Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02789880 2012-09-14
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METHODS AND MECHANISMS FOR TRANSFERRING ITEMS
FIELD
The present disclosure generally relates to methods and mechanisms for
transferring
items, and more particularly, relates to methods and mechanisms for
transferring items between
one or more input streams and one or more output streams.
BACKGROUND
During manufacturing processes, it is often necessary to group, orient,
arrange, and/or
to sort items for packaging or for other downstream operations. Such
operations can be
cumbersome if the items do not have flat sides, do not fit together in an
orderly fashion, and/or if
the items are hard to control (e.g., the products do not remain stationary on
a flat conveyor), for
example. Currently technologies use guide rails, stacking apparatuses,
grouping apparatuses,
and/or layering devices, for example, to handle the items. These technologies
usually engage
outer surfaces of the items during handling. Such current technologies have
drawbacks, such as
complexity. Further, current technologies usually do not provide great process
flexibility and
may be a limiting factor in production rates. In some instances, manufacturing
equipment can be
designed to be quite complex and perform a great number of functions or can be
designed to be
simpler and only perform limited number of functions. It would be beneficial
to provide
methods and mechanisms for transferring items that improve the state of the
art, do not damage
the outer surface of the items, do not limit the production rate of a
manufacturing line, and
provide for great flexibility in a manufacturing process.
SUMMARY
In an embodiment, the present disclosure is directed, in part, to a method of
transferring
items. The method comprises feeding items toward a carrier mechanism
comprising a plurality
of rods extending therefrom from one or more input streams, engaging void
areas defined in the
items with at least some of the plurality of rods, manipulating the carrier
mechanism relative to
the one or more input streams into a position substantially aligned with one
or more output
streams, and feeding the items onto the one or more output streams. The items
in each input
stream have a different configuration than the items in each output stream.
CA 02789880 2012-09-14
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In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed, in part, to a
method of
transferring packaged items. The method comprises feeding packaged items
toward a carrier
mechanism from one or more input streams, engaging non-product containing
areas of the
packaged items with supports extending from the carrier mechanism,
manipulating the carrier
mechanism relative to the one or more input streams into a position
substantially aligned with
one or more output streams, and feeding the packaged items onto the one or
more output streams.
The configuration of the packaged items in the one or more input streams is
different than the
configuration of the packaged items in the one or more output streams.
In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed, in part, to a
method of
transferring items. The method comprises feeding items toward a carrier
mechanism from one or
more input streams, engaging void areas in the items with at least some of a
plurality of rods
extending from the carrier mechanism, radially expanding at least one of the
rods, and rotating
the carrier mechanism relative to the one or more input streams into a
position substantially
aligned with one or more output streams. The method further comprises radially
contracting the
at least one rod and discharging the items onto the one or more output streams
using a pusher
apparatus. The configuration of the items in each of the input streams is
different than the
configuration of the items in each of the output streams.
In still another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed, in part, to a
transfer
mechanism for transferring items between one or more input streams and one or
more output
streams. The transfer mechanism comprises a turret, an arm extending from the
turret, and a
carrier mechanism engaged with the arm. The carrier mechanism comprises a base
and a
plurality of rods extending from the base. At least one of the rods is movable
relative to at least
one other rod.
In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed, in part, to a
transfer
mechanism for transferring items between one or more input conveyors and one
or more output
conveyors. The transfer mechanism comprises a turret having a longitudinal
axis and a carrier
mechanism rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the turret. The carrier
mechanism comprises
a base and a plurality of rods extending from the base. The base is operably
engaged with an
actuator configured to move the carrier mechanism relative to the turret in a
direction generally
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
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In still another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed, in part, to a
transfer
mechanism for transferring packaged items between one or more input streams
and one or more
output streams. The transfer mechanism comprises a turret and a carrier
mechanism rotatable
about the turret. The carrier mechanism comprises a base, a first support
extending outwardly
from the base, and a second support extending outwardly from the base. The
first support and
the second support are configured to engage the packaged items therebetween.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of the present
disclosure, and the
manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the disclosure itself
will be better
understood by reference to the following description of non-limiting
embodiments of the
disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a perspective illustration of a transfer mechanism transferring
items between an
input stream and an output stream in accordance with a non-limiting
embodiment;
Fig. 2 is a top view illustration of a transfer mechanism in accordance with a
non-limiting
embodiment;
Fig. 3 is a top view illustration of another transfer mechanism in accordance
with a non-
limiting embodiment;
Fig. 4A is a perspective view of a carrier mechanism comprising a base and a
plurality of
rods extending from the base in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment;
Fig. 4B is another perspective view of a carrier mechanism having a base and a
plurality
of rods extending from the base in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment;
Fig. 5A is an example loading sequence of a carrier mechanism in accordance
with a non-
limiting embodiment;
Fig. 5B is an example unloading sequence of the carrier mechanism of Fig. 5A
in
accordance with a non-limiting embodiment;
Fig. 6A is an example of another loading sequence of a carrier mechanism in
accordance
with a non-limiting embodiment;
Fig. 6B is an example unloading sequence of the carrier mechanism of Fig. 6A
in
accordance with a non-limiting embodiment;
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Figs. 7-11 are top view illustrations of transfer mechanisms in accordance
with various
non-limiting embodiments;
Fig. 12 is a front view of an example support comprising a plurality of nubs
thereon in
accordance with a non-limiting embodiment;
Fig. 13 is a top view illustration of another transfer mechanism in accordance
with a non-
limiting embodiment;
Fig. 14A is an end view of a pusher apparatus configured to disengage items
from a
carrier mechanism in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment;
Fig. 14B is a side view of the pusher apparatus of Fig. 14A in accordance with
a non-
limiting embodiment;
Fig. 14C is another side view of the pusher apparatus of Fig. 14A in
accordance with a
non-limiting embodiment;
Figs. 15A and 15B are side views of an expanding rod configured for use with
the carrier
mechanism of the present disclosure in accordance with various non-limiting
embodiments; and
Figs. 16A and 16B are side views of a rod engaged with a movable collar
configured for
use with the rods of the carrier mechanism in accordance with various non-
limiting
embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure will now be
described to
provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function,
manufacture, and
use of the methods and mechanisms for transferring items disclosed herein. One
or more
examples of these non-limiting embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the methods and
mechanisms for
transferring items described herein and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings are non-
limiting example embodiments and that the scope of the various non-limiting
embodiments of
the present disclosure are defined solely by the claims. The features
illustrated or described in
connection with one non-limiting embodiment can be combined with the features
of other non-
limiting embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be
included within the
scope of the present disclosure.
