U.S. patent application number 13/551349 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-23 for breakable two pack carrier and related apparatus and method.
The applicant listed for this patent is Kent G. Carlisle, Robert S. Rozner, Roy A. Tetreault, Christopher D. Turner. Invention is credited to Kent G. Carlisle, Robert S. Rozner, Roy A. Tetreault, Christopher D. Turner.
Application Number | 20140021073 13/551349 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49945637 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140021073 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rozner; Robert S. ; et
al. |
January 23, 2014 |
BREAKABLE TWO PACK CARRIER AND RELATED APPARATUS AND METHOD
Abstract
A readily dividable container carrier includes a first container
engaging opening, a second container engaging opening, and a handle
structure located between the first container engaging opening and
the second container engaging opening. The handle structure
includes a first portion located toward the first container
engaging opening and a second portion located toward the second
container engaging opening, and a separation line between the first
portion and the second portion, the separation line formed by a
line of weakness along the handle structure. A method and apparatus
for applying the carrier are provided.
Inventors: |
Rozner; Robert S.;
(Cornelius, NC) ; Tetreault; Roy A.; (York,
SC) ; Carlisle; Kent G.; (Charlotte, NC) ;
Turner; Christopher D.; (Braselton, GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Rozner; Robert S.
Tetreault; Roy A.
Carlisle; Kent G.
Turner; Christopher D. |
Cornelius
York
Charlotte
Braselton |
NC
SC
NC
GA |
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49945637 |
Appl. No.: |
13/551349 |
Filed: |
July 17, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/143 ;
206/162; 53/398; 53/48.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 23/104 20130101;
B65B 17/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/143 ; 53/398;
53/48.1; 206/162 |
International
Class: |
B65D 71/50 20060101
B65D071/50; B65D 75/00 20060101 B65D075/00; B65B 21/00 20060101
B65B021/00 |
Claims
1-8. (canceled)
9. A method of applying carriers to containers utilizing a carrier
applicator device, the method comprising: positioning a container
carrier at a location above first and second adjacent containers,
the container carrier including a platform having a top surface, a
bottom surface, an outer perimeter, a first container engaging
opening positioned above a neck of the first container and having
an inner perimeter, a second container engaging opening having an
inner perimeter and positioned above a neck of the second
container, a handle structure located between the first container
engaging opening and the second container engaging opening, the
handle structure including a first portion located toward the first
container engaging opening and a second portion located toward the
second container engaging opening and separation line between the
first portion and the second portion, the separation line
comprising a line of weakness along the handle structure; engaging
the container carrier onto the containers with the first container
engaging opening on the neck of the first container and the second
container engaging opening on the neck of the second container; and
separating the handle structure along the separation line utilizing
a separating mechanism of the carrier applicator device such that
the first container has a first single container carrier thereon
and the second container has a second single container carrier
thereon, the first single container carrier formed by the first
container engaging opening and the first portion of the handle
structure and the second single container carrier formed by the
second container engaging opening and the second portion of the
handle structure.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the separating step occurs after
the engaging step.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the method includes moving the
containers to a carrier application location of the carrier
applicator device at which the engaging step occurs and the
separating step occurs prior to moving the containers away from the
carrier application location.
12. The method of claim 9 wherein the method includes moving the
containers to a carrier application location of the carrier
applicator device at which the engaging step occurs and the
separating step occurs during movement of the containers away from
the carrier application location.
13. The method of claim 9 wherein the separating step involves
moving the separating mechanism downward between the containers and
into contact with the handle structure.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the engaging step involves use
of an applicator head that holds the container carrier and that is
moved downward toward the containers, the separating mechanism
mounted on the applicator head, the applicator head including an
opening through which the separating mechanism is moved during the
separating step.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the separating mechanism
comprises a wedge tool that is movable relative to the applicator
head via a linear actuator.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the linear actuator comprises an
air cylinder mechanism.
