Apparatus and method for loading horizontal stacks of containers into a carton

• US 5,542,238 A
• Filed: 06/06/1995
• Issued: 08/06/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CBW Automation, Inc. (H. Müller-Fabrique de Moules SA)
• Original Assignee: CBW Automation, Inc. (H. Müller-Fabrique de Moules SA)
• Inventors: Frey, George E., Johnson, Darrell B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coan, James F.
• Application Number:
  US08/473,002
• Time in Patent Office: 427 Days
• Field of Search: 53/475, 53/474, 53/473, 53/244, 53/260, 53/255, 53/248, 53/247, 53/235, 53/449, 53/175, 53/542, 53/538, 53/537, 53/535, 53/536, 53/534
• US Class Current: 53/475
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 39/007 Guides or funnels for introducing articles into containers or wrappers
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/101 by gravity B65B5/12 and B65B5/108 take precedence

Abstract

An apparatus for filling cartons with horizontal stacks of containers includes a chute assembly and a carton indexing table positioned thereunder. The chute assembly holds a single horizontal stack of containers to be placed in a plastic-lined carton previously placed on the carton indexing table. The chute assembly includes front and rear downwardly and inwardly projecting fixed guides and a pair of pivoting side guides. The pivoting side guides are arranged for motion between an inward retracted position and an outward extended position.

Claims

1. An apparatus for sequentially loading horizontal stacks of containers into a carton, the apparatus comprising:

a feed chute assembly for receiving and releasably retaining a single horizontal stack of containers, the feed chute assembly comprising front and rear downwardly and inwardly projecting fixed guides and a pair of pivoting side guides controllably arranged for motion between an inward retracted position and an outward extended position, the feed chute assembly further comprising container release means for contollably releasing the horizontal stack of containers retained therein after the pivoting side guides have moved to the outward extended position; and

a carton indexing table positioned beneath the feed chute assembly for holding the carton in place for loading, the carton indexing table being operative for rotation to a predetermined angle above a horizontal position and for horizontal and vertical translation.

2. A method for loading a horizontal stack of containers into a carton, the method comprising:

providing a feed chute assembly for receiving and releasably retaining a single horizontal stack of containers, the feed chute assembly including front and rear downwardly and inwardly projecting fixed guides and a pair of pivoting side guides controllably arranged for motion between an inward retracted position and an outward extended position, the feed chute assembly further comprising container release means for contollably releasing the horizontal stack of containers retained therein;

providing a carton indexing table positioned beneath the feed chute assembly for holding the carton in place for loading, the carton indexing table being operative for rotation to a predetermined angle above a horizontal position and for horizontal and vertical translation;

placing a plastic liner inside the carton;

placing the carton on the carton indexing table;

rotating the carton indexing table to a predetermined angle of tilt;

translating the carton indexing table horizontally and upwardly such that the chute is in position to drop a row of stacked containers retained therein into a desired position within the carton; and

actuating the side guides from the retracted position to the extended position against the plastic liner to thereby remove any air trapped between the plastic liner and the carton; and

releasing the horizontal stack of containers retained with the chute to permit them to drop, guided by the front and rear fixed guides and the extended side guides, into the carton.

3. A method for loading horizontal stack of containers into a carton, the method comprising:

providing a feed chute assembly for receiving and releasably retaining a single horizontal stack of containers, the feed chute assembly including front and rear downwardly and inwardly projecting fixed guides and a pair of pivoting side guides controllably arranged for motion between an inward retracted position and an outward extended position, the feed chute assembly further comprising container release means for contollably releasing the horizontal stack of containers retained therein;

providing a carton indexing table positioned beneath the feed chute assembly for holding the carton in place for loading, the carton indexing table being operative for rotation to a predetermined angle above a horizontal position and for horizontal and vertical translation;

placing the carton on the carton indexing table;

rotating the carton indexing table to a predetermined angle of tilt;

translating the carton indexing table horizontally and upwardly such that the chute is in position to drop a row of stacked containers retained therein into a desired position within the carton; and

actuating the side guides from the retracted position to the extended position; and

releasing the horizontal stack of containers retained with the chute to permit them to drop, guided by the front and rear fixed guides and the extended side guides, into the carton.