Coordinated soft-touch case packer

{
  "publication_number": "US9586705B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Coordinated soft-touch case packer",
  "abstract": "Disclosed is a product case packing system with a gripping head assembly and a packaging grid assembly linked by a coordination arm that synchronizes the delivery of the product to be packaged and with the positioning of the grid assembly into the packaging container. The system includes a gripper head assembly extension control module, capable of controlling multiple travel distances of the gripper head assembly in a single packing cycle, a product assembly detection module, and a packaging release control element for subtle separation of individual packed containers.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A coordinated motion packaging machine for packaging product assembled in a product feed section in a bulk package assembled in a carton feed section, the packaging machine comprising: a gripper head assembly, a coordination arm, and a grid assembly; the coordination arm having a lead arm, a follow arm, and a frame pivot point; the lead arm operatively linked to the grid assembly, and the follow arm operatively linked to the gripper head assembly; an angle at the frame pivot point between the lead arm and the follow arm is fixed; the gripper head assembly capable of simultaneously lifting a plurality of product and transporting the plurality of product to a position over the grid assembly and the bulk package; the grid assembly having fingers for guiding the product into the bulk package; and the coordination arm linking motion of the grid assembly to simultaneous motion of the gripper head assembly.",
    "2. The packaging machine of claim 1, further comprising: the angle at the frame pivot point between the lead arm and the follow arm is 75 degrees.",
    "3. The packaging machine of claim 1, further comprising: the angle at the frame pivot point between the lead arm and the follow arm is between 70 and 80 degrees.",
    "4. The packaging machine of claim 1, further comprising: the frame pivot point comprising a lockable hinge; and the angle at the frame pivot point between the lead arm and the follow arm is adjustably fixed.",
    "5. The packaging machine of claim 1, further comprising: the frame pivot point comprising a lockable hinge; and the angle at the frame pivot point between the lead arm and the follow arm is lockably adjustable."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "B65B 5/06",
    "B65B 21/00",
    "B65B 21/02",
    "B65B 21/04",
    "B65B 21/06",
    "B65B 21/14",
    "B65B 21/16",
    "B65B 21/18",
    "B65B 39/006"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "RAUDAT JOHN L",
    "DENNISON LES",
    "COMMERCIAL MACHINE SERVICES INC"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2013-03-15",
  "publication_date": "2017-03-07",
  "grant_date": "2017-03-07",
  "priority_date": "2012-04-06",
  "application_number": "US-201313843677-A",
  "family_id": "50185471",
  "citations": [
    "US2004068956A1",
    "US2921425A",
    "US3353331A",
    "US3561189A",
    "US3589094A",
    "US3648427A",
    "US3744213A",
    "US3832826A",
    "US4075819A",
    "US4448009A",
    "US4457121A",
    "US4569181A",
    "US4637509A",
    "US7552570B2"
  ]
}