MXPA01008199A - Barrel cam loader arm assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A loader arm assembly for use in a packaging system, comprising an arm, a housing, and a load jam detector. The housing is operably connected to at least one motive mechanism, and is adapted for moving the arm to load product into a package. The arm has both a latched state and a released state with respect to the housing. The arm normally is in the latched state to load product into the package, and enters the released state to relieve pressure upon detecting the load jam condition. The arm includes a base plate and a loading head. The housing is formed with a guide passage that is adapted for receiving the base plate. The load jam detector preferably includes at least one detent adapted for holding the base plate with respect to the housing in the latched state. The detent preferably is formed by a tip of at least one plug extending through the housing to the guide passage. The tip is adapted for applying a holding force against the base plate. A first end of the base plate has at least one depression adapted for receiving the tip of the at least one plug in the latched state and for releasing the tip to slide on a surface of the base plate upon the application of a predetermined load pressure attributable to the load condition. The loader arm assembly is described and shown within a barrel cam loading mechanism that is incorporated into a continuous motion packaging mechanism, but may be used in other packaging systems such as a vertical cartoner or a sleever.

Description

ARM MOUNTING CYLINDER CAM CHARGER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates, in general, to apparatus and methods in the packaging industry. More particularly, the invention relates to a cylinder cam loader arm assembly incorporated in a cylinder cam loading mechanism, used within a packaging system.

Background of the Invention The state of the art in general includes several devices and methods of packaging. These devices and methods are believed to have significant limitations and drawbacks. Specifically, the item groups can get stuck inside a mechanism of transfer of groups of items and can damage the items or the cardboard boxes. A solution for the detection and relief of pressure, associated with a clogging or obstruction of charge is described in U.S. Pat. No. ,347,796, owned by the assignee of the applicants, which describes a release mechanism that is connected to a cam assembly in the article group transfer mechanism. The release mechanism, such as a pressure release cylinder and piston, is controlled by a tensioning mechanism such as a photo-eye or capacitive proximity sensor. Excessive force placed on the outer rail of the cam assembly due to a jamming of the cam assembly, for example, will trigger the release mechanism making it possible for the outer rail to pivot. However, the amount of force required to drive the release mechanism will vary depending on where the loader arm is with respect to the pivot point on the outer rail assembly, for example, more force is required near the pivot point and is required less force away from the pivot point. In addition, once the release mechanism is activated due to a jam, multiple bands of articles and packages can be damaged, which requires an operator to clean and readjust each of these bands. This invention provides each cylinder cam loader arm assembly within the cylinder cam load mechanism with an independent means for detecting a load clog which is believed to be an improvement over existing technology. The sensitivity of the independent means to detect a load jam is adjustable to explain the degree to which articles and packages are strong or delicate, and remains constant or consistent as each arm assembly travels within the loader arm assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a loader arm assembly incorporated in a cylinder cam loading mechanism within a packaging system such as a carton packer or a wrapper. The loader arm assembly generally comprises an arm, a housing, and means for detecting a load clogging condition. The housing is operably connected to at least one drive mechanism and is adapted to move the arm to load the product into a container. The arm has a secured state and a released state with respect to the housing. The arm is normally in the secured state to load the product into the container, and enters the released state to release the pressure after detecting the condition of the load being clogged. The arm includes a base plate and a charging head. The base plate has a first end and a second end. The housing is formed with a guide passage which is adapted to receive the base plate. The means for detecting a load jam preferably includes at least one stop adapted to hold the base plate with respect to the housing in the secured state. The stop (s) are preferably formed by a tip of at least one obturator extending through the housing towards the guide passage. The tip is adapted to apply a holding force against the base plate. The first end of the base plate has at least one depression adapted to receive the tip of the shutter (s) in the secured state, and to release the tip to slide on a surface of the base plate after the application of a predetermined loading pressure attributable to the load-clogging condition. The movement mechanism (s) includes an air chain and a guide tube assembly adapted to provide longitudinal movement to the housing and a control cam assembly operably positioned with respect to the air chain and the guide tube assembly, to provide a movement lateral to the accommodation. The air chain and guide tube assembly includes a parallel pair of air chains and at least one guide tube connected to and extending between the air chains. The housing has at least one guide tube opening adapted to slidably receive the guide tube (s), and includes a cam roller or pusher adapted to make operable contact with the control cam assembly. The control cam assembly engages and influences the housing to move laterally along the guide tube (s) as the air chain and the guide tube assembly longitudinally transport the housing and the arm in a longitudinal direction. The housing includes a body portion and a cover portion removably coupled to the body portion. The body portion and the cover portion have cooperating channels to form the guide passage adapted to receive the base plate and to laterally move the arm to load the product into a container if the arm is and remains in the secured state. The obturator (s) extend through the cover portion toward the guide passage. The obturator (s) and the depression (s) provide the arm with the secured state in which the arm moves laterally with the housing, and the released state in which the arm does not move laterally with the housing. The obturator (s) have threads extending through a threaded opening in the cover portion. The holding force corresponding to the predetermined loading pressure that is attributable to the load-clogging condition can be adjusted by turning the shutter (s) over or by the use of more or fewer shutters. Therefore, each arm assembly in the cylinder cam loading mechanism has an independent means for detecting a load jam that has a sensitivity that is adjustable to explain the degree to which the articles and packages are strong or delicate, and is constant or consistent as each arm assembly travels within the loader arm assembly. The loader arm assembly is described and shown within a cylinder cam loading mechanism that is incorporated in a continuous motion packaging mechanism. The cylinder cam loading mechanism generally comprises a plurality of the magazine arm assemblies described above, an overhead chain and a guide tube assembly, and a control cam assembly. The air chain and the guide tube assembly are adapted to provide a longitudinal movement to the housing of each of the loader arm assemblies, and generally includes a parallel pair of longitudinally oriented air chains and at least one guide tube for each of the plurality of loader arm assemblies connected to and extending laterally between the aerial chains. The guide tube (s) have a sliding fit within the opening (s) of the guide tube in the housing. The plurality of loader arm assemblies are positioned along the aerial chains at predetermined longitudinally spaced intervals. The control cam assembly that is operably positioned close to the air chain and the guide tube assembly, to provide lateral movement to the housing of each of the loader arm assemblies. The control cam assembly influences the housing to move laterally along the guide tube (s), as the air chain and the guide tube assembly longitudinally transport the housing. The packaging system can be a continuous movement packaging mechanism, or a cardboard box wrapping machine, which generally comprises a carton supply and transport mechanism, an article supply mechanism, a selection mechanism and transport of article groups, and the cylinder cam loading mechanism described above. The carton supply and transport mechanism is adapted to provide a linear stream of longitudinally spaced carton liners. The article supply mechanism is adapted to provide streams of articles to a predetermined position. The article group selection and transport mechanism is positioned adjacent and parallel to the carton supply and transport mechanism, and is adapted to dose the items provided by the article delivery mechanism in the predetermined item groups and to transport a linear stream of longitudinally spaced article groups, which are aligned with the carton liners, thereby making it possible for the cylinder cam loading mechanism to load the article groups into the carton liners. An example of a wrapper with high-speed cardboard boxes is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,347,796, which belongs to the assignee of the applicants, and is incorporated by reference herein. Alternatively, the packaging system can be a wrapper with cardboard boxes or a vertical jacket. An example of a vertical cardboard boxes wrapper is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,802,324 and an example of a plier is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,036,644, which pertains to the applicant's assignee. and are incorporated by reference herein. The features, benefits and objects of this invention will become clear to those of skill in the art by reference to the following description, claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DIVERSE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a side view of a carton wrapper incorporating the loader arm assemblies of the present invention, within a cylinder cam loading mechanism. Figure 2 is a top view of the carton wrapper, taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top view of the cylinder cam loading mechanism incorporated in the wrapper with cardboard boxes. Figure 4 is a side view of the cylinder cam loading mechanism, incorporating the magazine arm assembly of the present invention. Figure 5 is a top view of the cylinder cam loading mechanism, taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4. Figure 6 is an end view of the cylinder cam loading mechanism, taken as shown in FIG. along line 6-6 of Figure 4. Figure 7 is a side view of the loader arm assembly. Figure 8 is a perspective view of a partially extended magazine arm assembly. Figure 9 is an exploded view of the base plate and housing of the loader arm assembly of Figure 7. Figure 10 is a plan view illustrating the internal part of the cover portion and the housing body portion. , and the upper surface of the base plate.

