GB2290517A

GB2290517A - Packing buoyant articles

Info

Publication number: GB2290517A
Application number: GB9412454A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Roland Breach
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-06-21
Filing date: 1994-06-21
Publication date: 1996-01-03
Also published as: GB9412454D0

Abstract

Buoyant articles (e.g. apples 27) are packed by floating the buoyant articles (27) in a liquid, supplying the container (11) to be packed to conveyor means (10), operating the conveyor means (10) to successively pass the container (11) through the liquid and raise the container (11) from the liquid with the container ensnaring at least one buoyant article (27) whilst emerging from the liquid, and separating the container (11) with the buoyant article (27) or articles (27) therein from the conveyor means (10). The containers (11) may be replaced by a continuous film of substrate material which, after emerging from the liquid, is divided into individual substrates each of which carries at least one buoyant article (27), Figure 5 (not shown), or the film substrate may be used on top of a series of containers (11), Figure 4 (not shown). <IMAGE>

Description

METHODS OF PACKING BUOYANT ART1CLS AND APPARATUS FOR B8E IN TRZ MITRODS The invention relates to methods of packing buoyant articles such as fruit (eg. apples) in containers or on a substrate. The invention also relates to apparatus for use in the methods.

The manual packing of fruit into containers is very laborious and time consuming. Consequently there have been several proposals for machines to carry out the packing operation.

In FR-A-2342896, FR-A-2308547 and US-A-4009553 packing systems are disclosed which pack apples or other fruit into trays and which make use of two conveyor belts, a first upper conveyor belt which carries fruit and a second lower conveyor belt which carries tray packs for the fruit. Fruit drops from the end of the first conveyor belt into the tray packs passing beneath. This involves the risk of bruising the fruit.

In FR-A-2292406, FR-A-2671988 and DE-A-2147783 fruit is transported by floating the fruit in water and use of a current of water to convey the fruit. In the systems of each of these documents floating fruit is conveyed from the surface of the water by a conveyor belt which is partially immersed in the water. The fruit scooped from the water is conveyed by the conveyor belt to a distant location where it is packed either manually or by an 'automated process', for instance in FR-A-2292406 the fruit scooped from the water drops through sized channels in the conveyor belt to packing cases below. Thus they do not provide a solution to the problem of achieving low impact location of fruit in packing trays.

The present invention provides in a first aspect a method of packing buoyant articles in a container comprising: floating the buoyant articles in a liquid, supplying the container to be packed to conveyor means, operating the conveyor means to successively pass the container through the liquid beneath the buoyant articles floating in the liquid and raise the container from the liquid with the container ensnaring at least one buoyant article whilst emerging from the liquid, and separating the container with the buoyant article or articles therein from the conveyor means.

The present invention also provides apparatus for use in the above method which comprises: a first vessel for the liquid in which the buoyant articles float, and conveyor means for receiving a container to be packed, conveying the container through the liquid beneath the buoyant articles and raising the container from the liquid with the container ensnaring at least one buoyant article, wherein the conveyor means has an output portion where the container with the buoyant article or articles therein can be separated from the conveyor means.

The present invention provides in a second aspect a method of packing buoyant articles on a supporting substrate comprising, floating the buoyant articles in a liquid, dispensing a continuous film of substrate material, operating conveyor means to successively pass the film of material beneath the buoyant articles and raise the film of material from the liquid with the film of material ensnaring at least one buoyant article whilst it emerges from the liquid, dividing the film of substrate material into individual substrates each of which carries at least one buoyant article, separating each individual substrate from the conveyor means.

The present invention further provides apparatus for the method of the second aspect of the invention which comprises: a vessel for the liquid in which the buoyant articles float, dispensing means for dispensing a continuous film of substrate material from a roll thereof, conveyor means for successively passing the film through the liquid beneath the buoyant articles and raising the film from the liquid with the film ensnaring at least one buoyant article, and dividing means for dividing the film of substrate material into separate substrates after the film of substrate has emerged from the liquid in which the buoyant articles float.

