| US 7,565,964 B2 | ||
| Random carton feeding and forming machine with selectively actuated lugs and related methods | ||
| Urs Reuteler, Atlanta, Ga. (US); and Charles Ray Landrum, Dunwoody, Ga. (US) | ||
| Assigned to Kliklok Corporation, Decatur, Ga. (US) | ||
| Filed on May 31, 2007, as Appl. No. 11/755,927. | ||
| Application 11/755927 is a continuation of application No. 11/737738, filed on Apr. 19, 2007. | ||
| Application 11/737738 is a continuation of application No. 10/532528, previously published as PCT/US03/34067, filed on Oct. 27, 2003. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/421461, filed on Oct. 25, 2002. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/492161, filed on Aug. 01, 2003. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2007/0220836 A1, Sep. 27, 2007 | ||
| Int. Cl. B65G 19/00 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 198—732 [198/697; 493/65; 493/70; 493/127; 53/458] | 35 Claims |
| 1. A system for sequentially receiving and conveying randomly spaced cartons, each having a trailing end extending generally
transverse to a conveying direction, a length extending in the conveying direction, and at least one flap, moving along a
conveying path, comprising:
a conveyor driven in an endless path with a forward run extending at least partially along the conveying path, said conveyor
including a plurality of first lugs adapted for selectively moving from a non-actuated condition into the conveying path in
an actuated condition to engage a next-in-line carton,
a diverter having a fixed location relative to the lugs, said diverter having a first, home position for allowing the lugs
in the non-actuated condition to pass and a second position for guiding a selected lug to the actuated condition,
a sensor positioned adjacent the conveyor for sensing the next-in-line canon and generating a corresponding output signal;
and
a controller for using the output signal to actuate the diverter to guide the selected lug to the actuated position, ready
for engaging the wailing end of the next-in-line carton immediately upon entering the conveying path adjacent the forward
run of the conveyor,
means for folding the at least one flap while the carton is conveyed along the conveying path by the selected lug,
whereby efficient conveyance of the cartons is achieved without the need for matching the driving of the conveyor with the
receiving of the cartons by the conveyor.
|