Back to results
US 12,698,115 B1Granted
Systems and methods for packaging products using conveyors
AssigneeKraft Foods Group Brands LLC
InventorsMark E. Malenke, Jessica Lynn Simpson, David J. Nonn, Charles Robert Sample
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi-package automated conveyor-based packaging apparatus improves product packaging material placement accuracy in packaging machines. The apparatus includes a self-aligning infeed conveyor, an angled release mechanism, guided transfer belts, and a retractable noser conveyor with one or more multi-position gates. Product packaging materials are centered and precisely deposited within target placement areas. A control unit synchronizes the movement of various components of the apparatus, for example, the conveying surfaces and the gate(s) of the apparatus.
Claims20
A conveyor-based apparatus for packaging products, the apparatus comprising:
- a first conveying surface for supporting and conveying product packaging material in a first direction thereon;
- a second conveying surface for supporting and conveying the product packaging material in the first direction thereon, the second conveying surface oriented above and in parallel with the first conveying surface;
- a gate movable between an inactive position, where the gate does not obstruct movement of the product packaging material on the first conveying surface or on the second conveying surface, a first deployed position, where the gate obstructs movement of the product packaging material on the second conveying surface in the first direction, and a second deployed position, where the gate obstructs movement of the product packaging material on the first conveying surface in the first direction;
- and
- a control unit operatively coupled to the first conveying surface, the second conveying surface, and the gate, the control unit configured to:
- cause the second conveying surface to move in the first direction;
- cause the gate to move toward the second conveying surface;
- when the gate is in the first deployed position and a leading end of the product packaging material is in contact with the gate, cause the gate and the second conveying surface to stop moving;
- cause the gate to move toward the second conveying surface and cause the second conveying surface to move in a second direction opposite to the first direction to withdraw a portion of the second conveying surface from under the product packaging material such that the leading end of the product packaging material descends toward the first conveying surface while the leading end of the product packaging material remains in contact with the gate and while a trailing end of the product packaging material remains supported by the portion of the second conveying surface;
- and
- after the gate is in the second deployed position and the product packaging material descends onto the first conveying surface, cause the gate to lift from the second deployed position toward the first deployed position and cause the first conveying surface to move in the first direction to advance the product packaging material past the gate and toward packaging equipment located downstream of the gate.
8 more elements
A method of packaging products using conveyors, the method comprising:
- supporting and conveying product packaging material on a first conveying surface moving in a first direction;
- supporting and conveying the product packaging material on a second conveying surface moving in the first direction, the second conveying surface being oriented above and in parallel with the first conveying surface;
- moving a gate between:
- an inactive position where the gate does not obstruct movement of the product packaging material on the first conveying surface of the second conveying surface;
- a first deployed position where the gate obstructs movement of the product packaging material on the second conveying surface in the first direction;
- and
- a second deployed position where the gate obstructs movement of the product packaging material on the first conveying surface in the first direction;
- and
- controlling the first conveying surface, the second conveying surface, and the gate via a control unit by:
- causing the second conveying surface to move in the first direction;
- causing the gate to move toward the second conveying surface;
- when the gate is in the first deployed position and a leading end of the product packaging material contacts the gate, stopping movement of the gate and the second conveying surface;
- causing the gate to move toward the second conveying surface while causing the second conveying surface to move in a second direction opposite to the first direction to withdraw a portion of the second conveying surface from under the product packaging material and cause the leading end of the product packaging material to descend toward the first conveying surface while maintaining contact with the gate and while a trailing end remains supported by the portion of the second conveying surface;
- and
- after the gate reaches the second deployed position and the product packaging material descends onto the first conveying surface, causing the gate to lift from the second deployed position toward the first deployed position while causing the first conveying surface to move in the first direction to advance the product packaging material past the gate toward downstream packaging equipment.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.