Patent GB-1147310-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to means for feeding tetrahedral packages into a transport container
IPC: B65B5/10
Filed: 1967-08-23
Abstract: 1,147,310. Packaging-apparatus; feeding tetrahedral packages. TETRA PAK A.B. 23 Aug., 1967 [23 Sept., 1966], No. 38889/67. Headings B8C and B8S. Apparatus for feeding tetrahedral packages into a container comprises a holder having spaced side members capable of supporting a package, and being hinged for movement in a vertical plane to allow the package to slide into the container. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 2 and 6, the container 1 is in the form of a hexagonal prism with walls sloping outwards from a base in the shape of a six-sided pyramid. The angles and proportions of container 1 are such that it will hold three layers, each of six regular tetrahedrons, Figs. 1a-1c (not shown). The packages 2a are inserted by a feeder, shown in plan in Fig. 6, comprising six holders 4<SP>1</SP>, each having two initially horizontal legs 7<SP>1</SP> on which a tetrahedron may be supported in the position shown in dashed lines and as received from a form-and-fill packaging machine, with one seam substantially parallel to the legs 7<SP>1</SP>. Each holder is hinged at a central pivot 6, Fig. 2, so that when released the holder will be turned downwards by the weight of the package resting on it. This package will then fall into the container 1 after tumbling over extensions 8<SP>1</SP> to the legs 71. The holder is restored to the horizontal position by spring means or otherwise. The second layer of packages requires insertion into the container displaced relative to the first layer by an angle of 30 degrees about the central vertical axis, and hence the reloaded feeder is turned by this amount before the second load of packages is released. Also, the second and third layers of tetrahedrons are required to slide from the holders without tumbling, and to achieve this the legs 7<SP>1</SP> are rotatable to turn the extensions 8<SP>1</SP> outwards. The third layer is fed at a further displacement of 30 degrees. Side guide plates 19 may be sited between the holders, or the legs 7<SP>1</SP> may carry between them a U-section guide 34 (Fig. 8) which initially supports the package inclined as shown. In operation, Figs. 4, 5 (not shown), empty containers are fed from a stack on to a conveyer (11) beneath the holders, and packages are fed to the holders from a packaging machine (13). In another embodiment, Fig. 10 (not shown), different layers may be fed by different sets of holders, when the means 5a for tumbling the packages is present only on the first set, and the legs 7<SP>1</SP> need not be rotatable. In a further embodiment, Fig. 11, the holders are pivotally attached to a chain 50, driven in the direction shown. The six holders marked a deliver packages in the first layer, b the middle layer, and c the top layer. Packages are delivered to the holders at the station adjacent pulley 51. When empty, the holders are held horizontal by springs, but when loaded, the holders are supported by rails 54, 55, 56 until they reach positions above containers at A, B and C respectively, when they will deliver their packages. The rails are spaced at increasing distances from the chain, and the groups of holders are of differing lengths so that they will be released selectively by the rails. At each step of the chain movement, the containers are turned through 60 degrees during the initial loading phase in which three packages are placed in each of the three containers at A, B, C starting from the position shown. The containers may continue to be turned during the subsequent idle stages in which the holders are moving to the position in which c4 reaches the end of rail 56. The holder at B is additionally rotated 30 degrees prior to the commencement of the initial loading. Alternatively, the holders delivering the middle layer may also turn through 30 degrees. One revolution of the chain combined with movement of a container from A to C produces a filled container.