CA 02789880 2012-09-14
"Fiber" as used herein means an elongate physical structure having an apparent
length
greatly exceeding its apparent diameter (i.e. a length to diameter ratio of at
least about 10.)
Fibers having a non-circular cross-section and/or tubular shape are common;
the "diameter" in
this case can be considered to be the diameter of a circle having cross-
sectional area equal to the
5 cross-sectional area of the fiber. More specifically, as used herein,
"fiber" refers to fibrous
structure-making fibers. The present disclosure contemplates the use of a
variety of fibrous
structure-making fibers, such as, for example, natural fibers or synthetic
fibers, or any other
suitable fibers, and any combination thereof.
"Fibrous structure" as used herein means a structure that comprises one or
more fibers.
Nonlimiting examples of processes for making fibrous structures include known
wet-laid
papermaking processes and air-laid papermaking processes. Such processes
typically comprise
the steps of preparing a fiber composition in the form of a suspension in a
medium, either wet,
more specifically aqueous medium, or dry, more specifically gaseous, i.e. with
air as medium.
The aqueous medium used for wet-laid processes is oftentimes referred to as a
fiber slurry. The
fibrous suspension is then used to deposit a plurality of fibers onto a
forming wire or belt such
that an embryonic fibrous structure is formed, after which drying and/or
bonding the fibers
together results in a fibrous structure. Further processing the fibrous
structure can be carried out
such that a finished fibrous structure is formed. For example, in typical
papermaking processes,
the finished fibrous structure is the fibrous structure that is wound on the
reel at the end of
papermaking and can subsequently be converted into a finished product (e.g. a
sanitary tissue
product).
"Sanitary tissue product" as used herein means one or more finished fibrous
structures,
converted or not, that is useful as a wiping implement for post-urinary and
post-bowel movement
cleaning (e.g., toilet tissue and wet wipes), for otorhinolaryngological
discharges (e.g., facial
tissue), and multi-functional absorbent and cleaning uses (e.g., paper
towels). The sanitary tissue
products can be embossed or not embossed and creped or uncreped.
In various embodiments, transfer mechanisms that can transfer one or more
items from
one or more input streams or conveyors (together referred to herein as
"streams") to one or more
output streams are provided by the present disclosure. Methods of transferring
one or more
items between one or more input streams and one or more output streams are
also provided. The
transfer mechanisms can each comprise a turret (or other rotating member),
optionally one or
CA 02789880 2012-09-14
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more arms, and one or more carrier mechanisms. The one or more arms can extend
from the
turret and the one or more carrier mechanisms can extend from the arms. In one
embodiment,
the arms can be eliminated and the carrier mechanisms can be engaged with
and/or extend from
the turret. The turret can rotate to move the arms and the carrier mechanism
or the arms and the
carrier mechanism can rotate about the turret. In other various embodiments, a
robot, for
example, can be used in place of the turret to move and/or rotate the one or
more carrier
mechanisms.
In various embodiments, the transfer mechanisms of the present disclosure can
be
configured to transfer a plurality of items between one or more input streams
and one or more
output streams. Such items can include, but are not limited to, sanitary
tissue products, rolls of
sanitary tissue products, packaged sanitary tissue products--whether packaged
in paperboard
containers or films, rolls of wet wipes or cleaning wipes, bottles,
containers, diapers, and sanitary
napkins, for example.
In an embodiment, referring to Fig. 1, an example transfer mechanism 10 is
illustrated.
The transfer mechanism 10 is configured to receive one or more input streams
12 of items 14 and
transfer the items 14 to one or more output streams 16 of the items 14. The
transfer mechanism
10, or portions thereof, such as a carrier mechanism, for example, can
manipulate, rotate, and/or
move any suitable distance or rotational degree (e.g., an output stream can be
positioned 160
degrees from an input stream) such that the items 14 can be transferred from
the input stream 12
to the output stream 16. This can allow for better process flow or
manufacturing facility floor
space management. In various embodiments, the configuration or arrangement of
the items 14
in each input stream 12 can be different than the configuration or arrangement
of the items 14 in
each output stream 16. For example, each input stream 12 can have 1 item three
rows deep while
an output stream 16 can have three columns of items 14, 2 rows deep, and 3
rows wide.
In an embodiment, still referring to Fig. 1, the transfer mechanism 10 can
comprise a
turret 18. The turret 18 can be fixed in a non-rotatable or non-moveable
position or can be
moveable and/or rotatable through the use of actuators. Any other suitable
mechanism for
moving and/or rotating one or more carrier mechanisms or having the same
rotate about it can be
used in place of the turret 18. The turret 18 can have a longitudinal axis 20.
One or more arms
22 can extend from the turret 18 and/or can be attached to the turret 18. Each
of the arms 22 can
be fixedly or rigidly attached to the turret 18. In such an embodiment, the
turret 18 can rotate
CA 02789880 2012-09-14
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about its longitudinal axis 20 through the use of one or more actuators to
manipulate or rotate the
arms 22. In other various embodiments, the arms 22 can be rotatably attached
to the turret 18
and can rotate about the longitudinal axis 20 and relative to the fixed turret
18. In such an
embodiment, the arms 22 can be operably engaged with one or more actuators
(not illustrated)
configured to rotate the arms 22 about the turret 18. The actuator can be a
motor operably
coupled to a drive chain or belt or a rack and pinion system. The arms 22,
whether rotated by the
turret 18 or rotated about the turret 18, can make a full revolution (i.e.,
360 degree movement)
about the turret 18. In other embodiments, the arms 22 may only make a partial
revolution about
the turret 18 (e.g., 180 degrees). In one embodiment, the arms 22 can rotate
in the clockwise
direction and/or in the counter-clockwise direction about the longitudinal
axis 20 of the turret 18.
Although two arms 22 are illustrated in Fig. 1, one arm 22 can be provided or
more than two
arms 22 can be provided on a single turret 18. In other various embodiments,
the arms 22 can be
positioned around, or around at least a portion of, the circumference or
perimeter of the turret 18.
In various embodiments, if two or more of the arms 22 are provided on the
turret 18, the arms 22
can be positioned on the turret 18 at different heights on the turret 18 so as
to allow the arms 22
to rotate about the turret 18 independent of the position of another arm 22.
