Adjustable lane assembly
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A packaging machine (10), comprising:
- at least one lane (L) for guiding articles, said at least one lane (L) defined at least in part by an inside lane guide (32) and an outside lane guide (33) that are spaced apart to define a fixed width (W1);
an adjustable guide (34) capable of variably and reversibly extending into said at least one lane (L) to define an adjustable width portion (V) of said lane (L), said adjustable width portion (V) having an adjusted width (W2) that is no greater than said fixed width (W1); and
a transition gate (36) for gradually guiding said articles from said fixed width portion to said adjustable width portion (V) of said lane (L).
1 Assignment
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 or articles (B) as the articles (B) exit the lanes (L) onto a conveyor (20).
31 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A packaging machine (10), comprising:
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at least one lane (L) for guiding articles, said at least one lane (L) defined at least in part by an inside lane guide (32) and an outside lane guide (33) that are spaced apart to define a fixed width (W1); an adjustable guide (34) capable of variably and reversibly extending into said at least one lane (L) to define an adjustable width portion (V) of said lane (L), said adjustable width portion (V) having an adjusted width (W2) that is no greater than said fixed width (W1); and a transition gate (36) for gradually guiding said articles from said fixed width portion to said adjustable width portion (V) of said lane (L). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A packaging machine (10), comprising:
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at least one lane (L) for guiding articles, said at least one lane (L) having a fixed width portion defined at least in part by an inside lane guide (32) and an outside lane guide (33); an adjustable width portion (V) disposed downstream of said fixed width portion, said adjustable width portion (V) having a width (W2) that is no greater than the width (W1) of said fixed width portion; and a transition gate (36) for diverting said articles into said adjustable width portion (V) by variably and reversibly pivoting into said lane (L). - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification