PAC!

This srsvenhoπ relates generally to packaging machines and more specifically, to a packaging machine with adjustable lanes.

Various types of packaging machines are designed ?o package articles, such as bottles or cans, into a unitary container such as a paperboard carton These so packaging machines group a number of articles in a certain manner to correspond with the approximate container dimensions, and the anide group ss then transferred snto the container Trie container is then sealed or otherwise closed to contain the art-cie group

i > Known packaging machines utilize guide rails or lane dividers to define ianes which direct the articles along (low paths. Selector wedges or flight bars that am mounted to conveyors cooperate with the guide rails to select a predetermined number of articles, arrange the articles m an anscle group, and transfer the article group into a container These machines are continuous motion packaging machines iruended to -U package articles into vanous types or ^' containers without substantia ^; How interruption

To properly select ana group the articles, ihe width of the lanes is determined such ?hal the articles in each sane are substantially aligned with one another. However, it is desired that such packaging machines have the ability to package a very Wide :> range of article types and dimensions. Since ihe lane Width thai is used to properly package an article of a certain dimension does not necessarily work for an article of a different dimension, packaging machines with adjustable lane widths have oeen developed

*» Previously developed adjustable lane packaging machines include pads that must be added to the lane or thai are exchanged with elements of the lane to adjust the width oi the lanes For example, one packaging machine mciudes inserts of various

widths that are secured within the lanes to adjusi. the width of the lanes. INs system requires thai an insert be developed for each article dimension to be packaged and that the inserts be changed over manually. Such a system is time, material, and cost intensive and is not infinitely adjustable Another packaging machine includes positsonable guide rails such *hat portions of the iane widths can be adjusted. However, the packaging machine requires that corner portions of the lanes be repiaced as the iane widths are adjusted such that the upstream ends of the guide rails do not obstruct the corner portions of the lanes

What is needed is a packaging machine that includes lanes and that rs configured such that the widths of the lanes are easily adjustable. Further, it is destred that the adjustment of the widths of the lanes can be accomplished without adding, removing, or replacing elements of the packaging machine and that the adjustment can be accomplished or controlled vsa a programmable logic controller

The various embodiments of the present invention overcome the shortcomings of the pnor art by providing a packaging apparatus for conveying streams of substantially cyiindπca? articles in multiple adjustable lanes. The packaging machine mdudes a simplified apparatus and method lor adjusting the width of the lanes. The improved system does not require interchangeable pads or independent adjustments Rather, the apparatus can be operated by a simple drive system and the drive system can be controlled by a programmable logic controller

According to an exemplary embodiment, a packaging apparatus coincident to packaging machine includes a plurality of lanes thai: are defined by lane dividers. Each iane includes an upstream ponson and a downstream portion that are angled with rβ&pect to one another The upstream portion is defined by first arid second lane dividers that are substantially parallel to a fsrst axis. The nrst and second lane dividers are spaced apart to define an upstream lane widto The downstream porhon is defined by third and fourth larse dividers that are substantially parallel to a second axis The first axis is at an angle with respect to the second axss. The third and

fourth lane dividers are spaced apart to define a downstream lane width. The position of one or both of me third and fourth lane dividers is adjustable relative Io the position of the other such that me downstream iane width is adjustable Speαrlcaliy. either or both of rhe third and fourth iane div-ders can be translated m a > direction parallel to the firs? axis io adjust she downstream lane width. To radiate ihss translation, the translated lane divider may include a transition tip that maintains contact between the upstream end of the translated downstream 'aπe divider and the downstream end of the adjacent upstream lane divider

iϋ According to one aspect of she invention, the hrs* axis coincides with a general direction of flow of the articles through lanes of the packaging apparatus. In other words, as the articles travei along the upstream portion and the downstream portions, the primary displacement of the articles occurs along the first axis

i > As another aspect of the invention, a translating apparatus is provided io facilitate translating one of the Hrst and second downstream lane dividers along the first axis. In certain embodiments, the translating apparatus moiudes a beam that ss sliding!;/ engaged with linear besnngs. The translating apparatus may be operated, for exarnpie, by a drive system including an axle that is driven by a rotary motor.