In other various
embodiments, if two or more of the arms 22 are provided on the turret 18, the
arms 22 can be
positioned at the same height on the turret 18. Each of the arms 22 can be
formed with a carrier
mechanism 24 or can be engaged with the carrier mechanism 24. In an embodiment
comprising
two of the arms 22 (each engaged with a carrier mechanism 24) at different
heights on the turret
18, the transfer mechanism can transfer items 14 from a first input stream 12
at a first height on
the turret 18 and discharge the items 14 onto an output stream 16 at the first
height using the first
arm 22 and the first carrier mechanism 24 and can transfer items 14 from a
second input stream
12 at a second height on the turret 18 and discharge the items 14 onto an
output stream 16 at the
second height using the second arm 22 and the second carrier mechanism 24.
In an embodiment, still referring to Fig. 1, the carrier mechanism 24 can be
engaged with
or formed with the one or more arms 22 or attached directly to the turret 18.
The carrier
mechanism 24 can comprise a base 26 and a plurality of rods 28 extending from
the base 26
and/or operably engaged with the base 26 through the use of one or more
actuators. Additional
3o details regarding the rods 28 are discussed below. In other embodiments,
the rods 28 may not be
provided and the base 26 can comprise a plurality of item receiving areas or
spaces and/or item
CA 02789880 2012-09-14
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receiving shelves. The item receiving areas or spaces and/or the item
receiving shelves can be
adjustable in size or spacing such that they can be configured to receive
items 14 having different
dimensions. For example, a first shelf may be movable relative to a second
shelf to receive an
item 14 having larger or smaller dimensions. In one embodiment, the shelves
can be configured
to receive items that are bottles, containers, and/or sanitary tissue
products. In such an
embodiment, once the shelves receive the bottles, containers, and/or sanitary
tissue products, at
least one shelf can move relative to another shelf to apply a force to the
bottles, containers,
and/or sanitary tissue products to aid in retaining the bottles, containers,
and/or sanitary tissue
products on the carrier mechanism 24 during rotation, manipulation, or
movement of the carrier
mechanism 24 (e.g., movement between one or more input streams and one or more
output
streams). The bottles, containers, and/or sanitary tissue products can be
removed from the
shelves and discharged onto an output stream using a pusher apparatus, such as
a linear actuator,
for example. The pusher apparatus can engage the bottles, containers, and/or
sanitary tissue
products and essentially push or force them onto the output stream. Other
mechanisms or areas
can also be provided on the base 26 for receiving other items. In one
embodiment, the receiving
areas or spaces and/or the item receiving shelves can each comprise a backstop
or wall to prevent
the bottles, containers, and/or sanitary tissue products from moving to deeply
with the receiving
areas or spaces and/or the item receiving shelves.
In an embodiment, referring to Figs. 2 and 3, a guide 30 can be positioned
around, or at
least partially around, the transfer mechanism 10. In various embodiments, the
guide 30 can be
used for safety or containment so that the items 14 do not slide out of or off
of the carrier
mechanism 24 during movement, manipulation, or rotation of the carrier
mechanism 24. The
guide 30 can define openings 32 therein that align with one or more input
streams 12 and one or
more output streams 16. An opening 32 can be defined in the guide 30 for each
input stream 12
coming into the transfer mechanism 10 and for each output stream 16 exiting
the transfer
mechanism 10. In one embodiment, the openings 32 can be blocked with covers
(not illustrated)
if only one input stream and one output stream is desired for a particular
manufacturing process.
In an embodiment, referring to Fig. 2, the arm 22 can be fixedly attached to
the turret 18
and the turret 18 can be rotatable about its longitudinal axis 20. In such an
embodiment, the
turret 18 can rotate in the clockwise and counter-clockwise direction, as
indicated by arrow A
and the dashed lines, when loading items onto the rods 28. Although the rods
28 are illustrated
CA 02789880 2012-09-14
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in various figures, those of skill in the art will understand that the item
receiving areas, spaces,
and shelves can be used in place of or in addition to the rods 28. The
rotation or manipulation of
the turret 18 can occur during loading even if the rods 28 are not provided on
a carrier
mechanism 24. In one example, if the rods are in a 6 wide x I high pattern and
the input streams
12 each have a single layer of items 14 entering the carrier mechanism 24, and
there are four
input streams 12, the turret 18, and thereby the arms 22 and the carrier
mechanism 24, can rotate
in the clockwise and counter-clockwise direction to fill all of the rods 28
with items 14. The
turret 18 can also move vertically when receiving the items 14 to load
additional rows of the
items 14 onto the carrier mechanism 24. As another example, if the rods 28 are
in a 6 wide x 3
high pattern and the input streams 12 each have a single layer of items 14
moving towards the
carrier mechanism 24 at a time, and there are four input streams 12, to obtain
additional rows of
the items 14 on the carrier mechanism 24, the turret 18, the carrier mechanism
24, and/or the
arms 22 can move upward and/or downward in a vertical direction in addition to
rotation about
the longitudinal axis 20. Also, at least some of the rods 28 can move relative
to each other
before, during, or after the item loading process and/or an item unloading
process. In one
embodiment, the input streams 12 can move upwardly and/or downwardly to load
additional
rows of the items 14 onto the carrier mechanism 24 if the turret 18 is fixed
vertically or if the
turret 18 is movable vertically. In such an embodiment, the carrier mechanism
24, the arms 22,
and/or the turret 18 can be fixed vertically or can remain vertically
stationary.
In an embodiment, one or more robots (not illustrated) can be used in place of
the turret
18. The robots can each have one or more of the arms 22 attached to them and
the arms 22 can
each be attached to a carrier mechanism 24. Alternatively, the robot can be
directly attached to
one or of the more carrier mechanisms 24. The robots can have the ability to
position the arms
22 and/or the carrier mechanisms 24 relative to one or more input streams 12,
pick up items 14
on the rods 28, and move the arms 22 and/or the carrier mechanisms 24 into
alignment with one
or more output streams 16 so that the items 14 can be discharged.
In other various embodiments, referring to Fig. 3, a portion of or all of the
carrier
mechanism 24 can move relative to the arm 22 and/or relative to the turret 18.
