Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
:~2~3~7~
--1--
MULTI-STATION PACKAGING MACHINE AND METHOD OF PACKAGING
Technical Field
his invention relates to a machine and
method for packaging articles, such as, fruit, a
layer at a time, in containers.
Background of the Invention
Prior to the present invention, there have
been numerous attempts at designing and manufacturing
machines that can be used to package various
articles, such as, fruit. There is a continuing
demand for a machine that is capable of packaging
fruit, or the like, in an orderly, systematic, rapid
and highly efficient manner. This is particularly
desirable in the case of fruit, since the packing
season is relatively short. There currently exists
packaging equipment for packaging fruit at random,
which is not as desirable as having the fruit packed
in a nested relationship and having the fruit in
adjacent rows also designed so that one layer is
slightly offset from the other to facilitate a better
packaging arrangement. The present invention is an
improvement over similar equipment illustrated and
described in U. S. Patent No. 4,233,802 and Canadian Patent
Nos. 1,159,799 and 1,157,830, all assigned to the assignee
of the present application.
In accordance with the present invention,
there is provided a machine for automatically
packaging layers of articles into containers. The
machine comprises a multiple number of packing or
loading stations, where separate layers of fruit are
deposited into a container. In the particular
illustrated embodiment, there are provided separator
--2--
sheets between several of the layers, which separator
sheets serve not only to separate, but are
impregnated with a chemical that serves as a
disinfectant to facilitate preservation of the fruit.
The utilization of separator sheets of this
type are usually employed when the fruit is shipped
great distances. The packaging machine disclosed
herein will in most cases not employ mechanisms for
providing a separator sheet and it is to be clearly
understood that the machine need not be provided with
such a mechanism.
Essentially, at each of the loading
stations, a layer of fruit in a nested pattern is
provided in a container, such as, a carton, or box,
and at several of the stations, separator sheets are
provided between adjacent layers While as
aforementioned separator sheets need not be provided
but in the situations where they are to be used, it
is not necessary that the sheets be provided between
all of the adjacent layers, but if that is desired,
of course, the illustrated embodiment of the present
invention can be modified to provide same. The
containers are indexed to the respective loading
stations and after the container is completely
loaded, the container is directed to a station where
a container top is placed on the filled container in
a telescoping relationship. While the illustrated
machine employs a telescoping lid, other means, such
as, flaps, can be used for closing the container.
More specifically, empty containers are
introduced into the machine and they are advanced in
the requisite fashion to the various loading
stations. At each of the loading stations, the
containers are provided with a layer of fruit in a
nested array, which fruit is received from a box
I
nesting assembly into which fruit has been directed
and subsequently nested. the fruit is picked up from
the nesting assembly, the nesting assembly is
removed, and the fruit layer is then dropped into the
S container The design of the nesting assemblies is
such that the adjacent layers are slightly offset
from each other, so that not only the articles are
nested within the layers, but are disposed in nested
relationship between layers.
In the illustrated embodiment, the machine
has a total of four loading stations, but this is
intended to be merely exemplary Thus, if a
container receives a layer at each loading station,
the machine can provide for up to four separate
layers in a container If the size of the articles
or containers dictates that more or less than four
layers be provided, suitable arrangements can be made
to provide filling in this manner.
wince, as illustrated, the machine is set up
to pack four layers of articles, it is set to deposit
one layer at each of the four loading stations and
each layer is deposited into a different one of four
separate boxes. Each box then moves successively
through each loading station, one at a time, and
receives a layer at each loading station. Thus, a
box receives one layer of articles at each station
for each machine cycle, and accordingly the overall
productivity of the machine is one filled box for
each machine cycle during normal operation of the
machine. This is a great advantage over various
prior art devices that provide for loading only one
layer of articles into a container for each machine
cycle. Thus, the invention provides a way for
packaging articles into containers efficiently and
US quickly.
I
--4--
While the preferred embodiment of the
invention to be illustrated describes boxes of fruit,
and, more particularly, grapefruit, it is to be
understood that any one of a large variety of
articles, as will become apparent to those skilled in
the art, can be packed with the illustrated
embodiment of the present invention. Thus, fruit
articles are used for purposes of illustration, and
it is not intended to limit the instant invention to
fruit articles.
