Abstract: An apparatus and method for loading delicate fruit into standard sized fruit bins 10 wherein carriage 50, cradle 60, and distributing conveyor 40 are controlled to automatically lower fruit into bin 10 in such a way as to minimize damage to fruit and to maximize efficiency of loading.

Abstract: Stacks which consist of nested cuplike objects and have the basic shape of elongate cylinders are inserted in the form of a plurality of layers consisting each of a plurality of stacks into containers. The stacks are first moved in their longitudinal direction as they are fed to the container above the same and are subsequently transversely pushed in a juxtaposed condition into layer-forming means, which are mounted over the container, until the layer-forming means contain a complete layer consisting of the stacks. Thereafter the layer-forming means together with the layer of stacks are lowered from above as far as the bottom or as far as to a previously formed layer. The bottom of the layer-forming means is then pulled out under the layer and is deflected and pulled up so that the layer is deposited in the container while the mutual orientation of the stacks is maintained.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading a group of side-by-side stacked articles into a relatively flimsy enlongated open-top container. The containers are conveyed on a conveyor and each container, when positioned beneath a loading unit, is elevated from the conveyor to an elevated position where a pair of parallel spreader plates are received within the container. The spreader plates are pivoted outwardly deflecting the opposite elongated side walls of the container to a generally flat planar condition. With the side walls spread apart, a stack of articles is lowered by the loading unit into the container and the filled container is then lowered back onto the conveyor.

Abstract: A DIP tube loader and handler including magazine for containing a quantity of empty DIP packaging tubes, a tube singulating mechanism for positioning the tubes one at a time into a position to be loaded with DIPs, a DIP singulating mechanism for loading a predetermined number of DIPs into the tubes, and a tube elevator for transporting the loaded tubes from the loading position into a hopper.

Abstract: A case packing apparatus having a conveyor for moving a plurality of articles seriatim in a first direction to a location where means substantially perpendicular to the conveyor move a predetermined number of articles in the perpendicular direction into a case to form a layer within the case.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for case packing flexible product-containing bags is described. Rows of flexible product-containing bags are fed onto a tongue assembly. The tongue assembly has a flat plate which guides the bags into a carton, a movable lip which supports the bags from below and means for moving the lip from a bag-supporting position to a non-supporting position. The tongue assembly containing the bags is inserted into the carton and the movable lip is moved into a non-supporting position, allowing the bags to drop into the carton. The flat plate is also used to partially compress bags which have already been deposited in the carton.

Abstract: A fowl harvesting apparatus receives fowl which are conveyed upwardly and deposited in a metering tray which actuates a switch to cut off the conveyor when a desired number of fowl have been deposited in the tray. The tray is then moved downwardly on a supporting framework to be positioned adjacent an open coop compartment of a multi-compartment coop unit following which the tray is pivoted to deposit the fowl in the associated coop compartment. The multi-compartment coop unit is shiftable into one of two positions in which one of two vertically aligned banks of coop compartments is positioned in alignment with the fowl receiving and depositing tray. Conveyor is provided for removing the multi-compartment coop unit following the filling of same so as to permit the positioning of an empty multi-compartment coop unit on the apparatus for subsequent filling purposes.

Abstract: Apparatus for accumulating stacks of superimposed layers or piles of paper sheets has a horizontal platform which receives successive layers from a feeding unit and can open up to permit the properly oriented layer thereon to descend by gravity onto an elevator which is disposed at a level below the platform and at a distance only slightly exceeding the height of a layer. The elevator is then lowered by a step, and the platform receives and discharges the next layer in the same way so that the elevator supports two layers. The accumulation of layers on the elevator is repeated as often as desired in order to accumulate a stack of desired height. The elevator is then opened and permits the fully grown stack to descend through a chute and into a container (such as a carton which is disposed therebelow and is properly centered by a suitable receptacle). The descent of the stack is braked by the column of air which is pushed by the stack in front of it through the chute and into the interior of the carton.

