A system for forming retained container groups from an arrayed container group (ACG) via application of an adapted retainer blank to the ACG is generally provided. The system is advantageously characterized by a container conveyance apparatus for conveying arrayed container groups, a supply of retainer blanks from which retainer blanks are dispensable, and a processing station characterized by a segment of the container conveyance apparatus, a die block, for receipt of a dispensed retainer blank from the supply of retainer blanks, and a robotic arm equipped with an end of arm tool (EOAT). The robotic arm is operable so as to selectively position the EOAT within the processing station, the EOAT positionable for urged engagement of a dispensed retainer blank received upon the die block so as to form and secure an adapted retainer blank, the robotic arm thereafter positionable to register the secured adapted retainer blank with a conveyed ACG conveyed on the segment of the container conveyance apparatus of the processing station, the robotic arm further positionable to apply the secured adapted retainer blank to the registered conveyed ACG to thereby form at least two retained container group packs from the registered conveyed ACG.
A container (100) is formed by being folded and sealed on one of a multiplicity of male dies (12) of an apparatus (10). The male die (12) with the container (100) placed thereon is inserted into a female die (120). The female die (120) retains the container (100) while the male die (12) is removed therefrom. Lips (110-112) of the container (100) are sandwiched against the female die (120) while product is pushed thereon to prevent collapse of the container (100). The multiplicity of male dies (12) are relatively moveable by rotating about an axis (20) relative to the female die (120).
A robotic case packer is provided. The packer includes a case conveying apparatus, a case set up station, a case loading station, downstream of the case set up station, and a loaded case closure station, downstream of the case loading station, the case conveying apparatus receiving and conveying a case blank for case set up, case loading and loaded case closure operations, a process flow path as to case operations delimited by the case conveying apparatus. The case set up station, characterized by a case set up robot operable in a process flow path direction, secures a case blank from a source of case blanks and transfers the blank to the case conveying apparatus. The case loading station, characterized by a case loading robot operable across the process flow path direction, transfers an article group for case loading into a set up case conveyed by the case conveying apparatus. The case closure station, characterized by a loaded case closure robot operable in the process flow path direction, effectuates a compressed sealed closure of a loaded case conveyed by the case conveying apparatus.
B65B 5/02 - Machines characterised by incorporation of means for making the containers or receptacles
B65B 5/10 - Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles
B65B 7/20 - Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by folding-down preformed flaps
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Downloadable tablet application software in relation to packaging machines, featuring, setup, startup and changeover how-tos, maintenance how-tos, diagnostic tools, performance evaluation tools, performance management tools, technical support aids, and real time consultation
7.
System and process for forming retained container groups from arrayed container groups
A system for forming retained container groups from an arrayed container group (ACG) via application of an adapted retainer blank to the ACG is generally provided. The system is advantageously characterized by a container conveyance apparatus for conveying arrayed container groups, a supply of retainer blanks from which retainer blanks are dispensable, and a processing station characterized by a segment of the container conveyance apparatus, a die block, for receipt of a dispensed retainer blank from the supply of retainer blanks, and a robotic arm equipped with an end of arm tool (EOAT). The robotic arm is operable so as to selectively position the EOAT within the processing station, the EOAT positionable for urged engagement of a dispensed retainer blank received upon the die block so as to form and secure an adapted retainer blank, the robotic arm thereafter positionable to register the secured adapted retainer blank with a conveyed ACG conveyed on the segment of the container conveyance apparatus of the processing station, the robotic arm further positionable to apply the secured adapted retainer blank to the registered conveyed ACG to thereby form at least two retained container group packs from the registered conveyed ACG.
A robotic end of arm tool to effectuate loaded case closure is provided. The tool includes a loaded case flap folding assembly to effectuate folding of flaps extending from a first case panel of a loaded case and, advantageously, loaded case squaring assemblies. The folding assembly includes flap engaging elements, a linkage and an actuator, the flap engaging elements operatively united with the linkage, the linkage actuatable via the actuator in furtherance of causing the flap engaging elements to engage the flaps extending from the first case panel. Flap engaging elements include a first flap engaging element for engagement with a first flap extending from the first case panel of the loaded case, and second and third flap engaging elements for engagement with second and third flaps opposingly extending from the first case panel, each of the second and third flaps adjacent the first flap.
B65B 7/20 - Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by folding-down preformed flaps
A case setup apparatus is generally provided. The apparatus is characterized by a robotic arm and a case engaging apparatus carried by the robotic arm. The case engaging apparatus is characterized by a picker arm assembly for picking a case blank from a source of case blanks, and a rack arm assembly for attaching to a picked case blank. The picker arm assembly is fixedly supported within the case engaging apparatus and the rack arm assembly is pivotably supported, relative to the picker arm assembly, within the case engaging apparatus. A flap folding subassembly is provided and translatably supported within the case engaging apparatus for reversible travel parallel to the picker arm assembly. The subassembly includes flap engaging members, a flap engaging member of the flap engaging members being forwardly extendable to disassociate adjacent flaps of a case blank in advance of folding a flap by the flap engaging members.
An article processing station is characterized by an accumulating article shaft and robotic EOAT receiving articles entering the shaft. The shaft includes a grouped article receiving deck within an egress portion of the shaft, opposingly paired sidewalls, and an end wall downstream of the sidewalls. The deck includes spaced apart deck fingers, the end wall includes spaced apart wall fingers, and the EOAT includes spaced apart tool fingers. The tool fingers are registerable in relation to spaces of the spaced apart wall fingers and the spaced apart deck fingers so as to pass there through. The tool travels to, through and from the shaft, so as to receive articles entering the ingress portion of the shaft while traveling from the ingress portion towards the egress portion in furtherance of depositing an article group upon the deck during travel from the shaft.