17-23. (canceled)
24. A method of applying a carrier to containers, the method
comprising: utilizing a carrier in the form of a substantially
planar flexible platform having a top surface, a bottom surface, an
outer perimeter and an inner region, the inner region including: a
first container engaging opening having an inner perimeter
configured for interacting with a first container neck rim; a
second container engaging opening having an inner perimeter
configured for interacting with a second container neck rim, the
second container engaging opening spaced from the first container
engaging opening; a longitudinal axis of the carrier extending
through a center of the first container engaging opening and
through a center of the second container engaging opening; a handle
structure located between the first container engaging opening and
the second container engaging opening, the handle structure
including a central portion, a first outer side portion and a
second outer side portion, the first outer side portion extending
from the central portion toward the first container engaging
opening, the second outer side portion extending from the central
portion toward the second container engaging opening, the central
portion including a separation line formed therein, the separation
line extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
and between a first inner portion and second inner portion that
together make up the central portion, the separation line formed by
a region of connectivity between the first inner portion and the
second inner portion and a region of disconnectivity between the
first inner portion and the second inner portion, engaging the
carrier onto first and second containers with the first container
engaging opening on a neck of the first container and the second
container engaging opening on a neck of the second container;
wherein the separation line is weak enough such that the carrier
cannot be used to lift and carry the first and second containers
without causing the carrier to divide along the separation line;
separating the handle structure along the separation line such that
when the central portion is separated along the separation line a
first single container carrier and second single container carrier
are produced, the first single container carrier includes the first
container engaging opening engaged on the first container, the
second single container carrier includes the second container
engaging opening engaged on the second container.
25. A method of applying carriers to containers utilizing a carrier
applicator device, the method comprising: positioning a container
carrier at a location above first and second adjacent containers,
the container carrier including a platform having a top surface, a
bottom surface, an outer perimeter, a first container engaging
opening positioned above a neck of the first container and having
an inner perimeter, a second container engaging opening having an
inner perimeter and positioned above a neck of the second
container, a handle structure located between the first container
engaging opening and the second container engaging opening, the
handle structure including a first portion located toward the first
container engaging opening and a second portion located toward the
second container engaging opening and separation line between the
first portion and the second portion, the separation line
comprising a line of weakness along the handle structure; engaging
the container carrier onto the containers with the first container
engaging opening on the neck of the first container and the second
container engaging opening on the neck of the second container;
wherein the separation line is weak enough such that the carrier
cannot be used to lift and carry the first and second containers
without causing the carrier to divide along the separation line;
and separating the handle structure along the separation line
utilizing a separating mechanism of the carrier applicator device
such that the first container has a first single container carrier
thereon and the second container has a second single container
carrier thereon, the first single container carrier formed by the
first container engaging opening and the first portion of the
handle structure and the second single container carrier formed by
the second container engaging opening and the second portion of the
handle structure.
26. A method of applying carriers to containers utilizing a carrier
applicator device, the method comprising: positioning a container
carrier at a location above first and second adjacent containers,
the container carrier including a platform having a top surface, a
bottom surface, an outer perimeter, a first container engaging
opening positioned above a neck of the first container and having
an inner perimeter, a second container engaging opening having an
inner perimeter and positioned above a neck of the second
container, a handle structure located between the first container
engaging opening and the second container engaging opening, the
handle structure including a first portion located toward the first
container engaging opening and a second portion located toward the
second container engaging opening and separation line between the
first portion and the second portion, the separation line
comprising a line of weakness along the handle structure; engaging
the container carrier onto the containers with the first container
engaging opening on the neck of the first container and the second
container engaging opening on the neck of the second container;
wherein the separation line is weak enough such that the carrier
cannot be used to lift and carry the first and second containers
without causing the carrier to divide along the separation line;
and separating the handle structure along the separation line such
that the first container has a first single container carrier
thereon and the second container has a second single container
carrier thereon, the first single container carrier formed by the
first container engaging opening and the first portion of the
handle structure and the second single container carrier formed by
the second container engaging opening and the second portion of the
handle structure.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present application relates generally to the field of
carrier handles utilized in connection with bottles and other
containers and, more specifically, to a dividable carrier that is
applied to a pair of adjacent containers and then separated along a
separation line to produce individual containers with respective,
separate carrier handles.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Various configurations of container (e.g., bottle) carriers
are known. One type of carrier is a neck-type carrier that
generally includes neck engaging opening that slides over the
container neck and interacts with a rim of the neck to stay in
place when a handle portion of the carrier is grasped for lifting
and carrying the container. Carriers of this type are known for
single containers and two or more containers, in the latter case
the carrier having multiple neck engaging openings.
