US 4,397,130 AGranted

Machine for loading and unloading containers of articles arranged in rows

OwnerMichel Thierioninventor

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Abstract

A machine loads and unloads containers with articles arranged in rows by transferring articles between a first station outside the containers and a second station inside a container. It comprises a vertical support adjacent the first and second stations and an arm on this support which pivots through 90.degree. C. between a first position over the first station and a second position over the second station. Chains around four pulleys on the arm are paid out and wound in synchronously by the rotation of the pulleys. The chains extend to one end of the arm and then downwardly through respective apertures in the arm. The chains are attached to a platform moveable vertically which carries suckers for manipulating the articles, through chain tension detector and centering means on the platform which operate with the platform in its highest position. Further chain tension detector means on the path of the chains monitor the tension in the chains.

Claims8

Dependent claims

A machine for loading and unloading containers of articles arranged in rows by transferring said articles between a first station outside said containers and a second station inside a container, said machine comprising a vertical support adjacent said first and second stations;

an arm mounted on said support and pivotable through 90.degree. between a first position in which one end of said arm lies over said first station and a second position in which said one end of said arm lies over said second station;
four first pulleys on said arm;
respective chains around said first pulleys, paid out and wound in sychronously by the rotation of said first pulleys, said chains extending to said one end of said arm and then downwardly;
respective apertures in said arm through which said downwardly extending chains pass;
a platform moveable vertically;
suckers for manipulating said articles mounted on said platform;
respective first chain tension detector means and at least two centering means on said platform, operative with said platform in its highest position;
respective components on said platform to which said chains are attached via said first chain tension detector and centering means;
and second chain tension detector means disposed on the path of said chains to monitor the tension in said chains.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.