In one
embodiment, the base 26 can move relative to the arm 22. In such embodiments,
the turret 18
can be rotatable or fixed. In one embodiment, the carrier mechanism 24 can
move in a direction
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20 of the turret 18. The carrier
mechanism 24 can be
CA 02789880 2012-09-14
movable in an essentially reciprocating fashion, in the directions indicated
by arrow B, and as
indicated by the dashed lines in Fig. 3. Although the carrier mechanism 24 can
move relative to
the turret 18 to accept items 14, the turret 18 can also rotate to provide
additional
maneuverability of the transfer mechanism 10. In one example, if the rods 28
are in a 6 wide x 1
5 high pattern and the input streams 12 each have one single layer of items 14
moving toward the
carrier mechanism 24, and there are four input streams 12, the carrier
mechanism 24 can move in
the directions indicated by arrow B, and as indicated by the dashed lines in
Fig. 3, such that all of
the rods 28 can be filled. In various embodiments, if the rods 28 are in a 6
wide x 2 high pattern,
after filling a first row of items, the turret 18 and/or the carrier mechanism
24 can move
t0 vertically such that additional rows of items 14 can be loaded onto the
rods 28. In other various
embodiments, the carrier mechanism 24 can move relative to the arm 22 and/or
the turret 18 to
adjust the vertical height of the rods 28. In still other various embodiments,
the rods 28 can
move relative to the base 26 and/or relative to each other during the item
loading process.
In an embodiment, referring to Figs. 1-4B, for example, one or a plurality of
the rods 28
can extend outwardly from the base 26 in a direction away from the
longitudinal axis 20 of the
turret 18. In various embodiments, at least one of the rods 28 can be movable
relative to at least
one other rod 28 to adjust the spacing between the rods 28 and/or to compress,
or slightly
compress, items 14, such as rolls of sanitary tissue products, for example,
between the rods 28
during manipulation of the carrier mechanism 24. In one embodiment, all of the
rods 28 can be
movable relative to at least one other rod 28. The rods 28 can be moveable
manually or through
the use of actuators. The rods 28 can be formed of a rigid material, such as a
metal, for example,
and, in one embodiment, can be coated or covered with a resilient material,
such as a rubber, for
example. The resilient material can help the rods 28 in gripping items 14
and/or can protect the
items 14 from crushing during gripping. In another embodiment, the rods 28 can
be at least
partially formed of or coated with a low coefficient of friction material to
aid the rods 28 in
engaging void areas within the cores of sanitary tissue products, for example.
In one
embodiment, the rods 28 can be positioned around, or at least partially
around, a circumference
or perimeter of the turret 18.
In various embodiments, referring to Figs. 4A and 4B, an example carrier
mechanism 24
can comprise a base 26 and a plurality of rods 28 extending from the base 26.
Although four
rods 28 are illustrated as an example, any suitable number of rods 28 can
extend from the base
CA 02789880 2012-09-14
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26. Some example configurations of the rods 28 are a carrier mechanism 24
having a 4 rod wide
x 2 rod high configuration, a 4 rod wide x 4 rod high configuration, a 4 rod
wide x 6 rod high
configuration, a 6 rod wide x 2 rod high configuration, a 6 rod wide by 3 rod
high configuration,
or a 6 rod wide by six rod high configuration. In one embodiment, the base 26
can comprise one
or more plates 34 with slots 36 defined therein. A portion of the rods 28 can
extend through the
slots 36. In various embodiments, the base 26 can comprise a first set of
plates 34 and a second
set of plates 34'. The two plates of the first set of plates 34 can move
toward and away from
each other in unison using a scissor-like linkage operably engaged with an
actuator, for example.
Similarly, the two plates of the second set of plates 34' can move toward and
away from each
other in unison using a scissor-like linkage operably engaged with an
actuator, for example. The
movement of the sets of the plates 34 and 34' can allow the rods 28 to be
moved toward and
away from each other in more than one direction. Fig. 4A illustrates the rods
28 in a first
position, while Fig. 4B illustrates the rods 28 moved into a second position.
In one embodiment,
at least one rod 28 or all of the rods 28 can have a pointed end portion, an
arcuate end portion,
and/or a conical portion 38. Such a feature can aid the rods 28 in engaging
void areas within the
items 14, such as void areas within the cores of rolled sanitary tissue
products, for example, by
essentially being self-centering during engagement. Each rod 28 can comprise a
backstop that
prevents items 14 from being positioned to deeply on the rods 28. Further,
each rod 28 can be
any suitable length depending on how many of the items 14 will be loaded
thereon. In such an
embodiment, the backstop may be adjustable about the rods 28 depending on how
many items 14
will be loaded onto the rods 28. In various embodiments, one or more of the
rods 28 and/or one
or more of the carrier mechanism 24 can be configured to tilt for additional
flexibility. In one
embodiment, this tilting capability can be used to load additional rows of
items 14, for example.
Most conventional sanitary tissue product handling mechanisms do not
manipulate the
sanitary tissue products by void areas within the cores, but instead use outer
surfaces or portions
of the sanitary tissue products. By handling the sanitary tissue products, by
void areas within the
cores (and engaging inner surfaces of the cores with the rods 28), instead of
by outer surfaces or
portions thereof, the outer surfaces or portions of the sanitary tissue
products can be maintained
in an undamaged state, which is desirable when the sanitary tissue products
are on a shelf in a
store.
CA 02789880 2012-09-14
12
One example of an item loading sequence is discussed below with reference to
Fig. 5A.
In this example, four input streams 12, each three items 14 deep, are fed into
the carrier
mechanism 24. This is an example of one group of items 14 being fed into the
carrier
mechanism 24. In practice, multiple groups of items 14 will be sequentially
fed into the carrier
mechanism 24 on a continuous or a non-continuous basis. The carrier mechanism
24, in this
instance, comprises six rods 28 wide, by three rods 28 high (rods 28 are only
illustrated in the
first portion of the figure). The carrier mechanism 24 could also comprise six
receiving spaces
or shelves wide by three receiving spaces or shelves high. The rods 28,
receiving spaces, or
receiving shelves are represented in Figs. 5A-6B by squares. The rods 28 can
extend from the
center of the squares, for example. The length of any of the rods 28 discussed
herein can be
suitable for accepting the desired number of the items 14, such as rolled
sanitary tissue products.