[0003] FIGS. 9A and 9B show a prior art two pack carrier 200 formed
as a flexible plastic platform unit that has a line of weakness 202
formed along a mid-line of the carrier handle 204. This line of
weakness is formed by what is referred to as a skip cut by which
the material along the line 202 is partially cut at various depths.
Plastic material runs the full length L of the separation line 202
to connect the two halves 206 and 208 of the handle 204. The
subject carrier is configured such that despite the presence of the
line of weakness 202, the carrier can be applied to a pair of
containers (e.g., a pair of 128 ounce juice containers or a pair of
gallon milk containers) and the carrier handle 204 can be used to
lift and carry the pair of containers. Testing of the subject
carrier has shown that roughly thirty pounds of force or more
(perpendicular to the line 202) is required to separate the handle
204 along the line 202. In use, the carrier 200 is applied to a
pair of containers and used by stocking personnel and the consumer
to carry the container pair. Once a consumer reaches his/her
destination (e.g., home), the consumer can separate the carrier 200
along the line of weakness 202 by using a scissors or, in some
case, by using a substantially shearing force via a tearing
operation.
[0004] Generally, different machines are adapted to apply different
carriers (e.g., a single carrier applicator machine only applies
single item carriers to single containers and a two carrier
applicator machine only applies two pack carriers to a two bottle
set).
[0005] It would be desirable to provide a carrier that may be used
to facilitate expanded use of an applicator machine (e.g.,
producing container pairs with a carrier that carries the container
pair or producing individual containers each with its own carrier).
It would also be desirable to provide a machine that is adapted for
producing either such container pairs with a carrier or individual
containers each with its own carrier).
SUMMARY
[0006] In one aspect, a container carrier for use in being applied
to two containers and subsequently divided to provide and
individual carrier on each container is provided. The carrier
includes a substantially planar flexible platform having a top
surface, a bottom surface, an outer perimeter and an inner region.
The inner region of the carrier includes a first container engaging
opening having an inner perimeter configured for interacting with a
first container neck rim, and a second container engaging opening
having an inner perimeter configured for interacting with a second
container neck rim, the second container engaging opening spaced
from the first container engaging opening. A longitudinal axis of
the carrier extends through a center of the first container
engaging opening and through a center of the second container
engaging opening. A handle structure is located between the first
container engaging opening and the second container engaging
opening. The handle structure includes a central portion, a first
outer side portion and a second outer side portion, the first outer
side portion extending from the central portion toward the first
container engaging opening, and the second outer side portion
extending from the central portion toward the second container
engaging opening. The central portion includes a separation line
formed therein, the separation line extending substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and between a first inner
portion and second inner portion that together make up the central
portion. The separation line is formed by a region of connectivity
between the first inner portion and the second inner portion and a
region of disconnectivity between the first inner portion and the
second inner portion. When the central portion is separated along
the separation line a first single container carrier and second
single container carrier are produced, where the first single
container carrier includes the first container engaging opening,
the first inner portion and the first outer side portion and the
first inner portion and first outer side portion make up a handle
of the first single container carrier, and where the second single
container carrier includes the second container engaging opening,
the second inner portion and the second outer side portion and the
second inner portion and second outer side portion make up a handle
of the second single container carrier.
