Method and apparatus for packing
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A packing apparatus comprising:
- a matrix former having a product contact surface and an adjacent at least one sidewall, said sidewall being movable relative to said product contact surface, said matrix former being pivotable about an axis parallel to and spaced from said product contact surface between a first position wherein said product contact surface faces in a first direction and a second position wherein said product contact surface faces in a second direction; and
a platform comprising a box support having a box contact side and a box holder for holding a box having a closed bottom and open top on said box support, said platform being movable between a first position and a second position, and said box support being pivotable between a first angular orientation and a second angular orientation.
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Abstract
A packing method and system are disclosed which system includes a first platform having a product support surface for supporting a product and a second platform for supporting a box into which the product is to be packed. After a box is received on and secured to the second platform, the second platform is rotated so that the open top of the box faces the first platform and moved toward the first platform until the box substantially surrounds the product on the product support surface. The first and second platforms are then rotated simultaneously so that the product is transferred from the product support to the box, and the full box is discharged to a discharge conveyor.
104 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A packing apparatus comprising:
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a matrix former having a product contact surface and an adjacent at least one sidewall, said sidewall being movable relative to said product contact surface, said matrix former being pivotable about an axis parallel to and spaced from said product contact surface between a first position wherein said product contact surface faces in a first direction and a second position wherein said product contact surface faces in a second direction; and
a platform comprising a box support having a box contact side and a box holder for holding a box having a closed bottom and open top on said box support, said platform being movable between a first position and a second position, and said box support being pivotable between a first angular orientation and a second angular orientation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of packing a product comprising the steps of:
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providing a first platform having a product support surface and an adjacent at least one sidewall, the sidewall being movable relative to the product support surface, the first platform facing in a first direction;
placing a product to be packaged on the product support surface;
providing a second platform including a box support having a box contact surface;
aligning said second platform with a first conveyor and receiving on said box support a box having a closed bottom and an open top;
securing the box to the box support with the closed bottom in contact with the box contact surface;
pivoting the box support so that the box contact surface faces the first platform product support surface and the box open top faces the product;
moving the second platform towards the first platform until the product passes through the box top opening;
pivoting the first platform and the box support platform until the box open top faces in the first direction;
moving the second platform away from the first platform;
pivoting the first platform until the product support surface faces in the first direction;
aligning said second platform with a second conveyor; and
,releasing said box onto said second conveyor. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A packing apparatus comprising:
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a first platform having a product contact surface and being pivotable about an axis parallel to and spaced from said product contact surface between a first position wherein said product contact surface faces in a first direction and a second position wherein said product contact surface faces in a second direction;
at least one sidewall adjacent said first platform, said sidewall being movable relative to said product contact surface; and
a second platform comprising;
a box support having a first wall and a box contact side;
a positioning device for positioning and holding a box on said box support comprising a second, movable, wall and an actuator for moving said movable wall with respect to said first wall;
at least one gripper for gripping an edge of a box having a closed bottom and open top on said box support;
said second platform being movable between a first position and a second position, and said box support being pivotable between a first angular orientation and a second angular orientation with respect to said first platform;
at least one guide track for guiding the movement of said second platform between the first position and the second position;
a drive belt extending between a first wheel and a second wheel and a drive operably coupled to said drive belt, wherein said second platform is coupled to said drive belt; and
an actuator for pivoting said box support.
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Specification