Michael A Balz

US Patent:

49983997, Mar 12, 1991

Filed:

Feb 6, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/306561

Inventors:

Wayne S. Lutzke - Plymouth WI
Michael A. Balz - Kiel WI

Assignee:

Nigrelli Systems, Inc. - Kiel WI

International Classification:

B65B 2106
B65B 3544

US Classification:

53398

Abstract:

A packer is especially useful for loading PET bottles into open top cases. The bottles are fed at a predetermined speed along an infeed path. An overhead pusher bar system contains vertically oriented bars that descend vertically between selected bottles at a penetration station to form the bottles into complements of the desired number. Vertical penetration is accompanied by horizontal motion of the bars as they travel in a curved path at the penetration station. The horizontal speed of the bottles at the penetration station is temporarily slowed as the bars descend between adjacent bottles. Horizontal bottle slowing is accomplished by pivoting a downstream bar to a horizontal orientation at a pivot station such that the bar acquires leading and trailing edges. The pivoting trailing edge forces the bottles upstream therefrom in the upstream direction relative to the continuous steady speed of the bar downstream end. Bar pivoting creates correct spacing between consecutive complements.

US Patent:

50943391, Mar 10, 1992

Filed:

Jan 14, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/640895

Inventors:

Brian L. Thelen - Fond du Lac WI
Michael A. Balz - Kiel WI

Assignee:

Nigrelli Systems, Inc. - School Hill WI

International Classification:

B65G 4704

US Classification:

1984841

Abstract:

A multi-part tray is provided to carry a plurality of objects in precise and accurate array through a process device. The tray parts are each fastened to a flexible plate and also to a conveyor. The conveyor is caused to travel a circuitous route around convex curves which thereupon splay the tray parts apart beneath a loading station and also beneath an unloading station where the objects are slidably moved onto or removed form the tray. A plurality of loading and unloading fingers slide in corresponding grooves in the bottoms of the tray-parts and beneath the objects.