Article grouping assembly and method for a packaging machine

A method of selecting a predetermined number of articles from a plurality of articles and grouping the selected articles into an ordered group for packaging by an article packaging machine, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) moving the plurality of articles in series progressively along a first path at a first rate of speed;
• (b) disposing a rotatable selector wheel adjacent the first path, the selector wheel assembly supporting at least one selector finger;
• (c) rotating the selector wheel assembly at a rate of rotation that is predetermined to move the selector finger past the first path at a second rate of speed greater than the first rate of speed wherein the selector finger remains substantially perpendicular to the first path of travel as the selector wheel is rotated and wherein the selector finger and the selector wheel move at a uniform speed during a complete rotation of the selector wheel;
• and
• (d) engaging selected ones of the articles with the selector finger at a location on the selector wheel where the velocity component of the selector finger in the direction of the first path is substantially equal to the first rate of speed to select the engaged article and accelerate it along a second path from the first rate of speed to the second rate of speed as the selector finger approaches the first path.

A system for selecting a predetermined number of articles in a queue from a plurality of articles moving through an article packaging machine and grouping the selected articles for packaging, said system comprising;

• a frame;
• a meter assembly mounted on said frame for moving the plurality of articles along a path at a first rate of speed;
• a rotatable selector wheel mounted on said frame, said selector wheel having a periphery and being mounted to said frame with said periphery disposed adjacent said path of travel;
• a drive assembly for rotating said selector wheel at a rate of rotation predetermined to move said periphery of said selector wheel past said path at a second rate of speed greater than said first rate of speed;
• at least one article engagement assembly mounted to said selector wheel, said article engagement assembly having a finger movable with said selector wheel as said selector wheel is rotated, the speed of said finger having a velocity component in the direction of said path of travel that increases progressively from zero to said second rate of speed as said finger is moved on said selector wheel toward said path;
• and
• a guide on said frame for directing the plurality of articles into engagement with said finger at a predetermined angular location adjacent said selector wheel where the velocity component of said finger in the direction of said path approximately equals said first rate of speed, selected ones of said articles being engaged by said finger and accelerated to said second rate of speed as said finger rotates toward and past said path of travel wherein said finger remains substantially fixed in relation to said path as said selector wheel rotates.