[0007] In the foregoing aspect, the separation line may be
configured such that pulling the first inner portion and the second
inner portion away from each other with a force of no more than
eight pounds along the longitudinal axis causes the central portion
to separate along the separation line.
[0008] In the foregoing aspect, the separation line may have an
overall length, and a length of the region of connectivity may no
more than about ten percent, eight percent, five percent or three
percent of the overall length.
[0009] In the foregoing aspect, the region of connectivity may be
defined by first and second connected locations that are spaced
apart from each other by a first part of the region of
disconnectivity. In such an implementation, the first part of the
region of disconnectivity may be an inner part, and the region of
disconnectivity may further include a first outer part located to
an outer side of the first connected location and a second outer
part located to an outer side of the second connected location.
[0010] In the foregoing aspect, a width of the region of
disconnectivity may be substantially uniform and a width of the
region of connectivity may be no more than about ten thousandths of
an inch.
[0011] In another aspect, a method of applying carriers to
containers involves: positioning a container carrier at a location
above first and second adjacent containers, the container carrier
including a platform having a top surface, a bottom surface, an
outer perimeter, a first container engaging opening positioned
above a neck of the first container and having an inner perimeter,
a second container engaging opening having an inner perimeter and
positioned above a neck of the second container, a handle structure
located between the first container engaging opening and the second
container engaging opening, the handle structure including a first
portion located toward the first container engaging opening and a
second portion located toward the second container engaging opening
and separation line between the first portion and the second
portion, the separation line comprising a line of weakness along
the handle structure; engaging the container carrier on the
containers with the first container engaging opening on the neck of
the first container and the second container engaging opening on
the neck of the second container; and separating the handle
structure along the separation line such that the first container
has a first single container carrier thereon and the second
container has a second single container carrier thereon, the first
single container carrier formed by the first container engaging
opening and the first portion of the handle structure and the
second single container carrier formed by the second container
engaging opening and the second portion of the handle
structure.
[0012] In the foregoing method, the separating step may occur after
the engaging step.
[0013] The method may include moving the containers to a carrier
application location at which the engaging step occurs and the
separating step occurs prior to moving the containers away from the
carrier application location.
[0014] The method may include moving the containers to a carrier
application location at which the engaging step occurs and the
separating step occurs during movement of the containers away from
the carrier application location.
[0015] In the foregoing aspect, the separating step may involve
moving a separating mechanism downward between the containers and
into contact with the handle structure. In such case, the engaging
step may involve use of an applicator head that holds the container
carrier and that is moved downward toward the containers, the
separating mechanism mounted on the applicator head, the applicator
head including an opening through which the separating mechanism is
moved during the separating step.
[0016] In a further aspect, an apparatus for applying a dividable
container carrier to a pair of adjacent containers is provided,
where the dividable container carrier includes a first container
engaging opening, a second container engaging opening, a handle
structure located between the first container engaging opening and
the second container engaging opening, the handle structure
including a line of weakness therein and along which the dividable
container carrier can be separated into two distinct container
carriers. The apparatus includes a conveyor, for moving adjacent
containers along a path that includes a carrier application
station. An applicator head is positioned above the carrier
application station for holding and applying a dividable container
carrier to a pair of adjacent containers by moving the dividable
container carrier downward over the pair of adjacent containers. A
separating mechanism is provided for causing the handle structure
to separate along the separation line after application of the
carrier to the pair of adjacent containers.
[0017] In the foregoing aspect, the separator mechanism may be
positioned on the applicator head and may be moveable relative to
the applicator head. In such case, the separator mechanism may be
mounted to move through an opening at a bottom of the applicator
head for contacting the dividable container carrier after it has
been applied to the set of adjacent containers.
[0018] In the foregoing aspect, the separator mechanism may be
configured to pull one container of the pair of containers away
from the other container of the pair.
