System and method for packaging oriented containers

摘要

A system and method for packaging oriented containers (60) in a container carrier (55) wherein a plurality of containers (60) are fed into an orientation wheel (25) including one or more chucks (3). Each chuck (30) engages one end of the container (60) and rotates the container (60) into an oriented position. A transfer belt (42) having a plurality of tactile fingers (45) is operatively connected to the orientation wheel (25) and transfers an oriented container (60) nested within the tactile fingers (45) in a fixed rotational position from the orientation wheel (25) to a packaging machine (20). In a method of packaging containers according to this invention, multiple containers are positioned within the carrier in one or more rotational positions based upon the desired appearance of the package (Fig 12).