;Ό wheresn psmons that are attached to the axie interface with racks that are attached to the translating apparatus. In certain other emhodiroents, other suitable means for causing translation are used alone or in combination _; such as but not limited to conveyor drives systems, air actuated pistons, and the iike

::r According to another aspect of the invention, translation to adjust the width of the downstream portion of lane can be effected manually or automatically. In certain embodiments, therefore, an electronic or electromechanical controller ss provided to automatically cause translation of the movable downstream lane dividers The controller includes or interfaces With a processor that processes instructions stored

AS on a computer readable medium to cause the translation apparatus to operate, In response to manually or automatically generated control signals. In certain other

embodiments, manual effort applied to, for example, a lever, a hand crank or a handie attached Io a linkage serves the same purpose.

The present invention provides a method for configuring the packaging apparatus from processing a run of multiple substantially uniform articles having a fsrsi diameter to a subsequent run of multiple substantially uniform articles having a second dlameier that differs from the first diameter, It follows that the maximum diameter of article that can be processed is dictated by the wldlh of the upstream portion of each lane, so the downstream portion ss adjustable to a width thai Is no greaier than the maximum width of the upstream portion. According to one aspect of the exemplary method, adjusting the width of the downstream portion of each lane involves translating the adjustable lane divider in a direction thai is substantially parallel io the i ^' srs' axis, which as previously mentioned, iies a? an angle with respect to the second axis, This translation continues until the Width of the downstream portion corresponds to the diameter of the articles in the second run, More specifically, the Width of the downstream portion Is adjusted until w is equal Io the diameter of the current run of articies plus a predetermined allowance, for example, to prevent undesirable friction and damage to the surface of each article Raveling down (he lane

The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features of the present invention, which should be construed to be merely illustrative of various potential applications of the invention. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in 3 different manner or by combining venous aspects of the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly: other aspects and a more comprehensive understand ing of the invention may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction wsm the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims.

Is a partial perspective view of an exemplary packaging apparatus.

FlG. 2 Is a partial plan view showing the adjustable lanes of the packaging apparatus of FIG, 1 , according to ihe present invention.

FIGs, 3 is a partial plan view showing one of the lanes of the packaging apparatus of

FiGs. 4 and 5 are exploded perspective views of lane dividers of the packaging apparatus of FlG. 1

FfG, 6 is an exploded perspective view of a support structure of the packaging apparatus of FIG, 1.

FiG, ? is a partial perspective view of a sliding support system that includes the support structure of FIG. 6.

FIO, 8 is an exploded perspective view of a lane tower assembly of the packaging apparatus of FIG, 1.

RGs. 9 and 10 are partial plan views of the bottom of a lane tower assembly of the packaging apparatus of FIG, 1.

FIG, 11 an exploded perspective view of a drive system of the packaging apparatus of FIG, 1.

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It must be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms, and combinations thereof. As used herein, the wo"d ^" exemplary" is used expansively to tβt& to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens, models, ot patterns. The tsgures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to

show delate of particular components, In other Instances, well-known components, systems, materials, or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuπng the present invention. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims, and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled In the art ro variously employ the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like elemems throughout the several views, the drawings illustrate certain of the vanous aspects of exemplary embodiments of a packaging machine for transporting, directing, guiding, awning, arranging, or processing articles along paths and for grouping the articles r>efore loading the groups of articles Into cartons or containers Generally described, rhe packaging machine Includes an apparatus for adjusting [he lanes to accommodate articles of different diameters.

