Compact collator, system and method of use
US10689207B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 27, 2019 |
| Grant date | Jun 23, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 27, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G2203/042
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A compact collator for collating and preparing product containers for packaging and its method of operation and use is provided herein. The collator includes a laner having a conveyor and defining an infeed area. Infeed sensors detect the passage of containers in and out of the infeed area. A gate retains containers in the infeed area until a set number of product containers (a slug) is detected. A slug of containers passing out of the infeed area is conveyed to a cross-pusher, which has an arm. The arm is actuated between a position adjacent to the conveyor to a position across the conveyer and over a pattern conveyor. When the slug is in a centered position relative to the arm, the arm pushes the containers 90 degrees from the laner's conveyor and onto the patterning conveyor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.