Simplified Lift Mechanism For A Packaging Machine

A mechanism for moving a component in a machine, comprising:

• an input shaft that is rotatable in response to operation of a motor;
• a drive member having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the drive member is non-rotatably secured to the input shaft;
• an actuator arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the actuator arm is non-rotatably secured to the second end of the drive member, and wherein the second end of the actuator arm is rotatably secured to the component of the machine, wherein rotation of the input shaft in response to operation of the motor is translated into movement of the component of the machine through the drive member and the actuator arm;
• and
• a guide arrangement associated with the machine and engaged with the component of the machine to guide movement of the component relative to the machine.

A simplified lift mechanism for a machine comprising:

• a drive carriage with a stationary base and a movable frame structure, the frame structure having a first wall and a second wall;
• a motor;
• a drive member configured to rotate in response to operation of the motor;
• a driven member;
• a drive belt engaged with the drive member and the driven member;
• a drive shaft extending from the driven member across the drive carriage;
• a drive link with a first end and a second end, wherein:
• the drive shaft extends through the first end of the drive link;
• and
• the drive shaft is fixedly connected to the first end of the drive link;
• a substantially v-shaped arm with a first end, a second end, and a middle segment located therebetween, wherein the first end is rotatably connected to the second end of the drive link;
• and
• a second shaft extending through and rotatably connected to the second end of the v-shaped arm, wherein the second shaft extends from the first wall to the second wall;
• wherein the drive belt transmits rotary motion from the drive member to the driven member;
• wherein the rotary motion is transmitted to the drive shaft;
• wherein the drive link is rotated by the rotation of the drive shaft;
• and
• wherein the v-shaped arm is rotated by the drive link so that the movable frame structure is moved vertically relative to the base when the motor is actuated.

A method of operating a lift mechanism for a machine comprising the steps of:

• rotating a first end of a drive link that is fixedly attached to a drive shaft associated with a base in a first direction;
• rotating a second end of the drive link from a lowered position to a raised position;
• and
• moving a second shaft associated with a movable frame structure in an upward direction;
• wherein the upward movement of the second shaft occurs about a single lift point.