B65G 47/26 - Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles
B65G 47/44 - Arrangements or applications of hoppers or chutes
B65G 47/08 - Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from a single group of articles arranged in orderly pattern, e.g. workpieces in magazines spacing or grouping the articles during feeding
B65G 47/90 - Devices for picking-up and depositing articles or materials
B65G 47/68 - Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors, i.e. discharging or feeding devices adapted to receive articles arriving in one layer from one conveyor and to transfer them in individual layers to more than one conveyor, or vice versa, e.g. combining the flows of articles conveyed by more than one conveyor
An article metering assembly for forming of an article group from a downstream most end portion of a bulk flow of conveyed articles is generally provided. The assembly, in one embodiment, is characterized by a robotic arm, a linkage assembly, and an end effector operatively united with the robotic arm and the linkage assembly such that the end effector is fixedly orientated relative to and overhead of the bulk flow of articles throughout a robotic arm motion cycle. Alternately, the assembly is characterized by a robotic arm in operative combination with an end effector, the end effector selectively oriented in relation to articles of a bulk flow of article during travel about its travel path in furtherance of forming an article group from above.
B65G 47/29 - Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles during transit by a single conveyor by temporarily stopping movement
16.
Auto film splicing assembly with film roll positioner
A splicing assembly for rolled sheet material, including first and second shafts for support of sheet material and a drive assembly for selectively dispensing sheet material. The assembly further includes a splicing apparatus for uniting a replacement with a winding down roll, and an egress guide assembly for receipt of dispensed sheet material exiting the splicing apparatus and passage of same intermediate the shafts. The splicing apparatus includes first and second sealing elements, and first and second carriages adapted and disposed for translation towards their respective sealing elements, a free end portion of sheet material of the replacement roll supported upon the first/second shaft for selective retention by the second/first sheet material carriage, and for translation to, and thereafter with, a portion of sheet material of the winding down roll supported upon the second/first shaft for urged combined engagement with a corresponding sealing element.
B65H 26/00 - Warning or safety devices, e.g. automatic fault detectors, stop-motions, for web-advancing mechanisms
B29C 65/20 - Joining of preformed partsApparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tool with direct contact, e.g. using "mirror"
A top loading assembly is provided. The assembly includes a robotic arm and an article collector assembly supported thereby. The robotic arm is characterized by first and second arm segments and three pivotable arm joints, a first arm joint J1 being a distal arm joint for operatively supporting said collector assembly, a second arm joint J2 being an intermediate arm joint, and a third arm joint J3 being a terminal/anchorable arm joint. The collector assembly, directable from an article collection locus to a collected article loading locus, includes a collector adapted to effectuate select clamping in relation to articles collected by the collector during direction of the collector assembly from the article collection locus to the collected article loading locus.
A vertical form fill and seal apparatus, for packaging particulates, includes a package sealing assembly that has opposed sealing jaws operatively coupled to each other by mechanical connection at a common pivot point. A first jaw actuator is mechanically coupled to the opposed sealing jaws to pivot the jaws in a controlled manner about the common pivot point. A second actuator is mechanically coupled to the package sealing assembly and is configured to impart controlled reciprocating motion to the package sealing assembly. A controller is configured to control the first actuator and to control the second actuator thereby causing the jaws to describe a preset locus of travel, allowing flexibility of type of bag being made without change-out of jaws. The packaging film may move continuously, or may optionally be controlled to move intermittently through the VFFS.
B65B 51/30 - Devices, e.g. jaws, for applying pressure and heat successively, e.g. for subdividing filled tubes
B65B 9/10 - Enclosing successive articles or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs
B65B 9/12 - Subdividing filled tubes to form two or more packages by sealing or securing involving displacement of contents
B65B 9/20 - Enclosing successive articles or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles
B65B 9/213 - Enclosing successive articles or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles the web having intermittent motion
B65B 51/26 - Devices specially adapted for producing transverse or longitudinal seams in webs or tubes
20.
Flexible jaws for vertical fill form and seal apparatus and methods of use
A vertical form fill and seal apparatus, for packaging particulates, includes a package sealing assembly that has opposed sealing jaws operatively coupled to each other by mechanical connection at a common pivot point. A first jaw actuator is mechanically coupled to the opposed sealing jaws to pivot the jaws in a controlled manner about the common pivot point. A second actuator is mechanically coupled to the package sealing assembly and is configured to impart controlled reciprocating motion to the package sealing assembly. A controller is configured to control the first actuator and to control the second actuator thereby causing the jaws to describe a preset locus of travel, allowing flexibility of type of bag being made without change-out of jaws. The packaging film may move continuously, or may optionally be controlled to move intermittently through the VFFS.
B65B 9/207 - Enclosing successive articles or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles the web advancing continuously
B29C 65/00 - Joining of preformed partsApparatus therefor
B65B 9/213 - Enclosing successive articles or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles the web having intermittent motion
B29C 65/74 - Joining of preformed partsApparatus therefor by welding and severing
An article accumulation pattern building load plate assembly is provided. The assembly includes a deck for support of patterned articles, a stop for retaining deck supported articles, and spaced apart guides adjustably positionable in relation to the deck so as to transversely guide articles thereacross towards the stop. Articles of the patterned articles are received at an ingress portion of the assembly from a metered article source, the articles extendable at least across a width of the deck in a direction transverse to an article ingress direction. The stop is adjacent the deck, extending in a direction transverse to the article ingress direction, the stop delimiting an egress portion of the assembly.
