Adjustable neck guide

[0001] The present invention relates to a container handling system and, more particularly, to a bottle handling system which includes an adjustable neck guide system along a conveyor.

[0002] The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

[0003] Currently, various packaging and shipping methods are used to transport containers, such as bottles, from one location to another. As such, it is often necessary to provide a bottle conveyor to transfer bottles from one machine to another in the handling process. Such conveyor systems will often utilize a neck guide assembly to support the bottles as they are transferred along the conveyor.

[0004] Neck guide mechanisms are typically constructed as fixed elements relative to the conveyor structure. Different neck guide mechanisms are designed for different bottle shapes. When the bottles to be produced are changed, the neck guide assembly must also be changed, which can be relatively costly.

[0005] In recent years, variations in shapes and sizes of containers have proliferated. Accordingly, it is desirable to have a system which allows neck guides along a conveyor to be adjusted so that a system may accommodate a variety of bottle shapes.

[0006] A neck guide positioning system for a container transport line is provided. The neck guide positioning system has a plurality of stop members including a movable stop member. The movable stop member is selectively movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The neck guide positioning system may also include a fixed stop member is fixed relative to the container transport line. The extended position of the movable stop member is between a center line of the container transport line and the fixed stop member, and the retracted position is further away from the center line of the container transport line than the fixed stop member. The neck guide positioning system further includes a bracket disposed between the container transport line and the plurality of stop members, the bracket supporting a neck guide along the container transport line. The neck guide positioning system also includes a first actuator operably coupled to the bracket. The first actuator selectively engages the bracket with at least one of the plurality of stop members. Moving the movable stop member to the retracted position and engaging the bracket with the fixed stop member locates the neck guide in correspondence with a first neck guide spacing. Furthermore, moving the movable stop member to the extended position and engaging the bracket with the movable stop member locates the neck guide in correspondence with a second neck guide spacing which is less than the first neck guide spacing.

[0007] In another form, a container transport system is provided. The container transport system includes an infeed machine for collecting a plurality of containers, a discharge machine for receiving the containers, a container transport line extending between the infeed machine and the discharge machine, and a pair of neck guide assemblies each supporting a neck guide along opposite sides of the container transport line. The container transport system further includes a plurality of neck guide positioning mechanisms operably coupled to each one of the neck guide assemblies. Each of the neck guide positioning mechanisms has a movable stop member selectively movable to an extended position and a retracted position. The neck guide positioning mechanism may also include a fixed stop member secured relative to the container transport line. The extended position of the movable stop member is between a center line of the container transport line and the fixed stop member, and the retracted position is further away from the center line than the fixed stop member. Each of the neck guide positioning mechanisms further include a first actuator coupled to the one of the neck guide assemblies. The first actuator selectively engages the one of the neck guide assemblies with at least one of the plurality of stop members. Furthermore, moving the movable stop members to the retracted positions and engaging the neck guide assemblies with the fixed stop members locates the neck guides in correspondence with a first neck guide spacing. Additionally, moving the movable stop members to the extended positions and engaging the neck guide assemblies with the movable stop members locates the neck guides in correspondence with a second neck guide spacing.

[0008] In another form, a method of positioning a neck guide for a container packaging system is provided. The method includes fixing a first stop member relative to a container transport line in correspondence with a first neck guide spacing, and engaging a neck guide assembly with the first stop member, the neck guide assembly supporting a neck guide along the container transport line.

[0009] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0022] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals (e.g., 15a and 15b, and/or 15, 15′, and 15″) indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary container transport or conveyor system 20 for a container packaging system is shown. Container transport system 20 includes a container transport line or conveyor 22 along which containers 24 are transported from an infeed machine 26 to a discharge machine 28. Infeed machine 26 collects a plurality of containers 24 and introduces them to container transport system 20 which accumulates and transports containers to discharge machine 28. As illustrated, container transport line 22 can have a non-linear path or a path having a non-linear portion between infeed machine 26 and discharge machine 28.

[0024] While traveling through container transport system 20, containers 24 are supported by a pair of neck guides 30 (FIG. 2) coupled along opposing sides of container transport line 22. As is described in more detail herein, each of neck guides 30 extends continuously along container transport line 22 and is supported by a neck guide assembly 32.

