Apparatus for transferring and sorting articles

Claim 2

Apparatus for unloading articles from containers each of which has been loaded with like articles, sorting the articles, and loading each of a plurality of containers with assorted articles, comprising mechanism for discharging articles upon a common conveyor from a plurality of successive groups of containers, said mechanism comprising apparatus for tilting each container, a barrier which is movable downward in steps to permit the articles to be discharged one layer at a time from a tilted container, and a plurality of grippers for selectively holding part of the articles in a layer while permitting the remainder to be discharged, each group of containers being loaded with like articles, a plurality of branch conveyors leading from the common conveyor, each of which is provided with a gate that is operable to divert a selected article onto the branch conveyor from the common conveyor, and a loading station at the end of each branch conveyor for holding a container in a position to receive articles from the branch conveyor.

Claim 3

Apparatus for unloading articles from containers each of which has been loaded with like articles, sorting the articles, and loading each of a plurality of containers with assorted articles, comprising mechanism for dischArging articles upon a common conveyor from a plurality of successive groups of containers, each group of containers being loaded with like articles, a plurality of branch conveyors leading from the common conveyor, each of which is provided with a gate that is operable to divert a selected article onto the branch conveyor from the common conveyor, a loading station at the end of each branch conveyor for holding a container in a position to receive articles from the branch conveyor, each branch conveyor being provided with a loading platform which is horizontally movable between a retracted position in which it is substantially continuous with the branch conveyor and an extended position in which it is inserted into a container on the loading station at the end of the branch conveyor, and a barrier being provided which is movable between an inoperative position and an operative position, behind the extended position of the loading platform, for holding the articles in the container while the loading platform is being retracted.

Claim 4

Apparatus for unloading articles from containers each of which has been loaded with like articles, sorting the articles, and loading each of a plurality of containers with assorted articles, comprising mechanism for dischArging articles upon a common conveyor from a plurality of successive groups of containers, each group of containers being loaded with like articles, a plurality of branch conveyors leading from the common conveyor, each of which is provided with a gate that is operable to divert a selected article onto the branch conveyor from the common conveyor, a loading station at the end of each branch conveyor for holding a container in a position to receive articles from the branch conveyor, each branch conveyor being provided with a loading platform which is horizontally movable between a retracted position in which it is substantially continuous with the branch conveyor and an extended position in which it is inserted into a container on the loading station at the end of the branch conveyor, and a barrier being provided which is movable between an inoperative position and an operative position, behind the extended position of the loading platform, for holding the articles in the container while the loading platform is being retracted.