US3866392A - Packaging apparatus - Google Patents

Packaging apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US3866392A
US3866392A US359259A US35925973A US3866392A US 3866392 A US3866392 A US 3866392A US 359259 A US359259 A US 359259A US 35925973 A US35925973 A US 35925973A US 3866392 A US3866392 A US 3866392A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
feeder
carrier
articles
package
ready
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US359259A
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English (en)
Inventor
Reginald Arthur Weeks
Derek Stanley Cowling
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Dufaylite Developments Ltd
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Dufaylite Developments Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dufaylite Developments Ltd filed Critical Dufaylite Developments Ltd
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3866392A publication Critical patent/US3866392A/en
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Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
    • B65B5/10—Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles
    • B65B5/101—Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles by gravity
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
    • B65B25/02—Packaging agricultural or horticultural products
    • B65B25/04—Packaging fruit or vegetables

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT The invention provides apparatus for feeding articles. for example apples, tomatoes or other fruit to a package of the kind which locates the articles with respect to one another.
  • a carrier for the package is filled by drawing it from a ready-position beneath a feeder for the articles, through a filling stroke to a filled position. The articles are fed to the package during the filling stroke.
  • the feeder normally communicates with a supply of the articles, but is isolated therefrom during the filling stroke. Having the carrier manually movable for the filling and return strokes gives satisfactory and economic operation together with mechanical simplicity.
  • a very simple. purely manual apparatus has a feeder pivoted by engagement with a ramp on the carrier.
  • the carrier may be movable stepwise downwardly between the filling strokes, eg by a fluid operated mechanism mounted together with the carrier upon a manually reciprocable carriage.
  • the present invention relates to the packaging of articles in packages of the kind which serves for locating the articles with respect to one another in a layer.
  • packages of the kind which serves for locating the articles with respect to one another in a layer.
  • Other forms of such packages are known, including packages incorporating a grid of strips interlocked in an egg-box structure, and packages formed of synthetic resinous or cellulosic material moulded to provide compartments for the articles.
  • a method of packaging articles in a package of the kind aforesaid which comprises positioning the articles on a feeder and locating the package below the feeder in a ready-position and withdrawing the package from below the feeder through a filling stroke to a filled position whilst feeding the articles progressively from the feeder so that they are distributed over the package for location thereby.
  • apparatus for feeding articles to a package of the kind aforesaid which apparatus comprises a feeder for holding the articles, a carrier for holding the package and enabling it to be withdrawn whilst so held from a ready-position beneath the feeder, through a filling stroke, to a filled-position and feeder means operable to cause the articles to be fed progressively from the feeder to the package during the filling stroke thereof so that they are distributed over the package for location thereby.
  • the feeder is mounted for pivotal movement between an article-holding position and a feeding position in which it is inclined and allows the articles to roll and/or slide tothe package, and the feeder means is arranged to pivot the feeder from the article-holding position to the feeding position for the filling stroke of the package.
  • This arrangement is especially convenient when the apparatus has, as is preferred, a supply station for the articles to be packaged and the feeder normally communicates with the supply station in article-receiving relationship therewith but is isolated from the supply station during the filling stroke.
  • the feeder may then be provided with a projection arranged to close an outlet from the supply station to the feeder when the feeder is pivoted to its feeding position so that a cycle of terminating the supply of articles from the supply station to the feeder, feeding articles to the package and replenishing the feeder, is achieved in a very simple manner.
  • the carrier For pivoting the feeder to produce the said cycle, the carrier may be provided with at least one formation, e.g. a ramp, which engages the feeder.
  • the apparatus is then very simple in its construction. It need have no poweroperated parts, and may be provided in a simple manually operable form. Powenoperated pivoting of the feeder is most conveniently achieved by a fluid operated, preferably pneumatic, ram.
  • the apparatus is suitable for feeding articles to packages which are removed after the filling stroke and handled singly.
  • the carrier adjustable in its height, a stack of filled packages may be formed progressively on the carrier. This arrangement is especially attractive for the packaging of apples which must normaly be packed in a multi-layer arrangement.
  • the load-bearing properties of structural honeycomb material may be used advantageously to protect the packaged product.
  • Packages of the moulded tray type are not always suitable for multi-layer packaging.
  • the apparatus having a carrier adjustable in its height, means are provided for locating a box at substantially constant height whilst enabling the box to be moved beneath the feeder with the carrier, the arrangement being such that the packages are located at the top of the box whilst the articles are fed thereto and the stack is lowered progressively into the box.
  • a convenient form for the carrier is a set of supporting columns arranged for retractable upward projection through the bottom of the box.
  • the carrier is mounted for movement upon a support to convey the packages to and fro between the ready-position and the filled position thereof and a fluid actuated ram is operable to raise the support and lower it stepwise.
  • a fluid actuated ram is operable to raise the support and lower it stepwise.
  • the ram is at least partially hydraulically operated and the support is positively located by hyrdaulic pressure whilst being lowered.
  • FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the apparatus with a package in the ready-position
  • FIG. 2 shows the same embodiment whilst the package is being moved through a filling stroke
  • FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the apparatus at the end of the filling stroke thereof
  • FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the apparatus with a package in the ready-position.
