초록 ▼

An article grouping technique is embodied in a machine which continuously end-loads groups of bottles into open-ended carton sleeves. The machine includes a fixed base plate 10 along which a line of bottles (B) move, a series of parallel metering bars (12) spaced apart to receive the open-ended cart

An article grouping technique is embodied in a machine which continuously end-loads groups of bottles into open-ended carton sleeves. The machine includes a fixed base plate 10 along which a line of bottles (B) move, a series of parallel metering bars (12) spaced apart to receive the open-ended carton sleeves which are mounted for movement together along the base plate. Fixed guides defining infeed conveyors (22, 24) are provided along which bottles to be loaded are fed into the machine. Each of the infeed conveyors converges towards the path of movement of the carton sleeves and each metering bar has a free end section which is movable obliquely across the path of movement of the bottles on the respective infeed conveyors so that a predetermined number of bottles are formed into a sub-group on each of the infeed conveyors between adjacent metering bars. An extra infeed conveyor (38) extends alongside the path of movement of the bottles on opposite sides of the base plate along which the bottle groups can move. A bottle loading mechanism (56, 56a) transversely displaces the sub-groups into the open ends of the carton sleeves during movement of the carton sleeves and the bottle sub-groups through the machine.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of loading groups of cylindrical articles such as bottles or cans into open-ended sleeves, comprising the steps of feeding streams of articles along the opposing open ends of said sleeves, forming opposing groups of articles of which each comprises at least three adjacent rows of articles d

A method of loading groups of cylindrical articles such as bottles or cans into open-ended sleeves, comprising the steps of feeding streams of articles along the opposing open ends of said sleeves, forming opposing groups of articles of which each comprises at least three adjacent rows of articles disposed in general alignment with said open ends of said sleeve, reorganizing said groups so that one article in one group projects in the direction of the adjacent open end of the sleeve and with respect to the adjacent articles of said one group and a corresponding matching recess is formed in the opposing group, moving said opposing groups toward each other and into the open ends of said sleeve so that one consolidated group of articles is formed within the sleeve whereby said projecting article of said one group occupies said recess in said other group.