[0025] Container transport system 20 further includes a neck guide positioning system for locating neck guides 30 in correspondence with different shapes of containers 24 and specifically containers having different diameter necks. The neck guide positioning system includes a plurality of neck guide positioning mechanisms 40 which support and move neck guide assemblies 32 to position neck guides 30 along container transport line 22. As shown in FIG. 1, neck guide positioning mechanisms 40 can be coupled in pairs at opposing positions along container transport line 22. It is to be understood that neck guide positioning mechanisms 40 can be coupled in a variety of configurations along container transport line 22.

[0026] Furthermore, the neck guide positioning system includes a control system 42 operably connected to neck guide positioning mechanisms 40 with a communication line 44 extending along container transport line 22. As described in more detail below, the control system 42 can be configured to receive inputs from a user and provide for operation of neck guide positioning mechanisms 40 in accordance therewith.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 2, neck guides 30 and neck guide assemblies 32 are illustrated in detail. In particular, a first neck guide 30a and a first neck guide assembly 32a are disposed on one side of container transport line 22, and a second neck guide 30b and a second neck guide assembly 32b are disposed on the other side of container transport line 22. Neck guide assemblies 32a, 32b may be adjusted relative to a center line of the container transport line 22. By laterally adjusting the position of the neck guide assemblies 32a, 32b, the spacing therebetween may be configured for a given neck diameter. For example, in a first location, the neck guide assemblies 32a, 32b may be set for a large diameter neck d₁. The neck guide assemblies 32a, 32b may be moved inwardly and set for a small diameter neck d₂.

[0028] It should be understood first and second neck guides 30a, 30b, first and second neck guide assemblies 32a, 32b, and the components related thereto are substantially similar or identical, yet arranged in mirrored symmetry about container transport line 22. Accordingly, in the interest of brevity, only one of neck guides 30a, 30b, first and second neck guide assemblies 32a, 32b, and the components related thereto will be discussed in detail unless noted otherwise. Additionally, it should be noted that these features can be referred to collectively (e.g. “neck guides 30”) and that a collective description applies equally to each of the individual features.

[0029] First neck guide assembly 32a includes a first bracket 50a supporting first neck guide 30a on an end 52a thereof. End 52a extends inwardly towards container transport line 22 from a main portion 54a of first bracket 50a. End 52a has a toothed portion 56a formed therein. Toothed portion 56a engages and secures first neck guide 30a relative to first bracket 50a in a direction extending perpendicular to container transport line 22. However, this engagement also allows for relative movement or slip between first neck guide 30a and first bracket 50a in a direction extending parallel to container transport line 22. As explained in more detail herein, this relative movement in the direction parallel to container transport line 22 bridges the gap between adjacent brackets to provide a continuous path along container transport line 22 for containers 24.

[0030] Neck guides 30 and neck guide assemblies 32 can include a variety of materials. Neck guides 30 extend continuously along container transport line 22, and container transport line 22 can have a non-linear path or non-linear portion thereof. Accordingly, neck guides 30 can include a variety of resilient, elastically deformable materials. For example, neck guides 30 can include oil impregnated ultra high weight polyethylene. Furthermore, neck guide assemblies 32 and the components thereof can be made of a variety of relatively rigid materials including, for example, metals such as extruded aluminum.

[0031] As the components of neck guide assemblies 32, in particular brackets 50, can include relatively rigid materials, and as container transport line 22 can have a non-linear path (FIG. 1), neck guide assemblies 32 can each include a plurality of brackets 50 coupled along container transport line 22. As described in more detail below, adjacent brackets 50 of one of neck guide assemblies 32 are coupled to maintain alignment therebetween.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary portion of container transport line 22 has a plurality of neck guide positioning mechanisms 40 disposed proximate thereto. The illustrated portion of container transport line 22 includes a curved section 80 between a first linear section 82 and a second linear section 84. According to the principles of the present disclosure, neck guide positioning mechanisms 40 move neck guide assemblies 32 and locate neck guides 30 to provide an adjustable neck guide spacing.

[0033] A plurality of neck guide positioning mechanisms 40 are coupled along each of first and second sides 88a, 88b of curved section 80. The plurality of neck guide positioning mechanisms 40 coupled along curved section 80 includes first and second main mechanisms 90a, 90b and a plurality of first and second pivotable mechanisms 92a, 92b. It is to be understood that neck guide positioning mechanisms and the components thereof having corresponding reference numerals (e.g., first and second main mechanisms 90a, 90b) are substantially similar or the same. Accordingly, in the interest of brevity, only one of such neck guide positioning mechanisms will be described in detail herein unless noted otherwise. Additionally, it will be understood that a collective description of such neck guide mechanisms (e.g., main mechanisms 90) or the components thereof applies to each individually.

