WO-2026096620-A1 - TOP LOAD CARTON CARRIER FOR A PACKAGING SYSTEM

WO2026096620A1WO 2026096620 A1WO2026096620 A1WO 2026096620A1WO-2026096620-A1

Abstract

A carrier (14) comprising a pair of movers (38) that are movable about a transport table (12) of a cartoning system (10) for transporting a carton (16). Each mover (38) of the pair includes a carriage (58) that is configured to operatively couple the mover (38) to a track (36) of the transport table (12) for movement therealong and a jaw (64) supported by the carriage (58). The jaw (64) is rotatable about a pivot axis (68) relative to the carriage (58) such that the jaw (64) is movable between a loading position, where a longitudinal axis (70) of the jaw (64) is approximately perpendicular to a travel direction of the mover (38) along the track (36) of the transport table (12), and an angled position, where the longitudinal axis (70) of the jaw (64) is angled relative to the travel direction of the mover (38). Each mover (38) further includes a biasing member (114) that is configured to apply an orienting force to the jaw (64) to maintain the jaw (64) in the loading position.

Inventors

NELSON, ANDREW JAMES

Assignees

R.A JONES & CO.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20251029
Priority Date: 20241101

Claims (20)

1 . A mover for a transport table for transporting a carton in a cartoning system, the transport table including a frame that supports a track that defines a movement path of the mover along the transport table, the mover comprising: a carriage that is configured to operatively couple the mover to the track of the transport table for movement therealong; a jaw supported by the carriage, the jaw being rotatable about a pivot axis relative to the carriage such that the jaw is movable between a loading position, wherein a longitudinal axis of the jaw is approximately perpendicular to a travel direction of the mover along the track of the transport table, and an angled position, wherein the longitudinal axis of the jaw is angled relative to the travel direction of the mover; and a biasing member supported by the carriage, the biasing member being configured to apply an orienting force to the jaw to maintain the jaw in the loading position.
2. The mover of claim 1 , wherein the jaw is configured to rotate up to about 30° about the pivot axis when pivoting between the loading position and the angled position.
3. The mover of claim 1 , wherein the jaw includes a base surface configured to engage an underside of the carton and an upright clamping surface configured to engage a side of the carton.
4. The mover of claim 1 , wherein the carriage includes at least one permanent magnet that is configured to interact with electromagnetic coils in the track to move the mover along the transport table.
5. The mover of claim 1 , wherein the jaw is coupled to the carriage with a swivel mount assembly that defines the pivot axis.
6. The mover of claim 5, wherein the swivel mount assembly comprises: a base bracket attached to the carriage; a connector bracket rotatably coupled to the base bracket, the jaw being attached to the connector bracket; and the biasing member, wherein the biasing member is connected between the base bracket and the connector bracket to apply the orienting force to the connector bracket to maintain the jaw in the loading position.
7. The mover of claim 6, wherein the biasing member is positioned on a guide rod, the guide rod being connected between the base bracket and the connector bracket.
8. The mover of claim 7, wherein the guide rod extends between a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotably coupled to the base bracket and the second end being coupled to the connector bracket.
9. The mover of claim 8, wherein the guide rod includes a slide that is slideable along a length of the guide rod, the slide being biased toward the second end of the guide rod by the biasing member, and wherein the slide is attached to the connector bracket.
10. The mover of claim 9, wherein the slide is pivotably coupled to the connector bracket.
11 . The mover of claim 6, wherein the swivel mount assembly includes a stop configured to limit rotational movement of the connector bracket relative to the base bracket.
12. A carrier movable about a track of a transport table, the carrier comprising: a first mover according to claim 1 and a second mover according to claim 1 , the first mover and the second mover being spaced apart along the track to define a space therebetween to receive a carton; wherein the first mover and the second mover apply a clamping force to hold the carton between the jaw of the first mover and the jaw of the second mover as the carrier travels along the track.
13. The carrier of claim 12, wherein a longitudinal axis of the jaw of the first mover is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the jaw of the second mover to form a parallel orientation of the first mover and the second mover as the carrier travels along the track.
14. The carrier of claim 13, wherein the parallel orientation of the first mover and the second mover is maintained along a curved section and a straight section of the track.
15. A transport table for transporting a carton in a cartoning system, the transport table comprising: a frame; a track supported by the frame; and a carrier according to claim 12.
16. A cartoning system including the transport table of claim 15.
17. A method of operating a carrier of a transport table for transporting a carton in a cartoning system, the transport table including a frame that supports a track that defines a movement path of the carrier along the transport table, the method comprising: providing a carrier, comprising: a first mover and a separate second mover, each mover comprising: a carriage that is configured to operatively couple the mover to the track of the transport table for movement therealong; a jaw supported by the carriage and rotatable about a pivot axis relative to the carriage; and a biasing member supported by the carriage, the biasing member being configured to apply an orienting force to the jaw to maintain the jaw in a loading position wherein a longitudinal axis of the jaw is approximately perpendicular to a travel direction of the mover along the track of the transport table; receiving a carton into a space between the first mover and the second mover; and applying a clamping force on the carton by moving at least one of the first mover or the second mover toward the other to hold the carton between the jaw of first mover and the jaw of the second mover; wherein the longitudinal axis of the jaw of the first mover is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the jaw of the second mover to form a parallel orientation of the first mover and the second mover as the carrier travels along the track.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: moving the first mover apart from the second mover along the track to form the space therebetween; and receiving the carton into the space.
19. The method of claim 17, further comprising: maintaining the clamping force exerted on the carton to maintain the parallel orientation of the first mover and the second mover as the carrier moves along a curved section and a straight section of the track.
20. The method of claim 17, further comprising: rotating the jaw of the first mover and rotating the jaw of the second mover as the carrier moves along a curved section of the track to maintain the parallel orientation of the first mover and the second mover.

