Single rower for case unpacking apparatus

Claim 2

Case unpacking apparatus comprising an object conveyor having an input end and an output end, means for moving a box with rows of objects therein to a position spaced horizontally of said input end but below said object conveyor, a lifting head positioned over said position and adapted to engage a layer of objects for lifting and upward movement thereof out of said box, a platform, means for moving said platform to a position adjacent the input end of said conveyor and below said lifting head for receiving objects from said lifting head, means for pushing said objects off of said platform onto said object conveyor, blocking means for preventing movement of said objects on said conveyor past a certain point, means for moving said blocking means across said object conveyor at a predetermined rate so as to unblock in order the rows of objects on said object conveyor, and guide means post positioned at an angle across said object conveyor for guiding said objects into single file relation on said object conveyor.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising a plurality of parallel object guide members positioned above said object conveyor and extending in the direction of movement of said conveyor, said object guide members being positioned between said input end and said blocking means.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said guide members each have one end positioned closer to the output end of said conveyor than the remaining portion of the respective guide member, said one ends being aligned in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of said conveyor, said blocking means including a straight bar the length of which extends perpendicularly to the direction of movement of said conveyor and is positioned adjacent said one ends, said means for moving said blocking means including a hydraulic cylinder coupled to said straight bar and adapted to move said bar longitudinally thereof.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said means for pushing said objects off of said platform comprises a straight pusher bar which extends perpendicularly of the direction of movement of said object conveyor, a pair of guide rods fixed at one end to said pusher bar and extending in the direction of movement of said object conveyor, a frame, a pair of bearing blocks fixed to said frame, said guide rods extending through said said bearing blocks, a first cross member fixed to the other ends of said guide rods, a further cross member fixed in parallel spaced relation to said first cross member and defining a slot between said cross members, a hydraulic cylinder fixed to said frame and having a piston rod, a lever pivoted to said frame, a block pivotally secured to said lever and received in said slot, said piston rod being pivotally secured to said lever for moving sad said lever and causing said block to act in said slot against said cross members to move said pusher bar across said platform, said bearing blocks acting as guide means for guiding the movement of said guide rods and pusher bar toward and away from the direction of movement of said object conveyor.

Claim 6

In object handling apparatus including an object conveyor for conveying rows of objects extending in the direction of movement of said conveyor, said object conveyor having an input end and an Output end, the improvement which comprises a blocking bar extending across said object conveyor, means for moving said blocking bar transversely of said object on conveyor at a given rate such as to unblock in order the rows of objects on said object conveyor, and guide means positioned at an angle across said object conveyor for guiding said objects into single file relation on said object conveyor.

Claim 7

In object handling apparatus including an object conveyor for conveying rows of objects extending in the direction of movement of said conveyor, said object conveyor having an input end and an Output end, the improvement which comprises a blocking bar extending across said object conveyor, means for moving said blocking bar transversely of said object on conveyor at a given rate such as to unblock in order the rows of objects on said object conveyor, and guide means positioned at an angle across said object conveyor for guiding said objects into single file relation on said object conveyor.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 5 additionally comprising a plurality of parallel object guide members positioned above said object conveyor and extending in the direction of movement of said conveyor, said object guide members being positioned between said input end and said blocking means.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said guide members each have one end positioned closer to the output end of said conveyor than the remaining portion of the respective guide member, said one ends being aligned in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of said conveyor, said blocking means including a straight bar the length of which extends perpendicularly to the direction of movement of said conveyor and is positioned adjacent said one ends, said means for moving said blocking means including a hydraulic cylinder coupled to said straight bar and adapted to move said bar longitudinally thereof.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising guide means mounted on said platform for maintaining said objects in column as they are moved on said platform and onto said object conveyor by said means for pushing.