Machine and method for loading a cassette into a security package

Hide panel

Patent issued

01/12/1993

Inventor(s):
Application
Field of search
Examiners

A machine and method for automatically loading a cassette into the storagecompartment of a security package at a load station. A package and acassette are moved simultaneously toward each other from a supply of suchpackages and cassettes by power actuated slide plates with the cassettebeing located above the level of the package. In a first embodiment apivotally mounted pressure actuated cam plate forces a front end of thecassette in an angular direction partially into the storage compartmentand then force the remainder of the cassette completely into the storagecompartment as the slide plate continues to move the package toward theload station. In a second embodiment the slide plate moves the cassettealong a cam plate and partially into the storage compartment, afterwhich,a pressure actuated plunger forces the remainder of the cassette into thestorage compartment. A locking mechanism including pressure actuated cams,then moves the security package lock plate from an unfolded position intoa locked position to retain the cassette in the storage compartment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The invention relates to a machine and related method for automaticallyloading a cassette into a security package. More particularly, theinvention relates to a machine and method which brings a audiocassette anda security package from separate supplies of said cassettes and packagesto a work station whereat the cassette is automatically loaded into thestorage compartment of the security package and a lock plate automaticallymoved to a locked position to retain the cassette within the securitypackage.
2. Background Information
In recent years, audiocassettes have become increasingly popular andoutsell the heretofore LP record discs and 8-track audio tapes. Theintroduction of these cassettes into the audio market presented a problemto the retail sellers in that the cassettes, which are smaller than theheretofore used 8-track tapes and record discs, had to be displayed sothat perspective purchasers could inspect the tape to determine theartist, songs etc. on the cassettes. This presented a security problem dueto the extremely small size of the audiocassettes and ease of shoplifting.
Therefore, to reduce this shoplifting problem, the cassettes were placed inlarger security packages of the type shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,384,238,4,865,190.
Although these security packages perform satisfactorily, they do requirethe retailer and usually the wholesaler, to place the cassettes into thestorage compartment of the security package and then lock the securitypackage in a locked position. Heretofore, this was accomplished manuallyby work personnel which increased the cost of the final distributedproduct, especially since these audio tapes are sold and packaged in themillions.
It is also desirable that such security packages be of the reusable typewherein the locked plate of the particular locking mechanism can be movedto an unlocked position by a manually operated key or the like.
There is no known machine or method for automatically loading cassettesinto security packages of which we are aware which will move the cassettesand security packages from a supply of such cassettes and securitypackages to a load station wherein the cassette is automatically loadedinto the security package and the package placed in a locked position andthen discharged for subsequent packaging and shipment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Objectives of the invention include providing an improved machine andassociated method for automatically loading a cassette, and in particularan audiocassette, into a security package and for moving the lockingmechanism of the security package from an unlocked to a locked position.
A still further objective of the invention is to provide such a machinewhich has two separate supply magazines containing a plurality of thecassettes and security packages which are moved by automatic transfermechanisms to a load station wherein a cassette is automatically insertedinto the storage compartment of the security package, afterwhich a lockplate which is hingedly mounted on the cassette, is moved from an unlockedposition to a fully locked position with a minimum amount of moving partsand power operated components.
Another objective of the invention is to provide such a loading machine andmethod in which the security package and cassette are moved from the loadstation to a locking station by a power actuated slide mechanism forsubsequent movement of the locking plate into locked position by poweractuated cams.
A still further objective is to provide such a machine which has arelatively simple construction, which achieves the stated objectives in asimple, effective, and inexpensive manner and which solves problems andsatisfies needs in the art.
These and other objectives and advantages of the invention are obtained bythe loading machine of the present invention for automatically loading acassette into a security package of the type having a storage compartmentand an access opening providing access into the storage compartment andfurther having a lock plate movable over the access opening and into alocked position to block removal of the cassette from the storagecompartment, the general nature of such machine may be stated as includinga load station; first slide means for moving a security package from asupply of said packages to the load station; second slide means for movinga cassette from a supply of said cassettes to the load station; load meansfor initially moving a first end of the cassette in an angular directionthrough the access opening of the package and partially into the storagecompartment, and then subsequently moving a second end of the cassetteinto the storage compartment to fully seat the cassette therein; and lockmeans for moving the lock plate into the locked position over at least apart of the access opening.
