Abstract: A method is provided for selecting a predetermined number of articles from a plurality of articles and grouping the selected articles into an ordered group for delivery to an article packaging machine. The articles are moved at an infeed speed in series progressively along a path of travel and toward a pair of rotatable selector wheel assemblies located on opposite sides of the path. The articles are directed to the rotating selector wheel at a position where the velocity component of fingers attached to the wheel in the direction of the path of travel is equal to the infeed speed of the bottles. The fingers on the selector wheel engage selected ones of the bottles at this location and accelerate them smoothly and progressively to a machine speed that is greater than the infeed speed. The bottles are thus grouped together in separated groups and delivered to the packaging machine at the machine speed.

Abstract: There is provided a paperboard device made from a blank (10) having two base panels (15, 16) for connection together, two side walls (20, 21), two top panels (22, 23), and two handle panels (24, 25) which are hingedly connected together by a fold (26). The top panels (22, 23) have apertures (28) for receiving necks of bottles to be retained by the device. The top panels also have flap sections (34), one of which has a tab (35) which, in use, extends through one of the apertures (28) in the other top panel (23) and is bent up and retained there by the neck of the bottle in that aperture.

Abstract: A bottle neck carrier designed to hold long neck bottles. Long support tabs at each bottle neck opening in a top support panel extend up to the bottle flange, while shorter support tabs contact only the sides of the necks. The tabs may include transverse fold lines to better contact the bottle necks and to provide increased stiffness. In a carrier for packaging two rows of bottles, gusset panels connecting the side and end panels assist in holding the panels in place and facilitate folding of the end panel flaps. In a carrier for packaging a single row of bottles, the end panels are formed from side panel extensions which wrap around the end bottles.

Abstract: A divider panel for stacked cans is disclosed. The divider panel has an elongate paperboard strip (10) which includes a plurality of divider pads (12), each divider pad providing two rows of can seats (11) defined therein for being disposed between two layers of vertically stacked cans. The divider pads are connected along their ends to adjacent ones of the divider pads along perforated lines (13) to assist in separating the divider pads from one another as desired. The use of the elongate divider panel of this invention allows for lower operating speeds in placing the divider panel on a generally continuous lower layer of cans prior to placing the upper layer of cans thereon as the divider panel and the cans move along a path of travel on a packaging machine when compared to sequentially placing one of a series of separate divider pads between the pairs of cans otherwise being moved along the path of travel on the packaging machine at a relatively faster rate of speed.

Abstract: A locking paperboard sleeve (11) for retaining at least a pair of spaced articles (12) is disclosed. The sleeve has a top panel (14), opposed side panels (15, 16) hingedly connected to the top panel, and first and second base panels (21, 22) constructed and arranged to interlock with one another and being hingedly fastened to one each of the respective side panels. A keel panel (37) is hingedly connected to the second base panel, and is constructed and arranged to be moved out of a common plane of the base panels, when locked together, and to be received between the at least two articles as a locking panel (26) hingedly connected to the first base panel is moved into locking engagement with the second base panel. The keel panel is retained in position between the at least two articles by a hook portion (34) extending from the locking panel which engages a notch (40) defined in the keel panel.

Abstract: A wrap-around carrier and carrier blank for forming the carrier for containing a plurality of articles, with the carrier including a top panel, opposite side panels foldably connected to the top panel, and a bottom positioned opposite the top panel. Bevel panels are foldably connected to the bottom panel and to the side panels and each includes apertures located near the lower side portions of the articles contained in the carrier. An outboard reinforcing flap is positioned adjacent each one of the outboard ones of the apertures and the reinforcing flaps are foldably connected to the bevel panels. An outboard edge of each of each of the outboard reinforcing flaps is substantially aligned with an end of the carrier to reinforce the carrier to prevent outboard ones of articles contained in the carrier from being dislodged.

