Patent ID: 7536842

Claim:
A method for filling a series of box-like containers with articles arranged side by side and vertically, the method comprising: providing an article feeding apparatus ( 2 ) and first means ( 5 ) for supporting and moving box-like containers placing said article feeding apparatus ( 2 ) in a position corresponding to a first box-like container ( 4 ), belonging to the series of the box-like containers; inserting the articles ( 10 ) supplied by the article feeding apparatus ( 2 ) into a first box-like container ( 4 ), in a vertical orientation, in step relation with the movement of the first box-like container in a container feeding direction (G), until a prefixed filling condition of the first box-like container ( 4 ) is achieved; stopping the feeding of the articles ( 10 ) by the article feeding apparatus ( 2 ); removing said article feeding apparatus ( 2 ) from the first box-like container ( 4 ) and moving at least said first box-like container ( 4 ) and a second box-like container ( 6 ), belonging to the series of box-like containers and adjacent to the first box-like container ( 4 ) in a feeding direction (G), using the first supporting and moving means ( 5 ); placing the article feeding apparatus ( 2 ) in a position corresponding to the second box-like container ( 6 ); providing a first dwelling station ( 15 ), situated in cascade with respect to the first supporting means ( 5 ); providing a second dwelling station ( 16 ), situated beside the first dwelling station ( 15 ); providing first pushing means ( 17 ), connected to said first dwelling station ( 15 ), for transferring the box-like containers, belonging to the series of box-like containers, from said first dwelling station ( 15 ) to said second dwelling station ( 16 ); providing second support and moving means ( 18 ) for supporting and moving the series of box-like containers in a feeding direction (F), substantially opposite to said article feeding direction (G), and having an initial section adjacent to the second dwelling station ( 16 ); operating second pushing means ( 19 ), connected to said second dwelling station ( 16 ), in step relation with an activation of said first pushing means ( 17 ) for transferring the box-like containers, belonging to the series of box-like containers, from said second dwelling station ( 16 ) onto said second support and moving means ( 18 ).