Packaging machine and apparatus and method for feeding cups for packaging

An apparatus for use in delivering cup-like containers to a container receiving path of a packaging station, the apparatus comprising:

• an infeed tower having:
• an upper tower segment,
• a lower tower segment,
• an upper inlet end for receiving cup-like containers into the upper tower segment,
• a lower outlet end for selectively feeding cup-like containers from the lower tower segment to the container receiving path,
• wherein the upper tower segment includes a lower transfer end and the lower tower segment includes an upper transfer end,
• wherein the lower tower segment is movable between a load position and an unload position,
• wherein, in the load position of the lower tower segment, the upper transfer end of the lower tower segment aligns with the lower transfer end of the upper tower segment for receiving cup-like containers from the upper tower segment, and the lower outlet end is offset from the container receiving path,
• wherein, in the unload position of the lower tower segment, the lower tower segment is moved out of alignment with the upper tower segment so as to position the lower outlet end over the container receiving path;
• wherein, in the load position of the lower tower segment, the lower outlet end is aligned with a bypass secondary path to enable clearing of cup-like containers from the infeed tower without delivering cup-like containers to the container receiving path.

An apparatus for use in delivering cup-like containers to a container receiving path of a packaging station, the apparatus comprising:

• a first infeed tower and a second infeed tower, each of the first infeed tower and the second infeed tower having, respectively:
• a stationary upper segment and a movable lower segment, wherein the movable lower segment is movable between a load position, in alignment with the stationary upper segment for receiving cup-like containers from the stationary upper segment, and an unload position, in alignment with the container receiving path for delivering cup-like containers to the container receiving path;
• a transfer gate controllable to block feed of cup-like containers from the stationary upper segment down into the movable lower segment;
• an outlet gate controllable to block feed of cup-like containers down out of the movable lower segment;
• a control system configured for controlling movement of the lower tower segment of the first infeed tower and the lower tower segment of the second infeed tower such that the lower tower segment of the first infeed tower and the lower tower segment of the second infeed tower are movable independently of each other.

A method of delivering cup-like containers to a container receiving path of a packaging station, comprising:

• (a) utilizing a first infeed tower with a first movable tower segment and a second infeed tower with a second movable tower segment, wherein the first movable tower segment and the second movable tower segment are movable independently of each other;
• (b) loading cup-like containers into the first movable tower segment while the first movable tower segment is in a first load position offset from the container receiving path;
• (c) loading cup-like containers into the second movable tower segment while the second movable tower segment is in a second load position offset from the container receiving path;
• (d) shifting the first movable tower segment to an unload position aligned with the container receiving path and dropping cup-like containers from the first movable tower segment to the container receiving path;
• (e) shifting the first movable tower segment back toward the first load position;
• (f) shifting the second movable tower segment to the unload position and dropping cup-like containers from the second movable tower segment to the container receiving path.