Case loader

Claim 1

In a mechanism for loading rectangular, open top cases with upstanding generally cylindrical articles of uniform size, such cases being of the type having interconnected side and end walls in which the sidewalls are of a height comparable to that of the articles to be loaded into the case and in which at least the leading end wall of an advancing case is formed with a central open area, the portions of the end walls adjacent the leading corners of the case being comparable in height to the sidewalls and the height of the central portion of the leading end wall being substantially less than that of the end wall portions adjacent the corners of the case, the combination of an elongated, cantilever support means for a rectangular group of uniform, upstanding articles arranged in more than two laterally related rows and a sufficient number of rows to completely full the case, a conveyor comprising a push rod to engage behind the article group and propel it along and past the discharge end of the cantilever support, a case support upon which an open top case of the type described may be supported for advancing moVement with its end walls in leading and trailing positions and with the end wall having the central open area disposed in leading position, stop means associated with the case support for yieldably retaining an empty case with its leading end wall positioned adjacent the discharge end of the cantilever support, the case support being disposed below the cantilever support and being inclined thereto at a small angle converging in the direction of advancing movement of the articles, the discharge end section of the cantilever support having a width less than the width of the end wall opening in the case to be loaded but having a width sufficient to support minor portions of the bottoms of the articles in the respective outside rows of the article group, whereby the free outer end of the cantilever support is disposed at a height above the case support just sufficient to clear the free upper edge of the central portion of the case wall as the case is advanced, and whereby the front surface of the leading article in each of the outside rows as the article group is advanced will engage the upper edge of the respective corner portions of the leading end wall and initiate the advance of the case past the stop means as the leading article row is pushed off the discharge end of the cantilever support and drops into the case, and additional guide means arranged above and adjacent each edge of the article group path, such additional guide means each comprising an elongated element supported in fixed position generally parallel with the article group path and having a narrow upstream end portion positioned to enter between the outside row and the adjacent inner row of articles as the group is advanced past such elongated element, said elongated element having a surface extending downstream from its narrow end which is progressively contoured outwardly of the article path in general conformity in length and extent with the outward contour of the side guide means to cause the individual articles to tip outwardly in a controlled manner as the article group advances.