The present invention provides methods by which fruit can be gently deposited in containers or on to substrates with minimum risk of damage.

Examples of methods of packing buoyant articles in containers or on substrates and preferred embodiments of apparatus for use in the methods and according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a first embodiment of packing machine according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the packing machine of figure 1, taken through the line X-X of the figure 1.

Figure 3 illustrates how a plurality of the packing machines of figure 1 can be arranged in an array to receive fruit from a grading machine.

Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of packing machine according to the present invention.

Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of packing machine according to the present invention.

Figure 6 is a transverse cross-section through the line Y-Y of figure 5.

In figures 1 and 2 there can be seen a packing machine which comprises a continuous conveyor belt 10 composed of wire, plastic or rubber mesh which in use is rotated in the direction of the arrows shown in figure 2. The conveyor belt will be driven by an electric motor (not shown) and suitable controls (also not shown) will be provided to control the speed of the conveyor belt.

In use of the packing machine waterproof trays 11 with waterproof tray packs 12 (sometimes called tray pack leaves) will be deposited on the portion of the conveyor belt 10 shown at the right of figures 1 and 2, the trays 11 being deposited either manually or by a conveyor not shown in the drawings. The tray packs 12 will typically be either plastic, polystyrene or waterproofed pulpboard and will be shaped as is usual in the fruit packing industries, i.e. with depressions and peaks, the depressions providing seating for packed fruit. The tray packs 12 will be laid in the trays 11 which as illustrated are single layer but could be tray packs 12 for placing in multiple layer boxes. The trays 11 will typically be plastic, polystyrene or waterproofed cardboard.The trays 11 and tray packs 12 used in the preferred embodiment will have drainage holes to allow liquid to drain through the tray packs 12 and trays 11. The trays 11 and tray packs 12 together comprise a container for fruit.

When recycling trays 11 and tray packs 12, the trays 11 and tray packs 12 are first conveyed past water jets 40 which deliver water to wash the trays and tray packs. A pan 13 is provided for receiving waste water from the washing operation to allow recirculation of the water. The waste water drips on to the pan 13 and then flows down the pan 13 to a bath 14.

The trays 11 and tray packs 12 are next conveyed to the bath 14. Since the trays 11 and tray packs 12 will typically be buoyant, rails 15 are provided and the trays 11 and tray packs 12 are passed between the rails 15 and the conveyor belt 10 and are conveyed beneath the surface of the liquid in the bath 14 to be washed in the bath. The bath 14 could contain a detergent and/or disinfectant solution if required.

The level of the liquid in the bath 14 is kept constant by a weir arrangement; the liquid will continuously flow over a weir 16 into a trough 17 from whence it is pumped along a pipe 18 back into the bath 14. The trough 17 is provided with a gauze filter basket 19 (or a plurality of baskets 19) which removes solid impurities from the liquid passing from the trough 17.

After the trays 11 and tray packs 12 have been passed through the bath 14 they are raised from the bath 14. They are next passed under jets 36 of rinsing water to a draining area 20. Each tray 11 and tray pack 12 will preferably have drainage holes in the bottom to allow liquid to drain through to the wire mesh conveyor 10. If required air blowers can be provided to assist drying of the trays 11 and tray packs 12 in the region 20.

The trays 11 and tray packs 12 are transported by the conveyor belt 10 from the region 20 to be lowered into a water bath 21. Rails 28 (similar to rails 15) are provided in the bath 21 and the trays 11 and tray packs 12 are guided between the conveyor belt 10 and the rails 28 to be lowered into the water bath 21 and submerged therein.

The water in the bath 21 is continuously circulated in the direction of the arrows shown in figure 2. A weir 22 is used to maintain a constant water level in the bath 21, the weir 22 allowing water to flow from the bath 21 into a trough 23 which contains a wire gauze basket 24 (or baskets), the gauze basket 24 (or baskets) acting as a filter to remove solid impurities from the water in the trough 23.

