Riverwood International Corporation

Minnesota Automation Inc.

Jeffrey A Lashyro

Kelly W Ziegler

Allen L Olson

Norbert Hoell

Robert J Bitner

Gerald O Irvine

Dennis C Grimm

Gary J Vulgamore

Elmoe Crouch

A method and apparatus for packaging flat or stacked cylindrical article groups into a packaging unit such as a paperboard carton wherein at least one stream of cylindrical articles are conveyed single file in parallel lanes into a staging area where the lanes terminate, thereby directing the articles into a closest packing formation. Articles are moved in closest packing formation through the staging area over a deadplate toward one of a plurality of containers moving in a generally linear direction parallel to a carton line. An angle of approximately 60.degree. between the staging area and a container in position for receiving articles orients a row of articles in closest packing formation parallel with the open front end of that container. As articles enter the container, each row of articles rolls over the previous row, causing articles to be arranged in a rectangular array in the container. When the container is filled with articles, flow of articles stops and a bar is engaged to clamp a row of articles adjacent to the filled container between the bar and the deadplate. The back of the container is moved away from the articles therein to allow the last row of articles in the full container to pass by articles constrained by the bar without scratching or otherwise damaging the articles when the filled container is moved. The filled container is moved away from the clamped articles, an empty container is moved into position to receive articles, and the bar is disengaged to allow articles to flow into the container. Articles in the container are subsequently loaded into a carton on the carton line.

Apparatus for packaging article groups

An apparatus and method of forming stacked article groups by supplying at least two streams of articles; forming a stream of first article groups having at least one article; placing a support base on a top surface of each first article group; and forming a second article group, having at least one article, on top of the support base of each first article group, whereby stacked article groups are formed. The stacked article groups are subsequently packaged.

Article packaging apparatus

A method for packaging flat or stacked article groups within a packaging unit such as a paperboard carton. The method comprises the steps of supplying a stream of packaging units, for example paperboard cartons, supplying at least one stream of articles, for example beverage cans; forming at least one article group, for example a group of from six to twenty-four cans, optionally placing a support base on a top surface of the article group, and loading the article group in the packaging unit. In a stacked packaging mode a second article group is formed and loaded into the packaging unit, on top of the support base on each first article group disposed in the packaging unit. An apparatus for implementing the method is also disclosed.

A method for continuously forming stacked article groups, comprising the steps of supplying at least two streams of articles, each at a predetermined vertically distinct level; forming and longitudinally transporting a stream of first article groups having at least one article, at a first level; placing a support base on a top surface of each first article group; and forming a second article group, having at least one article, at a second level on top of the support base of each longitudinally moving first article group, whereby stacked article groups are formed. The stacked article groups are subsequently processed for packaging.

Stacked article packaging method

A method to form and package stacked article groups utilizing flexible packaging materials. The method provides first and second streams of article groups which are directed to a supply of flexible packaging material, such as shrink or stretch film, to form stacked article groups.

Flexible packaging of stacked articles

A method to form and package stacked article groups utilizing cardboard trays. The method provides first and second streams of article groups which are initially formed in first and second cardboard tray structures and subsequently stacked and united into packaged stacked units.

Tray packaging of stacked articles

An article rotating assembly and process for rotating articles to a predetermined orientation on a moving conveyor. The assembly comprises movable article control structures and cooperating vertical motion and rotational motion assemblies which are synchronized with the conveyor. Each article control structure is constructed and arranged for vertical and rotational movement above the moving conveyor and is controlled by cam follower and guide track structures to engage and rotate articles on the moving conveyor to a predetermined orientation.

Article rotating assembly

An article transfer mechanism of an article transfer device comprising a support structure having a central axis, at least one engagement member extending from the support structure perpendicular to the support structure axis. The engagement member contacts an article at a first predetermined location thereon. The mechanism also includes a synchronized vacuum control system which provides vacuum to the engagement member. At least one article control member is further provided to contact the article at a second predetermined location and apply a force thereto, whereby the synchronized engagement member and article control member permit the article to be transferable at high speed.

