WO2017157688A1

WO2017157688A1 - Carrier puck

Info

Publication number: WO2017157688A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/054950
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dean QUICK; Frederick Edmund Stocker; Anthony James NICHOL; Jaswinder VIRDEE; Stuart Michael Ruan Jones; Neil Anthony Litten; George Edward SYKES
Original assignee: Unilever Plc; Unilever N.V.; Conopco, Inc., D/B/A Unilever
Priority date: 2016-03-15
Filing date: 2017-03-02
Publication date: 2017-09-21

Abstract

A carrier puck (10) including a removable insert (60) that includes a cavity (74) for holding a container (200) and an upper rim (80); a base (20) that includes a cavity (73) for holding the insert (60); and a springloaded coupling (100) that exerts a compression force that draws the upper rim (80) of the removable insert (60) downward onto the base (20) of the puck (10).

Description

CARRIER PUCK

Technical field

The present disclosure relates to a carrier puck that holds a product container in an orientation for product filling, capping, labeling, and/or other processing in automated line operations. Background

Pucks for holding product containers, herein alternatively referred to as "carrier pucks" or "pucks" are used, typically in automated production lines, to hold containers in a desired orientation, e.g., an upright position. Use of a puck simplifies movement of a container along a production line and is of assistance in regulating line operations.

In automated operations, a container is commonly inserted in a puck in an inbound staging area. The container-bearing puck then moves through one or more processing stations where different operations are performed, among others, one or more of the following: the container may be filled with one or more materials, the container may be subjected to pre- and/or post-filling procedures or treatments, for example, heating and/or cooling, the container may have a tamper-resistant seal and/or a cap affixed thereto, one or more labels or other container indicia may be applied, and/or the container may undergo one or more quality control operations, for example, weight and/or label verification, and the like. When processing is complete, the puck and container are moved to an outbound staging area, the container is removed from the puck and the puck is rerouted back to the inbound staging area, or other designated station, for reuse. It is not uncommon for an automated production line to have hundreds of pucks in use at a single time. Many of the pucks used commercially are designed for containers of a particular configuration, i.e., they are container specific. In instances where a production line employs different container configurations for different production runs, having a puck that is adaptable for use with containers of a variety of shapes and sizes can help reduce production costs, including downtime for puck changeovers.

Various approaches have been suggested in the patent literature with respect to providing pucks that may be adapted for use with containers of different sizes and/or shapes. The approaches include the use of separate container-holding and base components. US Pat. No. 8,695,791 , for example, discloses a carrier puck that includes a circular lower body on which is mounted an upper body; as therein illustrated, the upper body is mounted to the lower body via a pair of opposing bayonet side mountings. JP5659780 discloses a carrier puck having inner and outer holder components. As illustrated, the inner holder includes a moveable interior wall, the position of which can be adjusted so as to brace a container within the inner holder.

The use of pucks having a base and a separate component for holding a container, more particularly a removable insert, is limited by several real-world considerations. The environment created by automated production can be hard on pucks. In use, there is a tendency for pucks to collide with one another. These collisions can occur with considerable force given the speed at which many automated production operations are run, with collision force being increased when containers are filled and the weight of the container-bearing pucks increased.

A puck having a removable insert should withstand the rigors of automated processing without premature release or displacement of the insert. Conversely, to accommodate container changeover, the puck should facilitate engagement and disengagement of the removable insert. There remains a need for pucks that provide a balance between these competing requirements.

One aspect of this invention is to provide a carrier puck for use in an automated production line, the carrier puck having a removable insert for receiving and holding a product container. Another aspect of this invention is to provide a carrier puck that provides robust engagement of a removable insert. Another aspect of this invention is to provide a carrier puck that resists premature release of a removable insert. A further aspect of this invention is to provide a carrier puck that provides engagement of a removable insert that withstands the vertical pull forces of container removal. Another aspect of this invention is to provide a carrier puck that allows for expeditious engagement and disengagement of a removable insert.

One or more of these and other aspects of this invention may be achieved by providing a puck as hereinafter more particularly described.