The water in the trough 23 is recirculated into the bath 21 by a pump (not shown) which draws water from the trough 23 through a pipe 25 to be returned to the bath 21.

A water channel 26 joins the bath 21 from the side and transports apples 27 to the bath 21, the apples 27 floating in the water and being conveyed by the flow of water. The water channel 26 will typically receive apples from a grading machine, as will be described later. The flow of water to convey the apples 27 will be provided by channelling water recirculated from the trough 23 into channel 26.

The apples 27 join the bath 21 at a point where the tray packs 12 are submerged and the apples 27 are swept towards the weir 22 by the current of water in the bath 21. The conveyor belt 10 transports the trays 11 and tray packs 12 under the floating apples 27, with the guide rails 28 keeping the trays 11 and tray pack 12 submerged, and then elevates the trays 11 and tray packs 12 from the water bath 21. As the tray packs 12 break through the surface of the liquid in the bath 21 and emerge from the liquid, they pick up floating apples 27 from the surface of the bath 21.

The apples 27 are urged into the depressions in the tray packs 12 by the flow of water in the bath 21.

Additionally water jets 29 can be provided to jet water at the apples 27 at the point at which the tray packs 12 emerge from the bath 21, the jetted water assisting location of the apples 27 in the tray packs 12.

Two curved surfaces 30A and 30B are provided to funnel the apples 27 into the location where they can be picked up by the tray packs 12. Water jets 31 which provide lateral water jets also assist in the correct location of apples 27 in the depressions in the tray packs 12.

Once a tray pack 12 has been filled with apples 27 it is passed by the conveyor 10 under a fresh water rinse jet 32 and is then passed to a draining area 33 where liquid drops from apples in the tray packs 12 through apertures in the bottom of the tray packs 12 and trays 11 to a collection surface 34, to pass down the collection surface 34 to be collected in the trough 23. An air knife blower 35 can be provided to assist drying of the fruit once packed in the trays.

After the apples have been packed in the tray packs 12 and after the trays 11 have passed the draining area 33 then the trays 11 can be collected either manually or by automatic machines which are not part of the present invention.

In figure 3 an array of packing machines 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 is shown. The packing machines are arranged in pairs, the machines 100 and 200 being located in close proximity to each other, as are the packing machines 300 and 400, and 500 and 600. Between each pair of packing machines a gap is left so that an operative can have free access to each of the packing machines. The packing machines 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 all share a common bath 700. The weir 701 of the bath 700 can be seen in the drawings as can the trough 702 in which water from the bath 700 cascades. The dotted line 703 indicates the point at which the conveyor belts of each of the packing machines emerge from the surface of the liquid in the bath 700.Recirculated water, taken from trough 702, will be introduced to the bath 700 at the right of Figure 3 after passing through gauze baskets in trough 702.

The array of packing machines shown in figure 3 are connected to an apple sizing machine, which could be an apple sizing machine as described in British patent specification GB-B-2248411. The output section of the sizing machine is shown by reference numeral 900, but the device is not shown in detail. The sizing machine grades apples by size and separates different sized apples into different lanes which would be connected by a roller conveyor to the channels which divide the bath 700 but which share the water in the bath 700. Each different channel is then connected to a particular fruit packing machine, so that apples of roughly the same size are packed by one machine, but each fruit packing machine normally packs different sized apples to the others.

The bath 700 as shown is split into six different channels 902 to 907 which receive fruit from the grader 900. Channel 901 is for the undersized apples, which are delivered to a bulk bin separate from the rest of the apparatus by a conveyer belt 910 (partly shown). Channel 902 contains the next smallest sized apple and then channels 904 to 907 contain progressively larger sized apples, channel 907 in use transporting the largest sized apples. For the sake of simplicity, we have not shown different sized apples in the drawings. However, it should be appreciated that each channel will work in the same way. Water (which is recirculated from the trough 702) will be delivered through channel 909 to provide a current sweeping fruit through the channels 902-907 to the weir 701. The sides of the channel would extend a little above and a little below the surface of the liquid in the bath in most places except where supports are necessary, in order that the flow of liquid in the bath transports apples in the channels.

