Lid dispensing system with stock cartridges
The present invention is directed to a lid dispensing assembly for supplying container lids in a container packaging process, wherein stacks of container lids are disposed in cartridges. The dispensing assembly may include a magazine having a plurality of openings extending between a top surface and a bottom surface of the magazine and shaped to correspond to the shape of the container lids being dispensed from the lid dispensing assembly, and a plurality of rods extending upwardly from the top surface of the magazine proximate each of the openings, with the rods proximate each opening defining a holding area above the opening configured to receive a cartridge containing a stack of the container lids and to align the cartridge and the stack of container lids with the opening. Either the opening or the rods defining the holding area above the opening are configured to engage the cartridge to prevent the cartridge from passing through the opening and to allow the stack of container lids to pass through the opening.
Latest LABEL MAKERS, INC. Patents:
This application claims priority from Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/675,119, filed on Apr. 27, 2005, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSUREThe present invention relates generally to systems and methods for dispensing container lids and, more particularly, to systems and methods for dispensing plastic container lids.
Various systems for dispensing container lids have been previously described. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,946,886 to Bealer, the specification of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein, discloses systems for transferring container lids from a supply stack and repositioning the container lids relative to awaiting containers using a substantially constant-rate reciprocal drive. The system includes a lid supply assembly and a lid transfer assembly. The lid supply assembly includes a bridge support structure and a container conveyer carrying containers on which the container lids will be attached. The bridge support structure supports a number of lid magazines, each of which is adapted to hold a vertical stack of container lids. The lid magazines are provided with a lid release collar at a bottom end thereof that includes fixed-position detents that support the stacks of container lids. In this system, pneumatic conduits direct pressurized air to the lid release collar to provide air separation between the individual container lids in the stack to allow the container lids to be removed from the stack one lid at a time.
Bealer further discloses that the system includes a vacuum head corresponding to each of the magazines of the lid supply assembly and disposed below the magazines. In order to remove container lids from the magazines, the vacuum heads are displaced vertically and brought into contact with the lowermost one of the container lids in the corresponding stack. A source of vacuum in fluid communication with the vacuum heads causes the lowermost one of the container lids to be captured by the vacuum heads by suction. Upon being captured by the vacuum heads, the lowermost lids in the stacks within the magazines are forcibly pulled past the detent members as the vacuum heads are displaced vertically downward. In such a manner, the lowermost lids in the stacks within the magazines are released and held under the influence of the vacuum by the vacuum heads as the vacuum heads move the container lids into position proximate the corresponding containers for attachment.
Recently, applications have been developed wherein containers may be sealed with thin plastic container lids. In these applications, plastic container lids may have approximately the same size and shape as the previously-used foil and paper container lids, but with the plastic lids being more flexible and, correspondingly, less rigid and resistant to bending. As a result, the plastic container lids may be able to bend and fall through the openings 14 past the detents, such as the washers 16, 18, normally used for foil and paper container lids. One potential solution for plastic container lid applications is to increase the size of the washers 16, 18 and the corresponding distance that the washers 16, 18 extend into the openings 14. However, increasing the size of the washers may encroach on the surface necessary for the vacuum heads to engage the container lids. Therefore, a need exists for an improved detent mechanism for supporting a stack of plastic container lids, or other types of flexible container lids fabricated from other materials, in a lid supply assembly without obstructing the removal of the lowermost container lid for attachment to a corresponding container.
Bealer further illustrates that the lid magazines may be formed by a plurality of upwardly extending rods that are positioned to receive stacks of container lids to be dispensed by the lid supply assembly. Presently, stacks of container lids are manually loaded by an operator into the magazines, with the operators grasping a portion of a stack of container lids between their thumbs and fingers and sliding the partial stacks down into the magazines. The size of the partial stack that may be loaded into a magazine is limited by the amount of container lids the operators can pinch between their fingers without the container lids in the middle of the partial stack squirting out. As a result, four to six inch tall magazines must be filled with partial stacks of container lids two inches or smaller at a time to fill the magazines without dropping the stacks of container lids. Moreover, the direct handling of the container lids in applications having greater sanitary and sterilization requirements may pose additional issues related to handling the container lids without contamination. Therefore, a need also exists for improved apparatus and methods for loading stacks of container lids into the magazines of the lid supply assemblies.