B65B 5/06 - Packaging groups of articles, the groups being treated as single articles
B65B 35/44 - Arranging and feeding articles in groups by endless belts or chains
B65G 47/08 - Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from a single group of articles arranged in orderly pattern, e.g. workpieces in magazines spacing or grouping the articles during feeding
B65G 47/46 - Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyors with distribution, e.g. automatically, to desired points
B65G 47/26 - Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles
Apparatus for automatic adjustment of guide rails for guiding articles on a conveyor via lanes is provided. The apparatus includes spaced apart first and second tracks, a carriage for driven travel along the first track, and a guide rail hanger for select slaved travel along the second track by the carriage in furtherance of lane adjustment. The guide rail hanger is operatively linked with a guide rail hanger positioning bar for select reversible affixation with respect thereto in furtherance of establishing a fixed guide rail position relative to the conveyor. A latch assembly, supported by the carriage, has a latch selectively operable for captured carrying of the guide rail hanger along the second track during travel of said carriage, the latch effectuating release of an affixed guide rail hanger from the guide rail hanger positioning bar in furtherance of enabling relocating and re-affixing the guide rail hanger relative to the guide rail hanger positioning bar in advance of captured carrying thereof.
B65G 21/20 - Means incorporated in, or attached to, framework or housings for guiding load-carriers, traction elements or loads supported on moving surfaces
B65G 47/71 - Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors, i.e. discharging or feeding devices adapted to receive articles arriving in one layer from one conveyor and to transfer them in individual layers to more than one conveyor, or vice versa, e.g. combining the flows of articles conveyed by more than one conveyor the articles being discharged to several conveyors
A system for loading an accumulated article group into a case is provided. The system includes an article accumulation station, a grouped article loading station, and a pusher assembly. The accumulation station includes an article receiver assembly in furtherance of delimiting an accumulated article group, and a grouped article guide structure within which the accumulated article group is positionable by operation of the article receiver assembly. The grouped article loading station includes a gate assembly, having first and second operable configurations, and an actuatable gate through which the accumulated article group passes during loading of the group into a case presented for receipt of same. The pusher assembly includes an actuatable pusher for effectuating a transfer of the accumulated article group from the accumulation station to the loading station, flat packing operations effectuated via transfer of the grouped article guide structure over the actuatable gate of the first operably configured pivotable gate assembly by the pusher, vertical packing operations effectuated via transfer of the accumulated article group to the actuatable gate of the second operably configured pivotable gate assembly.
B65B 5/06 - Packaging groups of articles, the groups being treated as single articles
B65B 35/40 - Arranging and feeding articles in groups by reciprocating or oscillatory pushers
B65B 59/00 - Arrangements to enable machines to handle articles of different sizes, to produce packages of different sizes, to vary the contents of packages or to give access for cleaning or maintenance purposes
26.
IMPROVED ROBOTIC ARTICLE HANDLING SYSTEM & OPERATIONS
A top loading assembly is provided. The assembly includes a robotic arm and an article collector assembly supported thereby. The robotic arm is characterized by first and second arm segments and three pivotable arm joints, a first arm joint J1 being a distal arm joint for operatively supporting said collector assembly, a second arm joint J2 being an intermediate arm joint, and a third arm joint J3 being a terminal/anchorable arm joint. The collector assembly, directable from an article collection locus to a collected article loading locus, includes a collector adapted to effectuate select clamping in relation to articles collected by the collector during direction of the collector assembly from the article collection locus to the collected article loading locus.
A splicing assembly for rolled sheet material, including first and second shafts for support of sheet material and a drive assembly for selectively dispensing sheet material. The assembly further includes a splicing apparatus for uniting a replacement with a winding down roll, and an egress guide assembly for receipt of dispensed sheet material exiting the splicing apparatus and passage of same intermediate the shafts. The splicing apparatus includes first and second sealing elements, and first and second carriages adapted and disposed for translation towards their respective sealing elements, a free end portion of sheet material of the replacement roll supported upon the first/ second shaft for selective retention by the second/ first sheet material carriage, and for translation to, and thereafter with, a portion of sheet material of the winding down roll supported upon the second/ first shaft for urged combined engagement with a corresponding sealing element.
An article processing method is generally provided, namely, a method in furtherance of the formation of a split or splittable article pack. Spaced apart article groups are formed from a stream of articles. Each panel of panels of a supply of panels is passed through a processing station for execution of a processing step so as to establish a stream of processed panels. A processed panel of the stream of processed panels is associated with an article group of the spaced apart article groups so as to form a splittable article pack. The splittable article pack may be bundled for subsequent splitting, or split via in-line processing and discrete sub-packs having origins in the split splittable article pack bundled.
