Suspended modular partition inserter

摘要

A packaging machine has a partition inserter and selecting apparatus suspended above a flow of articles. The partition inserter and selecting apparatus are mounted to an inner frame which can be raised or lowered to adjust the spacing between the partition inserter and selecting apparatus relative to the articles. In this manner, the packaging machine can package articles of different heights. The partition inserter and selecting apparatus are mounted to the inner frame on guide rails which allow a technician to move the partition inserter and selecting apparatus laterally away from the articles and over a maintenance deck so that the technician can easily perform necessary repairs or maintenance. The partition inserter and selecting apparatus are releasably engaged with each other to permit the technician to access more easily all areas of the partition inserter and selecting apparatus. The packaging machine preferably has three pairs of partition inserters and selecting apparatuses suspended over the flow of articles with the pairs staggered relative to each other so that each selecting apparatus places a partition between different rows of articles. Further, each pair of a partition inserter and selecting apparatus is accurately positioned at a desired location with a semiautomatic adjustment system.