Packaging system
AssigneeGraphic Packaging International, Inc.
InventorColin P. Ford
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of loading articles in cartons. The method can comprise moving a carton in a generally flat configuration in a downstream direction with a carton opening carousel, at least partially opening the carton while moving the carton with the carton opening carousel, and transferring the carton from the carton opening carousel to a carton loading carousel in a transfer region. The transferring the carton can comprise moving the carton in an upstream direction. The method further can comprise loading a plurality of articles into the carton while moving the carton in a downstream direction with the carton loading carousel.
Claims29
A method of loading articles in cartons comprising:
- moving a carton in a generally flat configuration in a downstream direction with a carton opening carousel;
- at least partially opening the carton while moving the carton in the downstream direction with the carton opening carousel;
- transferring the carton from the carton opening carousel to a carton loading carousel in a transfer region, the transferring the carton comprising positioning the carton onto a carrier flight of the carton loading carousel while moving the carton in an upstream direction, wherein the upstream direction is opposite to the downstream direction;
- and
- loading a plurality of articles into the carton while moving the carton in the downstream direction with the carton loading carousel.
A system for loading articles into cartons comprising:
- a carton opening carousel for moving the cartons in a downstream direction, the carton opening carousel having opening features for at least partially opening the cartons from a generally flat configuration while moving the cartons in the downstream direction;
- a carton loading carousel for loading the articles into the cartons while moving the articles and the cartons in the downstream direction, the carton loading carousel comprising at least one carrier flight;
- and
- a transfer region for transferring the cartons from the carton opening carousel to the carton loading carousel, the carton opening carousel and the carton loading carousel cooperating to at least partially form the transfer region, and the carton opening carousel and the carton loading carousel being configured for moving the cartons in an upstream direction in the transfer region while positioning the carton onto the at least one carrier flight of the carton loading carousel, wherein the upstream direction is opposite to the downstream direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.