Apparatus for inserting goods into hollows for packaging

Apparatus for inserting a stack of goods into hollow containers for packaging, each of said containers having an upper open end with upper edges and internal dimensions substantially conforming to external peripheral dimensions of said goods for receiving said goods in the hollow interior of each container when in an inserting position, said apparatus comprising:

• support means;
• two pairs of circumferentially spaced elongated grippers having upper ends movably mounted on said support means and extending therefrom toward said upper open end of one of said hollow containers, each pair of grippers comprising
• a first gripper having a configuration for engaging against at least part of the external periphery of said stack of goods for guiding said stack of goods in said inserting position,
• a lower end on said first gripper insertable into said upper open end of said one of said hollow containers slightly beyond said upper edge thereof in said inserting position,
• a second gripper radially outwardly of said first gripper,
• a lower end on said second gripper,
• a radially inwardly extending extension on said lower end of said second gripper engageable in supporting relationship under a portion of said stack of goods, said extension being disposed above said upper open end of said one of said hollow containers in said inserting position, and
• an aperture in said first gripper for receiving therethrough said extension on said second gripper;
• first drive means mounted on said support means operatively connected to said first gripper for moving said first gripper inwardly for guiding engagement with said stack of goods in said inserting position and outwardly for releasing said stack of goods after insertion into said hollow container;
• and
• second drive means mounted on said support means operatively connected to said second gripper for moving said second gripper independently of said first gripper inwardly into supporting engagement of said extension thereon with said stack of goods and outwardly for releasing said stack of goods in said inserting position for insertion of said stack of goods into said hollow container when said stack of goods is guided by said first gripper during said insertion.