Abstract: An assembling apparatus and process. The apparatus has a conveyor with a pair of parallel and elongated line guides fixed thereabove. Articles are placed onto the conveyor between the parallel line guides and a plurality of line stop mechanisms are provided to momentarily stop articles on the conveyor with respect to the parallel line guides. A plurality of supply magazines are provided for releasably storing elements to stack and assemble the articles. A stream of first articles is provided on the conveyor. The process further includes the steps of stopping the first articles on the horizontal work surface in alignment with each supply magazine and between the elongated line guides, transferring an element from each supply magazine onto the first articles and releasing the first articles for successive movement on the conveyor to each supply magazine.

Abstract: A carrier blank and carrier includes a top panel, first and second opposite ends, and first and second side panels flanking the top panel and foldably connected thereto. First and second bottom panels flank the first and second side panels and are foldably connected thereto. First and second webs are positioned adjacent the first and second opposite ends of the top panel, with the webs each extending between the first and second side panels. The webs are foldably connected to the first and second side panels at fold lines which are parallel to a longitudinal axis extending through the first bottom panel, the first side panel, the top panel, the second side panel, and the second bottom panel. The fold lines are positioned inboard of center lines of outer ones of articles contained in the carrier.

Abstract: A carton for packaging one or two layers of flanged tubs. The bottom panel is formed from adhesively connected overlapping flaps which contain cutouts. Lower portions of the tubs extend through openings in the bottom panel formed by the cutouts. Tabs foldably connected to the inner overlapping bottom panel flap prevent adhesive from contacting the tubs and also strengthen the bottom panel. When two layers of tubs are packaged support flaps connected to the side panels extend between the stacked tubs of the upper and lower layers.

Abstract: A carton includes a bottom panel, first and second opposite side panels each connected to the bottom panel, and a top connected to the side panels. First and second opposite end panels are connected to the bottom panel and to the top panel. A three-ply handle is connected to and extends between the end panels and is detachably connected to the top. The carton is formed from a blank having first and second opposite edges and a handle strip formed along the first edge and second and third handle strips formed along the second edge. The three-ply handle is made up from the first, second, and third handle strips adhered to one another.

Abstract: A bottom guard for a machine having a plate with a hinged side pivotably attached to a first frame member of a machine and a catch side opposite the hinged side releasably held near a second frame member by a latching device. The plate holds debris from the operation of the machine and serves as a safety guard. The latching device has a first portion attached to the second frame member and a second portion attached to the catch side of the plate. The two portions of the latching device mechanically interlock and a solenoid actuated mechanism releases them upon a remote signal to the solenoid which allows the catch side of the plate to move by gravity, thereby opening the guard and discharging accumulated debris to a side of the machine. At least one shock absorbing device, such as an elastomeric shock cord, a pneumatic cylinder, or a hydraulic cylinder limits the amount that the plate will swing open when the catch is released and cushions the plate as it falls open.

Abstract: A flight lug assembly (5) for use on an article transport conveyor (50) is disclosed. The flight lug assembly includes a fill block (7) removably mounted on a flight lug (8), the flight lug being attached to the conveyor chain (35) of the article transport conveyor. The fill block is releasably locked on the flight lug by a spring clip (30) formed as a part of the flight lug, and having a normally biased position extending into engagement with a shoulder (20a, 20b) formed as a part of an elongate groove (19a, 19b) defined in the side surfaces (15, 16) of the fill block, and being in communication with at least a portion of an elongate flight lug slot (18a, 18b), respectively, defined in the respective side surfaces of the fill block, in which the flight lug is received.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a guide slidably mounted on a machine wherein the guide is driven by a lead screw turned by a DC motor through a worm drive gearhead. The DC motor is controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC) with input from an operator interface and feedback from a hollow shaft encoder attached directly to a shaft extending from the lead screw. Ladder logic programming in the PLC directs the motor to run or stop based on comparing a target position for the guide with the current position based on electrical signals from said encoder. A home position for each guide corresponds to the guide's position when it has moved fully outward encountering an outward stop. The programming also allows manual jogging of the guide through the operator interface. The programming takes up mechanical backlash in the apparatus on each move by overshooting the target position a predetermined amount when a move is made in an outward direction.

