Hartness International, Inc.

David Lee Scott

Thomas P Hartness

Robert Leslie Dillard

Richard M Wiernicki

David Nelson Cooley

Mark W Davidson

William R Hartness, Iii

An apparatus and method is disclosed for processing containers or other articles by using continuous rotation of processing heads in a circular path about a single vertical axis and controlling the processing heads to independently rotate about a swivel axis causing them to move in a straight-line path while the heads are lowered to engage a group of containers or articles arranged in parallel rows. In this manner, a higher production apparatus and method are provided which is simpler, more reliable, requires less floor space, and easy to reconfigure for different applications.

Circular motion filling machine for processing parallel rows of containers and method

A case packing and case flap separation apparatus is disclosed for packing articles into cases and closing the cases. The cases typically have first and second major and minor flaps interconnected by tab-locks and held in folded positions adjacent vertical ends and sides of the cases. The apparatus includes a conveyor having a radial transport path adapted to transport successive cases through an article insertion section, first and second tab slitting sections, and a case exit section. Tab slitters are associated with the first and second slitting sections adapted to sever the tab-locks so that the major and minor flaps can be separated. First and second flap guides are associated with the first and second slitting section adapted to engage and elevate the separated major flaps away from the vertical walls after the tab-locks have been severed. Preferably, the case packing station and first and second tab slitting sections are located in proximity along the transport path so that the tab-locks are severed while the articles are inserted and gripped in the cases. By gripping the articles with the pickup heads, the articles and their cases can be guided by the pickup heads through the slitting sections as well as weighted down. A pickup head motion converter is operatively connected to the pickup heads to move the pickup heads in a compound motion to effect a first generally linear path at the pickup station for reliable article pick up and a secondary generally linear path at the flap separation station for reliable flap separation.

Case tab-lock slitting and flap sealer in combination with a continuous radial motion case packing apparatus and method

An apparatus and method for continuously transferring articles from a pickup station to a release station using a circular, continuously rotating turret is disclosed which includes a plurality of transfer arms carried in a circular motion wherein pickup heads carried by the transfer arms are converted from the circular motion to a straight-line motion during pick up of the articles to provide a case packing machine having high speed and reliable operation. In accordance with the general aspects of the invention, a first conveyor is disclosed for conveying the articles to a pickup station and a second conveyor is provided for delivering the articles away from a release station. One of the first and second conveyors includes an arcuate conveyor section disposed below a congruent path of the pickup heads. At least one of the pickup and release stations is advantageously located over the arcuate conveyor section whereby high speed operation requiring only a small amount of machine floor space is provided. When utilized as a case packing machine, both the pickup heads and grid heads, which define a plurality of guides through which the articles are released at the case packing station, are moved in a translatory motion during article pick up.

Continuous circular motion case packing and depacking apparatus and method

A packing apparatus which includes a feed conveyor adapted to convey articles to a pick up station and a case conveyor adapted to sequentially convey cases, having an open top and a plurality of flaps, to a feed station. Pick up and grid heads are provided and are adapted to pick up successive slugs of the articles at the pick up station and to sequentially deposit the slugs in each of the cases while they are in the release station. A removal conveyor is provided to successively receive the slug filled cases from the release station and pass them onto a case sealing apparatus which is arranged over the removal conveyor and is operative to apply an adhesive to certain of the flaps and to then move the flaps over the open top into a secured closed position.

Growing community of inventors

Greenville, SC, United States of America

David Lee Scott