The container lid stacks are prepared by die-cuts performed on semi-automatic equipment with a simple stacked output. The current manufacturing and stacking process requires a considerable amount of manual handling of the stacked product. The die-cut equipment converts a continuous web or rollstock of the raw material for the container lids into individual container lids by punching the material through openings in a die plate configured in the shape of the container lids. The unused rollstock is wound onto a take up real on the press, and the punched out container lids are presented to the operator in corresponding chutes of an outfeed assembly that maintains the container lids in stacked form. This allows the container lid output to be captured and aligned for subsequent packaging.
The stacked container lids require a constant application of opposing force to prevent the container lids from falling over in the output chutes of the outfeed assembly. Consequently, each output chute includes a device for applying a force to the end of the stack opposite the punch that is slidable to allow the stack to accumulate in the output chute has additional container lids are punched out of the rollstock. In order to package the stacked container lids, the operator retrieves a small portion of the stack of container lids from an output chute, and places the portion of the stack in a stack fixture that aligns the container lids and positions the stack for weigh counting. Multiple small stacks must be retrieved from the outfeed assembly to fill the fixture. Attempting to retrieve a large stack of container lids can result in the operator dropping the container lids because adjacent container lids tend to slip against each other. The operator is required to both retrieve the container lids, and to apply a force to the remaining stacked container lids in the output chute to prevent the stack from falling over. As the operator handles the product multiple times, the likelihood of dropping or damaging the container lids is increased. Once the fixture is full, the container lids are weigh counted. When the appropriate size stack of container lids has accumulated in the stack fixture, a transit carton is placed over the stack fixture, the carton and fixture are inverted, and the stack fixture is removed from the carton leaving the container lids in the transit carton. In view of the manual nature of transferring the stacked container lids to the transit carton, a need exists for an improved outfeed system and method for transferring the stacked container lids to a transit carton for shipment to customers.
SUMMARYIn one aspect, the invention is directed to a lid dispensing assembly for supplying container lids in a container packaging process. The lid dispensing assembly may include a magazine having a plurality of openings extending between a top surface and a bottom surface of the magazine and shaped to correspond to the shape of the container lids being dispensed from the lid dispensing assembly, and a plurality of rods extending upwardly from the top surface of the magazine proximate each of the openings. The rods proximate each opening define a holding area above the opening configured to receive a stack of the container lids and align the stack of container lids with the opening. The lid dispensing assembly may further include adjustable retention mechanisms connected to the bottom surface of the magazine and disposed proximate the openings of the magazine with at least a portion of the retention mechanisms disposed inwardly of the edges of the openings to engage bottommost container lids of the stacks of container lids disposed in the holding areas and passing through the openings. The retention mechanisms are moveable between at least a first position in which the retention mechanisms are disposed a first distance inwardly from the edges of the openings and a second position wherein the mechanisms are disposed a second distance inwardly from the edges of the openings that is greater then the first distance.
In another aspect, the invention is directed to a lid dispensing assembly for supplying container lids in a container packaging process, wherein stacks of container lids are disposed in cartridges. The dispensing assembly may include a magazine having a plurality of openings extending between a top surface and a bottom surface of the magazine and shaped to correspond to the shape of the container lids being dispensed from the lid dispensing assembly, and a plurality of rods extending upwardly from the top surface of the magazine proximate each of the openings, with the rods proximate each opening defining a holding area above the opening configured to receive a cartridge containing a stack of the container lids and to align the cartridge and the stack of container lids with the opening. Either the opening or the rods defining the holding area above the opening are configured to engage the cartridge to prevent the cartridge from passing through the opening and to allow the stack of container lids to pass through the opening.
In a further aspect, the invention is directed to a cartridge for a lid dispensing assembly for supplying container lids in a container packaging process. The cartridge may include an outer wall defining an elongated cavity having a cross-section corresponding to the shape of the container lids being dispensed from the lid dispensing assembly and having a length dimensioned to allow the cartridge to receive a stack of container lids within the elongated cavity. The cartridge may further include an open end configured to receive a stack of the container lids being inserted into the elongated cavity. In one embodiment, the cartridge includes a second end disposed opposite the open end and having an inwardly extending lip configured to engage the lateral edges of the endmost container lid of the stack of container lids received through the open end of the cartridge to prevent the container lids from passing through the second end of the cartridge, and configured to provide an opening for engagement of a portion of the surface of the endmost container lid from the exterior of the cartridge. In a further embodiment, the cartridge includes at least one pair of outwardly extending shoulders disposed on an outer surface of the outer wall and extending parallel axially along the length of the cartridge and defining a channel configured to receive an upwardly extending rod of a magazine of the lid supply assembly to align the cartridge with an opening of the magazine.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Although the following text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment of the invention since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims defining the invention.
