Patent ID: 11905052
Assignee: DOUGLAS MACHINE INC.
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 0:
1. A system for forming retained container groups from an arrayed container group via application of an adapted retainer blank to the arrayed container group, the system comprising:
a. a container conveyance apparatus for conveying arrayed container groups in a process flow direction;
b. a supply of retainer blanks from which retainer blanks are dispensable, dispensed retainer blanks operated upon to form adapted retainer blanks, adapted retainer blanks thereafter applied to arrayed container groups; and,
c. a processing station characterized by a segment of said container conveyance apparatus, a die block overlaying a portion of said segment of said container conveyance apparatus for receipt of a dispensed retainer blank from said supply of retainer blanks, and a robotic arm equipped with an end of arm tool, said robotic arm operable so as to selectively position said end of arm tool within said processing station, said end of arm tool positionable for urged engagement with a dispensed retainer blank received upon said die block so as to form and secure an adapted retainer blank, said robotic arm thereafter positionable in the process flow direction downstream from said die block so as to register the secured adapted retainer blank with an arrayed container group conveyed on said segment of said container conveyance apparatus of said processing station, said robotic arm thereafter further positionable in the process flow direction downstream from said die block so as to apply the secured adapted retainer blank to a registered arrayed container group so as to establish retained article groups.