Automated clipping packaging apparatus and associated devices, methods, systems and computer program products
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B65B-051/00
B65B-051/09
출원번호
US-0151669
(2005-06-13)
등록번호
US-8584436
(2013-11-19)
발명자
/ 주소
Griggs, Samuel D.
May, Dennis J.
Wince, David T.
Poteat, William M.
Brown, Derek L.
출원인 / 주소
Tipper Tie, Inc.
대리인 / 주소
Myers Bigel Sibley & Sajovec, P.A.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
60
초록▼
Methods, devices and computer program products automatically or semi-automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by pulling a covering material upstream of a product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the
Methods, devices and computer program products automatically or semi-automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by pulling a covering material upstream of a product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute, then applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the covering material.
대표청구항▼
1. An automated or semi-automated clipper mechanism for attaching at least one closure clip to a product held in covering material, comprising: a pivotable clipper mechanism having a clipper body configured to automatically deliver clips to a clip window and attach at least one clip to gathered cove
1. An automated or semi-automated clipper mechanism for attaching at least one closure clip to a product held in covering material, comprising: a pivotable clipper mechanism having a clipper body configured to automatically deliver clips to a clip window and attach at least one clip to gathered covering material,wherein the clipper body is attached to an actuator that moves the clipper body through an automatic stroke cycle that comprises a first retracted home position, a second pre-clip dwell position, and a third clipping position, wherein the clipper body moves forward from the first home position to the second pre-clip dwell position, pauses, then moves forward again from the pre-clip dwell position to the third clipping position. 2. An apparatus for packaging at least one product in a covering material in combination with the clipper mechanism of claim 1, comprising: an elongate product chute having an outer surface and opposing receiving and discharge end portions with an interior cavity extending therethrough, wherein the clipper mechanism is disposed downstream of the product chute, the clipper mechanism configured to automatically apply at least one clip to a covering material that encloses a product after the product exits the product chute when the clipper body is in the third clipping position. 3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second pre-clip dwell position is about 75% of the stroke distance between the first and third clipper body positions, the apparatus further comprising a supply of covering material arranged to surround the exterior surface of at least a portion of the product chute and extend in tension in the downstream direction to cover the product as the product exits the discharge end portion of the product chute. 4. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the supply of covering material comprises a sleeve of netting. 5. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the clipper body is configured to travel from the first home position to the second pre-clip dwell position while a product is exiting the product chute. 6. An apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising an automated handle maker in communication with the covering material and disposed downstream of the product chute proximate the clipper mechanism, wherein the clipper body travels from the first position to the second position while the handle maker is forming a handle to thereby reduce clip cycle time. 7. An apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a modular mounting frame with a plurality of apertures formed in predetermined locations on both right and left hand sides of the frame, the aperture locations providing alignment and/or mounting apertures for the clipper mechanism when mounted on the right or left hand side of the frame, wherein the handle maker and the clipper mechanism are configured to be selectively mounted to either a right or left hand side of the modular mounting frame and align to a desired operating position irrespective of which side the handle maker and/or clipper mechanism are mounted to the frame. 8. An apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a mounting frame configured to pivotably hold the clipper mechanism; anda printer located downstream of the product chute, the printer having an output port with a flat tag guide held on a printer platform that is mounted to the mounting frame at a location that automatically feeds a printed tag from the printer onto a product during operation, wherein the printer platform is configured to pivot outwardly away from an axial center line of the product chute to thereby allow access to the printer for replacement of a roll of consumable tags and provide increased precision re-alignment of the tag guide with an operative location of a tag feed plate attached to a lower portion of the clipper body upon repositioning into operative position. 9. An apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a weighing station disposed upstream of the product chute in communication with the printer, wherein the weighing station is configured to serially weigh a plurality of discrete products and electronically transmit product weights in FIFO queue order to the printer, wherein the printer is configured to automatically print respective product labels that provide product weight data from the weighing station and transmit the printed labels onto the covering and/or product, and wherein the printer platform is configured to longitudinally slide in a direction that is generally parallel to the axial center line of the product chute to facilitate access for replacement of consumable items. 10. An apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a first conveyor disposed upstream of the product chute, the first conveyor configured to travel in a primary product travel direction, and a second conveyor in communication with the weighing station disposed upstream of the first conveyor in cooperating alignment with the first conveyor. 11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the second conveyor travels in a path that is generally orthogonal to the first conveyor. 12. An apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: a stationary ramp member extending between the first and second conveyors; andan alignment stop member that is disposed on an outermost portion of the first conveyor upstream of the product chute and is laterally adjustable to extend inwardly at different distances in a direction toward the ramp member, the alignment stop member configured to position product on the first conveyor to be aligned with the product chute. 13. An apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a plurality of discrete pre-packaged poultry products with intact outwardly extending leg portions that are serially introduced to the weighing station, wherein the second conveyor is configured to serially advance the discrete pre-packaged poultry products toward the first conveyor while the poultry product legs extend across the second conveyor in a direction that is generally aligned with the product primary travel direction. 