US20100043355A1 - Integrated secondary and tertiary packaging machine - Google Patents

Integrated secondary and tertiary packaging machine Download PDF

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Publication number
US20100043355A1
US20100043355A1 US12/513,946 US51394607A US2010043355A1 US 20100043355 A1 US20100043355 A1 US 20100043355A1 US 51394607 A US51394607 A US 51394607A US 2010043355 A1 US2010043355 A1 US 2010043355A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
packages
secondary packages
groups
articles
conveyance path
Prior art date
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Abandoned
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US12/513,946
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English (en)
Inventor
Philippe Duperray
Pascal Martini
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Individual
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Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US12/513,946 priority Critical patent/US20100043355A1/en
Publication of US20100043355A1 publication Critical patent/US20100043355A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • B65B65/00—Details peculiar to packaging machines and not otherwise provided for; Arrangements of such details
    • B65B65/003—Packaging lines, e.g. general layout
    • 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
    • B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
    • B65B5/06—Packaging groups of articles, the groups being treated as single articles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to packaging machines of a type for packaging articles such as beverage containers into paperboard or similar cartons.
  • liquid products including as beverages such as soft drinks, juices, beer, and liquid yogurts and other dairy drinks into liquid containers such as bottles, cans, or pouches.
  • containers are frequently referred to within the packaging industry as “primary packaging” in that they directly contain the final product.
  • the primary packages may then in turn be packaged into multiple packages formed from paperboard or similar sheet material to form packages of, e.g., six, eight, twelve, or some other multiples of products.
  • These packages often used as the retail package for consumers to purchase the product, are referred to as “secondary packaging.”
  • Multiple secondary packages are then often further packaged into cases or trays formed from corrugated board or the like to facilitate shipment and distribution of the products. This further packaging is referred to as “tertiary packaging.”
  • Machines for forming secondary packaging by gathering primary packages into a group of a desired number and then forming a secondary package around that group are well known.
  • an infeed stream of primary packages is directed into the machine, with an output of finished secondary packages resulting from the machine.
  • the completed secondary packages are delivered to a tertiary packaging machine, which machines are also well-known.
  • the secondary packages are gathered for delivery into the tertiary machine.
  • This may be accomplished by bulk delivery, e.g., using a pallet to support the secondary packages, or by conveyor directly from the secondary packaging machine.
  • bulk delivery e.g., using a pallet to support the secondary packages
  • conveyor directly from the secondary packaging machine.
  • it is necessary to provide for accumulation of secondary packages so that properly spaced feeding of the secondary packages into the tertiary packaging machine may be accomplished.
  • a first aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for packaging articles, which apparatus comprises a first packaging mechanism for forming secondary packages, in a sequential manner, around successive groups of articles, transfer means to convey each of the formed secondary packages, each containing a group of articles, to a second packaging mechanism, and to manipulate selected ones of those secondary packages, as they are so conveyed, so as to form successive groups of secondary packages, the second packaging mechanism then forming tertiary packages around those groups of secondary packages.
  • the first packaging mechanism forms the secondary packages about the groups of articles as those secondary packages are conveyed at a first speed, and wherein the transfer means alters the speed of those secondary packages to a second speed as those secondary packages are grouped.
  • the transfer means comprises means to form the aforementioned formed secondary packages into at least two conveyance paths, which at least two conveyance paths comprise at least a first conveyance path and a second conveyance path.
  • the transfer means comprises a aligning mechanism, which aligning mechanism alters the velocity of the secondary packages in at least one of the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path, thereby to alter the positioning of those secondary packages relative to the secondary packages in the or each other conveyance paths.
  • An optional aspect of the invention provides that the secondary packages formed by the first packaging mechanism are initially disposed in the first conveyance path, and wherein the transfer means comprises actuators to move selected secondary packages from the first conveyance path, into the second conveyance path.
  • each of the aforementioned one or more conveyance paths comprises an independent conveying means.
  • the independent conveying means is a conveyor belt.
  • the rate at which the second packaging mechanism completes the formation of tertiary packages about the grouped secondary packages is proportional to the number of secondary packages in the groups of secondary packages.
  • the rate at which the second packaging mechanism completes the formation of tertiary packages about the grouped secondary packages is proportional also to the rate at which the first packaging mechanism completes the formation of secondary packages about the grouped articles.
  • a second aspect of the invention provides a method according packaging articles, which method comprises: forming secondary packages around groups of articles; conveying the formed secondary packages, each containing a group of articles, whilst simultaneously manipulating those secondary packages so as to form successive groups of secondary packages; and forming tertiary packages around the groups of tertiary packages.
  • the secondary packages are conveyed at a first speed as they are being formed, and wherein the speed of those secondary packages is altered to a second speed as those secondary packages are grouped.
  • An optional aspect of the invention provides that the formed secondary packages are formed into at least two conveyance paths, which at least two conveyance paths comprise at least a first conveyance path and a second conveyance path.
  • the formed secondary packages are initially conveyed at a first speed, and wherein secondary packages in at least one of the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path are accelerated or retarded so as to be conveyed at a second speed that is not equal to the first speed, thereby to alter the positioning of those secondary packages relative to the secondary packages in the or each other conveyance paths.
