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US4577453A
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Method of and apparatus for forming and cartoning multi-stack arrays of compressible articles
Assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
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Filing: 1984-02-01
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Granted: 1986-03-25
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Expires: 2004-02-01
Abstract
Abstract The apparatus forms multi-stack arrays of compressible, generally flat articles--for example, elongate catamenial napkins--on a receiving platform disposed adjacent a stack forming apparatus by pushing one stack against the back wall of the receiving platform, and then pushing successively formed stacks into adjacent relation with the last stack pushed onto the receiving platform. This is done with a stack pusher, and controlling the lengths of its successive strokes as required. Upon moving each stack into its respective position on the receiving platform, it is individually compressed to reduce the height of the stack to about the height of the carton into which the array is to be loaded as a unit. An array pusher then pushes the array orthogonally with respect to the direction of pushing the stacks onto the receiving platform to displace the array as a unit into a carton through a loading funnel. Preferably, elongate articles such as catamenial napkins are oriented in the associated stacker so that, relative to the length dimension of the articles, the stacks are displaced sideways from the stacker onto the receiving platform so that the stacks are oriented in side-by-side relation with each other. Individual compression of each stack substantially obviates any interleaving or damage of the articles in adjacent stacks which might otherwise occur: particularly at high stack pusher velocities.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry H. Hofeler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 08:01
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B63/00; B65B63/02; B65B35/00; B65B35/30; B65B35/50; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/10; Y10S414/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for forming a cartoning multi-stack arrays of compressible elongate articles having elongate side edges, said apparatus comprising means for sequentially forming and marshalling a multi-stack array of stacks of said articles with said stacks in side-by-side abutting relation at predetermined positions on a receiving platform including means for independently horizontally pushing each formed stack along a first path disposed orthogonally with respect to said elongate side edges until it is disposed at its respective predetermined position on said receiving platform, means for independently compressing each of said stacks to a pre-determined height prior to the next successive stack being pushed to its respective position in said array for forming an abutting stop for the next successive stack and for obviating interleaving of said articles of said next successive stack with said articles of the preceding said stack, and means for unitarily pushing said array into an empty carton having a height substantially equal to said predetermined height.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for forming a cartoning multi-stack arrays of compressible elongate articles having elongate side edges, said apparatus comprising means for sequentially forming and marshalling a multi-stack array of stacks of said articles with said stacks in side-by-side abutting relation at predetermined positions on a receiving platform including means for independently horizontally pushing each formed stack along a first path disposed orthogonally with respect to said elongate side edges until it is disposed at its respective predetermined position on said receiving platform, means for independently compressing each of said stacks to a pre-determined height prior to the next successive stack being pushed to its respective position in said array for forming an abutting stop for the next successive stack and for obviating interleaving of said articles of said next successive stack with said articles of the preceding said stack, and means for unitarily pushing said array into an empty carton having a height substantially equal to said predetermined height.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
124 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for forming and marshalling said stacks of articles comprises a back wall on said receiving platform, and a stack pusher for independently forwarding each stack along said first path onto said receiving platform, stack pusher control means for controlling the stroke of said stack pusher so that the first stack of an array is forwarded into abutting relation with said back wall and so that each successive stack is pushed into said side-by-side abutting relation with the last preceding stack of said array, said apparatus further comprising means for controlling said means for independently compressing said stacks so that each said stack is compressed prior to the next successive stack being forwarded into abutting relation therewith.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said stack pusher control means causes said stack pusher to remain extended in abutting relation with the last stack forward onto said receiving platform until said last stack has been compressed by said compression means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said stack pusher control means causes said stack pusher to remain extended in abutting relation with the last stack of said array until said array pusher means forwards said array along a second path orthogonal to said first path to load the array into said carton.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for forming said stacks comprises means for sequentially forming said stacks adjacent said receiving platform.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for sequentially forming said stacks adjacent said receiving platform comprises means for forming said stacks between vertically spaced ways.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of forming and cartoning multi-stack arrays of compressible elongate articles having elongate side edges, said method comprising the steps of sequentially forming and marshalling a multi-stack array of stacks of articles with said stacks in side-by-side abutting relation by independently pushing each formed stack along a first path disposed orthogonally with respect to said elongate side edges until it is disposed in its respective position in said array being marshalled, independently compressing each of said stacks to a predetermined height prior to the next successive stack being pushed to its respective position in said array for forming an abutting stop for the next successive stack and for obivating interleaving of said articles of said next successive stack with said articles of the preceding said stack, and unitarily pushing said array into an empty carton having a height substantially equal to said predetermined height.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of forming and cartoning multi-stack arrays of compressible elongate articles having elongate side edges, said method comprising the steps of sequentially forming and marshalling a multi-stack array of stacks of articles with said stacks in side-by-side abutting relation by independently pushing each formed stack along a first path disposed orthogonally with respect to said elongate side edges until it is disposed in its respective position in said array being marshalled, independently compressing each of said stacks to a predetermined height prior to the next successive stack being pushed to its respective position in said array for forming an abutting stop for the next successive stack and for obivating interleaving of said articles of said next successive stack with said articles of the preceding said stack, and unitarily pushing said array into an empty carton having a height substantially equal to said predetermined height.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said array is sequentially formed at an array marshalling location, and said array is unitarily moved along a second path from said marshalling location into an empty carton, said second path being orthogonally disposed with respect to said first path.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-03-24 | 1989-09-23 | 1990-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-03-24 | 1993-09-23 | 1994-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-03-24 | 1997-09-23 | 1998-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |