Patent ID: 8474603
Filing Date: 2013-07-02
Classification: B65B,B65G

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for transporting a plurality of containers through a plurality of work stations associated with a packaging system, the apparatus comprising: two conveyor assemblies each being adapted to sequentially convey at least one group of containers therealong in a row from one work station to another work station, each conveyor assembly being driven independent of the other, said conveyor assemblies being vertically arranged relative to each other as said conveyor assemblies convey the respective groups of containers on a same conveying path through said plurality of work stations; a plurality of holder assemblies for holding the containers, some of the holder assemblies being attached to one of said conveyor assemblies and some of the holder assemblies being attached to the other of said conveyor assemblies, the containers held by said holder assemblies being positioned adjacent to each other as they move along the same conveying path through the plurality of work stations such that one work station is occupied by containers associated with one of said conveyor assemblies and an adjacent work station is occupied by containers associated with the other of said conveyor assemblies; and a controller coupled to said conveyor assemblies, said controller being operable to control coordinated operation of said conveyor assemblies so as to move the containers attached to said conveyor assemblies in sequence through the work stations along the same conveying path wherein movement of one group of containers on said same conveying path is controlled by one of said conveyor assemblies and movement of an adjacent group of containers on said same conveying path is controlled by the other of said conveyor assemblies; and wherein said two conveyor assemblies move at different rates while operations are being performed on the containers at different work stations.