Patent ID: 8684048

Claim:
A standalone packaging manipulation apparatus disposed adjacent to a rotary container transportation apparatus having an arcuate transportation path and performs predetermined packaging manipulation operations simultaneously on a plurality of containers being transported along the arcuate transportation path, said standalone packaging manipulation apparatus comprising: an main arm having a pivoting fulcrum at an exterior of said arcuate transportation path and configured to pivot horizontally and to extend and retract; a sub-arm provided at a distal end portion of said main arm and configured to rotate horizontally; a plurality of packaging manipulating members configured to ascend and descend relative to said main arm, said packaging manipulating members being installed on said sub-arm with a predetermined spacing therebetween and for performing packaging manipulation operations simultaneously on said plurality of containers; a drive means for pivoting said main arm horizontally; a drive means for extending and retracting said main arm; a drive means for rotating said sub-arm about an axis thereof; a drive means for raising and lowering said packaging manipulating members; and a control unit for controlling said drive means to advance said plurality of packaging manipulating members along said arcuate transportation path in synchronism with transport of said plurality of containers and, upon reaching a point of advance end, move said plurality of packaging manipulating members back to initial positions thereof, and to raise and lower said plurality of packaging manipulating members at predetermined timing during reciprocating stroke of said packaging manipulating members.