Packaging machine

US8033082B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• STANDARD KNAPP INC. · US

Inventors

• John L. Raudat · North Madison, US
• J. Michael Weaver · Madison, US
• Rick Dolce · East Hampton, US
• Jeffrey Reilly · Meriden, US
• Lloyd D. Johnson · Manchester Center, US
• Vincent M. Cassarino · South Meriden, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 20, 2009
• Grant date: Oct 11, 2011
• Expiry date: May 20, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65G47/28
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A packaging machine includes a grouper section having changeable lane sizes and a dual servo grouper that separates product into product sets and allow the product sets to accelerate to the lane chain speed in a controlled manner. The grouper section further includes disappearing lugs that pivot into the lanes via a cam surface provided in the lanes. The product rides upon a raised surface of the cam surface as the lug pushes the product set together down the lane, thus ensuring that no gaps are provided between product set members. A gripper/grid section of the packaging machine includes a bars that travel about a carousel with a gripper head assembly and a grid assembly pair moving up and down the bars as defined by cam surfaces within the gripper/grid section. The grid section is presented below the product set such that the product set is fed through the grid section in a one-way trip into a case. The gripper head assembly cam device and the case feed section both include height adjustment assemblies.