Channel number 902 conveys waterborne apples to the packing machine 100. The sides of the channel 902 keep the apples separate from other apples of the other packing machines, even though the bath 700 is common to all of the packing machines. It can be seen that the packing machine 100 packs the smallest sized graded apples into tray packs 101.

The packing machine of the invention is advantageous in several ways. The packing machine provides a very gentle process for packing apples into tray packs or trays. The process avoids bruising of fruit, which is a common feature of the packing processes used in the prior art. The fruit is not dropped into the tray packs, but is instead located gently in the tray packs by the action of water.

The process also facilitates washing and recycling of trays and tray packs. The process also allows washing of fruit before packaging and also allows the use of cool liquid to lower the temperature of the fruit being packed. If desired, suitable refrigeration apparatus can be used to keep the temperature of the water in one or both baths of water at a low level.

In figure 4 there can be seen a second embodiment of the invention, which is in many respects similar to the first embodiment already described.

The second embodiment of the invention comprises the additional feature of having a roll 50 of cushioning material, such as bubblepack material, which is provided on dispensing apparatus (not shown in detail) and is usually located above the conveyor 10.

A film 51 of the cushioning material kept on roll 50 is dispensed when the apparatus is in operation, the film of material being laid on the trays 11 which as shown do not contain tray packs 12, which are water resistant trays. The film is laid on the trays 11 after the trays 11 emerge from the bath 14 but before they are submersed in the bath 21. If required, jets could be provided to direct water at the cushioning material 51 as it is laid in the trays 11, so that the cushioning material 51 is depressed in the trays 11. The cushioning material 51 is then transported in the trays 11 by the conveyor belt 10 to be submersed in the bath 21. Since the film 51 of cushioning material may be buoyant, the rails 28 will act to keep the buoyant cushioning materal submersed.

Apples are located on the cushioning material 51 as the trays 11 emerge from the water bath 21. Then, as the trays 11 are raised above the water level in the bath 21 the apples force the film 51 to take up the shape of the trays 11.

The film 51 will preferably be perforated to allow water to drain from within the trays 11 as the trays 11 pass over the drain portion 33 of the packing machine.

At the far left of figure 4 there can be seen a second conveyor belt 52 which is rotated at a speed faster than the conveyor belt 10. The trays 11 containing fruit and containing packing film 51 are taken from the conveyor belt 10 by the conveyor belt 52. Since the conveyor belt 52 is faster than the conveyor belt 10, the conveyor belt 52 acts to tear the film 51 as the trays 11 move from conveyor belt 10 to conveyor belt 52.

The fruit in the containers 11 is provided on cushioning material by the second embodiment of the invention and the containers 11 can be removed from the conveyor belt 52 for subsequent distribution.

In figure 5 a third embodiment of the invention is seen. In this embodiment the cushioning material 51 is used on its own as a substrate to convey fruit from water bath 21. As in the figure 4 embodiment, the cushioning material 51 is provided in a roll 50 located above the conveyor belt 10. Dispensing apparatus (not shown) is provided to dispense a continuous film 51 of cushioning material from the roll 50. The dispensed film of cushioning material 51 is dispensed on to the surface of the conveyor belt 10 and is then submerged in the water in the bath 21.

The guide rails 28 will serve to keep the film 51 submerged (or alternatively a full width guide could be provided, if the guide rails 28 were found not to be sufficient to keep the film 51 submerged). As the film 51 of cushion material is raised from the bath 21 of the liquid the film 51 picks up apples 27 and lifts them from the liquid in the bath 21. It is envisaged that the film 51 will be a bubble pack type film with bubbles large enough to be able to engage the floating apples 27 and lift them from the water 21.