Referring to FfGs, 1 and 2, a portion of an exemplary embodiment of a packaging appatus 1δ is illustrated. The packaging apparatus 10 may be a component or or may encompass a packaging machine (not shown ? that functions to convey, group, and package cylindrical articles C, such as cans or boUles Parallel conveyors, including an lnfeed conveyor i and an outfeed conveyor (not shown), support the ancles C and transport or convey the articles C In a flow direction F H shouid be understood that only a portion of the support surface of the infeed conveyor I Is illustrated in FIG, 1 The illustrated portion of the packaging apparatus 10 defines lanes L in which the articles C are guided along substantially paraϋei paths.

The lanes L guide the articles C generally in the flow direction F For example, to move the articles C from one conveyor to the next, the lanes L are angled with respect io the flow direction F such t^at the articles C move in a direction thai Is substantially transverse to the flow direction F in add-on to moving in the flow direction F. I? should he understood that the Width of each portion of each lane L is no less than the diameter D of articles C lhat are to he conveyed In the lane L. For example, the width of a oortion of the lane L can be a function of the diameter O of

articles C that are conveyed in tha lane L so as to be equal to the diameter D of the articles C plus a tolerance that is predetermined to allow the articles to move smoothly through the lanes L Further, the width of each portion of each lane L can be limited to a maximum width such that articles C having a minimum diameter D move through the lanes L in an ordered fashion.

As used herein, the terms ^"u pstream" and "downstream ^" denote a relative position or a direction with respect to the flow direction F or with respect to the direction of travel of articles C along the length of a path or within a lane L.

Each lane L is defined by lane dividers or guide rails that are spaced apart and substantially parallel to one another In the exemplary embodiment, each of the lanes includes an upstream portion 12 and a downstream portion 14 as best identified in FIG. 3. For clarity a single lane is shown In FIG, 3 and described ;n further detail below However, it should be understood mat a description of one of the lanes is generally applicable to each of the other lanes. It should be noted that the packaging machine described herein can be arranged, configured, or altered to include one or more lanes.

Referring to FIGa. 1-3, the upstream portion 12 of each lane L is defined by upstream lane dividers 16a, 16b that are substantially parallel to an axis X. The upstream lane dividers 16a, 16b are spaced apart from one another to define an upstream lane width Wi that may be slightly greater than, if not generally equal to, the maximum diameter D of the articles C or may be substantially greater than the maximum diameter D, In ihe exemplary embodiment the fiow direction F ss aligned with the axss X. However, in alternative embodiments, Ihe fiow direction F is at an angle wsth respect to the axis X.

The downstream portion 14 of a lane L to defined by the downstream lane dividers 18. 20 that are substantially parallel so an axis Y. The axis Y is at an angle A with respect to the axis X such that downstream portion 14 of the lane L is at an angle A with respect to the upstream portion 12 of the lane L, The downstream lane dividers

18, 20 are spaced apart from one another to define a downstream lane width W2 that may be slightly greater than, if not generally equal to, the maximum diameter D of the articles G or may be substantially greater than the maximum diameter D In the exemplary embodiment the position of the downstream lane divider 18 is fixed and the position of the downstream lane divider 20 is variable such that the width is adjustable, as described in further detail below.

in the exemplarx embodiment, the downstream portions 14 of the lanes L have different lengths. That is, each successive downstream portion14 is longer than the previous downstream portion 14 Accordingly, the downstream lane dividers 18, 20 that define the downstream portions 14 of the lanes L have different lengths. Referring to FIGs. 4 and 5, adjustable downstream lane dividers 20 of different lengths are illustrated Each adjustable downstream lane divider 20 is an elongated, substantially flat plate that includes a body 30 and attachment extensions 32 Each attachment extension 32 includes apertures 34 to facilitate attachment to a support or connecting biock, as described In further detail below