Summary of the invention

In one embodiment there is provided a carrier puck that comprises:

A) a removable insert that includes:

I) an insert cavity for holding a container and

II) an upper rim;

B) a base that includes a base cavity for holding the removable insert; and

C) a spring-loaded coupling that exerts a compression force that draws the upper rim of the removable insert downward on the base.

In another embodiment there is provided a carrier puck that comprises:

A) a removable insert comprising:

I) an insert sidewall,

II) an insert bottom wall, and

III) an upper rim that extends outward from the insert sidewall; and

B) a base comprising:

I) a base sidewall and

II) a base bottom wall; and

C) a spring-loaded coupling that fastens the removable insert to the base, wherein:

i) the base sidewall and base bottom wall generally define a base cavity for holding the removable insert,

ii) the insert sidewall and insert bottom wall generally define an insert cavity for holding a container; and iii) the spring-loaded coupling exerts a compression force that draws the upper rim of the insert downward on the base.

Brief description of the drawings

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. Drawings are representative only; the present invention is not limited to the embodiments exemplified therein.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view from above of one embodiment of a carrier puck according to the present invention;

FIG. 2a is a perspective view from above of the puck of FIG. 1 in an assembled locked configuration;

FIG. 2b is a perspective view from above of the puck of FIG. 1 in an assembled unlocked configuration;

FIG. 3 is a simplified sectional view of the puck of FIG. 1 in an assembled configuration; FIG. 4 is perspective view from above of the puck FIG. 1 in an assembled configuration, with the coupling affixed to the base, but without the insert;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the puck of FIG. 1 in an assembled configuration;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view from above of the insert of the puck of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the puck of FIG. 2a;

FIG. 8a is a perspective view from above of the assembled coupling of the puck of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 8b is a perspective view from below of the coupling of FIG. 8a;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view from above the puck of FIG. 1 with a different insert; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view from above of the puck of FIG. 9 in an assembled

configuration and holding a container. Detailed description of the invention

Except as otherwise indicated or evident from a description or illustration, throughout this specification, terms of reference are used as follows in relation to the description of the instant carrier puck or its components or features. The terms "upper" and "lower" as applied to the carrier puck, or a feature or component thereof, are used in relation to an orientation in which the upper end of the carrier puck is at the top and the lower end of the carrier puck is at the bottom; such an orientation is shown, for example, in FIGS. 2a and 2b. Other terms of reference such as "above" and "below are also applied in relation to the above described orientation. The terms "downward" and "downwardly" are used interchangeably in relation to the above described orientation, in reference to a direction that generally extends away from a puck feature or component, or away from a position of a puck feature or component, toward a lower point or position. The terms "upward" and "upwardly" are used interchangeably in relation to the above described orientation, in reference to a direction that generally extends away from a puck feature or component, or away from position of a puck feature or component, toward a higher point or position. Except as otherwise indicated, in relation to the description of components that define an interior space, the term "interior surface" is used in relation to a surface that generally faces into the interior space. All numerical ranges employed in this description ought to be understood as modified by the word "about". Where the carrier puck herein disclosed, or components or features thereof, are described as "including" or "comprising" specific elements, narrower embodiments that "consist essentially of" or "consist of" the recited elements are also contemplated.

The carrier puck of the subject invention combines a number of features that together enable the production of a container holding/transport device having a removable insert and a separate base. By changing out the removable insert, the puck is adaptable for use with containers of different configuration.

The carrier puck includes a removable insert (alternatively referred to as "insert") that includes an insert cavity and an upper rim; a base that includes a base cavity for holding the insert; and a spring-loaded coupling that exerts a compression force that draws the upper rim of the insert downward onto the base. The compression force applied by the spring- loaded coupling contributes to positive engagement of the insert and base. In one embodiment, the insert comprises an insert sidewall and an insert bottom wall that, together, generally define a cavity, the insert cavity, for holding a container. In one embodiment, to assist in standardizing in-line use, it may be desirable to configure the cavity of different sets of inserts to provide consistent fill heights for the containers that the inserts are designed to hold.