Brief Description of the Drawings
An embodiment of the invention will be seen
by referring to the attached drawings, in which
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the overall
machine;
FIG. 2 is a view waken along line 2-2 of
FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a front view of the machine which
schematically illustrates the four loading stations
forming an embodiment of the machine of the instant
invention;
FIGS. 4-9 are sequential views showing that
which occurs at a particular station;
FIG. 10 is a diagrammatical perspective view
showing the containers located at the various
stations and a filled container about to be moved
into position where a top is to be placed thereon;
FIGS. 11-13 shows schematically the box top
feeding arrangement;
FIG. 14 is a detailed perspective view of
the mechanism for introducing the container to be
filled into the packaging machine;
FIG. 15 is a detailed perspective view of
the clutch mechanism for the chain drive for
introducing a container into the system;
Liz
FIG. 16 is a detailed perspective view
showing a box entered into the system, but prior to
the time it is to be introduced into the paddle
assembly used for indexing the containers forward in
. 5 the prescribed manner;
FIG, 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16, but
showing the container lowered onto the paddle drive
mechanism;
FIG. 18 is a view taken along line 18-18 of
FIG. 17;
FIG. 19 is a sectional view through lines
19-19 of FIG. 18;
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the fruit
feeder mechanism prior to the fruit being introduced
into the nesting box assembly;
FIG. 21 is a view taken along line 21-21 of
FIG. 20;
FIG. 22 is a plan view of the nesting box
assembly shown in the expanded position;
FIG. 23 is a plan view of the nesting box
assembly shown in the nested position;
FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the
diphenyl sheet stacking mechanism taken from the rear
ox the machine;
FIG. 25 is a side elevation view of the
piston arrangement for the diphenyl sheets;
FIG. 26 is a top view, partially broken
away, of the vacuum box for the diphenyl sheets shown
in the sheet pickup position;
FIG. 27 is similar to FOG. 26, but showing
the vacuum box for the diphenyl sheets in the sheet
drop position;
FIG. 28 is a schematic perspective view
illustrating the platen assemblies in their raised
and lowered positions, and the mechanism for
~2~3~
controlling the picking up and releasing of the fruit
from the platen housing;
FIG. I is a cross-section view of the valve
mechanism controlling the flow of air relative to the
platen housing with the valve shown drawing air
through the platen housing;
FIG. 30 is a view similar to FIG. 29 with
the valve positioned to push air through the platen
housing;
FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of a cup
assembly;
FIG. 32 is a view similar to FIG. 31, but
showing a fruit retained in the cup assembly;
FIG. 33 is a side elevation view of the box
top telescoping assembly; and
FIG. aye, b and c are schematic views of the
electrical control diagram for the machine.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
Before describing the apparatus illustrating
the invention in any substantial detail, it would be
desirable to describe the series of steps that occur
in the operation of the novel packaging machine 100
in conjunction with the main components of the
machine. This will facilitate a ready understanding
of the more specific mechanisms of the machine, which
will be described subsequently. It will also be
appreciated that certain operations of the machine
occur simultaneously.
Turning now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated
in outline form a fruit loading conveyor assembly 102
on which there is fruit 103 directed to four chute
mechanisms 10~ that lead to four separate loading
stations aye, 105b, 105c, 105d (see FIG. 3). When
the loading conveyor 102 is actuated, the fruit is
advanced down through the chutes 104 in rows until
I
.
-7-
they arrive at the position shown in FIG. 2, where
they are stopped. The fruit in the rows are sub
sequently fed into nesting box assemblies 122 located
under each of the chute assemblies. When the nesting
box assemblies are moved to receive the fruit, as
shown sequentially in FIGS. 4-7, the fruit is fed
into the nesting box assembly, in the untested position,
as illustrated in FIG. 22. The nesting box assembly is
then operated to nest the fruit, as shown in FIG. 23
After the fruit has been nested, the platen
assemblies 106, which are located immediately above the
nesting box assemblies when the nesting box assemblies
are in the extended position, are lowered, as shown in
FIG. 7, to pick up the fruit in the nested position
from the nesting box assemblies and raise them above
the nesting box after which the nesting box is returned
to the position shown in FIG. 4. The platen assemblies
are then lowered into the containers 109, to deposit
the fruit as shown in FIG. 5, after which they return
to their upper position, as shown in FIG. 6. A layer
of fruit is then provided Jo each of the cartons at one
of the stations. As shown in FIG. 3, the carton at
station aye receives its bottom layer, at station 105b
its second layers, etc., which is accomplished by
US varying the downward movement of the platen assemblies.
As will be described hereinafter in detail,
the cartons to be loaded are fed into the packaging
machine on a feed conveying system 108. hollowing
this, the containers 109 are indexed to move to another
station, where another layer of fruit is removed from a
nesting box assembly and dropped into the containers
located at each of the stations, etc.
In the illustrated embodiment, disinfectant
separator sheets are introduced at stations 105b and
105c. To this end, a vacuum box assembly 113 is
I
: -8-
secured to the nesting assemblies at stations 105b and
105c, which functions to pick up a separator sheet 124
and drop it into the container, as shown in FIG. 7 for
station 105b. After the sheet is dropped, a layer ox
fruit is disposed on top of the separator sheet, as
illustrated in FIG. 6. As the containers move
longitudinally through each of the stations, as shown
in FIG. 3, they then end up being fully loaded at the
final station 105d, after which they are moved to the
end of the machine, as shown in FIG. 10, from where
they are transversely moved into a box top telescoping
assembly 112, where they are to receive telescopically
a container top 111 which is being fed into the
telescoping assembly 112 on a box top feed conveyor
110. This is done through a telescoping mechanism,
briefly described hereinafter but which is described in
substantial detail in an application entitled
"Telescoping Box Assembly" filed along with the instant
application and is to be considered a part hereof to
the extent necessary to understand the operation of
same and to provide a basis for supporting whatever
claim protection is sought calling for a telescoping
assembly in conjunction with the packaging machine
The "Telescoping Box Assembly" is filed in the name of
the same inventor and is assigned to the assignee of
the present invention.
The filled and closed containers 117 are then
taken away on a conveyor 114. In addition, there is
provided a chute adjusting assembly 118 for adjusting
the position of chutes 104 and a stationery trough
assembly 120 that act to guide the platen housings into
the container 109 during the filling operation.
It remains to note that there are mechanisms
provided for retaining the boxes in position during the
loading operation and that various suitable switching
~3~i7~
mechanisms are provided to insure proper indexing and
operation of the various mechanisms, all of which will
be discussed in detail when discussing the specifics of
the instant machine.
While the aorestated general discussion began
with the feeding of fruit to the packaging machine, the
detailed description will begin with the feeding of the
containers into the packaging machines. It can be
appreciated that during start-up the machine can be
manually loaded to place the machine in the condition
shown in FIG. 3, or if desired, fruit can be withheld
from various stations during automatic operation until
the machine reaches the condition shown in FIG. JO For
our purposes, it will be assumed that the machine is
loaded as shown in FIG. 3 and the detailed description
will begin with the introduction of a new empty
container into a box loading station 126. After a box
is so introduced the indexing mechanism will be
activated to move the new box from the loading station
to aye, which occurs as the containers in stations
aye, 105b, and 105c are moved to stations 105b, 105c,
and 105d,
respectively, and the movement of the container in
station 105d into position to be moved into the box
top telescoping assembly station 112.
