Apparatus and method for forming arrays of articles for packaging
US5897291A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 7, 1997 |
| Grant date | Apr 27, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 7, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G47/082
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method of forming arrays of articles, comprising: (a) providing a stacker having a plurality of compartments for receiving the articles, the stacker traveling along a closed loop path; (b) transporting a plurality of the articles along a first path to the stacker in sequential fashion; (c) introducing the articles into the compartments at an inlet position; (d) removing a first array of the articles from the stacker at a first stripping position by urging the articles from the compartment in a first stripping direction; (e) transporting the first array along a second path away from the stacker in a direction substantially opposite to the first stripping direction; and (f) repeating steps (b) through (e) for subsequent articles. An apparatus for use in this method is also provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.