Packaging system
AssigneeWestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
InventorJuan Carlos PALACIOS HERNANDEZ
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Aspects of the disclosure relate to a packaging system, method of packaging, apparatus, handle structure, an article carrier for packaging a plurality of articles, and to a blank for forming the handle structure or article carrier. The packaging system provides an apparatus for applying the handle structure or article carrier to one or more articles. The apparatus provides a component adapted to engage the blank and form the handle structure or article carrier so as to displace a first side of the handle structure or article carrier, disposed on a first side of an article retention structure to a greater extent than a second side of the handle structure or article carrier, disposed on a second, opposing, side of an article retention structure.
Claims16
A component for an applicator device comprising:
- a first abutment projection having a first end and a second, opposing, end disposed a first distance from the first end, the first end providing a first abutment surface, and
- a second abutment projection having a first end and a second, opposing, end disposed a second distance from the first end, the first end providing a second abutment surface,
- wherein the first abutment projection is spaced apart from the second abutment projection by at least an article receiving orifice, and
- wherein the second distance is less than the first distance,
- the component further comprising at least one third abutment projection having a first end and a second, opposing, end disposed a third distance from the first end, the first end providing a third abutment surface, and
- wherein the first and second distance are each less than the third distance.
An apparatus for forming a package, the apparatus comprising an applicator comprising an applicator plate for engaging an article carrier, the applicator plate comprising:
- a first article receiving orifice;
- a major abutment projection having a first end and a second, opposing, end disposed a first distance from the first end, the first end providing a first abutment surface, and
- a minor abutment projection having a first end and a second, opposing, end disposed a second distance from the first end, the first end providing a second abutment surface,
- wherein the major abutment projection is spaced apart from the minor abutment projection by at least the first article receiving orifice, and
- wherein the second distance is less than the first distance,
- the applicator plate further comprising at least one support abutment projection comprising a first end and a second, opposing, end disposed a third distance from the first end, the first end providing a third abutment surface, and
- wherein the first and second distance are less than the third distance.
A packaging machine for application of a blank to a pair of articles, the packaging machine comprising:
- a conveyor for conveying articles to an application station, the application station comprising a hopper for supplying blanks,
- wherein the hopper comprises at least one first pair of posts for supporting a stack of blanks, the blanks comprising a pair of apertures, each aperture receiving one of the first pair of posts therethrough,
- the application station further comprising a transfer apparatus for engaging a blank from the hopper and forming an article carrier from the blank,
- wherein the transfer apparatus is mounted to an overhead conveyor,
- wherein the transfer apparatus comprises an applicator comprising an applicator plate for applying the article carrier to the pair of articles, the applicator plate comprising:
- a first article receiving orifice and a second article receiving orifice each arranged to accommodate one of the first pair of posts, and
- at least one suction cup for engaging an uppermost blank in the stack of blanks.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.