Figure 11 is a perspective view illustrating the bottom of the body portion of the housing. Figure 12 is a top view of the loader arm assembly when the arm is in a secured, retracted state. Figure 13 is a top view of the loader arm assembly, when the arm is in a secured, partially extended state. Figure 14 is a top view of the loader arm assembly, when the arm is in a released, partially extended state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION With reference to Figures 1-14, an example of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and generally indicated by the reference numeral 10. The cylinder cam loader arm assembly 10 of the present invention is described and shown within a cylinder cam loading mechanism 14 which is incorporated into a packaging system such as a wrapper with cartons 12, of continuous movement. The invention is first described first in describing a carton wrapper 12, which is illustrated in Figures 1-3, and then in describing the cam load mechanism 14, which is illustrated in Figures 4-6. , and finally when describing the loader arm assembly 10 by cylinder cam, which is illustrated in Figures 7-14.

Wrapper with Cartons, Continuous Movement The wrapper with cartons 12 is a continuous, high-speed packaging mechanism adapted to package items 20 or products of various sizes, types and amounts within paper carriers or cartons 22 of various types and sizes in a process Reliable, continuous and high speed. For example, the wrapper with cartons 12 can package standard beverage cans or bottles in simple and common configurations or in stacked configurations. In addition, the process of loading beverage containers into cartons 22, for example, is carried out quickly and reliably, under the typical industrial tolerances for container and carrier construction. The resulting filled cardboard boxes 22 produced by the wrapper with cardboard boxes 12 are of uniform consistency having maximized quadrature and tightness for improved storage qualities and transportation capabilities. With reference to Figures 1-3, the carton wrapper 12 generally comprises a stream or mechanism 30 for supplying and transporting cartons, a stream or mechanism 32 for selecting and conveying article groups, a pair of currents or mechanisms 34 for the supply of articles (for groups of stacked items), a splitter positioning mechanism 36 used for the stacked article groups, and an article group transfer apparatus, for example, the load mechanism 14 by transverse load or cylinder cam. These mechanisms are shown supported by a unitary frame structure 38, although if they are properly aligned, the separate support structures can be used consistently with the teachings of this invention. The carton supply setter 56 of the carton supply and transport mechanism 30 is positioned near an inlet end 40 of the carton wrapper 12, and the carton liners or blanks 24 are subsequently transported. in a linear fashion on a carton transport conveyor 58, towards an exit end 42. The article delivery mechanism or mechanisms 34 are also placed at the entry end 40. Two article delivery mechanisms 34 are used. in a wrapper with cardboard boxes 12 adapted to package items in a stacked configuration comprised of two layers. A first portion 44 of each article supply mechanism 34 is positioned spatially parallel to the item selection and transport mechanism 32, and a second portion 46 is fused, at a predetermined angle, with the selection and transport mechanism 32 of the article. item groups, to supply product streams or items to two separate positions along the mechanism 32 for selecting and transporting item groups. These fusion mechanisms are also constructed and arranged to dose individual articles, by means of a fixed aerial bar arrangement, into groups of predetermined articles on the mechanism. In the form of the wrapper with cardboard boxes, adapted to pack groups of stacked items shown in the figures, the stacking function of the device is achieved by forming a first group 48 at a low level, placing a divider sheet on the group bottom of the divider sheet positioning mechanism 36, and then simultaneously form a second group 50 downstream to a higher level and allowing the upper group 50 to slide through the divider sheet by the action of the aerial rods of the portion for selecting article groups of the mechanism 32, to form the stacked group 542. The divider 36 positioning mechanism preferably comprises a rotary positioning mechanism. The article selection transport mechanism 32 is positioned adjacent and parallel to the carton supply and transport mechanism 30, and extends downstream in a linear orientation. The merged or combined item groups 52 are transported downstream on a conveyor 54 of groups of articles in a spaced and dosed manner, each group being aligned with a sleeve or blank 24 of cartons traveling on the conveyor 58 of boxes of goods. paperboard . The cylinder cam loading mechanism 14 is positioned adjacent to and parallel with the article group conveyor 54, and extends and travels longitudinally with respect to the wrapper with cardboard boxes 12. The cylinder cam loading mechanism 14 has a plurality of loading arm assemblies 10, including arms extending transverse or perpendicular with respect to conveyors 54 and 58 of article groups and cardboard boxes. The loading arms 10 move the product on the conveyor 54 of article groups in the lined cardboard cases 24, which travel on the cardboard box conveyor 58, whereby the cardboard box shirts 24 are loaded. with the articles 20. The mechanism 30 for supplying and transporting cardboard boxes preferably includes a cardboard box supply setter 56, rotary type. The carton supply setter 56 is supported above the inlet end 40 of the carton supply and transport mechanism 30, by a vertically adjustable frame structure, and basically transfers the blanks or shirts 24 from cartons , planes from an energy reservoir to the surface of the carton conveyor 58 and simultaneously opens the blank so that it assumes a four-sided configuration with the opposite open ends joined by at least one flap each. The partially erected carton, for example the blank 24 of the carton, is placed in a transverse or lateral orientation so that its ends open towards the sides of the carton conveyor 58 for loading purposes. The cardboard box conveyor 58 receives the cardboard boxes from the cardboard box supply place 56, and transports them linearly downstream with respect to the carton packer in full cardboard boxes 12. The transport downstream of the blanks or carton liners 24 is synchronized with the mechanism 32 for selecting and transporting groups of articles, and with the cylinder loading mechanism 14, as described below, to effect the loading of cardboard boxes. The carton transporter 58 is adjustable to accommodate