Box Bottom Shuttle and Indexing Mechanism
Referring now to FIGS. 14-19, there is
illustrated a portion of the apparatus for indexing
the boxes to the various stations where they are to
be loaded with layers of fruit. For purposes of
describing the method of operation, it is assumed
that the boxes are disposed as illustrated in FIG. 3,
where there is one box disposed at each of the
stations. The box in the vast station 105d is
completely filled with four layers of fruit; the box
I
-10-
in the next-to-the-last station 105c with three
layers, the box in the second station 105b with two
layers, and the box in the first station Lola with
one layer. At the left of FIG. 3, there is
illustrated a series of container bottoms with the
container log immediately to the left of station 105
being located in the box loading station 126 in
position to be indexed into the first station aye.
The paddle assembly 200 for indexing the
boxes through the various stations is illustrated in
schematic outline form in FIG. 10. Generally
speaking, the paddle assembly is an integrated
unitary assembly which reciprocates and functions to
move forwardly an amount to move the containers from
one station to the next station and then rearwardly
an amount slightly greater than the distance between
stations to permit the pivotal mounted paddles to
be returned to their upright positions so that after
each container receives a layer of fruit at its
respective station the paddle assembly can again be
reciprocated to move the containers forwardly when
the next indexing is to occur. The pivotal design of
the paddles is necessary since the paddles when
withdrawn, have to slide under a container located at
a preceding station and have to have enough room to
return to their vertical position so they may again
engage the containers located at each of the
stations. The paddle assembly 200 is reciprocated in
the stated manner by piston 212 and controlled in the
proper sequence as will be explained when discussing
the method of operation.
Briefly, a container 109 to be loaded is
moved onto a shelf 250 above the end of the paddle
I` assembly 200 which will be called the container or
box loading station 126, which is spaced from the
I
first fruit loading station aye by an amount
essentially equal to the distance between fruit
loading stations. The box 109 is subsequently
lowered into the paddle assembly, and the paddle
assembly is indexed forward to move the box from the
box loading station into the first fruit loading
station aye, and the other boxes in the machine from
their existing station to the station further on down
the line or to the exit of the machine as the case
may be. At this time, a new box is moved from the
stack of boxes 128 behind the box loading station
onto the platform shelf 250, above the paddle
assembly as the paddle assembly is returned to its
original position after indexing the boxes through
succeeding stations
Turning now specifically to FIG. 16, there
is illustrated the box loading station 126 where box
109 is located on the box support shelf 250 above the
paddle assembly 200. The box has been moved onto the
shelf 250 against stops 252 by a mechanism to be
described later At the prescribed time, the piston
assembly 254 is operated to move the kick plate 256
outwardly, as shown in FIG. 17, to move the arms 258
located on opposite sides of the support shelf 250
from the position shown in FIG. 16 to that shown in
FIG. 17 to lower the box onto the paddle assembly.
This is accomplished by arms 258 being pivotal
mounted to the frame by pin 260 and connected to the
support shelf by pin 262. The lowered parallel
movement of the box support 250 is additionally
facilitated by providing a parallel linkage
arrangement which includes links 264 located on
opposite sides of the carton support and connected to
the main frame 116 by pivot pin 266 and to the box
support by pin 268. As the box support is lowered,
35~
-12-
the cam surfaces aye of stop plates 252 engage
projections 274 located on the side of the main frame
support structure to move the stop plates out of
their box limiting position against the action of the
tension spring 272. Thus, the paddle assemblies are
free when actuated by a suitable control mechanism to
be moved forward to index the boxes. As previously
mentioned, the paddle assembly 200 consists of a
series of spaced paddles aye, 202b, 202c, 202d, and
eye, that contact the boxes to move them from one
station to another, after which the paddle assembly
is retracted and repositioned to move the boxes
through another station movement.
The paddle assembly 200 is made up of angle
irons 203 through which extend the rods 214 that
support the paddles relative to the paddle assembly.
The paddle assembly 200 is movably supported in a
track 208 that is secured to the main frame 116
through the action of rollers 206 secured to
dependent plates 204 that are connected to the angle
irons 203.
The boxes while moved by the paddle assembly
slide off the upper surface of transversely spaced
channel members 211 and are aligned by the vertical
walls of longitudinally extending angle irons 213.
As shown in FIG. 19, the movement of the
paddle assemblies is accomplished by the piston
assembly 212 that is secured to a paddle frame
assembly depending plate 210. Thus, movement of the
cylinder rod of piston 212 to the right, as shown in
FIG. 19, will index the paddle assembly, and
retraction of the piston will return the paddle
assembly back to its initial position. It is to be
noted that all of the paddles, except the first one,
aye, are pivotal mounted about pins 214, so that
3r~74
I
-13-
they can be moved clockwise, as shown in FIG. 19, and
thus slide under the cartons, when the paddle
assembly is retracted to permit the paddle assembly
to be returned to its initial position. Stop 216 is
provided to limit counterclockwise movement, and stop
218 is provided to limit the clockwise movement of
the pivoted paddles. The design is such that the
paddles will return to their vertical position after
They have cleared the box under which it has been
lo moved. There is no need for the first paddle
assembly aye to be pivotal mounted, since when it
is returned, there is no carton under which it has to
pass. Also, as previously mentioned, the paddle
assembly travel is slightly longer than the distance
between stations to permit the paddles to return to
their vertical position when the assembly is
retracted. Specifically, the distance between the
paddles is equal to the distance between stations,
but the piston stroke is slightly longer to
accomplish the above.
