Container loading system

A container loading system for transporting and loading articles into containers, said system comprising:

• means defining a feed path for transporting articles in seriatim;
• means for transporting said articles along said feed path;
• a first removable loading container having an open top disposed adjacent and substantially perpendicular to said feed path for receiving said articles, said first container being oriented at an incline approaching the vertical with its open top facing the feed path, said first container having signal means for providing a full load signal when said first container is full;
• a second removable loading container having an open top for receiving said articles, said second loading container disposed adjacent and substantially perpendicular to said feed path downstream from said first loading container, said second container being oriented at an incline approaching the vertical with its open top facing the feed path;
• means defining a first loading station disposed along said feed path for receiving said transported articles and ejecting the articles to said first loading container, said first loading station comprising a first limiting means disposed along said feed path for stopping each article as it is received at said first loading station, and a first ejecting means for ejecting each stopped article at said first loading station to said first container;
• means defining a second loading station disposed along said feed path downstream of said first loading station for receiving transported articles and ejecting the articles to said second loading container when said articles are allowed to pass by said first loading station, said second loading station comprising a second limiting means disposed along said feed path for stopping each article as it is received at said second loading station, and a second ejecting means for ejecting each stopped article at said second loading station to said second loading container;
• switching means operatively connected to said first limiting means and said signal means for disabling the first limiting means from stopping received articles in response to said full load signal, whereby the articles are allowed to pass by the first loading station and are transported to said second loading station when said first loading container is full;
• and
• means for lowering each of said containers to sequentially receive articles that are ejected from said transporting means, said containers each being movable until full of said articles, whereby the signal means is activated to provide said signal.