US20090094938A1 - Applicating machine - Google Patents
Applicating machine Download PDFInfo
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- US20090094938A1 US20090094938A1 US12/242,397 US24239708A US2009094938A1 US 20090094938 A1 US20090094938 A1 US 20090094938A1 US 24239708 A US24239708 A US 24239708A US 2009094938 A1 US2009094938 A1 US 2009094938A1
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- Prior art keywords
- carrier
- containers
- jaw assembly
- applicating machine
- flexible
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D71/50—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed otherwise than by folding a blank
- B65D71/504—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed otherwise than by folding a blank the element being formed from a flexible sheet provided with slits or apertures intended to be stretched over the articles and adapt to the shape of the article
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- 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
- B65B17/00—Other machines, apparatus, or methods for packaging articles or materials
- B65B17/02—Joining articles, e.g. cans, directly to each other for convenience of storage, transport, or handling
- B65B17/025—Joining articles, e.g. cans, directly to each other for convenience of storage, transport, or handling the articles being joined by a top carrier element
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- 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
- B65B21/00—Packaging or unpacking of bottles
- B65B21/24—Enclosing bottles in wrappers
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
- Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
- Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)
Abstract
An applicating machine for applying a flexible carrier to a plurality of containers provided from an infeed includes a jaw assembly that reciprocates to apply a generally continuous string of carrier stock onto a quantity of containers. A carrier unwinder is integrated with the applicating machine to provide the generally continuous string of carrier stock for packaging desired sets of containers.
Description
- This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/998,001, filed 5 Oct. 2007 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/079,369, filed 9 Jul. 2008.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- This invention relates to a machine for unitizing a plurality of containers using a flexible container carrier.
- 2. Description of Prior Art
- Container carriers connect two or more containers into a sturdy unitized package of containers. Carriers are generally planar arrays of rings, sometimes referred to as six-pack carriers, typically formed from a thermoplastic sheet material. Carriers are applied to containers of various sizes and shapes along various points along the sidewall or under the chime of the container.
- Conventional applicating machines include a circular jaw drum used to apply carriers to individual containers. The conventional jaw drum is typically fixed into position on the applicating machine and fed with a reel or box of a generally continuous container carriers. Such conventional applicating machines typically include an infeed conveyor for supplying a plurality of containers. Additionally, a reel stand is positioned upstream of the jaw drum to supply a reel of carriers to a feed drum and then on to the jaw drum.
- The string of carriers are then traditionally applied to the containers and, following application, cut into a desired package configuration. The resulting package is then fed into a turner-diverter that moves and/or rotates the package to a correct position for placement on a pallet or similar shipping unit.
- According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, a machine for packaging multiple containers includes a jaw assembly moveable in a reciprocating fashion to apply a carrier to a group of containers.
- The applicating machine according to this invention preferably includes one or more of an infeed, a conveyor positioned inline with the infeed, a carrier unwinder providing a generally continuous string of flexible carriers, and a jaw assembly positioned with respect to the conveyor to urge the flexible carrier over the plurality of containers in a reciprocating manner.
- According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, a plow is positioned between the carrier unwinder and the jaw assembly to spread each carrier of the plurality of carriers into a position for placement onto the jaw assembly.
- The jaw assembly as described may include a plurality of fingers that engage openings within the flexible carrier to engage the flexible carrier with the plurality of containers. In addition, a cam may be connected with respect to the jaw assembly wherein the cam may be configured to generally follow a profile of each container of the plurality of containers.
- To maintain a compact footprint and flexible manufacturing, the carrier unwinder may be connected to the conveyor. Likewise, each of the described components of applicating machine may be included within a single frame to facilitate flexibility and ease of manufacture of unitized packages. Further to this embodiment, a hinge may be connected between the carrier unwinder and the frame and/or applicating machine to permit the carrier unwinder to move between a generally horizontal position and a generally vertical position, thereby permitting ease of replacement of reels of carrier stock.
