Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Robert E Ungar

William N Weaver

Lonnie R Seymour

Stanley R Krogman

A system for packaging multiple containers wherein a carrier is moved through an applicating machine, the carrier constructed of flexible plastic having a plurality of elongated apertures aligned in transverse ranks, which elongated apertures are oriented in a longitudinal direction of the carrier and have a longitudinal pitch between a center of each adjacent elongated aperture, the longitudinal pitch having a first length. A plurality of containers are also moved through the applicating machine, each container of the plurality of containers spaced apart from an adjacent container by the applicating machine. The carrier is subsequently positioned over the plurality of containers whereby each elongated aperture engages with one of the containers to form a package having a container pitch between a center of adjacent containers with a second length shorter then the first length.

System and apparatus for packaging containers

A system for packaging multiple containers wherein a carrier is moved through an applicating machine having a drum. The carrier is constructed of a flexible plastic sheet having a plurality of elongated apertures aligned in transverse ranks and a plurality of relief holes positioned between adjacent longitudinal rows of the elongated apertures. A plurality of jaw pairs are positioned around a perimeter of the drum for gripping the carrier. The jaw pairs are movable between a closed position and an open position. The applicating machine further includes an adjustment means for adjustment of a distance between the jaws of each jaw pair in the closed position. The carrier is then positioned over a plurality of containers where each elongated aperture engages with one of the containers. The system according to this invention enables the use of a single applicating machine to package a uniform group of containers having a broad range of diameters.

System and apparatus for packaging a uniform group of container having a

An apparatus is disclosed for adapting a machine employing a wheel assembly to apply a carrier stock to two rows of containers, such as beverage bottles, so that the machine can employ a carrier stock with each carrier having two container-engaging portions and a handle portion joined to the container-engaging portions at a longitudinally extending junction. A camming member for reconfiguring the carrier stock from a flattened condition into a reconfigured condition is positioned so that the carrier stock is drawn past the camming member before the carrier stock is received by the wheel assembly and is arranged to spread the container-engaging portions of the carriers laterally so that the handle portions of the carriers tend to be downwardly turned about the longitudinally extending junction of the carrier stock. Two pairs of spaced plates are provided for guiding the handle portion of each carrier of the carrier stock, as reconfigured from the flattened condition into the reconfigured condition, one such pair having an adjustable floor therebetween and guiding the handle portion thereof so that the carrier stock remains in the reconfigured condition when drawn onto the wheel assembly and the other pair guiding the handle portion thereof so that the carrier stock remains in the reconfigured condition when applied by the wheel assembly. A rotating wheel has arms for striking a frangible junction between the handle portion of each carrier and the handle portion of the following carrier of the series.

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DesPlaines, IL, United States of America

Robert E Ungar