cartons of various types and sizes, and basically comprises a plurality of aerial loops which are connected to a pair of overhead chains which are connected to and revolve around the drive ends and of tension roller. The number of handles per carton can vary for alternative carton configurations, and the transverse and longitudinal spacing between the handles on parallel chains side by side is preferably variable to allow a variety of carton configurations to be received on the carton transporter. The adjustment is desirable to allow the apparatus to be used with various configurations of cartons to allow adjustment of the spacing of the cartons. The carton supply and transport mechanism 30 may also include a carton stabilization structure for supporting the upper portions of the shirts or primers 24 of relatively high two-level cartons traveling on the mechanism, particularly during the loading phase of the operation. The item supply mechanism 34a, first or lower, provides a plurality of individual items of input to a predetermined first level or height and a predetermined point on the item selection and transport mechanism 32. The lower item supply mechanism 34a is shown including a conveyor positioned around a drive / axle idler gear assembly and a idler / axle gear assembly. The conveyor preferably consists of a unitary band. The articles transported on the front, upper conveyor run are separated into a plurality of single row paths by strip separators 60. Each strip separator has a terminal portion of a predetermined length, such that it extends into the path of the mechanism. 32 of selection and transport of groups of articles. Each terminal portion is constructed such that it allows the longitudinally transported aerial structures of the selection and transport mechanism of article groups 32 to pass through the angled conveyor belts. As the aerial bars are interengaged, and pass through the end portions of the band separator, they hold the articles placed on the badas and thread them over the longitudinal transport path of the mechanism and between the adjacent aerial bars. The combination of forces exerted by the aerial bars, the web ends, and the conveyor serve to select and dose the individual items in predetermined item groups 48, which are completely merged on the item selection and transport mechanism 32. The size, orientation and dimensions of the resulting product groups are dependent on the number of feed belts, the dimensions of the product, and the configuration and spacing of the aerial bars. The bands can be blocked by the closure means to alter the size and / or orientation of the groups. Band separators and overhead bars are adjustable to provide full variability of product group parameters. The item group selection and transport mechanism 32 selects article groups 48 from the article supply mechanism 34a, first or lower, as described above, and from article delivery mechanism 34b, second or higher, discussed further forward, and transports them linearly downstream with respect to the wrapper in cardboard boxes, complete. The downward transport of the article groups 48 is synchronized with the mechanism 30 of the supply and transport of cartons, and with the cylinder load mechanism 14, as described further below, to effect the loading of the cartridges. cardboard boxes. The selection and transport mechanism of article groups 32 comprises a conveyor 54, a plurality of aerial rod assemblies fixed to and longitudinally transported on the conveyor, and a plurality of sliding plates, which are placed on the conveyor between the spaced aerial bars. . The conveyor 54 includes a drive / axle gearwheel assembly, a idler / axle gear assembly, and a pair of parallel, endless conveyor chains, which are connected to and rotate around the sprocket / axle assemblies for forming a longitudinally extending front or upper stroke and a return stroke or lower. The aerial bar assemblies include a top rail member and a bottom rail member that are connected to each other by vertical spacers. The upper and lower members are placed parallel to each other and are spatially separated by the spacers. Each upper and lower member further has an angled front end and an elongated rectilinear body, which terminates at a flat rear end. The front end is angled or angled inwardly from its leading edge to its trailing edge, to enable the aerial bars to select the individual articles placed on the article feeding webs and separate them from the nearest upstream article, closely spaced. A pair of fixed sliding plates are connected to each air bar assembly. The aerial bars and the sliding plates are connected to the aerial chains by means of connection brackets. The sliding plates are thin, flat structures, with a low friction upper surface, which supports the lower groups of articles and also allows the sliding movement on them. In addition, the slotted sliding plates are placed between the assemblies of adjacent aerial bars. The item supply mechanism 34b, second or higher, provides a plurality of individual articles of entry to the apparatus, to a second predetermined level or height and to a predetermined point with downward direction of the lower item supply mechanism 34a. The upper mechanism 34a also comprises a conveyor positioned around a drive / axle gear wheel assembly and a idler / axle gear assembly. The articles transported on the forward, upper stroke of the conveyors are separated into a plurality of single row paths by band separators 60. Each band separator 60 has a terminal portion of a predetermined length, such that it extends towards the trajectory of the mechanism 32 for selecting and transporting groups of articles, for a predetermined distance. Each terminal portion is constructed such that it allows the longitudinally transported aerial structures of the selection and transport mechanism of groups of articles 32 to pass through the angled conveyor belts. As the aerial structures are interengaged with and pass through the end portions of the band separator, they hold the articles placed on the bands and thread them into the longitudinal transportation path of the mechanism. The side and middle flap tuckers 62 and 64 are positioned adjacent to each side of the carton transport mechanism, one 62 prior to the loading region, to provide a back or reinforcing side of the closed carton, against which loaded containers can be nested or nested, and the other one back to the loading region, to allow the group of articles to enter the carton through its end flaps, not glued. The gluing, compression and discharge mechanisms 66 are furthermore placed in a downward direction and adjacent to the carton supply and transport mechanism 30 to complete the process of securing the flap of the carton and forming the cartons 22 charged, completely formed.

