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Infeed and Grouping Systems
Product Infeed Methods
The engineering behind the infeed and grouping systems of Langenpac cartoners has, by tradition and pride, emphasized adding value to the customer’s production process. In this same spirit, we have established our own benchmarks in product handling and constantly strive to exceed them. Furthermore, our experienced engineers work with our customers to design simple and efficient infeed systems around the specific characteristics of a product.
Langenpac has an enviable record in successfully executing reliable solutions for even the most challenging projects. Our success is measured by the many solutions we’ve developed that are now considered industry leading.
To determine the optimal infeed system for your cartoning application, Langenpac engineers will take the following factors into consideration: the product itself, its ruggedness, the frequency and spacing between the products, the speed of the bucket conveyor and the actual placement of the product into the bucket, as well as other factors as necessary.
The following is a list of standardized Langenpac infeed systems. These systems are detailed further below:
Higher back wall with dead plate Bomb bay tower 90° overhead sweeper In-line overhead sweeper Servo train on top Servo train inside the cartoner Paddle conveyor Leaflet & rotary feederHigher Back Wall with Dead Plate
A dead plate is mounted above the bucket conveyor. The back wall of the buckets will have a comb style profile and pass through the dead plate. A conveyor belt feeds the product and places it on the dead plate. The product needs to be timed in such a way that it will enter in the window, which is set by 2 consecutive back walls. The higher back wall of the next bucket will than move the product smoothly from the dead plate and transfer it into the bucket itself. This system is often used for flowpacked products in trays.
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Bomb Bay Dropping System
Products are collected into the top “Bomb Bay level” in which one or more products can be accumulated. When the accumulation is complete, that accumulation is dropped one level lower and waits until the lowest level and complete accumulation is ready to be dropped into the correct bucket of the conveyor that passes below. As each level of the Bomb Bay empties, the level above is being filled with product.
Products are collected into the top “Bomb Bay level” in which one or more products can be accumulated. When the accumulation is complete, that accumulation is dropped one level lower and waits until the lowest level and complete accumulation is ready to be dropped into the correct bucket of the conveyor that passes below. As each level of the Bomb Bay empties, the level above is being filled with product.
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90° Overhead Sweeper
The products are placed between the plates of the overhead unit and transported over a dead plate, into the buckets. This infeed is used when the time to directly introduce a product into the conveyor is very short. The 90° overhead sweeper creates a larger physical window allowing more time to deposit your product and maintain its integrity.
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In-line Overhead Sweeper
Comparable to the 90° overhead sweeper described above, but in-line with the bucket conveyor.
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Servo Train On Top
Products are collected into a “train” of pockets in an intermittent motion above the bucket conveyor level and when all pockets are full, the “train” accelerates and synchronizes its speed and position with bucket conveyor (itself moving continuously). When the speed and positioning are fully synchronized the products are placed into the bucket conveyor while the next “train” of pockets are being loaded.
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Servo Train Inside the Cartoner
In this configuration, the bucket conveyor of the cartoner itself is a servo train. The bucket conveyor makes intermittent steps while product is fed into the buckets. The conveyor advances one product at a time, and once a "train" of products is full, that train accelerates and synchronizes with the cartoner. The "train" behind has already begun to be loaded with product.
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Paddle Conveyor
Products are introduced between the vanes at the end section of the paddle conveyor. The vanes make intermittent steps and in this way position the products in an upright fashion. In the top section of the paddle conveyor, groups of products are pushed out laterally.
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Leaflet & Rotary Feeder
The Langenpac rotary carton feeder has proven to have applications outside of its success as the heart of many Langenpac cartoning machines. Beyond erecting pre-glued cartons, the rotary feeder is yet another example of how Langenpac develops innovative infeed systems using proven and efficient technology.
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