Abstract: A system for loading nuclear fuel pellets into a sintering boat from a pellet press which discharges newly-made pellets. The loading system includes apparatus for receiving the pellets from the press and inserting them into an upward vertically positioned channel, a horizontally positioned rotatable drum with at least one longitudinally aligned circumferential channel, previously mentioned, for holding a row of pellets, a drum rotating mechanism, a device for pushing the pellets out of a below-horizontally positioned channel, an incline to receive the pushed out pellets, a sintering boat/incline positioner to allow the pellets to leave the incline adjacent the position in the sintering boat of the next-to-be-stacked pellet row, and a controller to coordinate system component operation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for packing tubular bags into boxes by machinery. The tubular bags to be packed are conveyed over various conveyor belts to a positioning belt and from the positioning belt to a positioning table. Layers of tubular bags are then moved onto a rake-like main base that is lowered in a stepwise fashion to receive consecutive layers of tubular bags. When the desired number of tubular bag layers is positioned on the main base, the main base is lowered to deposit the tubular bags onto an intermediate base which together with side walls makes up an intermediate container. Once the intermediate container is in a lower position, a box is pushed over the intermediate container and the intermediate container is swung through a 90.degree. arc onto a conveyor belt. The intermediate container is then removed from the box and by this process the tubular bags which were previously in the intermediate container are transferred into the box.

Abstract: A packaging machine includes a magazine which has a plurality of vertical compartments open at the top and bottom and which is supported for steplike movement between first and second positions in a direction forming an acute angle to a horizontal reference. A pair of adjacent box supports are located below and are parallel to the path of movement of the magazine, and are vertically movable between positions closely adjacent and spaced from the bottom of the magazine. A feed mechanism supplies individual packages to a fixed location above the path of movement of the magazine, the packages dropping into respective magazine compartments as the magazine moves. The feed mechanism can include a shaping mechanism at such fixed location to uniformly shape the individual packages. An inclined guideway supplies boxes to one of the box supports.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for volume filling of storage boxes with discrete articles such as lemons in which a transitory fill box is provided with three sides, an open side to receive articles into the box at a level approximately that of the bottom wall of the fill box, the bottom wall being openable to deposit articles in a storage box in a gentle manner. Presence of articles sensed at approximately the bottom of the open side of the fill box cause the fill box to be incrementably lowered into the storage box so that articles entering the fill box enter at a level with minimum fall to the bottom wall of the fill box or to a previously deposited layer of articles. As the fill box is lowered a curtain wall closes the open side below the point of entry of the articles.

Abstract: Apparatus for filling trays with cigarettes has a magazine which contains a supply of parallel cigarettes and the lower end portion of which extends into the interior of an empty tray so that the lower end portions of several vertical ducts in the lower end portion of the magazine are closely adjacent to the bottom wall of the tray. The tray is lowered continuously or stepwise while the ducts admit vertical streams or rows of cigarettes into the interior of the tray wherein the deposited cigarettes form superimposed layers with the cigarettes of each upper layer staggered relative to the cigarettes of the layer therebelow. This is attributed to the provision of horizontal shafts or horizontal tongues which flank the lower end portions of the ducts and are movable back and forth from neutral positions to effect a desirable distribution of descending cigarettes in the tray.

Abstract: The lower end portion of a magazine for parallel cigarettes or like rod-shaped articles contains a horizontal grid of parallel rods which divide the outlet opening of the lower end portion into parallel passages wherein the cigarettes descend into an empty tray therebelow. When the tray is filled (such filling takes place while the tray descends, either continuously or stepwise), the passages are blocked by rod-like closing members which are parallel to the rods of the grid and are movable from inoperative positions behind the rods of the grid to intercepting positions in or above the passages. The closing members are oscillated and/or vibrated to prevent jamming of passages and/or bridging of cigarettes above the grid. The mechanism for moving the closing members between inoperative and intercepting positions employs a pneumatic motor or an electromagnet which can shift a common carrier for the closing members. The mechanism is actuated in automatic response to completed filling of a tray.

Abstract: Apparatus for stacking flat-shaped articles such as slide frames including article conveyor means. A container is adapted for receiving successive articles from the conveyor. The container is mounted in a receiver with height control means for the position of the container in the receiver, a pusher member extends into the container and is selectively vertically movable to depress the container and articles therein by downward contacting movement on articles stacked therein, and to an elevated position to permit succeeding articles to be deposited from the conveyor means onto the stack of articles in the container. Accelerating means serve to eject successive articles from the conveyor means into the container. A stopper is provided to limit downward movement of the container in the receiver. The stopper is pivotally mounted to permit removal of a filled container from the receiver.

