Master-container-filling machine

Claim 2

A machine for filling a master container with a plurality of packages, comprising a. an accumulator platform, b. a receiver-pusher device adjacent one end of the platform, c. a cross ram movable across the top of the platform in opposite directions, d. a package receiving cylinder located adjacent each side of the platform, e. a plunger movable longitudinally in each cylinder in opposite directions, and f. mechanism automatically actuating the receiver-pusher device, ram and plungers, whereby packages are individually successively received and dropped by the receiver-pusher device and are pushed thereby on the accumulator platform on which a predetermined number of packages are accumulated and from which the accumulated group is moved by the ram into one of the cylinders and another accumulated group is moved by the ram into the other cylinder, and alternately moved by the plungers from the cylinders into master containers.

Claim 3

A master container filling machine for moving previously filled packages from a conveyor into a master container, comprising a. an accumulator platform on which a predetermined number of packages are automatically accumulated in a row, b. a receiver-pusher device adjacent one end of the accumulator platform having a top to receive a package thereon from a conveyor, c. means reciprocating the receiver-pusher device, d. a package-contacting member adjacent the receiver-pusher device which contacts a package on the receiver-pusher and causes the package to drop when the receiver-pusher is moved in one direction, e. a side surface on the receiver-pusher which pushes the dropped package on the accumulator platform when the receiver-pusher is moved in the opposite direction, f. a package-receiving cylinder located at each side of the accumulator platform in position to receive a row of packages from the platform, g. a cross ram movable transversely across the platform in one direction to move a row of packages into one cylinder and in the opposite direction to move a row of packages into the other cylinder, and h. a plunger movable through each cylinder to force a row of packages form the cylinder into a master container on the discharge end of the cylinder.

Claim 4

A master container filling machine for moving previously filled packages from a conveyor into a master container, comprising a. an accumulator platform on which a predetermined number of packages are automatically accumulated in a row, b. a receiver-pusher device adjacent one end of the accumulator platform having a top to receive a package thereon from a conveyor, c. means reciprocating the receiver-pusher device, d. a package-contacting member adjacent the receiver-pusher device which contacts a package on the receiver-pusher and causes the package to drop when the receiver-pusher is moved in one direction, e. a side surface on the receiver-pusher which pushes the dropped package on the accumulator platform when the receiver-pusher is moved in the opposite direction, f. a package-receiving cylinder located at each side of the accumulator platform in position to receive a row of packages from the platform, g. a cross ram movable transversely across the platform in one direction to move a row of packages into one cylinder and in the opposite direction to move a row of packages into the other cylinder, and h. a plunger movable through each cylinder to force a row of packages form the cylinder into a master container on the discharge end of the cylinder.

Claim 5

The machine defined by claim 2, in which the receiver-pusher device top is slightly below the plane of an adjacent input conveyor, and the bottom of the receiver-pusher is on the same plane as the accumulator platform.

Claim 6

The machine defined by claim 2, in which the package-contacting member which contacts a package on the receiver-pusher and causes the package to drop is an open sided housing into which the receiver-pusher is moved, said housing having an upwardly extending member above the open side for contacting the package on the receiver-pusher and causing it to drop when the receiver-pusher is retracted into the housing.

Claim 7

The machine defined by claim 2, in which the package-receiving cylinders each comprise a receiving lower shell and an upper cover hingedly connected to the lower shell and pivotally movable to provide aN open side in the cylinder adjacent the accumulator platform.

Claim 8

The machine defined by claim 5, in which the lower shell of each cylinder has an edge adjacent the platform in a plane below the plane of the platform.

Claim 9

The machine defined by claim 2, in which the cross ram is a vertically disposed plate extending longitudinally of the accumulator platform and having a lower edge slidable over said platform.

Claim 10

The machine defined by claim 2, which includes air cylinders and pistons operatively connected with the receiver-pusher device, the ram and the cylinder plungers, and means for automatically actuating each of said elements in timed relationship.

