Article grouping lug

Abstract

An loading apparatus (100) for use in a packaging machine includes a grouping conveyor (300) for conveying groups of articles (16) in a flow direction (10). The grouping conveyor (300) includes a plurality of conveyor plates (320) and grouping lugs (310) that are slidably attached to one of the plurality of conveyor plates (320) so as to be individually moveable in a transverse direction (90) to selectively extend to span the space between the grouping conveyor and a carton conveyor as needed to facilitate loading groups of the articles into cartons and to selectively retract to avoid impeding operation of the packaging machine. The grouping conveyor (300) also includes a multi-position locking mechanism (82) that releasably locks the grouping lug (310) in two transverse positions. A system of proximity sensors (530, 540) monitors the grouping conveyor (300) to ensure that the grouping lugs (310) are properly transversely positioned.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.