The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 18, 1990
Filed:
May. 16, 1989
Joseph P Milleson, Ft. Atkinson, WI (US);
APV Crepaco, Inc., Lake Mills, WI (US);
Abstract
An apparatus is provided for filling cases with a plurality of articles while arranged in a predetermined pattern. The apparatus includes a pair of staging areas disposed on opposite sides of a first station. Each staging area accommodates a predetermined number of articles. Disposed in vertical alignment with and beneath the first station is a second station wherein a predetermined number of cases are disposed. Adjustably mounted above each staging area is a carrier having a plurality of article gripper members. When the predetermined number of articles are accommodated at the staging areas, the gripper members engage the articles and raise same to preliminary stations above the staging areas. While at each preliminary station the gripped articles are arranged in a row and a selected article is segregated from the row and moved relative thereto in a direction towards the other row of gripped articles. Once the selected articles have been segregated, the raised articles and the respective carriers are moved to the first station wherein the articles assume a predetermined pattern. The articles, while in the predetermined pattern are lowered into one or more cases disposed at the second station. The carriers then return to their respective staging areas and the procedure is repeated until the cases are filled whereupon the filled cases are conveyed away from the apparatus.