[0034] First main mechanism 90a is disposed at a center position of first side 88a of curved section 80. With further reference to FIGS. 4-6, first main mechanism 90a includes an actuator assembly 102a, a pair of movable stop assemblies 104a, and a pair of fixed stop assemblies 106a all secured to a base 108a. Actuator assembly 102a is operably coupled to first neck guide assembly 32a (FIGS. 4A, 5A, 6A). In particular, a tooling plate 110a is fixed to first bracket 50a with fastening assembly 112a. Tooling plate 110a is coupled to an actuator 114a operable to move first neck guide assembly 32a relative to container transport line 22. As illustrated in the Figures, actuator 114a can be in the form of an air cylinder. Tooling plate 110a and actuator 114a are coupled by a coupling 116a. Coupling 116a can be, for example, an angle bracket. With first main mechanism 90a having a center position of first side 88a of curved section 80, and with tooling plate 110a fixed to first neck guide assembly 32a, first main mechanism 90a keeps first neck guide assembly 32a centered on first side 88a of curved section 80.

[0035] Movable stop assemblies 104a of first main mechanism 90a each include a shaft 120a, a stop member 122a disposed at the end of each shaft 120a and an actuator 124a supporting each of shafts 120a. Actuators 124a selectively move shafts 120a and stop members 122a between a first position (FIG. 4B) with stop members 122a extending past fixed stop assemblies 106a and a second position with stop members 122a behind fixed stop assemblies 106a (FIGS. 6B). As illustrated in the Figures, actuators 124a can be in the form of air cylinders. Furthermore, shaft 120a can be threaded and stop member 122a can be correspondingly threaded such that the precise position of stop member 122a on shaft 120a is adjustable. Fixed stop assemblies 106a each include a shaft 130, secured to base 108a and a stop member 132a secured to shaft 130a opposite base 108a. Shaft 130a may also be threaded like shaft 120a to allow for fine adjustment of the fixed stop position.

[0036] First pivotable mechanisms 92a are disposed around first main mechanism 90a on first side 88a of curved section 80. Referring to FIGS. 7A-7B, an exemplary first pivotable mechanism 92a is illustrated. First pivotable mechanism 92a includes an actuator assembly 142a, a pair movable stop assemblies 144a, and a pair of fixed stop assemblies 146a secured to a base 148a.

[0037] Actuator assembly 142aof first pivotable mechanism 92ais operably coupled to first neck guide assembly 32a. With further reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, a pivoting assembly 150ais coupled between first bracket 50aand an actuator 154a. Pivoting assembly 150ahas a bracket member 160afixed to first bracket 50a, an actuator member 162afixed to actuator 154a, and an intermediate member 164apivotally coupled to each of bracket member 160aand actuator member 162a. Pivoting assembly 150aprovides for relative movement between first bracket 50aand actuator 154ain a direction extending along container transport line 22. Additionally, as illustrated in FIGS., actuator 154a can be in the form of an air cylinder.

[0038] Unless otherwise noted, movable stop assemblies 144a and fixed stop assemblies 146a are substantially similar or the same as movable stop assemblies 104a and fixed stop assemblies 106a of first main mechanism 90a described herein. Movable stop assemblies 144a each include a shaft 170a, a stop member 172a, and an actuator 174a. Actuators 174a selectively move shafts 170a and stop members 172a between first positions (FIG. 7A) and second positions (FIGS. 7B). However, the first and second positions of stop members 172a are offset. This configuration allows movable stop assemblies 144a to engage with a neck guide assembly 32a having a non-linear shape. Fixed stop assemblies 146a each include a shaft 180a secured to base 148a and a stop member 182a secured to shaft 180a opposite base 148a. Stop members 182a are also offset to correspond with the configuration of movable stop assemblies 144a and to engage with the neck guide assembly 32a with a non-linear shape.

