Patents Assigned to R. A. Jones & Co.
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Patent number: 11866216Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing lids has at least one magazine lane including an entrance end, an exit end, and a longitudinal length defined therebetween. The at least one magazine lane further includes a plurality of side guides along the longitudinal length for guiding the lids therebetween and a pair of rollers for carrying the lids thereon. The apparatus further has a throat plate at or near the exit end, the throat plate including an opening. At least one of the throat plate, the side guides, or the rollers is adaptable so as to accommodate different sizes and/or shapes of lids.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: R.A Jones & Co.Inventors: Wade Joseph Burken, Donald Brooks MacKinnon, Daniel Leonard Matthies, Jeffrey David Wintring
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Patent number: 11724843Abstract: Packaging apparatus and methods include a plurality of article grippers driven by independently controlled motors in an end-of-arm tooling (EOAT), for picking articles, grouping articles, adjusting group pitch and placing article groups in packages where incoming articles and packages are continuously or intermittently moving and without motion of the entire EOAT in the direction in which articles and packages are picked and moved. Hole healing and incoming product registration apparatus and methods are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: R.A Jones & Co.Inventors: Robert M. Kalany, Anthony B. Salvato, Matthew R. Lukes, Jerome Brugger
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Patent number: 11214390Abstract: A stack of products such as pouches are formed in a product bucket, pushed into a stack guide bucket and from there into a carton. A stack tamp descends over the stack, engages and confines it downwardly during stack pushing from product bucket and through stack guide bucket into a carton. Multiple product buckets, stack guide buckets and cartons move downstream during cartoning, and are respectively aligned in a cartoning station. Reciprocal containment blades hold the stack in respective cartons prior to flap closing.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2019Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: R.A Jones & Co.Inventors: William E. Engelhardt, Steven C. Hamilton, Eric M. Schaefer
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Patent number: 11198526Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing lids has at least one magazine lane including an entrance end, an exit end, and a longitudinal length defined therebetween. The at least one magazine lane further includes a plurality of side guides along the longitudinal length for guiding the lids therebetween and a pair of rollers for carrying the lids thereon. The apparatus further has a throat plate at or near the exit end, the throat plate including an opening. At least one of the throat plate, the side guides, or the rollers is adaptable so as to accommodate different sizes and/or shapes of lids.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2017Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: R.A Jones & Co.Inventors: Wade Joseph Burken, Donald Brooks MacKinnon, Daniel Leonard Matthies, Jeffrey David Wintring
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Patent number: 11001400Abstract: Packaging apparatus and methods include a plurality of article grippers driven by independently controlled motors in an end-of-arm tooling (EOAT), for picking articles, grouping articles, adjusting group pitch and placing article groups in packages where incoming articles and packages are continuously or intermittently moving and without motion of the entire EOAT in the direction in which articles and packages are picked and moved. Hole healing and incoming product registration apparatus and methods are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2016Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: R.A Jones & Co.Inventors: Robert M. Kalany, Anthony B. Salvato, Matthew R. Lukes, Jerome Brugger
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Patent number: 10273092Abstract: Articles are transferred from an article supply conveyor to an article receiving conveyor while the transferring articles are selectively reoriented. When the conveyors are in parallel, a travelling article reorienting turret seeks articles following an article absence or hole on the supply conveyor and transfers the following article to a next-in-line position on the receiving conveyor to cure or avoid holes of articles on the receiving conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2017Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: R.A Jones & Co.Inventors: Robert M. Kalany, Anthony B. Salvato, Mark Roland Godon, Michael Andre Lemay, Aleksandr Shneyder
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Patent number: 9969565Abstract: Article packaging apparatus includes a multiple lane article infeed, first and second transfers, an intermediate article orientation station and an article group discharge conveyor. The first and second transfers have respective article grippers expansible and contractible toward and away from one another while the intermediate article orientation station includes article rotating trays spaced further apart then the lanes of the article infeed.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2017Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: R.A Jones & Co.Inventor: Thorsten Simm
