Abstract:
A machine (10) applies carrier stock (12) of resilient polymeric material to substantially identical containers (14), each having an upper rim (20) of a given diameter and a side wall (22) of a larger diameter. The carrier stock (12) has container-receiving apertures (18) in longitudinal rows. A conveyor (30of Figure 1) conveys the containers (14) in longitudinal rows. A wheel assembly (40) comprising two wheels (42,44) with paired jaws (52,54) receives the stock (12), stretches it transversely, and moves the stock (12) downwardly past the rims (20). The conveyor (30), the wheel assembly (40), and the jaws (52) on one wheel (42) are adjustable for applying the stock (12) selectively in a rim-applied carrier position or in a side-applied carrier position. The conveyor (30) is supported by a table (102, Figure 7) and is adjustable vertically, via spacers (130) insertable between the table (102) and a base (112). The wheel assembly (40) is adjustable longitudinally, via rollers (172) on longitudinal rails (166). The jaws (52) on one wheel (42) are adjustable transversely, via screws (80,90).
Abstract:
A system for packaging oriented containers (60) in a container carrier (55) wherein a plurality of containers (60) are fed into an orienter device (25) for orienting a container (60) in a desired rotational position prior to placement in a container carrier (55). The orienter device includes a reader (37) for determining an initial orientation of the container (60); a control system for determining a shortest rotational distance from the initial orientation to the desired rotational position between a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction; and a chuck (30) engaged with the container (60) and in communication with the control system for rotating the container the shortest rotational distance to the desired rotational position. After being correctly oriented the containers (60) are associated with the carrier (55) in a conventional packaging machine (20).
Abstract:
An apparatus having a wheel assembly (40) to apply a carrier stock (30) to two rows of containers (50), such as beverage bottles, is adapted to use a carrier stock (30) with each carrier having two container-engaging portions (62) and a handle portion (68) joined to the container-engaging portions at a longitudinally extending junction (70). A camming member (80) for reconfiguring the carrier stock (30) from a flattened condition into a reconfigured condition is positioned so that the carrier stock (30) is drawn past the camming member (80) before the carrier stock (30) is received by the wheel assembly (40) and is arranged to spread the container-engaging portions (62) of the carriers laterally so that the handle portions (68) of the carriers tend to be downwardly turned about the longitudinally extending junction (70) of the carrier stock (30). Two pairs of spaced plates (92,112) are provided for guiding the handle portion (68) of each carrier of the carrier stock (30) in its reconfigured condition, one such pair (32) having an adjustable floor (100) therebetween, and guiding the handle portion (68) so that the carrier stock remains in the reconfigured condition when drawn onto the wheel assembly (40) and the other pair (112) guiding the handle portion (68) so that the carrier stock (30) remains in the reconfigured condition when applied by the wheel assembly (40). A rotating wheel (122) has arms (128) for striking a frangible junction (72) between the handle portion (68) of adjacent carriers.