Method and system for changing the pitch of articles

Abstract

The present invention provides a system for changing the spacing between items within a packaging system. [Solution] A system for at least partially changing the pitch of articles, comprising: a gripping wheel having a gripping wheel axis and comprising a plurality of gripping assemblies rotating around the gripping wheel axis, wherein the gripping assemblies sequentially engage with each article of a series of articles, and the gripping wheel moves the articles along a movement path; and a spreader wheel positioned relative to the gripping wheel so as to engage with the gripping assemblies, wherein the engagement between the gripping assemblies and the spreader wheel causes the gripping assemblies to move each article relative to one another along a movement path as the gripping assemblies rotate around the gripping wheel axis.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 031,763, filed May 29, 2020.

Background Art

[0002] The disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 031,763, filed May 29, 2020, the disclosure of U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 239,947, filed Apr. 26, 2021, and the disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 016,607, filed Apr. 28, 2020, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to methods and systems for manipulating articles. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to methods and systems for changing the spacing between articles within, for example, a packaging system.

[0004] One aspect of the disclosure relates to a method of changing the pitch of articles. The method can include receiving a series of articles arranged at a first pitch, continuously engaging an article of the series of articles with a gripping wheel, moving the article along a travel path with the gripping wheel, and moving the articles relative to each other from the first pitch to a second pitch while moving the articles along the travel path with the gripping wheel.

[0005] Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a system for changing the pitch of articles at least partially. The system may comprise a gripping wheel having a gripping wheel axis and comprising a plurality of gripping assemblies that rotate around the gripping wheel axis. The gripping assemblies among the plurality of gripping assemblies can sequentially engage with each article of a series of articles, thereby moving the articles along a travel path. The system may further include a spreader wheel positioned relative to the gripping wheel so that the gripping assemblies engage with the spreader wheel. The engagement between the gripping assemblies and the spreader wheel allows the gripping assemblies to move each article relative to one another along a travel path as the gripping assemblies rotate around the gripping wheel axis.

[0006] Further aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings.

[0007] Those skilled in the art will understand the above-mentioned advantages and other advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments by referring to the drawings listed below and reading the following detailed description of the embodiments. It is within the scope of this disclosure that the above-described embodiments are provided individually and in various combinations.

[0008] According to common practice, the various features of the drawings described below are not necessarily drawn to a fixed scale. The dimensions of the various features and elements in the drawings may be enlarged or reduced to more clearly illustrate embodiments of this disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1A] This is a schematic diagram of a portion of a packaging system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1B] This is a schematic diagram of a portion of a packaging system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1C] This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1D] This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2A] This is a perspective view of an article re-pitching system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2B] Figure 2A is a top view of the article re-pitching system. [Figure 3] Figure 2A is a perspective view of a part of the article re-pitching system. [Figure 4] Figure 2A is a perspective view of the re-pitching device in the goods transport system. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the pitch re-pitching device. [Figure 6A] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the gripping assembly of the pitch re-pitching device. [Figure 6B] Figure 6A is an exploded perspective view of the gripping assembly. [Figure 6C] Figure 6A is a bottom view of the gripping arm of the gripping assembly. [Figure 7] Figure 2A is a schematic top view of the movement path of a container in an article re-pitching system between a guide rail and a re-pitching device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, with the spreader wheel of the re-pitching device being partially transparent. [Figure 8] This is a schematic exploded perspective view of a portion of the frame of an article re-pitching system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9A] This is a schematic diagram illustrating different configurations of an article re-pitching system according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 9B] This is a schematic diagram illustrating different configurations of an article re-pitching system according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 9C] This is a schematic diagram illustrating different configurations of an article re-pitching system according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0010] Throughout the drawings, corresponding parts are indicated by their corresponding reference numbers. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] This disclosure relates, in general, to systems and methods for handling containers or other articles in a package that may include a carrier for holding containers or other articles. Containers can be used, for example, to package food and beverage products. Containers can be made from materials suitable for a composition for packaging a particular food or beverage item, including, but not limited to, plastics such as glass, PET, LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, EVOFI, and nylon, aluminum and / or other metals, or any combination thereof. Systems and methods according to this disclosure can accommodate a number of different container shapes. For illustrative purposes only, and not to limit the scope of the disclosure, the following detailed description will describe beverage containers (e.g., aluminum cans) engaged by embodiments of the system. In this specification, the terms “bottom,” “bottom,” “top,” and “summit” indicate directions determined with respect to an upright container.

[0012] In the illustrated embodiments, each of the containers C may have a top T, a bottom B, and, for example, a curved or cylindrical side S (e.g., a curved or cylindrical side S) (Figures 1C and 1D). In one embodiment, the containers may be widest along the side S, or along at least a portion of the side S (e.g., having their widest diameter). Alternatively, the top T and / or bottom B may have the same diameter as the side S (e.g., at least partially the same diameter and / or almost, substantially, and / or nearly the same diameter), or a larger diameter than the side S. Each of the containers C may have a characteristic dimension D, in one embodiment the characteristic dimension may be its widest dimension (e.g., its widest diameter) along the height H of the container C (e.g., Figure 1D). In this disclosure, the containers C may be arranged in a “product pitch” when the containers are arranged in contact with each other along a line or flow of containers (e.g., at their widest portions and / or characteristic dimension D). For example, containers C can be arranged in a line or flow such that each container C engages with (e.g., touches, does not separate from) adjacent downstream containers and adjacent upstream containers. Containers C can be arranged, molded, positioned, or configured in other ways without departing from the present disclosure.

