US 2024/0010378 A1 · Apparatus For Transporting and Applying Markings to Containers

Abstract

A machine (328) is selectively operative to transport containers and apply markings such as labels, sleeves, decorations and indicia to the containers (340). The machine includes a suspended container conveyor (SC) (320). SC shuttles (336) are engaged with and selectively independently movable around an SC track (330). The SC shuttles include a respective container engagement fixture (338) and are selectively movable to engage an upper portion of a container. In the container engaged position each container is selectively vertically, rotatably and linearly movable so as to be positioned in operative connection with applicators (434, 436). The applicators are selectively operative to apply markings to respective containers that are in operative connection therewith in a precise and repeatable manner.

Apparatus comprising:

a machine that is operative to transport and apply markings to containers,
wherein each of the containers include
a bottom end, and
an upper portion disposed away from the bottom end,
the machine including:
a suspended container conveyor (SC),
wherein the SC is configured to move containers engaged by their respective upper portions in suspended relation without the bottom ends of the containers being in contacting relation with another conveyor or support surface,
wherein the SC includes
a continuous stationary SC track, wherein the SC track is configured to hold movable SC shuttles in operative engagement with the SC track and guide movement of the movable SC shuttles on the SC track, wherein the SC track includes
a horizontally extending SC labeling track portion,
wherein the SC labeling track portion
is disposed vertically above and away from a floor upon which the machine is operatively supported,
extends between an SC inlet end and an SC outlet end,
a return SC track portion,
wherein the return SC track portion extends
in vertically aligned relation above the SC labeling track portion, and
between the SC outlet end and SC inlet end,
at least one SC shuttle,
wherein each SC shuttle
is in operative connection with the SC,
is movable relative to and along the entire SC track,
includes a container engagement fixture in operative connection with the respective SC shuttle,
wherein the container engagement fixture is configured to engage the upper portion of one container, and to enable the engaged container to be selectively rotatably moved relative to the respective SC shuttle about an axis
an applicator, wherein the applicator is
disposed adjacent to the SC labeling track portion,
horizontally intermediate of the SC inlet end and the SC outlet end,
is operative to apply at least one marking to containers that are engaged with the fixtures of respective shuttles and are in an applicator position within the SC labeling track portion,
wherein the machine is operative to
move an SC shuttle relative to the SC track and into vertically aligned relation with a container and cause engagement of the container and the fixture of the respective SC shuttle at the SC inlet end, whereby the upper portion of the container is operatively engaged with the respective SC shuttle,
move the respective SC shuttle and the engaged container relative to the SC track and in a first direction along the SC labeling track to the applicator position, wherein the container is in operative connection with the applicator,
selectively rotate the engaged container about the axis through operation of the fixture,
operate the applicator to apply at least one marking to the engaged container in the applicator position while the bottom end of the container is not in supported contacting relation with another conveyor or a support surface,
move the marked engaged container relative to the SC track and in the first direction away from the applicator position toward the SC outlet end, and
release the marked container from operative engagement with the SC shuttle.

31 more elements

Apparatus For Transporting and Applying Markings to Containers

Life of this patent

Apparatus For Transporting and Applying Markings to Containers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims34