Packaging Machine
AssigneeGraphic Packaging International, Inc.
InventorPete Karst
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A packaging machine includes a series of stations or assemblies, including a carton feeding system and a product conveyor that receives a series of articles or products at a first, upstream or intake end of the packaging machine. The products generally can be grouped into a series of products, such as for forming six-packs, four-packs or other package configurations, and will be wrapped by or loaded into a series of carton blanks, after which the loaded cartons will be moved through a discharge station. The discharge station meters the loaded cartons or packages for discharge from the packaging machine.
Claims8
A method of packaging products, comprising:
- moving a series of products along a path of travel through a packaging machine;
- moving a series cartons toward registration with the products moving along the product conveyor;
- packaging groups of products within the cartons to form product packages;
- moving the product packages substantially in a line into a discharge station;
- as the product packages are moved into the discharge station, engaging the line of product packages with drive belts and accelerating movement of each of the product packages forwardly to create a desired separation between successive product packages;
- engaging the product packages with pusher lugs at spaced locations and urging the product packages toward a discharge end of the discharge station;
- and
- discharging the spaced product packages.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.