  • An optional aspect of the invention provides that the secondary packages are initially disposed in the first conveyance path when they are formed, and wherein selected secondary packages are moved from the first conveyance path into the second conveyance path.
  • each of the aforementioned one or more conveyance paths comprises an independent conveying means.
  • An optional aspect of the invention provides that the rate at which the tertiary packages are formed about the grouped secondary packages is proportional to the number of secondary packages in the groups of secondary packages.
  • the rate at which the tertiary packages are formed about the grouped secondary packages is proportional also to the rate at which the secondary packages are formed about the grouped articles.
  • a third aspect of the present invention provides an integrated secondary and tertiary packaging machine, comprising a secondary packaging machine portion for receiving an infeed of articles, forming the articles into article groups, and for forming a carton around each of the article groups, and for conveying the completed cartons at a first speed; a decelerating and grouping mechanism for slowing the completed cartons to a second speed, and for forming the cartons into groups of cartons; and a tertiary packaging machine portion for receiving the groups of cartons, and for forming a case around each of the carton groups, and for conveying the completed cases from the machine.
  • FIG. 1 shows a perspective schematic view of a machine in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 shows an enlarged, perspective schematic view of a portion of the machine of FIG. 1 illustrating a variation of the decelerator section of the machine.
  • FIG. 1 a machine 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown.
  • An infeed 14 supplies articles such as beverage containers (not shown) into the secondary packaging portion of the machine.
  • This portion of the machine 10 is of conventional construction, and may be for example similar to the Evotech® packaging machine offered by MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC.
  • Secondary packages in the form of cartons C are supplied to the machine 10 from a carton hopper 16 .
  • the articles are grouped into the proper quantity for each package and a wraparound-style carton is applied to the articles in the portion of the machine generally designated at 18 .
  • Glue is applied and the carton C is sealed generally at 20 , again in accordance with conventional packaging machine construction.
  • completed cartons C can be seen exiting the gluing section of the machine 20 along a first path, transported by a conveyor belt 21 at a velocity VI.
  • a transfer belt 22 Positioned adjacent the carton conveyor is a transfer belt 22 that carries a series of laterally-movable transfer arms 24 .
  • Belt 22 is driven in the same direction as the carton conveyor at a speed V 2 that is slightly slower than V 1 , so that the cartons are firmly engaged by arms 24 and slowed to the speed V 2 .
  • every other arm 24 is laterally actuated to shift every other carton C laterally onto a second path parallel to the first path.
  • the cartons on the second path are supported by a conveyor (not shown) that is driven at the speed V 1 to match the conveyor speed of the first path.
  • a decelerator 26 is located adjacent the second path. Decelerator 26 includes a lug 28 driven around decelerator 26 along a chain in the path indicated generally by arrow 30 .
  • the chain is driven by a servo motor under the control of a programmable control system.
  • Lug 28 is thereby caused to be moving at a speed V 3 that is slightly slower than V 2 , thereby ensuring that the carton is firmly engaged by lug 28 .
  • Arm 24 is then withdrawn.
  • Lug 28 is then slowed while in engagement with the carton to a speed V 4 that is slower still than V 3 , thereby slowing the carton to the desired speed for entry into the tertiary packaging section of the machine.
  • the carton While still in engagement with lug 28 , the carton is transferred from the end of the supporting conveyor onto another conveyor, which conveyor is driven at speed V 4 to move the carton away from the decelerator 26 .
  • Speeds V 2 , V 3 and V 4 are selected so that cartons in the first path are able to “catch up” to cartons in the second path in the region between decelerators 26 and 30 , and aligned cartons moving in two rows at speed V 4 are delivered into the tertiary packaging section 34 of the machine.
  • Tertiary section 34 may be of generally conventional construction. Case blanks 36 are supplied to a hopper 38 located beneath the travel path of the cartons through the decelerator section. Case blanks are then transported along inclined conveyor 40 to a position beneath divider 42 . Divider 42 includes a series of divider bars 44 that are moved along the carton path at a speed V 5 slightly slower than the speed V 4 of the carton conveyor. By providing appropriate spacing between bars 44 for the number of cartons C desired for each case, the cartons are collected into groups for tertiary packaging. A case is then applied to each group of cartons using, for example, conventional wrap-around type case forming equipment.
  • a variation of the machine 10 can be seen in which cartons are packed into cases in a single row of transversely-oriented cartons C rather than the two rows of longitudinally-oriented cartons shown in FIG. 2 .
  • a rotator 46 is provided after the carton gluing section 20 .
  • Rotator 46 may operate in a conventional manner, such as by applying a gripper to the top portion of each carton and rotating the gripper to turn the carton through 90°.
  • a single decelerator 48 of a construction and operation substantially identical to that described for decelerators 26 and 30 is used to slow the cartons C before they are conveyed into the divider 42 for arrangement into groups for tertiary packaging.
  • the machine of the present invention may be operated at high speeds typical of continuous-motion secondary packaging machines. Because of the decelerator section of the machine, which decelerates cartons in a controlled and gradual manner, the cartons are not subjected to shocks that might be introduced through more severe decelerator, or through handling necessary to move cartons to a separate tertiary packaging machine. Thus the cartons face a lower risk of damage, or of falling over. Finally, the machine saves substantial floor space in the packaging facility, since no accumulator is required between the secondary and tertiary packaging operations. This will also save operating costs, as a single operator can operate both the secondary and tertiary mechanisms of the machine, rather than requiring two individual operators to operate two separate machines.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
US12/513,946 2006-11-07 2007-11-07 Integrated secondary and tertiary packaging machine Abandoned US20100043355A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/513,946 US20100043355A1 (en) 2006-11-07 2007-11-07 Integrated secondary and tertiary packaging machine

