Patent GB-1502609-A (GB)
Title: Method of and apparatus for handling and filling containers
IPC: B65G37/00
Filed: 1974-09-27
Abstract: 1502609 Method and apparatus for handling and filling containers IMPERIAL GROUP Ltd 15 Sept 1975 [27 Sept 1974] 42122/74 Heading B8C A method of handling and filling a plurality of containers 14-17 comprises the steps of placing empty containers on first and second conveyer means 10, 12 respectively; conveying the containers from the first conveyer means 10 serially through a container filling station 11; transferring filled containers from the filling station serially on to the second conveyer means 12; transferring the containers serially from the second conveyer means 12 on to the first conveyer means 10 as filled containers arrive on the second conveyer means 12; and subsequently removing filled containers from the conveyer means. Preferably the filled containers are removed when the containers on at least the second conveyer means 12 are filled containers, As shown, empty containers 14-16 and 17-19 on the upper and lower conveyers A, B, respectively, Fig. 1, are circulated in the directions of arrows A and B and, when the empty containers 19, 18, 17, transported to the upper conveyer 10, subsequently pass through the filling machine 11 and are returned to the lower conveyer 12, the filling cycle for all of the containers is complete. A machine 30, Fig. 11, for filling trays 24, Fig. 10, with cigarettes, has an elevator, not shown, for transferring trays from an upper, walking-beam conveyer 31 to a lower, belt conveyer 32 at the outer end of which is located a tray lift 33 mounted upon a gantry 34 and operated by a motor 35. In operation, upper and lower pairs of tines 211, 221 and 212, 222, respectively on an end-loading, lifting trolley 20 are loaded with empty trays 24, Fig. 10, and the trolley is wheeled forward to place the tines 211, 212 and 221, 222 on either side of the conveyers whereupon the trolley is lowered, approximately 1 inch, while the tines are maintained horizontal, to deposit the empty trays upon the conveyers 31, 32, the lift 33 meanwhile having been lowered to the level of the lower conveyer 32. When all of the trays have been filled the trolley is raised to lift the filled trays clear of the conveyers 31, 32, the loaded trolley being withdrawn after the lift has been raised to the top of the gantry 34. In a modification, Figs. 12-13 (not shown), a sideloading machine includes continuously-running, upper and lower belt conveyers (41, 42) which are associated respectively with upper and lower pairs of conveyer chains (43, 44) provided with T-shaped flight bars (45), and a tray elevator 46. A two-deck trolley (54), loaded with empty containers, Fig. 15 (not shown), is raised by a lift arm (51) into alignment alongside the chain conveyers (43, 44) and upper and lower pushbars (47, 48), provided with suction pads (50), are reciprocated horizontally to pull the trays on to the flight bars (45) and on to the upper runs of the chain conveyers (43, 44). Before the machine is operated a changeover-store of empty trays, e.g. nine, is placed on the belt conveyer (41). In operation, when a filled tray on the lower belt conveyer (42) arrives at the adjacent end of the associated chain conveyer (44) the latter indexes and moves all of the trays thereon through one pitch and discharges one empty tray on to the elevator (46). The latter then delivers one empty tray to the upper chain conveyer (43) which indexes to discharge one empty tray on to the belt conveyer (41). The indexing of the upper chain conveyer (43) is counted and, when the count reaches 24, the bars (47, 48) push the trays off the flight bars (45) and on to the trolley decks, the trolley then being lowered and wheeled away.