It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this patent using the sentence “As used herein, the term ‘______’ is hereby defined to mean . . . ” or a similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term be limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word “means” and a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph.
In order to retain stacks of plastic container lids within the openings 104, the lid supply assembly 100 may further include a plurality of guide bars 112 that may be attached to the bottom surface of the magazine 102, such as by spot welding, with portions of the guide bars 112 overlying the openings 104. The guide bars 112 may be fabricated from any appropriate material to retain the container lids, such as metal, plastic, nylon, composite materials, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, pairs of the guide bars 112 are aligned along opposite sides of a row of the openings 104 and inwardly of corresponding edges of the openings 104. Aligned in this manner, the portions of the guide bar 112 provide additional surface area for engagement with the lowermost plastic container lid in each stack without encroaching substantially further into the openings 104 than the previously-used washers 106, 108. The increased surface area of the guide bars 112 within the openings 104 provide increased surface contact with the lowermost container lids such that the plastic container lids may be retained within the openings despite their increased flexibility over the previously used foil and paper container lids.
The attachment of the rods 114, 116 is further illustrated in
Referring to
Once the vacuum heads 122 are connected to the corresponding container lids 124, the vacuum heads 122 are displaced downwardly to remove the container lids 124 from the container lid stacks 120 as shown in
While the detent members are illustrated and discussed herein as being guide bars attached to the bottom surface of the magazine, those skilled in the art will understand that other mechanisms may be implemented to provide increased surface area for engaging the plastic container lids without substantially encroaching on the surface area to be engaged by the vacuum heads. For example, the magazine may be fabricated with inwardly-extending detent portions partially covering the openings 104 in a similar manner as the guide bars 112, or extending inwardly about the entire circumference of the openings 104. As another alternative, cam members may be slidably or rotatably connected to the bottom surface of the magazine 102 such that the cam members may be moved into position to engage the plastic container lids and locked in place if necessary for the packaging operation. Configured in this way, the cam members may be moved into position to engage the plastic container lids when necessary, and may be moved out of position if it is desired to attach paper or foil container lids using the same equipment.
The guide bars 112 are discussed above as being spot welded or otherwise attached to the bottom surface of the magazine 102. However, the guide bars 112 may alternatively be attached in a manner facilitating adjustment of the distance the guide bars are disposed inwardly from the edges of the openings 104, and thereby varying the amount of contact area between the guide bars 112 and the container lids.
Those skilled in the art will understand that the brackets 210 may be attached to the magazine 102 with other attachment mechanisms allowing the brackets 210 to be repositioned as desired, and such mechanisms are contemplated by the inventors as having use with the present invention. For example, the slots 214 of the flanges 212 may be replaced with a plurality of holes at varying distances from the center of the bracket 210 such that the set screws 216 may be inserted in the appropriate holes to dispose the bracket 210 and guide bar 112 in the appropriate position. As a further alternative, the flanges 212 may each have a single hole therethrough, and the bottom surface of the magazine 102 may have a plurality of holes or threaded slots therein allowing the bracket 210 and guide bar 112 to be positioned as desired. Other adjustable connection mechanism will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
In an alternative embodiment illustrated in
As previously discussed, in order to facilitate loading of the stacks of container lids into the holding area of a lid supply assembly, it may be desirable to provide cartridges loaded with stacks of container lids that may be used by operators to load the entire stack of container lids into a holding area in bulk. In one embodiment,
To further facilitate loading of the stack of container lids into a holding area of the lid supply assembly 100, the outer wall 132 may include a plurality of longitudinally extending channels 136 corresponding to and being adapted to be received by the rods 114, 116 extending upwardly from the magazine 102.