Referring now to FIG. 14, there is
illustrated how a subsequent box is introduced onto
the box shelf 250 at the box loading station when the
paddle assembly is retracted. The paddle assembly
includes a pair of depending members 244 to which is
connected rod 242. A longitudinally extending arm
240 is secured to rod 242 and at its opposite end is
connected to a clutch mechanism 238, including a
chain sprocket 245, which engages chain 236 and a
ratchet arm 243 that prevents movement of sprocket
246 in the counterclockwise direction. Ire chain
that is connected to the clutch mechanism is disposed
around sprockets 232, 234, which sprockets are
located on rods 228, 230, respectively. Secured to
the ends of shaft 229 are pulleys 224, and to the
I
ends of shaft 230 are pulleys 226~ Spaced V-belts
222 are disposed around pulleys 224 and 226 and are
driven thereby when the chain 236 is moved.
When in accordance with the operation of the
control circuit the paddle assembly 200 is moved
forward, the rod 242 moves forward and carries along
with it arm 2400 When arm 240 moves forward, the
chain sprocket 246 freely rotates in a clockwise
direction relative to the chain, and thus the chain
is not moved However, when the paddle assembly
moves rearwardly and the arm 240 is moved to the
left, from a position adjacent rod 230, the sprocket
246 cannot move in a counterclockwise direction and
therefore it remains locked relative Jo the chain and
pulls the chain along with it, with the result that
pulleys 224 and 226 are driven clockwise and a box
located on the V-bel~s 222 is moved onto the carton
support shelf 250 located above the paddle assembly
200. In order to more fully align the platen
assemblies relative to the cartons 109 at their
respective loading stations, trough assemblies at
each of the loading stations or schematically
illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 10 are employed. The
trough assemblies 120 are interconnected and retained
in a fixed position on the machine frame and
partially supported via bushings 181 that surround
vertical trough assembly guide bars 180.
The trough assembly 120 provides four
individual troughs 182 which are interconnected.
The troughs 182 have four downwardly depending
sides 186 which act as a funnel or guide means for
the fruit platen housings 106 as it lowers fruit
into the box. If the container 109 is provided
with top flaps, suitable box location means (not
shown) help assure that these top flaps of the
container are not in the path of the fruit Platen
I
-15-
housings 106 as they lower fruit into the boxes.
Now that the movement of the boxes from
station to station has been described, we will
describe how the fruit is fed to the individual
S stations and then to the boxes.
Fruit Feeding Assembly
As previously mentioned, the fruit 103 is
initially fed to the packaging machine on a feed
conveyor 102 to feed chutes 104. Attention is now
directed to FIGS. 20-21, which show the details of
the feed-chute assembly.
The fruit feeder assembly 280 consists of
spaced guide rows 282 defined by spaced plates 284.
Adjustable support mechanisms 286 located on the rod
288 are provided to provide the requisite spacing for
the fruit being supplied to the fruit feeder
assembly, so it can be properly introduced into the
nesting box assemblies 122. The rod 288 is located
relative to the feeder assembly by support frame
2900 Details of the mechanisms for varying the row
widths are shown in my aforementioned i nix
pent number 1,1S7,830.
s Jo Lo
The fruit is moved forward between the
spaced plates by a roller conveyor 291. The roller
conveyor is operated by a chain drive mechanism 292.
As shown in FIG. 21, each of the rollers of the
roller conveyor consists of a central rod 294 driven
by the chain drive, and located on each of the rods
are freely rotatable rollers 296 to facilitate
movement of the fruit relative to the roller conveyor
assembly. The roller conveyor is driven by a pulley
and feed-belt drive mechanism 298 shown partially in
FIG. 20.
Located at the front of the fruit feeder
assembly is a front guide member 300 which also
~L~Z3~
-16-
includes freely rotatable rollers thereon The front
guide 300 prevents the fruit from moving other than
in the prescribed pattern. These rod and roller
assemblies are designated 302.
The fruit from the feeder assembly is
directed into the nesting box assemblies 122, which
are shown in perspective in FIG. 20, in plan view in
FIGS. 22 and 23 and schematically in FIGS. 4-9, As
aforementioned, the nesting box assemblies receive
the fruit from the feeder assembly in a prescribed
pattern and thereafter the assemblies are moved to
nest the fruit to the desired nesting arrangement
after which the fruit is lifted from the nesting box
assemblies by the platen assemblies and placed in a
box. All of the nesting box assemblies of the
packaging machine are secured to angle irons 305 and
are movable together on Thompson rods 304 between the
position adjacent the fruit feeder assembly into the
fruit feeding stations in the sequence as shown in
FIGS. 4-9. The sequence shown in FIGS. 4-9 is that
which occur at station 105b. The netting box
assemblies, angle irons 305, and vacuum boxed secured
to the nesting box assemblies and described
hereinafter will be collectively referred to a
carriage assembly. The movement of the carriage
assembly on the Thompson rods are controlled by
piston 338.
Referring now specifically to FIG. 20, the
fruit from the feeder assembly 280 drops down into
the nesting box assembly as the nesting box assembly
is moved outwardly relative to the feeder assembly.
The nesting boxes are all secured to frame member 305
and thus they are all moved together. For example,
referring first to FIG. 6, it is seen that the
nesting box assembly is located directly under the
-17-
feeder assembly and no fruit is received thereby.