These objectives and advantages are further obtained by the improved methodof the present invention, the general nature which may be stated asincluding a method for loading a cassette into a security package of thetype having a storage compartment and an access opening providing accessinto the storage compartment and a lock plate for blocking removal of thecassette from the storage compartment, the general nature of said methodmay be stated as including the steps of moving a security package from asupply of said packages toward a load station; moving a cassette from asupply of said cassettes toward the load station; moving a first end ofthe cassette through the access opening and partially into the storagecompartment of the security package; and then moving a second end of thecassette completely within the storage compartment to fully seat thecassette therein; and then moving the lock plate from an unlocked positionto a locked position.

We claim:
1. A machine for automatically loading a cassette into a security packageof the type having a storage compartment and an access opening providingaccess into said compartment, and further having a lock plate, of the typewhich has a living hinge integrally molded therewith, movable over theaccess opening and into a locked position to block removal of the cassettefrom the storage compartment; said machine including:
a) a load station;
b) first means for moving a security package from a supply of said packagesto the load station;
c) second means for moving a cassette from a supply of said cassettes tothe load station;
d) load means for initially moving a first end of the cassette in anangular direction with respect to the security package through the accessopening of the package and partially into the storage compartment, andthen subsequently moving a second end of the cassette into the storagecompartment while the security package is still located at said loadstation to fully seat the cassette therein; and
e) a lock station which includes a first pressure actuated cam for movingthe lock plate from an unfolded position to a partially folded position byoperating said living hinge of said lock plate, and a second pressureactuated cam for moving the lock plate from the partially folded positionto a latched position, said first pressure actuated cam also being used tomove said lock plate from said latched position to a locked position.
2. The machine defined in claim 1 in which the first and second means eachincludes slide channels along which the respective package and cassette ismoved to the load station, and a power actuated slide plate engageablewith each of the package and cassette for respectively moving said packageand cassette along their respective slide channels.
3. The machine defined in claim 2 in which a pressure actuated cylinderoperatively engages each of the slide plates for moving said slide platesand package and cassette from the supply of said packages and cassettes tothe load station.
4. The machine defined in claim 3 in which the slide channels each extendin a generally horizontal plane; and in which the plane of the packageslide channels is spaced below the plane of the cassette slide channels.
5. The machine defined in claim 4 in which the load means includes apressure actuated plunger mounted at the load station above the plane ofthe slide channels; and in which the load means plunger engages a cassetteto move said cassette into the storage compartment of the securitypackage.
6. The machine defined in claim 1 in which the load means includes spacedapart plates and a pressure actuated plunger moveable between said spacedapart plates; in which the plates move the first end of the cassette intothe storage compartment; and in which the plunger moves the second end ofthe cassette into the storage compartment.
7. The machined defined in claim 1 in which the lock station includes apressure actuated slide means for moving the package and the storedcassette from the load station to the lock station.
8. The machine defined in claim 1 in which the supply of security packagesand the supply of cassettes are vertical stacks of said packages andcassettes located above the first means and the second means,respectively.
9. A method of loading a cassette into a security package of the typehaving a storage compartment and a lock plate for blocking removal of thecassette from the storage compartment, said method including the steps of:
a) moving a security package from a supply of said packages toward a loadstation,
b) moving a cassette from a supply of said cassettes toward the loadstation;
c) moving a first end of the cassette through an access opening of thestorage compartment and partially into the storage compartment;
d) moving a second end of the cassette into the storage compartment tofully seat the cassette therein;
e) moving the lock plate from an unfolded position to a partially foldedposition, by operating a pressure actuated cam a first time to operate onat least one living hinge which connects the lock plate to the securitypackage; actuating a plunger to move the lock plate from a partiallyfolded position, to a fully folded latched position; and by actuating saidpressure actuated cam a second time to move said lock plate from a latchedposition to a locked position.