Load Mechanism by Cylinder Cam The cylinder load mechanism 14 is synchronized with the aforementioned elements of the apparatus, for moving completed groups of articles traveling on the conveyor 54 for selecting and transporting groups of articles towards the shirts or blanks 24 of cardboard boxes, aligned, traveling on the conveyor 58 of cardboard boxes. The cylinder cam loading mechanism 14 basically comprises a plurality of loader arm assemblies 10, an overhead chain and the guide tube assembly 72 to which the loader arm assemblies 10 are attached, at predetermined intervals and which provides a component of longitudinal movement thereto, and a control cam assembly 74 that provides a predetermined transverse movement component toward the loader arm assemblies. The air chain and the guide tube assembly 72 have a front or upper stroke 76 and a return or lower stroke 78 and comprise the gear / axle, drive and idler assemblies 80 and 82 and a pair of air chains spatially parallels 84 that are connected and rotate around the cogwheel / shaft assemblies. The air chains 84 are maintained in a rectilinear configuration on the upper and lower races by the chain guides 86, which are connected to the frame 38 via the vertical support members. The pairs of elongated guide tubes 88 are positioned at predetermined intervals along the aerial chains 84. The chains 84 are connected to each other by link pins 90, a predetermined number of which extend and are sized to fit inside the end openings 92 of the guide tubes 88. Each guide tube 88 is directly connected at one end to the outer air chain and at its end opposite the internal air chain so that these are oriented transversely with respect to the axis of the apparatus and the stroke with downward or forward direction 76 of the cylinder cam loading mechanism 14. The guide tubes 88 have a low friction outer surface to provide sliding support for the loader arm assemblies. Each pair of closely spaced tubes 88 increase the stability of the transverse movement of the arm 94.