Description

TOP LOAD CARTON CARRIER FOR A PACKAGING SYSTEM Cross-Reference to Related Application [0001] The present application claims the filing benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/715,111 , filed November 1 , 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field [0002] This invention relates generally to a cartoning or packaging system and, more particularly, to a carton carrier for use with a linear motion transfer system and method for moving a carton between stations of the cartoning system. Background [0003] In the packaging industry, linear motion transfer systems are used to automate the movement, sorting, and alignment of products along packaging lines. These systems generally consist of track-based configurations that enable devices to travel along a path defined by the track. The devices are used to receive and transport products between locations. Operation of the devices to move products may be achieved through the use of linear motors, for example. [0004] While current linear motion transfer systems offer numerous advantages, they face growing challenges presented by increasingly sophisticated packaging systems required to meet industry demands for greater speed and higher production volumes. In that regard, as demand in packaging industries grows, manufacturers require packaging solutions that can operate at even faster speeds, with enhanced precision and minimal downtime. Furthermore, these systems must be capable of handling varied packaging formats and varied travel paths between packaging stations of the system, all while maintaining operational efficiency and secure handling of the packages throughout their movement along the travel paths. [0005] Accordingly, there remains a need for advancements in linear motion transfer systems that can address these industry demands. Summary [0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a carrier for use with a transport table for transporting cartons in a cartoning system is disclosed. The carrier includes a pair of independent and independently controllable movers that are movable about the transport table. The transport table includes a frame that supports a track that defines a movement path of the carrier along the transport table. Each mover of the pair of movers that form the carrier includes a carriage that is configured to operatively couple the mover to the track of the transport table for movement therealong, and a jaw supported by the carriage. The jaw is rotatable about a pivot axis relative to the carriage such that the jaw is movable between a loading position, where a longitudinal axis of the jaw is approximately perpendicular to a travel direction of the mover along the track of the transport table, and an angled position, where the longitudinal axis of the jaw is angled relative to the travel direction of the mover. Each mover further includes a biasing member connected between the carriage and the jaw. The biasing member is configured to apply an orienting force to the jaw to maintain the jaw in the loading position. [0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, the pair of movers are configured to apply a clamping force to clamp the carton between the jaws of the pair of movers as the carrier travels along the track. In another aspect, a longitudinal axis of the jaw of a first mover of the pair of movers may be substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the jaw of a second mover of the pair of movers to form a parallel orientation of the pair of movers as the carrier travels along the track. In yet another aspect, the clamping force of the pair of movers may be sufficient to overcome the orienting force exerted by the biasing member. In that regard, the parallel orientation of the pair of movers may be maintained along curved and straight sections of the track of the transport table. [0008] According to another embodiment, a mover for a transport table for transporting a carton in a cartoning system is provided. The transport table includes a frame that supports a track that defines a movement path of the mover along the transport table. The mover comprises a carriage that is configured to operatively couple the mover to the track of the transport table for movement therealong, and a jaw supported by the carriage. The jaw is rotatable about a pivot axis relative to the carriage such that the jaw is movable between a loading position, where a longitudinal axis of the jaw is approximately perpendicular to a travel direction of the mover along the track of the transport table, and an angled position, where the longitudinal axis of the jaw is angled relative to the travel direction of the mover. The mover also includes a biasing member supported by the carriage. The biasing member is configured to apply an orienting force to the jaw to maintain the jaw in the loading position. [0009] According to one aspect, the jaw may be configured to rotate up to