Closure stacking and packaging apparatus.

Abstract

A closure stacking and packaging apparatus is disclosed for automatically stacking and then packaging closures. The apparatus includes a framework for supporting the stacking and packaging apparatus. A stacking station is supported by the framework for receiving and stacking a plurality of the closures. Also, a movable transporter is movably supported by the framework, the transporter being movable from a location thereof adjacent to the plurality of closures stacked by the stacking station, to a further location disposed downstream relative to the location. A packaging station is supported by the framework, the packaging station being disposed in a vicinity of the further location for receiving and packaging the plurality of closures transported to the packaging station by the transporter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A closure stacking and packaging apparatus for automatically stacking and then packaging closures, said apparatus comprising:
 a framework for supporting the stacking and packaging apparatus;   a stacking station supported by said framework for receiving and stacking a plurality of the closures;   a movable transporter movably supported by said framework, said transporter being movable from a location thereof adjacent to said plurality of closures stacked by said stacking station, to a further location disposed downstream relative to said location; and   a packaging station supported by said framework, said packaging station being disposed in a vicinity of said further location for receiving and packaging said plurality of closures transported to said packaging station by said transporter.   
     
     
         2 . A closure stacking and packaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said framework rigidly supports said stacking station and said packaging station. 
     
     
         3 . A closure stacking and packaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said framework movably supports said transporter such that movement of said transporter in a vertical and a horizontal direction is permitted. 
     
     
         4 . A closure stacking and packaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said stacking station includes:
 an input arrangement for receiving a stream of the closures; 
 a stacking arrangement disposed downstream relative to said input arrangement for stacking the closures. 
 
     
     
         5 . A closure stacking and packaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said stacking arrangement includes:
 a plurality of guides, each guide of said plurality of guides being disposed parallel and spaced relative to an adjacent guide such that adjacent guides define therebetween a rack for supporting a column of stacked closures formed by said stream of closures arriving from said input arrangement. 
 
     
     
         6 . A closure stacking and packaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said rack permits stacking of said closures in a column such that said stacking arrangement generates a plurality of columns, each column including a stack of superimposed closures. 
     
     
         7 . A closure stacking and packaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said movable transporter includes:
 a frame movably connected to said framework; 
 a receiver pivotally secured to said frame for selectively receiving said plurality of closures from said location and subsequently transporting said plurality of closures to said packaging station at said further location. 
 
     
     
         8 . A closure stacking and packaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said receiver is controllably pivoted such that said receiver is aligned with said plurality of closures disposed at said stacking station. 
     
     
         9 . A closure stacking and packaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said receiver includes:
 a vacuum device which in use of the apparatus is connected to a source of partial vacuum such that when said vacuum device is selectively connected to the source of partial vacuum, the closures are drawn towards and are supported relative to said receiver for subsequent transportation thereof to said packaging station. 
 
     
     
         10 . A closure stacking and packaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said packaging station includes:
 a conveyor extending through said framework, said conveyor in use of the apparatus being capable of supporting and sequentially moving a plurality of packaging containers past said packaging station; 
 a control mechanism for selectively moving said containers along said conveyor. 
 
     
     
         11 . A closure stacking and packaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said packaging station includes:
 a container alignment mechanism cooperating with a container supported by said conveyor for aligning the container thereby permitting movement of said movable transporter and closures supported thereon into the container. 
 
     
     
         12 . A closure stacking and packaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said container alignment mechanism includes:
 a plurality of arms which cooperate with the container when the container is disposed at said second location, said arms entering the container and subsequently moving away relative to each other for both locating the container and aligning the container for subsequent insertion therein of said movable transporter and closures supported thereon into the container. 
 
     
     
         13 . A closure stacking and packaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said control mechanism controls movement of each container towards and away from said further location, movement of said arms relative to each other for positioning and aligning each container at said further location and for moving said movable transporter from said location to said further location. 
     
     
         14 . A closure stacking and packaging apparatus as set forth in  claim 13  further including:
 a drive mechanism for driving said movable transporter, said drive mechanism being selectively controlled by said control mechanism. 
 
     
     
         15 . A closure stacking and packaging apparatus for automatically stacking and then packaging closures, said apparatus comprising:
 a framework for supporting the stacking and packaging apparatus;   a stacking station supported by said framework for receiving and stacking a plurality of the closures;   a movable transporter movably supported by said framework, said transporter being movable from a location thereof adjacent to said plurality of closures stacked by said stacking station, to a further location disposed downstream relative to said location;   a packaging station supported by said framework, said packaging station being disposed in a vicinity of said further location for receiving and packaging said plurality of closures transported to said packaging station by said transporter;   said movable transporter including:   a frame movably connected to said framework; and   a receiver pivotally secured to said frame for selectively receiving said plurality of the closures from said location and subsequently transporting said plurality of the closures to said packaging station at said further location.   
     
     
         16 . A closure stacking and packaging apparatus for automatically stacking and then packaging closures, said apparatus comprising:
 a framework for supporting the stacking and packaging apparatus;   a stacking station supported by said framework for receiving and stacking a plurality of the closures;   a movable transporter movably supported by said framework, said transporter being movable from a location thereof adjacent to said plurality of closures stacked by said stacking station, to a further location disposed downstream relative to said location;   a packaging station supported by said framework, said packaging station being disposed in a vicinity of said further location for receiving and packaging said plurality of closures transported to said packaging station by said transporter;   said framework rigidly supports said stacking station and said packaging station;   said framework movably supporting said transporter such that movement of said transporter in a vertical and a horizontal direction is permitted;   said stacking station including:   an input arrangement for receiving a stream of the closures;   a stacking arrangement disposed downstream relative to said input arrangement for stacking the closures;   said stacking arrangement including:   a plurality of guides, each guide of said plurality of guides being disposed parallel and spaced relative to an adjacent guide such that adjacent guides define therebetween a rack for supporting a column of stacked closures formed by said stream of closures arriving from said input arrangement;   said rack permitting stacking of said closures in a column such that said stacking arrangement generates a plurality of columns, each column including a stack of superimposed closures;   said movable transporter including:   a frame movably connected to said framework;   a receiver pivotally secured to said frame for selectively receiving said plurality of closures from said location and subsequently transporting said plurality of closures to said packaging station at said further location;   said receiver being controllably pivoted such that said receiver is aligned with said plurality of closures disposed at said stacking station;   said receiver including:   a vacuum device which in use of the apparatus is connected to a source of partial vacuum such that when said vacuum device is selectively connected to the source of partial vacuum, the closures are drawn towards and are supported relative to said receiver for subsequent transportation thereof to said packaging station;   said packaging station including:   a conveyor extending through said framework, said conveyor in use of the apparatus being capable of supporting and sequentially moving a plurality of packaging containers past said packaging station;   a control mechanism for selectively moving said containers along said conveyor;   said packaging station including:   a container alignment mechanism cooperating with a container supported by said conveyor for aligning the container thereby permitting movement of said movable transporter and closures supported thereon into the container;   said container alignment mechanism including:   a plurality of arms which cooperate with the container when the container is disposed at said further location, said arms entering the container and subsequently moving away relative to each other for both locating the container and aligning the container for subsequent insertion therein of said movable transporter and closures supported thereon into the container;   said control mechanism controlling movement of each container towards and away from said further location, movement of said arms relative to each other for positioning and aligning each container at said further location and for moving said movable transporter from said location to said further location; and   a drive mechanism for driving said movable transporter, said drive mechanism being selectively controlled by said control mechanism.