The insert further comprises an upper rim (alternatively referred to as "insert rim" or "rim") that extends outward from the insert. In one embodiment, the rim generally defines the perimeter of the upper end of the insert. In one embodiment, the rim extends outward from the insert sidewall. The rim may be continuous or may include one or more gaps or regions of discontinuity, i.e., the rim may be discontinuous. Optionally, the rim includes one or more container easement areas to assist in maneuvering a container into the insert. Container easement areas may take the form of concavities or indentations in the rim that reduce the clearance height of the puck. Optionally, the rim includes a downwardly extending skirt (alternatively referred to as

("rim skirt"). When present, the rim skirt may extend downward from the rim as a full skirt; alternatively, the skirt may extend downward from one or more portions of the rim.

Optionally, one or more container support arms (alternatively referred to as "support arms") may extend upward from the insert rim and/or insert sidewall. In one embodiment, the insert is provided with first and second support arms positioned on opposing sections of the insert rim and/or insert sidewall.

To reduce the space needed to store the inserts when not in use on pucks, it may be desirable to taper or otherwise configure the insert sidewall and, when present, features such as support arms, to enable the inserts to be stacked or nested one within the other. Providing inserts that are able to be stacked or nested aids in their organization and handling.

In one embodiment, the base comprises a base sidewall and a base bottom wall that, together, generally define a cavity, the base cavity, for holding the removable insert. The base has a perimeter (the "base perimeter") that, in one embodiment, is generally defined by the base sidewall. In an orientation where the upper end of the base is at the top and the lower end of the base is at the bottom, the base sidewall is, in one embodiment, generally parallel to the central vertical axis (CVA) of the base. In one embodiment, the base sidewall is of varying height; i.e., the sidewall is higher in some places and lower in other places. Excluding appendages that extend above and generally do not define the base cavity, the height of the base sidewall at a given location is commonly the vertical distance between the top of the base sidewall and the bottom of the base sidewall. In one embodiment, the base sidewall may have a stepped or castellated appearance.

The base sidewall includes an upper end (in one embodiment, such upper end is an upper edge). The configuration of the upper end of the base sidewall and the insert rim may be such that the components fit together in complementary fashion, i.e., the insert rim mates with the upper end, in one embodiment the upper edge, of the base sidewall. Providing a base sidewall of varying height and a mating insert rim, particularly a rim, at least a portion of which includes a downwardly extending skirt, may assist in aligning the insert with the base and, particularly when the base sidewall is of varying height, may contribute to a robust insert/base attachment. The spring-loaded coupling (alternatively referred to as "coupling") may take a variety of configurations. In one embodiment, the spring-loaded coupling comprises a fastener that engages with the insert through aligned apertures of, respectively, a feature of the insert (alternatively referred to as the "aperture-bearing insert feature") and a feature of the base (alternatively referred to as the "aperture-bearing base feature").

The aperture of the aperture-bearing insert feature is alternatively referred to as the "insert aperture"; the aperture of the aperture-bearing base feature is alternatively referred to as the "base aperture". In one embodiment, the aperture-bearing feature of the insert is the insert bottom wall. In another embodiment, the aperture-bearing feature of the insert is an appendage that extends below the insert bottom wall, such as, for example, a ledge or shelf that extends beneath the underside of the insert bottom wall. In one embodiment, the insert aperture is located in what is generally the center of the insert bottom wall or other insert-bearing feature; alternative configurations in which the insert aperture is offset from the center of the insert bottom wall are also possible. For purposes of alignment, the location of the insert aperture is generally dictated by the location of the base aperture. In one embodiment, the aperture-bearing feature of the base is a platform in the base cavity. When the aperture-bearing feature of the base is a platform, the base aperture is alternatively referred to as the "platform aperture".

The platform may extend upward from the base bottom wall and/or inward from the base sidewall. In one embodiment, the platform is interior to the base sidewall and below the upper end thereof. In one embodiment, a portion of the platform is integral with the base sidewall. In one embodiment, the platform may be formed as one or more ledges that project inward from the base sidewall. In one embodiment, the platform is positioned in what is generally the center of the base perimeter. In one embodiment, the platform is closer to the top end of the base than it is to the bottom end of the base.