First, a first item 14 from each of the four input streams 12 is loaded onto
the four bottom and
left-most rods 28. This leaves four input streams 12 that are two items 14
deep. Next, the carrier
mechanism 24 is shifted to the right relative to the position of the fixed
input streams 12. In
other embodiments, the input streams 12 could be moved to the right with the
carrier mechanism
24 being fixed. In still other embodiments, the plurality of rods 28 could be
shifted to the right
with the input streams 12 and the base 26 being fixed. The two right-most
input streams 12 of
the items 14 are then loaded onto the two remaining empty rods 28 in the
bottom-most row of the
rods 28. This leaves four input streams 12, with two input streams 12 being
one item 14 deep
and the other two input streams 12 being two items deep. Then, the carrier
mechanism 24 is
shifted downwardly with respect to the input streams 12 so that the four input
streams 12 can
feed four items 14 onto the right-most four rods 28 in the second row of rods
28. This leaves
two input streams 12, each stream being one item 14 deep. Next, the carrier
mechanism 24 is
shifted to the left. The items 14 in the two remaining input streams 12 are
then loaded onto the
remaining two left-most empty rods 28 in the second row of rods 28. Thereby,
the carrier
mechanism 24 is loaded with a two high, by six wide, by one item deep set of
items 14. Of
course, this process can be repeated to load a grouping of items 14 that is
two or more items
deep.
In an embodiment, referring to Fig. 5B, once the carrier mechanism 24 has been
manipulated or rotated from a position aligned, or substantially aligned, with
the one or more
input streams 12 into a position aligned, or substantially aligned, with the
one or more output
CA 02789880 2012-09-14
13
streams 16, the items 14 can be unloaded from the carrier mechanism 24. In one
embodiment, a
pusher apparatus (see e.g., Figs. 14A-14C, 16A, and 16B and their description
below), and/or
other mechanisms, can be used to unload the items 14. The items 14 can be
unloaded onto the
one or more output streams 16 in two high by three wide item groupings. In
various
embodiments, the first grouping of items 14 can be unloaded onto a first
output stream and a
second grouping of items 14 can be unloaded onto a second output stream. In
other
embodiments, the first grouping of items 14 can be unloaded onto the same
output stream as the
second grouping of items 14 either at the same time or at different time
intervals. It is important
to note that all of the rods 28 or receiving spaces or shelves on each carrier
mechanism do not
always need to be used. Some can be left empty.
The carrier mechanism 24 can also be useful for layering items 14, such as
sanitary tissue
products, for example. The carrier mechanism 24 can receive four input streams
12 of items 14,
then move vertically to accept four additional input streams 12 of items 14,
and then move into a
positioned aligned with, or substantially aligned with, one or more output
streams 16. The
carrier mechanism 24 can then output items 14 two or more layers high using a
pusher apparatus
or other device.
Another example of an item loading processes is discussed below with reference
to Figs.
6A-6B. In this example, three input streams 12, each five items 14 deep, are
fed into the carrier
mechanism 24. The carrier mechanism 24, in this instance, comprises six rods
28 wide by three
rods 28 high (rods 28 are only shown in the first portion of the figure). The
carrier mechanism
24 could also comprise six receiving spaces or shelves wide by three receiving
spaces or shelves
high. First, a first item 14 from each of the three input streams 12 is loaded
onto three rods 28 in
the bottom row of rods 28. This leaves three input streams 12 that are four
items 14 deep. Next,
the carrier mechanism 24 is shifted to the right relative to the fixed
position of the input streams
12. The input streams 12 could also be moved to the right with the carrier
mechanism 24 being
fixed, as discussed above. The two right-most input streams 12 of items 14 are
then loaded onto
the two right-most empty rods 28 in the bottom-most row of rods 28. This
leaves three input
streams 12, with two input streams 12 being three items 14 deep and the other
input stream 12
being four items deep. Then, the carrier mechanism 24 is shifted downwardly
with respect to the
input streams 12 so that the three input streams 12 can feed three items 14
onto the right-most
three rods 28 in the second row of rods 28. This leaves three input streams
12, two input streams
CA 02789880 2012-09-14
14
12 being two items 14 deep and the other input stream 12 being three items 14
deep. Next, the
carrier mechanism 24 is shifted to the left and two items 14 are fed onto two
rods 28 in the
second row. This leaves three input streams 12, the end two input streams 12
being two items 14
deep and the middle input stream 12 being one item 14 deep. The carrier
mechanism 24 is then
shifted downwardly and three items 14 are fed onto three rods 28 in the top
row of rods 28. This
leaves a first input stream 12 that is a single item deep and a second input
stream 12 that is a
single item deep (the items 14 in the middle input stream 12 are now all
loaded). The carrier
mechanism 24 is then shifted to the left so that the single item 14 in the
left input stream 12 is
fed onto a rod 28 in the top row of rods 28. This leaves the right-most input
stream 12 with one
item 14 deep. The carrier mechanism 24 is then shifted to the right so that
the remaining item 14
can be positioned on the right-most rod 28 in the top row of rods 28. Thereby,
the carrier
mechanism 24 is loaded a single item 14 deep, three items 14 high, and five
items 14 wide. Of
course, this process can be repeated to load a grouping of items 14 more than
one item deep.
Instead of the carrier mechanism 24 moving during loading, the input streams
12 can move
relative to the carrier mechanism 24.
In an embodiment, referring to Fig. 6B, when the carrier mechanism 24 has been
manipulated or rotated from a position aligned, or substantially aligned, with
the input streams
12 into a position aligned, or substantially aligned, with one or more output
streams 16, the
carrier mechanism 24 can be unloaded. In one embodiment, a pusher apparatus
(see e.g., Figs.
14A-14C, 16A, and 16B and their description below) and/or other mechanisms,
can be used to
unload the items 14. The items 14 can be unloaded onto an output stream 16 by
rows of rods 28
to output a grouping of items 14 that is one row deep, one row high, and five
rows wide.
Therefore, in this example, three groupings of items 14 can be unloaded. In
various
embodiments, the first grouping of items 14 can be unloaded onto a first
output stream 16, a
second grouping of items 14 can be loaded onto a second output stream 16, and
a third grouping
of items 14 can be unloaded onto a third output stream 16. In other
embodiments, the first
grouping of items 14, the second grouping of items 14, and the third grouping
of items 14 can all
be unloaded or discharged onto the same output stream 16 at different time
intervals and/or
sequentially.
In various embodiments, each of the rods 28 can move toward and away from at
least one
other rod 28 to slightly compress the items 14 on the rods 28 at least during
manipulation or
CA 02789880 2012-09-14
rotation of the transfer mechanism 28. This can maintain the items 14 on the
rods 28 despite
forces of acceleration created during rotation or manipulation of the transfer
mechanism 10.
