Apparatus for inserting finned packages into containers

Claim 1

Apparatus for inserting into a container successive groups of finned packages, each finned package having two fins with each fin protruding from a respective one of two opposite ends of the package and each group being composed of a plurality of such packages disposed in abutting relation to one another so that each fin of each package extends along a respective side of the group, said apparatus comprising: a common clamping device for holding one such group of packages at a time and composed of a body defining two counter jaws protruding laterally from its lower end, and means defining two clamping jaws each associated with, and movable relative to, a respective counter jaw, said clamping jaws and counter jaws being positioned relative to one another for permitting the fins along one side of a group to be clamped between one said counter jaw and its associated clamping jaw when the fins at the other side of the group are in a position to be clamped between the other said counter jaw and its associated clamping jaw; and means defining a feed channel upstream of said clamping device for feeding successive groups of finned packages to said clamping device, said feed channel having upwardly extending side walls each presenting a passage for guiding the fins along one side of a group of packages; wherein said feed channel is positioned relative to said clamping device in such a manner that each said passage is aligned with the space formed between a respective counter jaw and its associated clamping jaw, when said jaws are at least partly open.