Lane defining apparatus for handling articles in columns

Claim 2

Apparatus for handling articles in orderly columns, and comprising a plurality of lane defining longitudinally extending wall means for receiving columns of articles therebetween, certain of said lane defining wall means including laterally spaced resilient plates, said certain wall means further including upper and lower support means associated with the upper and lower marginal edges of said resilient plates for restraining said marginal edges against movement at least in a direction away from one another respectively, and an inflatable bladder of elastomeric material between said spaced plates, said bladder having a longitudinally extended configuration and being provided between said upper and lower marginal edges of said plates and extending along a substantial medial portion of said plates, and means for retaining said bladder in generally centered relationship between the plates so that said bladder is retained in position when not inflated.

Claim 3

Apparatus for handling articles in orderly columns, and comprising a plurality of lane Defining longitudinally extending wall means for receiving columns of articles therebetween, certain of said lane defining wall means including spaced plates of non-elastomeric material, said spaced plate wall means further including upper and lower support means for said plates, and an inflatable bladder of elastomeric material between said spaced plates, said bladder being located between said upper and lower plate support means and extending along a substantial portion of the longitudinally extending spaced plate wall means, said lane defining means including at least one grid means for receiving a charge of upright articles from an infeed conveyor or the like, said lane defining grid means including a lower support floor associated with each column of articles to support the charge in an upright configuration, and said grid means further including means for detecting the presence of a predetermined number of articles in the lanes of said grid means.

Claim 4

Apparatus for handling articles in orderly columns, and comprising a plurality of lane Defining longitudinally extending wall means for receiving columns of articles therebetween, certain of said lane defining wall means including spaced plates of non-elastomeric material, said spaced plate wall means further including upper and lower support means for said plates, and an inflatable bladder of elastomeric material between said spaced plates, said bladder being located between said upper and lower plate support means and extending along a substantial portion of the longitudinally extending spaced plate wall means, said lane defining means including at least one grid means for receiving a charge of upright articles from an infeed conveyor or the like, said lane defining grid means including a lower support floor associated with each column of articles to support the charge in an upright configuration, and said grid means further including means for detecting the presence of a predetermined number of articles in the lanes of said grid means.

Claim 5

Apparatus according to claim 2 further including means for rotatably supporting said grid means for movement about an axis generally in line with the direction of movement of the articles entering said lanes.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 3 further including pneumatic means responsive to said detecting means for inflating said bladder to hold at least one column of articles in an associated lane of said grid means.

Claim 7

Apparatus according to claim 4 further including second lane defining grid means mounted to said first grid means for rotation therewith, said second grid means occupying a charge receiving position when said first means is in an inverted article discharge position and said second grid means occupying said discharge position when said first grid means is in its charge receiving position.

Claim 8

Apparatus according to claim 2 further including means for dropping the charge of articles out of said grid means said charge dropping means including means for deflating said bladder to allow said charge of articles to be discharged from said grid means.