- In addition, the applicating machine may include a container indexer positioned inline with the conveyor to index a desired quantity of containers for the jaw assembly. Further, a set of pneumatic clamps may be positioned with respect to the jaw assembly to grasp the containers as the jaw assembly is raised from the containers.
- The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein:
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FIG. 1 is a top elevational view of a container carrier according to one preferred embodiment of this invention; -
FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of a container carrier and a plurality of containers prior to application according to one preferred embodiment of this invention; -
FIG. 3 is a top elevational view of a container carrier and a plurality of containers during application according to one preferred embodiment of this invention; -
FIG. 4 is a top elevational view of a container carrier and a plurality of containers following application according to one preferred embodiment of this invention; -
FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a machine according to one preferred embodiment of this invention; -
FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a machine according to one preferred embodiment of this invention; -
FIG. 7 is front perspective view of a machine according to one preferred embodiment of this invention; -
FIG. 8 is a top view of the machine shown inFIG. 7 ; -
FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of a machine according to one preferred embodiment of this invention; -
FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of an opposite side of the machine shown inFIG. 9 ; -
FIG. 11 is a side view of the machine shown inFIG. 7 ; -
FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of carrier stock traveling through a plow according to one preferred embodiment of this invention; -
FIG. 13 is a top schematic view of sleeve applicator machine used in connection with one preferred embodiment of this invention; and -
FIG. 14 is a package according to one preferred embodiment of this invention. -
FIGS. 1-4 show various preferred embodiments offlexible carrier 10 andpackage 15 according to this invention.Flexible carriers 10 generally include a plurality ofcontainer receiving apertures 25 that are each stretched aroundcontainer 50 to form a unitizedpackage 15 ofcontainers 50. -
FIG. 1 illustratesflexible carrier 10 according to a preferred embodiment of this invention. As described in more detail below, portions offlexible carrier 10 are stretched a sufficient amount to permit a tight, gripping engagement withcontainers 50. This tight, gripping engagement also maximizes the amount of material of theflexible carrier 10 positioned in the vertical plane, i.e., in contact with the sidewalls ofcontainers 50. -
FIG. 1 illustrates one preferred structure forflexible carrier 10 of the invention. The illustrations are exemplary, and the invention is not limited to theflexible carriers 10 or packages shown. Likewise, the applicating machine described in more detail below may operate in connection withflexible carrier 10 as shown or with variations of suchflexible carrier 10. Eachflexible carrier 10 preferably includesflexible sheet 20 defining a plurality ofcontainer receiving apertures 25, each for receiving acontainer 50.Flexible sheet 20 includes bands or rings of material, termedcontainer receiving portions 30 herein, that surround eachcontainer receiving aperture 25. Suchcontainer receiving portions 30 stretchingly engage or grip the respective containers to form a unitized package ofcontainers 50. - As shown in the figures, each
flexible carrier 10 according to this invention features an array ofcontainer receiving apertures 25. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1-4 , the array ofcontainer receiving apertures 25 inflexible carrier 10 includes a two rows of three ranks ofcontainer receiving apertures 25 totaling sixcontainer receiving apertures 25. Other suitable configurations are contemplated by this invention including two rows of two ranks, two rows of four ranks and/or any other desirable configuration ofcontainer receiving apertures 25. - As shown in
FIGS. 2-4 ,flexible carrier 10 is applied to a plurality ofcontainers 50 to create apackage 15 that, following application, includes an aligned array of container receiving apertures whereby each container receiving aperture is aligned longitudinally and transversely with each adjacent container receiving aperture. In the prior art, a container will generally contact a longitudinally adjacent container (within the same row) and a transversely adjacent container (within the same rank). However, as described in more detail below, according to a preferred embodiment of this invention, and as shown inFIGS. 2-4 , immediately prior to application offlexible carrier 10 to the plurality ofcontainers 50, eachcontainer 50 in a column ofcontainers 50 is preferably spaced longitudinally from eachadjacent container 50. - The containers, such as those shown in packages in