Abstract: This invention provides a loading mechanism for directing nuclear fuel pellets from one elevation to a lower container via gravity. The mechanism includes a loading chute into which the pellets are deposited and a vertically movable platform therebelow supporting a replaceable container to receive the pellets from the chute. The chute includes a plurality of generally oppositely downwardly angled resiliently covered plates defining a zig-zag path through the chute to limit the accumulation of momentum to the pellets, and the platform is spring-biased against the accumulated weight of the pellets and container so as to be continuously lowered as the weight thereof increases as the pellets are deposited in the container.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically, rapidly, and simultaneously packing multiple layers of fruit, such as cantaloupes, for example, into packing boxes wherein the layers of fruit are packed in a predetermined staggered or complementary pattern. A pair of packing heads, i.e., a first packing head and a second packing head, in near side-by-side relationship, are automatically simultaneously tilted, in response to like mechanisms or actuators, to deposit the fruit which are automatically prearranged thereon in a predetermined pattern into indexed packing boxes. The second packing head which packs the top layer of fruit is set back slightly from the first packing head which packs the first or bottom layer of fruit thus allowing the second packing head to place its fruit onto the bottom layer. The container is then automatically moved forward in order that the next cycle can take place. Structure providing this unique arrangement is described.

Abstract: Herein described is an automated machine for filling a carton or crate with containers such as liquid filled plastic bottles. The machine includes a filling station, a stand having a conveyor line sequentially feeding empty cartons to the filling station and a conveyor line sequentially removing filled cartons from the filling station. The conveyor line to the filling station is substantially higher in elevation than the conveyor line from the filling station. A ramp interconnects the two conveyor lines and is positioned directly under the filling station. Empty cartons from the higher conveyor line are allowed to slide down the ramp on suitable tracks onto the lower conveyor line. Appropriate stop mechanism timed with mechanism in the filling station cause the carton being filled to stop at selected positions in order to be filled with bottles. A feed conveyor line sequentially supplies bottles to the filling station and onto a platform positioned directly over the ramp and empty cartons disposed therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading containers with articles, such as post parcels, includes the use of a carrier device which is lowered into a container by suitable hoisting means at a rate dependent upon the number of articles deposited on the carrier device. The carrier device is positioned within the upper portion of a container in which articles are to be stored, and a conveyor belt delivers articles onto a pivotal flap member of the carrier device. Once the articles reach a certain height on the flap member, photocells signal the hoisting means to lower the carrier device further into the container, and this process continues until the carrier device is near the bottom of the container. Once the carrier device reaches its lowermost position, the pivotal flap member swings downwardly to release the accumulated articles into the container. The carrier device is then withdrawn from the filled container, and the container may then be removed.

Abstract: The lower end portion of a magazine for parallel cigarettes or like rod-shaped articles contains a horizontal grid of parallel rods which divide the outlet opening of the lower end portion into parallel passages wherein the cigarettes descend into an empty tray therebelow. When the tray is filled (such filling takes place while the tray descends, either continuously or stepwise), the passages are blocked by rod-like closing members which are parallel to the rods of the grid and are movable from inoperative positions behind the rods of the grid to intercepting positions in or above the passages. The closing members are oscillated and/or vibrated to prevent jamming of passages and/or bridging of cigarettes above the grid. The mechanism for moving the closing members between inoperative and intercepting positions employs a pneumatic motor or an electromagnet which can shift a common carrier for the closing members. The mechanism is actuated in automatic response to completed filling of a tray.

Abstract: Strip sections holding securing elements such as nails or screws are stacked, for example, in cartons so that the nail heads or screw heads come to rest in alternate opposite directions. For this purpose the strips slide down an inclined guide chute in a given direction until the heads are held by support elements which are movable alternately and laterally outwardly substantially at right angles to said given direction. Thus, one support element still supports the heads while the other support is withdrawn from the holding position whereby the strips, as they fall downwardly, rotate alternately, through an angle of 90.degree. whereupon the strips are intercepted, for example, by a tiltable chute.

Abstract: A loading system for loading articles into containers includes a container handling assembly and an article handling assemby, the paths of which intersect at a loading station. The container handling assembly carries a series of empty containers which it intermittently drives for moving the forwardmost one to the loading station while pushing a filled container from the loading station. The article handling assembly includes an input conveyor which moves the articles to a loading conveyor having alternating conveyor sections and window sections passing over the loading station. A platen carries a plurality of upwardly extending pins and is movable vertically between a receiving position with the pins disposed through complementary holes in the bottom of the container at the loading station and a depositing position wherein the pins are withdrawn from the openings in the container.