B65B 17/02 - Joining articles, e.g. cans, directly to each other for convenience of storage, transport, or handling
B65B 35/30 - Arranging and feeding articles in groups
B65B 61/02 - Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for perforating, scoring, or applying code or date marks on material prior to packaging
B65B 61/12 - Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for severing webs, or for separating joined packages by tearing along perforations or lines of weakness
B65D 71/42 - Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottlesBales of material comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed by folding a blank formed by folding a single blank into a single layer element
B65B 11/00 - Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material
B65B 11/08 - Wrapping articles, or quantities of material, by conveying wrapper and contents in defined paths in a single straight path
Apparatus for automatic adjustment of guide rails for guiding articles on a conveyor via lanes is provided. The apparatus includes spaced apart first and second tracks, a carriage for driven travel along the first track, and a guide rail hanger for select slaved travel along the second track by the carriage in furtherance of lane adjustment. The guide rail hanger is operatively linked with a guide rail hanger positioning bar for select reversible affixation with respect thereto in furtherance of establishing a fixed guide rail position relative to the conveyor. A latch assembly, supported by the carriage, has a latch selectively operable for captured carrying of the guide rail hanger along the second track during travel of said carriage, the latch effectuating release of an affixed guide rail hanger from the guide rail hanger positioning bar in furtherance of enabling relocating and re-affixing the guide rail hanger relative to the guide rail hanger positioning bar in advance of captured carrying thereof.
Automatic changeover module for attachment to packaging machines that permits automatic adjustment for various SKU's, products and case sizing; packing machines
32.
Apparatus and method for a structurally resilient package
A method and apparatus for making a structurally resilient package having a substantially box-shaped configuration is disclosed. A pillow pouch package is received onto a flighted conveyor. The pillow pouch package has a first squared end and an angular end located opposite to the first squared end. The pillow pouch package is received so that the first squared end rests on the flighted conveyor. Thereafter the pillow pouch package is conditioned at least in part by tamping the angular end with a tamping plate. The angular end of the package is subsequently heat treated to form a second squared end. A set of cooling plates is then applied to the second squared end to set the final shape and form the structurally resilient package having a substantially box-shaped configuration.
B65B 61/24 - Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for shaping or reshaping completed packages
B65B 61/28 - Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for discharging completed packages from machines
B65B 51/32 - Cooling, or cooling and pressing, package closures after heat-sealing
B65D 75/00 - Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
B65D 75/58 - Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
33.
Method and apparatus for making a structurally resilient package
A method and apparatus for making a structurally resilient package with a desired shape on a vertical form, fill, and seal machine. The method comprises sealing a film to form a back seal; forming a first end seal to form a partially formed first package; flattening a first side of the partially formed first package to form a flat first side; filling the partially formed first package with product; forming a second end seal on the partially formed first package to form a first package from the partially formed first package; flattening the second side of the first package to form a flat second side, wherein the flattening the first side and the flattening the second side occur on a first machine.
B65B 9/20 - Enclosing successive articles or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles
B65B 61/28 - Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for discharging completed packages from machines
B65B 51/30 - Devices, e.g. jaws, for applying pressure and heat successively, e.g. for subdividing filled tubes
B65B 61/24 - Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for shaping or reshaping completed packages
B65B 9/213 - Enclosing successive articles or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles the web having intermittent motion
B29C 65/18 - Joining of preformed partsApparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tool
B29C 65/74 - Joining of preformed partsApparatus therefor by welding and severing
B29C 65/00 - Joining of preformed partsApparatus therefor
B29C 65/08 - Joining of preformed partsApparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using ultrasonic vibrations
An article metering system is primarily comprised of a conveyor section, for receipt of a bulk flow of articles and conveyance of spaced apart metered article groups downstream of an ingress portion thereof, and an article metering station characterized by an article metering apparatus characterized by a drive assembly and a driven member driven thereby. The driven member includes an end effector for select positioning between adjacent articles of articles of the bulk flow of articles received by the conveyor section in furtherance of delimiting a downstream spaced apart metered article group characterized by a select number of columns. The drive assembly includes cooperatively driven servo drives to effectuate travel of the end effector in either of a downstream article flow direction or an upstream article flow direction, and an up/down direction in relation to articles of the bulk flow of articles received by the conveyor section.
B65G 47/26 - Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles
36.
Apparatus and methods for loading product into cases
Product can be conveyed on a divider conveyor (16) in the same orientation or perpendicular to the orientation as when transferred from an input conveyor (12) as well as at different locations in the pack pattern to be cased by moving the divider conveyor (16) perpendicular to the conveying direction and/or by varying the conveying speed of the divider conveyor (16). The divider conveyor (16) transfers product onto an upper containment plate (40) moveable to an inoperative position to transfer product to a lower containment plate (36) moveable to an inoperative position to transfer product to a table (28). Product can be compressed between the table (28) and the upper containment plate (40) and can be pushed by a loader plate (32) into a case when the table (28) is in its lower position.
B65G 47/68 - Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors, i.e. discharging or feeding devices adapted to receive articles arriving in one layer from one conveyor and to transfer them in individual layers to more than one conveyor, or vice versa, e.g. combining the flows of articles conveyed by more than one conveyor
B65B 5/06 - Packaging groups of articles, the groups being treated as single articles
B65B 5/08 - Packaging groups of articles, the articles being individually gripped or guided for transfer to the containers or receptacles
B65B 5/10 - Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles
B65B 35/24 - Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by endless belts or chains
B65B 35/50 - Stacking one article, or group of articles, upon another before packaging
B65B 35/56 - Orientating, i.e. changing the attitude of, articles, e.g. of non-uniform cross-section
B65G 47/244 - Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors orientating the articles by turning them about an axis substantially perpendicular to the conveying plane
B65G 57/03 - Stacking of articles by adding to the top of the stack from above
An apparatus for stacking items (I) includes first and second pluralities of stacker shelves (22) extending towards each other in spaced and parallel operative sections and each moving along first and second endless paths. The stacker shelves (22) are switchable by a switch (350) between extended and retracted positions. The stacker shelves (22) in retracted positions in the operative sections are operatively spaced from the item (I) received on the corresponding stacker shelves (22) in extended positions. In preferred aspects, the stacker shelves (22) are slideable relative to first and second plurality of carriers (310) carried along the first and second endless paths by roller chains (304). The switch (350) switches a cam follower (328) on each of the stacker shelves (22) into one of first and second cam tracks (342, 344) as the stacker shelves (22) enter the operative sections of the endless paths.