The additional stability is achieved by the guiding passages 96 in a housing 98 and a guide block 100. The spacing between the successive groups (pairs) of tubes 88 corresponds to the spacing between the overhead rods of the group selection and transport conveyor 54. of articles and between the flight handles of the carton transport conveyor 58, so that the loader arm assemblies 10 are aligned to push the article groups from between the aerial bars towards the blank 24 of cardboard boxes. The loader arm assemblies 10 are movably mounted on the guide tubes 88, and in a transverse orientation with respect to the axis of the canner 12 in cardboard boxes. Each magazine arm assembly 10 basically comprises the arm 94, which includes a base plate 102 and a loading head 104 located at one end of the base plate 102, and further comprises the housing 98 and the guide block 100. The mounts of arm 10 are transported in a downstream longitudinal direction while arms 94 move alternately simultaneously in a transverse direction under the control of control cam assembly 74, described below. A rotatable cam pusher 106 cooperates with the cam assembly 74 to cause the arm 94 to reciprocate transversely across the guide tubes 88 and through the guide passageways 96 of the housing 98 and the guide block 100. A transition conveyor. is placed between the cylinder cam loading mechanism and the carton transport mechanism, to provide a mobile base for the movement of the groups of articles towards the primordia of cardboard boxes 24 longitudinally transported. A fixed dead plate can alternatively be used. The lower member of the aerial bars is elongated to extend through the upper run of the transition conveyor to guide or channel the groups of articles through the conveyor and into the blanks 24 of cardboard boxes between the end panels of the boxes of goods. paperboard. The control cam assembly 74 controls reciprocal transverse movement of the arm 94 in each loading arm assembly 10, and is generally oriented longitudinally with respect to the complete cylinder cam loading mechanism 14, and has an upper or front stroke 76 and a lower or return stroke 78. The upper stroke 108 basically comprises an approach segment 112 in inward sloping, a vertex 114, and a return segment 116, sloping outwards. In the approach segment 112 the cam pushers 106, and in this way the arms 94, are pushed inward and drive the loading head 104 of each arm 94 in movable engagement with a group of products until it is loaded in a primordio of cardboard boxes. A phase segment 118 of decreased slope is placed at a predetermined point where the loading head 104 first makes contact with a group of articles to provide uniform, smooth pressure at this initial contact point. In the return segment 116, the loading head 104 is retracted from the cardboard box blank before it is reset in the return stroke 110 of the cam assembly 74. The bottom or return stroke 110 of the cam assembly it includes guide plates and a lower cam track that makes contact with the cam pusher to retract and readjust the arms 94 for subsequent loading cycles. A forward stroke 108 of the cam assembly 74 comprises an outer rail 120 and an inner rail 122 which is spaced from the outer rail 120 a distance to form a path 124 adapted to receive the cam followers 106. The movement of the pushers 106 in the path or trajectory 124 of the cam, effects the transverse movement inward toward the housing 98. The outer rail 120 of the cam assembly 74 may be connected to a pivot point at one end and to a release mechanism, such as a cylinder release of pressure and piston, near its opposite end. The release mechanism is controlled by a sensor mechanism such as a photo-eye or a capacitive proximity sensor, so that excessive force placed on the outer rail due to a jamming of the arm assembly, for example, will trigger the mechanism of release that in turn frees the outer rail to move in pivot away. This release mechanism design provides a means to detect and relieve the pressure associated with a load clogging. Another means is described in more detail below with respect to the mounting 10 of the loader arm by cylinder cam.

Mounting Arm Charger for Cylinder Cam With reference to Figures 7-14 together with Figures 4-6, each of the cylinder cam loader arm assemblies 10 is connected to and longitudinally transported by the aerial chain and the guide tube assembly 72, and is furthermore in operable contact with control cam assembly 74. Each loader cam assembly 10 generally comprises an arm 94, a housing 98, and a guide block 100. The arm 94 includes a base plate 102 of suitable size and shape to be received by the guide passages 96 formed in the housing 98, and the guide block 100, and further includes a charging head 104 coupled to an inner end of the base plate 102, and means for detecting a load jam described in more detail below. The base plate 102 is illustrated having an elongated, flat, rigid structure, which is oriented horizontally, and the loading head 104 is illustrated having a simple flat face member. Alternative designs are anticipated. As the arm assemblies 10, particularly the arms 94, move forward, the loading head 204 pushes the groups of articles forward from the article selection transporting conveyor 54, to the blank 24 primers . The head loading configuration can be modified to wrap in cartons various other items and arrangements or configurations of product groups, including stacked and non-stacked configurations.

