Container carrier applicating machine
A system, method and apparatus for applying container carriers to unitize a plurality of containers. An applicating drum applies each container carrier to a group of containers and a push down wheel subsequently firmly engages the container carrier to the group of containers so that each applied container carrier is engageable with each container.
1 . A system for applying a container carrier to unitize a plurality of containers, the system comprising:
a supply of container carriers, wherein two or more container carriers are connected in a unitized stick and the supply of container carriers comprises a stack of sticks;
an applicating drum configured to accept the supply of container carriers and apply one or more container carriers to a corresponding group of containers; and
an applicator configured to move the one or more container carriers from a first position in loose engagement with the group of containers into a second position in final engagement with the group of containers and thereby form a package of unitized containers.
2 . The system of claim 1 wherein in the final engagement, the one or more container carriers engage with a surface feature of a corresponding container of the plurality of containers.
3 . The system of claim 2 wherein the surface feature comprises a circumferential groove.
4 . The system of claim 1 wherein in the final engagement, the one or more container carriers engage with a predetermined height of the container.
5 . The system of claim 1 wherein four container carriers are connected in the unitized stick.
6 . The system of claim 1 wherein the applicator comprises a push down wheel with a plurality of pairs of collars spaced circumferentially around the push down wheel.
7 . The system of claim 6 wherein the plurality of pairs of collars are positioned below an outer engagement diameter of the applicating drum.
8 . The system of claim 1 wherein the applicator comprises a push down wheel with a plurality of bars positioned circumferentially around the push down wheel, each bar of the plurality of bars spaced to extend between pairs of containers.
9 . The system of claim 1 wherein the applicating drum comprises a plurality of carrier shoes configured to engage respective containers.
10 . The system of claim 1 wherein the applicator comprises a rotary stomper to push individual carriers onto groups of containers.
11 . The system of claim 1 wherein the applicator drops the one or more container carriers over necks of respective containers.
12 . A system for applying a container carrier to unitize a plurality of containers, the system comprising:
a supply of container carriers, wherein two to four container carriers are connected in a unitized stick and the supply of container carriers comprises a stack of sticks;
an applicating drum configured to accept the supply of container carriers and apply a stick of container carriers to a corresponding group of containers; and
a push down wheel with a plurality of pairs of collars spaced circumferentially around the push down wheel, the push down wheel configured to move the stick of container carriers from a first position in loose engagement with the group of containers into a second position in final engagement with the group of containers and thereby form a package of unitized containers.
13 . The system of claim 12 wherein in the final engagement, the one or more container carriers engage with a surface feature of a corresponding container of the plurality of containers.
14 . The system of claim 12 wherein in the final engagement, the one or more container carriers engage with a predetermined height of the container.
15 . The system of claim 12 further comprising a tapered plate positioned within a rotation of space the pushdown wheel, the tapered plate urging the stick of container carriers between the first position and the second position.
16 . The system of claim 12 wherein the push down wheel is driven by a flow of containers.
17 . The system of claim 12 wherein the push down wheel is actively driven by a synchronized motor.
18 . The system of claim 12 wherein the plurality of collars comprise a plurality of bars positioned circumferentially around the push down wheel, each bar of the plurality of bars spaced to extend between pairs of containers.
19 . The system of claim 12 wherein the supply of container carriers is positioned on a same side of the system as an outlet of unitized containers.
20 . The system of claim 12 further comprising a roller stand including two or more rollers arranged in different alignments and configured to bend a handle of the carrier against the plurality of containers.