US3585782A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Carton filling apparatus
Assignee: Kraft Heinz Foods Co
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Filing: 1969-12-10
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Granted: 1971-06-22
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Expires: 1989-12-10
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus is disclosed for the end loading of filled cans of products into a carton by gravity. It is especially adapted for use with large diameter cans. The cans roll down an inclined track in which there are two spaced movable barriers which function to divide the progression of cans into case lots and restrain each successive lot in loading position. A carton is placed upright in a carton holder which is then tilted backward so that the open top of the carton is underneath the lower end of the trackway. With the release of the first restraining barrier, the case lot falls into the carton while the second barrier holds back the procession of cans behind it. The tilt of the carton is such that the cans will arrange themselves in layers. The holder returns the filled carton to upright position and the carton rolls from the holder onto a receiving conveyor. Upon return of the filled carton to upright position, the first barrier is raised while the second barrier is released until another case lot has rolled onto the lower terminal portion of the track, being blocked on the terminal portion by the first barrier. Foot pedals and pneumatic operators sequence the operations.
Inventors
- 👤 James D Staley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:00
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B35/00; B65B35/30; B65B35/32; B65B5/00; B65B5/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
An apparatus for loading a carton with a predetermined number of filled cans or like cylindrical objects comprising: a. a supporting structure, b. a tiltable carton holder into which a carton with an open end may be received, said carton holder being tiltably supported in the supporting structure for tilting movement between a generally upright position in which cartons may be placed in the holder and removed therefrom and a tilted loading position in which the holder and a carton received therein are inclined from the horizontal, c. an inclined track in which the cans are guided and down which they roll having its lower end terminating just above and over a carton in said holder when the holder is in tilted loading position, and d. means arranged to release a predetermined number of cans on the track to roll down the track and off its lower end into the carton, the inclination of the carton being such that the cans arrange themselves in the carton in vertical rows containing equal numbers of cans.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
174 words
An apparatus for loading a carton with a predetermined number of filled cans or like cylindrical objects comprising: a. a supporting structure, b. a tiltable carton holder into which a carton with an open end may be received, said carton holder being tiltably supported in the supporting structure for tilting movement between a generally upright position in which cartons may be placed in the holder and removed therefrom and a tilted loading position in which the holder and a carton received therein are inclined from the horizontal, c. an inclined track in which the cans are guided and down which they roll having its lower end terminating just above and over a carton in said holder when the holder is in tilted loading position, and d. means arranged to release a predetermined number of cans on the track to roll down the track and off its lower end into the carton, the inclination of the carton being such that the cans arrange themselves in the carton in vertical rows containing equal numbers of cans.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus for loading a carton with a predetermined number of filled cans or like cylindrical objects as defined in claim 1 wherein said means comprises spaced barriers along the track movable into and out of can blocking position, the spacing between the barriers being sufficient to accommodate said predetermined number of cans between them.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus for loading a carton with a predetermined number of filled cans or like cylindrical objects as defined in claim 2 wherein said spaced barriers comprise a pair of pneumatically operated blocking members each of said pair arranged to operate in opposed blocking and nonblocking position for cans on the track.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus for loading a carton with a predetermined number of filled cans or like cylindrical objects as defined in claim 1 wherein said tiltable carton holder is pivotally mounted on the support structure for said tilting movement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus for loading a carton with a predetermined number of filled cans or like cylindrical objects as defined in claim 4 including locking means to hold the carton holder in tilted loading position and wherein the carton holder is pivotally mounted so as to lower by gravity to substantially vertical position upon release of said locking means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus for loading a carton with a predetermined nUmber of filled cans or like cylindrical objects as defined in claim 1 wherein said carton holder has free turning rollers in the bottom thereof arranged to permit rolling of a full carton therefrom.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus for loading a carton with a predetermined number of filled cans or like cylindrical objects as defined in claim 1 wherein said tiltable carton holder and a carton received therein when in tilted loading position are inclined at an angle of approximately 70* from the horizontal.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
181 words
An apparatus for gravity filling of a carton with cans comprising: a. an inclined trackway down which cans roll by gravity having an upper end for receiving cans to be packed and a lower can discharge end, b. barrier means along the trackway movable into and out of can restraining position, c. a carton holder having an open top and at least one open side positioned at a lower level than and adjacent to the lower end of the trackway, the carton holder being pivotally mounted for movement from a substantially vertical position for the loading and unloading of successive cartons to an inclined position with the open top thereof under the discharge end of the trackway, d. means for effecting pivotal movement of the carton holder and, e. means arranged to sequentially move the barrier means from a can restraining position when the carton holder is in vertical position to a nonrestraining position for the discharge of a predetermined number of cans by gravity into a carton in the carton holder when the carton holder is in said inclined position.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
181 words
An apparatus for gravity filling of a carton with cans comprising: a. an inclined trackway down which cans roll by gravity having an upper end for receiving cans to be packed and a lower can discharge end, b. barrier means along the trackway movable into and out of can restraining position, c. a carton holder having an open top and at least one open side positioned at a lower level than and adjacent to the lower end of the trackway, the carton holder being pivotally mounted for movement from a substantially vertical position for the loading and unloading of successive cartons to an inclined position with the open top thereof under the discharge end of the trackway, d. means for effecting pivotal movement of the carton holder and, e. means arranged to sequentially move the barrier means from a can restraining position when the carton holder is in vertical position to a nonrestraining position for the discharge of a predetermined number of cans by gravity into a carton in the carton holder when the carton holder is in said inclined position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
An apparatus for gravity filling of a carton with cans as defined in claim 8 wherein said barrier means comprises first and second blocking members spaced from each other a distance sufficient to accommodate said predetermined number of cans therebetween with the first and second blocking members operating in opposed blocking and nonblocking position with respect to cans on the trackway.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus for gravity filling of a carton with cans as described in claim 9 wherein the carton holder when in substantially vertical position activates means for moving said first blocking member from blocking position, and when in inclined position activates means for moving said second blocking member from blocking position with respect to cans on said trackway.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3229444A
Cited
US3430416A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-21 | 1974-12-21 | 1975-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-21 | 1978-12-21 | 1979-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-21 | 1982-12-21 | 1983-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |