Patent ID: 7213381
Filing Date: 2007-05-08
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for placing external corner protectors upon external corner regions of an article disposed at a wrapping station in preparation for being wrapped within wrapping material, comprising: a framework; a magazine assembly stationarily mounted upon said framework for accommodating and housing a plurality of external corner protectors to be mounted upon external corner regions of an article disposed at a wrapping station in preparation for being wrapped within wrapping material; a pickup, transfer, and applicator mechanism for applying an external corner protector onto an external corner region of the article disposed at the wrapping station; and conveyor means, operatively associated with said magazine assembly, for conveying the plurality of external corner protectors toward said pickup, transfer, and applicator mechanism; said pickup, transfer, and applicator mechanism being mounted upon said framework so as to be movable, independent of and relative to said magazine assembly, between a first pickup position, at which said pickup, transfer, and applicator mechanism picks up a leading one of the plurality of external corner protectors, moved from said magazine assembly toward said pickup, transfer, and applicator mechanism by said conveyor means, and a second transfer and application position to which said pickup, transfer, and applicator mechanism transfers the leading one of the plurality of external corner protectors and applies the leading one of the external corner protectors onto the external corner region of the article disposed at the wrapping station.