In order to receive the container lid cartridge 140 of
Referring to
The cartridge 160 may further include an opening or window 168 through the outer wall 162 through which an operator may observe the container lids stored therein. The cartridge 160 may be used with the lid supply assembly 150 as described above, or with alternate lid supply assemblies configured to receive the cartridge 160. For example, as illustrated in
Referring to
In alternative embodiments, cartridges for supplying stacks of container lids may include electronic identification devices, such as bar codes, radio frequency identification (RFID) chips, and the like, for use in security and inventory control functions. In one embodiment, each cartridge may have an RFID chip attached thereto. The RFID chip may include information such as the type of container lid stored therein, the quantity of lids stored therein, the supplier of the container lids, and the like. The embodiment may further include a receiver disposed proximate the packaging equipment such that the receiver may detect the RFID chip when the cartridge is loaded into the lid dispensing assembly. The RFID chip, the receiver and/or interfacing system may programmed to process the data use in process control and management functions. For example, upon detecting the presence of the RFID chip on the cartridge, the receiver and or the interfacing system may be programmed to reduce the current inventory level of cartridges available for the packaging process and, if necessary, trigger an order to replenish the supply of cartridges for the packaging process. Such identification devices may also be used by the supplier of the cartridges for inventory control and other processing functions.
Referring to
The openings 304 of the magazine 302 are configured to receive the container lid cartridges and the stacks of container lids contained therein, and to allow the cartridges to be replaced without interrupting the production run in which the container lids are being dispensed. Referring to
Proximate the bottom of the opening 304, the inner surface further narrows to define an inwardly extending annular ring or flange 324 configured to engage the outer edges of the bottommost container lid of the container lid stack. Depending on the size and composition of the container lids, the annular flange 324 may provide sufficient engagement of the bottommost container lid to support the stack as the container lids are being dispensed. If not, additional retention mechanisms may be attached to the bottom surface of the magazine 302 as described previously and as will be described further below. The portion of the opening 304 between the retaining shoulder 322 and the annular flange 324 defines a dwell area 326 receiving the portion of the container lid stack extending below the bottom open end of the container lid cartridge. When the container lid cartridge is empty and the topmost container lid in the stack is below the retaining shoulder 322, the container lid cartridge may be removed and replaced with a full cartridge without disturbing the stack being dispensed from the opening 304. The dwell area 326 may be configured with a sufficient depth such that the container lid cartridge may be replaced before the container lids within the dwell area 326 are removed by the corresponding vacuum head 122.
The magazine 302 is further configured to receive the rods 306 and the retention mechanisms 308. At multiple locations proximate each opening 304, the lower portion 316 of the magazine 302 includes throughbores 328 extending upwardly from the bottom surface and configured to receive set screws attaching the eccentric washers 308 to the magazine 302. At the top surface of the magazine 302, downwardly extending counterbores 330, 332 may be aligned with the corresponding throughbores 328, and are configured to receive the lower ends of the rods 306. The counterbores 330 are disposed at outer edges of a single one of the openings 304 and may be positioned to tangentially intersect the inner surface of the corresponding opening 304 such that the outer surface of the rod 306 and the inner surface of the opening 304 form a substantially continuous surface when the rod 306 is disposed within the counterbore 330. Similarly, the counterbores 332 are disposed between pairs of openings 304 and may be positioned to tangentially intersect the inner surfaces of both openings 304 such that the outer surface of the rod 306 and the inner surfaces of the openings 304 form substantially continuous surfaces when the rod 306 is disposed within the counterbore 332. To secure the rods 306, the lower ends of the rods 306 may include a bore (not shown) configured to receive a screw passing upwardly through the throughbore 328, such as a set screw securing an eccentric washer 308 to the magazine 302 To further assist in installing cartridges and corresponding container lid stacks, the magazine 302 may include relief cuts 334 proximate the openings 304 that allow a tool to be used for lowering the cartridge and container lid stack into the opening 304 in a manner described more fully below.
In order to ensure proper alignment of the cartridge 340 with a corresponding opening 304 of the magazine 302, the cartridge 340 may have one or more locating ribs or channels 348 disposed on the outer wall 344 and extending in a longitudinal direction from the open end 346 to the opposite end. In the illustrated embodiment, the channels 348 have a semicircular cross-section and are dimensioned to partially wrap around a corresponding one of the rods 306 of the magazine 302 in a manner that allows cartridges 340 to be disposed in adjacent openings 304 at the same time. Prior to use of the cartridge 340 with the magazine 302, the magazine 302 may have a strap or band 350 disposed around the outer wall 344 and engaging the stack 342 of lids to retain the container lids within the cartridge 340. The band 350 may be fabricated from any appropriate material that will not contaminate the container lids, such as a paper loop that slept on and off of the cartridge 340, a plastic loop, a rubber band, and the like.
