Package handling method and apparatus

Abstract

A method of transferring a collation of flexible packages from a first location to a second location employs a loading head comprising an enclosure having an opening and a permeable barrier extending across the opening. The method comprises the steps of bringing the opening and the collation together at the first location, applying suction to the enclosure, thereby drawing air into the enclosure through the permeable barrier, drawing the packages against the barrier by the air drawn through the permeable barrier, and thus expanding upper regions of the packages towards one another by sub-atmospheric air pressure created by the suction. The packages tend to seal against one another and to prevent flow of air through the collation, so that the collation is held by suction against the barrier. The enclosure is transferred to the second location and the suction is removed to release the collation from the enclosure. Apparatus for carrying out this process incorporates a motor-driven radial flow fan without an external shroud mounted on the enclosure to generate the suction.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.