Handling and loading batches of products on edge
OwnerColleen Statoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Products which are somewhat self-supporting are carried in tandem on a first conveyor toward a second conveyor with an edge of the product transverse to the direction of travel. When each product reaches the point of transfer between conveyors, it is transferred downwardly on edge onto the second conveyor and the products are reverse-shingled in batches on edge in a partially upright fashion on the second conveyor. Each batch of products is then moved on the second conveyor on edge by a loader for insertion into a container or for transfer to another device for further processing or handling. When inserted into a container, a wall of the container is temporarily bowed inwardly to guide the products while they are being loaded into the container.
Claims16
A method of arranging a multitude of separated articles into a batch of articles, comprising the steps of:
- a) moving a plurality of separated articles resting freely in tandem on a first conveyor toward an output end of said first conveyor with a leading edge of each article generally transverse tot he direction of travel of said article;
- then
- b) transferring each article in sequence from the output end of said first conveyor downward to the receiving end of a second conveyor so that its leading edge contacts said second conveyor;
- c) restraining the ledge of an article which is transferred to said second conveyor to keep said article partially upright angled rearward on said second conveyor;
- d) moving said partially upright article on edge on said second conveyor so that successive articles reaching said second conveyor reverse shingle one behind the other on edge to form a reverse-shingled batch of articles consisting of predetermined number of articles;
- and then
- e) advancing said batch of reverse-shingled articles on edge on said second conveyor towards an output end of said second conveyor to space said batch from the next article which is transferred to said second conveyor from said first conveyor.
Apparatus for arranging articles into batches of articles, comprising:
- a) first conveyor means having an input end and an output end for transporting to the output end a multitude of separated articles resting freely on said first conveyor means in tandem with a leading edge of each article generally transverse to the direction of travel of said first conveyor means;
- b) second conveyor means having an input end and an output end, the input end of said second conveyor means located adjacent and below the output end of said first conveyor means;
- c) means for transferring each article that reaches the output end of said first conveyor means partially upright onto the input end of said second conveyor means so that the article is angled rearward with the leading edge of the article in contact with said second conveyor means;
- d) keeper lug means on said second conveyor means for contacting the leading edge of the first article of a batch of articles that is transferred to said second conveyor means to maintain said first article partially upright angled rearward on said second conveyor means;
- e) said second conveyor moving said keeping lug means so that successive articles transferred from said first conveyor means onto said second conveyor means are reverse-shingled on edge one behind another on said second conveyor means;
- f) pusher arm means on said second conveyor means;
- g) means for moving said pusher arm means into contact with the last reverse-shingled article on said second conveyor means to group said articles into a batch and to move the reverse-shingled batch of articles on edge toward the output end of said second conveyor means while articles are being transferred onto said second conveyor means from said first conveyor means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.