Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Christopher J Samaras

Rachell L Slovik

Robert C Olsen

Robert C Beesley

Christopher J Ludwig

Brian K Williams

Patrick R Van Tholen

Brian K Johansen

William T Roe

Michael P Czarnecki, Jr

Hyunchul Kim

Kevin D Moore

Griffin E Rustad

Jacob M Fornof

Jonathan Gregersen

Kevin D Erickson

A generally continuous string of container carriers are positioned on a base () wherein container carriers are housed on multiple reels () and are spliced together between adjacent reels to form the generally continuous string and the multiple reels are arranged on at least one axle () for dispensing.

Continuous dispensing reel system

A system and method of identifying and maintaining synchronization of components within a container carrier applicating machine includes connecting a plurality of point of use feedback devices to operative components of the applicating machine and providing visual feedback from the plurality of feedback devices of a location of synchronized and/or unsynchronized components.

Method for synchronizing a container carrier applicating machine

An applicating machine for applying a flexible carrier to a plurality of containers provided from an infeed includes an orienter for placing containers into a correct rotational position and a transfer device for transferring the oriented containers in a fixed rotational position to a jaw drum for applying a flexible carrier to a plurality of containers provided.

Variable pitch starwheel for container carrier applicating machine

A container carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers. The carrier includes a planar sheet of a material and a plurality of container receiving apertures within the planar sheet and arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse ranks. Each of the plurality of container receiving apertures includes a central opening shape and a plurality of clefts radially extending in the planar sheet outward from the central shape to form a plurality of container friction flaps each adapted to extend along a side wall of a corresponding container of the plurality of containers.

Container carrier

A container carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers includes a network of molded ribs forming a plurality of container receiving openings formed in a first plane and a plurality of radial tabs positioned within each container receiving opening. A plurality of raised rings are each formed over each container receiving opening and formed in a second plane. A band may be formed over each raised ring in the second plane and a rail may be positioned on an underside of the container carrier between each pair of container receiving openings.

A flexible carrier for carrying a plurality of containers, such as soft drink and other beverage containers, is formed from a polymer composition which provides the carrier with improved elastic recovery following installation of the containers, along with tensile strength and tear resistance. The polymer composition includes about 10% to about 95% by weight of a post-consumer recycled plastic that includes recycled branched low-density polyethylene and recycled linear low-density polyethylene polymers, zero to about 90% by weight of a branched low-density polyethylene polymer having a density of about 0.910 to about 0.950 grams/cm, and greater than zero to about 65% by weight of an elastomeric ethylene copolymer that includes about 60% by weight to less than 100% by weight ethylene and greater than zero to about 40% by weight of a vinyl acetate comonomer.

Polyolefin elastomer in multi-packaging carrier

A flexible container carrier and related method for unitizing a plurality of containers that includes a plurality of flexible bands forming an array of container receiving apertures, the array arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse ranks. A series of frangible lines of separation are provided between each container receiving opening so that removing a container from the package results in the separation of the frangible lines of separation defining the respective container receiving opening and thus the container and a respective band of the plurality of bands are removed from the package together.

A container carrier with a uniform pitch applicating feature for applying container carriers onto containers to form a multipackage. A uniform series of apertures is formed on the container carrier in the machine direction of a multipack carrier. Application machines may use the apertures for synchronizing the container carrier material to the containers, thereby making it container pitch independent. The resulting internal features of the carrier that would receive the containers can then be varied to best match the containers with little to no impact to the application machine.

Container carrier with registration apertures

A system and method of identifying and maintaining synchronization of components within a container carrier applicating machine includes connecting a plurality of point of use feedback devices to operative components of the applicating machine and providing visual feedback from the plurality of feedback devices of location of sychronized and or unsynchronized components.

Container carrier with apertures

A system for packaging containers within a flexible container carrier includes a generally continuous string of container carriers arranged with divisible weakened connections between adjacent individual container carriers that is fed through an applicating machine for applying the container carriers to individual containers. A cut-off device is arranged downstream of the applicating machine to selectively accelerate or decelerate the containers to separate the generally continuous string into individual container carriers.

Timing screw cutoff system

An applicating machine for applying a flexible carrier to a plurality of containers provided from an infeed includes a jaw drum for applying a flexible carrier to a plurality of containers provided and a cutoff device for cutting the carrier into a desired size. The cutoff device includes an adjustable beam positionable into multiple angular positions relative to a flow of the plurality of containers depending on the desired size of the multipack.

Universal cutoff system for container carrier applicating machine

A flexible carrier for carrying a plurality of containers within a plurality of corresponding container receiving apertures that includes at least two rows of generally triangular shaped container receiving apertures each having an outer band including a pair of outwardly extending protrusions. The carrier further includes a separation aperture formed between each transverse rank of container receiving apertures whereby a width of the separation aperture is approximately equal to a width between each separation aperture.

A machine for packaging multiple containers wherein a flexible carrier stock is fed across a jaw drum. A plurality of containers are also moved through the machine whereby the carrier is subsequently positioned over the plurality of containers so that flexible carrier stock engages with one of the containers to form a package. The jaw drum and/or a connected feed drum are preferably adjustable to accommodate a range of container sizes and carrier configurations.

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Tinley Park, IL, United States of America

Christopher J Samaras