[0013] Figures 1A, 1B, and 2A–9C illustrate various exemplary embodiments and components of the system and method 20 for operating (e.g., transporting and / or changing the pitch of container C) within a packaging system 200 and method (Figures 1A and 1B) for forming a package (not shown) in accordance with this disclosure. In one embodiment, the packaging system 200 can transport and position the container as part of a larger packaging system, such as a system shown and described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 016,607 incorporated by reference or any suitable packaging system (e.g., a system for attaching components to a container, wrapping components around a container, loading the container into a carton, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, the packaging system 200 generally supplies containers C at the upstream end 203 of the system 200, orients the containers C to a desired and / or predetermined orientation (e.g., rotates them), transports the containers to a conveyor in the desired orientation, and positions the containers on the conveyor while changing the spacing between the containers (e.g., transporting the containers from a spacing pitch to a product pitch arrangement on the conveyor). The conveyor can move the containers C downstream MD while a package (not shown) is formed, and / or the conveyor can move the containers downstream for packaging and / or storage.

[0014] In one embodiment, a container C can move from an upstream end 203 through the system 200 generally in the downstream machine direction MD (downstream direction). As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the system 200 may have an upstream direction MU extending generally opposite to the downstream direction MD, a horizontal lateral direction MT crossing the downstream direction MD, and a vertical direction MV crossing the downstream direction MD. In this application, the system 200 may have a left SL and a right SR determined while viewing the downstream direction MD. In one embodiment, the system 200 of the present disclosure includes a feeding device 219, an orientation unit 221, a system 20 (e.g., an article re-pitching system 20), and a conveyor 223 on each of the left SL and right SR of the packaging system 200 (e.g., either side of the centerline of the packaging system 200 extending in the machine direction MD).

[0015] As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, each feeding device may include conveyors and guides that move the containers C to their respective re-orientation units 221 at spaced intervals in their respective flows so that each container C can be properly received by the orientation unit 221. In one embodiment, each orientation unit 221 may be mounted on a base frame including a base plate 225. The orientation unit 221 may use a camera and / or other sensors to determine the orientation of graphics, labels, and / or other features on each container, and may use a motor or other suitable device to selectively rotate individual containers C (e.g., around the vertical axis of each container) so that the desired features are moved to a predetermined orientation as the orientation unit 221 moves the containers C along a movement path (e.g., around the central axis of the orientation unit 221). In the illustrated embodiment, the orientation unit 221 may receive containers C from each feeding conveyor 219 and output the containers C to their respective conveyors 223 (Figures 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, and 7) in a predetermined orientation via the system 20. Therefore, the orientation unit 221 can orient each container C along its axis to ensure that the features of the container C (e.g., a universal product code or other information) face inward and are hidden by other containers C in the package formed together with the container, and / or that the features of the container C (e.g., a label, logo, or other information) face outward, for example, within the resulting package. Alternatively, the orientation assembly 221 can be omitted, and the containers C can be received by the system 20 via a conveyor or any suitable device.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the container C can be moved within the orientation unit 221 at a pitch having a specific interval (for example, enabling the container C to be individually re-oriented by the orientation unit). Thereby, the container C can be output in a configuration separated from the orientation unit 221. In the illustrated embodiment, the container re-pitching system 20 engages the container C at the pitch output by the orientation unit 221, and while moving the container C to the conveyor 223, at least partially maintains a predetermined direction (for example, the rotational direction) of the container C while changing the interval between the containers C (for example, the product pitch). Thus, the container C can be positioned on the conveyor 223 at an appropriate pitch (for example, the product pitch or any appropriate interval).

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the packaging system 200 includes two re-pitching systems 20, one for each of the orientation units 221. In one embodiment, the re-pitching systems 20 may be mirror images of each other (for example, the re-pitching system 20 on the right side SR of the packaging system 200 can rotate in a clockwise direction when viewed from above, and the re-pitching system 20 on the left side SL of the packaging system 200 can rotate in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from above). In connection with FIGS. 2A to 9C, only one of the re-pitching systems 20 will be described (for example, the re-pitching system 20 disposed on the right side SR of the packaging system 200).

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2A-3, the repitching system 20 can include a repitching device 21 mounted on a frame 23. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 23 can include a lower frame assembly 25 attached to a base plate 225 that supports an orientation unit 221 (FIGS. 1A and 1B), and an upper frame assembly 27 attached to the lower frame assembly 25. In an alternative embodiment, the lower frame assembly 25 can be attached to any suitable support. As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2B, and 7, the movement path of the container C from the orientation unit 221 to the conveyor 223 is at least partially defined by a guide rail 29 disposed opposite the repitching device 21. In one embodiment, the guide rail 29 can have a curved surface facing the repitching device 21 along a curved movement path. In the illustrated embodiment, a guide plate 31 (FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2B, 3, and 9A-9C) can be attached below the movement path from the orientation unit 221 to the conveyor 223 to support the container C from below as the container C moves along the movement path.

[0019] In one embodiment, the lower frame assembly 25 may include a lower frame plate 33a and an upper frame plate 33b connected by a vertical frame element 35. As shown in Figures 2A and 3, each frame plate 33a, 33b can be attached to the respective base plate 225 by their respective adjustment rail assemblies 37a, 37b. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the adjustment rail assemblies 37a, 37b may include a guard or cover 39 (Figure 2A), a track 41 attached to the respective base plate 225, and a pair of adjustment rail bearings 43 attached to the underside of each of the frame plates 33a, 33b. For each of the adjustment rail assemblies 37a, 37b, the adjustment rail bearings 43 engage with the track 41, allowing the adjustment rail bearings 43 to move parallel to (e.g., slide and / or roll) along the track 41. Therefore, by moving the adjustment rail bearing 43 along the track 41, the lower frame assembly 25, the upper frame assembly 27 (attached to the lower frame assembly 25), and the re-pitch device 21 (attached to both frame assemblies 25 and 27) can be moved relative to the base plate 225. In one embodiment, the track 41 may have a radius of curvature about the axis of the orientation unit 221 (e.g., Figures 1A and 1B).

