Apparatus for loading cylindrical articles onto pallets

Claim 1

Apparatus for loading cylindrical articles such as kegs onto a pallet so that the articles lie on their sides in a plurality of rows, the apparatus comprising (i) means providing a loading station, (ii) means for moving an empty pallet to the loading station, (iii) means for assembling a row of articles at an assembly location adjacent the loading station and at a level higher than the upper surface of a pallet at the loading station, (iv) a ramp arranged to extend from the assembly location to a pallet at the loading station, (v) pusher means for pushing a row of articles onto the ramp whereby the articles roll down the ramp under their own weight onto the pallet, and (vi) a transfer mechanism having a carriage and a transfer member, the carriage being movable toward and away from said assembly location and movable between a lower position in which the transfer member is able to engage articles on the ramp and an upper position where the transfer member is clear of articles on the ramp and clear of articles on the pallet at the unloading station, and the transfer member further including means for moving the carriage to enable the transfer member to engage in turn each row of articles pushed onto the ramp and control the movement of the articles down the ramp.