Stated another way, the compression of the items 14 by the rods 28 can inhibit
the items 14 from
sliding off of the rods 28 during rotation of the arms 22 or turret 18. The
rods 28 can move
5 toward one another after the loading process and can then move away from
each other when the
carrier mechanism 24 is aligned with, or substantially aligned with, an output
stream 16. In
various embodiments, movements of the rods 28 can be individually controlled
to provide the
ability to slightly compress certain items 14 without compressing others or to
adjust for the
dimensions (e.g., diameters) of the items 14 to be loaded.
10 The above are merely examples of loading and unloaded items 14 from carrier
mechanisms 24. Of course, a multitude of configurations and processes are
possible and are
within the scope of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, an input stream
12 can have a
different number of items 14 than an output stream 16. For example, in Figs.
5A and 5B, each
input stream 12 has one item 14 being loaded at a time, while each output
stream 16 has six
15 items 14 being unloaded at a time. In Figs. 6A and 6B, each input stream 12
has one item being
loaded at a time, while each output stream 16 has five items being unloaded at
a time. In various
embodiments, the items 14 in an input stream 12 can have a different
configuration as the items
14 in the output stream 16. Although each input stream 12 is illustrated as a
single layer of items
14, each input stream 12 could comprise multiple layers of items 14 that are
loaded
simultaneously or independently, for example.
Various example configurations of transfer mechanisms will now be discussed in
reference to the figures. In one embodiment, referring to Fig. 7, a transfer
mechanism 10 can
comprise two arms 22 that can each rotate about a turret 18 or that are
rotated by the turret 18.
The input stream 12 and the output stream 16 are positioned about 180 degrees
apart from each
other. The transfer mechanism 10 can receive four input streams 12 of one item
14 at a time and
can output a grouping of items 14 6 items wide at a time. In various
embodiments, the transfer
mechanism 10 illustrated in Fig. 8 comprises three arms 22 rotating about a
turret 18 or that are
rotated by the turret 18. The transfer mechanism 10 has two separate locations
of input streams
12 feeding therein and one location of an output stream 16. The two separate
locations of input
streams 12 in Fig. 8 are positioned about 90 degrees apart, for example,
although the input
streams 12 can be positioned at any other suitable angle with respect to each
other. By providing
CA 02789880 2012-09-14
16
two locations of input streams 12, two different items 14 and 15 can be loaded
onto the carrier
mechanism 24 and discharged together at the output stream 16. In Fig. 8, the
two different items
14 and 15 are indicated by shading. The two arms 22 and carrier mechanisms 24
aligned with
the two separate locations of input streams 12, as shown in Fig. 8, can be
loaded, or partially
loaded, simultaneously or independently, at different time intervals. In other
embodiments, only
one position of input streams 12 may be used for loading with the other
position of input streams
12 provided merely as a backup, for example. In still other various
embodiments, each carrier
mechanism 24 can be partially loaded by one location of input streams 12 prior
to being rotated
into a position aligned with, or substantially aligned with, one or more
output streams 16.
In an embodiment, referring to Fig. 9, the transfer mechanism 10 can be fed by
multiple
input streams 12 at a first location and can discharge two output streams 16
at different locations.
In various embodiments, the first and second output streams 16 can be used to
output items 14
simultaneously or independently, at different time intervals. In one
embodiment, if the items 14
are sanitary tissue products, a first output stream 16 can be used to send the
sanitary tissue
products to a palletizer and a second output stream 16 can be used to send the
sanitary tissue
products to a bundler, for example. The sanitary tissue products can be
conveyed to the
palletizer and/or the bundler using a conveyor, for example. In various
embodiments, one of the
output streams 16 can also be used as an input stream 12 or as an output
stream 16 and an input
stream 12 depending on the desired manufacturing process. The locations of the
input streams
12 and the locations of the output streams 16 can be positioned at any
suitable angle away from
each other. In one embodiment, the turret 18 (if the turret is rotating) may
be configured to
rotate in the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions. In another
embodiment, the arms 22 (if
the anus 22 are rotating about a non-rotatable turret 18) can be configured to
rotate in the
clockwise and the counter-clockwise directions. In the example embodiment of
Fig. 9, at least
one other input stream or output stream could be added to provide the transfer
mechanism 10
with greater flexibility in its capabilities. In one embodiment, the carrier
mechanism 24 can be
partially unloaded at a first output stream 16 and partially unloaded at a
second output stream 16.
In an embodiment, referring to Fig. 10, the transfer mechanism may only have
one
location of input streams 12 and one location of an output stream 16. The
input streams 12 may
be positioned about 100 or less degrees away from the output stream 16, for
example.
CA 02789880 2012-09-14
17
In an embodiment, referring to Figs. 11 and 12, a transfer mechanism 10' can
comprise a
turret 18', similar to or the same as the turret 18 described above, one or
more arms 22', similar
to or the same as the arms 22 described above, a carrier mechanism 24'
comprising a base 26'
and two or more supports 40. The carrier mechanism 24' can be engaged with or
formed with
the arms 22' similar to that described above with respect to the carrier
mechanism 24 and the
arms 22. The base 26' of the carrier mechanism 24' can be engaged with or
formed with two or
more of the supports 40. The supports 40 can extend outwardly from the base
26' in a direction
away from the turret 18' and away from the longitudinal axis 20' of the turret
18'. Example
supports 40 are illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12. Fig. 12 is a front view of a
single support 40. The
two or more supports 40 can optionally comprise one or more nubs 42 positioned
about a surface
of each of the supports 40. The nubs 42 can be arranged in one or more columns
44 and one or
more rows 46 on each of the supports 42. At least one nub 42 on a support 40
can be moveable
with respect to another nub 42 on the support 40. Alternatively, all or most
of the nubs 42 can be
moveable relative to at least one other nub 42. This adjustability feature can
allow the nubs 42 to
be moved relative to one another to accommodate items, such as sanitary tissue
products, for
example, having different diameters, void areas with the cores, and/or other
dimensions. The
nubs 42 can be comprised of or covered with a resilient material, such as a
rubber, for example,
to aid the nubs 42 in engaging and gripping items 14 or packaged items 14, and
to at least inhibit
the nubs 42 from crushing portions of the items 14 or packaged items 14. In
another
embodiment, the nubs 42 can be at least partially formed of or coated with a
low coefficient of
friction material configured to allow the nubs 42 to easily engage the items
14 or packaged items
14. The supports 40 can be arranged on the base 26' such that the nubs 42 on a
first support 40
can face the nubs 42 on a second support 40, as illustrated in Fig. 11. The
supports 40 and the
nubs 42 can be used to engage sanitary tissue products 48 or packages of
sanitary tissue products
48 therebetween. In one embodiment, the supports 40 can move relative to each
other and/or
relative to the base 26' using an actuator. In various embodiments, the
supports 40 can be used
to engage a plurality of sanitary tissue products 48 or a plurality of
packages of sanitary tissue
products 48 at the same time. In one embodiment, the nubs 42 can engage film
wrapped
packages of sanitary tissue products 48 in locations where the film does not
contact the sanitary
tissue products 48 within the film (i.e., non-product contacting areas). These
non-product
contacting areas can be aligned with, or substantially aligned with, void
areas inside the cores of
CA 02789880 2012-09-14
18
one or more sanitary tissue products 48 or can be present in between sanitary
tissue products 48.
