Modular Stamper

Abstract

A system for applying a stamp to packs within a carton includes a conveyor drum system including a plurality of clamps and a floor plate positioned adjacent the clamps. The system further includes a carton opening system positioned at a first station along the conveyor drum system, a pack stamping system positioned at a second station along the conveyor drum system, and a carton closing system positioned at a third station along the conveyor drum system. The clamps are opened to receive at least one carton and the floor plate moves upward to position the packs at a predetermined operating distance and wherein the clamps are closed to hold the carton at the predetermined operating distance while the carton is rotated through the carton opening system, pack opening system and carton closing system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a system for applying a stamp to packs within a carton in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart illustrating one example of a method for applying a stamp to packs within a carton, in accordance with another aspect of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart illustrating one example of a method for applying a stamp to packs within a carton, in accordance with another aspect of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating another method for applying a stamp to packs within a carton, in accordance with another aspect of the invention and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating another method for applying a stamp to packs within a carton, in accordance with another aspect of the invention.

Claims

1. A system for applying a stamp to packs within a carton, the system comprising: a conveyor drum system including a plurality of clamps;a floor plate positioned adjacent the clamps;a carton opening system positioned at a first station along the conveyor drum system;a pack stamping system positioned at a second station along the conveyor drum system;a carton closing system positioned at a third station along the conveyor drum system; wherein the clamps are opened to receive at least one carton and the floor plate moves upward to position the packs at a predetermined operating distance and wherein the clamps are closed to hold the carton at the predetermined operating distance while the carton is rotated through the carton opening system, pack opening system and carton closing system.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a second set of clamps configured to provide a second processing path.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the clamps are removably attached to the conveyor drum system.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the carton opening system is removably attached to the conveyor drum system.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the pack stamping system is removably attached to the conveyor drum system.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the carton closing system is removably attached to the conveyor drum system.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the clamps, carton opening system, pack stamping system and carton closing system are modularly attached to the conveyor drum system.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the predetermined operating distance is defined by a fixed ceiling plate.

9. A system for applying a stamp to packs within a carton, the system comprising: means for positioning packs within at least one carton at an operating position;means for holding the packs at the operating position based on the positioning;means for rotating the held carton along a plurality of operating stations.

10. A method for applying a stamp to packs within a carton, the method comprising: opening at least one clamp;receiving at least one carton within the open clamp;translating the at least one carton to position the carton at an operating position;closing the clamp;rotating the at least one carton about a plurality of operating stations, the operating stations disposed around a conveyor drum system, while holding the at least one carton at the operating position within the closed clamp.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising determining a malfunction in at least one clamp;removing the determined clamp and replacing the clamp.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising determining a malfunction in at least one clamp;removing the determined clamp; androtating the remaining clamps around the conveyor drum system.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the operating position is defined by a ceiling plate.