Apparatus for continuous feeding and synchronized application of fitments to carton blanks and related method
AssigneeInternational Paper Company
InventorsDonald E. Keeler, Edward Bombolevich
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus which coacts with a fitment supply station to effect continuous motion transfer and application of fitments to carton blanks on a conveyor line. The apparatus includes a rotatable drum having at least one vacuum transfer station disposed in rotational alignment between the fitment supply station and a conveyor release station, and an adjustable backup roll disposed in alignment with the drum and the release station for application of the fitments to cartons. A variable speed drive train matches drum and conveyor line speeds to effect continuous motion fitment transfer.
Claims17
A method for synchronized transfer of fitments from a fitment supply station to a fitment adhesion area on a carton blank carried on a continuous conveyor line, comprising the steps of:
- providing a rotatable drum having a first transfer station for receiving a fitment from the fitment supply station and having an air pervious lodgement surface located at said first transfer station;
- holding the fitment at said first transfer station by applying vacuum pressure through said air pervious lodgement surface during rotation of said drum between a first rotational position at which said first transfer station opposes said fitment supply station and a second rotational position displaced from said first rotational position by a predetermined angle;
- rotating said drum from said first rotational position to said second rotational position to effect transfer of said fitment from said fitment supply station to a position adjacent said fitment adhesion area on said carton blank carried on said conveyor line;
- and
- applying pressure to the fitment when said fitment is adjacent to said fitment adhesion area to effect fitment attachment to the fitment adhesion area;
- wherein said vacuum pressure is applied to said air pervious lodgement surface through a stationary sleeve having an axial passageway, a radial passageway which communicates with said axial passageway and a circumferential slot which communicates with said radial passageway, said circumferential slot being formed on an outer circumferential surface of said stationary sleeve;
- a bearing rotatably mounted on said sleeve and having a radial passageway which communicates with said circumferential slot when said drum is in said first rotational position and during rotation of said drum from said first rotational position to said second rotational position;
- and a first tube having one end connected to said hearing and another end connected to said drum, said first tube having a passageway which communicates with said radial passageway of said bearing at said one end of said first tube and which communicates with said air pervious lodgement surface of said drum at said another end of said first tube.
An apparatus for synchronized transfer of fitments from a fitment supply station to a fitment adhesion area on a carton blank carried on a continuous conveyor line, comprising:
- a rotatable drum having a first transfer station for receiving a fitment from the fitment supply station and having an air pervious lodgement surface located at said first transfer station;
- pressure means for application of pressure to the fitment to effect fitment attachment to the fitment adhesion area;
- vacuum pressure means for holding the fitment at said first transfer station during rotation of said drum between a first rotational position at which said first transfer station opposes said fitment supply station and a second rotational position at which said first transfer station opposes said pressure means;
- and
- control means for rotating said drum to effect continuous synchronized transfer of fitments from said fitment supply station to a position between said drum and said pressure means,
- wherein said vacuum pressure means comprises a stationary sleeve having an axial passageway, a radial passageway which communicates with said axial passageway and a circumferential slot which communicates with said radial passageway, said circumferential slot being formed on an outer circumferential surface of said stationary sleeve;
- a bearing rotatably mounted on said sleeve and having a radial passageway which communicates with said circumferential slot when said drum is in said first rotational position and during rotation of said drum from said first rotational position to said second rotational position, and a first tube having one end connected to said bearing and another end connected to said drum, said first tube having a passageway which communicates with said radial passageway of said bearing at said one end of said first tube and which communicates with said air pervious lodgement surface of said drum at said another end of said first tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.