In one embodiment, the platform generally defines a space that opens into the bottom of the base. In one embodiment, the platform forms a portion of the base bottom wall. In one embodiment the platform comprises a platform top wall and a platform sidewall.

In one embodiment, one or more of the aperture-bearing features includes a recess in which the aperture thereof is located. The recess may, for example, be provided as a depression, concavity, hollow, or sink in such feature. The recess of the aperture-bearing insert feature is alternatively referred to as the "insert recess"; the recess of the aperture- bearing base feature is alternatively referred to as the "base recess" or, when the aperture- bearing feature of the base is a platform, the "platform recess". In one embodiment, the aperture-bearing feature of the base includes a downwardly extending collar proximate to the base aperture; such collar may be an extension of a base recess. For example, an aperture-bearing platform may include a downwardly extending platform collar proximate to the platform aperture. In one embodiment, the aperture-bearing feature of the insert may include a downwardly extending collar proximate to the insert aperture; such collar may be an extension of an insert recess.

In one embodiment wherein an insert aperture aligns with a base aperture, the coupling comprises (a) a fastener that includes an upper locking member and a lower stop, wherein a portion of the fastener below the upper locking member extends downward into the insert aperture and a portion of the fastener above the lower stop extends upward into the base aperture; and (b) a spring, wherein the spring is positioned over the fastener above the lower stop, and is compressed between the aperture-bearing feature of the base and the lower stop. In such embodiment, the aperture-bearing feature of the base is stationary in relation to the spring, and the fastener is able to be moved upward or downward in relation to the aperture-bearing features of the base and insert. In such embodiment, when the coupling is a locked configuration, compression of the spring applies a downward force on the lower stop, drawing the upper rim downward on the base. To unlock the coupling, an upward force is applied to the fastener sufficient to overcome the downward compression force exerted by the spring, and the upper locking member is moved upward and out of engagement with the insert. Combining this upward force with a rotational movement, allows the upper locking member to be moved to a position that enables the insert to be freed from the base.

In one embodiment, the spring may also be compressed, but to a lesser extent, in an unlocked configuration. Optionally, the spring-loaded coupling includes one or more washers proximate to the spring; the inclusion of washers may aid in extending coupling life.

In one embodiment; the coupling is captive on the base. In one embodiment, in a locked configuration, the upper locking member of the fastener engages with the insert via a locking ridge proximate to the insert aperture, the locking ridge optionally including a locking niche that assists in securing the upper locking member to the locking ridge. - loin one embodiment, the coupling is able to be engaged from beneath the base or from beneath an aperture-bearing feature of the base, to unlock or lock the insert with the base. In one embodiment, the coupling may be engaged in synchronous manner with insert placement or removal. More particularly, as the coupling is being engaged from beneath the platform, a suitable tool for lifting the insert onto or off the base may be in place and engaged with the insert. This is of assistance in reducing insert changeover times, particularly in systems where insert changeover is frequent. In one embodiment, the inclusion of an insert recess and/or downwardly extending insert collar provides a site of access for a lifting tool to engage with the insert.

Pneumatic grippers, vacuum grippers, and mechanical grippers are examples of tools for lifting the insert onto or off the base. Pneumatic grippers include, but are not limited to, pneumatic picking heads. A pneumatic picking head includes a bellows that can be inserted into and expanded in the insert such that the expanded bellows conforms to an interior surface of the insert, enabling the insert to be lifted and otherwise moved. Mechanical grippers include, but are not limited to, tools with mechanically expandable fingers, or other picker configurations. A vacuum gripper applies a suction force to lift and/or otherwise transport the insert. In one embodiment the base includes a platform that includes a platform aperture and the insert includes an insert aperture that aligns with the platform aperture, and the coupling comprises:

(a) a generally tubular housing that includes a lower stop,

(b) a shaft that includes at least one outwardly extending upper locking member, and

(c) a spring; wherein:

a portion of the housing above the lower stop extends upward from beneath the platform into the insert aperture;

a portion of the shaft below the upper locking member extends downward into the housing; and - li the spring is positioned over the tubular housing above the lower stop and below the platform.