The adjustable downstream lane dividers 20 are supposed at the attachment extensions 32. In the exemplary embodiment, the longer adjustable downstream fane divider 20 illustrated in FIG. 5 includes three attachment extensions 32 and the shorter adjustable downstream lane divider 20 illustrated in FIG, 4 includes two attachment extensions 32. The number of attachment extensions 32 for eaen downstream lane divider 18, 20 is merely a design decision. For certain applications, the lane dividers 18, 20 can include additional attachment extensions to provide additional support

With the exception of the outermost adjustable lane divider 20, the adjustable lane dividers 20 are each additionally supported by an adjacent ⁽ _s χed lane divider 18 that defines an adjacem lane L. Specifically, adjacent downstream lane dividers 18, 20 support one another as the downstream lane dividers 18, 20 are pushed toward one another by articles C moving throug adjacent lanes L

Referring to FIGs1 , 2, and 5-7, the outermost adjustable downstream lane divider 20 illustrated in FIG, 5, which defines the longer of the outermost lanes L, is additionally supported by a sliding support system 40. The sliding support system 40 provides support to the downstream end of the longer outermost adjustable downstream lane divider 20. The sliding support system 40 includes an attachment block 42 that includes a roller 44 and a support structure 46 that includes a slot 48 that receives tne roller 44. The slot 48 is aligned with or parallel to the axis X such that the roller 44 can translate back and forth along the axis X within the slot 48. Thereby, the distal downstream end of the longer outermost adjustable downstream lane divider 20 can translate along the axis X and is supported in directions that are substantially perpendicular ro the axis X.

Referring to FIGs 4 and 5, the upstream end of each adjustable downstream lane divider 20 includes apertures 50 to facilitate the attachment of a transition tip 52. Each transition tip 52 is dimensioned to attach Io the upstream end of an adjustable downstream lane divider 20 and to slidsngiy contact an upstream lane divider IS. In the exemplary embodiment, each transition tip 52 includes a sliding contact surface 54 and an article transition surface 56 that taper towards one another at an anule A.

The fixed downstream lane dividers 18 are substantially Similar to the adjustable downstream lane dividers 20 but do not snciude a trnasition tip 38 attached thereto Rather, the fixed downstream lane dividers 18 are attached or intergal to an upstream lane divider 16. Referring to FIG, 3, the upstream end of each fixed downstream lane divider 18 can bend such that the upstream end of the fixed downstream lane divider 18 aligns with the upstream lane divider 16 and is parallel to the axis X while the body of the fixed downstream lane divider 18 Is parallel to the axis Y.

Referring again to FIGs. 1 and 2, the packaging apparatus 10 further includes support tower assemblies 60, 62, 64 that are each longitudinally aligned or otherwise substantially parallel to toe axis X. The suppon tower assemblies 60, 62, 64 are positioned io support and position the downstream lane dividers 18, 20 and are

suspended above the downstream portions 14 of the lanes L by a support frame. Referring to FIG. 1 , the exemplary support frame includes rods and brackets that provide vertical support and beams that provide horizontal support

Referring to FIG. 8, each support tower assembly 60, 62, 64 includes a support beam 70 and a translating apparatus 72 that interface with a drive system 74. The support beams 70 are substantially U-shaped and include a bottom wall 80 and side walls 82, 84. Referring momentarily to FlGs. S and 10, the bottom wall 80 of each support beam 70 includes apertures or slots 86, as described in further detail below

Referring again Io FIG. 8, she exemplary translating apparatus ?2 includes linear bearings 90, a sliding beam 02 including linear bearing rails 94, L -shaped beam 98, and a rack 98 The linear bearings 90 are attached Io the inside surface of she bottom wall BO The linear bearing rails S4 of the sliding beam 92 are slidabiy received by ?he linear beaπngs 90 such that the sliding beam 92 can translate back and forth along Hie axis X with respect to ?he support beam 70. The L -shaped beam 96 Is attached to the sliding beam 92 such that a poπ-oπ of ihe L-shaped beam 96 extends substantially vertically. The rack 98 is attached to the vertically extending portion of the L-shaped beam 96. The L -shaped beam 9β functions to position the rack S8 to be engaged by the drive system 74, as described in further detail Pe'ow