10. The method defined in claim 9 including moving the first end of thecassette along spaced apart cam surfaces in a downwardly inclineddirection toward the package when moving said first end partially into thestorage compartment, and then moving the second end of the cassette in avertical downward direction by actuating a plunger moveable between saidspaced apart cam surfaces when moving said second end into the storagecompartment.
11. The method defined in claim 9 including continuing to move the packagetoward the load station simultaneously with exerting a downward force onthe cassette when moving the second end of the cassette into the storagecompartment.
12. The method defined in claim 9 including locating the supplies of thesecurity packages and cassettes on opposite sides of the load station, andthen moving said security packages and cassettes in generally horizontaldirections simultaneously toward each other and into an overlappingrelationship when at the load station.
13. The method as defined in claim 12 including moving the security packageand loaded cassette from the load station to a lock station in a directiontransverse to the direction of movement of the package and cassette whenmoving to the load station.
14. A method of loading a cassette into a security package of the typehaving a storage compartment and a lock plate for blocking removal of thecassette from the storage compartment, said method including the steps of:
(a) moving a security package from a supply of said packages toward a loadstation;
(b) moving a cassette from a supply of said cassettes toward the loadstation;
(c) moving a first end of the cassette through an access opening of thestorage compartment and partially into the storage compartment;
(d) moving a second end of the cassette into the storage compartment tofully seat the cassette therein;
(e) actuating a plunger to move the lock plate to a partially foldedposition;
(f) moving the partial folded lock plate along a guide track to move thelock plate from the partially folded position to a latched position; and
(g) actuating a cam to move the lock plate from the latched position to alocked position thereby securing the cassette within the storagecompartment.
15. A machine for automatically loading a cassette into a security packageof the type having a storage compartment and an access opening providingaccess into said compartment, and further having a lock plate movable overthe access opening and into a locked position to block removal of thecassette from the storage compartment; said machine including:
(a) a load station;
(b) first means for moving a security package from a supply of saidpackages to the load station;
(c) second means for moving a cassette from a supply of said cassettes tothe load station;
(d) a pressure actuated plunger having a pivotally mounted pad on anextended end of said plunger, in which said pad moves a first end of thecassette in an angular direction with respect to the security package,into the storage compartment, and then subsequently moves a second end ofthe cassette completely into the storage compartment upon continuedmovement of the said security package at the load station by the firstmeans to thereby fully seat the cassette therein; and
(e) lock means for moving the lock plate into the locked position over atleast a part of the access opening.
16. The machine defined in claim 15 in which a plurality of flexiblefingers are located at the load station and suspends the cassette at theload station after delivery thereto by the second means until the cassetteis moved by the plunger and pad into the storage compartment of thesecurity package.
17. A machine for automatically loading a cassette into a security packageof the type having a storage compartment and an access opening providingaccess into said compartment, and further having a lock plate movable overthe access opening and into a locked position to block removal of thecassette from the storage compartment; said machine including:
(a) a load station;
(b) first means for moving a security package from a supply of saidpackages to the load station;
(c) second means for moving a cassette from a supply of said cassettes tothe load station;
(d) load means for initially moving a first end of the cassette in anangular direction with respect to the security package through the accessopening of the package and partially into the storage compartment, andthen subsequently moving a second end of the cassette into the storagecompartment to fully seat the cassette therein;
(e) a pressure actuated plunger for moving the lock plate initially from anunfolded position to a partially folded position;
(f) a guide track for moving the partially folded lock plate to a latchedposition; and
(g) a pressure actuated cam for moving the lock plate from the latchedposition to the locked position.
18. A method of loading a cassette into a security package of the typehaving a storage compartment and a lock plate for blocking removal of thecassette from the storage compartment, said method including the steps of:
a) moving a security package from a supply of said packages toward a loadstation;
b) moving a cassette from a supply of said cassettes toward the loadstation;
c) moving a first end of a cassette through an access opening of thestorage compartment into the storage compartment while said cassette andsecurity package are still at the load station; and
d) moving a second end of the cassette into the storage compartment tofully seat the cassette therein while said cassette and security packageare still a the load station.