[0019] The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the
accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features,
objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and
drawings, and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a top plan view of one embodiment of a
dividable two pack carrier;
[0021] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the carrier of FIG. 1 as
applied to a pair of adjacent containers and before separation of
the carrier into two single container carriers;
[0022] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of an
apparatus for applying the container carriers;
[0023] FIG. 4 shows a front elevation view of the apparatus of FIG.
3 with applicator head in an up position;
[0024] FIG. 5 shows a front elevation view of the apparatus of FIG.
3 with applicator head in a down position;
[0025] FIG. 6 shows an enlarged perspective view of one embodiment
of an applicator head;
[0026] FIG. 7 shows a front elevation of the head of FIG. 6;
[0027] FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of the head of FIG. 6; and
[0028] FIGS. 9A and 9B show a prior art two pack carrier.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment of a container
carrier 10 for use in being applied to a pair of containers 12 and
14 is shown. The illustrated carrier 10 includes a flexible
platform 16 having a top surface 18, a bottom surface 20, an outer
perimeter 22 and an inner region 24 (interior of the outer
perimeter 22). In one implementation the platform is formed of
plastic material, has a substantially uniform thickness and is
substantially planar, but variations are possible. The inner region
includes a container engaging opening 26 and a container engaging
opening 28, each having an inner perimeter 30, 32 configured for
interacting with a respective rim 34, 36 on the container neck. In
the illustrated embodiment each inner perimeter is defined in part
by a plurality of inwardly extending tabs 38, 40 that flex as the
openings are moved onto the container necks. In one implementation,
four sets of diametrically opposed tab pairs are used as shown.
Other variations are possible. Once seated below the rims 34 and
36, the openings 26 and 28 engage with the neck and rim securely
enough to allow the container to be lifted via the carrier without
the carrier sliding off of the container neck.
[0030] A longitudinal axis 42 of the carrier extends through a
respective center 44, 46 of each of the container engaging openings
26, 28. A handle structure 50 is located between the container
engaging openings 26 and 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the
handle structure is coupled to the container engaging openings via
a generally annular portion 52, 54 of the platform 16 that
surrounds each opening and lateral arm pairs 56 and 58 that extend
from the annular portions to the handle structure 50. Other
variations are possible. The illustrated handle structure includes
a central portion 60, and outer side portions 62 and 64, with outer
side portion 62 extending from the central portion 60 toward the
container engaging opening 26, and with the outer side portion 64
extending from the central portion 60 toward the container engaging
opening 28. Thus, the illustrated outer side portions 62 and 64 are
diametrically opposed from each other and extend in opposite
directions.
[0031] The central portion 60 of the handle structure includes a
separation line 66 formed therein. In the illustrated embodiment
the separation line 66 extends substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis 42. The separation line 66 divides the central
portion into respective inner portions 68 and 70 that together make
up the central portion 60. In the illustrated embodiment, the
separation line 66 is formed by a region of connectivity between
the inner portions 68 and 70 and a region of disconnectivity
between the inner portions 68 and 70. In the particular
implementation of regions of connectivity and disconnectivity
shown, the region of connectivity is made up of material that
connects the inner portions 68 and 70 at spaced apart locations 72
and 74, and the region of disconnectivity is made up of a central
gap or spacing 76 between the inner parts 68 and 70 end or outer
gaps or spacings 78 and 80 between the inner parts 68 and 70. In
the gaps 76, 78 and 80, no material connects the adjacent inner
parts 68 and 70. Other configurations of connectivity and
disconnectivity are possible (e.g., connecting material at only one
location along the separation line or connecting material at more
than two locations along the separation line).
[0032] As a goal for the breakable carrier is ultimately to be
broken along the separation line 76 so that two distinct single
container carriers are provided, in one implementation where the
separation line has an overall length L.sub.S, the total length of
the connectivity region (in the illustrated case L.sub.C1+L.sub.C2)
can be less than about ten percent of the length L.sub.S (e.g.,
less than about eight percent of L.sub.S or less than about five
percent of L.sub.S or even less than about three percent of
L.sub.S). This relatively low amount of connectivity facilitates
the desired separation and also aids in reducing any bur effect
left along the separated edges.