  • a feeder l is shown in communication with a supply station 2 which may be manually loaded or automatically loaded, for example by a grading apparatus for tomatoes or other product 3.
  • a carrier 4 is slidably mounted upon a support 5 having legs or a framework shown in part at 6 which locates it at a convenient working height.
  • the product is held from rolling off the end of base part 7 of feeder l by a stop bar 9 fixedly mounted relative to the support 5.
  • a package in the form of a box 10 containing an expanded slice of structural honeycomb material 11 which divides its interior into compartments, is shown positioned below the carrier.
  • Feeder l is pivotably mounted at 8 about a horizontal axis.
  • the feeder On its underside the feeder has a stop plate 12, positioned as shown, which carries a wheel 13 at its lower edge.
  • the wheel 13 By moving the carrier 4 in a filling stroke in the direction of the arrow (FIG. 2), the wheel 13 is caused to ascend a ramp-14 on the feeder 1 so that the carrier 7 pivots about to the position shown in FIG. 2.
  • the supply station is closed-off by the stop plate 12 and the product is free to roll or slide from the feeder, under the bar 9, to be fed progressively to the package during the filling stroke.
  • Operation of the apparatus is entirely manual and, while making the filling stroke, the operator is readily able to adjust the positioning of the articles so that they fall into the cells. An article which does not fall immediately into a cell obstructs delivery from the feeder so that unacceptable localized accumulation of articles is minimized.
  • the apparatus of FIG. 3 has a supply station and feeder arrangement similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2 but with a pneumatic ram 14' for pivoting the feeder'7.
  • a platform 4 mounted upon a pair of rails 31, one only of which is shown in FIG. 1, which extend in the direction of the filling stroke.
  • These rails preferably have a channel shaped cross-section in which rollers 32 are located.
  • Extending upwardly from the platform 4' is a set of pillars 33 which can project upwardly through apertures 34 in the bottom of a box 35 to be packed.
  • a ram 36 carries the rails 31 via a framework 37 (only part of which is shown) for vertically upwards and downwards motion.
  • Pneumatic pressure is used for raising the rails quickly and the downward motion is positively controlled by hydraulic fluid.
  • Stopwise descent is obtained by cam pieces, adjustably mounted on the framework, which actuate a stop-valve.
  • the operation in the apparatus for packaging the structural honeycomb material 38 is expanded manually and placed in position by the operator,and the filling of the honeycomb material is achieved bymoving the box manually together with the pillars and platform 4' to and fro along the rails. Filling is obtained substantially as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 hereof.
  • Ram 14' is operated automatically by a valve responsive to the movement of the platform 4'.
  • a pair of rails 39 (one only shown in FIG. 3) supports the box at constant height whilst allowing it to be moved to and fro. As the weight of the product is carried by the pillars 33 the effect of friction between the box and the rails 39 is unimportant.
  • FIG. 4 is similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 except that springs 40 (only one shown) at either side of the feeder 7 are arranged to tilt the feeder for the filling stroke, and a cam plate 41 on the carrier 4 cooperates with a wheel 13' to bring the carrier into the position shown when the package is in the ready-position.
  • Apparatus for feeding articles to packages of the kind which serve for locating the articles with respect to one another in a layer which apparatus comprises a supply station for the articles, said supply station terminating in an outlet, a feeder having an entrance end and an exit end, a fixed gate member at said exit end. said feeder being privotably mounted for pivotal movement between an article-receiving position in which the feeder is in article-receiving relationship via its.
  • a manually slidable carrier for holding the packages in turn, means mounting said carrier for reciprocating movement, said carrier being reciprocably slidable manually to withdraw a package from a ready-position beneath the feeder through a filling stroke, during which the articles fed progressively over the exit end of the feeder are distributed over the package for location thereby, to a filled position, and subsequently to carry the next package to the ready position, and interengaging parts on the feeder and the carrier formed to pivot the feeder into its feeding position as the package is withdrawn from the ready position and to return the feeder to its article-receiving position as the next package is carried to the ready position, the pivotal movement of the feeder being manually powered via the carrier and said interengaging parts.
  • Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the carrier is adjustable in its height so that a stack of filled packages may be formed progressively.
  • Apparatus for feeding aricles to packages of the kind which serve for locating the articles with respect to one another in a layer which apparatus comprises a supply station for the articles, said supply station terminating-in an outlet, a feeder having an entrance end and an exit end, a fixed gate member at said exit end, said feeder being pivotably mounted for pivotal movement between an article-receiving position in which the feeder is in article-receiving relationship via its entrance end with the supply station outlet and a feeding position in which its exit end is lowered to allow progressive gravitational feeding of the articles under the gate member end over the exit end, a manually slidable carrier for holding the packages in turn, means mounting said carrier for reciprocating movement, said carrier being reciprocably slidable manually to withdraw a package from a ready-position beneath the feeder through a filling stroke, during which the articles fed progressively over the exit end of the feeder are distributed over the package for location thereby, to a filled position, and subsequently to carry the next package to the ready position, and an actuator ram adapted
  • Apparatus according to claim 6 having means for locating a box at substantially constant height while enabling the box to be moved beneath the feeder with the carrier, the arrangement being such that the packages are located at the top of the box while the articles are vey the packages to and fro between the ready-position and the filled position thereof and a fluid actuated ram is operable to raise the support and lower it stepwise.
  • Apparatus according to claim 10 in which the fluid actuated ram is at least partially hydraulically operated and the support is positively located by hydraulic pressure while being lowered.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Agronomy & Crop Science (AREA)
  • Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)
  • Packaging Of Special Articles (AREA)
US359259A 1972-05-11 1973-05-11 Packaging apparatus Expired - Lifetime US3866392A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB2225072A GB1433134A (en) 1972-05-11 1972-05-11 Packaging articles such as apples in a layer or layers

