# US 10,246,208 B2 · Apparatus and method for automated handle installation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,246,208 B2 - Document ID: US10246208B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/207,043 - Filed: 2016-07-11 - Published: 2017-01-19 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2015-07-14 - Assignees: Heisler Machine & Tool Company - Applicants: Heisler Industries - Inventors: Zinovy Baskin; Ronald Heisler; Richard Heisler - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10246208B2 ## CPC - B65B 61/14: for incorporating, or forming and incorporating, handles or suspension means in packages (attaching, or forming and attaching, string handles or tags to tea-bags B65B29/04) - B23P 19/04: for assembling or disassembling parts - B65B 57/04: and operating to control, or to stop, the feed of such material, containers, or packages - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - Y10T 29/5136: Separate tool stations for selective or successive operation on work - Y10T 29/5137: including assembling or disassembling station - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) - B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus and method for high speed automated installation or attachment of preformed handles onto portable containers such as buckets, boxes, cartons, or pails that are moving on a conveyor system through the apparatus. A frame structure supports the apparatus. A container conveyor conveys the portable containers into and out of the apparatus. A handle sheet conveyor conveys sheets of preformed handles from storage containers into a handle magazine. Individual handles are detached from the preformed handle sheets, after which the handles are attached onto the portable containers at a high rate of speed. A slidable handle separation and insertion mechanism includes a main slide for preforming the handles prior to insertion onto the portable containers. In some embodiments the main slide is angled at approximately a 45 degree angle from the horizontal. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A handle attachment apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a frame; a conveyor for portable containers; a sheet picker; a handle sheet magazine; a slidable fixture; a detachment mechanism configured to detach preformed handles from handle sheets; and an attachment mechanism configured to attach said preformed handles onto connection points of said portable containers; wherein said slidable fixture is mounted at a 45 degree angle from horizontal. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said conveyor further comprises: a plurality of differential speed movable tracks configured to convey and rotate said portable containers; and at least one ear rail configured to accept a plurality of ears attached to outer surfaces of said portable containers. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sheet picker comprises: a storage area for handle sheets; a pickup arm; a pickup plate attached to a proximal end of said pickup arm; pickup jaws attached to said pickup arm; and sensors to detect positions of said handle sheets. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, further including: at least one horizontal track; at least one vertical track; and whereby said pickup arm moves along said horizontal track and along said vertical track proximate to said sheet containers and proximate to said handle sheet magazine. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said handle sheet magazine comprises a substantially rectangular tray configured to contain at least one handle sheet. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further including: a plurality of cutting blades extending from said detachment mechanism and configured to detach single preformed handles from said handle sheets. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further including: a plurality of projecting arms extending from said slidable fixture; and channels on the proximal ends of said projecting arms configured to enclose a single preformed handle. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, further including: an anvil mounted proximate to the distal ends of said projecting arms; clamp cylinders configured to constrain a single preformed handle against said anvil; and a plurality of plungers; whereby said plungers insert the ends of a preformed handle onto said connection points of a portable container. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further including: a plurality of substantially parallel fixture rails; wherein said slidable fixture is configured to slide on said parallel fixture rails. ### Claim 10 A method for attaching preformed handles onto portable containers, said method comprising the steps of: conveying portable containers proximate to an apparatus, said portable containers having ears with connection points attached on their outer surfaces; conveying handle sheets into a handle sheet magazine; providing a slidable fixture so that said slidable fixture is mounted at a 45 degree angle from horizontal; providing projecting arms at the distal ends of said slidable fixture; detaching preformed handles from said handle sheets; constraining said preformed handles within said projecting arms; and attaching said preformed handles onto said connection points on said portable containers. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of: conveying said portable containers on a plurality of differential speed movable tracks; and rotating said portable containers so that said ears are perpendicular to a direction of movement of said portable containers. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the step of conveying handle sheets further comprises the steps of: providing at least one horizontal track; providing at least one vertical track; and moving a pickup arm along said horizontal track and along said vertical track; whereby said handle sheets are conveyed from a storage area into said handle sheet magazine. ### Claim 13 A method for attaching a preformed handle onto a portable container comprising: conveying the portable container proximate to an apparatus, wherein each portable container comprises: a first connection point on a first exterior side of the portable container; and a second connection point on a second exterior side of the portable container opposite the first side; conveying a handle sheet into a handle sheet magazine; constraining a first end and a second end of a preformed handle of the handle sheet using projecting arms of a slidable fixture, wherein the first end has a first connector and the second end has a second connector; detaching the preformed handle from the handle sheet; drawing the preformed handle over a mandrel using the slidable fixture so that the preformed handle forms a u-shape; extending plungers against the first end and the second end to attach the first connector to the first connection point and the second connector to the second connection point.