Container loading systems

Claim 1

A method of loading an open top container with parcels as supplied from a delivery position above the container for being dumped into the container, characterized in that the consecutive parcels are dumped onto an intermediate carrier member, said intermediate carrier member comprising a flap member rotatably attached to a frame member and hoisting means operably attached to both said frame member and said flap member, gradually lowering said intermediate carrier member into the container such that the parcels are dumped a relatively short distance from the delivery position to the carrier member or the top of the parcels already deposited thereon, arresting the downward movement of said frame member while permitting said hoisting means to continue to lower said flap member, whereby a rotatable movement is affected between said flap member and said frame member so that said carrier member in a lowered position is caused, by tilting or otherwise, to release the parcels and assume a position generally adjacent one or more sides of the container, the carrier member in this position finally being moved up from its engagement with the parcels and the container and returned into its initial parcel carrying position.

Claim 2

A method of loading an open top container with parcels as supplied from a delivery position above the container for being dumped into the container, characterized in that the consecutive parcels are dumped onto an intermediate carrier member, said intermediate carrier member comprising a flap member rotatably attached to a frame member and hoisting means operably attached to both said frame member and said flap member, gradually lowering said intermediate carrier member into the container such that the parcels are dumped a relatively short distance from the delivery position to the carrier member or the top of the parcels already deposited thereon, arresting the downward movement of said frame member while permitting said hoisting means to continue to lower said flap member, whereby a rotatable movement is affected between said flap member and said frame member so that said carrier member in a lowered position is caused, by tilting or otherwise, to release the parcels and assume a position generally adjacent one or more sides of the container, the carrier member in this position finally being moved up from its engagement with the parcels and the container and returned into its initial parcel carrying position.

Claim 4

An apparatus for loading an open top container with parcels as supplied from a delivery position above the container, characterized in that it comprises a carrier device and means for moving the same vertically between a raised starting position above a container as placed therebeneath and a lowered position at least partially received in the container, said carrier device having substantially vertically disposed carrier portions adapted to be located adjacent interior side portions of the container when lowered into the container, said carrier portions having at their lower ends a carrier member operable to be shifted between a generally horizontal parcel carrying position and an inoperative position in which it is located generally retracted from its parcel carrying position, e.g. in vertical alignment with said carrier portions, said hoisting means which is provided for gradually lowering the carrier device being operably connected to both said carrier portions and said carrier member when said carrier device is in its parcel carrying position and being inoperably connected to said carrier portions when said carrier device is in said lowered position, whereby said carrier member may be shifted into said inoperative position in response to further operation of said hoisting means.

Claim 5

An apparatus for loading an open top container with parcels as supplied from a delivery position above the container, characterized in that it comprises a carrier device and means for moving the same vertically between a raised starting position above a container as placed therebeneath and a lowered position at least partially received in the container, said carrier device having substantially vertically disposed carrier portions adapted to be located adjacent interior side portions of the container when lowered into the container, said carrier portions having at their lower ends a carrier member operable to be shifted between a generally horizontal parcel carrying position and an inoperative position in which it is located generally retracted from its parcel carrying position, e.g. in vertical alignment with said carrier portions, said hoisting means which is provided for gradually lowering the carrier device being operably connected to both said carrier portions and said carrier member when said carrier device is in its parcel carrying position and being inoperably connected to said carrier portions when said carrier device is in said lowered position, whereby said carrier member may be shifted into said inoperative position in response to further operation of said hoisting means.