However, as the nesting box assembly is moved to the
right, as shown in FIG 7, the fruit is free to drop
out into the forward cups of the nesting box assembly
and is precluded from dropping between the cups 306
by bars 308. At this time it is to be noted that a
stop plate 312 is located in its left-hand position
and thus does not prevent the dropping of fruit from
the feeder assembly into the nesting box. The
operation of the fruit platen assemblies 106 will be
described hereinafter, but it is to be noted that
prior to the movement of the nesting box assembly
from that shown in FIG. 5 to that shown in FIG. 7,
the platen assembly 106 has been moved out of the way
to permit the nesting box assembly 122 to be moved in
position over the box 109 to receive the fruit. As
the nesting box is moved forward to its final
position, as shown in FIG. 7, an angle iron 314
secured to the box contacts the stop plate 312 to
move it forward to block any further dropping of
fruit from the fruit feeder assembly. It is to be
noted that when the nesting box is moved back to
receive fruit, that at the end of its travel,
projecting fingers 318 located on the nesting box
contact the plate 312 to move it out of blocking
position and thus at the appropriate time permit
fruit to be dropped again into the nesting box
assembly. Resilient fingers 307 prevent unwanted
fruit from falling into the nesting box. It is to be
noted that the nesting box assembly consists of a box
within a box. The larger box 313 includes a portion
315 that is covered by rollers 317 so that when the
box assembly is extended as shown in FIG. 20 the
fruit will be prevented from dropping out of the
feeder assembly 280 by the roller section 317.
-18-
By providing the unique box within a box
arrangement the nesting box assembly can be readily
connected to handle a different nesting array of
articles. The illustrated box can be removed and a
box with a different nesting arrangement can be
readily placed therein.
After the nesting box assemblies are located
at the stations, but prior to the operation of the
platen assembly to engage and withdraw the fruit prom
the nesting box and permit the nesting box to be
withdrawn and the fruit to be dropped into the
container, the fruit has to be nested, and the
apparatus for showing this is illustrated in FIGS.
20, 22, and 23. As shown in FIG. 22, the cups 306
` 15 are initially located in position to directly receive
the fruit prom the fruit feeder assembly (fingers 307
and roller bars 308 have not been shown to simplify
the figures). These cups 306 are located on spaced
bars 320, 322, 324, 326. The spaced bars are
interconnected to each other through lost motion
connecting plates 330. Thus, it can be seen that
when bar 320 is operated it will move through the
lost motion connection and then move bar 322, which
will move through the lost motion connection 330, and
so on, until the cups are in the nested position, as
shown in FIG. 23. This is accomplished by a rod 328
that is connected to the first bar 320 in each of the
nesting box assemblies, which rod is operated by a
piston assembly 329. Briefly, movement of the piston
assembly 329 in one direction will nest the cups 306
and when the piston is retracted, the cups will
return to the untested position shown in FIG. 22.
the piston assembly 329 is secured to a brace member
331 that is secured to the transversely movable angle
iron frame members 305.
~23~
--19--
Referring briefly to FIG. 3, in the
illustrated embodiment by way of example only there
is shown that there are provided separator sheets 124
at stations 105b and 105c, which separator sheets
serve a dual function of separating adjacent rows of
fruit and also are impregnated with a disinfectant
that is exuded to minimize spoilage of the fruit
during shipment. In the instant case, the separator
sheets are diphenyl sheets.
Turning now to FIGS. 24-27 there is
illustrated the mechanism for providing the separator
sheets at stations 105b and 105c. To diphenyl
sheets are stacked in stack 334 located on platforms
336. In order to take a sheet from the stack 334 and
place it in the container, there is a vacuum box
assembly 113 that is secured to the bottom of the
nesting box assemblies located at stations 105b and
105c and thus moves with the nesting box assemblies.
The sheet stack 334 is located on a platform 336,
which platform is biased upwardly by springs 338
disposed about rods 340 and located between plates
336 and support plate 342. The movement of the sheet
stack is controlled by piston assembly 344, which
biases the stack upwardly into engagement with the
vacuum box 113, and aster its engagement therewith
the plate 342 contacts the micro switch 346, which
turns off the piston and returns the piston and stack
to its lower position, leaving a single sheet in
contact with the vacuum box 113. The vacuum in the
boxes 113 is controlled by vacuum pump 339. It is to
be noted that the plate 342 had depending therefrom
plate 343 to which are secured bushing blocks 345
which slide on rods 347 that are part of the main
frame structure of the machine. The support
structure for the stack of separator sheets shown at
I
-20-
the left in FIG. 24 is identical to that illustrated
for the sheet stack on the right but has not been
drawn to simplify the figure.
As the vacuum box is moved to the right, as
shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the vacuum box is in the
condition shown in FIG. 26, wherein there is a suction
drawn through ports 360 and the ports 358 leading to
the atmosphere is blocked by closure 356. However,
when the vacuum box 113 is moved to the position shown
in FIG. 7, the rod 350 secured to the vacuum box is
engaged and it is moved to the left to open closure 356
and block off openings 360, with the result that air is
introduced into the box and the sheet drops onto the
layer of fruit, as shown in FIG. 7.
Now that the fruit is in the position shown
in FIG. 7, the platen assemblies 106 are lowered and
moved into engagement as shown in FIG. 8, wherein the
cups 14~ engage the fruit and the assemblies are
operated Jo retain the fruit in position and raise
the fruit into the position shown in FIG. 9, after
which the nesting box assemblies 122 are moved out of
the way, as shown in FIG. 4, and then the fruit is
moved into the container as shown in FIG. 5.
The operation of the fruit platen assembly
is set forth below.
