Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for feeding and opening a beverage carrier

US4709538A · kind A · utility

11Cited by
6References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 9, 1986
Grant dateDec 1, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 9, 2006

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB31B2120/30
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A machine for feeding a collapsed beverage can carrier sleeve to a flight bar conveyor and introducing the sleeve in fully open condition to the pocket of the conveyor. After leaving the feed rolls the collapsed carrier sleeve is moved through a fixed guide by lugs on a movable chain. The end flaps on the upwardly facing side panel are held in place on the guide while the end flaps on the downwardly facing side panel are moved downwardly by a fixed cam surface. The substantially opened sleeve is then either given a final kick by rotating arms or is propelled by the feed lugs to accelerate it into the pocket while at the same time fully straightening and opening the sleeve. The carton dimension corresponding to the length of the pocket is the same as the length of the pocket, resulting in more pockets per conveyor length and permitting operation at slower conveyor speeds.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.