As described before, the fruit 27 once lifted will be transported to a draining section where liquid can drip from the fruit on the cushion film 51 of cushion material, the film 51 being provided with perforations to allow drainage.

In the drainage region of the packing machine the sides of the film 51 will be raised by suitably profiled portions of the packing machine, in order to provide handles. This can be seen by the cross-section of figure 6 shown in which the film 51 can be seen to have been contoured by two side sections 55A and 55B.

A guillotine 53 is provided at the end of the conveyor belt 10 to chop the continuous film 51 into separate substrate sections which are then dispensed on to rollers 54. The different substrate sections can then be lifted from the rollers 54 into boxes, each individual section of cushioning material 51 providing a cushion between different layers of apples in the boxes. Profiled side sections will be provided as a continuation of sides 55A and 55B to surround the rollers 54 (although not shown in the figure) so that the lifted sides of the film 51 can be maintained, these lifted sides being useful in aiding the lifting of the sections of film 51 from the rollers 54.

Since the continuous film 51 will be divided into sections by the guillotine 53 it may be preferable to provide transversely extending areas on the cushioned material 51 which do not contain fruit.

This can be done either by providing smooth portions on the surface of the cushioned material at intervals or by providing pulsed water jets which temporarily stop fruit from contacting and being engaged by the film 51 of cushion material as it emerges from the surface of the water bath 21.

The applicant has envisaged a number of ways in which the illustrated apparatus could be modified, for particular purposes.

The tray packs common to the industry are 600 mm X 400 mm in dimension. Whilst in the drawings the trays 11 have been shown with the 600 mm edge leading, it is envisaged that the tray packs could equally well travel through the packing machine with a 400 mm width edge leading. This could be advantageous because the depressions in the tray packs usually fall into rows extending longitudinally of the tray packs when the tray packs are presented this way, whilst the depressions fall into diagonal rows when the tray packs are presented with the 600 mm edge foremost. In the latter case, it is believed that the diagonal orientation of the depressions could hinder location of fruit in the packing tray leaves.

Whilst above apparatus has been shown which packs fruit into tray packs 12 whilst they are located in trays 11, the trays 11 are not essential and the tray packs 12 could be passed through the apparatus on their own.

The evaporation of residual water on the fruit after packing in the trays would lead to cooling of the fruit, which would be advantageous.

Typical dimensions for the water baths would be 20 feet long by 3 feet wide.

It is envisaged that the conveyor belt would be chain mesh in the above-noted embodiments. However, the conveyor belt could be replaced by a conveyor belt which has suction cups extending upwardly. The suction cups would grip the bottom of containers to be transported or would grip a surface of a dispensed film. The suction cups could either be simple rubber suction cups which hold a tray or tray pack when the tray pack is pressed on to the suction cups.

Alternatively, the suction cups could be pneumatic and a suitable pneumatic pump could be provided so that the trays or tray packs are sucked on to the suction cups. It is envisaged that where a suction cup system is used the containers could be destacked from a stack thereof which is located above the conveyor belt. A hydraulic suction system which acts on the trays, tray packs or film during immersion can also be used.

The lateral jets 31 provided in the packing machine could be pulsed in order to vibrate the floating apples transversely in the water bath 21 in order to better locate the apples within depressions in the tray packs 12 or on the surface of the dispensed film 51.

It is envisaged that the slope of the conveyor belt 10 in the region where the conveyor belt raises the trays 11, tray packs 12 or film 51 from the bath 21 would have an angle of inclination which is adjustable. The angle of inclination would be adjusted by the user of the packing machine until the engagement of floating fruit by the tray, tray pack or by the film 51 is at its most efficient.

It is envisaged that soft brushes could be used which extend from the sides of the channel profiles at the point at which the tray packs, trays or film emerge from the liquid. The soft brushes would funnel the floating apples 27 into the trays or tray packs or on to the film, whilst allowing a degree of lateral motion of the floating apples.

