Patent ID: 6286657
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: B65B,B65G

Abstract:
Apparatus for transporting commodities, comprising:a first transporting unit including guide means defining a first path having an inlet, said unit further including driven receptacles movable along said path in a predetermined direction past and beyond said inlet, each of said receptacles comprising a plurality of commodity engaging elements including first and second elements, at least one of said first and second elements being movable relative to the other of said first and second elements between a first position in which the receptacle can accept a commodity and a second position in which a commodity being received in the receptacle is compelled to move with the receptacle along said path beyond said inlet; anda second transporting unit comprising second guide means defining a second path including a portion arranged to deliver successive commodities of a series of commodities to the inlet of said first path, said portion of said second path and said inlet being oriented to permit entry of commodities from said second path into a receptacle at said inlet in the first position of the respective at least one engaging element, each of said receptacles further comprising means for effecting a movement of the at least one engaging element of the receptacle at said inlet toward the other engaging element of such receptacle in response to impingement upon by a commodity at said portion of said second path.