System and method for activating article protection features of a carton

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9346574-B2
Application number	US-201514621784-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 13, 2015
Priority date	Oct 19, 2011
Publication date	May 24, 2016
Grant date	May 24, 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 method of packaging articles comprising:
providing a carton; the carton defined by a top, a bottom, a first side, a second side, a first end, and a second end; the first end and the second end of the carton being open;
loading a plurality of articles into the first end or the second end of the carton; the plurality of articles including a first article and a second article; the carton including a first article protection feature;
closing the first end and the second end of the carton to form a loaded carton with the top, the bottom, the first side, the second side, the first end, and the second end closing the plurality of articles in an interior of the loaded carton; and,
after the plurality of articles have been closed in the interior of the loaded carton, moving the first article protection feature into the loaded carton;
wherein the first article protection feature engages at least the first article and moves the first article.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
stopping the moving of the first article protection feature into the loaded carton upon encountering a back pressure.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the loaded carton further includes a second article protection feature, the plurality of articles including a third article and a fourth article, the method further comprising:
moving the second article protection feature into the loaded carton;
wherein the second article protection feature engages at least the third article and moves the third article.

4. The method of claim 3 , 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 method of claim 3 , wherein the first article protection feature is moved into the loaded carton in a first direction and the second article protection feature is moved into the loaded carton in a second direction, and wherein the first direction is opposite the second direction.

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

7. The method of claim 4 , wherein the first article protection feature is farther from one of the first side or the first end than the second article protection feature, and wherein the first article protection feature and the second article protection feature are in a row.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the loaded carton is formed of paperboard and, with the first article protection feature engaged with at least the first article in the loaded carton, the first article is separated from the second article by at least two layers of the paperboard.

9. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:
stopping the moving of the second article protection feature into the loaded carton upon encountering a back pressure.

10. In a method of packaging articles, wherein a loaded carton loaded with a plurality of articles is provided, the loaded carton being defined by a top, a bottom, a first side, a second side, a first end, and a second end; the top, the bottom, the first side, the second side, the first end, and the second end of the loaded carton being closed around the plurality of articles; the loaded carton including a first article protection feature and a second article protection feature; the plurality of articles including a first article and a second article; the improvement comprising:
moving the first article protection feature into the loaded carton;
moving the second article protection feature into the loaded carton;
wherein the first article protection feature engages at least the first article and moves the first article;
wherein the first article protection feature is moved into the loaded carton in a first direction and the second article protection feature is moved into the loaded carton in a second direction, and wherein the first direction is opposite the second direction.

11. The method of claim 10 , the improvement further comprising:
stopping the moving of the first article protection feature into the loaded carton upon encountering a back pressure.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of articles further includes a third article and a fourth article, and
wherein the second article protection feature engages at least the third article and moves the third article.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the second article protection feature is moved into the loaded carton after the first article protection feature is moved into the loaded carton.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first article protection feature is farther from one of the first side or the first end than the second article protection feature, and wherein the first article protection feature and the second article protection feature are in a row.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the loaded carton is formed of paperboard, the improvement further comprising:
with the first article protection feature engaged with at least the first article in the loaded carton, the first article is separated from the second article by at least two layers of the paperboard.

16. A method of packaging articles, comprising:
providing a blank; the blank including a first article protection feature;
loading a plurality of articles onto the blank; the plurality of articles including a first article and a second article;
folding the blank around the plurality of articles to form a top, a bottom, a first side, a second side, a first end, and a second end of the carton; the first end and the second end being open;
closing the first end and the second end to form a loaded carton with the top, the bottom, the first side, the second side, the first end, and the second end closing the plurality of articles in an interior of the loaded carton; the first article being a first distance from the second article; and,
moving the first article protection feature into the interior of the loaded carton;
wherein the first article protection feature engages at least the first article and moves the first article; wherein, with the first article protection feature moved into the interior of the carton, the first article is a second distance from the second article; the second distance being greater than the first distance.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
stopping the moving of the first article protection feature into the loaded carton upon encountering a back pressure.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the blank further includes a second article protection feature, the plurality of articles further including a third article and a fourth article, the method further comprising:
moving the second article protection feature into the interior of the loaded carton;
wherein the second article protection feature engages at least the third article and moves the third article.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the second article protection feature is moved into the loaded carton after first article protection feature is moved into the loaded carton.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the first article protection feature is moved into the loaded carton in a first direction and the second article protection feature is moved into the loaded carton in a second direction; and wherein the first direction is opposite the second direction.

21. The method of claim

Assignees

• Graphic Packaging Int Inc

Inventors

• Disrud Jeff A
• Moncrief Frank N
• Ziegler Kelly

Classifications

• B65B61/24

  for shaping or reshaping completed packages · CPC title

• B65B11/105

  the axis of the tube being parallel to the conveying direction · CPC title

• B65B55/00

  Preserving, protecting or purifying packages or package contents in association with packaging (by packaging under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions B65B31/00; devices for placing protecting sheets, plugs, or wads over contents B65B61/22) · CPC title

• B65D2571/00141

  glued · CPC title

• B65B21/14 Primary

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