Abstract: A machine for packing flat articles in a case which includes a case elevator on which a case is supported with an open side of the case sloping and exposed. Flat articles are directed into the case transversely of the open side to form a stack inside the case. A tongue engages the stack as the stack increases in size. The tongue controls means for lowering the case as the articles are projected into the case so that the level of the upper end of the stack remains substantially constant. The tongue is withdrawn when the stack has reached a predetermined size. A hold down and pusher member is advanced into engagement with an upper portion of the stack when the stack has reached the predetermined size to hold the articles of the stack in the case as the tongue is being withdrawn. The case is transferred to a tipover frame which swings the case upwardly against a flap folding belt. As the case is transferred, flaps are closed.

Abstract: A buffer store for filled and empty cigarette containers is provided betwen a cigarette making machine either of the machines may be kept running if the other stops. In one example the buffer store consists of separate cigarette loading and unloading stations between which the cigarette containers are carried in trolleys. In a further example, the loading and unloading stations are combined into a single unit which is adapted to either load or unload containers, depending on the operating conditions of the machines, the containers again being carried in trolleys.

Abstract: A container filling machine has a conveyor assembly arranged for transporting articles to an elevated loading station at which is disposed a box or other suitable receptacle to be filled with the articles. The receptacle is raised to the loading station by an elevator device which lowers the receptacle as a function of articles placed in the container by a discharge portion of the conveyor assembly. A control system includes a sensor mounted on an area of the discharge portion of the conveyor assembly which is inserted into the receptacle being filled for discharging the articles from within the receptacle so as to actuate the elevator device upon detection by the sensor of the presence of articles within the receptacle up to a level immediately adjacent the sensor. By this arrangement, the distance the articles must fall when passing from the conveyor system to the receptacle is kept at a practical minimum so as to prevent damage to the articles.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging yarn packages in plural layers in a cardboard box or a like container is disclosed. A plurality of yarn packages carried to a packaging station by a transporting carrier are grouped in several groups and, then, a group of yarn packages is received by a supporting means with sufficient intervening space between two adjacent yarn packages for easy mechanical handling. Then, the above-mentioned space between two adjacent yarn packages is contracted automatically while the group of yarn packages is carried to a station for transferring them into a cardboard box or a like container, so as to fix the disposition of the yarn packages in the arrangement of a square lattice on a partition plate disposed in the container.

Abstract: A system for loading a predetermined plurality of rows of rolls of coins from a roll-receiving table into a box includes conveyor means for receiving each fully loaded box, means movable between raised and lowered positions for supporting the box on a side thereof with an opening of the box exposed to receive rows of rolls urged endwise into the box from the table to cause the box to move downwardly upon receipt of each row of rolls. Means limiting the downward movement of the box-supporting means after each loading of a row of rolls into the box serves to register the box opening in position to receive each subsequent row of rolls. A fulcrum means carried substantially at the predetermined level of the conveyor when the box has been filled permits the box to be tipped across the fulcrum onto the conveyor to dispose the box opening at the top of the box for transport via the conveyor to an inspection station.

Abstract: Apparatus for placing fruit in layers in a box having an open side. An elevator is supported and lowered step-by-step, the elevator having a horizontal platform substantially longer than the length of the box, to permit the box to be moved to and fro on the elevator platform. A pivoted pan extending over the end portion of the platform is loaded with the proper number of pieces of fruit, and the box is manually moved on the platform so as to encompass a large part of the loaded pan, with the bottom of the box under the pan. The pan is pivoted to discharge the fruit into the box, after which the box is withdrawn from the pan by being moved on the platform. A method of loading an open-sided box.

Abstract: A cartridge loading apparatus including a guide arrangement for directing articles in a desired orientation from a receptacle in which the articles are randomly deposited to a cartridge and means for loading the articles in a trough formed in the cartridge in a desired stacked relation. A slide block is mounted in the trough for movement therein to progressively increase the effective length of the trough assuring the proper disposition and stacking of the articles in the desired attitude within the trough.

Abstract: A column of flat articles such as chip carrier lids (10) are assembled in a tube (35). A base (18) supports a typical row of such lids (10), each with a back surface (14) on the base (18) and a mating surface (15) facing upward. The base (18) also has an aperture (30) for passing serially downward therethrough, each lid (10) with its back surface (14) facing downward. A bracket (32) having a spring biased pin (34) and a block (38) is provided to support under the base (18) a tube (35) with an open end facing upward at the aperture (30). Plates (22, 23 and 24) are provided to guide to and introduce a lid (10) into the aperture (30) and onto any contents within the tube (35). A frictional plug (45) has fins (46) biased between opposing walls of the tube (35) to yieldably resist downward movement within the tube (35).