Item loading apparatus

摘要

A system is disclosed for loading at least one item into each of a plurality of containers. The system includes a plurality of buckets, each configured for supporting at least one container. The system also has a conveyor interconnected to each of the buckets. The conveyor has a conveyor axis of rotation that is oriented at an acute conveyor angle to a horizontal plane. The buckets are oriented relative to the conveyor axis of rotation by a wedge angle. The buckets move in series around the axis of rotation from a first path portion to a second path portion. An inner surface of the container is oriented generally in or parallel to the horizontal plane when the buckets are moved along the first path portion and the inner surface is oriented at an angle to the horizontal plane that is of an amount that is twice the wedge angle when the buckets are moved along the second path portion.

主权项

1. A system for loading at least one item into each of a plurality of containers, said system comprising:
(i) a bucket configured for supporting at least one container, said container having a plurality of side walls interconnected in a tubular configuration with first and second end openings and a plurality of flaps extending from said side walls; (ii) a conveyor being interconnected to said bucket, said conveyor being operable to move said bucket along a first path portion and a second path portion; (iii) a folding station proximate said first path portion for folding a flap to close said first end opening as said bucket is moved along said first path portion; said conveyor having a conveyor axis of rotation, said axis of rotation of said conveyor being oriented at an acute conveyor angle to a horizontal plane; said bucket being oriented relative to said conveyor axis of rotation by a wedge angle; said conveyor being configured and operable to rotate said bucket around said axis of rotation from said first path portion to said second path portion; wherein a side wall of said container is oriented generally in or parallel to said horizontal plane when said bucket is moved along said first path portion and wherein said second end opening faces upwardly to receive an item when said bucket is moved along said second path portion.