Casing method and apparatus
AssigneeStatco Engineering & Fabricators, Inc.
InventorsJames R. Statham, Joseph D. Neighbor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A caser is disclosed for packing filled containers in empty cases. The caser includes a conveyor belt that carries filled containers to the caser for loading and a pusher assembly for pushing the containers onto the loading tables wherein the containers are gravity fed into cases positioned below the loading tables. The loading tables preferably retract linearly to allow the containers to drop into the cases. A pair of bottle guides pivot to grip the containers while the loading tables retract.
Claims40
A caser for packing filled containers in empty cases, the caser comprising:
- a support frame having an upper level and a lower level;
- a conveyor belt having a traveling direction and delivering containers to a loading area of the caser;
- a pusher assembly movable in a loading direction, wherein at the loading area, the traveling direction is substantially perpendicular to the loading direction;
- a pair of bottle guides hingably connected to the upper level of the support frame;
- a pair of loading tables linearly retractable to provide access between the upper level and the lower level of the support frame;
- and
- wherein the bottle guides pivot to grip containers when the containers are loaded on the loading tables and pivot to release the containers when the loading tables have retracted.
A easer for packing containers in cases, the caser comprising:
- a pair of loading tables that are retractable, the loading tables having a longitudinal direction along the length of the table and a transverse direction along the width of the table;
- and
- a pusher assembly actuatable to push containers onto the loading tables in the longitudinal direction.
A caser for packing containers in cases, the caser comprising:
- a support frame having an upper level and a lower level;
- a pair of loading tables having a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position, the loading tables support containers thereon and in the open position, the loading tables provide access from the upper level to the lower level;
- and
- at least two bottle guides attached to the support frame, wherein the bottle guides are movable to hold the containers and release the containers when the loading tables are in the open position.
A caser for packing containers in cases, the caser comprising:
- a pair of loading tables;
- and
- a stabilizer plate swingably positioned over the loading tables, the stabilizer plate weighted to counteract the inertial force of containers pushed onto the loading tables and to prevent the containers from tipping over.
A caser for packing filled containers in empty cases, the caser comprising:
- a support frame having an upper level and a lower level;
- a conveyor belt having a traveling direction and delivering containers to a loading area of the caser;
- a pusher assembly movable in a loading direction, wherein at the loading area, the traveling direction is substantially perpendicular to the loading direction;
- a pair of bottle guides hingably connected to the upper level of the support frame;
- a pair of air springs, each air spring operatively connected to one of the bottle guides, the air springs operational to pivot the bottle guides;
- a pair of loading tables having a first section and a second section, wherein the first and second sections are linearly retractable in opposing directions to provide access between the upper level and the lower level of the support frame;
- a first and second piston and cylinder assembly, each piston and cylinder assembly connected to a respective one of the first and second sections of the loading tables, the piston and cylinder assembly operational to move the first and second sections linearly toward each other and away from each other;
- and
- wherein the bottle guides pivot to grip containers when the containers are loaded on the loading tables and pivot to release the containers when the loading tables have retracted.
A method of packing jugs into cases, the method comprising the steps of pushing jugs at a rate greater than 160 jugs per minute.
A method of packing jugs into cases, the method comprising the steps of:
- carrying jugs on a conveyor belt;
- pushing the jugs together;
- and
- letting the jugs fall into cases.
A method of packing jugs into cases, the method comprising the steps of:
- carrying jugs on a conveyor belt;
- pushing the jugs together in a predetermined pattern;
- and
- letting the jugs fall into cases.
A method of packing jugs into cases, the method comprising the steps of:
- carrying jugs on a conveyor belt;
- pushing the jugs together in a predetermined pattern;
- and
- releasing the jugs after the jugs have been pushed together;
- and
- dropping the jugs into cases.
A method of packing jugs into cases, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a caser having a support frame with an upper level and a lower level, a conveyor belt, a pusher assembly, a pair of bottle guides and a pair of loading tables;
- delivering jugs to the upper level of the caser via the conveyor belt;
- pushing the jugs onto the loading tables;
- gripping the jugs with the bottle guides;
- retracting the loading tables;
- and
- releasing the bottle guides to drop the jugs into cases.
A method of packing jugs into cases, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a sensor in communication with a central processor;
- detecting the presence of jugs at a staging area using the sensor;
- transmitting a first signal to the central processor if jugs are present at the staging area;
- and
- transmitting a second signal to the central processor if jugs are not present at the staging area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.