Top load cartoner

Abstract

A cartoning method including the steps of: feeding blanks from a single magazine through a single blank feeder in a first direction; forming an array of at least two blanks from the fed blanks and thereafter transporting the array for forming, loading and closing via respective robot kinetics of at least two axis motion. Carton blanks and cartons travel through a path. Robots below the path transport the cartons. Robots above the path facilitate carton forming, loading and closing. Methods and apparatus are disclosed.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM [0001] Applicant claims the benefit of the filing date of Mar. 3, 2006 of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 779,111 and of the filing date of Oct. 24, 2006 of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 854,023, both of the same title as this utility application and both herewith expressly incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to cartoners and more particularly to cartoners capable of loading items into cartons or trays through the carton or tray top, rather than from its end or side. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Traditional cartoners are generally designed to load cartons from the end or side, where items are pushed into an erected carton and thereafter side or end flaps are glued and closed to finish. [0004] There have been several attempts at top loading cartons or trays with items. In these devices, portions of a flat carton or tray blank, are glued up or a lock mechanism is used to form an op...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a cartoner that can mix and match continuous and intermittent operations in the cartoning process. It uses a unique combination of robots to handle and form cartons or trays, and can adjust the spacing or pitch between them during the process. The cartons or trays are then loaded onto a glue or closing station, and the process is completed with the formation of the final product. The cartoner is designed to be efficient and flexible, with the ability to handle small footprints and specific operations. It also includes a single magazine for feeding carton blanks, which eliminates the need for multiple feeders or magazines. The use of two or more lower robots beneath the cartoner allows for tooling interference at higher speeds, and the invention includes a process for forming and transporting blanks using a two-axis motion or robotic mechanism. Overall, the invention provides a top loading cartoner with the benefits of both continuous and intermittent motion.

Problems solved by technology

Such fixed pitch equipment can be adjusted to different pitch, but this requires downtime, not only in the adjustment of carton conveying lugs but in changeover and adjustment of associated equipment such as loaders, gluers, closers and the like.

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