Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A laner is disclosed for a case packing machine which divides scrambled articles into single files with reduced jamming, malfunctioning, and breakage. The laner includes lane dividers which are spaced to provide a plurality of lanes having parallel sections with entry openings wide enough to receive at least 3 articles in a side-by-side arrangement. The lanes terminate in single file lanes having a spacing generally equal to the width of one article. A tapered transition section extends between the parallel sections and the single file sections for feeding the articles into the single file lanes. A racking device is included in each lane upstream from the single file sections which projects laterally into the lane to impart a wedging and racking force and action to the articles that assist in their single file arrangement in the single file sections of the lanes. In addition, article conveyors are utilized in which a first conveyor feeds the articles to the entry opening of the parallel sections of the lanes and terminates at a dead space downstream of the entry openings. A second conveyor picks up the articles on the other side of the dead space. The first conveyor may be operated at a slower conveyance speed than the second conveyor to provide a conveyance speed differential that assists in alleviating any jamming that might occur at the entry openings by assisting in an inward collapsing of the articles. This, together with the anti-jamming effect produced by the racking devices, provides for a reliable continuous flow of bottles from the scrambled mass to single files for processing at a slug metering or pick up station.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim