Overhead packaging machine with articulating lugs

摘要

An overhead packaging machine with articulating lugs is mountable along a product packaging system for the application of cartons such as wrap-style cartons about sets or groups of products. The overhead packaging machine includes a lug conveyor having a series of articulating lug assemblies mounted thereto and which are moved along a path of travel for engaging the groups of products with their cartons applied thereto. Each of the articulating lug assemblies includes a pair of articulating lugs mounted to a carriage, which articulating lugs are moveable into engaging positions for engaging the cartons applied to the groups of products as the groups of products are moved along their path of travel for folding and locking of the cartons thereabout. After the cartons have been applied and secured about their product groups, the articulating lugs can be moved to non-engaging positions, out of engagement with the cartons and/or product groups as the packaged product groups are moved away from the overhead packaging machine, while the articulating lug assemblies can be moved along a return path of travel for engaging a next product group.

主权项

1. A system for packaging products moving along a path of travel, comprising:
a product conveyor extending along the path of travel and along which the products are moved; a frame; an overhead lug conveyor section extending along the frame and including a lug conveyor moving along an elliptical path; at least one cam track extending along the lug conveyor section and along the path of travel of the products; and a series of articulating lugs mounted along the lug conveyor at spaced intervals, each of the articulating lugs comprising;
a body pivotally mounted, about an axis substantially parallel to the path of travel, to a carrier and including a downwardly projecting engaging portion configured to engage at least one product of a group of products when the body is pivoted to a position to engage a packaging material received over the group of products for moving the packaging material substantially in alignment with the movement of the group of products along their path of travel by the product conveyor; anda cam rod extending from the body and adapted to engage and move along the at least one cam track for moving the body between an engaging position in operative pushing engagement with the packaging material and with the engaging portion engaging the at least one product of the group of products, to maintain and move the packaging material with the group of products, and a non-engaging position out of engagement with the packaging material and the group of products after the packaging material has been wrapped about the group of products.