A revolving brush or a revolving paddle wheel could be provided above the water bath 21 in the region where the trays 11, tray packs 12 or film 51 emerges from the liquid in the bath 21. The revolving brush or paddle wheel would assist apples into the depressions in the surface of the tray packs 12 or the film 51.

The pump for pumping water through the pipe 25 could be variable by the user of the packing machine in order that the current in the bath 21 can be adjusted to ensure that it is sufficient to sweep apples floating in the bath 21 into trays 11, or into depressions in the tray packs 12 or in the film 51.

The film 51 could be provided at intervals with lines of weakness (e.g. formed by perforations) in order that the film 51 can be easily split into sections either by tearing (see figure 4) or by a guillotine (see figure 5).

Whilst in the preferred embodiments described above the apples have been packed in single layers in tray pack leaves or on top of a film, it is envisaged that the present invention could equally well be used to deposit more than one layer of floating fruit into deeper trays or shallow boxes. In such a circumstance, it may be preferable to use a rotating brush or a rubber finned or padded paddle wheel to assist location of the apples in the trays or boxes.

Alternatively, high volume jets of water (or perhaps air) could be used to apply a force on the floating fruit to move them into the trays in a plurality of layers. Alternatively or additionally an extra strong current could be provided in the water bath 21. The deeper trays or shallow boxes could be used either with or without a cushioning film such as film 51.

In order that upwardly curved sides can be provided for the film 51 when the apples are located thereon, it is envisaged that the film 51 would be of a size wider than the boxes into which the apples are eventually packed. For instance, if the box was 600 mm wide then an 800 mm wide roll of cushioning material could be used.

The cushion film 51 could be similar to standard bubble pack type material or could be made of other materials such as polypropylene foam padding. The film could be of many other materials and could be a film having a plurality of holes therethrough for receiving fruit or could be a honeycomb material.

Whilst the preferred embodiments described above have been described with reference to their use in packing apples, it should be appreciated that the apparatus of the invention is suitable for packing any sort of buoyant fruit (e.g. melons and oranges) or indeed any other buoyant article. The article need not be buoyant in water, since the liquid in the bath 21 can be any desired liquid. Indeed, when the apparatus is used to pack pears, it is possible to use brine in the bath 21, because the denser brine ensures that the pears in the bath float on the surface of the liquid in the bath.

The applicant has also considered a further alternative to the packing machines described above.

In the improvement a pivotable follower member is provided which follows the surface of the tray packs 12 (or the film 51). The follower member is connected to gates which can be raised towards the surface of the liquid to engage fruit to prevent the fruit from abutting the surface of the tray packs 12 or the surface of the film 51. The follower member could also be connected to gates which extend inwardly of the sides of a channel to engage fruit. When the follower member engages a raised portion of the tray packs 12 or a raised portion of the film 51 then the gate connected to the follower member prevents the floating fruit from coming into contact with the tray packs 12 or the film 51.On the other hand, when the follower member engages a depression in the tray packs 12 or in the film 51 then the gate connected thereto is lowered, so that floating fruit can come into abutment with the surface of the tray pack 12 or the surface of the film 51. A number of gates can be connected to a number of follower members to ensure that fruit is deposited in the depressions in the tray packs 12 or of the film 51 and that fruit does not sit in raised areas, which might be likely to happen in the case of tray packs, designed for larger, well spread out fruit (e.g. melons). The above described system could work equally well with the follower member or members arranged to allow fruit through to a depression when a raised portion of a tray pack, tray or film is engaging the follower member or members.

Other mechanical, electrical, electronic visual, ultra-violet or infra-red detection apparatus could be used to control the operation of any system of gates,jets, diaphragms or other methods used to ensure that no fruit is mislocated in a tray pack 12 or on a film 51.

