaped member 122 having two sections spaced through a pivot junction 124. Both of them The sections are in a backup pivot member 126 and an extension pivot member 128. The cylindrical vertical members 130 connect the base plate 70 to the first cam roller 86 a. through one end of the pivot arm 120, connects the backup connecting rod 92 to the second cam roller 90 through the union the pivot 124 of the pivot arm 120, and connects the extension connecting rod 106 to the third roller of cam 108 through the. another end of the pivot arm 120. The cam rollers 86, 90 and 108 longitudinally in motion, cooperate with the cam assembly 52 to cause both the back pivot member 126 and the backrest member.

Extension pivot 128 are pivoted and thus move the connecting rods 92 and 10 ~ 6 relative to the longitudinal axis of the arm assembly 42. This in turn drives the fixed face 96 and extension 98 members of the head of the head. load 72. The load head configuration 72 is variable to limit with a wide range of article group configurations. Although in the present embodiment, the head is configured for use with a 3 by 5 configuration, the head 72 can be modified for six-pack boxes, twelve packets, twenty-four packets, and various other product group arrangements, including configurations stacked The essential feature of the head 72 is that the face members 96 and 98 that make contact with the end articles alternate between the fixed type members and the extension type members so that the rows of the container can be initially alternated to charging purposes. The head modification is achieved through changes in the configuration of the face members and their placement on the back plate 94. The head configuration can also adapt sizes, types and article configurations. The Modification of the deflection between the upper loader 110 and lower loader 112 is coupled by changing the ratio of the cam rollers 86, 90, 108 to the control cam assembly 52. The control cam assembly 52 controls the reciprocal, transverse movement of both in the complete arm assemblies 42 and the extension face members 98. The control cam assembly 52 is generally oriented longitudinally with respect to the entire article group loading mechanism 10., and has an upper or low current section 54 and a lower or return section 56 corresponding to the rotary arm assemblies 42. The upper section 54 basically comprises an inwardly inclining aspect segment 132, an active segment 134 located in the vertex 114 of the aspect segment 132 and involving a change in the direction thereof, and a return second of outward inclination 136. In the aspect segment 132, the first cam roller or arm 86 is pushed inward, with respect to to the apparatus 12, and activates each arm assembly 42 toward moving engagement with an article group 14, until the lower article group 36 is loaded into a box. In this point, the cam roller 86 is in the "apex position 114" of the cam assembly 52. The fixed-face or second-member member cam roller 90 and the extension member or third member cam roller 108 are also guided inwardly in the aspect segment 132, but since they are linearly aligned and travel along the first cam roller 86, there is no relative movement between these two elements In contrast, as each arm assembly 42 reaches the apex 114 of the assembly of cam 52, the first cam roller 86 moves out of linear alignment with the second cam roller 90 and the third cam 108. The first cam roller 86 no longer moves the arm assembly 86 in a transverse direction, and rather , it is only driven longitudinally, however, the second spatially rear cam roller 90 and the tereer cam roller 108 continue to exhibit transverse movement due to the segment of inclination aspect in 132, causing the pivot arm 120 to pivot and thereby activate the fixed face member 96, the extension member 98. The second cam roller 90 reaches the apex and no longer moves in a transverse direction and, rather it is powered only longitudinally. However, the third spatially rear cam roller 108 continues to exhibit transverse movement due to the aspect segment 132, thus extending the extension member 5 98 to a further one. In the outward tilt return segment 136, a full pivot of the pivot arm 120 is achieved, with the total extension resulting from the extension member 98. Through this segment 136, the cam rollers 86, 90 and 108 are once again linearly aligned during the trajectory and therefore no additional relative movement occurs. The arm assembly 42 is retracted through the outward movement of the first cam roller 86. In the bottom section 56 of the cam assembly 52, the arm assemblies 42 are longitudinally returned to the upper section, 54. In addition, the pivot arm 120 is restored in the bottom section 56 to its original position in the aspect segment 132. The section upper 54 of the cam assembly 52 comprises a continuous inner rail 138, which extends over the entire length of the upper section 54, and an external rail 140 extending over the length of the aspect segment 132 and is separated from the internal lane 138 at a distance equivalent to diameter of the second camming rollers 90 and third camming roller 108. The second camming roller 90 and the third camming roller 108 are arranged in a cam path between the inner 138 and external tracks 140 to effect transverse movement inwardly. of the arm assemblies 42. Preferably, the outer rail 140 is connected to a pivot point 142 at its first end. Its opposite end is connected to a release mechanism 144, such as a pressure release cylinder and piston. The release mechanism 144 is controlled through a "perception mechanism, for example, a photoelectric cell or a capacity proximity sensor, so that if an excessive force is placed on the external rail 140, for example, due to a jamming of the arm 42, the release mechanism 144 will actuate and release the external pivot rail 140. The above descriptions and the accompanying drawings are to be construed in an illustrative and not limited sense, since the invention has been described along with the embodiment preferred, or modalities of it, it should be understood that many other modifications which fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claim is. When a claim is expressed as a means or step to perform a specific function, it is intended that such a claim be constructed to cover the structure, material or corresponding actions described in the specification and their equivalents, include both structural equivalents and equivalent structures.

