초록 ▼

A packaging machine having multiple modules each performing a separate function in a packaging sequence. The modules are building blocks that are assembled to define a packaging machine. An infeed conveyor/lane divider module, a blank magazine and infeed tray module, a collation and synchronization

A packaging machine having multiple modules each performing a separate function in a packaging sequence. The modules are building blocks that are assembled to define a packaging machine. An infeed conveyor/lane divider module, a blank magazine and infeed tray module, a collation and synchronization module, a gluing and closing module, a turning module, a stacking module, a film cutting module, a film wrapping module and a heat shrink module are selectively assembled in various combinations to define machines that pack articles into trays, wrap the articles with heat shrink film, turn the packages, stack the packages for multi-tier packages, or any combination of these functions. The modules each have an independent conveyor driven by an onboard servo drive. The servo drives are coordinated to provide controlled flow of articles from module to module. The servo drives are all connected to and controlled by a supervisory computer such that no mechanical connection between modules is required.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A machine for packaging articles comprising:multiple mechanically independent modules, each of said modules performing a discrete function in the packaging of said articles arranged such that said machine is alternately defined as a tray shrink packer, pad shrink packer, shrink packer, stacker an

1. A machine for packaging articles comprising:multiple mechanically independent modules, each of said modules performing a discrete function in the packaging of said articles arranged such that said machine is alternately defined as a tray shrink packer, pad shrink packer, shrink packer, stacker and turner by inserting and removing selected of said multiple mechanically independent modules; means for conveying said articles through said machine comprising an individual conveyor means on each of said multiple mechanically independent modules, each of said individual conveyor means being mechanically independent from all other said individual conveyor means; and means for coordinating said means for conveying to provide a flow of articles from each of said multiple modules to the next without mechanically linking said means for conveying.