[0020] In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustment screw 45 can be attached to one of the vertical frame elements 35 via a hinge 47 and can engage with a vertical support 48 connecting the base plate 225. In one embodiment, the adjustment screw 45 can engage with the vertical support 48 by its threads, and as a result, by rotating the adjustment screw 45, the adjustment screw 45 moves relative to the vertical support 48 (for example, toward or away from the conveyor 223). An adjustment wheel 49 can be attached to the end of the adjustment screw 45, and by rotating the adjustment wheel 49, the adjustment screw 45 can be rotated relative to the base plate 225, causing the re-pitching system 20 on the track 41 to move toward and away from the centerline of the conveyor 223 and the packaging system 200. In the embodiment, the hinge 47 can pivot when the adjustment screw 45 is rotated and the re-pitching system 20 moves along the track 41 to accommodate the curve of the track and the arc of the re-pitching system 20's movement path on the track 41. Therefore, the re-pitching system 20 can be adjusted with respect to the movement path of the container C and the conveyor 223 to accommodate container C having different diameters or to change the position in which the container C is placed on the conveyor 223. In embodiments, the position of the container C in the lateral MT on the conveyor 223 can be adjusted to align the container C with the features of the components that form a package (not shown). For example, as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 239,947 and Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 239,947, which are cited references, a package with a deeper keel may have a wider blank in the MT direction, resulting in the container C being positioned on the conveyor 223 further from the centerline of the packaging system 200 in the MT direction, and a package with a shallower keel may have a narrower blank in the MT direction, resulting in the container C being positioned on the conveyor 223 closer to the centerline of the packaging system 200 in the MT direction. Furthermore, the position of the conveyor 223 can be adjusted in the lateral direction MT for different package configurations, and the system 20 can be adjusted accordingly by operating the adjustment wheel 49.Any aspect of the lower frame assembly 25 and / or upper frame assembly 27 may be omitted or otherwise arranged, molded, positioned, or configured without departing from the present disclosure.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2A-5, the repitching device 21 may include a cam wheel or spreader wheel 51 mounted on the upper or first drive shaft 53 and a gripping wheel 55 mounted on the lower or second drive shaft 57. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper drive shaft 53 and the lower drive shaft 57 are offset from each other, and as a result, the central axis 54 of the spreader wheel 51 (e.g., the wheel axis of the spreader, Figure 7) is offset from the central axis 58 of the gripping wheel 55 (e.g., the gripping wheel axis: Figure 7). In exemplary embodiments, the shafts 53 and 57 may be offset from each other by 1-3 / 16 inches (e.g., approximately, substantially, and / or generally 1-3 / 16 inches). Alternatively, the shafts may be offset by any suitable distance. In exemplary embodiments, the upper drive shaft 53 can be attached to the upper frame assembly 27 by a bearing 59, and the lower drive shaft 57 can be attached to the upper frame plate 33b of the lower frame assembly 25 via a bearing 61 (at least in Figures 2A and 3) (the lower bearing 61 can be attached to the frame plate 33b via a spacer ring, Figure 4). In one embodiment, the lower drive shaft 57 can be coupled to a gearbox 63 which can be attached to the lower frame plate 33a, and a motor (not shown) can be attached which can rotate the lower drive shaft 57 at a desired speed via the gearbox and coupling. In embodiments, the lower drive shaft 57 and gearbox 63 can extend through an opening (not shown) in the base plate 225, which may provide clearance for the lower drive shaft and gearbox to move relative to the base plate 225 when the repitching system 20 is adjusted on the adjustment rail assemblies 37a, 37b.

[0022] In the illustrated embodiment, the upper drive shaft 53 can be attached to the spreader wheel 51 via a drive spacer 69 (at least 2A-5 in Figures 2A-5), and the gripping wheel 55 may include a hub 71 attached to the lower drive shaft 53 (at least 4, 5 in Figures 4 and 5). As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the hub 71 can be coupled to the upper drive shaft 53 via an offset coupling 73, which transmits the rotation of the lower drive shaft 57 (e.g., gripping wheel shaft 58), driven by a motor 65, to the offset upper drive shaft 53, so that the upper drive shaft 53 rotates while maintaining the rotation of its axis (e.g., spreader wheel shaft 54). Any of the upper drive shaft 53, the lower drive shaft 57, and / or related features can be arranged, molded, positioned, or configured in other ways without departing from the present disclosure. For example, the offset coupling 73 can be omitted, and the upper drive shaft 53 can be driven by a separate motor or by the motor 65 (e.g., via a drive belt). In another example, the upper drive shaft 53 is driven by a motor or other suitable feature, and the rotation is transmitted to the lower drive shaft 57 by an offset coupling 73 or other suitable feature.

