| 摘要 |
<p>A method and apparatus for setting up and loading a tray includes means for withdrawing collapsed trays from a hopper and for forming those trays into a tubular structure and for subsequently manipulating end closure panels so as to close the ends of the tray, means for depositing the tray at a loading station together with article handling mechanisms for removing articles from a receiving station then for transporting the articles to the loading station where the articles are released into the apertured top panel of the tray. Each article handling mechanism utilizes a plurality of horizontally spaced article engaging elements disposed about an article, each of said elements being angularly movable about a substantially vertical axis and each element having an article engaging surface and an article clearing surface disposed about its periphery. Operating means interconnected with each of the article engaging elements imparts limited angular movement thereto to cause the article clearing surfaces to move from an initial position adjacent to and in clearing relation with respect to the article and to cause the article engaging surface to engage the article.</p> |