Whilst in Figure 3 apples in the channels are divided by size there could be a gate system to combine lanes in order that a lane could be vacated to accommodate a proportion of the most common size of apple from an adjacent channel, thereby allowing two packing machines to pack the same sized fruit. This could be done either in the sizing machine or by gates between the lanes 902-907 in the region 908.

The applicant believes that it would be preferable to make the curved surfaces 30A and 30B (Figure 1) adjustable and also the shared sides downstream of these points so that the apparatus could accommodate different widths of trays, tray packs and film.

It is also envisaged that the conveyor means could be constructed to grip, hold or support the trays, the tray packs and/or the film only at the edges and could release the trays, tray packs or substrate sections formed from film into boxes located beneath the conveyor belt.

The baths and conveyors would typically be made of stainless steel or plastic for hygiene reasons.

The conveyor belt could be formed of a series of linked plates to function in the same manner as a moving escalator and raise tray packs, trays and/or film, through the liquid.

Whilst film used to engage fruit would preferably have depressions to locate the fruit, a smooth film could be used to engage fruit if the angle at which the film emerges from the liquid is shallow enough.

The applicant envisages that diaphragms could be arranged in the side walls of the channel which are controllable to extend to prevent fruit resting on raised areas of the tray packs or film in order to stop mislocation of fruit.

A large diameter rubber or foam padded roller with surface depressions could be provided to rotate above the surface of the liquid in which the fruit floats in order to engage the fruit and help to locate the fruit in the trays or tray packs or on to a film.

Rods could be provided above the floating fruit which would extend downwardly to engage the floating fruit. The rods could be oscillated from side to side to ensure that the floating fruit is properly located in trays and/or tray packs or on top of a film.

The arrangement of figures 1 and 2 could be modified to allow a user to bypass the cleaning fluid bath 14. New trays and tray packs would not need washing and therefore the cleaning operation would be superfluous.

Whilst in figure 3 the undersized fruit is separated to be deposited in a bulk bin, the undersized fruit could be delivered to a channel and packed if required.

The film 51 could be presented with a 400 mm or 600 mm leading edge. However, presenting the film with a 400 mm leading edge might make handling easier.

The guide rails 15 and 28 could be replaced by motorised guide belts to ensure smooth passage of trays, tray packs or film.

Further jets for washing and rinsing recycled trays and tray packs could be provided in addition to the jets 40 and 36, if required.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method of packing buoyant articles in a container comprising: floating the buoyant articles in a liquid, supplying the container to be packed to conveyor means, operating the conveyor means to successively pass the container through the liquid beneath the buoyant articles floating in the liquid and raise the container from the liquid with the container ensnaring at least one buoyant article whilst emerging from the liquid, and separating the container with the buoyant article or articles therein from the conveyor means.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the conveyor means submerges the container in the liquid in which the buoyant articles float before passing the container through the liquid.

3. A method of packing buoyant articles as claimed in claim 2 wherein a film of cushioning material is overlaid on the container prior to submersion of the container in the liquid in which the buoyant articles float.

4. A method of packing buoyant articles as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the conveyor means is operated to pass the container through cleaning liquid prior to passing the container in the liquid in which the buoyant articles float.

5. A method of packing buoyant articles as claimed in claim 4 wherein the conveyor means is operated to successively submerge the container in the cleaning liquid, pass the container through the cleaning liquid and raise the container from the cleaning liquid prior to passing the container through the liquid in which the buoyant articles float.

6. A method of packing buoyant articles as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 wherein liquid is allowed to drain from the container after the container has been passed through the cleaning liquid and before the container is passed through the liquid in which the buoyant articles float.

7. A method of packing buoyant articles as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a jet of water is applied to the floating buoyant articles in order to assist location of the buoyant articles in the container as the container emerges from the liquid in which the buoyant articles float.

8. A method of packing buoyant articles as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a jet of water is used to rinse the buoyant article or articles in the container prior to separation of the container from the conveyor means.