Claims (8)

REVINDICAC ONES

1. An article group transfer mechanism for use in a continuous motion box forming assembly, comprising: (a) a frame structure; (b) a plurality of transfer elements arranged a. In predetermined longitudinally spaced intervals, the transfer elements are for the lateral movement of articles, which are longitudinally transported in at least one stream of the box-forming assembly, each transfer element includes a stepped charging head for contact movable with an article group, the stepped loading head has a fixed face member, attached to a backing plate, the backing plate has an opening and an extension face member with a portion of ends, laying across the opening in the backing plate, the trailing element f e_r gum further includes a support member connected to the stepped loading head, and a control member for directing the lateral movement of the elements of transfer, the control member has a first cam roller connected to the support member and controlling the lateral movement of the transfer elements, a second cam roller pivotally connected to the support member and furthermore being connected to the backup plate Through joining means, the second cam roller provides differential lateral movement to the fixed face member, a third cam roller pivotally connected to the second cam roller and further connected to the end portion of the extension member through joining means, the third cam roller provides differential lateral movement to the extension face member; (c) means for longitudinally moving the transfer elements, the longitudinal movement means, are connected to the support member; and (d) a cam rail assembly having a predetermined configuration for laterally moving the transfer elements, the cam rail assembly is caoperatively coincident with the first, second and third cam followers.

2. The mechanism of the indication rei 1, in which the transfer elements are constructed and arranged along an endless longitudinally oriented loop that will be transported longitudinally in an upper section, forward and a bottom section, back on the frame structure.

3. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a laterally oriented, elongate base member having a first end where the contact member is arranged, and a second end, at least one support block arranged near each end of the base member, and at least one sliding rail aligned and arranged spatially parallel with respect to the base member and slidably coincident with the support blocks, the slide rail is further connected to the means of longitudinal movement.

4. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the stepped loading head has an upper stepped loading head, the transfer member further includes a loading head flat, lower, fixedly attached to the support member, the first cam roller controls the lateral movement of the transfer elements.

The mechanism of claim 4, wherein the cam rail assembly has an inwardly inclining aspect segment having a vertex, an action segment located at the apex, and a return segment of outward inclination. , the first cam roller drives the second cam roller through a predetermined distance, and the second cam roller leads to the third cam roller at a predetermined distance, through the aspect segment, the active segment and the segment in return, the lower flat loading head leads to the upper stepped loading head in the aspect segment, and the fixed face member of the upper stepped loading head leads to the extension face member in the aspect segment, active segment and return segment, the lower fixed plate is in contact with a lower group, the upper stepped loading head is in contact with a higher nesting item group than has alternate rows of items, the fixed face member is in contact with at least one row of the upper group of articles and the fixing face member is in contact with at least one row of the upper group of articles, whereby the lower flat loading head inert the lower group in the box in the active segment and moves away from the box in the return segment, then the fixed face member inserts the rows in the box in the active segment and moves away from the box in the return segment, and then the extension member and inserts the rows into the box in the active segment and moves away from the box in the return segment.

6. A load arm assembly for use in an article group transfer mechanism of a continuous motion case assembly comprising: (a) a loading head for moving contact with articles, the rail head includes a stepped upper loader head and a flat lower loader head, the stepped loader head has a fixed face member attached to a back plate and an extension member, the back plate has an opening, - the member extension face has an end portion, extending through the opening in the backing plate, (b) a support member connected to the loading head; (c) a control member to direct the lateral movement of the elements. of transfer, the control member has a first cam roller connected to the support member and controlling lateral movement of the loader arm assembly, a second cam roller pivotally connected to the support member and further that is connected to the backing plate through the attachment means, the second cam roller provides differential lateral movement to the fixed face member, and a third cam roller pivotally connected to the second cam roller and furthermore is connected to the end portion of the extension member a Through joining means, the third cam roller provides differential lateral movement to the extension face member, whereby the flat bottom charge head has an initial lateral deflection with the stepped top loading head and the fixed face member of the top loading head that has an initial deviation with the upper load head extension member, wherein the differential lateral movements produced by the first, second and third cam rollers, remove the deviation of the upper article group with respect to the article group and remove the alternating pattern from the nested a.configuration when both groups of top and bottom items are inserted into a ca.

7. A continuous motion box forming apparatus for loading groups of articles into boxes, comprising: (a) an article group transport mechanism constructed and sized to carry a longitudinal stream of article groups; (b) a box transport mechanism arranged adjacent to, and parallel with, such an article group transport mechanism, and the box transport mechanism being constructed and arranged to provide a longitudinal stream of box sleeves with open ends facing and synchronized with such article group transport mechanism; Y (c) an article group loading mechanism constructed and arranged to move a plurality of article groups from the article transport mechanism to a plurality of box sleeves traveling on the box transport mechanism; such article group loading mechanisms having a loading head for moving contact with the articles, and the stepped upper loading head, and a flat lower loading head, such stepped upper loading head having a fixed face member attached to a backing plate and an extension member, have an end portion extending through such an opening in the backing plate; a support member connected to such loading head; a control member to direct the lateral movement of such. transfer elements, the control member having a first cam roller connected to the support member and controlling lateral movement of the magazine cup assembly, a second cam roller pivotally connected to the support member and furthermore being connected to the backing plate through joining means, the second cam roller provides differential lateral movement to the fixed face member, and a third cam roller pivotally connected to the second cam roller and furthermore is connected to the end portion of the extension member through connecting members, the third cam roller providing differential lateral movement to the cam member. Extension face member.

8. A method for loading stacked article groups, having upper and lower article groups separated by a division sheet, the upper and lower article groups have rows, comprising the steps of: (a) coupling the lower article group with a flat loading head and moving the article group, so that the articles in the upper article group are tilted back; (b) coupling the upper group of articles with the upper loader head and creating a differential lateral deviation between the upper article group and the lower article group; (c) loading the stacked article group into a box, while maintaining the lateral deviation between the lower and upper article groups until the lower article group is fully inserted in the box; and (d) continuing to load the top group of items until the predetermined rows of the upper group are fully inserted into the box, whereby the method for loading stacked items groups loads bottles and other difficult items into tight boxes.