Universal cutoff system for container carrier applicating machine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9533782-B2
Application number	US-201213485458-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 31, 2012
Priority date	Aug 12, 2011
Publication date	Jan 3, 2017
Grant date	Jan 3, 2017

Abstract

An applicating machine for applying a flexible carrier to a plurality of containers provided from an infeed includes a jaw drum for applying a flexible carrier to a plurality of containers provided and a cutoff device for cutting the carrier into a desired size. The cutoff device includes an adjustable beam positionable into multiple angular positions relative to a flow of the plurality of containers depending on the desired size of the multipack.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A cutoff device for cutting a generally continuous string of container carriers and containers into individual multipacks, the device comprising:
an adjustable beam including a timing belt, the adjustable beam positionable between a first angular position relative to a flow of the generally continuous string of container carriers and a second angular position relative to the flow of the generally continuous string of container carriers;
a plurality of blades positioned along the timing belt and traversing along an angular direction relative to the flow of the generally continuous string of container carriers wherein each successive blade of the plurality of blades cuts completely through between successive container carriers to form individual multipacks;
at least one interchangeable star wheel positioned relative to the timing belt, the at least one interchangeable star wheel engaging the containers.

2. The cutoff device of claim 1 wherein the adjustable beam is positionable in the first angular position to cut the generally continuous string of flexible carrier into a plurality of first multipacks and the second angular position to cut the generally continuous string of flexible carrier into a plurality of second multipacks.

3. The cutoff device of claim 1 further comprising a pair of interchangeable and complementary star wheels.

4. The cutoff device of claim 3 wherein the pair of interchangeable star wheels are sized according to a diameter of each container of the plurality of containers.

5. The cutoff device of claim 1 wherein the adjustable beam and the at least one interchangeable star wheel may be configured to accommodate containers having diameters between approximately 2 inches and approximately 3 inches.

6. The cutoff device of claim 1 wherein the adjustable beam is positioned above the flow of the containers.

7. The cutoff device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of blades are repositionable along the timing belt.

8. The cutoff device of claim 1 further comprising a servo for adjusting the relative speed of the starwheel and the timing belt depending on at least one of a size of the multipack and a size of the containers.

9. The cutoff device of claim 1 further comprising a central, vertically extending shaft about which the adjustable beam pivots.

10. An applicating machine for applying a flexible carrier to a plurality of containers provided from an infeed, the applicating machine comprising:
a jaw drum positioned with respect to the infeed to accept the plurality of containers, the jaw drum applying the flexible carrier to the plurality of containers in a generally continuous string;
a cutoff device positioned downstream of the jaw drum, the cutoff device including an adjustable beam and a plurality of blades, the adjustable beam positionable into multiple angular positions relative to a flow of the plurality of containers, wherein each successive blade of the plurality of blades traverses along an angular direction relative to the flow of the generally continuous string of container carriers and cuts completely through between successive container carriers to form individual multipacks.

11. The applicating machine of claim 10 wherein the adjustable beam is positionable in a first angular position to cut the generally continuous string of flexible carrier into a plurality of first multipacks and a second angular position to cut the generally continuous string of flexible carrier into a plurality of second multipacks.

12. The applicating machine of claim 10 wherein the cutoff system further includes a pair of interchangeable star wheels.

13. The applicating machine of claim 12 wherein the pair of interchangeable star wheels are sized according to a diameter of each container of the plurality of containers.

14. The applicating machine of claim 10 further comprising a timing belt extending along the adjustable beam, wherein the plurality of blades are repositionable along the timing belt.

15. The applicating machine of claim 10 further comprising a servo for adjusting the relative speed of the jaw drum, the starwheel and the timing belt depending on at least one of a size of the multipack and a size of the containers.

16. The applicating machine of claim 10 further comprising a central, vertically extending Shaft about which the adjustable beam pivots.

17. A method for cutting a generally continuous string of container carrier and containers into individual multipacks, the method comprising:
providing a generally continuous string of container carrier and containers to a cutoff device;
adjusting an angular position of an adjustable beam depending on at least one of a size of the multipack and a site of the containers, the adjustable beam including a timing belt;
conveying a plurality of blades along the timing belt traversing along an angular direction relative to the flow of the generally continuous string of container carriers; and
cutting the generally continuous string of container carrier into individual multipacks having a desired size wherein each successive blade of the plurality of blades cuts completely through between successive container carriers to form individual multipacks.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:
spacing the plurality of blades along the timing belt depending on the desired size.

19. The method or claim 17 further comprising:
positioning the adjustable beam between a first angular position relative to a flow of the generally continuous string of container carriers and a second angular position relative to the flow of the generally continuous string of container carriers based upon the desired size.

20. The method of claim 17 further comprising:
moving the generally continuous string of container carrier and containers through the cutoff device with a pair of replaceable star wheels.

Assignees

• Slovik Rachell
• Ludwig Christopher J
• Samaras Christopher J
• Gregersen Jonathan
• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Slovik Rachell
• Ludwig Christopher J
• Samaras Christopher J
• Gregersen Jonathan

Classifications

• B65B59/001

  Arrangements to enable adjustments related to the product to be packaged · CPC title

• Y10T83/546

  Interrelated tool actuating and work guide moving means · CPC title

• B65B13/04

  with means for guiding the binding material around the articles prior to severing from supply · CPC title

• B26D5/22 Primary

  having the cutting member and work feed mechanically connected · CPC title

• B65B17/025 Primary

  the articles being joined by a top carrier element · CPC title