FIGS. 2-4 , are preferably cans. Although cans are shown inFIGS. 2-4 , bottles or any other commonly unitized container may be used withflexible carrier 10 according to this invention. The containers are preferably like-sized within a singleflexible carrier 10. - As shown in
FIG. 1 ,flexible carrier 10 may further include anintegral handle 60 extending generally upwardly frompackage 15. According to this embodiment of the invention, one ormore handle apertures 65 are positioned betweenhandle 60 and the remainder offlexible sheet 20.Handle aperture 65 both provides a void within which to grasp resulting package and permits a flexible interface betweenhandle 60 and remainder offlexible sheet 20. -
Flexible sheet 20 of material is preferably cut, using means known to those skilled in the art, such as a stamping die, to form a plurality ofcontainer receiving apertures 25 inflexible sheet 20, such as shown inFIG. 1 .Container receiving apertures 25 are preferably formed in a rectangular shape having rounded or radiused corners and extending longitudinally acrossflexible carrier 10 to sufficiently engage and retain a respective container. -
Container receiving apertures 25 preferably extend lengthwise or longitudinally alongflexible sheet 20 so that a length of each rectangularcontainer receiving aperture 25 is aligned longitudinally alongflexible sheet 20 and a width of each rectangularcontainer receiving aperture 25 is aligned transversely alongflexible sheet 20.Flexible sheet 20 may include other configurations ofcontainer receiving apertures 25 depending on the size of package and/or the number of containers desired. -
Flexible carrier 10 is preferably manufactured so that raw carrier stock includes a generally continuous roll offlexible sheet 20 having a plurality of adjacentflexible carriers 10 that are punched and then wound onto a reel or spool having several thousandflexible carriers 10, eachflexible carrier 10 attached to each adjacentflexible carrier 10.Flexible carriers 10 are later applied to containers to form packages and, during such process, are preferably unwound from the reels, stretched over the containers, detached at selected points to separate and then separated from each other to form individual packages. - Specifically, each
flexible carrier 10 is attached to each adjacentflexible carrier 10 along a series ofperforations 75. According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, end straps 80 along a portion ofcarrier receiving portions 30 definingcontainer receiving apertures 25 of each adjacentflexible carrier 10 are connected along two sets ofperforations 75, each set of perforations separating arespective end strap 80 from anend strap 80 of an adjacentflexible carrier 10. A generallystraight edge section 85 separates each set ofperforations 75 along each end offlexible carrier 10. - As shown in
FIG. 1 ,perforations 75 are formed between each adjacentflexible carrier 10 such that a cut is formed in a periphery offlexible sheet 20 thus encouraging separation between each adjacentflexible carrier 10. Such a perforation pattern in not feasible in conventional carrier design because the drum style application techniques require that adjacent carriers remain attached with respect to each other up to an including application ontocontainers 50. - The containers to be inserted in
container receiving apertures 25 may be bottles or cans having varying shapes and diameters.Carrier receiving portions 30 are installed around the respective containers while stretched, and are allowed to retract or recover to provide a snug fit around the rib, chime or outside sidewall surface of the respective containers. - The
flexible sheet 20 used to form theflexible carrier 10 is desirably a polymeric or plastic sheet, which can be formed by an extrusion process and then cut to formflexible carrier 10. Theflexible sheet 20 has a thickness which provides sufficient structural integrity to carry a desired number of containers. For instance, eachflexible carrier 10 may be designed to carry four, six, eight or more containers of a desired product having a specific weight, volume, shape and size. For most applications, theflexible sheet 20 may have a thickness of about 3-50 mils, suitably about 5-30 mils, commonly about 10-20 mils. -
FIGS. 2-4 show one preferred system and method of engagement offlexible carrier 10 withcontainers 50. As shown,flexible carrier 10 is preferably engaged withapplicating machine 110 and then stretchingly engaged with a plurality ofcontainers 50 to formpackage 15. Such system, method and apparatus is described in more detail below. -