Referring to FiG, 11 the dπve system 74 includes gears or pinions ISO, an axis 102. and a rotary motor 104. The pinions 100 are attached to the axle 102, which is driv en the rotary motor 104 .Referring to FIGs. 1 and 2, the drive system 74 is positioned above and extends across each of the support tower assemblies 60, 62, 64 such that the pinions 100 interface with or engage the racks 98 of the translating apparatuses 72, respectively Specifically, the teeth of the pinion 100 intermesh with the teeth of the rack 98, The rotation of the pinions 100 about a fixed axis, the axis being defined by the axle 102, thereby translates the sliding beams 92

Referring to FIGs 8-10, the fixed downstream lane dividers 18 and the adjustable downstream lane dividers 20 are each attached to one or more of the support tower

assemblie 60, 62, 64 by support blocks 118, 120 The support blocks 118, 120 are attached to the attachment extensions 32 of the downstream lane dividers 18, 20. Fixed support blocks 118 are additionally attached to the bottom walls 80 of the support beams 70 so as to extend downwardly from the outer surfaces of the bottom walls 80 Adjustable support blocks 120 are additionally attached to the sliding beams 92 so as to extend downwardly through the slots 86 in the bottom walls 80.

As the attachment extensions 32 of each fixed downstream lane divider IH are attached to fixed support blocks 118, each fixed downstream lane divider 18 is thereby positioned in place to provide a first wall of a downstream portion 14 of a lane L The upstream end of each fixed downstream lane divider 18 is further attached or adjacent to the downstream and of a respectice upstream lane divider 16 to provide a substantially continuous first wall of each lane L that extends from the upstream portion 12 to the downstream portion 14

As the attachment extensions 32 of each adjustable downstream lane divider 20 are attached to adjustable support block 120. each adjustable downstream lane divider 20 is thereby positioned in place to provide a second wall of a downstream portion 14 of a lane L. Referring to FIG 3, the sliding contact surface 54 of each transition tip 52, which is attached at the upstream end of each adjustable downstream lane divider 20, slidably contacts an upstream lane divider 16 to provide a substantially continuous second wall of each lane L thai extends from the upstream portion 12 to the downstream portion 14, The transition surface Sβ of the transition tip 38 provides a smooth transition between each upstream lane divider 16 and a respective adjustable downstream lane divider 20 such that the upstream end of the adjustable downstream lane divider 20 does not obstruct articles G as they move in the lane L In alternative embodiments, the transition tip 38 can be integral to me adjustable downstream lane divider 20 or can be omitted

Refemng to FIGs, 2, S, and ICI, since the adjustable downstream lane dividers 20 are connected to the translating apparatuses ?2, the adjustable downstream lane dividers 20 can thereby translate in directions along or parallel to the axss X Io adjust

the downstream lane width W2 of each lane L, To narrow tho downstream portions 14 of the lanes L, the adjustable downstream lane dividers 20 are moved in the upstream direction. To widen the downstream portions 14 of the lanes L ₁ the adjustable downstream lane dividers .20 are moved in the downstream direction. As the adjustable downstream lane dividers 20 translate along the axis X, the sliding contact surfaces 54 of the transition tips 52 remain in sliding contact with the upstream lane dividers 16. Thereby, the transition tips 52 continue to provide a transition surface 56 between the upstream and downstream lane dividers 16, 20 as the adjustable downstream lane dividers 20 move

In the exemplary embodiment, the drive system 74 and support tower assemblies 60 _; 62, 64 are arranged such that operating the drive system 74 moves each of the adjustable downstream lane dividers 20 simultaneously in alternative embodiments, the adjustable downstream lane dividers 20 can be moved individually and/or manually.

