Packaging System
AssigneeGraphic Packaging International, Inc.
InventorColin P. Ford
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of loading articles in cartons. The method can comprise moving a carton in a generally flat configuration in a downstream direction with a carton opening carousel, at least partially opening the carton while moving the carton with the carton opening carousel, and transferring the carton from the carton opening carousel to a carton loading carousel in a transfer region. The transferring the carton can comprise moving the carton in an upstream direction. The method further can comprise loading a plurality of articles into the carton while moving the carton in a downstream direction with the carton loading carousel.
Claims45
A method of loading articles in cartons comprising:
- moving a carton in a generally flat configuration in a downstream direction with a carton opening carousel;
- at least partially opening the carton while moving the carton with the carton opening carousel;
- transferring the carton from the carton opening carousel to a carton loading carousel in a transfer region, the transferring the carton comprising moving the carton in an upstream direction;
- and
- loading a plurality of articles into the carton while moving the carton in a downstream direction with the carton loading carousel.
A system for loading articles into cartons comprising:
- a carton opening carousel for moving the cartons in a downstream direction, the carton opening carousel having opening features for at least partially opening the cartons from a generally flat configuration;
- a carton loading carousel for loading the articles into the cartons while moving the articles and the cartons in a downstream direction;
- and
- a transfer region for transferring the cartons from the carton opening carousel to the carton loading carousel, the carton opening carousel and the carton loading carousel cooperating to at least partially form the transfer region, and the carton opening carousel and the carton loading carousel being configured for moving the cartons in an upstream direction in the transfer region.
A guide assembly for at least partially opening and conveying a carton, the guide assembly comprising:
- a support;
- and
- at least one guide arm mounted to the support, the at least one guide arm comprising a tapered end and at least one flange extending obliquely from a central portion of the at least one guide arm, the tapered end comprising an edge extending along at least a portion of the central portion and the at least one flange.
A loading lug assembly for at least partially guiding an article into a carton, the loading lug assembly comprising:
- a mounting attachment for being mounted to a drive chain;
- and
- a loading lug comprising a plurality of fingers extending from a common crossmember, the loading lug being removably mounted to the mounting attachment, wherein the fingers of the plurality of fingers and the crossmember are flexible for moving at least the fingers at least partially away from one another to at least partially accommodate the article while guiding the article into the carton.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.