The housing 98 and the guide block 100 include a body portion 142 and 130 with a pair of guide tube openings 132 and a bushing or bushing 134 within each opening 132. The pair of openings 132 of the guide tube are sized and accommodated to slidably receive the pair of guide tubes 88. In this way, the housing 98 and the guide block 100 provide the arm 94 with the coupling means for the aerial chain and the guide tube assembly 72, which provides longitudinal movement. to the mounts 10 of loader arm. The housing 98 contacts and supports the base plate 102 near the outer end of the arm 94, and the guide block 100 contacts and supports the base plate 102 near the inner end. With reference to Figure 10, the accommodation 98 further includes a cover portion 140 that is cooperatively coupled to the body portion 142. The cover portion 140 and the body portion 142 are formed with a channel 144 constructed and accommodated to form the guide passage 96 when the portion portion cover 140 is coupled to body portion 142. cover portion 140 has a group of fastener openings 160 and body portion has a corresponding group of threaded fastener openings 162. Fasteners 164 are screwed through both sets of fasteners. openings 160 and 162 for securely securing the cover portion 140 to the body portion 142. Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 11, the bottom of the body portion 142 has a threaded cam tapper opening, which is adapted to receive a threaded end of a rotary cam pusher 106. The control cam assembly 74 contacts and influences the cam pusher 106, which at its once it influences the housing 98 of the loader arm assembly 10, to move in an alternating, transverse movement. With reference to Figures 12-14, the base plate 102 is either in a secured state 150 or in a sliding or releasing state 152 within the guide passage 96 of the housing 98, due to the means for detecting a load clogging , described later. In the secured state 150, shown in Figures 12-13, the housing 98 retains and moves the arm 94 as it travels in transverse, alternating movement. However, in the release state 152 shown in Figure 14, the arm 94 will not move forward with the housing 98., but will slide into the guide passage 96 of the housing 98 due to the force F associated with a load jam. The fastening screws, not shown, can be rotated within the openings 136 to prevent the base plate 102 from sliding out of the housing 98. The elements comprising the means for detecting a load-clogging condition, or the clogging detector of loading, for the illustrated mode, are described below. The upper surface 170 of the base plate 102 of the arm 94 includes at least one concave depression 172 at a predetermined location, illustrated at the first end of the base plate 102, so that the housing 98 is near the edge of the first end, when the arm is in the secured state 150. The depression (s) have a predetermined size and shape. The cover portion 140 includes at least one threaded opening 174 into which a stopper 176 or a screw may be rotated. The tip 178 of the obturator 176 has a rounded size and shape to cooperate with the size and shape of the depressions 172, thereby forming a stop. The tip (s) 178 remain seated within the recess (s) 172, when the arm 94 is in the secured state 150, and is moved or forced from the recess (s) 172 and slides along the surface 170 of the plate. base 102 when the base plate 102 of the arm 94 is in the released state 152. In this way, the depression (s) 172 and the stop (s) 176 function to provide the means for the housing 98 to retain and move the arm 94 with the cam pusher 106 in the securing state 150 and to release the arm 94 to move with the cam pusher 106 after detection or application of a force F associated with a load jam, and are considered means for detecting a load clogging The number of depressions 172 and shutters 176, the shape of the obturator tip 178 and the shape and depth of the depression 172, and the normal or retention force applied to the depression 172 that is adjusted by turning the obturator 176 in the cover portion 140, all contribute to the magnitude of the load-binding force required to change the arm 94 from the secured state 150 to the released state 152. Therefore, the sensitivity of this individual load-binding detection characteristic can be adjusted to detect forces of small load clogging, to prevent damage to delicate items and cartons, or to detect higher loading forces, to enable stronger product groups to be packed in stronger cardboard boxes without being overly sensitive to clogging of cargo.

It is anticipated that alternative arrangements of and bumpers and depressions may be used, and it is further anticipated that alternative means may also be used to provide an adjustable holding force. Two depressions 172 and two shutters 176 are shown in the figures. The above descriptions and the accompanying drawings should be interpreted in the illustrative sense and not in the limiting sense. While the invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiment or embodiments thereof, it should be understood that there may be other embodiments that fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. Where a claim, if any, is expressed as a means or step to carry out a specific function, it is intended that such a claim be considered to cover the structure, material, or corresponding acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof, including equivalent structural and equivalent structures, equivalents based on materials and equivalent materials, and equivalents based on acts and equivalent acts.

Claims (20)

1. A loader arm assembly for use in a packaging system, comprising: (a) an arm; (b) a housing operably connected to at least one drive mechanism, the housing is adapted to move the arm to load product into a container; and (c) the means for detecting a load-clogging condition, the arm has a secured state and a released state with respect to the housing, the arm is normally in the secured state to load product into the container, the arm enters the state released to release the pressure after detecting the load clogging condition.

2. The charging arm assembly according to claim 1, wherein the arm includes a base plate and a loading head, the base plate has a first end and a second end, the first end of the base plate is secured to the housing, when the arm is in the secured state, the base plate is adapted to slide with respect to the housing when the arm is in the released state, the second end of the base plate is connected to the loading head.

3. The charging arm assembly according to claim 2, wherein the housing is formed with a guide passage adapted to receive the base plate.

4. The charging arm assembly according to claim 3, wherein the means for detecting a jamming or obstruction of load includes at least one stop adapted to retain the base plate with respect to the housing in the secured state.

5. The charging arm assembly according to claim 4, wherein at least one stop is formed by a tip of the at least one obturator extending through the housing towards the guide passage, the tip is adapted to apply a clamping force against the base plate, the first end of the base plate has at least one depression adapted to receive the tip of the at least one shutter in the secured state and to release the tip to slide on a surface of the base plate after the application of a predetermined loading pressure attributable to the loading condition.

6. The loader arm assembly according to claim 5, wherein at least one obturator has threads and extends through a threaded opening in the housing, whereby the rotation of at least one obturator adjusts the clamping force either to allow a smaller loading pressure or to require a larger loading pressure, to release at least one obturator tip of at least one depression, and thereby provide the means to detect a jamming of the load with an adjustable sensitivity.

7. The loader arm assembly according to claim 3, wherein the housing comprises a body portion and a cover portion removably coupled to the body portion, the body portion and the cover portion have cooperating channels for forming the body portion. guide passage.

8. The loader arm assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a guide block adapted to stabilize the arm, the guide block has a guide passage adapted to slidably receive the arm.

9. The loader arm assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one drive mechanism includes an overhead chain and the guide tube assembly is adapted to provide a longitudinal movement to the housing and an operably mounted control cam assembly with respect to to the aerial chain, and the guide tube assembly to provide lateral movement to the housing, the aerial chain and the guide tube assembly include a parallel pair of overhead chains and at least one guide tube connected to and extending between the chains aerial, the housing has at least one guide tube opening adapted to slidably receive at least one guide tube, the housing includes a cam follower adapted to make operable contact with the control cam assembly, the control cam assembly influences the housing to move laterally along at least one guide tube conforming to the air chain and tube assembly of guide transports the housing longitudinally.

