Patent · US Active

Returnable crate loader

US10745161B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
19References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 22, 2017
Grant dateAug 18, 2020
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 27, 2038

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65B43/52
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A system, apparatus and method are presented for loading product containers into a crate wherein the crate is a reusable crate having four sides, which may be distorted bowed or bent relative to a nominal position. The system has a conveyer to convey the crate to an actuation assembly. The actuation assembly then actuates the crate into contact with a bracing assembly. The bracing assembly has four bracing members, each of which has at least one bracing block engaged thereto. Each bracing block has a grasping portion which contacts and bias against one of the four sides of the crate when the crate is actuated into engagement with the bracing assembly so as to reposition the sides of the crate to be in the nominal position.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.