Apparatus for packing articles of fruit into boxes

US4329831A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Pennwalt Corporation · US

Inventors

• Aaron J. Warkentin · Orange Cove, US
• Jacob F. Hiebert · Reedley, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 5, 1980
• Grant date: May 18, 1982
• Expiry date: May 5, 2000

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65B25/046
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

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.