Abstract:
An automatic packaging machine comprises a spaced parallel pair of conveyor chains for transporting a plurality of pallets around an endless path. A pair of guide rails are connected between the conveyor chains for slidingly carrying each pallet. A plurality of control bars are slidably mounted on the guide rails. Two or more cam slots are provided at selected locations along the path followed by the conveyor chains in order to independently control the position of each of the control bars as a function of their instantaneous locations in the packaging machine. A stabilization support system built into the control bars provides enough play to dissipate centrifugal force and thereby enable the machine to operate at a higher speed. An X-Y mounting system may be provided in order to enable the pallets to undertake two dimensional motion. The control bars enable specific points in the surface area of the pallet to undertake specific motions which are independent of the motion of the pallet.
Abstract:
A portable loader may be brought up to and selectively positioned to deliver product into mandrels carried by an automatic packaging machine. The loader may receive product on an asynchronous and on-demand basis and delivers product on a time basis coordinated with operation of the automatic packaging machine. The loader has two bins which are opened and closed in sequence to receive and deliver product with a buffer time storage in a second of the two bins in order to accommodate the timing of the packaging machine. The loader handles pouches and similarly irregularly shaped product, having a geometry which may vary at random. The pouches are gently shaped to fit into a box as they are transferred from a source of product into a loading position of the packaging machine.
Abstract:
A pen light has a removable dental mirror positioned to be in the beam of the light. The flashlight has a barrel which is constricted on one end to capture and hold a pen light bulb dropped in the other end. The electrical circuit within the flashlight includes a strip spring with a bow or arched section which make contact with the base of a flashlight bulb of almost any type and with many different sizes, on a bulb drop-in basis. The electrical contacts are such that the batteries may be dropped either end first into the barrel of the flashlight. The off-on switch has a threaded screw so that the light is switched off and on by turning a screw.
Abstract:
A loader for an automatic packaging machine has a plurality of input conveyor belts that run at successively slower speeds in order to bring products into a predetermined product density. A metering wheel picks up the products one at a time and delivers them to a metering conveyor belt having upstanding fences defining batch areas. The profile of the metering wheel may be changed, by substitution, in order to pick up another product. A product counter moves the metering conveyor belt a distance equal to one batch area responsive to a batch count indicating that the metering wheel has delivered a selected number of products to one of the batch areas. In one embodiment, the product is a tube of soda crackers. Down stream, the soda crackers are slid into position without abrading one tube of crackers against another tube of crackers. For horizontal layers, abrasion is avoided by using a variable width mandrel. For vertical layers, a blade is positioned between layers during the positioning of one layer over a previously installed layer.
Abstract:
A link chain conveyor has rollers on opposite sides of the chain, a track has a groove in which the rollers travel, in both the vertical or the horizontal orientation. The link chain has a U-shaped bracket which is pivotally connected at each of its ends to a conventional link chain adapted to receive a tooth of a sprocket wheel. The U-shaped bracket has conventional link chain connector means so that almost any existing link claim carried equipment may be connected thereto. This way, the inventive claim is compatible with existing link chain conveyor equipment.
Abstract:
A link chain conveyor has rollers on opposite sides of the chain, a track has a groove in which the rollers travel, in both the vertical or the horizontal orientation. The link chain has a U-shaped bracket which is pivotally connected at each of its ends to a conventional link chain adapted to receive a tooth of a sprocket wheel. The U-shaped bracket has conventional link chain connector means so that almost any existing link claim carried equipment may be connected thereto. This way, the inventive claim is compatible with existing link chain conveyor equipment.
Abstract:
The invention provides a mount for attachment to a link chain conveyor, especially--but not exclusively--for use in an automatic packaging machine. The mount has two pivot points of attachment to prevent unwanted motion caused by centrifugal forces as the mount circles a sprocket wheel. One of the two pivot points is a pair of tracks having wear resistant nylon blocks mounted on them to provide lost motion. Responsive to each lost motion extension, the block rubs the tracks to clean them of debris.
Abstract:
An automatic packaging machine comprises a spaced parallel pair of conveyor chains for transporting a plurality of mandrels. A pair of guide rails connected between the conveyor chains for slidably carrying each mandrel, so that a mandrel may be moved in a product transport position to a loading station. At the loading station, the mandrel is thrust forward to confront a box so that the product may be pushed into a box. The mandrel may be made wider to accept product without a precise alignment between mandrel and product or more narrow to fit the product into a box at the loading station. Two cam slots are provided to independently control the thrust position and the width of the mandrel. A stabilization support provides enough play to dissipate centrifugal force and thereby enable the machine to operate at a higher speed.
Abstract:
A spool of thread, such as dental floss, is housed in a two-part shell or holder, preferably made of plastic, one of the two parts having a central post coaxially located therein. The thread or floss is wound on a bobbin having a clutch molded in its hub area. The clutch comprises a split cylinder having a generally C-shaped cross section with three equally spaced ribs running along the internal length thereof. The C-shape of the split cylinder embraces the central post and the surfaces of the three ribs provided areas for friction gripping the central post. The friction keeps the bobbin from unwinding; however, the friction is not so great that it keeps the thread or floss from pulling smoothly and evenly from the bobbin.
Abstract:
An automatic packaging machine for forming a latching flip-top box from a blank. A plurality of mandrels are coupled to a conveyor system. Each of the mandrels includes a mounting block for coupling the mandrel to the automatic packaging machine, a package-holding assembly operatively connected to the mounting block and being rotatable about a first axis from a first position to a second position, and a flap holder assembly operatively connected to the mounting block. The flap holder assembly is rotatable about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. A plurality of plows and tucker assemblies sequentially manipulate portions of the blank in order to form portions of the box.