Object loading device

Abstract

An object loading device includes an object conveyor for conveying objects to a hopper at one end of the object conveyor. A container conveyor conveys containers to a position underneath the hopper. Objects are discharged from the end of the object conveyor onto closed shutters in the hopper. A bottom plate elevator lifts the bottom plate of a container under the hopper to an upper position. The shutters slide open and the objects gently drop onto the elevated bottom plate of the container. The shutters are then closed and bottom plate elevator lowers the bottom plate to the bottom end of the container. The container conveyor then moves the container with the objects away from the position underneath the hopper. A further embodiment includes padded buffer rollers between which objects pass on their way to the container.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An object loading device for loading objects into containers with an open top, comprising: an object conveyor;   a hopper at an end of said object conveyor;   said hopper receiving objects conveyed by said object conveyor;   at least one flap movably mounted on a bottom portion of said hopper;   said flap being moveable between a closed position and an open position to selectively hold and release said objects in said hopper, respectively; and   means for positioning a container below said hopper to receive said objects.   
     
     
       2. The object loading device of claim 1, wherein at least one flap includes a plurality of flaps. 
     
     
       3. The object loading device of claim 1 wherein said means for positioning includes a container conveyor. 
     
     
       4. The object loading device of claim 2 wherein said plurality of flaps are slidably mounted on said bottom portion of said hopper. 
     
     
       5. The object loading device of claim 1, wherein said hopper further includes a cushioning material on interior surfaces thereof. 
     
     
       6. The object loading device of claim 1, wherein; said containers have a bottom plate; and   said means for positioning includes means for moving said bottom plate upward and downward within said container.   
     
     
       7. The object loading device of claim 6, wherein interior surfaces of said containers are made of a cushioning material. 
     
     
       8. The object loading device of claim 1, wherein inner wall surfaces and bottom plates of said containers include a cushioning material. 
     
     
       9. The object loading device of claim I wherein: said at least one flap includes a plurality of flaps; and   means for moving said plurality of flaps away from each other to permit said objects to drop therepast into said container.   
     
     
       10. The object loading device of claim 1 wherein said at least one flap is slidably mounted on said bottom portion of said hopper. 
     
     
       11. An object loading device for loading objects into a container having an open top, comprising: an object conveyor;   a hopper mounted at an end of said object conveyor;   said hopper receiving objects conveyed by said object conveyor;   a first roller and a second roller rotatably supported along a bottom of said hopper;   said first roller and said second roller having a cushioning material on exterior surfaces of said first and said second rollers;   a distance between said first and second rollers being large enough for said objects to pass between them; and   a container conveyor.   
     
     
       12. The object loading device of claim 11, wherein said cushioning material is made of bristles. 
     
     
       13. The object loading device of claim 12, wherein said hopper further includes a cushioning material on interior surfaces of said hopper. 
     
     
       14. The object loading device of claim 11, wherein said hopper further includes a cushioning material on interior surfaces of said hopper. 
     
     
       15. The object loading device of claim 11, wherein; said containers include a bottom plate which is moveable in an upward direction within said container; and   said container conveyor includes a bottom plate lifter, which pushes said bottom plate toward said hopper, at a position underneath said hopper.   
     
     
       16. The object loading device of claim 15, wherein interior surfaces of said containers are made of a cushioning material. 
     
     
       17. The object loading device of claim 11, wherein interior surfaces of said containers are made of a cushioning material. 
     
     
       18. The object loading device of claim 11, wherein said first and second rollers are mounted parallel to each other and perpendicular to a conveying path of said object conveyor. 
     
     
       19. An object loading device for loading objects into containers having a moveable bottom plate and an open top, comprising: an object conveyor;   a hopper mounted at a forward end of said object conveyor;   said hopper receiving objects conveyed by said object conveyor;   a container conveyor;   means for holding a container on said container conveyor in a receiving position aligned below said hopper; and   a lifting mechanism which lifts said moveable bottom plate toward said hopper when said container is in said position aligned below said hopper.   
     
     
       20. The object loading device of claim 19, wherein interior surfaces of said hopper and interior surfaces of said container are made of a cushioning material. 
     
     
       21. A method of loading objects into a container comprising the steps of: transporting said objects to a hopper;   retaining said objects in said hopper;   positioning said container underneath said hopper;   raising a bottom plate of said container toward a raised position underneath said hopper;   releasing said objects through an opening in a bottom portion of said hopper onto said bottom plate in its raised position;   lowering said bottom plate back down to a bottom of said container.   
     
     
       22. A method of loading objects into a container comprising the steps of: positioning said container underneath a hopper;   raising a bottom plate of said container toward said hopper;   transporting objects to said hopper;   transporting objects through cushioned rollers in said hopper; and   lowering said bottom plate to a bottom of said container.