Patent ID: 6088995
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
A system for inspecting cartons to be loaded with groups of articles each group containing at least one article, the system comprising:carton transport mechanism for translating a plurality of cartons in series along a designated pathway;article transport mechanism for translating the groups of articles in series in timed relationship with the plurality of cartons such that a one-to-one correspondence between the cartons and the groups of articles is maintained;sensor mechanism for detecting whether a carton has assumed a predetermined configuration at a first carton-transport position as the carton is translated along the designated pathway by the carton transport mechanism;ejection mechanism in electromechanical communication with said sensor mechanism which ejection mechanism selectively operatively engages a carton at a second carton-transport position which carton has been detected as not having assumed said predetermined configuration, dislodges the carton from the carton transport and removes the carton from the designated pathway; anda control mechanism for causing a flow of the cartons in the carton transport mechanism to advance in relation to a flow of the groups of articles in the article transport when a carton has been ejected such that the one-to-one correspondence between the cartons and the groups of articles is maintained.