[0023] As shown in at least Figures 4, 5, and 7, the spreader wheel 51 may include a number of equally spaced radially extending pockets or slots 75. In the illustrated embodiment, the slots 75 may be elongated, sized to receive pins or cam followers of the gripping wheel 55, as described later, and extending radially toward the periphery of the spreader wheel 51. As shown in at least Figures 4 and 7, each of the slots 75 may include an inner end 76a (e.g., near the central axis 54 of the spreader wheel 51) and an outer end 76b (e.g., adjacent to the outer edge of the spreader wheel 51). The spreader wheel 51 may be arranged, molded, positioned, or configured in other ways without departing from the present disclosure. For example, although the spreader wheel 51 is shown to have 28 slots 75, the spreader wheel may include any suitable number of slots. In another example, although the spreader wheel 51 is shown as circular (e.g., circular) in the figures, the spreader wheel 51 may have any suitable shape.

[0024] As shown at least in Figures 4, 5, and 7, the grip wheel 55 includes a number of grip assemblies 77 mounted in a row around the hub 71. In the illustrated embodiment, 28 grip assemblies 77 are mounted on the hub 71. However, for clarity, many of the grip assemblies 77 are omitted in some figures. As shown in Figure 4, each grip assembly 77 is attached to the hub via shoulder screws 79 or other suitable fasteners, each shoulder screw 79 extending through a hole 82a in the lower flange 80a of the hub 71 and a pivot hole 81 in the grip assembly 77 (Figures 6A and 6B), and engaging (e.g., via screw engagement) with a screw hole 82b in the upper flange 80b of the hub 71, so that the pivot end 93b of the grip assembly 77 is received between the flanges 80a, 80b of the hub 71. In one embodiment, the pivot hole 81 provides clearance for the shoulder screw 79, allowing the gripping assembly 77 to pivot at least partially freely around the shoulder screw 79. In another embodiment, the screw hole 82b can be replaced with a clearance hole, allowing the shoulder screw 79 to extend through clearance holes in both flanges 80a and 80b and be secured to the hub 71 with a nut, or the gripping assembly 77 can be attached to the hub 71.

[0025] As shown in Figures 6A to 6C, each of the gripping assemblies 77 may include a gripping arm 83, a replacement arm 85 (or insertable arm) at least partially mounted within the gripping arm 83, a gripping head 87 mounted on the end of the replacement arm 85, and a pin or cam follower 89 mounted within a top hole 91 of the gripping arm 83. As shown in Figure 6B, the replacement arm 85 may be mounted within a portion of its distal end 93a and an opening 92 extending into the bottom of the gripping arm 83, where the distal end 93a is opposite the pivot end 93b, which includes a pivot hole 81. As shown in Figure 6B, the replacement arm 85 includes two notches 95 that engage (e.g., slide) with respective dowels 97 extending across the opening 92 of the gripping arm 83. In one embodiment, the dowels 97 may be secured (e.g., by interference fit, adhesive, screws, etc.) to holes on the sides of the gripping arm 83. Therefore, the engagement between the dowel 97 and the notch 95 can help hold the replacement arm 85 within the opening 92. In one embodiment, the spring plunger 99 can screw-engage with a threaded hole 101 in the replacement arm 85 and may have a retractable end 103 that protrudes through the top of the replacement arm 85. Thus, the retractable end 103 can engage with an internal recess 105 (Figure 6C) of the opening 92 in the gripping arm 83 when the replacement arm 85 is positioned in the opening and the notch 95 engages with the dowel 97. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring plunger 99 may include a spring (not shown) that can bias the retractable end 103 outward and may include a pull knob 107 that can pull the retractable end 103 inward against the bias of the spring. Therefore, when the replacement arm 85 slides into the opening 92 of the gripping arm 83, the retractable end 103 can retract, slide against the inner surface of the opening 92, encounter the recess 105 and snap into the recess 105, the dowel 97 and notch 95 engage, and the replacement arm 85 is held in the opening 92. The replacement arm 85 can be removed from the opening 92 by pulling the pull knob 107 to retract the retractable end 103 from the recess 105 and sliding the notch 95 out of the dowel 97.This allows the replacement arm 85 to be removed and replaced together with the gripping head 87. For example, the replacement arm 85 and gripping head 87 can be replaced with combinations of replacement arm 85 and gripping head 87 having different gripping heads that can accommodate containers C of different diameters (for example, the gripping head 87 has receiving surfaces with different radii of curvature), or with replacement arm 85 having different lengths. In other examples, the combination of replacement arm 85 and gripping head 87 can be replaced due to damage, wear, etc.

[0026] As shown at least in Figures 6A and 6B, the gripping head 87 can be attached to the end of the interchangeable arm 85 and positioned close to the distal end 93a of the gripping arm 83 when the interchangeable arm 85 is locked in place within the opening 92. In one embodiment, the gripping head 87 can be bolted to the end of the interchangeable arm 85 or fixed to the interchangeable arm 85. In the illustrated embodiment, the gripping head 87 may have a curved concave receiving surface 109 to engage with each of the containers C. In exemplary embodiments, different gripping heads 87 may have receiving surfaces 109 with different radii of curvature to engage with containers of different sizes. In one embodiment, the receiving surface 109 may be curved to engage with about one-third of the circumference of the side surface S of the container C. In one embodiment, the radius of curvature of the receiving surface 109 may be configured to engage with containers C having a specific diameter or a range of diameters, and the gripping head 87 may be interchangeable (e.g., together with the interchangeable arm 85) to accommodate containers of different diameters. As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the gripping head 87 may include notches 110 that may provide clearance for adjacent portions 112 of the gripping head 87 in the gripping wheel 55 when the gripping assemblies 77 approach each other in the repitching device 21, as will be described in more detail below. Alternatively, the receiving surface 109 may be configured to engage with different amounts of the circumference of the container C. In the illustrated embodiment, the fender or gripping element 111 may be attached (e.g., by adhesive or by other means) to the opening of the receiving surface 109 of the gripping head 87. In one embodiment, the gripping element 111 may be made of an elastic material such as rubber or other suitable material so that the gripping element 111 can deform at least partially when engaging with the container C which is engaged between the receiving surface 109 and the guide rail 29 (Figures 1A, 1B, and 2B). Therefore, the friction between the gripping element 111 and the container C may be sufficient to help the gripping element 111 prevent the container C from rotating as the gripping head 87 moves the container C along the path from the orientation unit 221 to the conveyor 223.In some embodiments, the gripping element 111 can act, at least partially, as a buffer or shock absorber between the gripping head 87 and the container C.