19. A machine for automatically loading a cassette into a security packageof the type having a storage compartment and access opening providingaccess into said compartment, and further having a lock plate movable overthe access opening and into a locked position to block removal of thecassette from the storage compartment; said machine comprising:
a) a load station;
b) first means for moving a security package from a supply of said packagesto the load station;
c) second means for moving a cassette from a supply of said cassettes tothe load station;
d) load means located at said load station for initially moving a first endof the cassette in an angular direction with respect to the securitypackage through the access opening of the package and partially into thestorage compartment, and then subsequently moving a second end of thecassette into the storage compartment while the security package is stilllocated at said load station to fully seat the cassette therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best modes inwhich applicants have contemplated applying the principles, are set forthin the following description and are shown in the drawings and areparticularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appendedclaims.
FIG. 1 is a generally diagrammatic front view of a first embodiment of theautomatic loading machine of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a generally diagrammatic fragmentary side elevational view of themachine as shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view of the loadstation and of the supply magazines containing a plurality of the securitypackages and cassettes;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the load station as shown in FIG.3 with the supply magazines removed;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the load station andassociated components of FIGS. 3 and 4, showing a package and cassettejust before entering the load station;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 5, showing the cassette andsecurity package at the load station;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to FIGS. 5 and 6 showing movement ofthe front end of a cassette partially into the storage compartment of thesecurity container at the load station;
FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrammatic fragmentary sectional views showing thecassette being automatically loaded into the storage compartment of thesecurity package at the load station;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view similar to FIGS. 5-7 showing the cassettebeing completely seated within the storage compartment of the securitypackage as shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 7A and 7B;
FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic fragmentary side elevational view of the loadstation, lock station and discharge station of the improved loadingmachine in a first position;
FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 showing the components of FIG. 9 in asecond position;
FIG. 11 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view showing movement of aplurality of loaded cassettes through the lock station wherein the lockingplate of the package is moved from an unfolded position to a completelylocked position;
FIG. 12 is a fragmentary front elevational view similar to FIG. 3 showing amodified load station of the loading machine;
FIG. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the modified load stationof FIG. 12 and a security package and cassette just prior to being movedinto the load position;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 13 with portions broken awayand in section, showing the security package at the load station and acassette being loaded therein;
FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic side elevational view showing a cassette enteringinto the storage compartment of the security package;
FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic side elevational view similar to FIG. 15 showingthe cassette being fully seated into the storage compartment of thesecurity package;
FIG. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing the lock plateof the security package being moved toward latched position at the lockstation; and
FIGS. 18-21 is a series of diagrammatic sectional views showing movement ofthe lock plate from its fully unfolded position into its lock position.
Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The loading machine of the present invention is indicated generally at 1,and is shown particularly in FIGS. 1 and 2. Machine 1 includes a usualsupport cabinet 2 which includes a base 3 and a vertically extending rearportion 4 and a front control panel 5. Rear portion 4 is formed with apair of supply magazines 6 and 7 for holding a plurality of securitypackages 8 and audio cassettes 9 respectively, in a vertically stackedcondition. Security packages 8 are usual one-piece molded plastic memberssuch as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,834,238 and 4,865,190, the contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference. The particular cassettes 9described herein and shown in the drawings are of the type shown in U.S.Pat. No. 4,834,238, and is adapted to contain a usual plastic storage casewhich contains the audio tape, the construction of which is well known inthe art and is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,238. Magazines 6 and 7preferably retain the supply of security packages 8 and cassettes 9 in aslightly inclined position as shown particularly in FIG. 2, to eliminatethe need of front retaining braces and panels for retaining the supply ofpackages and cassettes in the magazine.
