Patent ID: 7213386

Claim:
A device for filling a container with a plurality of objects standing substantially upright on a floor portion of the container, the device comprising: a depositing cavity temporarily created and maintained in the container for receiving one of the plurality of objects; a first moveable planar restraining member having a first anterior surface facing the depositing cavity and a first posterior surface, the first posterior surface restraining a previously deposited object against movement; a second moveable planar restraining member having a second anterior surface facing the depositing cavity and a second posterior surface; a first arm for repositioning the first restraining member from a position on a first side of the one of the objects to a new restraining position on an opposing second side of the one of the objects after the one of the objects is deposited into the depositing cavity; a second arm for maintaining the second restraining member in a position for guiding the one of the objects during deposition into the depositing cavity and maintaining the deposited object in a deposited position while the first restraining member is being repositioned; wherein the depositing cavity is defined in an object receiving configuration by the first and second anterior surfaces, the floor portion of the container, and opposing side walls of the container, wherein the first and second restraining members are at least partially defined by a comb-like structure including successive teeth and gaps, the first and second restraining members being arranged in a manner such that the teeth of the first restraining member are aligned in a plane with the gaps between the teeth of the second restraining member, thereby allowing the first and second restraining members to interleave as the first restraining member moves to the new restraining position on the opposing second side of the one of the objects, and wherein the first and second restraining members are operationally arranged to be removably insertable into and between the opposing side walls of the container.