Systems and methods for packaging articles in a carton

Abstract

A system includes a feeder apparatus to transfer a blank to each of the groups and an applicator apparatus to apply the blank to each of the groups as the articles move along a travel path. The feeder apparatus includes a plurality of grippers to engage the blank. The feeder apparatus includes a guide to position each of the grippers along an orbital path during rotation such that each of the grippers has at least two radial positions along the orbital path and that orbital motion of each of the grippers is momentary paused at a first radial position to engage the blank. The applicator apparatus includes first applicator tools to press the blanks onto alternating first ones of the groups and second applicator tools to press the blanks onto alternating second ones of the groups as the articles move along the travel path.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for packaging articles, the system comprising:
 a conveyor configured to convey groups of the articles along a travel path;   a feeder apparatus configured to transfer a blank to each one of the groups as the articles move along the travel path; and   an applicator apparatus configured to apply the blank to each one of the groups as the articles move along the travel path,   wherein:   the feeder apparatus comprises:   a plurality of grippers configured to engage the blank;   a feeder drive configured to rotate the grippers about an axis; and   a guide configured to position each one of the grippers along an orbital path during rotation about the axis such that each one of the grippers has at least two radial positions along the orbital path and that orbital motion of each one of the grippers along the orbital path is momentary paused at a first radial position to engage the blank; and   the applicator apparatus comprises:   a plurality of first applicator tools configured to press the blank onto alternating first ones of the groups as the articles move along the travel path;   a plurality of second applicator tools configured to press the blank onto alternating second ones of the groups as the articles move along the travel path; and   an applicator drive configured to rotate the first applicator tools about a first axis and to rotate the second applicator tools about a second axis.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein, during rotation of the grippers about the axis, the radial positions of the grippers along the orbital path varies. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the orbital path comprises:
 a first portion that directs each one of the grippers radially outward toward the first radial position; and   a second portion that directs each one of the grippers radially inward away from the first radial position.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the feeder apparatus further comprises a plurality of gripper arms;   the gripper arms rotate about the axis; and   at least one of the grippers is coupled to each one of the gripper arms.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the guide comprises:
 a cam configured to control the orbital motion of the grippers along the orbital path; and   a transmission configured to transmit motion to the grippers as controlled by the cam.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each one of the first applicator tools and the second applicator tools have a stroke; and   one of the first applicator tools reaches a downward most position of the stroke before one of the second applicator tools begins the stroke.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the applicator apparatus further comprises:   a first tool hub that is rotatable about the first axis;   a second tool hub that is rotatable about the second axis;   the first applicator tools are coupled to the first tool hub; and   the second applicator tools are coupled to the second tool hub.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the first axis and the second axis are parallel to each other; and   the first tool hub and the second tool hub are adjacent to each other along the conveyor.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the first axis and the second axis are coincident with each other; and   the first tool hub and the second tool hub are opposite to each other across the conveyor such that the first applicator tools and the second applicator tools face each other.   
     
     
         10 . A feeder apparatus for transferring a blank to a group of articles, as the articles move along a travel path, the feeder apparatus comprising:
 a gripper configured to engage and hold the blank;   a feeder drive configured to rotate the gripper about an axis; and   a guide configured to position the gripper along an orbital path during rotation about the axis such that the gripper has at least two radial positions along the orbital path,   wherein:   orbital motion of the gripper along the orbital path is momentary paused at one of the radial positions to engage the blank; and   the gripper disengages the blank at another one of the radial positions to place the blank on the group.   
     
     
         11 . The feeder apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein, during rotation of the gripper about the axis, the radial positions of the gripper along the orbital path varies. 
     
     
         12 . The feeder apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the orbital path comprises:   a first portion that directs the gripper radially outward toward the one of the radial positions; and   a second portion that directs the gripper radially inward away from the one of the radial positions; and   the another one of the radial positions is along the second portion of the orbital path.   
     
     
         13 . The feeder apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the feeder apparatus further comprises a gripper arm;   the gripper arm rotates about the axis; and   the gripper is coupled to the gripper arm.   
     
     
         14 . The feeder apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the guide comprises:
 a cam configured to control the orbital motion of the grippers along the orbital path; and   a transmission configured to transmit motion to the grippers as controlled by the cam.   
     
     
         15 . An applicator apparatus for applying blanks to groups of articles, as the articles move along a travel path, the applicator apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of first applicator tools configured to press the blanks onto alternating first ones of the groups;   a plurality of second applicator tools configured to press the blanks onto alternating second ones of the groups; and   an applicator drive configured to rotate the first applicator tools about a first axis and to rotate the second applicator tools about a second axis.   
     
     
         16 . The applicator apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein:
 each one of the first applicator tools and the second applicator tools have a stroke; and   one of the first applicator tools reaches a downward most position of the stroke before one of the second applicator tools begins the stroke.   
     
     
         17 . The applicator apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising
 a first tool hub that is rotatable about the first axis; and   a second tool hub that is rotatable about the second axis,   wherein:   the first applicator tools are coupled to the first tool hub; and   the second applicator tools are coupled to the second tool hub.   
     
     
         18 . The applicator apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the first axis and the second axis are parallel to each other; and   the first tool hub and the second tool hub are adjacent to each other along a conveyor.   
     
     
         19 . The applicator apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the first axis and the second axis are coincident with each other; and   the first tool hub and the second tool hub are opposite to each other across a conveyor such that the first applicator tools and the second applicator tools face each other.