The various container lid cartridges may be fabricated and configured in any desired manner to accommodate the requirements of a particular implementation of a lid supply assembly. The size and shape of a cartridge may be appropriate for the material being contained, and multiple container lid stack heights may be accommodated. The configuration of the cartridges may also vary depending on the customer requirements. For example, the cartridge may be used as the final packaging material that may be disposed after used by the customer to dispense the container lids shipped therein. Alternatively, the cartridges may be used as recyclable containers by the supplier, and may be fabricated from a material that may be cleaned and disinfected when returned to the supplier prior to receiving a new container lid stack. Still further, the cartridges may be used as a fixture at the supplier level for introducing the container lid stack to alternate shipping media such as sized polybags, transit cartons or shrink wrap sleeves. Consequently, the skill near will understand that the cartridges may be fabricated using a variety of materials and manufacturing processes. For example, the cartridges may be fabricated from a rigid polymer material using injection molding, blow molding, extrusion, vacuum forming or any other appropriate process. Still further, the disposable cartridges may be fabricated from paper or a corrugated material. Moreover, the precise geometry of the cartridges may be at least partially dictated by a manufacturing process or specific requirements of the customer's implementation. As a result, the cartridges may have straight outer walls were the cartridges are fabricated in an extrusion process, and may alternately have tapered walls were the cartridges are molded in a vacuum forming process. Additionally, one end of the cartridge may include a restraining lip to prevent the lids from falling out, and may further include flange ends to restrain the cartridge within the magazine if necessary. Those skilled in the art will understand that other configurations, materials and fabrication methods for the cartridges may be implemented and are contemplated as having use with lid supply assemblies in accordance with the present invention.
The loading of a cartridge 340 into an opening 304 of the magazine 302 will now be described with reference to
As the container lids are removed from the stack 342 by the vacuum head 122, the level of the stack 342 within the cartridge 340 is visible through the transparent outer wall 344 or window disposed therethrough, and approaches the open end 346 of the cartridge 340. When the level of the stack 342 falls below the open end 346 of the cartridge 340, the empty cartridge 340 may be pulled outwardly from between the rods 306 without disturbing the stack 342 of container lids, and a new filled cartridge 340 may be installed in the manner just described before the original stack 342 of container lids is dispensed in its entirety.
As discussed above, in addition to the inwardly extending annular flanges 324 of the openings 304, the magazine 302 may include additional adjustable retention mechanisms for supporting the stack 342 of container lids. Referring to
As previously discussed, the container lids are fabricated by semi-automatic die-cut equipment from a continuous web or rollstock of raw material, and are output to an outfeed assembly to form the container lid stacks.
Referring to
The outfeed assembly 400 further includes separator guide rails 420 corresponding to each of the openings 406 and having separator assemblies 422 disposed thereon. Each separator assembly 422 may include a connector 424 slidably disposed on one of the guide rails 420 and engaging the guide rail 420 to provide a resistive force against movement of the connector 424 along the guide rail 420. Each separator assembly 422 may further include a separator arm 426 pivotally attached to the connector 424 by a bracket 428. The pivotal connection of the separator arm 426 allows the separator arm 426 to be movable between a first position wherein the separator arm 426 does not extend across the corresponding opening 406 of the die plate 404, and a second position wherein the separator arm 426 extends across the opening 406 such that the separator arm 426 may engage the stack of container lids supported by the guide rails 410.
Before the die-cut equipment is activated to fabricate the container lids, cartridges 402 may be placed on the guide rails 410 and oriented to align with the corresponding openings 406 of the die plate 404. When the cartridges 402 are in place, the operator may slide the stack resistance assemblies 412 toward the die plate 404 against the resistive force of the connector 414 such that the contact pad 418 passes through the cartridge 402 and is disposed proximate the opening 406. At the same time, the separator arms 426 are rotated to their first positions such that they do not overlie the corresponding openings 406. Once the cartridges 402 and stack resistance assemblies 412 are in place, the die-cut equipment may be turned on so that the container lids are punched through the openings 406. As container lids continue to be punched, the first container lid in each stack is engaged by the corresponding contact pad 418 to prevent the stack of container lids from falling over.