14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the pre-packaged poultry product comprises turkey. 15. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, in operation, the clipper mechanism is configured to advance the clipper body to the third position to apply at least one clip to a target product, then automatically retract away from the product to the first position so as to allow the product to move downstream thereof, and wherein the clipper mechanism defines a clip window for supplying at least one closure clip to the product, the system further comprising first and second longitudinally spaced apart clipper gathering plates mounted to the clipper mechanism so that, in operation, the clipper gathering plates advance and retract in concert with the clipper mechanism, a respective clipper gathering plate disposed on each side of the clip window. 16. An apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a discharge tray with a floor disposed downstream of the clipper mechanism, the tray having first and second spaced apart upwardly extending flaps with free ends that automatically pivot laterally inward to reside closer together to trap a forwardmost position of a respective product, then automatically pivot away from each other to allow the clipped product to pass. 17. An apparatus according to claim 16, the floor further comprising first and second longitudinally extending laterally spaced apart slots, said first and second pivotable flaps each having a leg that extends downwardly through a respective slot and automatically advances and retracts in the respective slots to thereby position the flaps at longitudinally adjustable distances. 18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein an underside of the tray comprises a four bar linkage with a center link and opposing first and second side links attached to the center link, the side links having opposing first and second end portions, wherein one leg is attached to a first end portion of the first side link and the other leg is attached to a first end portion of the second side link, and wherein the four bar linkage is in communication with an actuation cylinder that automatically moves the flaps in concert to trap and release a respective product. 19. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the center link comprises a slot on opposing end portions thereof, wherein the second end portion of the first side link travels in one of the center link slots and the second end portion of the second side link travels in the other center link slot. 20. An apparatus according to claim 2, comprising: a mounting frame having opposing first and second upstanding sides residing on opposing sides of a product flow path; anda printer platform holding a printer thereon, the printer platform pivotably mounted to a mounting frame, wherein the printer platform has an operative position that aligns a printer label guide member with a clipper label feed plate and label feed window and a re-load position wherein the printer platform pivots laterally outward, the printer platform thereby providing increased precision re-alignment with the feed window upon repositioning in the operative position. 21. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the printer has a generally planar top member sized and configured to hold the printer thereon, and wherein the top member is configured to slide in a predetermined direction to allow loading of consumable items. 22. A clipper apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the printer platform comprises a generally upright pivot bracket defining a pivot axis that is disposed on an outer side of the platform away from the clipper mechanism that allows the printer to pivot away from the clipper body. 23. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the product chute is angled to travel down in the product primary direction of travel and is configured to allow products to slide therethrough. 24. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the product chute is substantially horizontal. 25. A clipper mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the clipper mechanism actuator comprises a two-stroke actuation cylinder to pivotably and controllably serially advance the clipper body from the first position, to the second position, and the third position, then pivotably retract the clipper body back to the first position after an active clipping operation. 26. A clipper mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the second pre-clip dwell position is at least about 50% of the stroke distance between the first and third clipper mechanism positions. 27. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the clipper mechanism actuator comprises a two-stroke actuation cylinder in communication with upper and lower rods that are attached to the clipper mechanism at spaced apart locations, the lower rod attached to the clipper body and residing below the upper rod, whereby the actuation cylinder causes the rods to extend and retract to controllably position the clipper body in serial order in the first position, the second position, the third position, then pivotably retract the clipper mechanism back to the first position. 28. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the clipper mechanism comprises: a curvilinear clip rail attached to the clipper body having opposing top and bottom end portions and defining a generally downwardly extending clip feed direction;a clip entry window in communication with the bottom end portion of the clip rail and a clip closure delivery path in communication with a punch mechanism that is adapted to wrap a clip from the clip rail about the target covering encasing a target product;a clip pusher configured to selectively engage with clips held on the clip rail to force the clips in the feed direction;a first gathering plate disposed on a first side of the clip entry window, the first clipper gathering plate configured to extend a distance below the clip rail and generally outwardly therefrom toward the target covering material; anda second clipper gathering plate disposed on an opposing side of the clip entry window downstream of the first clipper gathering plate so as to be spaced apart from the first clipper gathering plate, the second clipper gathering plate configured to extend a distance below the clip rail and generally outwardly therefrom toward the target covering material,wherein, in operation, the first and second clipper gathering plates move in concert with the clipper body into the first, second and third positions. 29. A mechanism according to claim 28 further comprising a cutting member attached to a lower portion of the clipper mechanism. 30. A mechanism according to claim 29, wherein the cutting member is configured to travel in concert with the clipper mechanism from the first to the second and third clipping positions. 31. A mechanism according to claim 29, wherein the covering material is netting, and wherein the cutting member is configured to operate with a generally downward stroke to sever the netting. 32. A mechanism according to claim 29, wherein the cutting member is configured to operate with a generally lateral stroke to sever the netting. 