Operating the packaging apparatus 10 Includes adjusting the downstream width of the lanes L according to the diameter O or other dimension of the articles C that are to be conveyed through the lanes L. In this manner, the packaging apparatus 10 can accommodate articles C with differing dimensions such as a first diameter D1 and a second diameter D2 The adjusting method or operation may be manually performed. Alternately, the adjusting method can be performed according to one or more user-created logic programs that are stored on a computer readable medium and executed by a programmable logic controller (PLC), The PLC may be programmed directly, or the logic programs may be downloaded or relayed from a computer (not shown). The FLC has either modular or integral input/output αrcuitry that monitors the status of field connected sensor inputs, including sensors, and controls attached to output actuators, including devices such as motor starters solenoids, pilot lights/displays, drives, vacuum valves, and the like (not shown) according to the programs stored sn the random-access (RAM) portion of memory. A system bus couples memory, sensor inputs, and output actuators to the PLC if me PLC receives programming from a computer, the computer typically further includes

additional cornsxner-readabie media, such as low speed storage, such as a hard dssk drive o? a magnetic disk drive, and me like. ?o read from or write to a removable disk, and an optical disk d ^ή ve for reading a CD-ROM dssk or to read from or write Io ome? optical media. The hard disk drive, magnetic dssk dnve, and optical disk dπve include a hard disk drive interface, a magnetic disk drive interface, and an optical άnve interface, respectively (not shown}, for coupling the drives to the system bus. The drives and their associated compυler-readabie media provide nonvolatile storage for ihe computer Although the description of computer-readable medium above refers to a hard disk, a portable USB drive, a removable magnetic disk a CD- ROM disk, other types or media readable by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, fiash memory cards, digital video disks, Bernoulli cartridges, end the like, can also be used

A number of program modules can be stored m ihe drives and m the RAU portion of memory, including an operating system, one or more application programs, a shared code library, and a browser program module, A user may enter commands and information inio the computer through a human/machine interface (HMI) ₁ such as but not limited to a keyboard and pointing device, such as a mouse. The HMI may incorporate other inpnt/output devices such as a microphone, joystick, scanner, pushbuttons, LEOs, and the like. These and other input/output devices may be connected to the PLC or the processing unii of the computer through a senai port interface coupled to the system bus, but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a universal serial bus (IiSB) (not shown). The input/output devices Include a monitor or other type of display device connected so the system bus vsa an interface, such as a video adapter In addition to *he monitor, computers typically mclude other peripheral output devices, such as speakers or pnniers.

According to an exemplary method, a diameter D can be enrered or selected through the HiVII as input for a logsc program The PLC accordingly executes the logic program and sends the output ϊo the rotø?y motor 1δ4 The motor 104 rotates me axle 102 to simultaneously translate each oi the adjustable downstream lane dividers

20 in the proper direction, and by the proper amount. such that the desired lane width W2 of each lane L is achieved for the input diameter D.

It should be understood the translating apparatus 72 and the drive system 74 are not limited to the elements and configurations of elements described herein, in alternative embodiments, the translating apparatus can include alternative means for translating including, but not limited to. wheel and iraek arrangements, rollers, various types of hearings _* conveyor- iype systems, a screw mechanism that attaches so a threaded bearing, combinations thereof, and the like.

Further, in alternative embodiments the system for driving the translating apparatus can include alternative means for driving including, but not limited to. conveyor drive systems, air actuated pistons, a hand crank that drives a shaft or axle, manual or hand forces, a handle attached to a linkage, combinations thereof, and the like.

It should be understood that, in alternative embodiments, the exemplary fixed lane dividers can be adjustable and the exemplary adjustable lane dividers can be fixed such that the downstream lane dividers move relative to one another to adjust the width of the downstream portions of the lanes.

The above-oescrlbed embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention variations, modifications, and combinations may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims, All such variations, modifications, and combinations are Included herein by the scope of this disclosure and the follow: no claims