GB1346757A - Packing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1346757 Packaging chocolates MOLINS MACHINE CO Ltd 19 April 1971 [10 Dec 1969 18 Dec 1969] 60371/69 and 61750/69 Headings B8C and B8A Assorted chocolates to be packed in plastics trays 5 are brought in a cyclically repeating sequence on a suction conveyer 6 to a peripherally recessed wheel 11 which correctly spaces the chocolates so that a transfer device can deposit the chocolates in the correct tray pockets. To facilitate the spacing, the chocolates are supported on an air cushion provided above an air chamber 9 and a membrane 10 at the downstream end of the conveyer 6. The transfer device may comprise pins 15 supported on plates 16 carried by chain conveyers so that the pins 15 can pierce through the bottoms of the trays carried on a conveyer 13 to support and lower the chocolates into the trays, as they leave the wheel 11. To prevent tray crumpling compressed air is fed above the trays via a pipe 27 passing through a plate 28. Alternatively, the transfer device may comprise a pair of rotating suction drums (100, 102, Figs. 6, 7) which bring the chocolates into alignment with the trays. The downstream drum (102) has a pressure air chamber (106, Figs. 6, 7) for urging the chocolates into the trays 5 supported on a ramp (105). The trays 5 may be fed to the apparatus as a continuous moulded web or as individual trays, the latter being supplied to the conveyer 13 by a bodily movable rotary member 25. Three streams, each containing four types of chocolates may be fed to the wheel 11 by converging twelve conveyers (1a-1l, Fig. 4) towards each other and to three conveyers (2-4, Fig. 4) that comprise the conveyer 6. The latter comprises a perforated metal tape 6A and a plastics or woven tape 1B. The filled trays are removed by a suction wheel (21, Fig. 1A) and a pusher (22, Fig. 3) which directs the trays sidewards to a boxing unit.