33. An apparatus comprising: a product chute;a clipper assembly in communication with the product chute;a mounting frame configured to pivotably hold the clipper assembly; anda printer located downstream of the product chute, the printer held on a printer platform that is mounted to the mounting frame at a location that automatically feeds a printed label from the printer onto a product during operation, wherein the printer platform is configured to pivot outwardly away from an axial center line of the product chute to thereby allow access to the printer for replacement of consumable items and provide increased precision re-alignment with an operative location upon repositioning into position. 34. An apparatus according to claim 33, further comprising a discharge tray with a floor disposed downstream of the clipper mechanism, the tray having first and second spaced apart upwardly extending flaps that automatically pivot laterally inward to reside closer together to trap a forwardmost position of a respective product, then pivot away from each other to allow the clipped product to pass, the floor further comprising first and second longitudinally extending laterally spaced apart slots, said first and second pivotable flaps each having a leg that extends downwardly through a respective slot and automatically advances and retracts in the respective slots to thereby position the flaps at longitudinally adjustable distances, wherein an underside of the tray comprises a four bar linkage with a center link and opposing first and second side links attached to the center link, the side links having opposing first and second end portions, wherein one leg is attached to a first end portion of the first side link and the other leg is attached to a first end portion of the second side link,and wherein the four bar linkage is in communication with an actuation cylinder that automatically moves the flaps in concert to trap and release a respective product. 35. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the printer platform has an operative position that aligns a printer label guide member with a clipper label feed plate and label feed window and a re-load position wherein the printer platform pivots laterally outward, the printer platform thereby providing increased precision re-alignment with the label feed window upon repositioning in the operative position. 36. An apparatus according to claim 35, further comprising a slide plate supported by the pivoting printer platform, the slide plate holding the printer and configured to slide back and forth to allow access to replace consumable items associated with the printer. 37. An apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising a stop clamp in communication with the slide plate and/or printer configured to allow the slide plate to slide with respect to the platform and to position the printer and plate in proper operational alignment with the clipper. 38. An apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the stop clamp is configured to travel between two fixed positions to allow the slide plate to slide relative to the printing platform. 39. An apparatus comprising: a clipper; anda discharge tray with a floor disposed downstream of the clipper, the tray having first and second spaced apart upwardly extending flaps that automatically pivot laterally inward to reside closer together to trap a forwardmost position of a respective product, then pivot away from each other to allow the clipped product to pass. 40. An apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the floor further comprising first and second longitudinally extending laterally spaced apart slots, said first and second pivotable flaps each having a leg that extends downwardly through a respective slot and automatically advances and retracts in the respective slots to thereby position the flaps at longitudinally adjustable distances. 41. An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein an underside of the tray comprises a four bar linkage with a center link and opposing first and second side links attached to the center link, the side links having opposing first and second end portions, wherein one leg is attached to a first end portion of the first side link and the other leg is attached to a first end portion of the second side link, and wherein the four bar linkage is in communication with an actuation cylinder that automatically moves the flaps in concert to trap and release a respective product. 42. An apparatus according to claim 41, wherein the center link comprises a slot on opposing end portions thereof, wherein the second end portion of the first side link travels in one of the center link slots and the second end portion of the second side link travels in the other center link slot. 43. An apparatus according to claim 41, further comprising: a mounting frame having opposing first and second upstanding sides residing on opposing sides of a product flow path; anda printer platform holding a printer thereon, the printer platform pivotably mounted to a mounting frame, wherein the printer platform has an operative position that aligns a printer label guide member with a clipper label feed plate and label feed window and a re-load position wherein the printer platform pivots laterally outward, the printer platform thereby providing increased precision re-aligmnent with the feed window upon repositioning in the operative position. 44. An apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the printer has a generally planar top member sized and configured to hold the printer thereon, and wherein the top member is configured to slide in a predetermined direction to allow loading of consumable items. 45. A clipper apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the printer platform comprises a generally upright pivot bracket defining a pivot axis that is disposed on an outer side of the platform away from the clipper mechanism that allows the printer to pivot away from the clipper, the apparatus further comprising an automated handle maker attached to the second side of the mounting frame. 46. An automated or semi-automated clipper mechanism for attaching at least one closure clip to a product held in covering material, comprising: a pivotable clipper mechanism having a clipper body configured to deliver clips to a clip window and attach at least one clip to gathered covering material, wherein the clipper mechanism has a stroke cycle that comprises a home position, a forward pre-clip dwell position, and a forward clipping position that extends past the second pre-clip position whereby the clipper mechanism serially moves the clipper body forward from the home position to the pre-clip dwell position, pauses, then moves forward again from the pre-clip dwell position to the clipping position,wherein the clipper mechanism comprises a two-stroke actuation cylinder in communication with upper and lower rods that are attached to the clipper mechanism at spaced apart locations, the lower rod attached to the clipper body and residing below the upper rod, whereby the actuation cylinder causes the rods to extend and retract to controllably position the clipper body in serial order in the first position, the second position, the third position, then pivotably retract the clipper mechanism back to the first position.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (60)
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