GB1316133A - Method and apparatus for loading containers with articles - Google Patents

Abstract

1316133 Packaging articles in layers UNILEVER Ltd 9 Oct 1970 [14 Oct 1969] 50372/69 Headings B8C and B8P Articles such as apples, are loaded into a container 52 in layers by apparatus comprising a container support means 8 for supporting a container below a platform 16 which is movable in a direction parallel to the top of the container between a first position to cover the open top of the container and a second position to uncover the top, a scraper bar 26 under which the platform passes and layer supporting means 27 adapted to extend within the container and adjustable height wise to two or more positions to support the layers of articles within the container at predetermined distances below the movable platform during loading. As shown, the container is formed from a one piece blank and during loading, an unclosed bottom flap 54 provides a slot 56 between a side wall 53 and the other bottom flaps. The container is supported on the supported means 8 which comprises a roller frame pivotally mounted on frame 1 of the apparatus to permit filled containers to be slid off the apparatus. The layer support means 27 comprises a ram 28 which is controlled by a foot pedal 45 controlling a weight-actuated mechanism, Fig. 2 (not shown), which supports a plate 49 placed inside the container 52 and the arrangement is such that the plate 49 is raised by the ram 28 as the latter passes between a gap in the bottom flaps of the container. In use, apples are fed on to the platform 16, Fig. 5, which is then moved to its second position allowing the apples to fall into intersecting dividers 57 placed on the plate 49, Fig. 6, at which time a bar 21 is automatically raised to stop the feed of apples directly into the container. When one layer is complete, the platform is pivoted downwardly, Fig. 7, the ram 28 is lowered, and a layer divider 59 and further dividers 56 inserted before the platform is returned to its first position, Fig. 5 for loading the next layer. When the container is full the plate 49 is withdrawn through the slot 56 and the support means 8 released so that it pivots to allow the filled container to slide out of the apparatus for subsequent closure of the flaps. In another arrangement, Fig. 8, (not shown), the container comprises a sleeve (60) surrounding shallow trays (61) which form the layer dividers, the bottom tray of a filled container being lowered by the ram directly on to the rollers of the roller frames.