Adjustable Lane Assembly
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A packaging machine (10), comprising:
- a plurality of substantially parallel lanes (L) each for guiding articles (B) from and infeed end to an outfeed end thereof, said lanes (L) being defined with respect to one another by an inside lane guide (32) and an outside lane guide (33); and
a lane extension (70) telescopingly mounted at the outfeed end of each of said lanes (L), wherein each said lane extension (70) is selectively extendable and retractable to modify the length of said outside lane guide (33).
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A packaging machine (10) includes a lane assembly (12) that includes one or more lanes (L) which guide cylindrical articles (B), such as cans or bottles, across a series of substantially parallel conveyors. The lane assembly (12) includes an adjustable guide bar (34) which defines an adjustable portion (V) of the lane (L) that can be adjusted to adapt to the diameter of articles (B). The lane assembly (12) also includes lane extensions (70) that can be adjusted to control the position of rows of articles (B) as the articles (B) exit the lanes (L) onto a conveyor (20).
5 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A packaging machine (10), comprising:
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a plurality of substantially parallel lanes (L) each for guiding articles (B) from and infeed end to an outfeed end thereof, said lanes (L) being defined with respect to one another by an inside lane guide (32) and an outside lane guide (33); and a lane extension (70) telescopingly mounted at the outfeed end of each of said lanes (L), wherein each said lane extension (70) is selectively extendable and retractable to modify the length of said outside lane guide (33). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for arranging articles (B) on a conveyor (70) that drives the articles (B) in a direction of flow (F), comprising:
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providing a plurality of substantially parallel lanes (L) each for guiding articles (B) from and infeed end to an outfeed end thereof, said lanes (L) being defined with respect to one another by an inside lane guide (32) and an outside lane guide (33), and said lanes (L) being angled with respect to said direction of flow (F); for each of said lanes (L), selectively controlling the degree of extension over the conveyor (70) of a lane extension (70) that is telescopingly mounted at the outfeed end of said each of said lanes (L), thereby modifying the length of said outside lane guide (33); and wherein said degree of extension is selected according to the desired position of said articles (B) on said conveyor (70). - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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Specification