Method and apparatus for insertion of uniquely shaped packaging elements
AssigneePSR Automation Incorporated
InventorsDavid R. Ramnarain, Brian D. Ramnarain, Christopher D. Ramnarain
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In some embodiments, an apparatus for insertion of uniquely shaped packaging may include the following elements, (a) a securing mechanism to hold a container along a conveyor in a predetermined location, (b) a transfer device which removes a spray cap mechanism from a second timing screw and aligns the spray cap mechanism over a container opening on the container, (c) a diptube assembly which locks a diptube hanging from the spray cap mechanism, and (d) the transfer device tightening the spray cap mechanism on the container opening after the diptube is inserted into the container opening.
Claims10
A method of insertion of uniquely shaped packaging elements, comprising the steps of:
- securing simultaneously on a single conveyor in a straight line in predetermined locations, a plurality of containers, each having a fill opening;
- removing simultaneously from a rear of a packaging system a plurality of spray caps corresponding to the plurality of containers and aligning side by side in a straight line parallel to the line of containers on a single conveyor the plurality of spray caps over the plurality of containers;
- engaging simultaneously with a dip-tube guide assembly a plurality of dip-tubes that are individually coupled to and extend downward from the plurality of spray caps, each dip-tube having a free end;
- and
- causing simultaneous insertion of the free ends of the plurality of dip-tubes through the fill openings of the plurality of containers.
A method of assembling spray caps with diptubes onto spray bottles comprising the steps of:
- transporting simultaneously along a single conveyor a plurality of spray bottles, each having an open top;
- securing simultaneously the plurality of spray bottles in a straight line on the single conveyor with a predetermined spacing there between;
- transporting simultaneously along a single conveyor a plurality of spray caps, each with a flexible diptube depending therefrom, the diptube terminating in a free end and of a length sufficient to reach a bottom of the spray bottles when the spray caps are affixed to the top of the spray bottle;
- aligning in a transfer device, in a straight line parallel to the straight line of spray bottles, the plurality of spray caps with the respective open tops of the plurality of spray bottles;
- providing a reciprocally movable diptube guide assembly for simultaneously acting upon the diptubes on the plurality of spray caps;
- sliding the diptube guide assembly toward the free ends of the dip-tubes on the plurality of spray caps while lowering the transfer device to thereby simultaneously insert the free ends of the diptubes through the open tops of the plurality of spray bottles;
- retracting the diptube guide assembly while continuing to lower the transfer device to cause simultaneous engagement of the plurality of spray caps with the respective plurality of spray bottles;
- and
- rotating the transfer device to simultaneously secure the plurality of spray caps onto the plurality of spray bottles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.