B65G 47/26 - Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles
B65G 57/30 - Stacking of articles by adding to the bottom of the stack
A system for spacing conveyed articles is generally provided. The system advantageously includes an apparatus for conveying articles characterized by a driven loop element and a plurality of article selectors, each article selector adapted for select reversible engagement with the driven loop element. A queuing station, characterized by an ingress and egress portions wherein article selectors are retained for select dispensing, is likewise provided and includes a first actuator to facilitate disengagement of article selectors from the driven loop element, and a second actuator to facilitate engagement of article selectors with the driven loop element. An assembly for selectively dispensing article selectors from the queuing station is further provided.
A vacuum table (18) includes an introduction section (102) in fluid communication with a vacuum chamber (120) and a compartment (139) dividable by an adjustment partition (156) into primary and secondary vacuum chambers (139a, 139b). Adjustment plates (130) having adjustment apertures (138) are positionable over apertures (128) of the conveying surface (100) of the vacuum table (18) generally perpendicular to the conveying direction. Film (20) extends from between the nip of pinch rollers (12, 13) to the conveying surface (100) and is tensioned therebetween to be cut in excess of 105 cuts per minute by a servo motor controlled rotary cutter (30) which stops after each cut. The shaft (32) of the rotary cutter (30) includes a bore (310) extending from the idle end to provide servo-control loop stability.
B65B 61/06 - Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for severing webs, or for separating joined packages by cutting
B65B 61/12 - Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for severing webs, or for separating joined packages by tearing along perforations or lines of weakness
B65B 61/08 - Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for severing webs, or for separating joined packages by cutting using rotary cutters
B26D 1/38 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a non-circular cutting member moving about an axis parallel to the line of cut and coacting with a fixed blade or other fixed member
40.
APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR LOADING PRODUCT INTO CASES
Product can be conveyed on a divider conveyor (16) in the same orientation or perpendicular to the orientation as when transferred from an input conveyor (12) as well as at different locations in the pack pattern to be cased by moving the divider conveyor (16) perpendicular to the conveying direction and/or by varying the conveying speed of the divider conveyor (16). The divider conveyor (16) transfers product onto an upper containment plate (40) moveable to an inoperative position to transfer product to a lower containment plate (36) moveable to an inoperative position to transfer product to a table (28). Product can be compressed between the table (28) and the upper containment plate (40) and can be pushed by a loader plate (32) into a case when the table (28) is in its lower position.
A device, and apparatus/system incorporating same, for manipulating portions of a carton in furtherance of carton closure is provided. The device includes a flap manipulator, e.g., an arm or paddle, a flap manipulator support, and a flap manipulator guide. The flap manipulator is actuatable for driven engagement with adjacent flaps of the carton and is characterized by opposing first and second end portions with the flap manipulator guide operatively linked to the first end portion of the flap manipulator. The first end portion of the flap manipulator is reversibly translatable in relation to the flap manipulator support upon select actuation of the flap manipulator. The second end portion of the flap manipulator thereby travels in a reversible path delimited by the flap manipulator guide in furtherance of driven engagement of the second end portion of the flap manipulator with the adjacent flaps of the carton.
B31B 5/00 - Machinery characterised by making boxes or cartons by folding single-piece sheets which can be set-up from a collapsed condition, including setting-up and recollapsing to break creases
A plow (152) is inserted between first major and minor flaps (14, 17) as a case (12) is slid on parallel slide bars (110, 112). Thereafter, the case (12) is unfolded by moving a securement device (120) in a linear direction perpendicular to the fold lines between the first major and minor flaps (14, 17) and the first end panel (18), with the case (12) located between parallel locators (130, 132). Pushers (154, 156) push the first and second major flaps (14) and the second minor flap (16) outwardly. The first and second major flaps slide in channels (26) in a queuing guide (22) and a transport guide (48) aligned with the queuing guide (22). The transport guide (48) can be moved forward to receive a funnel (80) in a load position and can be moved rearward to a hand-off position where the transport guide (48) can be pivoted to a horizontal position. The minor flaps (16, 17) are controlled by sliding on an end slide (32) intermediate and parallel to the channels (26) in the queuing guide (22) and by being sandwiched in a deflector (68) and between clamping plates (62) pivotally mounted to the channels (26) in the transport guide (48).
B31B 5/76 - Opening and distending flattened articles
B65B 43/14 - Feeding individual bags or carton blanks from piles or magazines
B65B 43/26 - Opening or distending bagsOpening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks
B65B 43/42 - Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up stateFeeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging positionLocating containers or receptacles at the filling positionSupporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation
43.
APPARATUS, SYSTEM & METHOD FOR ADJUSTABLE WRAPPING
A wrapping apparatus, system, station and/or process is generally provided. The apparatus includes a wrap bar for engaging and directing a wrapper about the product, a wrap bar carrier from which the wrap bar extends, and a drive assembly operatively linked to the wrap bar carrier. A carrier block translatingly retains the carrier intermediate opposing end portions thereof and is adapted for driven rotation about a wrapping axis of the apparatus so as to thereby rotatingly drive the bar about the axis via rotation of the carrier. The drive assembly, which is operatively linked to the carrier, selectively translates the carrier in relation to the carrier block during driven rotation of the carrier such that a radial distance for the bar from the axis is thereby capable of selective establishment in furtherance of delimiting a wrap bar travel path commensurate with the product profile of the product.
