System and method for activating article protection features of a carton

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9233769-B2
Application number	US-201514621798-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 13, 2015
Priority date	Oct 19, 2011
Publication date	Jan 12, 2016
Grant date	Jan 12, 2016

Abstract

A system and method for activating a series of article protection features formed in product cartons in which a series of articles have been packaged includes an actuating assembly mounted along a path of travel for the cartons. The actuating assembly will include a series of actuating elements that are selectively moved into engagement with the article protection features of the cartons. The article protection features are urged into the cartons, between the articles therein and into positions engaging and supporting the articles.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for moving a first article protection feature into a carton loaded with a plurality of articles, the system comprising:
a loading section for loading the plurality of articles into the carton to form a loaded carton;
a conveyor for moving the loaded carton along a path of travel; and
an actuating assembly positioned along the path of travel of the loaded carton, the actuating assembly including a first actuating member oriented to move the first article protection feature into the carton so that the first article protection feature engages a first article and a second article of the plurality of articles and the first article protection feature moves the first article;
wherein the system further comprises an overload protection mechanism that disengages the first actuating member from engagement with the first article protection feature upon encountering a back pressure from moving the first article protection feature into the loaded carton.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the actuating assembly further comprises a second actuating member oriented to move a second article protection feature into the loaded carton so that the second article protection feature engages a third article and a fourth article of the plurality of articles and the second article protection feature moves the third article.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the first article protection feature is oriented to be moved into the loaded carton in a first direction and the second article protection feature is oriented to be moved into the loaded carton in a second direction; and wherein the first direction is opposite the second direction.

4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the second article protection feature is moved into the loaded carton after the first article protection feature is moved into the loaded carton.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the first actuating member is at a first position along the path of travel and the second actuating member is at a second position along the path of travel, and wherein the second position is spaced laterally from the first position, and wherein the second position is spaced downstream from the first position along the path of travel.

6. The system of claim 4 , wherein the first article protection feature is oriented to be moved into the loaded carton in a first direction and the second article protection feature is oriented to be moved into the loaded carton in a second direction; and wherein the first direction is opposite the second direction.

7. The system of claim 2 , wherein the first actuating member is at a first position along the path of travel and the second actuating member is at a second position along the path of travel, and wherein the second position is spaced laterally from the first position, and wherein the second position is spaced downstream from the first position along the path of travel.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the first article protection feature is oriented to be moved into the loaded carton in a first direction and the second article protection feature is oriented to be moved into the loaded carton in a second direction; and wherein the first direction is opposite the second direction.

9. A system for moving a first article protection feature into a carton loaded with a plurality of articles, the system comprising:
a loading section for loading the plurality of articles into the carton and closing the carton;
a conveyor for moving the carton along a path of travel; and
an actuating assembly positioned along the path of travel of the carton, the actuating assembly being downstream of the loading section, the actuating assembly including a first actuating member oriented to move the first article protection feature into the carton so that the first article protection feature engages a first article and a second article of the plurality of articles and the first article protection feature moves the first article;
wherein the system further comprises an overload protection mechanism that disengages the first actuating member from engagement with the first article protection feature upon encountering a back pressure from moving the first article protection feature into the carton.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the actuating assembly further comprises a second actuating member oriented to move a second article protection feature into the carton so that the second article protection feature engages a third article and a fourth article of the plurality of articles and the second article protection feature moves the third article.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the first article protection feature is oriented to be moved into the carton in a first direction and the second article protection feature is oriented to be moved into the carton in a second direction; and wherein the first direction is opposite the second direction.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the second article protection feature is moved into the carton after the first article protection feature is moved into the carton.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the first actuating member is at a first position along the path of travel and the second actuating member is at a second position along the path of travel, and wherein the second position is spaced laterally from the first position, and wherein the second position is spaced downstream from the first position along the path of travel.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the first article protection feature is oriented to be moved into the carton in a first direction and the second article protection feature is oriented to be moved into the carton in a second direction; and wherein the first direction is opposite the second direction.

15. The system of claim 10 , wherein the first actuating member is at a first position along the path of travel and the second actuating member is at a second position along the path of travel, and wherein the second position is spaced laterally from the first position, and wherein the second position is spaced downstream from the first position along the path of travel.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the first article protection feature is oriented to be moved into the carton in a first direction and the second article protection feature is oriented to be moved into the carton in a second direction; and wherein the first direction is opposite the second direction.

17. A system for moving a first article protection feature and a second article protection feature into a carton loaded with a plurality of articles, the system comprising:
a loading section for loading the plurality of articles into the carton to form a loaded carton;
a conveyor for moving the loaded carton along a path of travel; and
an actuating assembly positioned along the path of travel of the loaded carton, the actuating assembly including a first actuating member and a second actuating member, the first actuating member being at a first position along the path of travel and the second actuating member being at a second position along the path of travel, the second position being spaced laterally from the first position, the first actuating member being oriented to move the first article protection feature into the loaded carton so that the first article protection feature engages a first article and a second article and the first article protection feature moves the first article;
wherein the system further comprises an overload protection mechanism that disengages the first actuating member from engagement with the first article protection feature upon encounterin

Assignees

• Graphic Packaging Int Inc

Inventors

• Disrud Jeff A
• Moncrief Frank N
• Ziegler Kelly

Classifications

• B65D2571/00141

  glued · CPC title

• B65D71/00

  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 bottles; Bales of material · CPC title

• B65B21/14 Primary

  Introducing or removing groups of bottles, for filling or emptying containers in one operation · CPC title

• B65B21/08 Primary

  Introducing or removing single bottles, or groups of bottles, e.g. for progressive filling or emptying of containers · CPC title

• B65B21/02

  in or from preformed containers, e.g. crates · CPC title