Douglas Machine Inc.

Other

Vernon J Anderson

Irvan Leo Pazdernik

Thomas Harold Peterman

Christopher Todd Davis

Gene Allen Corle

Gerald R Kluver

Michael Paul Bauer

Simin Jiang

An article processing method is generally provided, namely, a method in furtherance of the formation of a split or splittable article pack. Spaced apart article groups are formed from a stream of articles. Each panel of panels of a supply of panels is passed through a processing station for execution of a processing step so as to establish a stream of processed panels. A processed panel of the stream of processed panels is associated with an article group of the spaced apart article groups so as to form a splittable article pack. The splittable article pack may be bundled for subsequent splitting, or split via in-line processing and discrete sub-packs having origins in the split splittable article pack bundled.

Split/splittable retail ready package

A product metering apparatus () includes a first product conveyance mechanism () conveying product in a continuous stream. A platform () supports product and is movable along a closed path between a loading position adjacent to the first product conveyance mechanism () and a transfer position adjacent to an output in the form of a second product conveyance mechanism () spaced from the first product conveyance mechanism () in the conveying direction. The platform () in the loading position receives the product in the continuous stream from the first product conveyance mechanism () and is then accelerated to a speed greater than the first product conveyance mechanism () creating a gap between the product supported on the platform () and the product remaining in the continuous stream on the first product conveyance mechanism (). A sweep bar () is inserted into the gap and abuts with the product on the platform () for assisting transfer of the product on the platform () to the output.

Transfer device metering apparatus and methods

A product conveyor lane divider for dividing cartons, tubs, jars, boxes and various products from a single infeed product lane into two product discharge lanes. The product infeed lane feeds products onto a work or separator conveyor in single file and a driven divider wheel having lugs or separating members disposed thereon engages every other product or group of products and moves it laterally on the separator conveyor for discharge onto a product discharge conveyor which discharges the two lanes of products formed by displacement caused by the divider wheel. Apparatus is included that adjusts the divider wheel to selected various heights and an angle drive mechanism is provided for driving the wheel. The speed, angle and spacing of the lugs may be adjusted to satisfy installation requirements. In one embodiment, the infeed lane is provided with a separator having a helical flight paralleling the lane and including a tapering flight to engage cylindrical products in the single lane and moving them into spaced relation.

Product conveyor lane divider

Growing community of inventors

Alexandria, MN, United States of America

Vernon J Anderson