Owing to the circular shape of sanitary tissue products 48, gaps can be
provided intermediate a
plurality of sanitary tissue products 48. Such engagement of the non-product
contacting areas of
a package of sanitary tissue product 48 can prevent, or at least inhibit,
compression of the cores
in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the
cores. If cores of sanitary
tissue products 48 are compressed, they can have an ovate shape, which is
generally undesirable
for dispensing from a circular tube or bar. One or more of the nubs 42 can
comprise ends having
pointed portions, arcuate portions, and/or conical portions to aid the nubs'
engagement with the
non-product containing areas of the packages. Once the sanitary tissue
products 48 and/or
packages of sanitary tissue products 48 are engaged with the nubs 42, the
transfer mechanism 10'
can manipulate or rotate from a positioned aligned with, or substantially
aligned with, one or
more input streams 12' to a position aligned with, or substantially aligned
with, one or more
output streams 16'. The support 40 can also pivot with respect to the base 26'
and/or the arm
22' to enable manipulation of the sanitary tissue products 48 or packages of
the same from a
vertical position into a horizontal position or other suitable position. In
one embodiment, the
base 26' can comprise a pusher apparatus comprising, for example, a linear
actuator configured
to aid in discharging packages of sanitary tissue products 48 from the carrier
mechanism 24.
This pusher apparatus can be located intermediate the first support 40 and the
second support 40.
In an embodiment, a transfer mechanism can be used in a method of transferring
packaged items. The method can comprise feeding packaged items, such as
packaged sanitary
tissue products 48, for example, toward the carrier mechanism from one or more
input streams,
engaging the packaged items with the two or more supports extending from the
carrier
mechanism, manipulating the carrier mechanism relative to the one or more
input streams into a
position substantially aligned with one or more output streams, and feeding
the packaged items
onto the one or more output streams. The configuration of the packaged items
in the one or more
input streams can be different than the configuration of packaged items in the
one or more output
streams. The method can further comprise accelerating the carrier mechanism
between at least
one of the input streams and at least one of the output streams and retaining
the packaged items
in contact with the supports and/or the nubs during the accelerating step. The
nubs 42 can
contact the non-product containing areas on the packages.
CA 02789880 2012-09-14
19
In an embodiment, referring to Fig. 13, an example transfer mechanism 10" is
illustrated.
The transfer mechanism 10" can comprise a conveyor 50 rotating about at least
two rolls or
rollers 52. The conveyor 50 can be a belt, a chain, or other mechanical
mechanism. A plurality
of rods 28" can extend from the conveyor 50 and rotate with the conveyor 50.
In one
embodiment, the rods 28" can be accelerated about portions of the conveyor 50
(i.e., move at a
speed faster than the conveyor 50) or "dwelled" about the conveyor 50 (i.e.,
move at a speed
slower than the conveyor 50). In other embodiments, the rods 28" can be
coupled to the
conveyor 50 when movement of the rods 28" is desired and decoupled from the
conveyor 50
when movement of the rods 28" is "not desired. Such features can help in
joining the rods 28"
into groups, while loading and/or unloading itemsl4", for example, or
separating the rods 28"
from each other at appropriate times. Although Fig. 13 illustrates a top view,
the rods 28" can
be provided in single rod deep columns or can be provided in multiple rod deep
columns. In one
embodiment, at the loading and unloading areas, positive stops can be provided
to ensure
suitable alignment of the rods 28" with the loading and/or unloading areas.
In operation, the conveyor 50 can rotate about the rolls or rollers 52,
thereby rotating the
rods 28" about the rolls 52. The rods 28" can have any suitable length. The
length can be
appropriate for accepting one item 14" or multiple items 14". As an example,
four input
streams 12" of items 14" can be feed onto the rods 28". If more than one rod
deep columns of
rods 28" are provided, the rods 28" can move upwardly and downwardly relative
to the
conveyor 50 to load more than one row of items 14". In other various
embodiments, the rods
28" can remain stationary on the conveyor 50 and the input streams 12" can
move upwardly and
downwardly relative to the conveyor to load multiple rows of rods 28 with
items 14". Once
loaded with the items 14", the rods 28" can then be rotated about the conveyor
50 to a point
where the items 14" can be outputted to one or more output streams 16". The
items 14" in the
input streams 12" can have a different configuration than the items 14" in the
output streams
16". For example, each input stream 12" can have a single layer of one item
14, while each
output stream 16" can have multiple items 14 in multiple rows and columns.
In an embodiment, referring to Figs. 14A-14C, an example pusher apparatus is
disclosed.
The pusher apparatus can be used to push or force items, such as sanitary
tissue products 48, for
example, off of the rods 28 onto one or more output streams 16. The pusher
apparatus can
comprise a plurality of fingers 54 extending between at least some of the rods
28. In one
CA 02789880 2012-09-14
embodiment, a finger 54 can be positioned on each side of one or more rods 28.
In other
embodiments, only one finger 54 may be positioned adjacent to a rod 28. The
fingers 54 can be
operably engaged with one or more linear actuators 56. In one embodiment, two
or more fingers
54 can be engaged with one linear actuator 56, for example. Referring to Fig.
14B, the linear
5 actuator 56 can be configured to move the fingers 54 relative to the base
26, as shown by arrow
E, to disengage the sanitary tissue products 48 from the rods 28. In one
embodiment, referring to
Fig. 14C, the base 26 can move relative to the fingers 54 such that less than
all of the sanitary
tissue products 48 on the rods 28 may be discharged at one point in time. In
other various
embodiments, the fingers 54 can be height adjustable relative to the base 26
such that less than
10 all of the sanitary tissue products 48 on the rods 28 will be discharged at
one point in time. In
various embodiments, one or more linear actuators 56 can be activated
independently from one
or more other linear actuators 56. This feature, along with the height
adjustment of the fingers
54 and/or the base 26, can allow for discharge of a plurality of
configurations of output streams
16.