Fruit Platen Assembly
Referring now to FIGS. 28 through 32, the
fruit platen assemblies 106 will now be described in
greater detail. The fruit platen assembly 106
occupies an upward portion of the machine frame 116,
as best shown in FIG. 28. The fruit platen
assemblies 106 are programmed to be moved
simultaneously whenever fruit is vertically picked up
from the nesting box assemblies. This control is
facilitated using electrical circuitry, as will be
-21-
described further below. The following discussion is
merely directed to the mechanical aspects of the
fruit platen assembly 106.
The support for the fruit platen assemblies
106 is comprised generally of a U-shaped channel rail
frame member 130 which extends the full length of the
machine 100, as best seen in Fig. 28. This channel
130 is supported by channel supports 132 that form
part of the main machine frame.
As aforementioned the fruit platen housings
134 are moved vertically to lift the fruit from the
nesting box assemblies and then deposit them into a
box. To facilitate this, vertical guide bars 136 are
fastened at their lower end to each of the fruit
platen housings 134 and are adapted to slide within
suitable sleeves 138 which are fixed at their lower
end to the rail 130. A vertical piston assembly 139
controls the vertical movement of the fruit platen
housings 134, and one of these is provided for each
fruit platen housing 134~ The operation of each
piston is identical except that the strokes will vary
depending on how far the platen assembly is to move
into the containers.
As to the specifics of the fruit platen
housings 134, it will be seen from FIGS. 31 and 32
that a bottom plate 140 is provided with apertures
142 (only one of which is shown) which are arranged
in a predetermined pattern. Each ox these apertures
142 receives a cup assembly 144 which facilitates, in
conjunction with a vacuum pump assembly which will
later be described, the lifting of fruit from the
nesting box assemblies 122. When the fruit platen
housing 134 is in a vacuum condition as in FIG. 8 t
air is sucked into the housing 134 generally in the
direction of the arrow along passage 146 as shown in
22-
FIG. 32. When positioned over the fruit, this
facilitates retaining the fruit in the cups 144 by
the differential pressure acting on the fruit. The
fruit holding action results from the venturi effect
created by the air flow around the fruit and through
the cups 144 into the fruit platen vacuum housing
134, which results in a positive differential
pressure acting against the fruit to hold it in its
respective cups while the housing 134 is being
vertically raised above the nesting box assemblies
122 and moved vertically downward into the containers
109. When the platen is located in the container and
the fruit is to be released as in FIG. 5, the flow of
air in passage 146 is reversed by way of a valve
control mechanism which will facilitate in positively
releasing the fruit from the cups by blowing air
through the fruit platen housing to create a pressure
condition in the fruit platen housing. It should be
understood that the term "vacuum" has been used for
purposes of description, and refers to the situation
where air flows upward through the cups 144, or where
a sub-àtmospheric air pressure condition exists in a
vacuum housing 134.
The fruit platen housings 134 are lowered to
different levels in the containers or carton bottoms
109, as determined by how many layers of fruit have
been previously deposited into the carton or
container. This is facilitated by providing a fruit
platen housing stop mechanism (not shown) associated
with the fruit platen vertical guide bars 136 and
fruit platen vertical piston 139. The stop positions
can, of course, be adjusted, when desired, to load
different sized fruit.
The bottom plates 140 of the fruit platen
housings 134 are capable of being removed and
or ICY
-23-
replaced, depending upon the different sized fruit to
be loaded into containers.
For illustrative purposes, FIG. 32 shows the
construction of a cup assembly 144 secured to the
5 plate 140 of a fruit platen vacuum housing 134.
These cups 144 are mounted on a tubular member 148
and are spring-biased by spring 150 against a
depending flange portion 152. As can be seen in FIG.
32, when a cup 144 is lowered to receive a piece of
fruit F from the nesting box assembly, the cup 144 is
moved upwardly against the action of the spring 150.
In this way, the cups 144 are designed to be moved
slightly so as to minimize any bruising of fruit when
it is picked up, and also facilitates packing varying
sizes of fruit, within a given range of tolerance.
Vacuum Manifold Assembly
The control of the flow of air relative to
the cups 144 is regulated by a vacuum manifold
assembly which includes two vacuum pumps 154 secured
in position relative to the frame structure of the
machine as shown in FIG. 28. The air flow in line
170 is determined by the schematically illustrated
piston-operated flow control mechanism 158. One of
the pumps and associated flow control mechanisms is
for stations aye and 105b and the others for
stations 105c and 105d. They are identical and only
one of which will be described. The flow-control
mechanism consists of a first plate 160 having
openings 162, 164 leading to conduits 166, 168
connected to opposite sides of the vacuum pump 154
and a second plate 169 having an opening 171
connected up to conduit 170 leading to conduits 172
connected to each of the platen housings 134. Plate
169 includes an opening 173 which is aligned with
opening 164 when air is pulled in from the atmosphere
~L2~5~l
-24-
as won in FIG. 30. Controlled Operation of the
piston assembly 174 controls the position of plate
169 to determine whether there is a positive or
negative pressure in conduit 170~ The piston
assembly 174 is controlled by the electrical
circuitry, as will be later described. Conduit 170
is either in communication with conduit 163 to create
a vacuum condition, as shown in FIG. 29, or with
conduit 166 to create a pressure condition, as shown
in FIG. 30~ When loading or carrying the fruit, air
will be withdrawn through conduits 172 and 170 to
create the pressure differential necessary to retain
the fruit in the cups, whereas when the fruit platen
assemblies 106 are to deposit the fruit, air flows
through conduits 170 and 172, which acts to aid in
releasing the fruit from the cups.
Conduits 170 and 172 include flexible
tubing, as shown in FIG. 28, to facilitate movement
of the fruit platen housings 134, as well as flow
control mechanism 158.
