METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR FORMING A COMPRESSED GROUPING OFOBJECTS

摘要

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for compressing a pluralit y of objects into a compressed grouping and transferring said compressed grouping to a transfer conveyor. The apparatus includes a rotatable cylinder (14) having a plurality of receiving areas (16) positioned around the circumference of the cylinder for receiving a plurality of objects (33) in expanded arrangement from an infeed conveyor (4) at a receiving position. Th e apparatus also includes first and second compression members (42, 44), one positioned on each end of said cylinder adjacent the receiving areas and covering a circumferential-portion of a side of said cylinder. The compressi on members include inclined portion (48) which force the end objects toward the longitudinal center of the cylinder. In addition, a transfer conveyor (50) running longitudinally through the cylinder for capturing a compressed grouping at the transfer position.