[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, a width W.sub.D of the region
of disconnectivity is substantially uniform as shown and the region
of connectivity therefore has the same corresponding width. In this
regard, in one implementation the width may be on the order of no
more than about ten thousandths of an inch (e.g., between two and
eight thousandths of an inch). However, variations are possible. As
used herein, the "width" of the region of disconnectivity and the
"width" of the region of connectivity each refer to a distance that
runs perpendicular to the direction of the separation line (e.g.,
parallel to the longitudinal axis 42 of the carrier in the
illustrated embodiment).
[0034] While a separation line 76 formed of regions of connectivity
and disconnectivity is shown, it is recognized that other forms of
separation lines could be utilized. Generally, a separation line is
any line of weakness along the handle structure. For example, a
separation could be formed with continuous connectivity but by a
region of thinner material (e.g. where a standard thickness of the
overall platform is 1 mm, the thickness along the separation line
may be 0.10 mm). As another example, a separation line may be
formed by pre-stressing the handle structure by bending along the
desired location of the separation line to weaken the material
along the line. Regardless of the type of separation line used, in
certain implementations the separation line may be configured such
that pulling the inner portions 68 and 70 away from each other with
a force of no more than about eight pounds (e.g., no more than six
pounds) along the longitudinal axis (i.e., substantially transverse
to the separation line) causes the central portion 60 to separate
along the separation line 76. Again, this configuration facilitates
the desired separation.
[0035] When the central portion 60 is separated along the
separation line 76 two single container carriers 80 and 82 are
formed. The resulting single container carrier 80 includes
container engaging opening 26, annular portion 52, arms 56, inner
handle portion 68 and outer side handle portion 62. The resulting
single container carrier 82 includes container engaging opening 28,
annular portion 54, arms 58, inner handle portion 70 and outer side
handle portion 64.
[0036] In use, a method of applying the carrier to containers
involves positioning a container carrier 10 at a location above
adjacent containers (e.g., containers 12 and 14); engaging the
container carrier 10 on the containers with the container engaging
opening 26 on the neck of one container (e.g., 12) and the
container engaging opening 28 on the neck of the other container
(e.g., 14) as shown in FIG. 2; and separating the handle structure
along the separation line 76 such that the container 12 has a
single container carrier 80 thereon and the container 14 has a
single container carrier 82 thereon.
[0037] One embodiment of an apparatus 100 for carrying out the
method is shown in FIGS. 3-8. The apparatus includes a container
conveyor 102 for moving containers 104 to a carrier application
station 106 and for moving the containers 104 with carriers applied
away from the station 106. The exemplary container conveyance
direction is shown by arrow 108. The apparatus also includes a
carrier supply conveyor 110 on which a series of carrier supply
stacks 112 are mounted, such that the carrier supply conveyor can
sequentially move a new supply stack into a carrier pick location
114 when a preceding supply stack has been fully used. In the
illustrated embodiment, the carrier supply conveyance direction is
shown by arrow 116 and the carrier pick station 114 is alongside
(e.g., behind in the view of FIG. 4) the carrier application
station 106. Each carrier supply stack 112 may be formed by a
vertically stacked plurality of the breakable carriers 10 described
above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0038] A container pick and applicator head 120 is moveable between
the carrier application station 106 and the carrier pick station
114. In the illustrated embodiment, the container conveyor 102 is
horizontal and the carrier supply conveyor 110 angles upward so
that each supply stack 112 is also angled upward and toward the
carrier application station 106. This arrangement enables the
movement of the applicator head 120 between the stations 106 and
114 to be achieved by pivoting the applicator head 120 about a
horizontal pivot axis 122. In this regard, the head 120 is pivoted
toward the pick station 114 when in a raised position, is moved
downward onto the supply stack 112 to pick a container carrier, is
raised back up and then pivoted back toward the application station
106. At that point, the applicator head 120 with associated carrier
at the bottom thereof is in the position shown in FIG. 4, with the
head 120 above a pair of adjacent bottles 104 that have been moved
into the application station 106. The applicator head 120 is then
moved downwards such that the carrier is pushed over the cap heads
of the pair of containers and onto the necks of the container pair
as represented by the head position shown in FIG. 5. At this point
in time the carrier 10 is applied to the pair of containers, and
the next step is to separate the carrier 10 along its separation
line 76 into two distinct single container carriers. Thus, at this
point in the process and intermediate product is produced in the
form of a pair of adjacent containers with respective necks
engaging the openings of the carrier, but with carrier of a
configuration such that if an attempt was made to lift the
containers using the carrier handle 50, the carrier handle would
divide along the separation line 66 under the weight of the
containers (i.e., the carrier is not capable of being used to lift
and carry the pair of containers in the way that the carrier of
FIGS. 9A and 9B can be used to lift and carry the pair of
containers).