B65B 11/10 - Wrapping articles, or quantities of material, by conveying wrapper and contents in defined paths in a single straight path to fold the wrappers in tubular form about contents
An apparatus for stacking items (I) includes first and second pluralities of stacker shelves (22) extending towards each other in spaced and parallel operative sections and each moving along first and second endless paths. The stacker shelves (22) are switchable by a switch (350) between extended and retracted positions. The stacker shelves (22) in retracted positions in the operative sections are operatively spaced from the item (I) received on the corresponding stacker shelves (22) in extended positions. In preferred aspects, the stacker shelves (22) are slideable relative to first and second plurality of carriers (310) carried along the first and second endless paths by roller chains (304). The switch (350) switches a cam follower (328) on each of the stacker shelves (22) into one of first and second cam tracks (342, 344) as the stacker shelves (22) enter the operative sections of the endless paths.
A method for compacting a slug of product and apparatus for accomplishing the same. The invention describes collecting weighed product in an intermediate settling device to form a compact slug of product. The device can comprise a single settling chamber or can comprise multiple settling chambers which are axially rotatable. The slug can be compacted by jostling and/or vibrating the settling device. Thereafter, the product is discharged to a packaging apparatus. Because the product in the final package is denser, a smaller package can be utilized reducing manufacturing and shipping costs.
A plurality of reagent dispensing tips (15) are inserted through frustoconical openings (28) in a cover (16) of a cleaning chamber in the form of intersecting axial bores (14) and sprayed with wash fluid from spray passages (34) in the peripheral wall (20) of the cover (16). Wash fluid from the spray passages (34) and flowing through the reagent dispensing tips (15), if hollow, can be drained from the cleaning chamber through a drain port (42). Air is drawn through the frustoconical openings (28) around the reagent dispensing tips (15) into the cleaning chamber, through filter element (64) and from a waste chamber (50) by a vacuum source (78) to remove wash fluid from and otherwise dry the reagent dispensing tips (15).
A method for compacting a slug of product and apparatus for accomplishing the same. The invention describes collecting weighed product in an intermediate settling device to form a compact slug of product. The device can comprise a single settling chamber or can comprise multiple settling chambers which are axially rotatable. The slug can be compacting by jostling and/or vibrating the settling device. Thereafter, the product is discharged to a packaging apparatus. Because the product in the final package is denser, a smaller package can be utilized reducing manufacturing and shipping costs.
A method for compacting a slug of product and apparatus for accomplishing the same. The invention describes collecting weighed product in an intermediate settling device to form a compact slug of product. The device can comprise a single settling chamber or can comprise multiple settling chambers which are axially rotatable. The slug can be compacting by jostling and/or vibrating the settling device. Thereafter, the product is discharged to a packaging apparatus. Because the product in the final package is denser, a smaller package can be utilized reducing manufacturing and shipping costs.
B65G 47/08 - Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from a single group of articles arranged in orderly pattern, e.g. workpieces in magazines spacing or grouping the articles during feeding
50.
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CREATING OFFSET PACK PATTERNS
Product is conveyed as continuous streams between lane dividers (222) by metering conveyors (210-216) onto a transfer plate (32) and a transfer device (42) including first and second supports (42A, 42B). The transfer device (42) is movable between retracted and extended positions extending over a sweep conveyor (22) by securing its trailing and leading ends to flexible belts (106, 206) on opposite longitudinal sides of the sweep conveyor (22). Product is transferred from the second support (42B) to the sweep conveyor (22) and from the first support (42A) to the second support (42B) as the transfer device (42) moves from the extended position to the retracted position and is engaged by a metering bar (52B) which controls the product acceleration on the sweep conveyor (22) and by a metering bar (52A) which prevents unmetered product from tipping downstream. Sweep bars (62a, 62aa) collect the product on the sweep conveyor (22).
B65B 35/40 - Arranging and feeding articles in groups by reciprocating or oscillatory pushers
B65B 35/44 - Arranging and feeding articles in groups by endless belts or chains
B65G 47/08 - Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from a single group of articles arranged in orderly pattern, e.g. workpieces in magazines spacing or grouping the articles during feeding
A scanning photometer and attendant methods are provided. The scanning photometer is generally characterized by first and second fluorophore excitation sources, an objective lens, and a common emission detector for the detection of first and second fluorophore emission originating from the excitation of the fluorophores via passage of excitation energy, via an optical path of the objective lens, from the excitation sources. Excitation energy and emission energy conditioning elements are likewise provided, operatively interposed before or after the objective lens as the case may be.
A sealing station (10) includes a shell (100) having holes (106) extending between inner and outer peripheries (102, 104) and arranged in a pattern to receive wells (30) of a carrier tape (20) directed on a portion of the outer periphery (104). Spaced, raised surfaces (150) are formed on the outer periphery (104) concentrically around and corresponding to the plurality of holes (106). A press roller (130) sandwiches a seal tape (60) against the carrier tape (20) in turn sandwiched against the spaced, raised surfaces (150) of the outer periphery (104) of the shell (100) to bond the seal tape (60) to the carrier tape (20) at areas corresponding to the spaced, raised surfaces (150).
