Patent GB-1168581-A (GB)
Title: Process and Apparatus for Packaging Articles
IPC: B65B21/24
Filed: 1968-01-22
Abstract: 1,168,581. Packaging-machines; endless conveyers. M. GOLDMAN, and P. F. CONNELLY, [trading as COLONIAL BEVERAGE EQUIPEMENT]. 22 Jan., 1968 [15 June, 1967], No. 3350/68. Headings B8A and B8C. Apparatus for loading articles into a case comprises a conveyer 10, Fig. 1, for delivering articles in single file to a table 12, a discharge conveyer 14 for moving articles in time abreast from the table, and a discharge shoot 15a directing groups of articles from the discharge conveyer into a case C. When a predetermined number of articles has been accumulated on the table, further articles are held back, and the table moves to a position where a pusher 13 pushes the articles on to the discharge conveyer. The articles may be wrap-pack cartons containing four or eight bottles. Accumulating articles.-Articles arriving on the delivery conveyer 10 are deposited on the table 12 and pushed by succeeding articles over rollers 12a, Fig. 1. At the far end of the table, there is a plate 33 hinged by a spring to another plate 32 which is in turn attached to a plate 31 by bolts 32a. These bolts can be adjusted to suit the size of the articles being handled. When the leading articles reaches the plate 33 and pushes againts it, a switch S1 is actuated and engages a clutch, causing a cam to rotate. A cam follower now moves a gripper plate 51 to hold the next article on the conveyer 10 against a second gripper 51a. Then, a second cam follower is operated, resulting in the rotation of a shaft which moves a slotted block and a pivoted arm 71, one end of which is connected through the plate 31 to the table 12, so that the table is moved in the direction of travel of the incoming articles, carrying with it the accumulated article group. Pusher mechanism-The pusher 13 is also operated through a cam. After the movement of the table, a cam follower actuates mechanism, Fig. 6 (not shown), to move a pusher bar 13a, Fig. 1, and sweep the group of articles on to the discharge conveyer 14. The mechanism includes a torque limiter which causes the above-mentioned clutch to disengage if the resistance to the bar 13a exceeds a preset value, e.g. if there is some obstruction. A manual switch is used to reposition the bar 13a after operation. Discharging articles.-After moving along conveyer 14, articles are guided down the shoot 15a by adjustable rails 110, 111, Fig. 11. An operator manually moves rows of articles from the shoot into a case C which then slides across a support 16 into a buffer plate 18a in front of a stop plate 18. A flange 18b protects the operator. Filled cases are moved away by a conveyer 21, Fig. 1. Orientating articles.-A turning device 151 may be located in the delivery conveyer, Fig. 8. The device comprises a freely rotatable shaft 153 carrying arms 155-158. Two opposed arms 156, 158 have hooks 159, 160 at their ends, and these catch on to the corners of cartons P as they move past and turn them through 90 degrees. The other arms 155, 157 have curved ends which are pushed away by the cartons and do not cause the latter to turn, so that only alternate cartons are reoriented. To assist the turning action, and also to control the carton spacing, the second part 124 of the conveyer 10, i.e. beyond the turning device, travels more slowly than the first part 123. In a modification, Fig. 9 (not shown), a three-armed device turns every pack in a succession of eight-bottle cartons.