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3866392A true US3866392A (en) 1975-02-18

Family

ID=10176329

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US359259A Expired - Lifetime US3866392A (en) 1972-05-11 1973-05-11 Packaging apparatus

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3866392A (enExample)
CA (1) CA989784A (enExample)
DE (1) DE2323638A1 (enExample)
FR (1) FR2184051B1 (enExample)
GB (1) GB1433134A (enExample)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4030268A (en) * 1975-07-18 1977-06-21 Thurne Engineering Company Limited Packaging machine
US4389832A (en) * 1981-03-16 1983-06-28 The Mead Corporation Method and apparatus for loading bottles into open top bottle carriers
US4578930A (en) * 1984-05-02 1986-04-01 Nabisco Brands, Inc. Yeast cake loading device
US4727708A (en) * 1986-10-06 1988-03-01 Manville Corporation Wrap-around packaging machine
US5452985A (en) * 1992-03-03 1995-09-26 Compagnie Generale D'automatisme Cga-Hbs Article handling system, especially for an automatic mail sorting machine
US6792741B1 (en) 2003-09-08 2004-09-21 Dominic Theriault Container packing system
US9278809B2 (en) 2011-12-22 2016-03-08 Crisplant A/S Chute system with adjustable angle of inclination

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2168669A (en) * 1984-10-27 1986-06-25 Dufaylite Dev Ltd Packaging of articles
US4748791A (en) * 1986-07-28 1988-06-07 Langenbeck Keith A Beverage tray packing system
US4704841A (en) * 1986-07-28 1987-11-10 Langenbeck Keith A Beverage tray packing system
US4949531A (en) * 1988-04-26 1990-08-21 Keith A. Langenbeck System for packing containers into trays
CN106956792A (zh) * 2017-05-06 2017-07-18 福州大学 基于三轴滚珠丝杆滑台的板栗仁排列摆放机及其工作方法
CN108383068B (zh) * 2018-04-08 2024-01-30 江苏汤沟两相和酒业有限公司 瓶装酒包装生产线

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2797540A (en) * 1955-01-17 1957-07-02 Fruit Ind Res Foundation Fruit packing apparatus
US3049844A (en) * 1959-10-26 1962-08-21 Pacific Pulp Molding Co Article packing machine and method

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1314057A (en) * 1970-08-20 1973-04-18 Dufaylite Dev Ltd Packaging with honeycomb material

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2797540A (en) * 1955-01-17 1957-07-02 Fruit Ind Res Foundation Fruit packing apparatus
US3049844A (en) * 1959-10-26 1962-08-21 Pacific Pulp Molding Co Article packing machine and method

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4030268A (en) * 1975-07-18 1977-06-21 Thurne Engineering Company Limited Packaging machine
US4389832A (en) * 1981-03-16 1983-06-28 The Mead Corporation Method and apparatus for loading bottles into open top bottle carriers
US4578930A (en) * 1984-05-02 1986-04-01 Nabisco Brands, Inc. Yeast cake loading device
US4727708A (en) * 1986-10-06 1988-03-01 Manville Corporation Wrap-around packaging machine
WO1988002333A1 (en) * 1986-10-06 1988-04-07 Manville Corporation Wrap-around packaging machine
US5452985A (en) * 1992-03-03 1995-09-26 Compagnie Generale D'automatisme Cga-Hbs Article handling system, especially for an automatic mail sorting machine
US6792741B1 (en) 2003-09-08 2004-09-21 Dominic Theriault Container packing system
US9278809B2 (en) 2011-12-22 2016-03-08 Crisplant A/S Chute system with adjustable angle of inclination

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2184051B1 (enExample) 1978-05-26
GB1433134A (en) 1976-04-22
FR2184051A1 (enExample) 1973-12-21
CA989784A (en) 1976-05-25
DE2323638A1 (de) 1973-11-29

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