FIGS. 2-14 show a system and machine for packaging multiple containers in a carrier according to one preferred embodiment of this invention. As shown inFIGS. 5-12 ,carrier stock 115 moves throughmachine 110, specifically throughjaw assembly 140, where it is applied to containers and then separated into individual, unitized packages.Carrier stock 115 may comprise a plurality offlexible carriers 10, as described above, connected end to end. Therefore, themachine 110 for packaging multiple containers according to this invention permits the use of a single machine in combination with a variety of sizes of containers, sizes of packages and configurations of packages. Traditional machines are typically fifteen or more feet long and six or more feet wide, however, the machine as described herein includes a small footprint, particularly beneficial for small bottling operations, such as craft brewers. -
FIG. 5 shows applicating machine 110 for applyingflexible carrier 10 to a plurality of containers provided frominfeed 130.Applicating machine 110 is preferably supported onframe 112 and, according to a preferred embodiment of this invention is generally self-contained onframe 112. As such,applicating machine 110 may be moved in a single step without the requirement that multiple adjacent components be disassembled and reassembled inline. -
Infeed 130 preferably accommodates the generally continuous passage of containers intoapplicating machine 110. For example, according to one preferred embodiment of this invention,conveyor 125 is positioned inline withinfeed 130. As used herein, the term “inline” means that the respective jaw assembly is positioned to receive and applycarrier stock 115 to containers. As such,conveyor 125 preferably supplies a preferred column or columns of containers. In a traditional “six pack” arrangement of containers,conveyor 125 preferably provides two generally continuous columns of containers for placement into an appropriate carrier, as described here. - According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, and as shown in
FIGS. 2-4 , a plurality of spacers 95 are positioned relative to each column ofcontainers 50 positioned in theapplicating machine 110. Spacers 95 are preferably positioned to space eachcontainer 50 from eachadjacent container 50 within a column of containers that are positioned beneathjaw assembly 140 ofapplicating machine 110. -
Carrier stock 115 preferably moves throughapplicating machine 110 fromcarrier unwinder 150 where individual, separable carriers are dispersed in a generally continuous string ofcarrier stock 115 and ultimately topackages 15 where eachcarrier 10 is separated into a unitizedpackage 15, eachpackage 15 containing a plurality of generallyuniform containers 50. As described above, a typical configuration for a package is a six-pack containing two longitudinal rows of containers in three transverse ranks. Additional desired packages such as four-packs, eight packs and twelve packs may be unitized usingapplicating machine 110 according to this invention, and such additional sizes of packages are limited only by the consumer market for such additional sizes. - One or more operative components of
machine 110 are preferably adjustable to permit packaging of containers having different sizes, such as heights and diameters, carriers having different sizes, packages having different sizes, such as six-packs and twelve-packs, and packages having different configurations, namely rim-applied carrier (RAC) configurations and side-applied carrier (SAC) configurations. In each of these different applications, multiple components ofmachine 110 may be adjusted, replaced and/or interchanged to permit application ofcarrier stock 115 tocontainers 50. Several of these components are described in more detail below. - As shown in
FIGS. 5-11 ,carrier unwinder 150 provides a generally continuous string of flexible carriers, such asflexible carrier 10 described above.Carrier unwinder 150 preferably comprises a spindle or similar apparatus to accommodatereel 153 onto which a generally continuous string ofcontainer stock 115 is wound.Carrier unwinder 150 is preferably integrated withinapplicating machine 110, for instance, positioned on or withinframe 112 ofapplicating machine 110 and directlyadjacent conveyor 125 and/orinfeed 130. As shown inFIG. 5 ,carrier unwinder 150 may provide a generally continuous string of flexible carriers arranged in a generally vertical orientation. -
Carrier unwinder 150 is preferably positioned to accommodatereel 153 ofcarrier stock 115 in a generally horizontal position. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, hinge 155 is connected with respect tocarrier unwinder 150 to permitcarrier unwinder 150 to move between a generally horizontal position and a generally vertical position. Movement between a generally horizontal position and a generally vertical position permits a machine operator to load anew reel 153 ofcarrier stock 115 ontocarrier unwinder 150 following exhaustion of theprevious reel 153. As such,carrier unwinder 150 is shifted from a horizontal operating position to a vertical refilling position to permit an operator to easily lift and position reel 153 ontocarrier unwinder 150 and then return carrier unwinder to the horizontal operatingposition using hinge 155. - According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, best shown in
