Packaging apparatus

Abstract

In one aspect the invention provides a packaging apparatus configured to allow fruit articles to be packed into a tubular container with a uniform orientation. This apparatus includes a plurality of support blades extending transversely from an end of each blade supported by a blade conveyor assembly. These blades are configured to allow the deployment of the tubular container about the blade and any fruit articles supported thereon.

What we claim is: 
     
         1 . A packaging apparatus configured to allow fruit articles to be packed into a tubular container with a uniform orientation, wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of support blades extending transversely from an end of each blade supported by a blade conveyor assembly, the blades configured to allow the deployment of the tubular container about the blade and any fruit articles supported thereon. 
     
     
         2 . A packaging apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the blade conveyor assembly is configured to move the array of transversely orientated blades in synchronisation with at least one support surface moved by a support surface conveyor assembly, and the array of blades are arranged to move away from said at least one support surface to allow a packaging sheath to be deployed over the end of the blade to enclose and package articles supported by the blade. 
     
     
         3 . A packaging apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  which defines a packaging zone comprising an array of blades adapted for aligning articles of fruit, and a fruit collection zone comprising a corrugated surface, wherein the corrugated surface comprises a combination of an array of blades and a plurality of at least one support surface interposed about the blades. 
     
     
         4 . A packaging apparatus as claimed in  claim 3  wherein an upper surfaces of the blades are substantially concave. 
     
     
         5 . A packaging apparatus as claimed in  claim 4  wherein an upper surface of said at least one support surface is substantially convex. 
     
     
         6 . A packaging apparatus as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the upper surfaces of the blades and said at least one support surface together form the corrugated surface. 
     
     
         7 . A packaging apparatus as claimed in  claim 3  which includes a plurality of support surfaces comprised of a plurality of rollers aligned such that an upper surface of a roller extends above the plurality of blades. 
     
     
         8 . A packaging apparatus as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the rollers are supported by a support surface conveyor assembly that spans the fruit collection zone. 
     
     
         9 . A packaging apparatus as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the support surface conveyer moves individual rollers through the fruit collection zone to position the upper surface of each roller above the upper surfaces of adjacent blades, and moves individual rollers downwards and away from adjacent blades where the blades travel from the fruit collection zone to the packaging zone. 
     
     
         10 . A packaging apparatus as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the rollers are rotated by the support surface conveyor assembly when moved through the fruit collection zone. 
     
     
         11 . A packaging apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  which includes a limit bar arranged to span the blades at a depth relative to the transverse extension of the blades, the depth corresponding to the depth of the packaging sheath. 
     
     
         12 . A blade configured for attachment for a fruit packing apparatus comprising a substantially concave upper surface and a first end adapted for attachment to a blade conveyor assembly in a transverse orientation and a second end substantially open for envelopment of a tubular packaging container. 
     
     
         13 . A method of packaging articles of fruit characterised by the steps of:
 i. receiving articles of fruit on an array of transversely orientated blades configured to move in synchronisation with at least one support surface, the array of blades being configured to move past one end of the conveyor away from said at least one support surface when moving from a fruit collection zone to a packaging zone of a fruit packing apparatus, and   ii. deploying a packaging sheath over the end of the blade to enclose and package articles supported by the blade.   
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13  which includes the further intermediate step of aligning fruit on the blades in a uniform orientation prior to deploying a packaging sheath over the end of the blade.