Automated packaging applicator system and methods of using the same
AssigneeSerpa Packaging Solutions LLC
InventorFernando Serpa
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A high-speed automated ring carrier applicator system and methods of using the same are provided. The applicator system is operable to be loaded with a magazine of ring carriers and individually apply them to a plurality of individual containers for beverages, food, pharmaceuticals, or other goods. The ring carriers may include a plurality of full or partial apertures (e.g., 2 to 12, or other numbers of apertures), each with a neck-engaging locking mechanism to receive and hold a container.
Claims14
A system for applied packaging to grouped containers, comprising:
- a grouping station for organizing a plurality of containers into a pre-determined arrangement;
- an applicator station for receiving said plurality of containers in said pre-determined arrangement;
- an applicator carriage having an applicator surface for receiving a ring carrier, said applicator surface having apertures for receiving an upper aspect of each of said containers in said predetermined arrangement, pivoting retainer structures for holding said ring carrier in alignment with said applicator surface, the applicator carriage operable to fixedly apply said ring carrier to said upper aspects of said containers by a single axis vertical motion;
- a magazine operable to contain a plurality of ring carriers in a vertical stack, said magazine positioned adjacent to said applicator station, and allowing said applicator carriage to move between said magazine and said applicator station along a single plane of motion;
- and
- an applicator carriage translating assembly operable to move said applicator carriage between said magazine and said applicator station.
A system for applied packaging to grouped containers, comprising:
- a grouping station for organizing a plurality of containers into a pre-determined arrangement;
- an applicator station for receiving said plurality of containers in said pre-determined arrangement;
- an applicator carriage having an applicator surface for receiving a ring carrier, said applicator surface having apertures for receiving an upper aspect of each of said containers in said predetermined arrangement, pivoting retainer structures for holding said ring carrier in alignment with said applicator surface, the applicator carriage operable to fixedly apply said ring carrier to said upper aspects of said containers by a single axis vertical motion;
- a magazine operable to contain a plurality of ring carriers in a vertical stack, said magazine positioned adjacent to said applicator station, and allowing said applicator carriage to move between said magazine and said applicator station along a single plane of motion;
- and
- a conveyor for delivering said containers into said grouping station having a container flow divider that organizes the containers into single-width rows of containers that are located upstream of the grouping station and that are funneled into pre-determined rows in said grouping station.
A system for applied packaging to grouped containers, comprising:
- a grouping station for organizing a plurality of containers into a pre-determined arrangement;
- an applicator station for receiving said plurality of containers in said pre-determined arrangement;
- an applicator carriage having an applicator surface for receiving a ring carrier, said applicator surface having apertures for receiving an upper aspect of each of said containers in said predetermined arrangement, pivoting retainer structures for holding said ring carrier in alignment with said applicator surface, the applicator operable to fixedly apply said ring carrier to said upper aspects of said containers by a single axis vertical motion;
- and
- a container arresting mechanism operable to stop the advance of said containers into said grouping station.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.