# US 11,897,639 B2 · Automated packaging applicator system and methods of using the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,897,639 B2 - Document ID: US11897639B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/683,682 - Filed: 2022-03-01 - Published: 2022-09-08 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2021-03-02 - Assignees: Serpa Packaging Solutions LLC - Applicants: Serpa Packaging Solutions LLC - Inventors: Fernando Serpa - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11897639B2 ## CPC - B65B 17/025: {the articles being joined by a top carrier element} - B65B 27/04: Bundling groups of cans or bottles - B65B 35/44: by endless belts or chains {(B65B35/405 takes precedence)} - B65B 35/56: Orientating, i.e. changing the attitude of, articles, e.g. of non-uniform cross-section - 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 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a stop tab operable to hold a leading ring carrier in said magazine. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said applicator carriage translating assembly comprises a four-bar linkage that is orthogonal to and between the applicator station and the magazine. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein said applicator carriage translating assembly comprises an oscillating axle to which the four-bar linkage is in mechanical communication. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, further comprising a rotational actuator for said oscillating axle, said rotational actuator operable to oscillate said oscillating axle in a predetermined pattern. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein said applicator carriage translating assembly comprises an eccentric collar fixedly connected to said oscillating axle, such that said eccentric collar oscillates with said oscillating axle. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein said four bar linkage is in mechanical communication with said oscillating axle by connection to said eccentric collar, wherein said connection to said eccentric collar results in said four bar linkage creating an arcing path for said applicator carriage as it moves between said applicator station and said magazine. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said applicator surface is a surface of an applicator plate that includes at least one vacuum coupling embedded therein operable to create a partial vacuum between the applicator plate and the ring carrier for aiding in picking a ring carrier from said magazine. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a grouped container advancement mechanism operable to advance said grouped containers from the grouping station to the applicator station while maintaining the pre-determined pattern of containers. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said magazine includes a stopping mechanism and a biasing mechanism, wherein said biasing member advances said ring carriers toward a picking position to be grasped and removed by the applicator carriage and said stopping mechanism holds the ring carrier in the picking position in place until said applicator carriage is positioned over said magazine. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein said stopping mechanism is operable to be retracted from contact with said ring carrier in said picking position when said applicator carriage is positioned over said magazine. ### Claim 12 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. ### Claim 13 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. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, further comprising an electronic controller in electronic communication with actuators for said container arresting mechanism.