US 2026/0097909 A1 · SYSTEMS AND TECHNIQUES FOR ASSEMBLING AND INTRODUCING CARTRIDGES INTO BEVERAGE CONTAINERS DURING PACKAGING

Abstract

Systems and methods for assembling and introducing cartridges containing remediating component(s) into packaged beverages are provided herein. In particular, an introduction system containing a dropping mechanism actuatable between a retaining position and a releasing position is provided herein. The introduction system comprises a transition guide configured to receive cartridges from a source and the dropping mechanism disposed below the transition guide. The dropping mechanism retains a cartridge in the retaining position and permits the cartridge to be released into a beverage container in the releasing position. A control system actuates the dropping mechanism in synchronization with beverage container movement. The dropping mechanism may include a rotatable member and retaining plate configuration with slots that rotate into alignment with a dropping slot, or a sliding gate and releasing plate configuration where the sliding gate translates to align a dropping slot with an opening to release cartridges into moving beverage containers.

Claims21

Dependent claims

An introduction system (107) for dispensing cartridges (101) into a moving beverage container (109) during a packaging process for beverage containers (109), the introduction system (107) comprising:

a transition guide (2359) configured to receive cartridges (101) from a source;
a dropping mechanism (2361/3161) disposed below the transition guide (2359), the dropping mechanism (2361/3161) being actuatable between:
a retaining position in which the dropping mechanism (2361/3161) retains a first cartridge (101) received from the transition guide (2359), and
a releasing position in which the dropping mechanism (2361/3161) permits the first cartridge (101) to be released into a beverage container (109);
and
a control system configured to actuate the dropping mechanism (2361/3161) from the retaining position to the releasing position in synchronization with movement of the beverage container (109) such that the first cartridge (101) is released into the beverage container (109).

3 more elements

An introduction system (107) for dispensing cartridges (101) into a moving beverage container (109) during a packaging process for beverage containers (109), the introduction system (107) comprising:

a transition guide (2359) configured to receive cartridges (101) from a source;
a sliding gate (3178) disposed below the transition guide (2359) and movable between a retaining position and a releasing position, the sliding gate (3178) comprising:
a retaining surface (2573/3273) configured to support a cartridge (101) received from the transition guide (2359) when the sliding gate (3178) is in the retaining position and a dropping slot (2467/3267) configured to align with the cartridge (101) when the sliding gate (3178) is in the releasing position to permit the cartridge (101) to be released;
and
a releasing plate (3179) disposed on an opposing side (2362B) of the sliding gate (3178) from the transition guide (2359), the releasing plate (3179) comprising an opening (3385) aligned with a conveyor line (108) along which the beverage container (109) is moved below the introduction system (107), such that when the sliding gate (3178) is moved into the releasing position the cartridge (101) is released through the dropping slot (2467/3267) and the opening (3385) of the releasing plate (3179) into the beverage container (109).

2 more elements

An introduction system (107) for dispensing cartridges (101) into a moving beverage container (109) during a packaging process for beverage containers (109), the system comprising:

a transition guide (2359) configured to receive cartridges (101) from a source;
a rotatable member (2363) disposed below the transition guide (2359) and configured to rotate about a central axis (2574) between a retaining position and a releasing position, wherein the rotatable member (2363) comprises:
a plurality of slots (2466) distributed circumferentially about the central axis (2574), each slot (2466) being sized to receive a cartridge (101) from the transition guide (2359) and to retain the cartridge (101) when in the retaining position and to release the cartridge (101) when in the releasing position;
and
a retaining plate (2465) disposed adjacent the rotatable member (2363) on an opposing side (2362B) from the transition guide (2359), the retaining plate (2465) comprising a dropping slot (2467/3267) positioned to align with a conveyor line (108) along which the beverage container

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Systems and techniques for assembling and introducing cartridges into beverage containers during packaging

Life of this patent

Systems and techniques for assembling and introducing cartridges into beverage containers during packaging

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21