Rotary knife and transfer apparatus
AssigneeR.A. Jones & Co. Inc.
InventorsBoris E. Makutonin, Frank G. Oliverio, Matthew J. Zdinak
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pouch knife and transfer apparatus has two discharge points where severed pouches are discharged onto separate conveyors with one of the conveyors being a direct drop conveyor. Such direct drop conveyor operates initially in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the knife or to the axis of rotation of the transfer wheel feeding the conveyor. The other conveyor may be a direct drop conveyor or any other form of a conveyor. Methods are disclosed.
Claims33
A pouch handling apparatus for severing individual pouches from a pouch train and transferring individual pouches from said train to separate downstream pouch handling devices, said apparatus comprising:
- a rotary pouch severing knife rotating about an axis;
- at least two conveyors for receiving individual pouches after severing thereof by said knife;
- pouch transfer apparatus comprising at least two drop off points for delivering pouches to at least one of said two pouch conveyors;
- and
- wherein at least one of said conveyors is a direct drop conveyor operably oriented to transport severed pouches from one drop off point to a downstream pouch handling apparatus;
- said direct drop bucket conveyor extending from said transfer apparatus in a direction perpendicular to said axis.
A pouch severing and transfer apparatus for severing individual pouches from a pouch train and transferring several pouches from said train to separate downstream pouch handling devices, said apparatus comprising:
- a rotary pouch severing knife including at least one major knife hub rotatable about an axis of rotation;
- at least one pouch transferring wheel for receiving pouches from said hub and rotatable about an axis of rotation;
- a first release point defined on said knife hub where pouches are released onto said wheel;
- a first conveyor;
- a drop off point on said wheel from where pouches are released from said wheel onto said first conveyor;
- a drop off point on said knife hub from where pouches are released from said knife hub;
- a second conveyor for transporting pouches released from said knife hub drop off point;
- and
- wherein at least one of said conveyors is a direct drop conveyor having buckets for receiving and transporting pouches in stacks to a cartoner;
- said direct drop conveyor extending from said apparatus in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said knife.
A pouch severing and transfer apparatus for receiving a train of pouches, severing pouches from the train and delivering pouches to downstream handling devices, said apparatus comprising:
- a knife for receiving a train of pouches and severing pouches from said train;
- said knife including a major knife hub rotating about an axis, said hub transferring severed pouches from a cut off station associated with said knife to one of at least two release stations where several pouches are released for further transfer;
- two pouch conveyors;
- said apparatus also including at least two drop off points from where pouches are dropped onto at least one of said two conveyors;
- at least one of said conveyors being a direct drop conveyor for transporting stacks of pouches to a cartoner;
- said direct drop conveyor extending away from said apparatus in a direction perpendicular to the axis of said knife.
Apparatus for severing products from a series of pouches in a pouch train, and transferring severed pouches from said train to separate downstream pouch handling devices, said apparatus comprising:
- a pouch severing knife rotating about an axis of rotation;
- two pouch conveyors;
- pouch transfer apparatus comprising at least two drop off points for delivering pouches to at least one of said two pouch conveyors;
- wherein said two conveyors are situated for transport of pouches away from said knife in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the pouch knife;
- and
- wherein at least one of said two conveyors is a bucket conveyor having a plurality of buckets thereon receiving pouches in stacks and transporting said stacks in a direction perpendicular to said axis of rotation.
A method of packaging pouches including the steps of:
- severing pouches from a train of pouches in a rotary knife and transfer apparatus wherein said knife rotates about an axis;
- transferring pouches selectively to at least two discharge positions from said knife and transfer apparatus;
- feeding selected pouches from at least one of said discharge positions onto a direct drop conveyor for transport to a cartoner;
- feeding pouches other than said selected pouches from another of said discharge positions to a second conveyor;
- and
- operating said direct drop conveyor in a direction perpendicular to said axis of rotation of said knife.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.