초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for packaging articles such as flatbreads and stacks of flatbreads utilizes flat loading plates which move axially and rotate about a longitudinal axis. The loading plates have an initial position underneath an input conveyor, and follow movement of an article along the convey

A method and apparatus for packaging articles such as flatbreads and stacks of flatbreads utilizes flat loading plates which move axially and rotate about a longitudinal axis. The loading plates have an initial position underneath an input conveyor, and follow movement of an article along the conveyor toward its forward end. As the article moves over the end of the conveyor, it is transferred to the loading plate which then moves the article forwardly to a packaging station, where the loading plate with the article supported thereon is inserted into the open mouth of a container. With the packaged article supported on its upper surface, the loading plate is rotated by about 180 degrees to displace the article and package from the packaging station and to deposit the packaged article onto an exit conveyor. Once the packaged article contacts the exit conveyor, the loading plate is withdrawn from the package and returned to its initial position under the input conveyor. A preferred apparatus comprises two loading plates which alternately receive articles from the input conveyor.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for inserting an article into a package comprising first and second opposed panels and a mouth, the method comprising:(a) moving the article forwardly in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis on an upper surface of a first conveyor toward an end of the conv

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for inserting an article into a package comprising first and second opposed panels and a mouth, the method comprising:(a) moving the article forwardly in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis on an upper surface of a first conveyor toward an end of the conveyor;(b) transferring the article from the end of the first conveyor to a first surface of a loading plate moving forwardly along the longitudinal axis in a plane below the upper surface of the first conveyor, said loading plate having a second surface opposite the first surface and moving from a rearmost position to a forwardmost position with said end of the conveyor being intermediate the rearmost and forwardmost positions, wherein said loading plate passes under the end of the conveyor as the article reaches the end of the conveyor;(c) moving the loading plate having the article on its first surface into the mouth of the package until the article is completely received inside the package with the first panel overlying the article and the second panel underlying the loading plate;(d) rotate the loading plate with the associated article and package about the longitudinal axis until the second panel of the package is received on the second surface of the loading plate and the article is received on the first panel of the package;(e) displacing the loading plate with the associated article and package such that the article and package become received on a receiving surface with the first panel of the package being received on the receiving surface; and(f) moving the loading plate rearwardly out of the package.