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US86472506P 2006-11-07 2006-11-07
PCT/US2007/083901 WO2008058176A1 (fr) 2006-11-07 2007-11-07 Machine à emballer secondaire et tertiaire intégrée
US12/513,946 US20100043355A1 (en) 2006-11-07 2007-11-07 Integrated secondary and tertiary packaging machine

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20100043355A1 true US20100043355A1 (en) 2010-02-25

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US12/513,946 Abandoned US20100043355A1 (en) 2006-11-07 2007-11-07 Integrated secondary and tertiary packaging machine

Country Status (4)

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US (1) US20100043355A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2007316375A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2669065A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2008058176A1 (fr)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110192116A1 (en) * 2009-12-22 2011-08-11 Automatisation Et Renovation Du Conditionnement Dans Les Industries Laitieres Arcil Process and machine for outer packaging of articles for forming lots of articles of the type comprising a certain number of articles and a cardboard outer packaging
WO2014210293A1 (fr) * 2013-06-28 2014-12-31 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Système de sélection et de regroupement de produits à mouvement continu
US20170057675A1 (en) * 2015-09-01 2017-03-02 Brenden Michael Woehl Article selection and packaging system
US20180118380A1 (en) * 2016-10-31 2018-05-03 Westrock Shared Services, Llc Methods and machine for packaging primary containers in secondary containers and a shipping tray
US11053086B2 (en) 2018-10-16 2021-07-06 Graphic Packaging International, Llc Method and system for conveying articles
US11192670B2 (en) * 2016-11-08 2021-12-07 SOMIC Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG Packaging system
US11453523B2 (en) * 2016-07-12 2022-09-27 Krones Ag Method and apparatus for labelling primary packagings
US20220314286A1 (en) * 2019-02-25 2022-10-06 Krones Aktiengesellschaft Method and device used for the separate treatment of individual components of packaging units formed by primary, secondary and tertiary packagings

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB0905291D0 (en) * 2009-03-27 2009-05-13 Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems Packaging machine
DE102009026220B4 (de) * 2009-07-22 2023-11-30 Krones Aktiengesellschaft Verfahren und Verpackungsmaschine zum Gruppieren und Verbinden von Artikeln
GB0916966D0 (en) * 2009-09-28 2009-11-11 Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems Packaging machine
JP4911220B2 (ja) * 2009-11-30 2012-04-04 セイコーエプソン株式会社 衛星信号捕捉方法及び衛星信号受信装置
IT1400350B1 (it) * 2010-05-28 2013-05-24 Sps Italiana Pack Systems S P A Caricatore volumetrico per prodotti alimentari in pile quali biscotti o simili

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US3469673A (en) * 1967-06-27 1969-09-30 Mead Corp Correlator apparatus
US3614853A (en) * 1968-11-28 1971-10-26 Gd Soc In Accomandita Semplice Device for feeding articles to paper wrapping machines
US4577745A (en) * 1983-03-15 1986-03-25 The Mead Corporation Apparatus for arranging articles in groups
US5765336A (en) * 1995-11-13 1998-06-16 Neagle; Claud Andrew Single and dual lane traypacker and shrinkwrapper
US5794417A (en) * 1997-01-27 1998-08-18 Philip Morris Incorporated Versatile case packing device
US6257826B1 (en) * 1998-09-18 2001-07-10 Kisters Kayat, Inc. Package handling apparatus and method
US6907979B2 (en) * 2002-09-17 2005-06-21 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Method and apparatus for grouping aseptic products
US7156608B2 (en) * 2003-03-10 2007-01-02 Henry Robert L Tiltable hand truck
US7392630B2 (en) * 2004-09-02 2008-07-01 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Packaging system having loading carousel
US7481309B2 (en) * 2003-10-09 2009-01-27 Khs Maschinen- Und Anlagenbau Ag Method of separating, synchronizing and compacting packed groups of articles
US7596926B2 (en) * 2004-02-25 2009-10-06 Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co. Kg) Device for producing and palleting packaging boxes
US7665598B2 (en) * 2005-02-28 2010-02-23 Sidel Participations Arrangement for assembling products in batches on high-speed conveyor belt

