IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,378,023
Granted Patent B2
US 12,378,023 · App. 18/378,359 · Granted Aug 5, 2025

Packaging system

Inventor: Colin P. Ford (Woodstock, GA)
Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLC
B65B21/06B65B5/06B65B5/068B65B5/08B65B21/18B65B21/183B65B21/242B65B39/006B65B43/126B65B43/265B65B43/305B65B43/34B65B43/50B65B43/52B65B43/60B65B65/003
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,378,023
App. No.
18/378,359
Granted
Aug 5, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of loading articles in cartons. The method can comprise moving a carton in a generally flat configuration in a downstream direction with a carton opening carousel, at least partially opening the carton while moving the carton with the carton opening carousel, and transferring the carton from the carton opening carousel to a carton loading carousel in a transfer region. The transferring the carton can comprise moving the carton in an upstream direction. The method further can comprise loading a plurality of articles into the carton while moving the carton in a downstream direction with the carton loading carousel.

Claims (10)

1. A loading lug assembly for at least partially guiding an article into a carton, the loading lug assembly comprising:

a mounting attachment for being mounted to a drive chain; and

a loading lug comprising a plurality of fingers extending from a common crossmember, the loading lug being removably mounted to the mounting attachment, wherein the fingers of the plurality of fingers and the crossmember are flexible for moving at least the fingers at least partially away from one another to at least partially accommodate the article while guiding the article into the carton.

2. The loading lug assembly of claim 1 , wherein the loading lug is monolithic, the fingers being integral with the crossmember.

3. The loading lug assembly of claim 1 , wherein the crossmember is generally U-shaped.

4. The loading lug assembly of claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of each of the fingers is angled inwardly with respect to the crossmember.

5. The loading lug assembly of claim 3 , wherein the fingers comprise at least two respectively opposed fingers extending generally downwardly from the crossmember.

6. The loading lug assembly of claim 1 , wherein the mounting attachment comprises at least one slot and the loading lug comprises a mounting projection extending from the crossmember, the mounting projection being received in the at least one slot for mounting the loading lug to the mounting attachment.

7. The loading lug assembly of claim 6 , wherein the at least one slot of the mounting attachment comprises a plurality of slots extending in the mounting attachment, the mounting projection of the loading lug engaging a selective slot of the plurality of slots.

8. The loading lug assembly of claim 1 , wherein the loading lug comprises a resilient and flexible material.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 10, 2023
From: FORD, COLIN P.
To: GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 065171/0214 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 10, 2023
From: GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 065197/0140 →
Continuity (4)
Division 16532844 · Aug 6, 2019
Division 15166782 · May 27, 2016
Provisional Application 62230186 · May 29, 2015
Related Publication 20240034496A1 · Feb 1, 2024
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