# US 5,347,796 A · Cross loading apparatus for use with cartoning systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,347,796 A - Document ID: US5347796A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/056,669 - Filed: 1993-05-03 - Granted: 1994-09-20 - Earliest claimed: 1992-03-24 - Assignees: Riverwood International Corporation - Inventors: Kelly W. Ziegler; Clayton C. Alexson; Curt W. Lovold - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5347796A ## CPC - B65B 35/405: {linked to endless conveyors} - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) ## Abstract An article group transfer apparatus constructed and arranged to move article groups into open ends of the carton sleeves. The apparatus is incorporated in a continuous motion cartoner assembly for loading article groups into cartons which comprises an article infeed mechanism supplying at least one stream of articles; an article group selection and transport mechanism intersecting the article infeed mechanism to form and transport a longitudinal stream of article groups of a predetermined pattern; a carton supply and transport mechanism synchronized and moving parallel with the article group selecting mechanism to provide cartons with open ends facing the moving article groups; and the article group transfer apparatus which moves the article groups into the open ends of the carton sleeves. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A lateral transfer apparatus for use in an article processing system of the type wherein articles or article groups are transported in one or more longitudinally oriented streams, comprising: a) a frame structure; b) a plurality of transfer elements disposed at predetermined longitudinally spaced intervals, said transfer elements being for laterally moving articles which are being longitudinally transported in at least one stream of the article processing system, each said transfer element including a stepped contact member for moveable contact with the article, a support member connected to said contact member, and a control member for directing the lateral movement of said transfer elements, said control member including a first cam follower connected to said support member and controlling lateral movement of said transfer elements, and a second cam follower pivotally connected to said support member and further being connected to said contact member via linkage means, said second cam follower providing differential lateral movement to said stepped contact member; c) means to longitudinally move said transfer elements, said longitudinal movement means being connected to said support member; and d) a cam track assembly having a predetermined configuration for laterally moving said transfer elements, said cam track assembly being cooperatively mated with said first and second cam followers. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transfer elements are constructed and arranged along an endless longitudinally oriented loop to be conveyed longitudinally in a top, forward run and a bottom, return run on said frame structure. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said support member comprises a laterally oriented, elongated base member having a first end at which said contact member is disposed and a second end, at least one bearing block disposed proximate each said base member end, and at least one slide rail aligned and disposed spacially parallel with respect to said base member and slidably mated with said bearing blocks, said slide rail further being connected to said longitudinal movement means. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein there are two parallel and slightly spaced apart slide rails, wherein said base member has a horizontal plate and a vertical bar, wherein first and second, spaced apart bearing blocks are disposed proximate said second end, each connected to said horizontal plate and being slidably coupled with said slide rails, and wherein a third bearing block is disposed proximate said first end, said third bearing block being connected to said slide rails and slidably coupled to said horizontal plate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said control member further comprises a coupling member connected to said at least one bearing block, said first cam follower being horizontally, rotatably disposed on said coupling member, and an arm member pivotally connected at a first end thereof to said at least one bearing block at said second end, said second cam follower being horizontally, rotatably disposed on said arm member at a second end thereof. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cam track configuration provides a constant rate of lateral extension to said transfer elements throughout a majority of a total extension path of each said transfer element, said cam track configuration further providing a decreased rate of lateral extension at a predetermined segment of said transfer element extension path for making smooth contact with the article. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said longitudinal movement means comprises a pair of parallel, spaced driven chains each supported by a rectilinear guide along a top, forward longitudinal run thereof, each said support member slide rail being connected at one end to one chain and at an opposite end to the other chain. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is used to load article groups comprising at least one article into open sides of synchronized article packages in a continuous packaging process. ### Claim 9 The apparatus of claim S, wherein each article group is disposed on a dead plate and aligned for entry into a package, wherein the dead plate has an elongated, laterally oriented slot of a predetermined width, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a stabilization member disposed on said base member for mating insertion into the dead plate slot during lateral extension of said transfer elements. ### Claim 10 A lateral transfer apparatus for use in a continuous packaging system of the type wherein article groups comprising at least one article being transported in a longitudinally oriented stream are loaded into open sides of synchronized article packages traveling in a second longitudinal stream, comprising: a) a frame structure; b) an article group transport stream wherein each article group is disposed on a dead plate and aligned for entry into a package, wherein the dead plate has an elongated, laterally oriented slot of a predetermined width; c) a plurality of transfer elements disposed at predetermined longitudinally spaced intervals, said transfer elements being for laterally moving article groups which are being longitudinally transported in said article group transport stream; d) means to longitudinally move said transfer elements; e) means to laterally move said transfer elements; and f) a stabilization member disposed on each said transfer element for mating insertion into said dead plate slot during lateral extension of said transfer elements. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus is used to load article groups comprising at least one article into open sides of synchronized article packages in a continuous packaging process, wherein each article group is disposed on a dead plate and aligned for entry into a package, wherein the dead plate has an elongated, laterally oriented slot of a predetermined width, and wherein said stabilization member is inserted into the dead plate slot during lateral extension of said transfer elements. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said transfer elements are constructed and arranged along an endless longitudinally oriented loop to be conveyed longitudinally in a top, forward run and a bottom, return run on said frame structure. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said transfer elements comprise a contact member for contact with the article, a support member connected to said contact member and to said longitudinal movement means, and a control member connected to said support member and to said lateral movement means to direct the lateral movement of said transfer elements. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said support member comprises a laterally oriented, elongated base member having a first end at which said contact member is disposed and a second end, at least one bearing block disposed proximate each said base member end, and at least one slide rail aligned and disposed spacially parallel with respect to said base member and slidably mated with said bearing blocks, said slide rail further being connected to said longitudinal movement means. