Transporter device and method for conveying objects to be labeled or stamped

Abstract

System including a stamping device configured to apply stamps to first and second products having target surfaces. The stamping device applies the stamps when the target surfaces are moved into a stamp-application region. The system also includes a first transporter device having a receiving side. The first transporter device is configured to hold the first products such that the target surfaces of the first products are exposed along the receiving side. The system also includes a second transporter device having a receiving side. The second transporter device is configured to hold the second products such that the target surfaces of the second products are exposed along the receiving side of the second transporter device. The first and second transporter devices are configured to hold the respective first and second products such that the target surfaces of the first and second products face in a generally common direction.

1 . A system comprising:
 a stamping device configured to apply stamps to first and second products having target surfaces, the first and second products being differently shaped, the stamping device applying the stamps when the target surfaces are moved into a stamp-application region;   a first transporter device having a receiving side, the first transporter device configured to hold the first products such that the target surfaces of the first products are exposed along the receiving side of the first transporter device; and   a second transporter device having a receiving side, the second transporter device configured to hold the second products such that the target surfaces of the second products are exposed along the receiving side of the second transporter device, wherein the first and second transporter devices are configured to hold the first and second products, respectively, such that the target surfaces of the first and second products face in a generally common direction and have a sufficient height for the stamping device to apply the stamps.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the target surfaces of the first products have a common first contour and the target surfaces of the second products have a common second contour, the first and second contours being different. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the first contour is substantially planar and the second contour is substantially convex. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the first products are rectangular and the second products are cylindrical. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second transporter devices have interior surfaces that engage the first and second products, respectively, the interior surfaces of the first and second transporter devices being shaped such that the target surfaces are positioned within the stamp-application region. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second transporter devices are transported along a conveyor into the stamp-application region. 
     
     
         7 . A transporter device comprising a transport body having a plurality of sides including a receiving side and a longitudinal side, the receiving and longitudinal sides extending between opposite ends of the transport body, wherein the transport body includes at least one product cavity that has a first opening along the receiving side and a second opening along the longitudinal side, wherein the second opening along the longitudinal side being sized and shaped to receive a commercial product, the first opening permitting the product to clear the receiving side and project therefrom. 
     
     
         8 . The transporter device of  claim 7 , further comprising the commercial product, the commercial product being cylindrical. 
     
     
         9 . The transporter device of  claim 8 , wherein the product is puck-shaped. 
     
     
         10 . The transporter device of  claim 7 , wherein the transport body is not capable of receiving the commercial product through the first opening. 
     
     
         11 . The transporter device of  claim 7 , wherein the transport body include interior surfaces that define the at least one product cavity, the interior surfaces configured to hold the commercial product in a designated position. 
     
     
         12 . The transporter device of  claim 11 , wherein at least one the interior surfaces is non-planar. 
     
     
         13 . A method comprising:
 transporting first products into a stamp-application region, the first products having target surfaces that are co-planar;   applying stamps to the target surfaces of the first products;   transporting second products into the stamp-application region, the second products having target surfaces that are co-planar;   applying stamps to the target surfaces of the second products;   wherein the target surfaces of the first products have a common first contour and the target surfaces of the second products have a common second contour, the first and second contours being different.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first contour is substantially planar and the second contour is substantially convex. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first products are rectangular and the second products are cylindrical. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first products are transported by a transporter device, the transporter device including a transport body having a plurality of sides including a receiving side and a longitudinal side, the receiving and longitudinal sides extending between opposite ends of the transport body, wherein the transport body includes at least one product cavity that has a first opening along the receiving side and a second opening along the longitudinal side, wherein the second opening along the longitudinal side being sized and shaped to receive at least one of the first products, the first opening permitting said at least one of the first products to clear the receiving side and project therefrom. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the transport body is not capable of receiving said at least one of the first products through the first opening. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the transport body includes interior surfaces that define the at least one product cavity, the interior surfaces configured to hold said at least one of the first products in a designated position. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the interior surfaces is non-planar. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first opening is sized and shaped to hold a cylindrical object, the object being said at least one of the first products. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the first product is puck-shaped.