Typically, packaging containers are formed from flexible material, such as cardboard, and do not hold their shape, so that the container faces tend to bow either under their own weight or while being filled.

Therefore, when loading rigid goods into a container, either from the side or top or bottom, it is advantageous that the container be maintained in the correct shape and position to allow the goods to be easily loaded. This is particularly important when the loading process forms part of a larger packaging operation, such as on an assembly line, where speed and efficiency are paramount.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a container handling apparatus comprising a squaring member which, in use, applies a force to at least a first face of the container such that the container's intended shape is retained to facilitate filling thereof.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a clamping or rectifying member which, in use, applies a force to a second face of the container, thereby maintaining the shape and position of the container during filling.

Preferably, the apparatus includes means for actuating at least one of the squaring and clamping members towards and away from the other in a first direction.

Preferably, the apparatus includes means for activating the squaring and/or clamping member in a second direction other to said first direction.

Preferably, the apparatus includes means for activating the squaring and/or clamping member in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said first direction.

Advantageously, the clamping and the squaring members each comprise a pair of plates arranged for engagement with respective faces of the container.

Advantageously, at least one of the squaring and clamping members each comprises suction means for applying an external pressure to one or more faces of the container.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a front elevation of the container handling apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a side elevation of the container handling apparatus of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 illustrates the container handling apparatus of Figure 1 located on a container filling assembly line.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a container handling apparatus according to the present invention, generally indicated as 10. The container handling apparatus 10 is mounted to a support stand 38 which is fixedly attached to a suitable base (schematically represented at 11) via a mounting plate 13. The support stand 38 arranged to elevate the container handling apparatus 10 a specified distance above the base 11 so that a conveyor belt 40 (shown in Figure 3) may pass below the apparatus 10 for transporting an empty container 15 into position beneath the container handling apparatus 10.

The support stand 38, in the preferred embodiment, is substantially L-shaped and has a leg member 42 which, in use, is substantially horizontally disposed. The container handling apparatus 10 is provided on the free end of the leg member 42 spaced-apart from the base 11 to allow a conveyor belt 40 to be located therebetween.

The apparatus 10 is mounted on the leg member 42 via a guide head 28 of a vertical actuator 24. Running concentrically through the guide head 28 is a vertical ram 26 arranged for axial movement in a substantially vertical direction (as viewed in Figure 1) through the guide head 28, by means of hydraulics, pneumatics, or other suitable conventional means. Connected substantially normally to the vertical ram 26 at its, in use, lower free end is a slide table 36. A

substantially L-shaped squaring head 14 is provided at one end of the slide table 36.

The squaring head 14 comprises a first squaring plate 20, which is substantially perpendicularly disposed with respect to the slide table 36, and a second squaring plate 22 projecting substantially normally from the first squaring plate 20. In use, a container (not shown in Figure 1) is positioned below the apparatus 10 and the vertical ram 26 is actuated to lower the squaring head 14 into contact with the container. The first and second squaring plates 20,22 each contact an adjacent face of the container at an upper corner of the container, thereby squaring and holding the container in place. In preferred embodiment, the first and second squaring plates 20,22 are pivotable or rotatable by conventional means, about a substantially vertical axis (as viewed in Figure 1) in order to correct the container's position for filling.

If the containers are to be filled by an automated process, a datum line is provided for the correct positioning of the containers. This can be achieved by using sensors (not shown), for example infra red sensors, or other conventional means, associated with the conveyor belt and aligned with the desired datum line to detect when the leading edge or face of the container is located beneath the apparatus 10 and to halt the conveyor belt 40. The container is then filled, by suitable means (not shown), from any open face which is not clamped.

Located on the underside of the slide table 36 is a keyway 37 to which is slidably mounted a horizontally disposed cylinder 34 forming part of a horizontal actuator 30. Extending from the cylinder 34 is a horizontally disposed ram 32, the free end of which is fixedly connected to the squaring head 14 proximal the underside of the slide table 36. Provided on the underside of the horizontal cylinder 34 is a rectifying or clamping head 12 comprising first and second rectifying or clamping plates 16,18 arranged in an L- shape. The second clamping plate 18 is mounted on the horizontal cylinder 34, while the first clamping plate 16 projects substantially vertically downwards from the edge of the second clamping plate 18. Thus, upon activation of the horizontal actuator 30 the clamping head 12 approaches or retracts from the squaring head 14. It will be apparent that the clamping head 12 and the squaring head 14 are arranged for embracing and holding a container therebetween. In particular, the clamping head is arranged for engaging, in the preferred embodiment, the opposite top corner of the container to the squaring head 14. When a container is clamped, the first clamping plate 16 engages with a face of the container opposite to the leading face engaged by the squaring plate 20. The clamping plate 18 and the squaring plate 22 each engage the upper face of the container.

