IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
UP-0818835
(2007-06-15)
|
등록번호 |
US-7703260
(2010-05-20)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
2 인용 특허 :
12 |
초록
▼
An apparatus, system and method in which containers are packed with articles for shipping, handling, and storage purposes. The apparatus includes a rotating disc having arms, which carry packing heads. A conveyor system provides articles and empty containers for packing. The method is further descri
An apparatus, system and method in which containers are packed with articles for shipping, handling, and storage purposes. The apparatus includes a rotating disc having arms, which carry packing heads. A conveyor system provides articles and empty containers for packing. The method is further described as being of an un-interrupted nature and therefore the apparatus and method will be referred to as a continuous motion case packing machine.
대표청구항
▼
What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for packing containers, comprising: an upper disc surrounding a center column and having a plurality of arms, wherein said upper disc rotates around said center column through a primary drive at a constant speed, and wherein each of said plurality of arms rotates
What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for packing containers, comprising: an upper disc surrounding a center column and having a plurality of arms, wherein said upper disc rotates around said center column through a primary drive at a constant speed, and wherein each of said plurality of arms rotates around said center column at a variable speed relative to said constant speed; a packing head connected to each of said plurality of arms; a conveyor system operatively connected to said upper disc, wherein said conveyor system comprises an article conveyor having a first elevation, a container conveyor having a second elevation and a packed container conveyor having a third elevation; and an escalator carrier system that is operatively connected to said upper disc, wherein said escalator carrier system includes an escalator carrier for each of said plurality of arms. 2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said upper disc includes a top disc, a bottom disc and a center guide, and wherein said plurality of arms are in juxtaposed relation to said center guide. 3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said top disc includes a plurality of slots, wherein each of said plurality of slots is over one of said plurality of arms. 4. The apparatus as recited in claim 3, further comprising a secondary drive connected to said top disc and to each of said plurality of arms through said plurality of slots, respectively. 5. The apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said secondary drive is a pair of pneumatic cylinders for each of said plurality of arms, wherein said pair of pneumatic cylinders are connected to each other so as to achieve linear movement with relation to each other. 6. The apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said pair of pneumatic cylinders includes an upper cylinder and a lower cylinder, and wherein said upper cylinder moves each of said plurality of arms, respectively, from a first position relative to the length of said one of said plurality of slots to a second position relative to the length of one of said plurality of slots and back to said first position, and wherein said second position is retarded from said first position. 7. The apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said lower cylinder moves each of said plurality of arms, respectively from said first position to a third position relative to the length of said one of said plurality of slots and back to said first position, and wherein said third position is advanced from said first position. 8. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said primary drive includes an electric motor and gear reducer operatively connected to a pinion that is operatively connected to a geared bearing, and wherein said geared bearing is mounted to said center column. 9. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said packing head includes an upper plate, a lower plate, a base, and a plurality of grippers. 10. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein each of said plurality of arms includes an aperture, wherein said base includes a flange, and wherein said aperture is dimensioned to receive and engage said flange. 11. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein each of said plurality of grippers includes a tube, a first and second external cam, and a first and second spring-loaded plug. 12. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said tube is between said first and second external cams, and wherein said first and second spring-loaded plugs are mounted to said tube. 13. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said tube is mounted to said lower plate, and wherein each of said first and said second cams is mounted to said upper plate. 14. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a lower disc connected to said upper disc by a plurality of vertical rods. 15. The apparatus as recited in claim 14, further comprising a guide surrounding said lower disc that is concentric to the center axis of said center column, wherein said guide is a continuous track having changes in elevation relative to said column. 16. The apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said escalator carrier moveably engages said plurality of vertical rods and said guide. 17. The apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein said escalator carrier includes a platform and a carrier plate, wherein said carrier plate includes vertical cam followers for engaging said plurality of rods and a guide cam follower for engaging said guide. 18. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a container loading device that is operatively connected to said container conveyor, wherein said container loading device includes a press for moving containers onto said escalator carrier. 19. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a container unloading device including a guide rail that is mounted at an elevation above the surface of said packed container conveyor sufficient to allow said escalator carrier to pass between said guide rail and said packed container conveyor. 20. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said escalator carrier comprises: a platform connected to a connecting plate, wherein said connecting plate has a vertical cam follower and a horizontal cam follower; and an escalator carrier guide that is a continuous track having changes in elevation wherein said horizontal cam follower is operatively connected to said escalator carrier guide. 21. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said packing head comprises: an upper plate, a lower plate, a base, and a plurality of grippers, wherein each of said plurality of grippers includes a tube, a first and second external cam, and a first and second spring-loaded plug, wherein said tube is between said first and second external cams, and wherein said first and second spring-loaded plugs are mounted to said tube, and wherein said tube is mounted to said lower plate, and wherein each of said first and said second cams is mounted to said upper plate. 22. A method for packing containers, comprising: providing an upper disc surrounding a center column and having an arm wherein said upper disc rotates around said center column through a primary drive at a constant speed and direction, and wherein said arm rotates around said center column at a variable speed and direction relative to said constant speed and direction of said upper disc; providing a packing head connected to said arm; providing a conveyor system operatively connected to said upper disc, wherein said conveyor system comprises an article conveyor having a first elevation, a container conveyor having a second elevation and a packed container conveyor having a third elevation; providing an escalator carrier that is operatively connected to said upper disc, wherein said escalator carrier includes a guide surrounding said upper disc that is concentric to the center axis of said center column, wherein said guide is a continuous track having changes in elevation relative to said column; providing an article for packing on said article conveyor; moving said article conveyor so that said article approaches a point relative to said upper disc; providing an empty container to said escalator carrier; accelerating the speed of said arm relative to said constant velocity of said upper disc so that said one arm approaches said point; reversing the direction of said arm relative to said constant direction of said upper disc; decelerating the speed of said arm to about said constant speed of said upper disc; retrieving said article by said packing head; reversing the direction of said arm to the same direction as said constant direction of said upper disc; accelerating the speed of said arm relative to said constant speed of said upper disc; moving said escalator carrier along said guide so that said empty container approaches said retrieved article; packing said empty container by said packing head.
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