Method and apparatus for feeding containers to a carrier sleeve
US4693055A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 6, 1986 |
| Grant date | Sep 15, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 6, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65B21/06
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A machine for feeding beverage cans to open-ended carrier sleeves of varying capacities. When loading relatively small carrier sleeves, inboard conveyors and associated metering screws feed groups of cans to a flight bar conveyor which moves the groups through the open ends of the carrier sleeves. When loading relatively large carrier sleeves, outboard conveyors and associated metering screws are also operated after first replacing the inboard screws with screws able to separate cans into larger groups, the same size as those formed by the outboard screws. This arrangement feeds larger groups of cans which are then fed to the larger carrier sleeves. In one embodiment each conveyor comprises a longer upstream conveyor and a shorter downstream conveyor spaced a short distance therefrom to allow the flight bars to travel through the space between the conveyors when moving from the end of their upward run to the beginning of their horizontal downstream run. In another embodiment only the longer upstream conveyor is provided and a support plate is used instead of the downstream conveyor. In this embodiment the gap between the conveyor and the plate is automatically closed by a shuttle m…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.