Box Top Feeder Assembly
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 10-13, there is
illustrated in both schematic and in detail form the
mechanism 110 for providing box tops to the
telescoping station 112, where they are to be
telescoped onto a loaded container. The box tops are
initially placed on a platform 400r after which they
are moved transversely onto a platform 402 against
the stop 404. A pressure plate 406 which is adapted
to contact the box top is moved by a cylinder 408, to
move the box top past the marking rolls 410 onto a
V-belt conveyor 412 which is in constant motion. The
conveyor then moves the box tops through guides 44
(see FIG. 3) into the telescoping station.
~223~7~
-25-
Electrical Control Circuitry
Referring now to FIGS aye, b, and c, the
electrical control circuitry of the packing machine
will now be described in greater detail. Electrical
control circuitry comprises numerous limit switches
which sense movement of various parts of the machine
and relays which are energized in response to certain
conditions. For easy convenience, certain circuit
components, i.e., limit switches and relays, will be
referred to by their location with a line number.
Line numbers appear at the extreme right of each of
the FIGS. aye, b, and c.
Referring now to line numbers Lo and L18 in
FIGS. aye and b, respectively, carriage front relay
and carriage rear relay are two independent relays
which control the operations of certain other
components based upon whether the carriage assembly
is deposed at the rear of the machine, i.e., under
the fruit conveyor and over the separator sheets, or
at the front of the machine, i.e., over the channel
members (211). LS-l and LS-18, respectively, are
large contact switches which are closed by the
movement of the carriage assembly, when in the
extreme front or the extreme rear positions,
respectively.
When the main power to the machine is
initially turned on the carriage assembly will be
located over channel members (211). Such positioning
of the carriage assembly dictates that switches LS-l
and LS-2 will be closed when the main power to the
main packaging machine is initially applied.
Lines 3 and 4 allow selection of automatic or manual
operation of the packaging machine via mode switch
MS-l (line pa). The automatic mode will be described
first. Referring now to the series connections in
I
26-
line 5, all preoperative conditions must be met for
current flow and machine operation in the automatic
mode. Therefore, the automatic relay and carriage
front relay will be energized due to the switch LS-l
being closed. Blowers 1 and 2 auxiliary relays (line
5) must be closed, signifying that blowers 1 and 2
are operative. The top, container, and fruit sensors
must find a top (111), a container (109), and fruit
(103) in place. If all these conditions exist,
current will flow into the on-delay timer, since LS-l
is latched and the on-delay timer coil is energized.
The timer allows the operations conducted by
momentary switch LS-2 (line 9) to be performed before
the platen heads (106) move down to pick up fruit.
Therefore, since LS-l is latched and the carriage
front relay coil is energized, the fruit stop coil is
energized, so the fruit stop plate (312~ moves into
place stopping the fruit flow in line 9. In line 10,
since the carriage front relay coil is energized, the
nesting cup relay will be energized allowing the
piston (329) to move the cups (306) into their nested
position. In line 11~ the energizing of the carriage
front relay coil allows the suction-on relay to be
energized, causing the piston operated flow control
mechanism (158) to move to the vacuum condition.
In line 12, the off-delay timer coil is also
energized, signifying that the operations performed
by the closing of momentary switch LS-2 have been
completed and the machine can continue with its
cycle. As the cycle continues, the platen heads move
downward in line 6 to pick up the fruit that has been
deposited into cups (306) after the carriage was
moved to the front of the machine facilitated by the
energizing of the carriage front relay coil in line
2. When the platen heads reach their full extreme
I
lower vertical position over the nesting boxes, and
the carriage container nesting box is in the front of
the machine, switch LS-3 in line 13 closes. This
energizes the platen head-up coil, and the platens
S begin their upward movement lifting the fruit from
the nested cups (122).
Looking now to lines 13, 14, and 15 of FIG.
34b, switch LS-4 is closed when the platen heads, now
holding fruit, reach their full extreme upper
vertical position, over the nesting boxes. Since the
carriage front relay is energized at this time, the
carriage assembly moves to the rear (line 14) and the
cups (306) are untested twine 15). The closing of
switch LS-5 (line 18), by the movement of the
carriage assembly to the rear, causes the carriage
rear relay coil (line 18) to energize the carriage
rear relay, closing carriage rear relay contacts
Momentary switch LS-6 in line 19 is closed just after
switch LS-5 in line 18, by the same movement of the
carriage assembly to the rear. Since the carriage
rear relay is closed and the diphenyl blower
interlock signals that the diphenyl blower is
running, the diphenoyl sheet plates (346) move upward
(line 19) until switches LS-7a and LS-7b (line 21)
are closed. The closing of these switches signifies
that a diphenyl sheet (334) has been lifted by the
vacuum box assembly (113) and the diphenyl sheet
plates returns to their down position.
Simultaneously, in line 26, since the carriage rear
relay is closed and either the automatic or manual
relay has been closed by selections in line 4, the
platen heads (106) begin to traverse downward into
the container directly below.
When the platen heads reach their full
extreme lower vertical position into the container,
of
I
switch LS-8 is closed (line 22). Since the carriage
assembly it at the rear of the machine and carriage
rear relay contacts are closed, the functions in
lines 22, 23, 24, and 25 are performed. This is
facilitated by the respective energized coil closing
the proper relay contacts. Specifically, the platen
head suction relay is energized, allowing the
piston-operated control mechanism (158) to move to
the pressure condition, causing the vacuum to
seasoned the fruits to be deposited into the
container (line 22). Simultaneously, the fruit stop
rods (302) open to allow fruit to flow into the cups
when the carriage assembly begins its next movement
to the front of the machine (line 23). Also, the
platen heads begin movement upward, out of the
containers (line 24) and a counter is advanced
signaling the completion of one cycle of the machine
(line 25).