In use, an empty container is placed on the conveyor belt 40 and conveyed towards the container handling apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 is configured to suit the dimensions of the container i. e. the spacing between the clamping head 12 and the squaring head 14

is initially set to be larger than the width of the container in the direction of feed. Furthermore, the vertical actuator 24 is initially set such that the container may pass beneath the apparatus 10, on the conveyor belt 40, without fouling the squaring head 14 or clamping head 12.

When the leading edge or face of the container activates the datum line sensors, the conveyor belt 40 is stopped and the container is thus positioned below the apparatus 10 and in particular below and between the clamping head 12 and the squaring head 14. The vertical actuator 24 then lowers the slide table 36 until the clamping plate 18 and the squaring plate 22 engage with the upper face of the container. Using the horizontal actuating cylinder 34, the clamping head 12 and the squaring head 14 are then brought together until the clamping plate 16 and the squaring plate 20 engage with respective opposite faces of the container.

The clamping head 12 and the squaring head 14 have a pinching effect on the container which serves to maintain its shape which, normally, will be of a substantially rectangular cross-section.

In particular, the open mouth of the container (not shown) is held open and in the correct shape for receiving goods. In the embodiment of Figures 1-3, the container is arranged with their open mouths in a substantially vertical plane and the goods (not shown) are loaded into the container from the side, either manually or by conventional automated means (not shown).

The loading of a product or good will normally be performed as an automated operation, particularly when part of an assembly line, hence the need for precision location and maintenance of the container's shape.

Once the product (not shown) has been located within the container, the vertical ram 26 retracts vertically upwards through the guide head 28, thereby drawing the apparatus 10 upward in order to allow the filled container to continue along the line. The conveyor belt 40 is then reactivated, the filled container passing on to the next stage while the next empty container is located beneath the apparatus 10. The process is then repeated in the same way.

Optionally, glue guns 47 are provided adjacent the conveyor belt 40 for sealing the container after it has been filled.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the plates 16, 20 are arranged for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal axis (as viewed in Figure 1) clear of the top of the containers to allow containers to be conveyed to and from the apparatus 10 without having to use the actuator 24.

In another alternative arrangement (not illustrated) the apparatus 10 is so arranged as to allow the containers to be filled from the top, which may be necessary due to the product being loaded, or alternatively due to the configuration of the assembly line itself. To this end, the apparatus 10 is arranged on the stand 38 such that the vertical actuator 24, the clamping head 12 and the squaring head 14 are

substantially horizontally disposed and approach the container from the side rather than from above. The container is placed on the conveyor belt 40 with its mouth open facing upwards.

Optionally, the squaring and/or clamping heads 14,12 carry conventional vacuum pads 45 which, when in contact with a face of the container, exert a negative pressure thereon to hold the container in the desired shape. This is particularly advantageous where the container is formed from a particularly flimsy flexible material.

The vacuum pads 45 are also advantageous where the container comprises one or more flaps (not shown) around its open mouth. The clamping and squaring heads 14,12 can be dimensioned and arranged so that one or more vacuum pad 45 is associated with the or each flap to hold the flap open while the container is being filled.

Preferably, the stand 38 and the conveyor belt 40 are arranged so that the stand 38 also gives support to a face of the container. Thus, for a container placed on the conveyor belt 40 such that the open mouth faces away from the stand 38 (outwardly as viewed in Figures 1 and 3), the uppermost face of the container is engaged by the conveyor belt 40, the near face (opposite the open mouth) is engaged by the stand 38 and the remaining side faces are engaged by the clamping and squaring plates 16,20. The container is therefore engaged on five faces and this ensures that it maintains it desired shape.

In a further alternative embodiment (not illustrated) the apparatus 10 is provided with two or more vertical actuators 24, each having the associated clamping head 12 and squaring head 14. The actuators 24 may be arranged in parallel to one another, or alternatively at an angular disposition relative to one another. It will be appreciated that, with such an arrangement as hereinbefore described, the clamping heads 12 and squaring heads 14 will be oriented, upon operation of the apparatus 10, to maintain the containers shape for the purpose of the filling thereof.

In each of the above mentioned arrangements, the apparatus 10 is arranged to effect movement of the clamping head 12 and the squaring head 14 towards or away from the container, said container remaining stationary on the conveyor belt 40. However, it will readily be understood that, in a similar fashion, the conveyor belt 40 may be adapted to transfer the container into position between the squaring head 12 and the clamping head 14. This will therefore achieve the same relative movement between the container and the apparatus 10, while providing a more suitable arrangement for the particular application.