In one embodiment, the housing and shaft engage with one another to form an assembly, the coupling assembly, which can be moved upward and rotated as a single unit to lock or unlock the insert with the base.

Alternative coupling configurations are possible, including, for example, spring- loaded tab and slot couplings.

The puck includes components that may be molded from plastic materials. Plastic materials that may be considered for molding puck components include, for example, polyacetal, polyamide, polyarylate, polyarylsulfone, polyolefin, polyester, butadiene-styrene and acrylonitrile-styrene-butadiene copolymers, and the like. Moldable components include the base, removable insert and one or more parts of the coupling. Material selection depends factors that include the configuration of a component and the mechanical and/or physical requirements thereof, e.g., hardness, impact strength, modulus, flexural strength, dimensional stability, chemical and/or heat resistance and the like, as well as requirements relate to mold design and/or mold fill. For example, while the material employed in the base of the puck will typically need to provide sufficient toughness and impact strength to withstand the collision forces and other requirements of an automated production line, it may be desirable that the material from which the insert is fabricated is more elastic and flexible, with tactile characteristics that enable it to better grip a container. In one embodiment, the use of thermoplastic resins is of particular interest. In one embodiment, it is desirable that the insert and/or base are fabricated from a polyolefin such as, for example, polyethylene or polypropylene.

The puck may be configured for use with containers for a variety of consumer, commercial, industrial and institutional products. Non-limiting examples of such products are personal care products, household care products, beverages and other foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, neutraceuticals, automotive products, marine products, veterinary products, industrial products, and the like. The puck is adaptable to many sizes and configurations, depending upon factors that include, for example: the dimensions, configuration and weight of the container the puck is intended to hold; the material the container is intended to hold and the fill volume thereof; the center of gravity of the container and its contents; and production line considerations, including, for example, line bends, curves, gradients, drops, discontinuities, speeds, collision forces, guide rail dimensions, and the like, as well as puck positioning, transport and handling requirements related thereto. In one embodiment, the puck comprises a base having a length of from 50mm to

300mm and a width of from 50mm to 300mm. In another embodiment, the puck comprises a base having a length of from 70 to 200 mm and a width of from 50 to 200mm. In yet another embodiment, the puck comprises a base having a length of from 80 to 150mm and a width of from 50 to 120mm. In yet another embodiment the puck comprises a base having a length of from 90 to 150mm and a width of from 70 to 1 10mm. Larger or smaller base dimensions are possible, depending upon the containers with which the pucks are to be used. In one embodiment, the base has a generally rectangular perimeter.

Non-limiting embodiments of the subject puck and/or components thereof are described in further detail with reference to the appended drawings which are furnished by way of illustration only and should not be construed as limiting the subject invention to the embodiments so depicted. Unless otherwise indicated, throughout the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like objects, components or features. One embodiment of a puck according to the present invention, or components thereof, is shown in one or more of FIGS. 1 to 8 (FIG. 8 being shown as FIGS. 8a and 8b). As illustrated in one or more of these Figures, puck 10 includes base 20, removable insert 60, and coupling 100. Puck 10 has an upper end 16 and a lower end 18. Base 20 has an upper end 36 and a lower end 38, and insert 60 has an upper end 66 and a lower end 68.

Base 20 includes base sidewall 22, platform 24 and base bottom wall 26. Base sidewall 22 forms what is generally the perimeter of base 20; from a top plan view, such perimeter is generally rectangular in shape with eased corners. Base sidewall 22 is shown as having a pair of opposing short walls sections and a pair of opposing wall sections. Base sidewall 22 includes upper end 40 and upper edge 42. Base sidewall 22 and base bottom wall generally form base cavity 73 for holding an insert.

Platform 24 extends upward from base bottom wall 26 and includes platform sidewall 27, platform top wall 28, platform recess 30, and platform aperture 50. In FIG 3, platform 24 is shown to include platform collar 56 that extends downward from platform recess 30.