Upon the platen heads reaching their full
extreme upper vertical position, over the containers,
switch LS-4 in line 14 closes. Since the carriage is
now at the rear of the machine (under the fruit
conveyor and over the diphenyl sheets), the carriage
rear relay is closed and the carriage moves to the
front of the machine (line 16). Simultaneously,
assuming that either the automatic or manual mode
has been chosen, and the carriage rear relay is
closed, the carton advance coil energizes the
carton-advance relay, causing piston (212~ to
activate the paddle assembly ~200), advancing the
containers to the next station Kline 17)~ This
completes one cycle of the packaging machine
components as illustrated in FIGS. 4-9.
Referring now Jo line 26, momentary switch
LS-9 is closed by paddle assembly (eye) coming to
--2g--
the end of its forward motion. This causes the
paddle assembly (200) to start its return motion and
simultaneously engages piston assembly (254), causing
an empty container to be lowered into place in front
of the paddle assembly (aye). Switch LS-9 also
energizes the container-pusher-out relay coil,
causing the container-pusher-out relay contacts to
close activating piston (~18)~ This pushes a full
container into its telescoping box assembly (112).
When piston (218) is fully extended,
momentary switch LS-10 is closed. This energizes the
container-pusher-in coil, closing the
container-pusher-in relay and fully retracting piston
(218), allowing acceptance of the next full
container.
The operations depicted by the close of LS-9
and LS-10 are illustrated in FIGS. 10, 16 and 17~
These electrical connections complete one full cycle
of the packaging machine. The packaging machine's
manual mode electrical operation will now be
described. Switch MS-l (line pa) will be in the
manual position, and when the machine's main power is
switched on, the carriage assembly will be in the
front of the machine, over the paddle assembly (200),
causing switch LS-l to be closed (line 1).
Therefore, the carriage front relay coil energizes,
which closes the carriage front relay contacts.
Since the conditions above have occurred,
when the push button in line 8 is closed, the platen
heads will traverse downward and one complete cycle
as described in the automatic mode will occur. This
push button facilitates the non-continuous use of the
packaging machine. It must also be noted that or
manual mode operation the preoperative conditions
(line 5), required for automatic mode operation need
~Z'~3~
-30-
not be met. Line 8 shows that only the carriage
front relay contacts need be closed for the platen
heads (lo) to be lowered in the manual mode.
Loading circuitry is also provided, as can
be seen in lines aye and aye To operate load push
buttons 1 and 2 (lines aye and aye), switch MS-l
(line pa) in line 4 must be switched to its middle
pole. The pole selects either the manual or
automatic mode, allowing current to flow through the
normally closed contacts of the automatic and manual
relays and reach the load push buttons.
While the packaging machine can be used
independently of a box top telescoping assembly in
the illustrated embodiment one is used and will be
described below.
Box Top Telescoping Assembly
As previously mentioned, when the loaded
container leaves the packaging machine, it it
introduced into a telescoping box assembly 112
comprising a frame 115 where a box top 111 is placed
in telescoping relationship on the filled container
109. The box tops 111 are introduced on a conveyor
110, as shown in FIGS. 11-13 and guided into the
telescoping 112 by guides 414 (see Fig I
The details of the telescoping station are
spelled out at length in my cop ending application
entitled "Telescoping Box Assembly," filed along with
this application, which is incorporated here by
reference. It is briefly described in FIG. 33 when
taken in conjunction with the schematic of a
telescoping box assembly shown on the right hand
portion of FIG. 3.
Generally speaking, the box top 111 is moved
into the telescoping box assembly and placed on
tip able shelves 420. A presser plate 422 pivotal
I
mounted at 423 operated by a cylinder 424 is biased
into position on top of the box top 111. A movable
frame assembly including the presser plate and
presser plate cylinder is supported by bushing
supports 426 that slide along stationary rods 428.
This movable assembly is operated by a main piston
430 as shown schematically in FIG. 3.
In order to retain the box top in position
so that it can be telescopingly applied over the
filled container, a spreader assembly 432 is
provided. This spreader assembly consists of a
generally rectangular frame member 434 that has
secured to its inner walls a plurality of spring
fingers 436. The spreader assembly is secured to the
main movable frame assembly through a cylinder 438
having a depending piston rod 440 that is secured
through a Levis 442 to the frame 444. The cylinder
438 is attached to a bracket 446 that is part of the
movable frame assembly.
When a box top is provided in the
telescoping assembly, the spreader assembly is moved
to the upper position, which releases the box top
from the shelves 420 and the box top is then
supported by the spreader assembly. The fingers 436
are located internally of the box top and the other
ends of the fingers engage the outer surface of the
filled container. Specifically, cam members 437
secured to the fingers engage stationary plates 439
when the spreader assembly is raised to insure that
the fingers are located inwardly of the box top.
With the box top in this position in the telescoping
assembly and the spreader assembly supporting the box
top, the presser plate is moved downwardly by the
action of the main cylinder 430 and acts to move the
box top telescopingly over the loaded container 109.
I
-32-
After the box top has been telescoped over the loaded
container, the spreader assembly 412 is moved out
from under the box top by operation of the cylinder
438 and moved below a platform 450 on which the
loaded container is located to permit the loaded
container to be removed from the telescoping box
assembly. The spreader assembly is secured to
bushing supports 440 that are slid ably disposed on
rods 428. A conventional electrical control system
is provided for operating the cylinders in the
desired sequence.
It is, of course, intended to cover by the
appended claims all such modifications and variations
that fall within the true spirit and scope of the
invention.