FIGS. 9 and 11 ,plow 160 is positioned between carrier unwinder 150 andjaw assembly 140. Plow 160 is preferably positioned and arranged to spread each carrier of the plurality of carriers incarrier stock 115 for placement ontojaw assembly 140. Specifically, forcarrier stock 115 having a center weld,container apertures 25 are generally positioned through two layers of material. As such, plow 160 preferably separates the two layers of material to provide two preferably coplanar sets ofapertures 25 for placement on containers. Such a result is best shown inFIG. 12 wherebycontainer stock 115 entersplow 160 in a single plane and exits plow 160 configured into two planes, including a plane of material containing an array ofapertures 25. Plow 160 may alternatively be used to configurecarrier stock 115 into any other desirable configuration prior to placement onto or intojaw assembly 140. - One such additional configuration would apply to
flexible carrier 10 as shown inFIG. 1 . Such aflexible carrier 10 includes a single layer of material which is thereupon stretched over and around individual containers as shown inFIGS. 2-4 . -
FIGS. 2-4 show the process of application offlexible carrier 10 tocontainers 50. As shown inFIG. 2 , prior to application, eachcontainer 50 in a column ofcontainers 50 is spaced from each adjacent container andjaw assembly 140 engagesflexible carrier 10 above a spaced plurality ofcontainers 50.FIG. 3 shows applicating machine 110 during application offlexible carrier 10 tocontainers 50. As shown, each of fourend straps 80 overlap a top edge of each corner container lid in the plurality ofcontainers 50.Jaw assembly 140 is then urged downward to engageflexible carrier 10 with the plurality ofcontainers 50 as shown inFIG. 4 .Jaw assembly 140 then preferably released frompackage 15 as described in more detail herein. - As best shown in
FIG. 9 ,jaw assembly 140 is preferably positioned with respect toinfeed 130 to urge a carrier, such asflexible carrier 10, over the plurality ofcontainers 50, preferably in a reciprocating manner. Specifically, according to this preferred embodiment,jaw assembly 140 reciprocates in an up and down motion as containers are provided beneath or withinjaw assembly 140. According to one preferred embodiment of the invention,jaw assembly 140 includes a plurality offingers 145 that engage openings, such ascontainer apertures 25, withincarrier 10 to engagecarrier 10 with the plurality ofcontainers 50. -
Fingers 145 are preferably configured to gripcarrier stock 115 with a pair offingers 145 engaged through each transverse pair ofcontainer receiving apertures 25 incarrier stock 115. The circumferential spacing betweenadjacent fingers 145 is preferably approximately equal to a pitch of carrier, i.e., the distance between adjacent centers of container receiving openings. The lateral spacing between each pair offingers 145 is preferably slightly less than a width between transverse pairs ofcontainer receiving apertures 25.Carrier stock 115 is engaged withfingers 145 ofjaw assembly 140 immediately prior to application to containers. - As
fingers 145 reciprocate withinjaw assembly 140,container receiving apertures 25 withincarrier stock 115 stretch to accommodate acontainer 50, such as shown inFIG. 2 . According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, best shown inFIG. 3 , immediately prior toapplication containers 50, end straps 80 offlexible carrier 10 are positioned over a top portion of arespective container 50 and pulled downward to expand around therespective container 50.Flexible carrier 10 in a stretched condition is positioned over a plurality ofcontainers 50 so that eachcontainer receiving aperture 25 engages with onecontainer 50, such as shown inFIG. 4 . Upon engagement with the containers,carrier stock 15 is released from jaw assembly 40 and grips a perimeter of container, either around a chime in a rim-applied carrier (RAC) configuration or, more preferably in bottle applications, around a sidewall in a sidewall-applied carrier (SAC) configuration. -
Cam 143 may be connected with respect tojaw assembly 140 such as shown inFIGS. 9-11 .Cam 143 is preferably configured to generally follow a profile of each container of the plurality of containers thereby permitting consistent and predictable application ofcarrier stock 115 over the plurality ofcontainers 50. In addition,cam 143 may be replaceable and/or adjustable to permit application ofcarrier stock 115 to containers having different sizes, diameters and configurations and additionally to permit RAC or SAC packages. For instance the downward travel ofjaw assembly 140 may be adjusted to permit application ofcarrier stock 115 around a general mid-section of container, thereby resulting in a SAC package such shown inFIG. 9 . - According to one preferred embodiment of the invention,