Abstract: An adjustable height flight comprising a flight assembly and a cam mechanism. The flight assembly includes a flight base operationally connected to a rotational endless conveyance member, an adjustable flight bar slidably connected to the flight base, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting and setting said flight bar at a desired height. The cam mechanism includes a cam frame, an adjustable cam track connected to the frame and operationally contacting the flight adjustment mechanism, a cam track adjustment mechanism attached to the frame and operationally contacting the cam track, and an engagement mechanism for selectively engaging and disengaging said cam mechanism from said flight assembly. The cam mechanism can be either engaged or disengaged from operational contact with the flight assembly. The cam track adjustment mechanism adjusts the position of the cam track to force the adjustable flight bar to a desired vertical position. The flight bar normally travels in a vertically locked position.

Abstract: A tensioning system for an endless chain comprising a snail cam mounted on a second shaft parallel to a sprocket shaft which supports a sprocket and chain, a follower running against the snail cam and mounted on a mechanism supporting the sprocket shaft, a ratchet device which selectively limits the rotational direction of the second shaft so that the radius of the snail cam at the follower increases with rotation, a means of applying a controlled rotational force to the second shaft to advance the ratchet device if chain tension is below a predetermined level, but not advance it if chain tension is above a predetermined level.

Abstract: A package squaring device for folding flaps on cartons traveling on a continuous carton conveyor, including a lug attached to an endless flight chain, a flap tucker pivotally connected to the lug, and a cam bar slidably linked to the flap tucker. The lug further includes a member constructed and arranged to engage and stabilize a carton. An endless flight of package squaring devices are synchronized with the continuous carton conveyor so that one or more package squaring devices are traveling operationally adjacent to a carton. The cam bar is forced up and lifts the flap tucker as the package squaring device travels over a cam. The flap tucker is designed to fold a flap on a carton when it is lifted. The cam bar is forced down and lowers the flap tucker when the package squaring device travels off of the cam. The flap tucker of the present invention forms a moveable plow for laterally folding a carton flap while minimizing the longitudinal component forces that tend to skew cartons.

Abstract: A basket-style carrier for packaging bottles or other articles on opposite sides of a center handle panel. The carrier is formed from an elongated blank including a partial end panel section at one end and a handle panel section at the other end. A handle reinforcement flap is foldably connected to the upper edge of the handle panel. The reinforcement flap of one blank abuts the lower edge of the handle panel section of an adjacent blank in a web layout, allowing the blanks in the layout to be nested.

Abstract: A carton including a bottom panel and first and second opposite side panels each connected to the bottom panel. The carton further includes first and second end panels connected to the bottom panel and a top connected to the side panels. The top includes a multi-ply handle section flanked by opposite single-ply sections, with the top being foldably connected to the first and second sides and extending from the first to the second end. The top includes first and second hand openings which define a central hand grip. Furthermore, the top includes four tear control cuts extending outwardly away from adjacent the central hand grip. The tear control cuts are each J-shaped and lead away from the multi-ply section. The J-shaped tear control cuts each include a shank portion and a hook portion and the hook portions each point away from the multi-ply handle section. Also, the shank portions are each substantially aligned with a corner of the top.

Abstract: An interlocking paperboard carton blank (10) is disclosed. The carton blank has at least one flap (19) projecting from a side dge of a first base panel (14), the flap having a leading portion (20) which is folded about a scored waist section score line (23) back onto the remainder of the flap to double the thickness of the flap. The leading portion of the flap includes at least one, and preferably two laterally projecting portions (21). The flap is inserted folded end first into at least one correspondingly positioned opening (27) defined in a second base panel (15) of the carton blank.

Abstract: A connector for attaching items to a chain typically used on packaging machines. An elongated body spans two extended link pins of a chain, and has at least one hole for attaching items. Offset tabs on each end of the body receive a link pin and allow tabs of adjacent connectors to overlap and pivot on the same link pin. A series of connectors can be installed adjacently on an endless chain to create a top and bottom surface to which items can be attached. The connectors manually install across two link pins of a chain and can be easily replaced if needed without untensioning or disassembling the chain. Retainers are not needed for the connectors when chains are used in pairs and items are attached between the two chains.