[0027] As shown at least in Figures 6A-6C, the cam follower 89 can be fixed within the top hole 91 of the gripping arm 83 (e.g., by interference fit, screw-in, adhesive, etc.). The cam follower 89 can protrude from the top of the gripping arm 83 so that it engages with each slot 75 in the spreader wheel 51 when the gripping arm 83 is mounted on the hub 71 in the gripping wheel 55 and the spreader wheel 51 is mounted on top of the gripping wheel (e.g., Figures 4 and 7). In the illustrated embodiment, the cam follower 89 can slidably engage with the slots 75 so that the cam follower 89 can slide along at least a portion of the length of the slots 75 as the gripping wheel 55, and the spreader wheel 51 rotates about an offset axis, as will be described in more detail below. Any part of the gripping assembly 77 can be omitted or otherwise arranged, molded, positioned or configured without departing from the present disclosure.

[0028] As shown in Figure 7, the re-pitching device 21 is shown from above, with the spreader wheel 51 partially transparent, so that the position of the cam follower 89 in each slot 75 is visible. In addition, the portion of the gripping wheel 55 below the spreader wheel 51 is shown by a dashed line. The gripping assembly 77 has the pivot end 93b of the gripping arm 83 extending outward from the hub 71, which is pivotally connected to the hub 71 attached to the lower drive shaft 57. The cam follower 89 extends upward from each gripping arm 83, and the spreader wheel 51 is attached to the upper drive shaft 53 (for example, via a drive spacer 69) so that the cam follower 89 is accommodated in each slot 75. The spreader wheel 51 and hub 71 rotate at the same speed (for example, via the offset coupling 73), and therefore the gripping assembly 77 rotates to engage with the container C at the exit of the orientation unit 221, moving the container C along the path to the conveyor 223, and the lower drive shaft 57 rotates around the axis 58 of the gripping wheel 55, returning to the path of the container. As shown in Figure 7, the spreader wheel 51 and gripping wheel 55 rotate in a clockwise direction.

[0029] In one embodiment, the lower drive shaft 57 and the shaft 58 of the hub 71 are offset from the upper drive shaft 53 and the shaft 54 ​​of the spreader wheel 51, so that the gripping assemblies 77 pivot around the shoulder screw 79 and are gradually pulled towards each other as they move from the output of the orientation unit 221 to the conveyor. As the spreader wheel 51 and gripping wheel 55 rotate further and the gripping assemblies 77 move away from the conveyor 223, the gripping assemblies 77 can continue to be pulled towards each other as the cam follower 89 moves toward the inner end 76a of the slot 75 and toward the central axis 54 of the spreader wheel 51. Subsequently, due to the offset of the axes of the spreader wheel 51 and gripping wheel 55, the cam follower 89 moves outward toward the outer end 76b of the slot 75 and away from the central axis 54 of the spreader wheel 51, causing the gripping assemblies 77 to pivot around the shoulder screw 79 and spread apart. In one embodiment, this is because the radial slots 75 of the spreader wheel 51 are separated at their outer or distal end 76b from their inner or proximal end 76a, and due to the offset described above, the cam follower 89 is positioned near the distal end 76b of the slots 75 when the gripping assembly 77 is positioned at the exit of the orientation unit 221 (e.g., the receiving area of ​​the system 20), and near the proximal end 76a of the slots 75 when the gripping assembly 77 is positioned on the conveyor 223. In one embodiment, depending on how the spreader wheel 51 and the gripping wheel 55 are configured relative to each other, the spacing of the containers C in the orientation unit 221, and the diameter of the containers C, the position where the gripping head 87 is positioned furthest away may correspond to the position where the gripping assembly 77 first engages with the container C, or it may be before or after the gripping assembly 77 engages with the container C (e.g., different positions along the circumference of the gripping wheel 55). Similarly, in the illustrated embodiment, after the gripping assemblies 77 have rotated away from the conveyor 223, the gripping assemblies 77 may be brought closer to each other in accordance with the same or similar factors, while the gripping assemblies 77 are in a position away from the container or a position before this position.