Claim 11

The machine defined by claim 2, in which the package-receiving cylinders each comprise a lower shell and an upper cover longitudinally and hingedly connected, cover actuating means to open and close the cylinder, and clamp means on the cover for holding a master container on the discharge end of the cylinder when the cover is closed.

Claim 12

The machine defined by claim 9 which includes clamp means beneath the cylinder for engaging the master container.

Claim 13

A machine for filling a master container with a plurality of packages, comprising a. an accumulator platform, b. package-depositing means adjacent the platform for moving packages onto the platform, c. a cross ram movable across the top of the platform in opposite directions, d. a package-receiving cylinder located adjacent each side of the platform, e. means causing movement of packages from each cylinder into a master container, and f. mechanism automatically actuating the package-depositing means, ram and means causing movement of packages from each cylinder into a master cylinder, whereby a predetermined number of packages is accumulated on the platform from which an accumulated group is moved by the ram into one of the cylinders and another accumulated group is moved by the ram into the other cylinder, and alternately moved from the cylinders into master containers.

Claim 14

A machine for filling a master container with a plurality of packages, comprising a. an accumulator platform, b. package-depositing means adjacent the platform for moving packages onto the platform, c. a cross ram movable across the top of the platform in opposite directions, d. a package-receiving cylinder located adjacent each side of the platform, e. means causing movement of packages from each cylinder into a master container, and f. mechanism automatically actuating the package-depositing means, ram and means causing movement of packages from each cylinder into a master cylinder, whereby a predetermined number of packages is accumulated on the platform from which an accumulated group is moved by the ram into one of the cylinders and another accumulated group is moved by the ram into the other cylinder, and alternately moved from the cylinders into master containers.

Claim 15

The machine defined by claim 11, in which the cross ram is a vertically disposed plate extending longitudinally of the accumulator platform and has a lower edge slidable over said platform.

Claim 16

The machine defined by claim 11, which includes air cylinders and pistons operatively connected with the package depositing means, the cross ram, and the means causing movement of packages from each cylinder into a master container, and means for automatically actuating each of said elements in timed relationship.

Claim 17

The machine defined by claim 11, in which the package-receiving cylinders each comprise a lower shell and an upper cover longitudinally and hingedly connected, cover-actuating means to open and close the cylinder, and clamp means on the cover for holding a master on the discharge end of the cylinder when the cover is closed.

Claim 18

A machine for filling a master container with a plurality of packages, comprising a. an accumulator platform, b. package-depositing means adjacent the platform for moving packages onto the platform, c. a cross ram movable across the top of the platform in opposite directions, d. a package-receiving cylinder located adjacent a side of the platform, e. means causing movement of packages from the cylinder into a master container, and f. mechanism automatically actuating the package-depositing means, ram and means causing movement of packages from the cylinder into a master container, whereby a predetermined number of packages is accumulated on the platform from which an accumulated group is moved by the ram into the cylinder and moved from the cylinder into a master container.

Claim 19

A machine for filling a master container with a plurality of packages, comprising a. an accumulator platform, b. package-depositing means adjacent the platform for moving packages onto the platform, c. a cross ram movable across the top of the platform in opposite directions, d. a package-receiving cylinder located adjacent a side of the platform, e. means causing movement of packages from the cylinder into a master container, and f. mechanism automatically actuating the package-depositing means, ram and means causing movement of packages from the cylinder into a master container, whereby a predetermined number of packages is accumulated on the platform from which an accumulated group is moved by the ram into the cylinder and moved from the cylinder into a master container.

Claim 20

The machine defined by claim 15, in which the cross ram is a vertically disposed plate extending longitudinally of the accumulator platform and has a lower edge slidable over the platform.

Claim 21

The machine defined by claim 15, which includes air cylinders and pistons operatively connected wiTh the package-depositing means, the cross ram, and the means causing movement of packages from the cylinder into a master container, and means for automatically actuating each of said elements in timed relationship.

Claim 22

The machine defined by claim 15, in which the package-receiving cylinder comprises a lower shell and an upper cover longitudinally and hingedly connected, cover-actuating means to open and close the cylinder, and clamp means on the cover for holding a master container on the discharge end of the cylinder when the cover is closed.