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein there are two parallel and slightly spaced apart slide rails, wherein said base member has a horizontal plate and a vertical bar, wherein first and second, spaced apart bearing blocks are disposed proximate said second end, each connected to said horizontal plate and being slidably coupled with said slide rails, and wherein a third bearing block is disposed proximate said first end, said third bearing block being connected to said slide rails and slidably coupled to said horizontal plate. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said lateral movement means comprises a cam track having a predetermined configuration. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said contact member has a fixed configuration. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said contact member has a movable, stepped configuration. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said control member comprises a cam follower connected to said support member, said cam follower being cooperatively mated with said cam track. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said control member further comprises a coupling member connected to said at least one bearing block at said second end, and wherein said cam follower is horizontally rotatably disposed on said coupling member. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said control member comprises a first cam follower connected to said support member and cooperatively mated with said cam track to control movement of said transfer elements, and a second cam follower pivotally connected to said support member and further being connected to said contact member via linkage means, said second cam follower being cooperatively mated with said cam track to provide differential lateral movement to said stepped contact member. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said control member further comprises a coupling member connected to said at least one bearing block, said first cam follower being horizontally, rotatably disposed on said coupling member, and an arm member pivotally connected at a first end thereof to said at least one bearing block at said second end, said second cam follower being horizontally, rotatably disposed on said arm member at a second end thereof. ### Claim 23 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said cam track configuration provides a constant rate of lateral extension to said transfer elements throughout a majority of a total extension path of each said transfer element, said cam track configuration further providing a decreased rate of lateral extension at a predetermined segment of said transfer element extension path for making smooth contact with the article. ### Claim 24 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said longitudinal movement means comprises a pair of parallel, spaced driven chains each supported by a rectilinear guide along a top, forward longitudinal run thereof, each said support member slide rail being connected at one end to one chain and at an opposite end to the other chain. ### Claim 25 A lateral transfer apparatus for use in an article processing system of the type wherein articles or article groups are transported in one or more longitudinally oriented streams, comprising: a) a frame structure; b) a plurality of transfer elements disposed at predetermined longitudinally spaced intervals, said transfer elements being for laterally moving articles which are being longitudinally transported in at least one stream of the article processing system, each said transfer element including a contact member for contact with the article, a support member connected to said contact member, and a control member for directing the lateral movement of said transfer elements, said control member including at least one cam follower connected to said support member and controlling lateral movement of said transfer elements; c) means to longitudinally move said transfer elements, said longitudinal movement means being connected to said support member; and d) a cam track assembly having a predetermined configuration for laterally moving said transfer elements, said cam track assembly being cooperatively mated said with at least one cam follower, said cam track configuration providing a constant rate of lateral extension to said transfer elements throughout a majority of a total extension path of each said transfer element, said cam track configuration further providing a decreased rate of lateral extension at a predetermined segment of said transfer element extension path for making smooth contact with the article. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said transfer elements are constructed and arranged along an endless longitudinally oriented loop to be conveyed longitudinally in a top, forward run and a bottom, return run on said frame structure. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said support member comprises a laterally oriented, elongated base member having a first end at which said contact member is disposed and a second end, at least one bearing block disposed proximate each said base member end, and at least one slide rail aligned and disposed spacially parallel with respect to said base member and slidably mated with said bearing blocks, said slide rail further being connected to said longitudinal movement means. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The apparatus of claim 27, wherein there are two parallel and slightly spaced apart slide rails, wherein said base member has a horizontal plate and a vertical bar, wherein first and second, spaced apart bearing blocks are disposed proximate said second end, each connected to said horizontal plate and being slidably coupled with said slide rails, and wherein a third bearing block is disposed proximate said first end, said third bearing block being connected to said slide rails and slidably coupled to said horizontal plate. ### Claim 29 (depends on 25) The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said contact member has a fixed configuration. ### Claim 30 (depends on 25) The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said contact member has a movable, stepped configuration. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said control member comprises a single cam follower connected to said support member, said cam follower being cooperatively mated with said cam track. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said control member further comprises a coupling member connected to said at least one bearing block at said second end, and wherein said cam follower is horizontally rotatably disposed on said coupling member. ### Claim 33 (depends on 30) The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said control member comprises two cam followers, a first cam follower connected to said support member and cooperatively mated with said cam track to control movement of said transfer elements, and a second cam follower pivotally connected to said support member and further being connected to said contact member via linkage means, said second cam follower being cooperatively mated with said cam track to provide differential lateral movement to said stepped contact member. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The apparatus of claim 33, wherein said control member further comprises a coupling member connected to said at least one bearing block, said first cam follower being horizontally, rotatably disposed on said coupling member, and an arm member pivotally connected at a first end thereof to said at least one bearing block at said second end, said second cam follower being horizontally, rotatably disposed on said arm member at a second end thereof. ### Claim 35 (depends on 26) The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said longitudinal movement means comprises a pair of parallel, spaced driven chains each supported by a rectilinear guide along a top, forward longitudinal run thereof, each said support member slide rail being connected at one end to one chain and at an opposite end to the other chain. ### Claim 36 (depends on 25) The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the apparatus is used to load article groups comprising at least one article into open sides of synchronized article packages in a continuous packaging process. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The apparatus of claim 36, wherein each article group is disposed on a dead plate and aligned for entry into a package, wherein the dead plate has an elongated, laterally oriented slot of a predetermined width, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a stabilization member disposed on said base member for mating insertion into the dead plate slot during lateral extension of said transfer elements.