10. A loader arm assembly for use in a continuous motion packaging system, comprising: (a) an arm that includes a base plate and a loading head, the base plate has a first end and a second end, the second end end of the motherboard is connected to the charging head; (b) a housing operably connected to an air chain and the guide tube assembly adapted to provide longitudinal movement to the housing, and to a control cam assembly operably connected with respect to the air chain and the guide tube assembly, to provide lateral movement to the housing, the aerial chain and guide tube assembly includes a parallel pair of air chains and at least one guide tube connected to and extending between the air chains, the housing has at least one tube opening. guide adapted to slidably receive at least one guide tube, the housing includes a cam follower adapted to make operable contact with the control cam assembly, the control cam assembly influences the housing to move laterally along at least a guide tube in accordance with the assembly of aerial chain and guide tube longitudinally transport the housing and the arm in a longitudinal direction, the arm has a secured state and a released state with respect to the housing, the housing is formed with a guide passage adapted to receive the base bale and to move the arm laterally to load product into a container, if the arm it is in a secured state; and (c) at least one stop adapted to hold the base plate with respect to the housing in the secured state, at least one stop provides the arm with the secured state in which the arm moves laterally with the housing, and the released state in which it does not move laterally with the housing, the arm is normally in the secured state to load product into the container, the arm enters the released state to relieve the pressure after detecting a clogging or load clogging condition, the first The end of the base plate is secured to the housing when the arm is in a secured state, the base plate is adapted to slide relative to the housing when the arm is in a released state.

11. A loader arm assembly for use in a packaging system, comprising: (a) an arm including a base plate and a loading head, the base plate having a first end and a second end, the second end of the base plate is connected to the charging head, the first end of the base plate has at least one depression; b) a housing operably connected to the air chain and the guide tube assembly adapted to provide a longitudinal movement to the housing and a control cam assembly operably positioned with respect to the air chain and guide tube assembly, to provide a lateral movement to the housing, the aerial chain and guide tube assembly includes a parallel pair of overhead chains and at least one guide tube connected to and extending between the overhead chains, the housing having at least one guide tube opening adapted for slidably receiving at least one guide tube, the housing includes a cam follower adapted to make operable contact with the control cam assembly, the control cam assembly influences the housing to move laterally along at least one tube. guide as the air chain assembly and the guide tube longitudinally transport the housing and arm in a direction Longitudinal ion, the arm has a secured state and a released state with respect to the housing, the housing includes a body portion and a cover portion removably coupled to the body portion, the body portion and the cover portion have channels in the body portion. cooperation to form a guide passage adapted to receive the base plate and to move the arm laterally to load product into a container if the arm is in the secured state; and (c) at least one obturator extending through the cover portion toward the guide passage, at least one obturator having a tip that functions as a stop adapted to retain the base plate to the housing and to release the plate base for sliding with respect to the housing, at least one shutter provides the arm with the secured state in which the arm moves laterally with the housing, and the released state in which the arm does not move laterally with the housing, the arm normally it is in the secured state to load product into the container, the arm enters the released state to relieve the pressure after detecting a clogging or jamming condition, the tip is adapted to apply a clamping force against the base plate, at least one depression in the base plate is adapted to receive the tip of at least one shutter in the secured state, and to release said tip to slide over a surface of the base plate after application of a predetermined loading pressure, attributable to the load-binding condition, at least one obturator having threads and extending through a threaded opening in the cover portion, with which rotation of at least one obturator adjusts the clamping force to increase or decrease the predetermined loading pressure which is attributable to the condition of clogging or binding of load.

12. A cylinder cam loading mechanism, comprising: (a) a plurality of magazine arm assemblies, each magazine arm assembly includes: (i) an arm; (ii) a housing that includes a cam pusher, the housing has at least one guide tube opening, the housing is adapted to move the arm to load product into a container; and (iii) the means for detecting a load-obstructing condition, the arm has a secured state and a released state with respect to the housing, the arm is normally in the secured state to load product into the container, the arm enters the state released to relieve pressure after detecting the condition of load obstruction; (b) an air chain and guide tube assembly adapted to provide a longitudinal movement to the housing of each of the loader arm assemblies, the air chain and guide tube assembly includes a parallel pair of longitudinally oriented air chains , and at least one guide tube for each of the plurality of loader arm assemblies, connected to and extending laterally between the aerial chains, the guide tube has a slidable fit within the housing guide tube opening, the plurality of loader arm assemblies is placed around the aerial chains at predetermined, spaced-apart intervals; and (c) a control cam assembly operably positioned near the aerial chain and guide tube assembly, to provide lateral movement to the housing of each of the loader arm assemblies, the control cam assembly influences the housing to move laterally along at least one guide tube, as the air chain and guide tube assembly transports said housing longitudinally.

13. The cylinder cam loading mechanism according to claim 12, wherein the pair of air chains extend around a drive shaft assembly and a loco axle assembly to form a forward stroke and a return chain, the air chains comprise a plurality of links, with the adjacent links being connected to each other by a spigot, at least one guide tube having opposite end openings adapted to receive a spike from each of the pair of air chains.

14. The cylinder cam loading mechanism according to claim 12, wherein the control cam assembly has a predetermined approach segment to provide a constant speed of lateral extension to the arms throughout a greater part of a the total extension path of the arms, a predetermined vertex to provide a full extension of the arms towards the container, and a return segment to retract the arm away from the container.