[0030] As shown in Figure 7, the gripping assembly 77 is shown at a first position P1 where the gripping assembly first engages with the container C at the output of the orientation unit 221, a second position P2 where the gripping assembly 77 disengages from the container C on the conveyor 223, a third position P3 substantially opposite the first position P1, and a fourth position P4 substantially opposite the second position P2. Although other configurations are possible, as shown in Figure 7, the axes of the spreader wheel 51 and the gripping wheel 55 are offset such that the cam follower 89 of the gripping assembly 77 at position P1 is generally furthest from the axis 54 of the spreader wheel 51 and located at the distal or outer end 76b of the respective slots 75. Thus, the gripping head 87 is separated at position P1 and engages with the container C at the output pitch of the orientation unit 221. In one exemplary embodiment, the output pitch of the orientation unit 221 can be constant regardless of the diameter of the container C. For example, the containers C can be separated from each other by approximately 3.1 inches or any appropriate distance at the output of the orientation unit 221. At position P2, the cam follower 89 is moved within the slot 75 closer to the axis 54 of the spreader wheel 51, resulting in the gripping heads 87 being moved closer to each other and aligning the containers C to product pitch (so that the containers C engage with each other). At position P3, the cam follower 89 is moved further closer to the axis 54 of the spreader wheel 51 within the slot 75, thereby bringing the gripping heads 87 even closer to each other (for example, a portion 112 of a gripping head 87 is received within a notch 110 of an adjacent gripping head). At position P3, the cam follower 89 is moved away from the axis of the spreader wheel 51, separating and spreading the gripping heads 87 at an intermediate position between positions P3 and P1.

[0031] During operation, the gripping assembly 77 rotates around the axis 58 of the gripping wheel 55, and the spreader wheel 51 rotates around the axis 54. As shown in Figure 7, the gripping heads 87 sequentially engage with the container C as it exits the orientation unit 221 (for example, when they enter the movement path in the receiving area of ​​the system 20), and the gripping heads 87 are separated by a distance corresponding to the output pitch of the orientation unit 221. In one embodiment, the orientation unit 221 can place the container C under compression and release the compression when the container C enters the receiving area of ​​the system 20. In one embodiment, one of the gripping heads 87 can engage with the container C after the compression has been released. Alternatively, the gripping heads 87 can engage with the container C before or simultaneously with the release of compression. In the illustrated embodiment, the gripping assembly 77 can engage with the container C between their respective receiving surfaces 109 and the guide rails 29 (Figures 1A, 1B, 2B, and 7), and the gripping elements 111 can engage with the container C to help prevent the container from rotating (for example, by friction between the gripping elements and the sides S of the container). In the exemplary embodiment, the gripping elements 111 can deform when pressed between the container C and the receiving surfaces 109. As the gripping wheel 55 rotates, the gripping head 87 can slide the container C against the guide rails 29 on the guide plate 31 along the travel path toward the conveyor 223, while the cam follower 89 moves toward the axis 54 of the spreader wheel 51 in the slot 75, pulling the gripping assembly together. Thus, the gripping head 87 moves the containers C closer to each other as the container C moves along the travel path toward the conveyor 223. When container C is moved onto the conveyor 223 by the gripping assembly 77, container C is brought together by the gripping head 87 to the product pitch, and the conveyor 223 engages with the bottom B of the container, allowing container C to move downstream MD. In one embodiment, additional features (e.g., guides and / or belts, not shown) can help move the container along the conveyor 223 when the container leaves the gripping head 87.In the illustrated embodiment, the gripping assembly 77 moves away from the container C and conveyor 223 as it rotates on the gripping wheel 55, and then continues to rotate back toward the output of the orientation unit 221, where it can engage with an additional container C.

[0032] In addition to adjusting the system 20 on the adjustment rail assemblies 37a, 37b (for example, moving the re-pitching device 21 relative to the movement path of container C and / or conveyor 223), the position of the spreader wheel 51 relative to the gripping wheel 55 can be adjusted by moving the upper frame assembly 27 relative to the lower frame assembly 25. For example, as shown in Figure 8, the upper frame assembly 27 is attached to the upper frame plate 33b of the lower frame assembly 25 by three pivot bearings 121 (or any appropriate number of pivot bearings 121) that allow the upper frame assembly 27 to move in a horizontal plane relative to the lower frame assembly 25. For example, as shown in Figure 8, each pivot bearing 121 may include a pivot 131 attached to the upper frame plate 33b so that the pivot 131 can rotate around its axis, and a bearing 133 attached to the pivot 131 so that the bearing 133 is offset from the axis of the pivot 131. In one embodiment, the bearing 133 moves around the axis of the pivot 131 as the pivot 131 rotates around its axis. In the illustrated embodiment, the bearing 133 is at least partially received in each hole 135 in the base of the upper frame assembly 27, and the bearing 133 is mounted to the base of the upper frame assembly 27. In one embodiment, the upper frame assembly 27 can be locked in place by a locking pin 123, which can selectively engage with a preset hole 124 in an alignment block 125 mounted to the upper frame plate 33b via a preset hole 127 in the base of the upper frame assembly 27 (Figures 2A-3 and 2A-8).In exemplary embodiments, preset holes 127 (e.g., three preset holes or any suitable number of preset holes) can be located within the base of the upper frame assembly 27, and preset holes 124 (e.g., three preset holes or any suitable number of preset holes) can be located within the alignment block 125, and the system 20 can be configured for a specific container diameter (e.g., 53 mm, 58 mm, 66 mm, or any suitable diameter) when one of the preset holes 127 is aligned with each of the preset holes 124 in the alignment block 125. For example, in one embodiment, the upper frame assembly 27 can move relative to the lower frame assembly 25, while pivot bearings 121 constrain the movement of the upper frame assembly 27 to the movement of bearings 133 around the axis of each pivot 131. At a specific location on the upper frame assembly 27 (for example, a location related to a specific container diameter), one of the preset holes 127 is aligned with one of each of the preset holes 124, so that the locking pin 123 is inserted into each of the preset holes 127 and 124.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, the movement of the upper frame assembly 27 relative to the lower frame assembly 25 can move the spreader wheel 51 (attached to the upper frame assembly 27 via the upper drive shaft 53) relative to the gripping wheel (attached to the lower frame assembly 25 via the lower drive shaft 57). For example, in the three figures 9A to 9C, the upper frame assembly 27 and the spreader wheel 51 are shown in different positions. Moving the spreader wheel 51 relative to the gripping wheel 55 changes the position in which the cam follower 89 engages with the slot 75 along the length of the slot 75 (for example, the second position P2 in Figure 7), which affects how far away the gripping head 87 is separated. For example, the spreader wheel 51 can be moved to a position where the gripping heads 87 are closer to each other at a second position P2 for containers C having a small diameter, or to a position where the gripping heads 87 are relatively far apart at position P2 for containers C having a relatively large diameter (for example, the system 20 is configured to place the containers C on the conveyor 223 at a product pitch for a particular container diameter). In an exemplary embodiment, the movement of the spreader wheel 51 relative to the gripping wheel 55 during adjustment can be constrained (for example, by the pivot bearing 121) so that the offset between the axis of the spreader wheel 51 and the gripping wheel 55 is fixed (for example, so that the axis of the spreader wheel 51 moves around the axis of the gripping wheel 55 at a radius equal to the fixed offset distance), and / or so that the gripping heads 87 remain spaced apart with respect to the discharge pitch of the orientation unit 221). Alternatively, the movement of the spreader wheel 51 relative to the gripping wheel 55 may be partially constrained or not constrained during adjustment.

