US 12,330,887 B2
Packaging system adaptable to various container perimeters
Jean-Christophe Bonnain, Châteauroux (FR); Frederic Limousin, Le Poinçonnet (FR); Fabrice Avril, Châteauroux (FR); and Amelie Strohm-Volondat, Châteauroux (FR)
Assigned to WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC, Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed by WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC, Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed on Mar. 6, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/597,707.
Application 18/597,707 is a continuation of application No. 17/898,302, filed on Aug. 29, 2022, granted, now 11,945,661.
Application 17/898,302 is a continuation of application No. 17/385,537, filed on Jul. 26, 2021, granted, now 11,427,410, issued on Aug. 30, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/056,171, filed on Jul. 24, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0343502 A1, Oct. 17, 2024
Int. Cl. B65G 47/86 (2006.01); B65G 47/32 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 47/842 (2013.01) [B65G 47/32 (2013.01); B65G 2201/0252 (2013.01); B65G 2207/08 (2013.01); B65G 2811/0615 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A conveyance system, comprising:
a first upstream star wheel configured to move a plurality of first containers along a first travel path;
a first downstream star wheel configured to move the plurality of first containers along the first travel path;
a first metering screw between the first upstream start wheel and the first downstream star wheel to move the plurality of first containers along the first travel path,
wherein the first metering screw is configured to create a pitch such that the first containers enter the first metering screw at a first pitch and exit the first metering screw at a second pitch different than the first pitch;
a plurality of first support bodies with a surface that partially surrounds the first containers,
wherein the plurality of first support bodies are located downstream of the first downstream star wheel and are configured to engage the first containers as the first containers move downstream for a packaging to be applied to the first containers,
wherein the plurality of first support bodies are operatively connected to be moved about a first support body path that comprises at least two straight sections, and at least one curved section; and
a packaging path, along which the packaging is conveyed, that at least partially overlaps with the first support body path to form a package comprising the packaging and the first containers while the plurality of first support bodies maintain contact with the first containers.