The connector 414 is configured such that the resistive force prevents the stack resistance assembly 412 from moving in response to the weight of the container lids in the stack, but allows the assembly 412 to move as additional container lids are punched through the opening 406 and added to the output container lid stack 430 as shown in
As with the stack resistance assembly 412, the separator assembly 422 is configured such that the resistive force prevents the separator assembly 422 from moving in response to the weight of the container lids in the stack, but allows the assembly 422 to move as additional container lids are punched through the opening 406 and added to the output container lid stack 430. Once the separator arm 426 is in place, the stack resistance assembly 412 may be withdrawn, and the full cartridge 402 may be removed from the outfeed assembly 400 as shown in
While the preceding text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment of the invention since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims defining the invention.
Claims
1. A lid dispensing assembly for supplying container lids in a container packaging process, the lid dispensing assembly comprising:
- a magazine having a plurality of openings extending between a top surface and a bottom surface of the magazine and shaped to correspond to the shape of the container lids being dispensed from the lid dispensing assembly;
- a plurality of rods extending upwardly from the top surface of the magazine proximate each of the openings, wherein the rods proximate each opening define a holding area above the opening configured to receive a stack of the container lids and align the stack of container lids with the opening; and
- adjustable retention mechanisms connected to the bottom surface of the magazine and disposed proximate the openings of the magazine with at least a portion of the retention mechanisms disposed inwardly of the edges of the openings to engage bottommost container lids of the stacks of container lids disposed in the holding areas and passing through the openings, wherein the retention mechanisms are moveable between at least a first position in which the retention mechanisms are disposed a first distance inwardly from the edges of the openings and a second position wherein the mechanisms are disposed a second distance inwardly from the edges of the openings that is greater then the first distance.
2. A lid dispensing assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the adjustable retention mechanisms comprise guide bars and a plurality of brackets connecting each guide bar to the bottom surface of the magazine so that the guide bar extends across a plurality of the openings of the magazine, wherein the brackets are configured to facilitate movement of the corresponding guide bar between the first position and the second position.
3. A lid dispensing assembly in accordance with claim 2, wherein each bracket receives the corresponding guide bar and comprises an outwardly extending flange having an elongated slot, the retention mechanisms further comprising set screws slidably disposed within corresponding slots of the brackets and received in corresponding throughbores in the bottom surface of the magazine, wherein the guide bars are moved between the first and second positions by loosening the set screws, repositioning the brackets and guide bars by sliding the brackets relative to the set screws, and retightening the set screws.
4. A lid dispensing assembly in accordance with claim 2, wherein each bracket comprises a plurality of receiving portions each configured to receive the corresponding guide bar when the bracket is attached to the bottom surface of the magazine, wherein the guide bars are disposed in the first position when they are disposed in first receiving portions of the corresponding brackets, and the guide bars are disposed in the second position when they are disposed in second receiving portions of the corresponding brackets.
5. A lid dispensing assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the adjustable retention mechanisms comprise guide bars, a plurality of brackets receiving each guide bar, eccentric holders disposed and rotatable within the bottom surface of the magazine, wherein each bracket is connected to a corresponding one of the eccentric holders at a point eccentric to the rotational axis of the eccentric holder, and wherein the guide bars are moved between the first and second positions by rotating the corresponding eccentric holders.
6. A lid dispensing assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the adjustable retention mechanisms comprise eccentric washers connected to the bottom surface of the magazine by corresponding set screws, wherein the eccentric washers are moved between the first and second positions by loosening the corresponding set screws and rotating the eccentric washers such that the distance between the outer edge of the eccentric washers and the edges of the corresponding opening changes from the first distance to the second distance.
7. A lid dispensing assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the adjustable retention mechanisms are moveable to a third position wherein the retention mechanisms do not extend past the edges of the openings and do not engage the bottommost container lids of the stacks of container lids passing through the openings.
8. A lid dispensing assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the stacks of container lids are disposed in cartridges, and wherein the holding areas defined by the rods are configured to receive the cartridges containing the stacks of container lids.
9. A lid dispensing assembly for supplying container lids in a container packaging process, wherein stacks of container lids are disposed in cartridges, the dispensing assembly comprising:
- a magazine having a plurality of openings extending between a top surface and a bottom surface of the magazine and shaped to correspond to the shape of the container lids being dispensed from the lid dispensing assembly; and
- a plurality of rods extending upwardly from the top surface of the magazine proximate each of the openings, wherein the rods proximate each opening define a holding area above the opening configured to receive a cartridge containing a stack of the container lids and to align the cartridge and the stack of container lids with the opening,
- wherein one of the opening and the rods defining the holding area above the opening are configured to engage the cartridge to prevent the cartridge from passing through the opening and to allow the stack of container lids to pass through the opening.