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Patent number: 9950822Abstract: A column of cups guided by their rims in elongated slots is spaced into desired cup pitch by one or more linear stars from which the cups can be transferred for packaging. The linear stars have lugs engaging and spacing the cups. In another aspect of the invention, cups are manipulated into patterns for final grouping and packaging and by a plurality of cup orienting pickers engaging, inverting and re-orienting the cups. In one final packaged cup group of two or more layers, alternating cups in each layer are inverted and a top lid of a cup in an upper layer is disposed on a top lid of a cup in a bottom layer, while a bottom of a cup in an upper layer is disposed on a bottom of a cup in a lower layer, and in an alternating pattern.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2017Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: R.A. Jones & Co.Inventors: Matthew R. Lukes, Jerome Brugger
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Patent number: 9873533Abstract: An adjustable pouch machine comprises a vertical sealer module forms transverse seals between two plies of a pouch web to partially define a plurality of pouches. Rollers selectively tension and relax the web on the vertically oriented wheel, allowing them to drop away from heated lands on emergency and cycle stops. A filler wheel has a plurality of adjustable gripper units mounted directly thereon for transporting independent separate pouches cut from the pouch web. An adjustable knife is selectively provided with changeable knife hub sets to handle a variety of pouch sizes where a filler wheel alternately first fills and seals pouches in a train. Gear linkage accommodates variation in distance between hubs of different sets. Various embodiments, apparatus and methods are described.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2014Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: R.A. Jones & Co.Inventors: Sima Paunesku, Daniel J. Rack, Jeffrey David Wintring, Richard Allan Roth, II
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Publication number: 20170355478Abstract: A column of cups guided by their rims in elongated slots is spaced into desired cup pitch by one or more linear stars from which the cups can be transferred for packaging. The linear stars have lugs engaging and spacing the cups. In another aspect of the invention, cups are manipulated into patterns for final grouping and packaging and by a plurality of cup orienting pickers engaging, inverting and re-orienting the cups. In one final packaged cup group of two or more layers, alternating cups in each layer are inverted and a top lid of a cup in an upper layer is disposed on a top lid of a cup in a bottom layer, while a bottom of a cup in an upper layer is disposed on a bottom of a cup in a lower layer, and in an alternating pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2017Publication date: December 14, 2017Applicant: R.A Jones & Co.Inventors: Matthew R. Lukes, Jerome Brugger
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Patent number: 9776751Abstract: A column of cups guided by their rims in elongated slots is spaced into desired cup pitch by one or more linear stars from which the cups can be transferred for packaging. The linear stars have lugs engaging and spacing the cups. In another aspect of the invention, cups are manipulated into patterns for final grouping and packaging and by a plurality of cup orienting pickers engaging, inverting and re-orienting the cups. In one final packaged cup group of two or more layers, alternating cups in each layer are inverted and a top lid of a cup in an upper layer is disposed on a top lid of a cup in a bottom layer, while a bottom of a cup in an upper layer is disposed on a bottom of a cup in a lower layer, and in an alternating pattern.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: R. A Jones & Co.Inventors: Matthew R. Lukes, Jerome Brugger
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Patent number: 9604744Abstract: Improved product handling and transfer apparatus includes rotatable product buckets for receiving product and re-orienting product for packaging in diverse configurations or containers. Buckets preferably include channels spanned by deposited product or receiving product therein, with bucket turning as appropriate to a packaging configuration. Flat bottom buckets and methods are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2014Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: R. A Jones & Co.Inventors: Jeffrey D. Wintring, R. Todd Gatman
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Patent number: 9272849Abstract: A column of cups guided by their rims in elongated slots is spaced into desired cup pitch by one or more linear stars from which the cups can be transferred for packaging. The linear stars have lugs engaging and spacing the cups. In another aspect of the invention, cups are manipulated into patterns for final grouping and packaging and by a plurality of cup orienting pickers engaging, inverting and re-orienting the cups. In one final packaged cup group of two or more layers, alternating cups in each layer are inverted and a top lid of a cup in an upper layer is disposed on a top lid of a cup in a bottom layer, while a bottom of a cup in an upper layer is disposed on a bottom of a cup in a lower layer, and in an alternating pattern.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2012Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: R. A Jones & Co.Inventors: Matthew R. Lukes, Jerome Brugger
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Patent number: 9169928Abstract: A filter setting and sealing apparatus includes a wobble plate mounted to press a filter edge into a plane defined by the top rim of a brew cup. A sealer defined by expandable sealer jaws is moveable into the filter. The jaws are actuated for radial outward expansion to seal the filter to the cup proximate the filter rim and cup edge. A second sealer is used to seal any gaps remaining in the seal after initial sealing. Methods are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2012Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: R.A Jones & Co.Inventors: James A. Bloome, Kelly D. Eastman, Rick A. Meeker, Rodney P. Smith
