Patent ID: 6430895
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: B65B,B65G

Abstract:
A mechanism for distributively directing an article conveyed in a conveyance direction on a conveyer in a packing system, the mechanism comprising:a force-imparting member for applying to the article a directing force having a lateral component crossing the conveyance direction such that the article changes its position laterally within the conveyer, said force-imparting member including a first shaft disposed at a position lower than an upper surface of the conveyer, a driver connected to said first shaft for rotating said first shaft, and a first eccentric member having a first radius and a second radius, said first radius being a longest distance between said first shaft and a periphery of said first eccentric member, said second radius being a shortest distance between said first shaft and the periphery of said first eccentric member, said first eccentric member being attached to said first shaft to rotate therewith, such that an upper surface of said first eccentric member reaches above the upper surface of the conveyer and the directing force is applied to the article at least when said first radius is pointing upward, and the upper surface of said first eccentric member is below the upper surface of the conveyer at least when said second radius is pointing upward; and a holding member disposed above the conveyer for preventing the article from being lifted more than a predetermined height when the directing force is applied to the article by said force-imparting member.