Abstract A method of and apparatus for feeding filled containers to a retort or the like. A pocket conveyor is immersed in a suitable liquid, such as water, and has filled containers transferred thereto from an input conveyor. The pocket conveyor is incrementally advanced in synchronism with the advance of filled containers on the input conveyor with the presence of individual containers being detected by a suitable means such as a photocell. The liquid is preferably heated so as to maintain the contents of the containers at or near the temperature at which they have been filled. The liquid is maintained at such a height so as to effect a cushioning of the filled containers as they are transferred from the input conveyor to the pocket conveyor. In addition, the liquid functions to permit a quality control inspection on the containers to be performed in that those containers having too much air therein float in the liquid.
An apparatus for feeding filled containers to a retort or the like comprising a. an input conveyor means for advancing said filler containers, b. a pocket conveyor means for receiving said filled containers from said input conveyor means, c. and transfer means for delivering said filled containers from said input conveyor means to said pocket conveyor means, d. said pocket conveyor means being immersed in a liquid to a depth sufficient to cushion the delivery of said containers from said input conveyor means to said pocket conveyor means and to perform a quality control inspection on said containers by causing containers with too much air therein to float in said liquid, e. wherein said input conveyor means has photocell means associated therewith for detecting the presence of filled containers thereon and said pocket conveyor means has drive means cooperatively associated therewith for advancing said pocket conveyor means a given increment each time said photocell means detects the presence of a filled container on said input conveyor.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
166 words
An apparatus for feeding filled containers to a retort or the like comprising a. an input conveyor means for advancing said filler containers, b. a pocket conveyor means for receiving said filled containers from said input conveyor means, c. and transfer means for delivering said filled containers from said input conveyor means to said pocket conveyor means, d. said pocket conveyor means being immersed in a liquid to a depth sufficient to cushion the delivery of said containers from said input conveyor means to said pocket conveyor means and to perform a quality control inspection on said containers by causing containers with too much air therein to float in said liquid, e. wherein said input conveyor means has photocell means associated therewith for detecting the presence of filled containers thereon and said pocket conveyor means has drive means cooperatively associated therewith for advancing said pocket conveyor means a given increment each time said photocell means detects the presence of a filled container on said input conveyor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus for feeding filled containers to a retort or the like as defined in claim 1 wherein said liquid is heated to maintain the contents of said containers at an elevated temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus for feeding filled containers to a retort or the like as defined in claim 1 wherein said liquid used to immerse said pocket conveyor means is hot water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus for feeding filled containers to a retort or the like as defined in claim 1 wherein said transfer means includes slide and hopper means.