GB1464100A - Packaging of articles - Google Patents

Abstract

1464100 Packaging batches of articles of uniform shape BAKER PERKINS HOLDINGS Ltd 20 Sept 1974 [27 Sept 1973] 45310/73 Heading B8C The invention relates to packaging apparatus of the kind in which a uniform batch of articles 11 is fed on to a container blank 14 positioned, and supported over, a forming-aperture 47 in a container-forming die and is pressed downwardly with the blank into the die aperture by a reciprocating plunger 51, extending portions of the blank being folded, during passage into the die aperture, about the batch in the form of a container, a further batch 11 then being fed on to a further blank 14 positioned over the aperture 47 in the meantime, the further batch and blank then being pressed into the die aperture by the plunger 51 and the latter action of the plunger causing the previously-formed loaded container to pass out of the die on to a receiving platform 63 at a discharge station. The apparatus is characterized in that each loaded container is transferred from the receiving platform 63 at the discharge station to a further feeding station 64 by a bifurcated discharge pusher 62 formed with a trailing bifurcated platform 61 arranged, during the discharging action, to support the preceding loaded container in the die and to move, while in the supporting position, with said preceding container as it is caused by the plunger to pass out of the die on to the receiving platform 63 at the discharge station, the receiving platform being bifurcated to allow passage of said bifurcated discharge pusher. As shown in Figs. 1, 2 tray blanks 14 are drawn, one-by-one, from a magazine 16 by suction nozzles 18 operated by a cam-shaft 30 and link mechanism 21-29, the blank being deposited upon a chain conveyer 33 which delivers it beneath the applicator of a gum bath 38, controlled by the cam-shaft 30 and linkage 39, 40, and where adhesive is applied to the corner portions of the tray blank 14. The latter is carried by a further chain conveyer 34 over the previously-formed loaded container supported by the pusher platform 61 in the die opening 47 and is clamped in position by fingers 48 the platform 61 being located immediately below the opening 47. The batch of cans 11 is transferred by a pusher 59 at the rear of the platform 61 along a bifurcated platform 12 and on to the blank 14 and, when the leading cans are correctly positioned, as sensed by a senser 84, the plunger 51 and the platform 61, which, during its preceding forward stroke and with a pusher 62 at its leading end, ejected the loaded container already resting upon the bifurcated platform 63 at the discharge station, descend in unison to deposit the previously-formed container upon the platform 63 and fold the blank into a container around the batch of cans 11 as the latter are pushed into the opening to rest upon the previouslyformed container. The cycle of operations is repeated continuously, and the platform 61 and pushers 59, 62 are actuated by a cam-and-crank operated linkage 68-87, Fig. 2, driven by the cam-shaft 30, the platform 61 and pushers 59, 62 following loci as indicated by respective arrows in Fig. 2. The sensing device is in the form of a microswitch 88, which is movable into and out of, the detecting position and which controls a motor-driven electromagnetic onerevolution clutch.