9. A method of packing buoyant articles as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the liquid is allowed to drain from buoyant articles or articles in the container prior to separation of the container from the conveyor means.

10. A method of packing buoyant articles as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein air blower means is used to blow air on to the buoyant article or articles in the container prior to separation of the container from the conveyor means to assist drying of the buoyant article or articles.

11. A method of packing buoyant articles as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a current is generated in the liquid in which the buoyant articles float, the current assisting location of the buoyant articles in the container.

12. Apparatus for use in a method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 which comprises: a first vessel for the liquid in which the buoyant articles float, and conveyor means for receiving a container to be packed, conveying the container through the liquid beneath the buoyant articles and raising the container from the liquid with the container ensnaring at least one buoyant article, wherein the conveyor means has an output portion where the container with the buoyant article or articles therein can be separated from the conveyor means.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the conveyor means submerges the container in the liquid.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12 or 13 which comprises additionally a second vessel for containing cleaning fluid, wherein the conveyor means conveys the container through the cleaning fluid prior to conveying the container through the liquid in which the buoyant articles float.

15. A method of packing buoyant articles on a supporting substrate comprising, floating the buoyant articles in a liquid, dispensing a continuous film of substrate material, operating conveyor means to successively pass the film of material beneath the buoyant articles and raise the film of material from the liquid with the film of material ensnaring at least one buoyant article whilst emerging from the liquid, dividing the film of substrate material into individual substrates each of which carries at least one buoyant article, separating each individual substrate from the conveyor means.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15 wherein the conveyor means is operated to submerge the film in the liquid in which the buoyant articles float, prior to passing the film through the liquid.

17. Apparatus for use in the method of claim 15 or claim 16 which comprises: a vessel for the liquid in which the buoyant articles float, dispensing means for dispensing a continuous film of substrate material from a roll thereof, conveyor means for successively passing the film through the liquid beneath the buoyant articles and raising the film from the liquid with the film ensnaring at least one buoyant article, and dividing means for dividing the film of substrate material into separate substrates after the substrate has emerged from the liquid in which the buoyant articles float.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the conveyor means submerges the film in the liquid in which the buoyant articles float prior to passing the film through the liquid.

19. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12, 13, 14, 17 or 18 wherein the conveyor means comprises a continuous belt.

20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein the continuous belt has drainage holes.

21. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12, 13, 14, or 17 to 20 comprising barrier means defining a plurality of channels in the first vessel and conveyor means for receiving a plurality of containers or a plurality of films, one for each channel, each container being conveyed through only one channel and ensnaring a buoyant article or articles only from the said channel.

22. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12, 13 or 14 wherein the container comprises a tray.

23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 22 wherein the tray has a tray pack located therein.

24. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12, 13 or 14 wherein the container comprises a tray pack.

25. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12, 13, 14 or 17 to 24 wherein the conveyor means comprises guide means which define a passage for a container or a film and which is adjustable to permit the conveyor means to convey different sizes of container or film.

26. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12, 13, 14 or 17 to 25 wherein the conveyor means has adjustment means which permit a user to adjust the angle at which the container or the film emerges from the liquid in which the buoyant articles float.

27. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 13, 14 or 17 to 26 wherein the conveyor means comprises adjustment means which permits a user to adjust the speed of the conveyor means.

28. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12, 13, 14 or 17 to 27 wherein gate means is provided which can block motion of buoyant articles towards the container or film conveyed by the conveyor means to prevent the buoyant articles being ensnared by the container or the film.

29. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12, 13, 14 or 17 to 28 comprising means for engaging the floating buoyant articles and urging them towards the container or film conveyed by the conveyor means.

30. Apparatus as claimed in claim 29 wherein the means for engaging the floating buoyant articles comprises a rotating brush.

31. Apparatus as claimed in claim 29 wherein the means for engaging the floating buoyant articles comprises a rotating cylinder which has depressions on the cylindrical exterior surface thereof which in use engage the floating buoyant articles.