In accordance with one of the features of the invention, a pair of slideassemblies indicated generally at 11 and 12 respectively, are formed onbase 3 adjacent rear portion 4 of cabinet 2, and are shown particularly inFIGS. 3-8. Package slide assembly 11 includes a pair of spaced L-shapedslide channels 13 having a spacing therebetween generally equal to thewidth of a security package 8. Assembly 11 is positioned vertically belowpackage supply magazine 6 so as to receive by gravity, a security package8 between channels 13 for slidably supporting the same thereon.
A slide or pusher plate 15 is mounted for horizontal sliding movementbetween slide channels 13 by a pair of bearings 14 on a pair of stationaryslide rods 17. Rods 17 extend horizontally along base 3 and beneath a workstation indicated generally at 18, and are secured within support cabinet1 by end mounting brackets 19. As shown in FIG. 3, a stationary pressureactuated, preferably pneumatic cylinder 20, is mounted beneath slide rods17 and is connected to slide plate 15 by an end bracket 21, which isconnected to the extended end of a piston rod 22 of cylinder 20, and thento a connecting plate 23 which is secured to the bottom of plate 15.Actuation of pressure cylinder 20 will move slide plate 15 along andinbetween slide channels 13, and will push a security package 8 locatedtherebetween, as shown particularly in FIGS. 5 and 6, from the securitypackage pickup position beneath magazine 6 to the load station as shown inFIGS. 1-8.
Cassette slide assembly 12 includes a similar pair of L-shaped slidechannels 25 which extend in a horizontal plane at an opposite end of loadstation 18 from that of slide channels 13, for receiving a cassette 9therein. A slide or pusher plate 26 similar to plate 15, is slidablymounted between slide channels 25 by a step shaped bracket 27 (FIGS. 3-8).Plate 26 is slidably mounted on slide rods 17 by sleeve bearings 31 whichare mounted in bracket 27, and is moved along rods 17 by a pressureactuated, preferably pneumatic cylinder 29, which is mounted between sliderods 17 and is connected by piston rod 30 to bracket 27. Thus, uponactuation of the cylinder 29, piston rod 30 and bracket 27 will move slideplate 26 from the cassette pickup position beneath supply magazine 7 tothe load station or load position of FIGS. 6-8.
In further accordance with the invention, a load mechanism indicatedgenerally at 32, is mounted at load station 18. Mechanism 32 includes acassette load cylinder 33 which is mounted by a bracket 34 in a fixedposition above the path of movement of the security package and cassette.A pressure plate 35 is pivotally mounted by pivot pin 36, on the bottom ofa curved support plate 37, which is attached to the extended end of pistonrod 38 of cylinder 33 (FIG. 9), the function of which is described ingreater detail below.
A plurality of flexible spaced fingers 40 are mounted at load station 18 inhorizontal alignment with slide channels 25 to slidably support a cassette9 therein, as shown particularly in FIGS. 3, 9 and 10, when moved intoposition by slide plate 26.
The operation of slide assemblies 11 and 12 and load mechanism 38 is bestunderstood by reference to FIGS. 3-8. A security package 8 and cassette 9are automatically placed by gravity from their respective magazines 6 and7, between slide channels 13 and 25, with slide plates 15 and 26 being ina retracted position, as shown particularly in FIG. 5. Actuation ofcylinders 20 and 29 according to a programmed sequence, will cause plates15 and 26 to move toward load station 18 as shown by arrows A in FIG. 6.This will move security package 8 and cassette 9 along their respectiveslide channels to the position of FIG. 6, wherein package 8 is locatedbeneath load mechanism 32 and cassette 9 is suspended thereabove byflexible fingers 40. Package slide assembly 11 is in a generallyhorizontal plane below the horizontal plane of cassette slide assembly 12so that cassette 9 is above package 8 to enable it to be automaticallyinserted into a storage compartment 41 thereof through a top accessopening 42 which has a size and configuration generally complementary tothe size and configuration of cassette 9 as described more fully in theabove reference U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,238. The sequence of operation isprogrammed so that cassette 9 is suspended between flexible finger 40prior to the complete arrival of security package 8 at the load station.