[0034] The pivot bearing 121, locking pin 123, preset hole 124, alignment block 125, and / or preset hole 127 may be omitted or arranged, molded, positioned, or configured in other ways without departing from the disclosure. The position of the spreader wheel 51 relative to the gripping wheel 55 may be adjusted in other ways without departing from the disclosure.

[0035] The foregoing description of this disclosure illustrates and describes various embodiments. Since various modifications can be made to the above configurations without departing from the scope of the disclosure, all matters included in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting. Furthermore, the scope of this disclosure includes various variations, combinations, and modifications of the embodiments described above. In addition, while this disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments, various other combinations, modifications, and environments are within the scope of the disclosure expressed herein, corresponding to the foregoing teachings and / or within the scope of the art or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, specific features and characteristics of each embodiment can be selectively substituted and applied to other illustrated and unillustrated embodiments of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A method for changing the pitch of an article, Receiving a series of articles arranged in a first pitch, The process involves continuously engaging the articles from the aforementioned series of articles with a gripping wheel, The article is moved along the movement path using the gripping wheel, A method comprising moving the articles along the movement path with the gripping wheels, while moving the articles from a first pitch to a second pitch relative to each other.

2. The gripping wheel includes a plurality of gripping assemblies, The method according to claim 1, wherein engaging the article includes engaging each of the gripping assemblies of the plurality of gripping assemblies with each of the article while moving the article along the movement path.

3. Each gripping assembly is equipped with a gripping head having a concave receiving surface, The method according to claim 2, wherein engaging each of the articles with each of the gripping assemblies includes positioning the receiving surface of each of the gripping heads along at least a portion of each article.

4. The guide rail extends at least partially along the movement path opposite to the gripping wheel, The method according to claim 3, wherein engaging each of the articles with the respective gripping assemblies includes engaging the articles between the respective receiving surfaces and the guide rails while moving the articles along the movement path.

5. Each of the gripping assemblies includes a gripping element extending from the receiving surface of the gripping head, The method according to claim 3, wherein engaging each of the articles with the respective gripping assembly includes pressing the gripping element against the respective article, such that the gripping element at least partially prevents the respective article from rotating relative to the gripping head while the article moves along the movement path.

6. The guide rail extends at least partially along the movement path opposite to the gripping wheel, The method according to claim 2, wherein engaging each of the articles with the respective gripping assemblies includes engaging the articles between the respective gripping assemblies and the guide rails while moving the articles along the movement path.

7. Moving the articles along the aforementioned movement path includes moving each of the articles onto the conveyor along the guide rails, The method according to claim 6, further comprising rotating the gripping assembly away from the movement path after the article has been moved onto the conveyor.

8. The method according to claim 2, wherein moving the articles along the movement path includes rotating the gripping wheels so that the gripping assembly moves each article along the movement path while the gripping assembly is engaged with each article.

9. Each of the plurality of gripping assemblies has a pivot end that is rotatably attached to the hub, The method according to claim 2, wherein moving the articles relative to each other includes rotating the gripping assemblies relative to each other on their respective pivot ends while the gripping assemblies are engaged with each article.

10. The spreader wheel has a plurality of slots, and each of the gripping assemblies has a cam follower that is at least partially received in each of the plurality of slots. The method according to claim 9, wherein the rotation of the gripping assemblies relative to each other includes sliding the cam followers along their respective slots.

11. Rotating the gripping wheel around the gripping wheel shaft, The method further includes rotating the spreader wheel around the spreader wheel shaft, The method according to claim 10, wherein the gripping wheel shaft is offset from the spreader wheel shaft, and the offset between the gripping wheel shaft and the spreader wheel shaft causes the cam follower to slide along its respective slot while the gripping wheel and the spreader wheel rotate around their respective gripping wheel shafts and spreader wheel shafts.