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Patent number: 9073695Abstract: An asymmetric article-carrying puck is driven by a linear star conveyor through an angular rotation orienting section to orient the pucks and articles therein irrespective of random initial orientation. In one embodiment, an upper puck plate carries the article while a separated lower puck plate defines a rotational orienting circular gear rack with a rotation-stopping bridge, separating ends of the rack and inclined from a base of one end tooth in the rack to a crest of another end tooth in the rack. The lower puck plate can be a combination of two circular plates with the circular gear rack interposed therebetween and within the periphery of the circular plates. Pucks can be accumulated in mutual engaged positions and separated by the linear star into preselected pitch while transported and turned. Integral pucks can be used. The structural details and methods are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2013Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: R. A Jones & Co.Inventors: Matthew R. Lukes, Jeff Williams, Jeffrey D. Wintring
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Patent number: 9061832Abstract: Bandoliers of pouches or separate pouches are carried by suction cups on a transfer wheel and operated to hold and release pouches through solenoid valves, each coupled to a respective cup. The solenoid valves are operated by a controller to release pouches from the respective cups at precise angular positions of the wheel to control the configuration of the bandolier in a package or tray. Embodiments provide lateral shifting or rotation of pouches held by the cups. Fold-leading or fold-trailing bandolier configurations are produced. Solenoid valves are disposed proximate cups at the wheel periphery or elsewhere and operably coupled to the cups.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2012Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: R.A. Jones & Co.Inventors: Daniel J. Rack, Frank G. Oliverio
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Patent number: 8944240Abstract: A transport drive system for a carton transport conveyor includes a shaft, a first pair of drive members, a second pair of drive members, and a phase adjustment hub connected to the shaft. A first set of drive members includes a drive member of the first pair and a drive member of the second pair, and the first set of drive members is rotationally fixed with respect to the shaft. A second set of drive members includes another drive member of the first pair and another drive member of the second pair, and the second set of drive members is rotationally fixed with respect to the phase adjustment hub. The phase adjustment hub is angularly adjustable with respect to the shaft to adjust the angular phase of the sets, while the pairs are adjustably spaced one from the other.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2011Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: R. A. Jones & Co.Inventor: Paul A. Frederick
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Patent number: 8783000Abstract: Improved product handling and transfer apparatus includes rotatable product buckets for receiving product and re-orienting product for packaging in diverse configurations or containers. Buckets preferably include channels spanned by deposited product or receiving product therein, with bucket turning as appropriate to a packaging configuration. Flat bottom buckets and methods are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2009Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: R. A. Jones & Co. Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey D. Wintring, R. Todd Gatman
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Publication number: 20140130460Abstract: An adjustable pouch machine comprises a vertical sealer module forms transverse seals between two plies of a pouch web to partially define a plurality of pouches. Rollers selectively tension and relax the web on the vertically oriented wheel, allowing them to drop away from heated lands on emergency and cycle stops. A filler wheel has a plurality of adjustable gripper units mounted directly thereon for transporting independent separate pouches cut from the pouch web. An adjustable knife is selectively provided with changeable knife hub sets to handle a variety of pouch sizes where a filler wheel alternately first fills and seals pouches in a train. Gear linkage accommodates variation in distance between hubs of different sets. Various embodiments, apparatus and methods are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2014Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: R. A Jones & Co. Inc.Inventors: Sima Paunesku, Daniel J. Rack, Jeffrey D. Wintring, Richard Allan Roth, II
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Patent number: 8631729Abstract: An adjustable knife for a pouch machine is selectively provided with changeable knife hub sets each including a major and minor knife hub with respective major and minor axes. The hub sets have respectively differing diameters or different spacing between the respective major and minor axes to handle a variety of pouch sizes where a filler wheel alternately first fills and seals pouches in a train. A gear linkage including a four gear anti-lash arrangement with a movable gear accommodates variation in distance between hubs of different sets. A method of using the knife is also described.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2012Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: R.A. Jones & Co., Inc.Inventors: Sima Paunesku, Daniel J. Rack, Jeffrey D. Wintring, Richard A. Roth