G01N 35/00 - Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups Handling materials therefor
B01L 3/00 - Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glasswareDroppers
B29C 51/00 - Shaping by thermoforming, e.g. shaping sheets in matched moulds or by deep-drawingApparatus therefor
B29C 65/02 - Joining of preformed partsApparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
B65B 1/00 - Packaging fluent solid material, e.g. powders, granular or loose fibrous material, loose masses of small articles, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans or jars
54.
APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PERFORMING REAL TIME PCR IN ARRAY TAPE
A carrier tape (20) wound on and extending between first and second spools (40) rotatably mounted to a read head (12) is submerged with a detector (44) mounted on a guide mechanism (42) into a fluid thermal media in the form of water or air contained in tanks (76-79). While submerged, the carrier tape (20) can be wound from one spool (40) to another. Further, the read head (12) can be plunged multiple times in opposite directions in the fluid thermal media. The detector (44) allows readings while the carrier tape (20) and the contents carried thereby are submerged in the fluid thermal media and can be a multi-channel, time-resolving photometer measuring fluorescence with at least one channel per row of wells (30) arranged in an array.
A microplate (10) includes a carrier (12) having a plate (20) and an annular perimeter wall (30) to define a recess (34). An array of holes (26) extends through the plate (20). A tape piece (16), die cut from a flexible tape (60) includes an array of wells (54) each extending through and having an opening (56) extending into the well (54). The array of wells (54) has a number and locations corresponding to the array of holes (26). The openings (56) have sizes corresponding to the holes (26). An upper surface (50) of the tape piece (16) is abutted with and bonded to the bottom face (24) of the plate (20) with the openings (56) corresponding to the array of holes (26). The slideable receipt of an annular outer periphery (58) of the tape piece (16) insures that the array of wells (54) are aligned to correspond to the array of holes (26) as die cutting of tape piece (16) insures that the array of wells (54) are at consistent positions relative to the annular outer periphery (58).
Product is conveyed as a continuous stream by a meter conveyor (12) unto a transfer plate (32) and a transfer device (42) including first and second supports (42A, 42B) each in the form of a thin piece of flexible material. The transfer device (42) is movable between retracted and extended positions extending over a sweep conveyor (22) by securing its trailing and leading ends to flexible belts (106, 206) on opposite longitudinal sides of the sweep conveyor (22). Product is transferred from the second support (42B) to the sweep conveyor (22) and from the first support (42A) to the second support (42B) as the transfer device (42) moves from the extended position to the retracted position and is engaged by a metering bar (52B) which controls the product acceleration on the sweep conveyor (22) and by a metering bar (52A) which prevents unmetered product from tipping downstream. A sweep bar (62a) which collects the product on the sweep conveyor (22).
B65G 47/08 - Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from a single group of articles arranged in orderly pattern, e.g. workpieces in magazines spacing or grouping the articles during feeding
60.
HIGH THROUGHPUT SCREENING EMPLOYING COMBINATION OF DISPENSING WELL PLATE DEVICE AND ARRAY TAPE
High throughput screening is performed by directing an array tape (60) provided with a plurality of wells arranged in rows and columns into a dispensing well plate device (25) having various row and column actuators (40, 50). With the wells containing samples to be tested, activating select ones of row and column actuators (40, 50) of the dispensing well plate device (25), as well as causing relative shifting between the actuators (40, 50) and the array tape (60), enables fluid to be dispensed from one or more nozzles of the dispensing well plate device (25) into predetermined ones of the plurality of wells in a wide range of patterns.
Product is conveyed as a continuous stream by a meter conveyor (12) unto a transfer plate (32) and a transfer device (42) in the form of a thin piece of flexible material. The transfer device (42) is movable between retracted and extended positions extending over a sweep conveyor (22) by securing its trailing and leading ends to flexible belts (106) on opposite longitudinal sides of the sweep conveyor (22). Product is transferred from the transfer device (42) to the sweep conveyor (22) as the transfer device (42) moves from the extended position to the retracted position and is engaged by a metering bar (52ba) which controls the product acceleration on the sweep conveyor (22) and by a sweep bar (62a) which collects the product on the sweep conveyor (22). The metering and sweep bars (52ba, 62a) move independently in the same direction along the same endless path.
B65G 47/08 - Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from a single group of articles arranged in orderly pattern, e.g. workpieces in magazines spacing or grouping the articles during feeding
B65G 47/84 - Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements
B65G 17/26 - Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriersEndless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface comprising a series of co-operating units, e.g. interconnected by pivots
62.
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SINGULATING MICRO-WELL TAPE
An apparatus (10) for singulating micro-well tape includes a tape drive (12) and a cutting assembly (14). The micro-well tape is advanced into and passes between upper and lower tape retainers (44, 45), with the upper tape retainer (44) including a groove (441) into which a raised ridge (451) of a multiplicity of ridges (450) of the bottom tape retainer (45) extends, with the rows of wells moving between adjacent ridges (450) in a movement direction. When a bar code on the micro-well tape is detected by a sensor 24, a knife blade (30) mounted on a slide block (32) is moved vertically to cut the micro-well tape. The new leading edge of the micro-well tape pushes the cut micro-well tape which is deflected by the raised ridge (451).