12. The slots extend radially within the spreader wheel, and as each cam follower slides along the slot toward the spreader wheel axis, the gripping assemblies pivot closer to each other. The method according to claim 11, wherein as the gripping wheels and the spreader wheels rotate around the respective gripping wheel shafts and the spreader wheel shafts, the gripping assemblies pivot away from each other as the respective cam followers slide away from the spreader wheel shafts along the respective slots.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the slot extends radially within the spreader wheel, the spreader wheel is positioned relative to the gripping wheel, and the gripping wheel and the spreader wheel are rotated about the respective gripping wheel axis and the spreader wheel axis, causing the cam follower of each gripping assembly to move toward the spreader wheel axis, the gripping assemblies pivot toward each other about their respective pivot ends while each gripping assembly engages with the respective article, and the gripping assemblies move each article closer together while moving the article along the movement path.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the articles are spaced apart from each other at the first pitch, and the articles are arranged at the product pitch at the second pitch.

15. A system for changing the pitch of articles, at least partially. A gripping wheel having a gripping wheel axis and comprising a plurality of gripping assemblies rotating around the gripping wheel axis, wherein the gripping assemblies sequentially engage with each of the articles in a series, and the gripping wheel moves the articles along a movement path. A system comprising: a spreader wheel positioned relative to the gripping wheel so as to engage with the gripping assembly, wherein the engagement between the gripping assembly and the spreader wheel causes the gripping assembly to move each article relative to the other along a movement path as the gripping assembly rotates around the axis of the gripping wheel.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein each gripping assembly comprises a gripping head having a concave receiving surface that is positioned along at least a portion of the article when engaging with the article.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the guide rail extends at least partially along the movement path opposite to the gripping wheel, and the article is engaged between its respective receiving surface and the guide rail when the article is moved along the movement path.

18. Each of the gripping assemblies includes a gripping element extending from the receiving surface of the gripping head, The system according to claim 16, wherein the gripping elements are pressed against each article when the gripping assembly engages with each article, and the gripping elements at least partially prevent the rotation of each article relative to the gripping head as the articles move along the movement path.

19. The aforementioned movement path is defined at least partially between the guide rail and the gripping wheel, The system according to claim 15, wherein the conveyor extends along a portion of the movement path so that the gripping assembly moves the article onto the conveyor along the movement path.

20. Each of the plurality of gripping assemblies is provided with a pivot end that is rotatably attached to a hub, The engagement between the gripping assembly and the spreader wheel causes the gripping assembly to pivot relative to each other at their respective pivoting ends. The system according to claim 15, wherein, when the gripping assemblies are engaged with each article, the gripping assemblies move each article relative to each other as the gripping assemblies pivot relative to each other.

21. The aforementioned spreader wheel has multiple slots, Each of the gripping assemblies comprises a cam follower at least partially housed within each of the slots of the plurality of slots, The system according to claim 20, wherein the cam follower slides along each of the slots as the gripping assembly rotates around the gripping wheel shaft, and the movement of the cam follower within each of the slots causes the gripping assembly to pivot at each of the pivot ends.

22. The aforementioned spreader wheel has a spreader wheel shaft, The spreader wheel rotates around the spreader wheel axis, The gripping wheel shaft is offset from the spreader wheel shaft. The system according to claim 21, wherein the offset between the gripping wheel shaft and the spreader wheel shaft causes the cam follower to slide along its respective slot as the gripping wheel and the spreader wheel rotate around their respective gripping wheel shaft and the spreader wheel shaft.

23. The slots extend radially within the spreader wheel, and the gripping assembly pivots close to each other as each cam follower slides along each slot toward the spreader wheel axis. The system according to claim 22, wherein as the gripping wheel and the spreader wheel rotate around their respective gripping wheel axis and the spreader wheel axis, each cam follower slides away from the spreader wheel axis along the respective slots, and the gripping assemblies pivot away from each other.

24. The spreader wheel is attached to the first drive shaft, The gripping wheel is attached to the second drive shaft. The system according to claim 15, wherein the first drive shaft is offset from the second drive shaft.

25. The system according to claim 24, wherein the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft are coupled to each other by an offset coupling that transmits the rotation of the second drive shaft on its axis to the first drive shaft on its axis.

26. The system according to claim 24, wherein the first drive shaft is attached to the upper frame assembly and the second drive shaft is attached to the lower frame assembly.

27. The lower frame assembly is attached to the base plate by an adjustment rail assembly, and the adjustment rail assembly includes a track attached to the base plate and a rail bearing attached to the lower frame assembly. The system according to claim 26, wherein the rail bearing engages with the track, and the rail bearing moves along the track to adjust the position of at least the gripping wheel relative to the travel path.

28. The system according to claim 24, wherein the upper frame assembly is attached to the lower frame assembly by a plurality of pivot bearings, and the upper frame assembly is movable relative to the lower frame assembly via the pivot bearings to move the spreader wheel relative to the gripping wheel.

29. The system according to claim 15, wherein each of the gripping assemblies comprises a gripping arm having a swivel end within the gripping assembly and a gripping head facing the swivel end, the gripping head engaging with each article.

30. The system according to claim 29, wherein, for each of the gripping assemblies, the gripping head is attached to the gripping arm by an insertion arm, and the insertion arm is at least partially housed within the opening of the gripping arm.

31. The system according to claim 29, wherein for each of the gripping assemblies, the gripping head has a concave receiving surface for engaging around a portion of the side surface of the respective article.

32. The system according to claim 29, wherein each of the gripping assemblies includes a gripping element attached to the gripping head, the gripping element including an elastic material that deforms when engaging with the respective article.

33. Each of the gripping assemblies comprises a cam follower attached to the gripping arm, The aforementioned spreader wheel has multiple slots, The system according to claim 29, wherein the cam follower is at least partially housed in each of the plurality of slots.

34. The system according to claim 15, wherein the articles are spaced apart from each other by the first pitch, and the articles are arranged at a product pitch by the second pitch.

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