In FIG. 5, bottom wall collar 25 is shown to extend downward from base bottom wall 26. The inclusion of a bottom wall collar may be helpful in holding, positioning and/or orienting a puck. As illustrated, base sidewall 22 includes grip ports 86, guide ridges 92 and orientation slots 94. Grip ports may provide a point of access for an automated claw or similar implement to engage with and move the puck from one location to another. The presence of guide ridges is of particular interest when the production line includes guide rails in one or more regions thereof. Commonly, the guide rails are a pair of opposing rails or bars that the puck fits between. Orientation slots may provide another site for gripping, holding and/or positioning the puck.

The base of a puck optionally includes one or more bumpers. The bumpers may function as end-piece and may be integral with or extensions of the base sidewall. In one embodiment, bumpers positioned on opposing sections of the base sidewall as one or more leading bumper and one or more trailing bumpers. The bumpers may be aligned such that when a plurality of pucks are facing end-to-end on a production line, the trailing bumper of a leading puck engages with the leading bumper of a trailing puck. In one embodiment the bumpers are fabricated of a shock absorbing material such as an elastomeric resin or rubber. The inclusion of bumpers, particularly when fabricated of a shock absorbing material, may help to reduce line noise. In FIG. 2a, base sidewall 22 is shown as including bumpers 88. Optionally, the base includes a holder, not shown, for a radio-frequency identification detection (RFID) chip. The RFID chip can be used to incorporate information about a container that a puck holds. In use, it may serve as an identifying or tracking tag that allows for the wireless identification or monitoring of a container/puck in a production line.

Insert 60 is shown to include insert sidewall 62 and insert bottom wall 64 in which is located insert recess 83. Insert cavity 60 includes insert cavity 74. Insert recess 83 includes insert aperture 84. As illustrated the inclusion of insert recess 83 allows the upper end of coupling 100 to be recessed in a manner that avoids interference with a container.

In FIG 2b, insert recess is shown to include locking ridge 96 and locking niche 97. In FIG. 6, passage area 87, is present on insert aperture 84; in the illustrated embodiment, passage area 87 is configured as a pair of opposing slots, only one of which is visible in such view.

Insert 60 further includes upper rim 80 which extends outward of insert sidewall 62. Upper rim 80 includes rim skirt 82. Upper rim 80 is shown to angle into insert cavity 74 and to include container easement areas 81 .

Optionally, one or more projections, for example, fins, struts, and the like, may extend outward from an exterior surface of an insert cavity, for example from the insert sidewall and/or insert bottom wall. The inclusion of such features may help brace, stabilize and/or support the insert in the base. Projections 54 are shown to extend outward from insert sidewall 62. When insert 60 is attached to base 20, projections 54 engage with corresponding supports 98, shown as corner supports that extend inward from base sidewall 22 and upward from base bottom wall 26. Optionally, one or more spacers (not shown) may extend downward from the insert bottom wall. When a platform is present, the inclusion of spacers allows for a gap between the insert bottom wall and the platform; such gap may be of assistance in separating the removable insert from the base. Optionally, the insert includes one or more drainage holes (not illustrated). Drainage holes may assist in removing product that misses or overflows from the container during filling. Where periodic washing or rinsing is part of a puck's maintenance regimen, drainage holes may be an aid to drying. When drainage holes are present, the insert cavity may be configured to channel overflow into such holes.

Optionally, the puck is equipped with a detection post. A detection post may serve as an aid to determining the arrival of a puck at a processing station and/or otherwise monitoring puck position. A container support arm may, in some embodiments, also function as a detection post. In one embodiment, a detection post extends upward from the insert rim and/or insert sidewalk Alternatively, a detection post may be included on the base. As illustrated in FIG. 2a, detection post 99 extends upward from rim 80 of insert 60.