10. A lid dispensing assembly in accordance with claim 9, wherein an inner surface of the magazine defining an opening defines an inwardly extending shoulder within the opening between the top and bottom surfaces of the magazine configured to engage an open end of the cartridge disposed within the holding area, wherein the portion of the opening above the shoulder is large enough to receive the open end of the cartridge, and wherein the portion of the opening below the shoulder is large enough to allow the stack of container lids from the cartridge to pass out of the cartridge and through the opening.
11. A lid dispensing assembly in accordance with claim 10, wherein the inner surface of the magazine defining an opening defines an inwardly extending annular flange disposed below the shoulder and proximate the bottom surface of the magazine, wherein the annular flange is configured to engage the outer edges of the bottommost container lid of the container lid stack.
12. A lid dispensing assembly in accordance with claim 10, wherein the magazine includes a plurality of surfaces each defining a relief cut extending inwardly from an outer edge of the magazine to a corresponding one of the openings and downwardly from the top surface of the magazine to a position below the shoulder of the opening such that the portion of the opening below the shoulder is accessible through the relief cut when a cartridge disposed within the corresponding holding area is engaged by the shoulder.
13. A lid dispensing assembly in accordance with claim 10, wherein the cartridges include ribs extending outwardly from the outer surface of the cartridge, and wherein the outer surfaces of the rods are aligned with the inner surface defining the portion of the corresponding opening below the shoulder, and wherein the shoulder is configured to engage the ribs of a cartridge disposed within the holding area to prevent the cartridge from passing through the opening.
14. A lid dispensing assembly in accordance with claim 9, wherein the openings are configured to allow the container lids to pass through the openings and to not allow the cartridges to pass through the openings, and wherein the rods are configured with the outer surfaces of the rods disposed outwardly from the openings to receive the cartridges with the open ends of the cartridges engaging the top surface of the magazine surrounding the openings.
15. A lid dispensing assembly in accordance with claim 9, comprising adjustable retention mechanisms connected to the bottom surface of the magazine and disposed proximate the openings of the magazine with at least a portion of the retention mechanisms disposed inwardly of the edges of the openings to engage bottommost container lids of stacks of container lids disposed in the holding areas and passing through the openings, wherein the retention mechanisms are moveable between at least a first position in which the retention mechanisms are disposed a first distance inwardly from the edges of the openings and a second position wherein the mechanisms are disposed a second distance inwardly from the edges of the openings that is greater then the first distance.
16. A cartridge for a lid dispensing assembly for supplying container lids in a container packaging process, comprising:
- an outer wall defining an elongated cavity having a cross-section corresponding to the shape of the container lids being dispensed from the lid dispensing assembly and having a length dimensioned to allow the cartridge to receive a stack of container lids within the elongated cavity; and
- an open end configured to receive a stack of the container lids being inserted into the elongated cavity.
17. A cartridge for a lid dispensing assembly in accordance with claim 16, further comprising a second end disposed opposite the open end and having an inwardly extending lip configured to engage the lateral edges of the endmost container lid of the stack of container lids received through the open end of the cartridge to prevent the container lids from passing through the second end of the cartridge, and configured to provide an opening for engagement of a portion of the surface of the endmost container lid from the exterior of the cartridge.
18. A cartridge for a lid dispensing assembly in accordance with claim 16, further comprising an opening through the outer wall of the cartridge such that a stack of container lids disposed within the cartridge is visible through the opening.
19. A cartridge for a lid dispensing assembly in accordance with claim 16, wherein the outer wall of the cartridge is fabricated from a translucent material.
20. A cartridge for a lid dispensing assembly in accordance with claim 16, further comprising at least one pair of outwardly extending shoulders disposed on an outer surface of the outer wall and extending parallel axially along the length of the cartridge and defining a channel configured to receive an upwardly extending rod of a magazine of the lid supply assembly to align the cartridge with an opening of the magazine.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 27, 2006
Publication Date: Nov 2, 2006
Applicant: LABEL MAKERS, INC. (Pleasant Prairie, WI)
Inventor: Michael Gorzynski (Salem, WI)
Application Number: 11/412,331
International Classification: B65B 7/28 (20060101);