Garvey Corporation

William J Garvey

Francis J Garvey

David J Roback

David W Bintliff

A tray loading apparatus for the efficient loading of cylindrical articles onto trays. The apparatus functions to align cylindrical articles in a staggered manner so as to make the most efficient use of space. As such, a subsequent manufacturing process such as freeze drying is allowed to reach the largest amount of articles per operation, thereby saving time, energy and cost. The apparatus uses a conveyor having a staggering mechanism which includes undulated guides located adjacent the edges of the conveyor. The undulated guides have an edge facing the conveyor surface formed from a plurality of triangular peaks and valleys. At least one of the guides is connected to an oscillating mechanism for assisting the staggering of the articles. A slide plate which moves transversely to the conveyor includes a tray loading section. The tray loading section is adapted to be moved into alignment with the conveyor so as to accumulate the articles therein in the staggered pattern. After filling the tray loading section with the articles, the slide plate is moved with the articles loaded therein to a tray loading position. Trays which are positioned for receiving the articles within the slide plate assembly, are then loaded with the articles having been efficiently arranged. The trays are then removed and the slide plate assembly is returned into alignment with the conveying section.

Tray loader

A method and apparatus for removing shrinkwrap from a plurality of bottles encased in the same and arranged in the form of a substantially rectangular package. The apparatus includes a base frame that has an upper support surface. Extending upwardly through the support surface is a first cutting assembly. Spaced from the first cutting assembly and also extending upwardly through the support surface is a second cutting assembly. A pusher is connected to the base frame and is adapted to move the package along the support surface over the first cutting assembly in order to effectuate a lengthwise cut in the bottom of the package. A second pusher is also secured to the base frame and is adapted to move the package across the support surface over the second cutting assembly in order to effectuate a widthwise cut in the bottom of the package. The shrinkwrap removing apparatus also includes a debagging station for removing the shrinkwrap from the plurality of bottles. More specifically, the debagging station includes a vertical channel positioned adjacent the second cutting assembly, friction means secured to the inside periphery of the vertical channel and a lower platen for supporting the bottles as they are moved up and down the vertical channel upon actuation of a pneumatic cylinder.

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Sweetwater, NJ, United States of America

William J Garvey