Loading a container with layers of bottles

Claim 2

A process for automatically filling a container from a line of bottles on a conveyor including the steps of: a. disposing the bottles in parallel rows grouped in pairs the number of which is determined by the number required for a layer of imbricated bottles in the container, b. laying the bottles of each group of two rows facing one another at two different levels to obtain groups of recumbent bottles separated by a gap, c. simultaneously seizing the recumbent bottles of all groups and moving them to the container while moving the groups towards one another to reduce said gap and obtain a layer of bottles at two levels, depositing the layer of bottles in the container, and e. repeating steps (a) to (d) to obtain successive layers deposited one on the other in the container.

Claim 3

A machine for the automatic filling of a container from a row of upright bottles on a supply conveyor, comprising: a. parallel conveyors arranged to convey bottles in the upright condition thereof, b. a bottle distributor operable to direct upright bottles from the supply conveyor onto said parallel conveyors, c. sets of cradles associated in pairs respectively each with a pair of said parallel conveyors, each set of cradles being disposed between a pair of said parallel conveyors and rockable between a vertical position and a horizontal position to form a group of two parallel rows of incumbent bottles, the cradles associated with each group being mounted on shafts offset so that the bottoms of recumbent bottles are displaced by about one-half the diameter of a bottle, d. pusher means extending along the sides of the parallel conveyors opposite the cradles and arranged to be displaceable over the conveyors towards and away from the cradles, e. an arm supported for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane and for displacement in a vertical plane, f. a panel carried by said arm and provided with suction cups, said panel comprising at least two parts movable towards and away from each other and each part corresponding to a group of two rows of incumbent bottles lying on the cradles, the panel parts when moved towards each other forming a panel having lesser dimensions than those of the interior of the container, and g. a container-charging station located in the zone of action of said arm whereby layers of bottles are successively laid one on the other in the container by the arm and said panel.

Claim 4

A machine for the automatic filling of a container from a row of upright bottles on a supply conveyor, comprising: a. parallel conveyors arranged to convey bottles in the upright condition thereof, b. a bottle distributor operable to direct upright bottles from the supply conveyor onto said parallel conveyors, c. sets of cradles associated in pairs respectively each with a pair of said parallel conveyors, each set of cradles being disposed between a pair of said parallel conveyors and rockable between a vertical position and a horizontal position to form a group of two parallel rows of incumbent bottles, the cradles associated with each group being mounted on shafts offset so that the bottoms of recumbent bottles are displaced by about one-half the diameter of a bottle, d. pusher means extending along the sides of the parallel conveyors opposite the cradles and arranged to be displaceable over the conveyors towards and away from the cradles, e. an arm supported for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane and for displacement in a vertical plane, f. a panel carried by said arm and provided with suction cups, said panel comprising at least two parts movable towards and away from each other and each part corresponding to a group of two rows of incumbent bottles lying on the cradles, the panel parts when moved towards each other forming a panel having lesser dimensions than those of the interior of the container, and g. a container-charging station located in the zone of action of said arm whereby layers of bottles are successively laid one on the other in the container by the arm and said panel.

Claim 5

A machine according to claim 2, wherein each set of cradles comprises a unitary member having a succession of concavities and base plates separated by gaps, and associated with said members side guides having a succession of tongues movable in said gaps and mounted for movement in a direction transverse to that of the cradles between a first position in which the tongues are close to the conveyor and guide bottles thereon and a second position in which the tongues are withdrawn from the rocking zone of the cradles.

Claim 6

A machine according to claim 3, wherein the parallel conveyors are at the same level and together with the sets of cradles and the side guides are disposed symmetrically in relation to a general plane of symmetry passing between two central parallel conveyors.

Claim 7

A machine according to claim 3, wherein the side guides each have a lower face provided with a rack co-operable with an oscillating toothed sector, said sectors being rotatable by a single drive shaft.

Claim 8

A machine according to claim 2, wherein the panel comprises one part which is fixed in relation to said arm, the movable parts being provided with slide guides for movement relative to the fixed part, and jacks being respectively connected between the different movable parts and the part fixed to the arm.

Claim 9

A machine according to claim 3, wherein the pusher means and the side guides are spaced apart transversely to the conveyor with which they are associated by a distance equal to the diameter of the bottles, allowing for operating clearance.

Claim 10

A Machine according to claim 2, comprising bottle storage and counting means disposed upstream of the conveyor track and situated facing the corresponding cradles, said storage and counting means comprising elongated shafts each of which is supported along a parallel conveyor with which it is associated, said shafts each being provided at its opposite ends with half-discs offset by 180* and capable of occupying a stop position in which they overhang a part of the associated conveyor and a passage position in which they completely clear the said conveyor, said shafts being angularly movable simultaneously by a single drive means.

Claim 11

A machine according to claim 8, wherein each shaft has a pulley rotatable therewith, and wherein a belt disposed transversely to the conveyors passes round said pulleys and under the two central parallel conveyors, the ends of the belt being fastened to opposite rods of the piston of a jack disposed transversely under said central conveyors.

Claim 12

A machine according to claim 8, wherein the half-discs have bevelled external peripheral edges facilitating their introduction between bottles.

Claim 13

A machine according to claim 10, comprising four parallel conveyors and four cradles associated respectively with four pusher means, constituting two groups each of which is composed at the centre of two conveyors and then, outside the latter and on each side, a first set of cradles and a second set of cradles each of which is associated with a pusher means, the panel comprising two movable parts each of which constitutes a half-panel.

Claim 14

A machine according to claim 11, wherein said arm carries slide guides on which the two half-panels are slidably mounted, together with jacks to which the two half-panels are connected so that they are displaceable simultaneously.