(19)
(11) EP 0 373 774 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
05.09.1990 Bulletin 1990/36

(43) Date of publication A2:
20.06.1990 Bulletin 1990/25

(21) Application number: 89311973.5

(22) Date of filing: 20.11.1989
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)5: B65B 25/20
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH DE ES FR GB GR IT LI LU NL SE

(30) Priority: 18.11.1988 GB 8827018

(71) Applicant: NAUTILUS DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED
Modbury South Devon, PL21 0PT (GB)

(72) Inventor:
  • Stott, Keith
    Kingsbridge, TQ7 4SE (GB)

(74) Representative: Harrison, Ivor Stanley et al
Withers & Rogers 4 Dyer's Buildings Holborn
London EC1N 2JT
London EC1N 2JT (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Handling apparatus


    (57) Apparatus for handing and folding articles, especially pairs of socks, comprises conveyor means (13) for presenting the articles in sequence to a folding station (14), folding means for folding the articles across a notional transverse line, holding means for holding first and subsequent folded articles in face to face relationship, means for presenting a folded rider card to said folded articles, means for gripping said card and articles together, and means for securing said rider card to said articles.
    The various operational means may be disposed at stations around a carousel mechanism.
    The invention also includes a pick and place mechanism for withdrawing rider cards from a stack thereof and folding them about predetermined fold lines.







    Search report