Mark Patrick Rasmussen

US Patent:

6952911, Oct 11, 2005

Filed:

Mar 28, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/401908

Inventors:

Mark P. Rasmussen - Mableton GA, US

Assignee:

Graphic Packaging International, Inc. - Marietta GA

International Classification:

B65B035/50

US Classification:

53535, 53540, 53247, 533871, 271214

Abstract:

An automatic case packaging system having a conveyor and stacking assembly, a servo-powered elevator and a case positioning assembly. The conveyor and stacking assembly is provided to receive a plurality of articles and to form a stack of the articles. The conveyor has a flat, receiving portion and an arcuate portion that feeds the articles to the top of an incline where they are collated into a stack for loading. The case positioning assembly is located adjacent the servo-powered elevator and is provided to receive a case in a receiving position, to move the case to a loading position wherein an open end of the case is located adjacent the stack of articles that has been lowered on the elevator. An air-powered ram is provided to push the stack of articles into the open end of the case. When the stack is lowered to the case height, side guides open to guide the cartons into the case to prevent the cartons from hanging on the edge of the case.