Case packing machine

Abstract

A machine for placing groups of containers, preferably bottles, into cases. Successive groups of bottles are moved horizontally to a first station where they are releasably suspended on escapement bars. The bottles are suspended at enlarged neck flanges adjacent their finishes. A cam mechanism moves the bars apart to release bottles allowing them to be moved vertically downward to a second station. The bottles are releasably received within one of two horizontally movable chutes at the second station. The chutes are also pivotable relative to one another so that the bottles may be inverted piror to being loaded into a case at a case packing station below. The two chutes are reciprocated horizontally relative to the first station so one chute may be unloaded into an awaiting case while the remaining chute is being loaded through operation of the escapement mechanism. Each chute may be inverted as the chutes are horizontally reciprocated. Case loading mechanisms at opposite sides of the first station include plungers that move vertically downward through the chutes to engage and push the bottles into cases at separate case packing stations.