15 In an embodiment, referring to Figs. 15A and 15B, one or more of the rods
28 can expand
from a first position (Fig. 15A) into a second position (Fig. 15B) once rolls
of sanitary tissue
product 48 are positioned on the rods 28. This expansion can function to hold
the rolls of the
sanitary tissue product 48 on the rods 28 during rotation of the turret 18,
the arms 22, and/or the
carrier mechanism 24, for example. After the rolls of the sanitary tissue
products 48 are
20 discharged from the rods 28, the rods 28 can retract into the position
shown in Fig. 15A. This
expansion can be caused by an actuator within the rods 28.
In an embodiment, referring to Figs. 16A and 16B, the rods 28 can define one
or more
elongate slots 58. A collar 60 can be movable along the elongate slots 58 from
a first position
where the collar 60 is located proximate to the base 26 (Fig. 16A) into a
second position where
the collar 60 is located distal from the base 26 (Fig. 16B). The collar 60 and
the elongate slots
58 can together be referred to as a pusher apparatus. The collar 60 can be
moved along the
elongate slots 58 through the use of an actuator, such as a linear actuator,
for example. The
collar 60 can be used to discharge rolls of sanitary tissue products 48 from
the rods 28 at the
appropriate time. If each rod 28 has a collar 60, each collar 60 can be
independently activated to
enable various configurations of sanitary tissue products 48 to be discharged
at one point in time.
In other embodiments, the collar 60 can be fixedly positioned on one or more
rods 28 and can
CA 02789880 2012-09-14
21
have a plurality of openings in an item-facing surface thereof. Air can be
forced through the
openings at the appropriate time to discharge the sanitary tissue products 48
from the rods 28. In
other various embodiments, belts or conveyors can be incorporated into one or
more of the rods
28. The belts or conveyors can engage the cores of the sanitary tissue
products 48 on the rods 28
and move them in a direction away from the base 26 to disengage the sanitary
tissue products 48
from the rods 28. In still other various embodiments, the rods 28 can have a
series of openings
therein. Air can be forced through the openings to discharge the sanitary
tissue products 48 from
the rods 28.
In various embodiments, the rods 28 can have one or more sensors thereon,
therein,
and/or associated therewith. The sensors can be used to detect the presence of
sanitary tissue
products 48 thereon. For instance, a collar 60 of a rod 28 may not need to be
actuated if a sensor
detects that sanitary tissue products 48 are not present on the rod 28. In
other various
embodiments, the sensors can be configured to detect the number and size of
the sanitary tissue
products 48 on the rods 28, for example.
In an embodiment, the various transfer mechanisms of the present disclosure,
or other
transfer mechanisms, can be used in methods for transferring items, such as
methods for
transferring sanitary tissue products, for example. One example method can
comprise feeding
items onto or toward a carrier mechanism from one or more input streams,
wherein the carrier
mechanism comprises a plurality of rods extending therefrom. The method
further comprises
engaging void areas (e.g., areas inside cores of sanitary tissue products)
defined in the items with
at least some of the plurality of rods, manipulating the carrier mechanism
relative to the one or
more input streams into a position substantially aligned with, or aligned
with, one or more output
streams, and feeding the items onto the one or more output streams. The
configuration of items
in each input stream can be different than the configuration of items in each
output stream. The
method can further comprise moving the carrier mechanism relative to the one
or more input
streams after the engaging step (above) and engaging void areas defined in a
second group of
items in the one or more input streams with at least some of the rods. One or
more carrier
mechanisms can simultaneously receive two separate input streams of items from
different
locations and/or can independently, at different time intervals, receive two
separate input streams
of items. Similarly, one or more carrier mechanisms can simultaneously feed
two separate
output streams of items or independently, at different time intervals, feed
two separate output
CA 02789880 2012-09-14
22
streams of items. One or more carrier mechanisms can also feed a first group
of items to a first
output stream and feed a second group of items to a second output stream,
either simultaneously
or independently, at different time intervals. The first group of items can
comprise the same
number of items as the second group of items or a different number of items. A
pusher apparatus
can be used to discharge the items onto the one or more output streams.
The manipulating step of the method can comprise rotating the carrier
mechanism in a
first direction from alignment with, or substantial alignment with, one or
more input streams into
alignment with a first output stream and rotating the carrier mechanism in the
first direction into
alignment with a second output stream. In addition to the rotating, the
carrier mechanism can
also be moved in a direction between the one or more input streams and the one
or more output
streams. The direction can be linear, non-linear, horizontal, vertical, and/or
any other suitable
direction. In one embodiment, items can be stored on the carrier mechanism,
such as on the
rods, for example, when the carrier mechanism is in the process of moving
between the one or
more input streams and the one or more output streams.
In an embodiment, items can be fed onto at least some of the rods from one or
more input
streams at a first speed (items per minute) and the items can be discharged
from at least some of
the rods onto one or more output streams at a second speed that is the same as
or different than
the first speed. Items can also be fed toward the carrier mechanism from
different input streams
at different speeds or at the same speed.
Another method of using the transfer mechanisms of the present disclosure can
comprise
feeding items onto or toward a carrier mechanism from one or more input
streams, engaging void
areas (e.g., void areas inside cores of sanitary tissue products) in the items
with at least some of a
plurality of rods extending from the carrier mechanism, radially expanding one
or more of the
rods, rotating the carrier mechanism relative to the one or more input streams
into a position
substantially aligned with one or more output streams, radially contracting
the one or more of the
rods, and discharging the items onto the one or more output streams using a
pusher apparatus.
The configuration of items in each of the input streams can be different than
the configuration of
items in each of the output streams. The items can be rolled sanitary tissue
products having void
areas inside cores thereof. The engaging step can comprise positioning the
rods at least partially
or fully through the void areas in the cores. The method can further comprise
moving the carrier
CA 02789880 2012-09-14
23
mechanism in a first direction and .in a second direction during the step of
engaging the void
areas in the items with at least some of the plurality of rods.
The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being
strictly
limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise
specified, each such
dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally
equivalent range
surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is
intended to mean
"about 40 mm."
The citation of any document, including any cross referenced or related patent
or
application, is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any
invention disclosed or
claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other
reference or references,
teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that
any meaning or
definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition
of the same term in
a document cited herein, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in
this document shall
govern.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated
and
described, those of skill in the art will recognize that various other changes
and modifications
can be made without departing from the invention described herein.
