Apparatus for automatically packing products in packages

An apparatus for automatically packing fragile products in a package, said apparatus comprising:

• (a) a delivery station for delivering empty packages;
• (b) a collection station for products;
• (c) a packing station located opposite said collecting station and arranged for packing products in a package;
• (d) a conveyor for conveying packages through said delivery station and said packing station, said packing station having
• (i) carrier members movable substantially transversely of said conveyor for collecting products from said collecting station opposite said packing station, said members having carrying surfaces for carrying products thereon, and
• (ii) means provided in the path of movement of said carrier members across said conveyor for gently removing products from said carrier members and causing the moved products to drop into a package on said conveyor;
• and
• (e) a sealing station located downstream of said packing station on said conveyor, said sealing station including
• (i) a sealing means for engaging a cover of a filled package and moving over the package to seal the cover to a bottom portion of the package,
• (ii) a frame,
• (iii) a ring rotatably mounted in said frame and surrounding said conveyor such that during a sealing operation, a line of articulation of a package is located at the center of said ring, and
• (iv) means for rotating said ring including an endless drive means, and a second drive unit for driving said endless drive means, said sealing means further comprising a plate projecting substantially in parallel with said conveyor and having an end fixed to said ring, said means for rotating said ring alternatingly rotating said ring whereby said plate is moved by said ring in a substantially circular sector-shaped path.

A sealing station for an apparatus for gently packing fragile products in packages, said sealing station comprising:

• a frame;
• a ring rotatably supported in said frame for receiving a package therein with a line of articulation of a received package located substantially at the center of said ring;
• means for rotating said ring, said means for rotating including endless driven means and drive means for driving said endless driven means;
• and
• sealing means for engaging a cover of a received package and folding over the package about its line of articulation to seal the cover to a bottom portion of a received package, said sealing means including a plate having an end fixed to said ring, said means for rotating said ring alternatingly rotating said ring to move said plate in a substantially circular sector-shaped path.