[0039] In this regard, reference is made to FIG. 6 that shows an
enlarged perspective view the pick and applicator head 120. The
head 120 includes a base plate 130, the bottom of which is adapted
to hold a carrier 10 as will be described in further detail below.
The base plate includes openings 132 and 134 through which the
heads of the containers can extend as shown when the carrier is
pushed down onto the containers by the downward movement of the
head 120. The head base plate 130 also includes an opening 136
through which a carrier separating mechanism 138 can moved downward
between the containers and into contact with the handle structure
of the carrier 10 to break the carrier along its separation line
76, as best seen in FIG. 7. In the illustrated embodiment the
separating mechanism 138 is formed by a wedge-shaped tool that can
be moved upward and downward by a shaft 140 of an air cylinder
mechanism 142 that is mounted on an intermediate plate 144 of the
applicator head 120. Thus, the mechanism 138 moves relative to the
rest of the applicator head during the separation step. Both the
base plate 130 and intermediate plate 144 extend between side frame
portions 146 of the head 120. Other variations are possible,
including the use of different types of linear actuators or the use
of a separating mechanism that moves in from the side rather than
the top.
[0040] Thus, in the method carried out by the illustrated
apparatus, the step of separating the carrier into two parts occurs
immediately after the step of engaging the carrier 10 onto the pair
of adjacent containers. Likewise, in the illustrated embodiment,
both the engaging step and the separating step occur at the same
location (e.g., the station 106) prior to the containers being
moved away from the carrier application station 106 by the conveyor
102.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 8, the bottom of applicator head base
plate 130 is shown and includes a number of vacuum openings 150 at
which a suction or vacuum is applied (e.g., via connection of a
vacuum/suction device to connectors 152 that lead to lateral
passages within the plate 130). The vacuum holds the container
carrier to the bottom of the plate during the pick and move
operation.
[0042] The subject dividable carrier and applicator head enable the
apparatus 100 to be used with both a dividable two pack carrier
(e.g., per carrier 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2) and a non-dividable two
pack carrier (e.g., similar to carrier 10 but without the
separation line 76). When it is desired to use the apparatus 100 to
apply non-dividable two pack carriers, the separator mechanism of
the applicator head is disabled (e.g., either manually or by a
control unit 160 (shown schematically in FIG. 4) of the machine).
When it is desired to use the apparatus to apply dividable
carriers, the separator mechanism of the applicator head is
enabled.
[0043] It is to be clearly understood that the above description is
intended by way of illustration and example only, is not intended
to be taken by way of limitation, and that other changes and
modifications are possible. For example, the separating mechanism
could take on other forms. In one such alternative, the separating
mechanism may be implemented as part of the conveyor 102 (e.g., a
mechanism that temporarily holds the following container in place
while the leading container is moved away with sufficient force to
divide the carrier along its separation line). In this case, the
separation occurs during movement of the containers away from the
station 106. Still other variations are possible.
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