Claim 11

An apparatus for loading an open top container with parcels as supplied from a delivery position above the container or being dumped into the container, characterized in that it comprises a carrier device and means for moving the same vertically between a raised starting position above a container as placed therebeneath and a lowered position at least partially received in the container, said carrier device having substantially vertically disposed carrier portions adapted to be located adjacent interior side portions of the container when lowered into the container, said carrier portions having at their lower ends a carrier member operable to be shifted between a generally horizontal parcel carrying position and an inoperative position in which it is located generally retracted from its parcel carrying position, e.g. in vertical alignment with said carrier portions, means being provided for gradually lowering the carrier device with the carrier member assuming its parcel carrying position and for causing the carrier member to be shifted into said inoperative position in response to the carrier device reaching said lowered position, said carrier member comprising a bottom flap hinged to the lower end of the carrier portions and connected with releasable arresting means for holding it in its said parcel carrying position and allowing it to swing downwardly therefrom respectively, said apparatus further including guiding means which are provided for guiding the carrier device for vertical parallel displacement, the carrier device being suspended in a hoisting wire by means of a yoke which is vertically movable relative to said carrier portions between an uppermost position, in which the yoke carries the carrier device and serves to hold the said bottom flap, via a control connection therebetween, in its horizontal carrier position, and a lower position in which the yoke through said control connection enables the flap to swing downwardly into a temporarily locked, substantially vertical position, said guiding means comprising lower stop means for defining the said lower position of the carrier device such that by continued lowering of the yoke the bottom flap is allowed to swing downwardly.

Claim 12

An apparatus for loading an open top container with parcels as supplied from a delivery position above the container or being dumped into the container, characterized in that it comprises a carrier device and means for moving the same vertically between a raised starting position above a container as placed therebeneath and a lowered position at least partially received in the container, said carrier device having substantially vertically disposed carrier portions adapted to be located adjacent interior side portions of the container when lowered into the container, said carrier portions having at their lower ends a carrier member operable to be shifted between a generally horizontal parcel carrying position and an inoperative position in which it is located generally retracted from its parcel carrying position, e.g. in vertical alignment with said carrier portions, means being provided for gradually lowering the carrier device with the carrier member assuming its parcel carrying position and for causing the carrier member to be shifted into said inoperative position in response to the carrier device reaching said lowered position, said carrier member comprising a bottom flap hinged to the lower end of the carrier portions and connected with releasable arresting means for holding it in its said parcel carrying position and allowing it to swing downwardly therefrom respectively, said apparatus further including guiding means which are provided for guiding the carrier device for vertical parallel displacement, the carrier device being suspended in a hoisting wire by means of a yoke which is vertically movable relative to said carrier portions between an uppermost position, in which the yoke carries the carrier device and serves to hold the said bottom flap, via a control connection therebetween, in its horizontal carrier position, and a lower position in which the yoke through said control connection enables the flap to swing downwardly into a temporarily locked, substantially vertical position, said guiding means comprising lower stop means for defining the said lower position of the carrier device such that by continued lowering of the yoke the bottom flap is allowed to swing downwardly.

Claim 13

An apparatus for loading an open top container with parcels as supplied from a delivery position above the container for being dumped into the container, characterized in that the consecutive parcels are dumped onto a carrier device which is gradually lowered into the container and in that guiding means are provided for guiding the carrier device for vertical parallel displacement, the carrier device being suspended in a hoisting wire by means of a yoke which is vertically movable relative to carrier portions of said carrier device between an upper most position, in which the yoke carries the carrier device and serves to hold a bottom flap of said carrier device, via a control connection therebetween, in a horizontal carrier position, and a lower position in which the yoke through said control connection enables said flap to swing downwardly into a temporarily locked, substantially vertical position, said guiding means comprising lower stop means for defining the said lower position of the carrier device such that by continued lowering of the yoke, the bottom flap is allowed to swing downwardly.

Claim 14

An apparatus for loading an open top container with parcels as supplied from a delivery position above the container for being dumped into the container, characterized in that the consecutive parcels are dumped onto a carrier device which is gradually lowered into the container and in that guiding means are provided for guiding the carrier device for vertical parallel displacement, the carrier device being suspended in a hoisting wire by means of a yoke which is vertically movable relative to carrier portions of said carrier device between an upper most position, in which the yoke carries the carrier device and serves to hold a bottom flap of said carrier device, via a control connection therebetween, in a horizontal carrier position, and a lower position in which the yoke through said control connection enables said flap to swing downwardly into a temporarily locked, substantially vertical position, said guiding means comprising lower stop means for defining the said lower position of the carrier device such that by continued lowering of the yoke, the bottom flap is allowed to swing downwardly.