Multi-product accumulating and packing system
First Claim
1. An apparatus for accumulating different types of individual articles, said apparatus comprising:
- a delivery device which provides an initial-plurality of an initial-type of individual articles;
at least a first-accumulator mechanism which is automated to provide a first-plurality of a first-type of individual articles, said first-type of articles differing from said initial-type of articles, and said first accumulator mechanism including a first rotatable metering drum;
at least a first-transport-device which moves said first-plurality of articles to a first packing location; and
an automated assembly mechanism which is configured to operatively combine said first-plurality of articles with said initial-plurality of articles.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A distinctive method and apparatus (20) for accumulating different types of individual articles (28) can include a delivery device (132) which provides an initial-plurality (134) of an initial-type of individual articles. At least a first-accumulator mechanism (142) can be automated to provide a first-plurality (144) of a first-type of individual articles. The first-type of articles differ from the initial-type of articles, and at least a first-transport device (146) can move the first-plurality of articles to a first-packing location. Additionally, an automated assembly mechanism (136) can be configured to operatively combine the first-plurality (144) of articles with the initial-plurality (134) of articles.
71 Citations
28 Claims
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1. An apparatus for accumulating different types of individual articles, said apparatus comprising:
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a delivery device which provides an initial-plurality of an initial-type of individual articles;
at least a first-accumulator mechanism which is automated to provide a first-plurality of a first-type of individual articles, said first-type of articles differing from said initial-type of articles, and said first accumulator mechanism including a first rotatable metering drum;
at least a first-transport-device which moves said first-plurality of articles to a first packing location; and
an automated assembly mechanism which is configured to operatively combine said first-plurality of articles with said initial-plurality of articles. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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9. (canceled).
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11. A method for accumulating different types of individual articles, said method comprising:
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delivering an initial-plurality of an initial-type of individual articles;
automating a first-accumulator to provide a first-plurality of a first-type of individual articles, said first-type of articles differing from said initial-type of articles, and said automating of said first-accumulator includes delivering said first-type of individual articles with a rotatable metering drum;
moving said first-plurality of articles to a first packing location; and
operatively combining said first-plurality of articles with said initial-plurality of articles by employing an automated assembly mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 26, 27, 28)
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18. (canceled).
Specification