Patent ID: 6286290
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
A conveyor apparatus for advancing generally flat products and depositing the products in groups into containers each having an open side, comprising(a) first and second parallel-spaced endless conveyors extending from a receiving station to a first transfer station for moving products in an advancing direction from the receiving station to the first transfer station;(b) a plurality of product-carrying elements mounted on the first and second conveyors at a uniform spacing from one another; said product-carrying elements mounted on said first conveyor forming a first group of product-carrying elements; said product-carrying elements mounted on said second conveyor forming a second group of product-carrying elements; said first and second groups extending over one part of a length of respective said first and second conveyors;(c) drive means for moving said first and second conveyors independently from one another such that products are conveyable from said receiving station to said first transfer station alternatingly by said first and said second conveyors;(d) a discharge mechanism situated at said first transfer station and including(1) a plurality of product-pushing elements for displacing products transversely to said advancing direction away from said product-carrying elements; said product-pushing elements being spaced identically to the spacing of said product-carrying elements mounted on said first and second conveyors; and(2) control means for moving said product-pushing elements;(e) a third conveyor extending from said first transfer station to a second transfer station;(f) receiving elements mounted on said third conveyor for carrying containers from said first transfer station, where products are placed into the containers through the open side thereof by said product-pushing elements, to said second transfer station; and(g) means for selectively mounting the containers on said receiving elements for selectively orienting the container opening horizontally or vertically, whereby the containers are selectively charged with the flat products in an edge-wise standing or in a flatly lying stack.