Article control assembly

A continuous packaging sleever assembly and process for wrapping packaging sleeves about product groups. The assembly has a frame structure with a generally horizontal working surface, a transfer conveyor to move the product containers across the working surface, and horizontally movable flight bar structures connected to a continuous chain structure. The flight bar structures are constructed and arranged to be selectively movable in a generally perpendicular direction to the product transfer conveyor means and to separate the product containers into predetermined groups. A packaging sleeve transfer and placement structure is provided in synchronization with the flight bar structures for depositing flat packaging sleeves between adjacent flight bar structures and above the product groups. The flight bar structures simultaneously move the product groups and the individual sleeves thereon. Product group wrapping and closing structures are provided to fold and secure the packaging sleeves in a tight configuration about the product groups.

Packaging sleever assembly

A bottom lock arrangement is provided for basket carriers having opposed end panels, opposed side walls and a floor structure. The basket carriers have a center wall disposed between and parallel the side walls to provide at least two side by side cells for the carrier. The bottom lock arrangement comprises at least one connector tab extending from the center wall, and the floor structure further comprises opposed first and second floor panels. The first panel is foldably connected to one side wall and the second panel is foldably connected to the opposite side wall. The first and second panels are sized to overlap one another and they further have aligned connector slots to receive the connector tab of the center wall. Center wall connector tab configurations and cooperating aligned connector and locking slot configurations in the first and second panels are provided to yield secure bottom locking arrangments. Methods for erecting and loading the basket carriers are further provided for the basket carrier structures having the bottom lock arrangements.

Bottom lock arrangement for cartons

This invention relates to a basket carrier of the type where each of the carrier's cells is loaded through the carrier's open bottom, the bottom being closed by the carrier's floor after the carrier has been loaded. Preferably, at least one glue tab is foldably connected to one of the floor and the center wall, the glue tab being glued to the other of the floor and the center wall after the carrier has been loaded with bottles. This securely connects the carrier's center wall to the floor which enhances the vertical support for bottles within the carrier cells, and also which aids in maintenance of squared corners for the carrier during use.

Bottom loading basket carrier

A basket carrier fabricated from two separate blanks, one of the blanks forming the carrier's body which includes opposed side walls, opposed end walls, and a floor, and the other of the blanks forming the carrier's center wall and cell divider panels. In preferred form, the center wall blank includes end wall connector flaps by which the center wall is fixed to the carrier's end walls, and floor connector tabs by which the center wall is fixed to the body's floor.

Basket carrier with two piece blank

A device and process to facilitate the high speed placement of articles onto moving objects by coordinating the velocity of the articles with the velocity of the moving objects. The device comprises a frame structure, a rotary transfer mechanism having an intermittently oscillating center gear and having a plurality of planetary gears in rotational communication with the center gear. An article transfer mechanism is provided having activatable article holding structure and being in fixed rotational communication with at least one planetary gear to impart orbital motion to the articles being transfered. The orbital motion provided by the article transfer mechanism has at least two outwardly extending apex positions. The device has a drive source and a synchronized advancing mechanism which is constructed and arranged to oscillate the center gear at predetermined times as the article holding structure approach as an apex position of travel.

Advancing motion rotary apparatus

This invention provides a rotary transfer device or apparatus for the pickup, transfer and deposit of articles. The rotary transfer device has a drive source, a frame structure and an article pickup and deposit mechanism that travels in a predetermined, but changeable, path which has at least two apex positions of travel. The rotary transfer device includes a first stationary gear mounted to the frame structure which provides a first rotary motion for the articles transferred by the device. A first planetary gear is provided for rotation about the first stationary gear, and structure for rotating the first planetary gear about the first stationary gear is provided to produce the rotation. A second stationary gear mounted for rotation with the first planetary gear is provided to produce a secondary motion effect for the articles to be transferred by the device. A second planetary gear is provided for rotation about the second stationary gear and second structure for rotating the second planetary gear about the second stationary gear is provided to provide the secondary rotary motion. An article transfer mechanism with structure to pickup and deliver articles for rotation with the second planetary gear is provided so that the rotary transfer device or apparatus permits the article transfer mechanism to transfer articles from and to a plurality of positions in a plurality of paths to facilitate the size, shape and location of articles to be transferred.

Growing community of inventors

Crosby, MN, United States of America

Jeffrey A Lashyro