Automatic repacking and accumulation system

• US 6,877,294 B2
• Filed: 11/04/2002
• Issued: 04/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Holston, Thomas R., Kelbert, Ronald E., Ogle, Richard J., Hellmann, Steven A.
• Primary Examiner(s): DILLON JR, JOSEPH A
• Application Number:
  US10/288,650
• Publication Number:
  US 20040084282A1
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: 534/43, 534/46, 534/73, 534/75, 535/01
• US Class Current: 53/446
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 35/04 with buffer storage devices
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 35/28 by pneumatic conveyors
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 35/58 Turning articles by positively-acting means, e.g. to present labelled portions in uppermost position
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/105 by grippers B65B5/12 and B65B5/108 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/1428 rotating movement
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/248 by turning over or inverting them B65G47/244 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/66 Fixed platforms or combs, e.g. bridges between conveyors

Abstract

A distinctive method and apparatus for accumulating selected articles can include an inputting of a plurality of individual articles (28) from an article supply source (26). Each article can have at least a first major facing surface (30), a first article dimension (32) extending along a first article direction, a second article dimension (34) extending along a second article direction which differs from the first article direction, and an article edge region (36). Each article can be directed to a first conveyor (50), and in a particular aspect, the first article dimension of each article can be aligned along a selected machine-direction (22). Another aspect can include an identifying of an article-set (70) which contains a selected, predetermined number of the articles. Further aspects can include a forming of at least one article-set which contains the selected number articles arranged in a stack or other arrangement suitable for packaging; and a moving of the article-set into a package. In additional aspects, the inputting of the articles can include a metering of the articles, and the inputting of the articles can include a dispensing of the articles (28) with a rotating, metering drum (40). In still further aspects, the inputting of the articles can include a delivering of the articles onto a guide surface, and the delivering of the articles can include a laying of the articles onto a directing slide (42), which may be inclined.

Claims

1. A method for accumulating articles, said method comprising:

an inputting of a plurality of individual articles from an article supply source, each article having

at least a first major facing surface,

a first article dimension extending along a first article direction,

a second article dimension extending along a second article direction which differs from said first article direction, and

an article edge region;

a directing of each article to a first conveyor;

an aligning of said first article dimension of each article along a selected machine-direction;

an identifying of an article-set which contains a selected, predetermined number of said articles;

a forming of at least one article-set which contains said selected number articles arranged in a configuration suitable for packaging; and

a moving of said article-set into a package;

wherein

said inputting of said articles includes a dispensing of said articles with a rotating, metering drum.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said inputting of said articles includes a delivering of said articles onto a guide surface.

3. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein said delivering of said articles includes a laying of said articles onto an inclined slide surface.

4. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein said delivering of said articles includes a regulating of said articles with a guide member.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, further including an arranging of said first conveyor to engage said articles along their respective article edge regions.

5. A method for accumulating articles, said method comprising:

an inputting of a plurality of individual articles from an article supply source, each article having

at least a first major facing surface,

a first article dimension extending along a first article direction,

a second article dimension extending along a second article direction which differs from said first article direction, and

an article edge region;

a directing of each article to a first conveyor wherein said directing of each article to the first conveyor includes a regulating of said articles with a substantially curvilinear guide members;

an aligning of said first article dimension of each article along a selected machine-direction;

an identifying of an article-set which contains a selected, predetermined number of said articles;

a forming of at least one article-set which contains said selected number articles arranged in a configuration suitable for packaging; and

a moving of said article-set into a package.

6. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein said guide member is formed to incorporate a funnel curve.

7. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein said guide member is provided by a fence member that extends away from said slide surface.

9. A method for accumulating articles, said method comprising:

an inputting of a plurality of individual articles from an article supply source, each article having

at least a first major facing surface,

a first article dimension extending along a first article direction,

a second article dimension extending along a second article direction which differs from said first article direction, and

an article edge region;

a directing of each article to a first conveyor;

an aligning of paid first article dimension of each article along a selected machine-direction;

an identifying of an article-set which contains a selected, predetermined number of said articles;

a forming of at least one article-set which contains said selected number articles arranged in a configuration suitable for packaging; and

a moving of said article-set into a package;

wherein

said aligning of said article first dimension includes a turning of selected article with a turning member to thereby arrange said selected article to operatively align said article first dimension of said selected articles along said machine-direction; and

said turning of said selected articles includes an engaging of the selected articles with a curved ski member.

10. A method for accumulating articles, said method comprising:

an inputting of a plurality of individual articles from an article supply source, each article having

at least a first major facing surface,

a first article dimension extending along a first article direction,

a second article dimension extending along a second article direction which differs from said first article direction, and

an article edge region;

a directing of each article to a first conveyor;

an aligning of said first article dimension of each article along a selected machine-direction;

an identifying of an article-set which contains a selected, predetermined number of said articles;

an identifying of appointed end-articles of said article-set;

an identifying of a presence of an appointed datum surface with respect to each end-article;

a forming of at least one article-set, which contains said selected number articles arranged in a configuration suitable for packaging; and

a moving of said article-set into a package.

11. A method as recited in claim 10, further including an identifying of a desired packaging face-alignment of the datum surfaces of the end-articles of said article-set.

12. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein said identifying of a desired packaging face-alignment of the datum surfaces of the end-articles of said article-set includes a detecting of a presence of a predetermined indicator.

13. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein said detecting of said presence of the predetermined indicator includes detecting a presence of an adhesive.

14. A method as recited in claim 11, further including a selective orienting of end-articles that require an orienting adjustment, to thereby provide said desired face-alignment of the datum surfaces of the end-articles of said article-set.

15. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein said selective orienting of said end-articles includes a rotating of said end-articles with a twist-belt system.

16. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein

said selective orienting of said end-articles includes a rotating of such end-articles with a twist-belt system that includes a first set of cooperating twist-belts and at least a second set of cooperating twist-belts;

said first set of twist-belts are configured to rotate an article in a first rotational direction; and

said second set of twist-belts are configured to rotate an article in a second rotational direction that is opposite said first rotational direction.

17. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein said selective orienting of said end-articles includes a rotating of such end-articles with a twist-belt system that includes a first set of cooperating twist-belts and an indexing wheel;

said indexing wheel having a first position which configures said first set of twist belts to rotate an article in a first rotational direction; and

a second position which configures said first set of twist belts to rotate an article in an opposite, second rotational direction.