Patent · US Expired

Carton puller vacuum head and method

US6817969B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
14References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 31, 2003
Grant dateNov 16, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 31, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65B3/025
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A carton pulling assembly pulls a partially formed carton from a mandrel on a form, fill and seal packaging machine. The machine has a vacuum source for providing a vacuum and includes a machine controller. The partially formed carton has a sealed bottom wall. The carton pulling assembly includes a carton puller element movable in a reciprocating manner toward and away from the mandrel. A vacuum head assembly is mounted to the carton puller element for reciprocating movement therewith. The vacuum head assembly includes a cylinder and a finger configured for reciprocating movement within the cylinder having a suction element mounted thereto. The finger has a vacuum channel for communicating vacuum from the cylinder to the suction element. The finger is movable between an extended position in which the suction element contacts and engages the partially formed carton sealed bottom wall and a retracted position in which the reciprocating finger pulls the carton from the mandrel. The reciprocating finger moves toward the extended position by application of the vacuum to the vacuum head assembly while communicating vacuum to the suction element. A method for pulling a partially formed ca…

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