container indexer 170 is positioned inline withconveyor 125 to index a desired quantity of containers forjaw assembly 140.Container indexer 170 may include a plurality of pockets or similar device for positively capturing, containing and/or moving a desired quantity of containers. Such pockets may be formed within a pair of generally parallel sidewalls positioned on either side of the plurality of containers. Such pockets and/or sidewalls may be adjustable relative to each other to permit a variety of sizes and configurations of containers. - According to one preferred embodiment of the invention,
scanner 210 may be positioned upstream ofjaw assembly 140, such as betweenjaw assembly 140 andcarrier unwinder 150.Scanner 210 is preferably used to countcontainer receiving apertures 25 and/or other measure of length ofcarrier stock 115 to determine a proper length ofcarrier stock 115 to provide tojaw assembly 140.Scanner 210 may be used in connection with a means for drawing or unspooling an amount ofcarrier stock 115 untilscanner 210 arrives at a predetermined length and/or count to halt the advance ofadditional carrier stock 115. In such a manner, multipleflexible carriers 10 may be provided simultaneously tojaw assembly 140 for application. - According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, such as shown in
FIG. 10 , a clamp or set ofpneumatic clamps 180 is positioned with respect tojaw assembly 140 to grasp the containers asjaw assembly 140 is raised from the containers.Clamps 180 are preferably arranged and configured to minimize or eliminate any effect on containers as they are grasped for removal ofjaw assembly 140. In this manner, unitized bottles remain together and inline withinapplicating machine 110 asjaw assembly 140 is pulled away fromcontainer stock 115 and thecontainers 50. - Accordingly, in a method of packaging multiple containers in unitized packages, a plurality of containers are presented to
applicating machine 110 preferably toinfeed 130. A generallycontinuous carrier stock 115 is likewise moved throughapplicating machine 110, generally at a similar rate as the plurality of containers.Carrier unwinder 150 is preferably integrated withinapplicating machine 110 to unwind the generally continuous string ofcarrier stock 115 throughapplicating machine 110. - A predetermined quantity of containers is next preferably separated from the plurality of containers, for example, a quantity of six containers. The predetermined quantity of containers may then be indexed to a position below
jaw assembly 140, such as withcontainer indexer 170 as described. -
Carrier stock 115 is then presented tojaw assembly 140 which is lowered to position the carrier over the containers to form unitizedpackage 15. Finally, according to a preferred embodiment of this invention, unitizedpackage 15 is grasped, such as withclamp 180,jaw assembly 140 is raised to a position clear ofunitized package 15 and unitizedpackage 15 is advanced from beneathjaw assembly 140. - Following application to containers,
carrier stock 115 is divided into individual carriers using a cut-off wheel, knives or similar device resulting in individually unitizedpackages 15 of a desired size which are then dispersed to a case packer (not shown). Alternatively, for example when usingflexible carrier 10 as described above, eachflexible carrier 10 is separated fromcarrier stock 115 alongperforations 75 positioned between adjacent end straps 80 by virtue of the application process. Specifically, as each one or moreflexible carriers 10 is loaded intojaw assembly 140, eachflexible carrier 10 is separated from an adjacentflexible carrier 10 as a result of the engagement withjaw assembly 140.Perforations 75 as described above are preferably extend into a periphery offlexible sheet 20 so as to permit the free separation of each adjacentflexible carrier 10 fromcarrier stock 115. - According to a preferred embodiment of this invention,
machine 110 is capable of packaging approximately sixty containers per minute or ten “six packs” per minute. This contrasts with the approximately 1500 and 1800 containers per minute possible on conventional packaging equipment, however, in lower volume operations such lower capacity may be desirable. - Additional equipment, such as
sleeve applicator machine 200 shown inFIG. 13 , may be used in connection with the resultingpackage 15.FIG. 14 shows one embodiment ofpackage 15 including carrier andsleeve 190 or similar band around a perimeter of the unitized containers. Such asleeve 190 may assist in providing a tighter, sturdier package while also providing additional billboard space for packaging graphics and related consumer information. - While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
carrier 10 and the related method of manufacture are susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.
