The present application relates to packaging machines and more particularly to a packaging machine including a system for use in counting containers.
Cups are typically packaged for retail or commercial sale as nested stacks of cups. For example, it is not unusual to provide cups nested in single or multiple stacks such as two stacks (e.g., of 10 cups each for a total of 20 cups) within a plastic bag for retail sale, for example, in a grocery store, supermarket, gas station, etc.
Automated processes and machines have been provided to sort and arrange the containers into the nested stacks for packaging. Additionally, systems have been proposed for counting cups, usually relying on a pronounced lip or flange that can easily be detected, for example using a mechanical finger. Cups having relatively broad lips with somewhat constant outer diameters can be difficult to accurately count. What is needed is a system and apparatus for counting containers of various configurations.
In an aspect, a container packaging machine includes a container handling and counting apparatus including an upstream accumulation portion and a downstream container separation and counting portion. The containers having a relatively tightly nested configuration as the containers move through the accumulation portion and having a relatively loosely nested configuration as the containers move through the container separation and counting portion where separation of the containers form distinct peaks and valleys for use in counting the containers.
The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
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Accumulation portion 12 includes an upstream conveyor system 18 that includes a first conveyor belt assembly 20 and an opposing conveyor belt assembly 22 that operate in unison to deliver the containers along a path toward the container separation and counting portion 14. The conveyor belt assemblies 20 and 22 each include belt members 24 that are driven by pulleys 26. In some embodiments, the belt members 24 are formed of an elastic material to apply a low amount of force to the containers 16. The pulleys 26 are operatively connected to a drive system 28 that drives the conveyor belt assemblies 20 and 22. In some embodiments, a controller (not shown) is used to control operation of the drive system.
The container and separation portion 14 includes a downstream conveyor system 30 that includes a first conveyor belt assembly 32 and an opposing conveyor belt assembly 34 that operate in unison to deliver the containers 16 along a path toward a downstream accumulation portion 52 (
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In some embodiments, it is preferable that the containers 16 remain nested to (albeit separated slightly from) adjacent containers as they move through the container separation and counting portion 14. Maintaining a loosely nested configuration can facilitate downstream tightening of the nest of containers. In some embodiments, the downstream conveyor system 30 may be no more than about 7 percent, no more than 6 percent, no more than 5 percent, no more than 4 percent, between about 3 percent and about 7 percent, between about 4 percent and about 6 percent, such as about 5 percent faster than the velocity of the upstream conveyor system 18 in order to maintain nesting of the stack of containers 16. As can be appreciated, the container handling and counting apparatus 10 moves containers 16 having a first, tightly nested configuration through the accumulation portion 12 and having a second, loosely nested configuration through the container separation and counting portion. As can be seen by
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As can be appreciated, the above-described container handling and counting apparatus 10 can provide for reliable counting of containers for a packaging operation. The container handling and counting apparatus 10 may be particularly useful in packaging cups having relatively broad lips of substantially constant outer diameter, such as is common with Styrofoam cups. By loosening the nested cups, distinct peaks and valleys can be formed which can be used by, for example, an optical cup detector system to count the cups.
It is to be clearly understood that the above description is intended by way of illustration and example only and is not intended to be taken by way of limitation, and that changes and modifications are possible.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/887,722, filed Feb. 1, 2007.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20080184673 A1 | Aug 2008 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60887722 | Feb 2007 | US |