A tape adaptor (8) includes a bottom plate (20) and a top plate (60) mounted to the bottom plate (20) with a space (40) defined between an upper side wall (26) of the bottom plate (20) and a lower face (68) of the top plate (60) for receiving a tape segment (100) remaining on or cut from a continuous array tape (10). The tape segment (100) includes an array of wells (54) between two edges (52). A slit (46) is formed between an end (62) of the top plate (60) and an end (22) of the bottom plate (20). The tape segment (100) is slideably extended through the slit (46) into the space (40) with the edges (52) sliding on two ridges (38) on two longitudinal edges (36) of the bottom plate (20). The bottom plate (20) can include at least one groove (30) to receive the array of wells (54) of the tape segment (100). The tape segment (100) is positioned relative to the tape adaptor (8) by the ridges (38) or the groove (30).
An apparatus and method for homing and synchronizing various drive modules (12, 14) for a carrier tape (10) of an instrument (100) initially establishes a phase offset (Pm) and path length (Xm) for each module (12, 14) incorporated into the instrument (100), either before or after homing of the modules (12, 14). In particular, with knowledge of the overall tape path length (Xu) associated with the instrument (100) based on the various individual module path lengths (Xm), a phase offset (Pm) for each drive module (12, 14) relative to the total path length (Xu) for the tape (10) is determined through the use of position sensors (102) provided on the modules (12, 14). From this information, a consensus position is calculated and used to shift the drive pins (18) of the various modules (12, 14) during synchronization. In this fashion, the individual modules (12, 14) are assured to be synchronized to properly interact with and drive the tape (10) during operation of the instrument (100).
B65H 23/188 - Registering, tensioning, smoothing, or guiding webs longitudinally by controlling or regulating the web-advancing mechanism, e.g. mechanism acting on the running web in connection with running-web
A product metering apparatus (10) includes a first product conveyance mechanism (12) conveying product in a continuous stream. A platform (42) supports product and is movable along a closed path between a loading position adjacent to the first product conveyance mechanism (12) and a transfer position adjacent to an output in the form of a second product conveyance mechanism (22) spaced from the first product conveyance mechanism (12) in the conveying direction. The platform (42) in the loading position receives the product in the continuous stream from the first product conveyance mechanism (12) and is then accelerated to a speed greater than the first product conveyance mechanism (12) creating a gap between the product supported on the platform (42) and the product remaining in the continuous stream on the first product conveyance mechanism (12). A sweep bar (52ba) is inserted into the gap and abuts with the product on the platform (42) for assisting transfer of the product on the platform (42) to the output.
B65G 47/08 - Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from a single group of articles arranged in orderly pattern, e.g. workpieces in magazines spacing or grouping the articles during feeding
B65B 35/44 - Arranging and feeding articles in groups by endless belts or chains
Apparatus (10) loads product in the form of bags into a carton held at a tilt angle. The leading ends of the bags on an adjustment conveyor (20) are abutted by a bumper (30) to reorient the bags 90° on the adjustment conveyor (20). The downstream roller (44) of a twist conveyor (40) is tilted to collate bags on a decline conveyor (70). The collated bags are moved on an orientation conveyor (74) to engage a product scoop (110) extending at an inclined position and moved to a vertical position to vertically orient the bags. The orientation conveyor (74) is moved to an offset position to allow the bags to drop onto a lowerator (92) of an accumulator (86) where they can be sandwiched between retainer plates (88, 90). A pusher plate (94) pushes the bags off the lowerator (92) into the carton and is tilted to correspond to the tilt angle of the carton.
Methods and apparatus (10) for erecting cartons include a device (32) removing the upper carton (12) from a first stack of horizontally arranged cartons and pivots it to a vertical condition. The first stack is elevated by a lifting device (28) as the cartons are removed. A second stack is moved beneath the first stack when it reaches a hand-off elevation. A first connecting device (200) moves the removed carton from the vertical condition to in front of a planar plate (202) and a second connecting device (220). Suction cups (76) in a linear arrangement connect to the carton and are pivotally mounted to a pivotal transform arm (63) and move parallel to the planar plate (202). Tuckers (226, 228, 230) close the closure flaps of the carton, and a piece of tape is applied by a tape dispenser (236) thereover.
B31B 5/80 - Opening and distending flattened articles pneumatically
B65G 59/04 - De-stacking from the top of the stack by suction or magnetic devices
B65G 61/00 - Use of pick-up or transfer devices or of manipulators for stacking or de-stacking articles not otherwise provided for
B65H 1/30 - Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated with means for replenishing the pile during continuous separation of articles therefrom
68.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING LUGGAGE MISHANDLING IN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS
A method of protecting luggage from tampering includes steps of receiving a piece of luggage at a baggage check-in station (1302), and encoding passenger and routing information at the baggage check-in station onto an identification tag (1304). The identification tag is attached to the piece of luggage (1306). The piece of luggage is placed on a baggage conveyor and conveyed to a security inspection station inside a secure area that excludes all unauthorized s personnel (1308). The piece of luggage is conveyed on the baggage conveyor to a scanning station to detect and decode the passenger and routing information on the identification tag (1310). The piece of luggage is conveyed on the baggage conveyor to a wrapping station (1312). When an identification tag is detected, the method continues from step (1316), otherwise from step (1322). When the identification tag indicates that the piece of luggage is to be wrapped, the method continues from step (1320), otherwise from step (1322). The piece of luggage is wrapped automatically (1320). The piece of luggage is conveyed through the wrapping station to a baggage receiving station (1322).
B64F 1/32 - Ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations for handling freight
B65B 11/50 - Enclosing articles, or quantities of material, by disposing contents between two sheets, e.g. pocketed sheets, and securing their opposed free margins