Patent Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3469673A (en) * 1967-06-27 1969-09-30 Mead Corp Correlator apparatus
US3614853A (en) * 1968-11-28 1971-10-26 Gd Soc In Accomandita Semplice Device for feeding articles to paper wrapping machines
US4577745A (en) * 1983-03-15 1986-03-25 The Mead Corporation Apparatus for arranging articles in groups
US5765336A (en) * 1995-11-13 1998-06-16 Neagle; Claud Andrew Single and dual lane traypacker and shrinkwrapper
US5794417A (en) * 1997-01-27 1998-08-18 Philip Morris Incorporated Versatile case packing device
US6257826B1 (en) * 1998-09-18 2001-07-10 Kisters Kayat, Inc. Package handling apparatus and method
US6907979B2 (en) * 2002-09-17 2005-06-21 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Method and apparatus for grouping aseptic products
US7156608B2 (en) * 2003-03-10 2007-01-02 Henry Robert L Tiltable hand truck
US7481309B2 (en) * 2003-10-09 2009-01-27 Khs Maschinen- Und Anlagenbau Ag Method of separating, synchronizing and compacting packed groups of articles
US7596926B2 (en) * 2004-02-25 2009-10-06 Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co. Kg) Device for producing and palleting packaging boxes
US7392630B2 (en) * 2004-09-02 2008-07-01 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Packaging system having loading carousel
US7665598B2 (en) * 2005-02-28 2010-02-23 Sidel Participations Arrangement for assembling products in batches on high-speed conveyor belt

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8899001B2 (en) * 2009-12-22 2014-12-02 Automatisation et Renovation du Conditionment dans les Industries Laitieres ARCIL Process and machine for outer packaging of articles
US20110192116A1 (en) * 2009-12-22 2011-08-11 Automatisation Et Renovation Du Conditionnement Dans Les Industries Laitieres Arcil Process and machine for outer packaging of articles for forming lots of articles of the type comprising a certain number of articles and a cardboard outer packaging
WO2014210293A1 (fr) * 2013-06-28 2014-12-31 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Système de sélection et de regroupement de produits à mouvement continu
US9365358B2 (en) 2013-06-28 2016-06-14 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Continuous motion product selection and grouping system
US9764904B2 (en) 2013-06-28 2017-09-19 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Continuous motion product selection and grouping system
US10343805B2 (en) * 2015-09-01 2019-07-09 Brenden Michael Woehl Article selection and packaging system
US20170057675A1 (en) * 2015-09-01 2017-03-02 Brenden Michael Woehl Article selection and packaging system
US11453523B2 (en) * 2016-07-12 2022-09-27 Krones Ag Method and apparatus for labelling primary packagings
US10829250B2 (en) * 2016-10-31 2020-11-10 Westrock Shared Services, Llc Methods and machine for packaging primary containers in secondary containers and a shipping tray
US20210024234A1 (en) * 2016-10-31 2021-01-28 Westrock Shared Services, Llc Methods and machine for packaging primary containers in secondary containers and a shipping tray
US20180118380A1 (en) * 2016-10-31 2018-05-03 Westrock Shared Services, Llc Methods and machine for packaging primary containers in secondary containers and a shipping tray
US11718428B2 (en) * 2016-10-31 2023-08-08 Westrock Shared Services, Llc Methods and machine for packaging primary containers in secondary containers and a shipping tray
US11192670B2 (en) * 2016-11-08 2021-12-07 SOMIC Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG Packaging system
US11053086B2 (en) 2018-10-16 2021-07-06 Graphic Packaging International, Llc Method and system for conveying articles
US11905126B2 (en) 2018-10-16 2024-02-20 Graphic Packaging International, Llc Method and system for conveying articles
US20220314286A1 (en) * 2019-02-25 2022-10-06 Krones Aktiengesellschaft Method and device used for the separate treatment of individual components of packaging units formed by primary, secondary and tertiary packagings

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2669065A1 (fr) 2008-05-15
WO2008058176A1 (fr) 2008-05-15
AU2007316375A1 (en) 2008-05-15

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