Puck 10 includes coupling 100 that fastens insert 60 to base 20. Coupling 100 includes shaft 102, housing 110, and spring 120. Shaft 102 includes upper shaft ledge 106, upper locking member 112 (shown as opposing lugs 112a and 112b that extend outward of upper shaft ledge 106) and lower shaft ledge 107 (shown as opposing ledge sections 107a and 107b). Housing 110 has an upper end 113 and a lower end 101. Housing 110 includes lower stop 108. Together, housing 110 and shaft 102 form coupling assembly or fastener 124, with upper shaft ledge 106 engaging with upper end 113 of housing 110 and lower shaft ledge 107 engaging with lower end 101 of housing 110. As shown in FIG. 3, spring 120 is positioned between lower stop 108, and platform 24. Spring 120 exerts a compressive force on lower stop 108 that draws upper rim 80 downward on base 20 and, more particularly, draws upper rim 80 downward on base sidewall 22. In FIGS. 8a and 8b, spring 120 is shown as a torsional spring.

Bottom 118 of lower stop 108 includes first housing channel 109 and second housing channel 111 , such channels are shown as generally perpendicular to one another, with first housing channel 109 dividing bottom 118 into opposing sections 118a and 118b, shown as chamfered. Lower shaft ledge 107 is shown to include shaft channel 121 . As illustrated, shaft channel 121 is aligned with second housing channel 111 . Applying sufficient upward force to coupling 124 to overcome the downward force exerted by spring 120 on lower stop 108 further compresses spring 120, and allows coupling assembly 124 to be moved upward. Combining this upward movement of coupling assembly 124 with a rotational movement disengages upper locking member 112 from locking niche 97 and allows upper locking member 112 to be moved into alignment with passage area 87, disengaging the lock between insert 60 and base 20, and permitting insert 60 to be removed from the base.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show puck 10 with a different insert (insert 60-1 ). In FIG 10, puck 10 is shown in an assembled configuration holding container 200. As illustrated, insert 60-1 includes container support arms 85.

Example A puck as generally shown by the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2a was produced.

The puck was tested for bottle stability using a swinging pendulum test rig that mimicked collision impact. Robustness and function of the puck were tested using a single head robotic test bed that was run over tens of thousands of cycles to replicate insert insertion and removal. Additionally, the puck was tested in a captive, non-commercial trial on a high speed production line that incorporated the features of bottle loading, labelling, filling, capping and bottle unloading. The puck was found to perform effectively in such testing.

Claims

1 . A carrier puck that comprises:

A) a removable insert that includes:

I) an insert cavity for holding a container and

II) an upper rim,

B) a base that includes a base cavity for holding the removable insert, and

2. A carrier puck that comprises:

A) a removable insert comprising:

I) an insert sidewall, and

II) an insert bottom wall, and

I) an upper rim that extends outward from the insert sidewall; and

B) a base comprising:

I) a base sidewall and,

II) a base bottom wall; and

B) a spring-loaded coupling that fastens the removable insert to the base, wherein:

ii) the insert sidewall and insert bottom wall generally define an insert cavity for holding a container; and

iii) the spring-loaded coupling exerts a compression force that draws the upper rim of the insert downward on the base.

3. The carrier puck of claim 2 wherein the spring-loaded coupling engages with the removable insert and base though aligned aperture-bearing features in the base and the insert.

4. The carrier puck of claim 3 wherein the aperture bearing-feature of the base is a platform that includes a platform aperture, and the aperture-bearing feature of the insert is the insert bottom wall.

5. The carrier puck of claim 4 wherein the spring-landed coupling comprises (a) a fastener that includes an upper locking member and a lower stop, wherein a portion of the fastener below the upper locking member extends downward into the insert aperture and a portion of the fastener above the lower stop extends upward into the platform aperture; and (b) a spring, wherein the spring is positioned over the fastener above the lower stop, and is compressed between the platform and the lower stop.

6. The carrier puck of claim 4 wherein the spring-loaded coupling comprises:

I) a generally tubular housing that includes a lower stop,

II) a shaft that includes at least one outwardly extending upper locking member, and

III) a spring;

wherein:

a) a portion of the housing above the lower stop extends upward from beneath the platform into the insert aperture;

b) a portion of the shaft below the upper locking member extends downward into the housing; and

c) the spring is positioned over the tubular housing above the lower stop and below the platform.

7. The carrier puck of claim 6 wherein the housing and shaft engage with one another to form a coupling assembly that can be moved upward and rotated to lock or unlock the insert with the base.