Back to results
US 11,691,826 B2Granted
Method and system for changing article pitch
AssigneeGraphic Packaging International, Inc.
InventorKelly W. Ziegler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of changing article pitch. The method can comprise receiving a series of articles arranged at a first pitch, engaging the articles of the series of articles sequentially with a gripper wheel, moving the articles along a path of travel with the gripper wheel, and moving the articles relative to one another from the first pitch to a second pitch during the moving the articles along the path of travel with the gripper wheel.
Claims34
A method of changing article pitch, the method comprising:
- receiving a series of articles arranged at a first pitch;
- engaging the articles of the series of articles sequentially with a gripper wheel, the gripper wheel comprising a plurality of gripper assemblies, wherein a spreader wheel comprises a plurality of slots, and each of the gripper assemblies comprises a cam follower that is at least partially received in a respective slot of the plurality of slots;
- moving the articles along a path of travel with the gripper wheel;
- and
- moving the articles relative to one another from the first pitch to a second pitch during the moving the articles along the path of travel with the gripper wheel.
2 more elements
A system for at least partially changing article pitch, the system comprising:
- a gripper wheel having a gripper wheel axis and comprising a plurality of gripper assemblies rotating about the gripper wheel axis, the gripper assemblies of the plurality of gripper assemblies sequentially engaging respective articles of a series of articles and moving the articles along a path of travel;
- and
- a spreader wheel positioned relative to the gripper wheel so that the gripper assemblies engage with the spreader wheel, the engagement between the gripper assemblies and the spreader wheel causing the gripper assemblies to move the respective articles relative to one another along the path of travel as the gripper assemblies rotate about the gripper wheel axis;
- wherein the spreader wheel comprises a plurality of slots, and each of the gripper assemblies comprises a cam follower that is at least partially received in a respective slot of the plurality of slots.
1 more element
A system for at least partially changing article pitch, the system comprising:
- a gripper wheel having a gripper wheel axis and comprising a plurality of gripper assemblies rotating about the gripper wheel axis, the gripper assemblies of the plurality of gripper assemblies sequentially engaging respective articles of a series of articles and moving the articles along a path of travel;
- and
- a spreader wheel positioned relative to the gripper wheel so that the gripper assemblies engage with the spreader wheel, the engagement between the gripper assemblies and the spreader wheel causing the gripper assemblies to move the respective articles relative to one another along the path of travel as the gripper assemblies rotate about the gripper wheel axis;
- wherein the spreader wheel is mounted on a first drive shaft and the gripper wheel is mounted on a second drive shaft, and the first drive shaft is offset from the second drive shaft.
1 more element
A system for at least partially changing article pitch, the system comprising:
- a gripper wheel having a gripper wheel axis and comprising a plurality of gripper assemblies rotating about the gripper wheel axis, the gripper assemblies of the plurality of gripper assemblies sequentially engaging respective articles of a series of articles and moving the articles along a path of travel;
- and
- a spreader wheel positioned relative to the gripper wheel so that the gripper assemblies engage with the spreader wheel, the engagement between the gripper assemblies and the spreader wheel causing the gripper assemblies to move the respective articles relative to one another along the path of travel as the gripper assemblies rotate about the gripper wheel axis;
- wherein each of the gripper assemblies comprises a gripper arm having a pivot end and a gripper head opposite to the pivot end in the gripper assembly, the gripper heads being for engaging the respective articles;
- wherein for each of the gripper assemblies the gripper head is mounted to the gripper arm by an insert arm, the insert arm being at least partially received in an opening in the gripper arm.
2 more elements
A method of changing article pitch, the method comprising:
- receiving a series of articles arranged at a first pitch;
- engaging the articles of the series of articles sequentially with a gripper wheel comprising a plurality of gripper assemblies, wherein a spreader wheel is mounted on a first drive shaft and is positioned relative to the gripper wheel so that the gripper assemblies engage with the spreader wheel, and wherein the gripper wheel is mounted on a second drive shaft that is offset from the first drive shaft;
- moving the articles along a path of travel with the gripper wheel;
- and
- moving the articles relative to one another from the first pitch to a second pitch during the moving the articles along the path of travel with the gripper wheel, wherein the moving the articles relative to one another comprises pivoting the gripping assemblies relative to one another due to the engagement between the gripper assemblies and the spreader wheel.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.