US 12,384,579 B2
System and process for forming retained container groups from arrayed container groups
Aaron M. Frederick, Alexandria, MN (US); Kasey W. Dillon, Alexandria, MN (US); Rick W. Lukanen, Jr., Alexandria, MN (US); Craig Sholts, Alexandria, MN (US); Jeffery L. Lenarz, Garfield, MN (US); Matthew R. Crissinger, Nelson, MN (US); Andrew J. Bye, Alexandria, MN (US); and Eric A. Timmerman, Alexandria, MN (US)
Assigned to Douglas Machine Inc., Alexandria, MN (US)
Filed by Douglas Machine Inc., Alexandria, MN (US)
Filed on Feb. 14, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/441,914.
Application 18/441,914 is a continuation of application No. 17/719,794, filed on Apr. 13, 2022, granted, now 11,905,052.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/232,333, filed on Aug. 12, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/174,239, filed on Apr. 13, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0270420 A1, Aug. 15, 2024
Int. Cl. B65B 61/00 (2006.01); B65B 17/02 (2006.01); B65B 27/04 (2006.01); B65B 35/44 (2006.01); B65B 41/18 (2006.01); B65G 61/00 (2006.01)
CPC B65B 27/04 (2013.01) [B65B 17/025 (2013.01); B65B 35/44 (2013.01); B65B 41/18 (2013.01); B65G 61/00 (2013.01); B65G 2201/0235 (2013.01)] 32 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for forming retained container groups from an arrayed container group via application of an adapted retainer blank to the arrayed container group comprising the steps of:
a. receiving a retainer blank at a pre-break area of a processing station characterized by an inflow of spaced apart arrayed container groups, the pre-break area delimited by a die block;
b. effectuating a press stoke for an end of arm tool carried by a robotic arm so as to registeringly mate and operatively engage the die block, a received retainer blank thereby interposed between the end of arm tool and the die block;
c. dividing the retainer blank via the press stroke so as to delimit pack carriers; and,
d. applying the divided retainer blank to an arrayed container group of the spaced apart arrayed contained group in furtherance of establishing container group packs from the arrayed container group characterized by each of the pack carriers.