# US 10,501,215 B2 · Packaging machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,501,215 B2 - Document ID: US10501215B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/894,738 - Filed: 2014-05-28 - Published: 2016-05-05 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-05-31 - Assignees: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Applicants: Meurer Verpackungssysteme GmbH - Inventors: Jürgen Evers; Bernt Schulz; Linus Wöhle - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10501215B2 ## CPC - B65B 5/06: Packaging groups of articles, the groups being treated as single articles - B65B 5/02: Machines characterised by incorporation of means for making the containers or receptacles - B65B 5/08: Packaging groups of articles, the articles being individually gripped or guided for transfer to the containers or receptacles - B65B 5/105: {by grippers (B65B5/12 and B65B5/108 take precedence)} - B65B 5/106: {by pushers (B65B5/12 and B65B5/108 take precedence)} - B65B 5/108: {Article support means temporarily arranged in the container} - B65B 35/40: by reciprocating or oscillatory pushers - B65B 35/44: by endless belts or chains {(B65B35/405 takes precedence)} - 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) ## Abstract A packaging machine for boxing products that are brought together to form a group in a box includes a first conveyor device on which the products are conveyed to a collection station, and a second conveyor device by which the box, which is provided in a loading station to be filled with products, is conveyed away after being filled. A collection table is provided on which the groups are brought together, and an insert tool arranged above the collection table and loading station and which grasps a group brought together on the collection table and inserts them into a box provided in the loading station. The collection table is provided between first and second conveyor devices, and a stop, a clamp and a slider are provided such that the products are conveyed from the first conveyor device towards the stop and a defined number of products then move together. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A packaging machine for boxing products (P), which have been brought together to form a group (G), into a box (6), comprising: a) a first conveyor device (1) on which the products (P) are conveyed one behind the other to a collecting station (A), wherein a stop (2), a clamp (12), and a slider (11) are provided, which cooperate with one another so that the first conveyor device (1) conveys products (P) against the stop (2) and then a defined number products (P1 to P5) come into contact with one another, and the clamp (12) is provided to hold at least a product (Pi) immediately following the defined number of products (P1 to P5) so that the products (P) cannot be conveyed any further despite uninterrupted operation of the first conveyor device (1) passing under the products (P); b) a second conveyor device (5) by means of which the boxes (6) that are prepared in a loading station (B) for filling them with products (P) are conveyed away after being filled; c) a collecting table (7) which is provided in the collecting station (A) and on which the group (G) of products (P) is brought together, wherein the slider (11) repeatedly pushes the defined number products (P1 to P5) onto the collecting table (7), each time while the clamp (12) is clamping the product (Pi) and until the group (G) of products (P) is complete; d) an intermediate layer magazine (8) on a side of the second conveyor device (5) opposite from the collecting table (7); and e) an inserting tool (3) that is situated above the collecting table (7) and the loading station (B) and that picks up the group (G) of products (P) that has been brought together on the collecting table (7) and inserts the group into a box (6) provided in the loading station (B), wherein the inserting tool is movable over the intermediate layer magazine (8). ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein a position of the stop (2) with reference to the first conveyor device (1) is adjustable to change a number of the defined number of products. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein a detection device for detecting the groups (G) of products (P) is provided under the collecting table (7). ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The packaging machine according to claim 3, wherein the collecting table (7) includes a transparent or translucent plate and the detection device is a camera (14). ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the collecting table (7), the loading station (B), and the intermediate layer magazine (8) each include a zero edge (O7, OB, O8) that is stationary relative to the machine and a distance (O) between the zero edge (O7) of the collecting table (7) and the zero edge (OB) of the loading station (B) is identical to a distance between the zero edge (OB) of the loading station (B) and the zero edge (O8) of the intermediate layer magazine (8). ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The packaging machine according to claim 5, wherein an identical vertical working plane (AE) is defined for the collecting table (7), the loading station (B), and the intermediate layer magazine (8), and constitutes a respective zero line for the start of the working operation of the inserting tool (3) with regard to the conveying direction (F). ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the inserting tool (3, 3′) is mounted on a carriage (30) movable in the vertical direction (z) along a support (31). ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The packaging machine according to claim 7, wherein the support (31) is supported so that it is able to move in a horizontal direction (y) on the frame (4). ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The packaging machine according to claim 7, wherein two or more supports (31) of the inserting tools (3, 3′) are rigidly coupled to one another. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein a second inserting tool (3′) is provided. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The packaging machine according to claim 10, wherein the second inserting tool (3′) is rigidly coupled to the first inserting tool (3). ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the clamp (12) is provided to hold only the first two products immediately following the defined number of products (P1 to P5).