Importance

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Abstract

In a case packing machine, an article transport apparatus for transporting groups of containers from a continuously-running infeed conveyor of the case packing machine to a case loading station is disclosed. The article transport apparatus includes a reciprocating carriage having longitudinally extending bladders which are inflatable for gripping a group of containers to the carriage. The reciprocating carriage moves upstream to encompass a group of containers, and upon inflation of the bladders, the bladders grip the group of containers to the carriage. The carriage then moves downstream, and upon deflation of the bladders, deposits the group of containers at the loading station. As the reciprocating carriage moves away from the infeed conveyor towards the loading station, a space free of containers, or gap, is created temporarily on the infeed conveyor, through which a pivoting stop bar arrangement pivots upwardly from below the infeed conveyor to a position above the infeed conveyor for restraining the containers on the infeed conveyor. The pivoting stop bar arrangement restrains the containers on the infeed conveyor until the reciprocating carriage returns to grip another group of containers. Individual lane conveyors are provided between conveyor lane dividers which allow the conveyor lane dividers to be supported from lower portions thereof.

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First Claim