GB1278446A - Method for packing small packages having varying configuration and containing root-crops into sacks and a machine for carrying the method into effect - Google Patents

Abstract

1278446 Packaging BILLERUDS AB 17 Nov 1969 [25Nov1968 11 Nov 1969] 56149/69 Heading B8C A machine for packaging small packages of potatoes into sacks 13 comprises a step-by-step reciprocating or rotating feeder 2, which pushes the packages from an intermittently-operated feed belt conveyer 7 one by one on to a shoot 10, sets of package-arresting forks 12, which extend transversely of the shoot on an endless conveyer 11 running parallel to the shoot and which are moved stepwise along the shoot in synchronism with the feeding of the packages until a stack of packages is retained thereby, sack-holders 14, which are carried on a pair of endless conveyers 15 and are adapted to hold a sack open at the lower end of the shoot into which the stack of packages are released by the set of forks, and an output conveyor 28 for carrying each filled sack from the shoot to a sack-shaker 36 and a sack closing unit 49. The sack-holder comprises pairs of clamps, each carried on one of the respective conveyers 15 and each consisting of a fixed plate 16 and pivoted plate 17 between which the upper edges of the sack are clamped. The sack is initially placed over a pair of prongs 26, Fig. 4 (not shown), by the operator. The prongs are then displaced laterally of the conveyers 15 by a piston/cylinder unit 27 between each pair of plates 16 and 17, whilst piston/cylinder units 21 pivot the plates 17 away from plates 16 against the bias of springs 19. The sack is gripped by each pair of holders and subsequently carried by the conveyers 15 towards the shoot. As the holders approach the shoot each plate 17 is urged towards the co-acting plate 16 to grip the sack more tightly by guide rails 24 engaging rollers 22 at the end of arms 18. The respective runs of the conveyers 15 also diverge at the shoot so that the gripped sack is opened by the movement of the holders away from each other for the reception of the stacked bags from the shoot. Once the sack has been filled, the guide rails are arranged to move plates 16 and 17 apart. The released sack drops between guides 30 carried on a conveyer 29 onto a lower conveyer 28 which transports the filled sack through a sackshaker and a sack-closing unit. The shaker, Figs. 6-8 (not shown), comprises two pairs of piston-actuated clamping plates 33, 34 mounted on a cross-beam 32, which is vertically displaceable by piston/cylinder units 39 to raise or lower a filled sack gripped by the plates. Once raised, the sack is shaken to compact the contents by a piston/cylinder unit 40. The sack-closing unit 49 comprises guide arms 44 and rollers 41, 42, Fig. 9 (not shown), which bunch the sack neck and urge it against a crossbeam 43. A pivot arm having a groove 48 co-operable with a groove 45 in the cross-beam is actuated and a clip 51 is fed from a reservoir into the grooves to enclose and seal the sack mouth. In a modification, Figs. 12-15 (not shown), the shoot is formed by a generally rectangular duct portion 53, the upper portion of the opposed side walls comprising endless belts 54 and the lower portion of said walls comprising parallel or divergent pivoted plates 58 to prevent jamming of the packages in the shoot.