Claims (22)
1. An applicating machine for applying a flexible carrier to a plurality of containers provided from an infeed, the applicating machine comprising:
a conveyor positioned inline with the infeed;
a carrier unwinder providing a generally continuous string of flexible carriers; and
a jaw assembly positioned with respect to the conveyor to urge the flexible carrier over the plurality of containers in a reciprocating manner.
2. The applicating machine of claim 1 wherein the jaw assembly includes a plurality of fingers that engage openings within the flexible carrier to engage the flexible carrier with the plurality of containers.
3. The applicating machine of claim 1 further comprising:
a cam connected with respect to the jaw assembly, the cam configured to generally follow a profile of each container of the plurality of containers.
4. The applicating machine of claim 1 wherein the carrier unwinder is connected to the conveyor.
5. The applicating machine of claim 1 further comprising:
a hinge to permit the carrier unwinder to move between a generally horizontal position and a generally vertical position.
6. The applicating machine of claim 1 wherein the carrier unwinder is positioned to accommodate a reel of carriers in a generally horizontal position.
7. The applicating machine of claim 1 further comprising:
a container indexer positioned inline with the conveyor to index a desired quantity of containers for the jaw assembly.
8. The applicating machine of claim 1 further comprising:
a set of pneumatic clamps positioned with respect to the jaw assembly to grasp the containers as the jaw assembly is raised from the containers.
9. The applicating machine of claim 1 further comprising:
a plow positioned between the carrier unwinder and the jaw assembly, the plow spreading each carrier of the plurality of carriers for placement onto the jaw assembly.
10. An applicating machine for applying a flexible carrier to a plurality of containers, the applicating machine comprising:
a container indexer positioned to index a desired quantity of containers;
a jaw assembly positioned with respect to the container indexer to urge the flexible carrier over the desired quantity of containers in a reciprocating manner; and
a clamp positioned with respect to the jaw assembly to grasp the containers as the jaw assembly is raised from the containers.
11. The applicating machine of claim 10 further comprising:
a carrier unwinder providing a generally continuous string of flexible carriers arranged in a generally vertical orientation.
12. The applicating machine of claim 11 further comprising:
a plow positioned between the carrier unwinder and the jaw assembly, the plow spreading a portion of the continuous string of flexible carriers for placement onto the jaw assembly.
13. The applicating machine of claim 11 further comprising:
a hinge positioned with respect to the carrier unwinder to permit movement of the carrier unwinder between a generally vertical position and a generally horizontal position.
14. The applicating machine of claim 10 wherein the container indexer comprises:
a pair of sidewalls positioned on either side of the plurality of containers, the sidewalls adjustable relative to each other.
15. The applicating machine of claim 10 further comprising:
a cam connected with respect to the jaw assembly, the cam configured to generally follow a profile of each container of the plurality of containers.
16. The applicating machine of claim 10 wherein the jaw assembly includes a plurality of fingers that engage openings within the flexible carrier to engage the flexible carrier with the plurality of containers.
17. The applicating machine of claim 10 further comprising:
a scanner positioned to count container receiving apertures of the flexible carrier.
18. A method of packaging multiple containers in unitized packages, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a plurality of containers to an applicating machine;
moving a carrier through the applicating machine;
lowering a jaw assembly to position the carrier over the containers to form a unitized package;
grasping the unitized package;
raising the jaw assembly to a position clear of the unitized package; and
advancing the unitized package from beneath the jaw assembly.