[0039] Although the neck guide positioning mechanisms described herein each include only a single pair of movable stop assemblies, it should be understood that neck guide positioning mechanisms according to the principles of the present invention can have a plurality of movable stop assemblies or pairs thereof providing for a variety of positions of neck guides. In such a case, each of the movable stop assemblies or pairs thereof would have an extended position in between the fixed stop assemblies and the container transport line. Furthermore, each of the movable stop assemblies or pairs thereof would have different extended positions from each of the other movable stop mechanisms or pairs thereof. Therefore, a varying number of positions of the neck guides can be provided according to the principles of the present disclosure. Additionally, it should be understood that the actuator assemblies can have a variety of components and configurations according to the principles of the present disclosure.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 4A-4C, first main mechanism 90a locates first neck guide 30a in a first position. Movable stop assemblies 104a actuate stop members 122a to the extended positions (FIG. 4B). Actuator 114 pulls first bracket 50a into engagement with stop members 122a. As such, first bracket 50a is not in contact with stop members 132 of fixed stop assemblies 106a.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, first main mechanism 90a moves first neck guide 30a and first bracket 50a to an intermediate position. Although stop members 122a of movable stop assemblies 104a are in the extended positions, first bracket 50a is displaced away from stop members 122a. This intermediate position allows for actuation of movable stop assemblies 104a without interference from first bracket 50a.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 6A-6C, first main mechanism 90a locates first neck guide 30a in a second position. Movable stop assemblies 104a actuate stop members 122a to retracted positions (FIG. 6B). Actuator 114 pulls first bracket 50a into engagement with stop members 132a of fixed stop assemblies 106a (FIG. 6C). To return first neck guide 30a to the first position, the steps can be reversed. As such, container transport system 20 has adjustable neck guides 30 that can adapt to different sizes and shapes of containers 24.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 7A, exemplary first pivotable mechanism 92a locates first bracket 50a (and, therefore, first neck guide 30a) in a first position corresponding with the first position provided by first main mechanism 90a (FIGS. 4A-4C). In particular, first pivotable mechanism 92a has stop members 172a of movable stop assemblies 144a in the extended positions, and first bracket 50a is engaged with stop members 172a. As first pivotable mechanism 92a is engaged with a curved first bracket 50a, the locations of stop members 172a of movable stop assemblies 144a in the extended positions are offset.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 7B, first pivotable mechanism 92a locates first bracket 50a in a second position corresponding with the second position provided by first main mechanism 90a (FIGS. 6A-6C). As first bracket 50a corresponds with a curved part of container transport line 22, when first bracket 50a is moved away from container transport line 22, the path of first bracket 50a (and first neck guide 30a) increases in length. As described above, as first main mechanism 90a is fixed to first bracket 50a via tooling plate 110a, there is no relative motion therebetween in a direction along container transport line 22. Therefore, at first pivotable mechanism 92a, there is relative motion between first bracket 50a and first pivotable mechanism 92a to compensate for the increase in length. As illustrated in FIG. 7B, first bracket 50a moves to the left, and pivoting assembly 150a pivots therewith to allow for this relative movement. As such, the neck guide positioning system according to the principles of the present disclosure can operate along a container transport line having a non-linear path.

[0045] It should be understood that first pivotable mechanism 92a can also locate first bracket 50a in an intermediate position (not shown).

[0046] Referring to FIG. 9, when the path of neck guide assemblies 32 is increased in length, a gap 190 is formed between adjacent brackets 50. Accordingly, an alignment member 192 is coupled between adjacent brackets 50 to maintain the alignment thereof. As shown in FIG. 9, alignment member 192 is fixed to one of brackets 50 and slidably received by the other of brackets 50 to provide for relative motion therebetween.

[0047] Additionally, as explained herein, neck guides 30 are attached to brackets 50 to provide for relative motion therebetween in a direction parallel to container transport line 22. As such, when the path of brackets 50 is increased in length and gaps 190 are formed between adjacent brackets 50, neck guides 30 stretch and move relative to brackets 50 to extend over gaps 190 and, therefore, extend continuously along container transport line 22. Neck guides 30 can be provided sized to be at least as long as the path of neck guide assemblies 32 and brackets 50 corresponding with the largest size of containers 24. Therefore, according to the principles of the present disclosure, container transport system 20 has neck guides 30 extending continuously along container transport line 22.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, exemplary alternate curved sections of container transport line 22 are illustrated. In FIG. 10, a curved section 80′ includes a singe pair of main mechanisms 90′ coupled proximate thereto. In FIG. 11, a curved section 80″ includes a plurality neck guide positioning mechanisms 40″. In particular, a pair of main mechanisms 90″ are coupled at center positions of curved section 80″, and a plurality of pivotable mechanisms 92″ are coupled around main mechanisms 90″.

[0049] The present disclosure is exemplary in nature and, therefore, can vary in many ways. A container transport system and container transport line can have a variety of configurations and components. Neck guide assemblies and neck guide positioning mechanism can also have a variety of configurations and components. The components described herein can be made from a variety of materials.