15. The cylinder cam loading mechanism according to claim 12, wherein the arm includes a base plate and a loading head, the base plate has a first end and a second end, the second end of the base plate is connected at the loading head, the housing is formed with a guide passage adapted to receive the base plate, the means for detecting a load obstruction including at least one stop adapted to retain the first end of the base plate with respect to the housing in the insured state.

16. The cylinder cam loading mechanism according to claim 15, wherein at least one stop is formed by a tip of at least one obturator, and at least one obturator has threads and extends through a threaded opening in the housing towards the guide passage, the tip is adapted to apply a clamping force against the base plate, the first end of the base plate has at least one depression adapted to receive the tip of the at least one shutter in the secured state, and to release the tip to slide on a surface of the base plate after application of a predetermined loading pressure, attributable to the load condition, whereby the rotation of at least one shutter adjusts the clamping force either to increase or to decrease the predetermined loading pressure that is attributable to the condition of load clogging.

17. The cylinder cam loading mechanism according to claim 12, wherein each of the loader arm assemblies further comprises a guide block adapted to stabilize the arm, the guide block has a guide passage adapted to receive slidably arm.

18. A cylinder cam loading mechanism for use within a packaging system, comprising: (a) a plurality of magazine arm assemblies, each magazine arm assembly includes: (i) an arm; (ii) a housing that includes a cam pusher, the housing has at least one guide tube opening, the second end of the base plate is connected to the loading head, the arm has a secured state and a released condition with with respect to the housing, the housing is formed with a guide passage adapted to receive the base plate and to laterally move the arm to load product into a container, if the arm is in the secured state; (iii) at least one stop adapted to retain the base plate with respect to the housing in the secured state, the arm is normally in the secured state to load product into the container, the arm enters the released state to relieve pressure after detecting a load obstruction condition, at least one stop is formed by a tip of at least one obturator, at least one obturator has threads and extends through a threaded opening in the housing towards the guide passage, the tip is adapted for applying a clamping force against the base plate, the first end of the base plate has at least one depression adapted to receive the tip of the at least one shutter and to release said tip to slide on a surface of the base plate, after the application of a predetermined loading pressure attributable to the load-clogging condition, wherein the rotation of at least one plug adjusts the clamping force already a to allow a smaller loading pressure or to require a larger loading pressure, to release at least one obturator tip of at least one depression; and (iv) a guide block adapted to stabilize the arm, the guide block has a guide passage adapted to slidably receive the arm; (b) an air chain and guide tube assembly adapted to provide a longitudinal movement to the housing of each of the loader arm assemblies, the air chain and guide tube assembly includes a parallel pair of longitudinally oriented air chains , and at least one guide tube for each of the plurality of loader arm assemblies, connected to and extending laterally between the aerial chains, the guide tube has a slidable fit within the opening of the housing guide tube, the plurality of loader arm assemblies is positioned along the aerial chains at longitudinally spaced, predetermined intervals; and (c) a control cam assembly operably positioned near the aerial chain and guide tube assembly, to provide lateral movement to the housing of each of the loader arm assemblies, the control cam assembly influences the housing to move laterally along at least one guide tube, as the air chain and guide tube assembly transports the housing longitudinally.

19. A continuous movement packaging mechanism, comprising: (a) a carton supply and transport mechanism adapted to provide a linear stream of longitudinally spaced carton blanks or liners; (b) an article supply mechanism adapted to provide streams of articles to a predetermined position; (c) a mechanism for selecting and transporting groups of articles, placed adjacent to and parallel to the mechanism for supplying and transporting cardboard boxes, the mechanism for selecting and transporting groups of articles is adapted to dose the articles provided by the mechanism of articles. supply of articles in groups of predetermined articles, and to transport a linear current of groups of articles longitudinally spaced, the groups of articles are aligned with the primordia of the cardboard boxes; and (d) a cylinder cam loading mechanism positioned adjacent and parallel to the article group selection and transport mechanism, the cylinder cam loading mechanism is adapted to load the article groups into carton blank primers, The cylinder cam loading mechanism includes: (i) a plurality of magazine arm assemblies, each magazine arm assembly includes: (1) an arm; (2) a housing that includes a cam pusher, the housing has at least one guide tube opening, the housing is adapted to move the arm to load product into a container; and (3) means for detecting a load-obstructing condition, the arm has a secured state and a released state, with respect to the housing, the arm is normally in the secured state to load product into the container, the arm enters the state released to relieve pressure after detecting the condition of load obstruction; (ii) an air chain and guide tube assembly adapted to provide a longitudinal movement to the housing of each of the loader arm assemblies, the aerial chain and guide tube assembly includes a parallel pair of longitudinally oriented air chains and at least one guide tube for each of the plurality of magazine arm assemblies connected to and extending laterally between the aerial chains, the guide tube has a slidable fit within the housing guide tube opening, the plurality of assemblies of loader arm is positioned along the aerial chains at predetermined intervals, longitudinally spaced; and (iii) a control cam assembly operably positioned close to the air chain assembly and the guide tube to provide lateral movement to the housing of each of the loader arm assemblies, the control cam assembly influences the housing for moving laterally along at least one guide tube as the air chain and guide tube assembly longitudinally transport the housing.

20. The continuous motion packaging mechanism according to claim 19, wherein the arm includes a base plate and a loading head, the base plate has a first end and a second end, the second end of the base plate is connected to the loading head, the housing is formed with a guide passage adapted to receive the base plate, means for detecting a load obstruction including at least one stop adapted to hold the first end of the base plate to the housing in the secured state .