Patent ID: 6508044
Filing Date: 2003-01-21
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
Apparatus (32) for setting a corner protector (4) on a corner of a package (P), said apparatus comprising a gripping and positioning device (1) for gripping the corner protector and moving it to the corner of the package, and a corner protector magazine (2) comprising a storage space (3) designed to store a number of corner protectors (4; 41, 42, 43) arranged as a file in an upright position, said storage space being delimited in the downward direction by a bottom support (5) which supports the corner protectors from below, said storage space comprising a delivery end (6) from where an individual corner protector can be taken by the gripping and positioning device; conveying means (7, 8, 9, 10) for moving the file of corner protectors in the storage space toward the delivery end; and arresting means (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) arranged near the delivery end to arrest the corner protectors, characterized in that:the conveying means comprise a press device (7) driven by a first power means (8) and arranged to be in contact with the hindmost corner protector (43) to move the file of corner protectors toward the delivery end (6) and to pack the corner protectors in the file substantially closely together; and that the arresting means comprise: a gate (11) which can be opened and closed, with an arrangement for moving the gate between a closed position (I) and an open position (II) using a second power means (12), in which closed position (I) the gate detains the file of corner protectors against the pressure applied by the press device as the foremost corner protector (41) leans against the gate, and in which open position (II) the gate is open so as to release the foremost corner protector to allow it to be taken by the gripping and positioning device, and an arresting device (13) disposed near the delivery end (6) and comprising a separating tab (14) fitted to be moved by a third power means (15) between an arresting position (A) and a releasing position (B) in which arresting position (A) the separating tab is between the foremost corner protector (41) in the file and the second corner protector (42) next in the file so as to arrest the file of corner protectors while the gate (11) is in the open position (II), and in which releasing position (B) the separating tab is out of the way of the corner protector (42) when the gate is in the closed position (I) so as to release the second corner protector to make it the foremost corner protector in the file so that it is pressed against the closed gate while the previous foremost corner protector is in the grip of the gripping and positioning device.