Apparatus and method for container pattern-forming and palletizing

An apparatus for pattern-forming and palletizing containers on a pallet, the apparatus comprising:

• a generally horizontal orienting unit having a receiving end and a discharge end, said discharge end capable of limited horizontal movement, said orienting unit comprising:
• a pair of substantially parallel belt conveyors in side-by-side array,
• means for driving each said belt conveyor independently of each other, and
• means for adjusting the relative distance between said receiving and discharge ends of said orienting unit;
• means for controlling the direction and speed of each said belt conveyor for delivery and orientation of the container to the discharge end of said orienting unit;
• and
• means for substantially horizontally moving said discharge end of said orienting unit.

A method of arranging a plurality of containers into desired patterns in an apparatus having an infeed conveyor, an orienting unit having a receiving end and a moveable discharge end, a pair of side-by-side conveyor belts on the orienting unit, and a pattern forming table, the steps comprising:

• delivering containers in the received orientation on the infeed conveyor to the orienting unit;
• selectively changing the speed of one conveyor belt relative to the other conveyor belt to cause the container to rotate to a predetermined, second orientation relative to the orienting unit;
• and
• selectively rotating the orienting unit to position the discharge end of the orienting unit to a predetermined location for discharging the container onto the pattern forming table.