19. The method of packaging of claim 18 further comprising the step of:
unwinding a generally continuous string of carrier through the applicating machine from a carrier unwinder.
20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of:
moving the carrier unwinder from a generally horizontal position to a generally vertical position;
replacing a reel of carriers on the carrier unwinder; and
moving the carrier unwinder from the generally vertical position to the generally horizontal position.
21. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of:
separating a predetermined quantity of containers from the plurality of containers; and
indexing the predetermined quantity of containers to a position below the jaw assembly.
22. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of:
separating the carrier from an adjacent carrier as the jaw assembly is lowered on the plurality of containers during application of the carrier to the plurality of containers.
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US12/242,397 US20090094938A1 (en) | 2007-10-05 | 2008-09-30 | Applicating machine |
PCT/US2008/078653 WO2009046240A2 (en) | 2007-10-05 | 2008-10-03 | Applicating machine |
CA2695784A CA2695784C (en) | 2007-10-05 | 2008-10-03 | Applicating machine |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US99800107P | 2007-10-05 | 2007-10-05 | |
US7936908P | 2008-07-09 | 2008-07-09 | |
US12/242,397 US20090094938A1 (en) | 2007-10-05 | 2008-09-30 | Applicating machine |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20090094938A1 true US20090094938A1 (en) | 2009-04-16 |
Family
ID=40526954
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US12/242,397 Abandoned US20090094938A1 (en) | 2007-10-05 | 2008-09-30 | Applicating machine |
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US (1) | US20090094938A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2695784C (en) |
WO (1) | WO2009046240A2 (en) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130186041A1 (en) * | 2012-01-20 | 2013-07-25 | Christopher J. Samaras | Timing screw cutoff system |
US20130263557A1 (en) * | 2010-11-23 | 2013-10-10 | British Polythene Limited | Machine and system for applying container carriers to containers |
US20140027341A1 (en) * | 2012-07-24 | 2014-01-30 | Christopher Ludwig | Pill container carrier |
WO2017172834A1 (en) * | 2016-03-28 | 2017-10-05 | Pregis Innovative Packaging Llc | Idler roller |
US9815605B2 (en) | 2009-11-23 | 2017-11-14 | British Polythene Limited | Container carrier |
US10913560B2 (en) * | 2014-01-16 | 2021-02-09 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Multipackage applicator device |
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Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9815605B2 (en) | 2009-11-23 | 2017-11-14 | British Polythene Limited | Container carrier |
US20130263557A1 (en) * | 2010-11-23 | 2013-10-10 | British Polythene Limited | Machine and system for applying container carriers to containers |
US20130186041A1 (en) * | 2012-01-20 | 2013-07-25 | Christopher J. Samaras | Timing screw cutoff system |
US9630729B2 (en) * | 2012-01-20 | 2017-04-25 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Timing screw cutoff system |
US20140027341A1 (en) * | 2012-07-24 | 2014-01-30 | Christopher Ludwig | Pill container carrier |
US9004279B2 (en) * | 2012-07-24 | 2015-04-14 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Pill container carrier |
US10913560B2 (en) * | 2014-01-16 | 2021-02-09 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Multipackage applicator device |
WO2017172834A1 (en) * | 2016-03-28 | 2017-10-05 | Pregis Innovative Packaging Llc | Idler roller |
US10787284B2 (en) | 2016-03-28 | 2020-09-29 | Pregis Innovative Packaging Llc | Idler roller |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2695784C (en) | 2012-05-08 |
WO2009046240A2 (en) | 2009-04-09 |
WO2009046240A3 (en) | 2010-04-15 |
CA2695784A1 (en) | 2009-04-09 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC., ILLINOIS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:BIERNAT, KRZYSZTOF P.;ZURAWSKI, DAVID E.;MARCO, LESLIE S.;REEL/FRAME:021644/0970 Effective date: 20080929 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |