Adjustable carton pocket

Abstract

The present invention provides apparatus and methods suitable for adjusting a carton pocket size in a cartoning machine. First and second side plates are spaced longitudinally apart from one another a first distance to form a first pocket size adapted to accommodate a carton of a first configuration. Means are provided for longitudinally moving the first and second side plates a distance with respect to one another to vary the first pocket size. In one embodiment, the means for longitudinally moving comprises a gear and first and second gear racks that are adapted to mesh with the gear and be driven in longitudinal directions by rotation of the gear. The first and second gear racks are coupled to the first and second side plates, respectively. In operation, rotation of the gear in a first direction is adapted to move the first and second side plates a substantially equal distance apart from one another to form an increased pocket size, while rotation of the gear in a second direction is adapted to move the first and second side plates a substantially equal distance towards each other to form a reduced pocket size.

1 . An adjustable carton pocket assembly comprising: 
 a transport member moveable in at least a first direction;    a first side plate coupled to and moveable with the transport member in the first direction, wherein the first side plate is further moveable relative to the transport member; and    a second side plate coupled to and moveable with the transport member in the first direction, wherein the second side plate is further moveable relative to the transport member and the first side plate, wherein the first and second side plates are spaced apart so as to accommodate a carton,    wherein the first and second side plates are operably coupled such that the first and second side plates are simultaneously moveable in opposite directions toward and away from each other.    
   
   
       2 . The adjustable carton pocket of  claim 1  further comprising a first servo motor coupled to the first side plate and a second servo motor coupled to the second side plate.  
   
   
       3 . The adjustable carton pocket of  claim 2  wherein the first side plate is moveable a first distance toward or away from the second side plate, and the second side plate is simultaneously moveable a second, different distance toward or away from the first side plate.  
   
   
       4 . The adjustable carton pocket of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 first and second gear racks connected to the first and second plates, respectively; and    a gear positioned between and meshing with the first and second gear racks, the gear rotatable in opposite first and second directions, wherein rotation of the gear in a first direction simultaneously moves the first and second side plates toward each other, and wherein rotation of the gear in the second direction simultaneously moves the first and second side plates away from each other.    
   
   
       5 . The adjustable carton pocket of  claim 4  further comprising: 
 a block member having first and second surfaces and a gear recess adapted to receive the gear; and    first and second channels formed in the block member and adapted to at least partially receive the first and second gear racks, respectively,    wherein the first and second channels are disposed in proximity to the gear recess to permit the first and second gear racks to mesh with the gear.    
   
   
       6 . The adjustable carton pocket of  claim 5  further comprising: 
 a shaft extension attached to the gear;    a bore formed through at least the second surface of the block member, wherein the shaft extension extends through the second surface of the block member; and    a pivot link coupled to the shaft extension and adapted to cause rotation of the shaft extension to rotate the gear.    
   
   
       7 . The adjustable carton pocket of  claim 6  further comprising a cam track adapted for vertical movement with respect to the gear, wherein vertical movement of the cam track is adapted to actuate the pivot link to cause rotation of the gear.  
   
   
       8 . The adjustable carton pocket of  claim 7  further comprising a slide member operably coupled between the pivot link and the cam track, wherein the slide member is adapted for longitudinal movement with respect to the cam track.  
   
   
       9 . The adjustable carton pocket of  claim 5  further comprising first and second chain recesses formed in the block member and adapted to receive first and second endless chains.  
   
   
       10 . The adjustable carton pocket of  claim 4  further comprising at least one bracket member disposed between the first gear rack and the first side plate, and at least one bracket member disposed between the second gear rack and the second side plate.  
   
   
       11 . A method for adjusting the size of a carton pocket in a cartoning machine, the method comprising: 
 providing first and second side plates spaced longitudinally apart from one another a first distance to form a first pocket size; and    longitudinally moving the first and second side plates simultaneously with respect to one another to vary the first pocket size.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising: 
 providing a gear and first and second gear racks that are adapted to mesh with the gear, wherein the first and second gear racks are coupled to the first and second side plates, respectively; and    rotating the gear in a first direction to move the first and second side plates a substantially equal distance apart from one another to form an increased pocket size.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising rotating the gear in a second direction to move the first and second side plates a substantially equal distance towards each other to form a reduced pocket size.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising: 
 providing a block member having first and second surfaces, a gear recess adapted to receive the gear, and first and second channels formed in the block member and adapted to at least partially receive the first and second gear racks, respectively;    disposing a shaft extension attached to the gear through a bore formed in at least the second surface of the block member; and    rotating the shaft extension to cause rotation of the gear.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising providing a pivot link coupled to the shaft extension and causing rotation of the pivot link to rotate the shaft extension.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 providing a cam track adapted for vertical movement within the cartoning machine, the cam track being operably coupled to the pivot link; and    vertical moving the cam track to actuate the pivot link, thereby causing rotation of the gear.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising: 
 providing a slide member operably coupled between the pivot link and the cam track;    allowing longitudinal movement of the slide member with respect to the cam track; and    causing vertical movement of the slide member when the cam track is vertically adjusted, wherein vertical movement of the slide member causes rotation of the pivot link.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising: 
 providing a first servo motor coupled to the first side plate;    actuating the first servo motor to cause the first side plate to move a first distance toward or away from the second side plate;    providing a second servo motor coupled to the second side plate; and    actuating the second servo motor to cause the second side plate to move a second distance toward or away from the first side plate.    
   
   
       19 . Apparatus suitable for adjusting a carton pocket size in a cartoning machine, the apparatus comprising: 
 a gear;    first and second gear racks that are adapted to mesh with the gear and be driven in longitudinal directions by rotation of the gear; and    first and second side plates coupled to the first and second gear racks, respectively, wherein rotation of the gear in a first direction is adapted to move the first and second side plates a substantially equal distance apart from one another to form an increased pocket size, and wherein rotation of the gear in a second direction is adapted to move the first and second side plates a substantially equal distance towards each other to form a reduced pocket size.    
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  further comprising: 
 a block member having first and second surfaces and a gear recess adapted to receive the gear; and    first and second channels formed in the block member and adapted to at least partially receive the first and second gear racks, respectively,    wherein the first and second channels are disposed in proximity to the gear recess to permit the first and second gear racks to mesh with the gear.    
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 20  further comprising: 
 a shaft extension attached to the gear;    a bore formed through at least the second surface of the block member, wherein the shaft extension extends through the second surface of the block member; and    a pivot link coupled to the shaft extension and adapted to cause rotation of the shaft extension to rotate the gear.    
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 21  further comprising a cam track adapted for vertical movement within the cartoning machine, wherein vertical movement of the cam track is adapted to actuate the pivot link to cause rotation of the gear.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 22  further comprising a slide member operably coupled between the pivot link and the cam track, wherein the slide member is adapted for longitudinal movement with respect to the cam track.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 20  further comprising first and second chain recesses formed in the block member and adapted to receive first and second endless chains.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 19  further comprising at least one bracket member disposed between the first gear rack and the first side plate, and at least one bracket member disposed between the second gear rack and the second side plate.