Article grouping lug

Abstract

An loading apparatus ( 100 ) for use in a packaging machine includes a grouping conveyor ( 300 ) for conveying groups of articles ( 16 ) in a flow direction ( 10 ). The grouping conveyor ( 300 ) includes a plurality of conveyor plates ( 320 ) and grouping lugs ( 310 ) that are slidably attached to one of the plurality of conveyor plates ( 320 ) so as to be individually moveable in a transverse direction ( 90 ) to selectively extend to span the space between the grouping conveyor and a carton conveyor as needed to facilitate loading groups of the articles into cartons and to selectively retract to avoid impeding operation of the packaging machine. The grouping conveyor ( 300 ) also includes a multi-position locking mechanism ( 82 ) that releasably locks the grouping lug ( 310 ) in two transverse positions. A system of proximity sensors ( 530, 540 ) monitors the grouping conveyor ( 300 ) to ensure that the grouping lugs ( 310 ) are properly transversely positioned.

1 . A loading apparatus comprising:
 a grouping conveyor for conveying groups of articles ( 16 ) in a flow direction ( 10 ), the grouping conveyor comprising:
 a plurality of conveyor plates that provide a surface for supporting articles; 
 a grouping lug that is slidably attached to one of the plurality of conveyor plates so as to be moveable in a transverse direction; and 
 a locking mechanism, comprising:
 a first locking element positioned on one of the grouping lug and the one of the plurality of conveyor plates; and 
 a second locking element and a third locking element, each being positioned on the other of the grouping lug and the one of the plurality of conveyor plates. 
 
   
   
   
       2 . The loading apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second locking element defines a first transverse position for the grouping lug and the third locking element defines a second transverse position for the grouping lug. 
   
   
       3 . The loading apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the grouping lug is slidably attached to the one of the plurality of conveyor plates by way of a groove and key. 
   
   
       4 . The loading apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a cam; and the grouping lug further comprising a cam following structure, the cam being disposed so as to impart transverse movement and selectively position the grouping lug. 
   
   
       5 . The loading apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the cam comprises:
 an upstream cam track that can move the grouping lug from a first transverse position to a second transverse position; and   a downstream cam track that can move the grouping lug from the second transverse position to the first transverse position.   
   
   
       6 . The loading apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 an extended position proximity sensor positioned in between the upstream cam track and the downstream cam track; and   a retracted position proximity sensor positioned downstream of the downstream cam track.   
   
   
       7 . The loading apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a carton conveyor for conveying cartons in the flow direction, the carton conveyor comprising a carton lug adapted for supporting a trailing wall of a carton on the carton conveyor, wherein the carton lug and the grouping lug travel in transverse alignment with respect to one another such that a gap is defined between adjacent ends thereof, wherein the transverse movement of the grouping lug changes the width of the gap.   
   
   
       8 . The loading apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a carton conveyor for conveying cartons in the flow direction, the carton conveyor, wherein the transverse movement of the grouping lug changes the width of a gap that is defined between an end of the grouping lug and an adjacent edge of the carton conveyor.   
   
   
       9 . A grouping conveyor, comprising:
 a conveyor plate comprising a plate edge; and   a grouping lug associated with the conveyor plate, the grouping lug comprising a first end, the grouping lug being transversely moveable with respect to the conveyor plate and releasably fixable in a plurality of transverse positions, wherein in at least one of the plurality of transverse positions the first end extends beyond the plate edge.   
   
   
       10 . The grouping conveyor of  claim 9 , further comprising a multi-position locking mechanism that defines the plurality of transverse positions. 
   
   
       11 . The grouping conveyor of  claim 10 , the multi-position locking mechanism comprising:
 a first locking element positioned on one of the grouping lug and the conveyor plate; and   a second locking element and a third locking element, each being positioned on the other of the grouping lug and the conveyor plate.   
   
   
       12 . The grouping conveyor of  claim 9 , wherein the grouping lug is slidably attached to the conveyor plate by way of a key and groove to allow transverse movement. 
   
   
       13 . The grouping conveyor of  claim 9 , the grouping lug further comprising a structure that is adapted for translation along a cam. 
   
   
       14 . A grouping lug for engaging articles conveyed on a series of conveyor plates, the lug being slidably attachable to one of the conveyor plates, the grouping lug comprising:
 a first locking element and a second locking element, each being releasably engageable with a third locking element of the conveyor plate, wherein the first locking element defines a first position of the grouping lug with respect to the conveyor plate and the second locking element defines a second position of the grouping lug with respect to the conveyor plate.   
   
   
       15 . The grouping lug of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the first locking element and the second locking element comprises:
 a cantilever arm integrally formed with the grouping lug; and   a detent formed with the cantilever arm.   
   
   
       16 . The grouping lug of  claim 14 , further comprising one of a key and groove for slidably attaching the grouping lug to one of the conveyor plates. 
   
   
       17 . The grouping lug of  claim 14 , further comprising a cam following structure.