As shown in FIGS. 7, 7A and 7B, load cylinder 33 is actuated as slide plate15 continues to move package 8 in the direction of arrow A toward loadstation 18. Upon the forward end 43 of cassette 9 becoming over center ofa rear wall 44 of the storage compartment, pressure plate 35 will move end43 angularly into storage compartment 41 (FIG. 7A) through top accessopening 42. Slide plate 15 continues to move package 8 in the direction ofarrow A which moves front end 43 beneath a top retaining flange 45 ofpackage 8 whereupon the continued downward pressure exerted by pivotallymounted plate 35 of load cylinder 33, will force rear end 46 of cassette 9completely into storage compartment 41 as shown in FIG. 7B, as rear wall44 of the storage compartment moves beyond rear end 46 of cassette 9. Thisaction firmly seats cassette 9 within storage compartment 41, afterwhichthe forward movement of slide plate 15 and package 8 is stopped byappropriate detection and control mechanisms (not shown) all of which arewell known in the machine control art. Slide plates 15 and 26 are thenreturned to their pickup position beneath supply magazines 6 and 7 torestart the next loading sequence just described above.
When in the loaded position of FIG. 7B, a hingedly mounted lock or slideplate 48 (FIG. 4), which is hingedly mounted by a double living hinge 49to a wall 51 of security package 8 will be in its complete unfoldedposition as shown in FIG. 4 within the sidewall members which form ahanger portion 50 of package 8, the components of which are more fullydescribed in the previous reference U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,238.
Next, the loaded security package 8 is removed from load station 18 to alock station indicated generally at 52, by a pressure actuated cylinder 53and a pusher plate 54 which is connected thereto by piston rod 55. Pistonrod 55 will be in an extended position as shown particularly in FIGS. 4-8generally beneath one of the flexible fingers, while cassette 9 is beingloaded into storage compartment 41 of package 8. Upon actuation ofcylinder 53, plate 54 will move the loaded package in the direction ofarrows B in FIGS. 4-6 upon the retraction of piston rod 55. Pusher plate54 preferably has a pair of cutouts 57 (FIG. 5) which enables it to slidepast a pair of stationary slide bars 60 mounted at the load station. Plate54 will move the loaded package in a transverse direction from that of thedirection in which the slide plates move the cassette and package towardthe load station. Plate 54 is slidably mounted by bearings (not shown) ona pair of stationary spaced slide rods 58 and delivers the loaded packageonto a support table 59 (FIG. 9-11) or other type of supporting mechanismfor slidably receiving the loaded cassette thereon. Support table 59preferably is inclined rearwardly toward the load station as shownparticularly in FIG. 2, to ensure that the loaded packages remain ingeneral abutting relationship with each other due to the force of gravityacting thereon as shown in FIG. 11.
As shown in FIG. 11, a series of loaded packages 8 will be moving alongsupport table 59 due to the action of pusher plate 54 removing the mostrecently loaded package from the load station. FIG. 11 shows the series ofoperations performed on lock plate 48 at the lock station to move it fromits fully unfolded position as represented by package 8a, to the fullylocked position designated by security package 8e. Upon package 8a movingalong support table 59 to the position 8b, a pressure cylinder 61 isactuated moving its plunger 62 upwardly in the direction of arrow C whichengages unfolded plate 48 pivoting it upwardly to a partially foldedposition beneath a ramped guide track 64. As package 8 continues to movein the direction of Arrow B, partially folded lock plate 48 will moveunder and along guide track 64 assisted initially by guide finger 69,which will move plate 48 represented by package 8b into the latch positionrepresented by package 8d, in which position the various slide latchingprojections (not shown) are received in associated slide channels toretain plate 48 in the latch position as is fully described in U.S. Pat.No. 4,834,238.
Next, another pressure actuated cylinder 66 (FIGS. 9-11) is actuated movingits piston rod 67 upwardly causing a pivotally mounted cam plate 68 toengage double hinge 49 of lock plate 48. Cam 68 moves plate 48 from itslatch position of package 8d, to the fully locked position shown bypackage 8e, in which slide plate 48 extends partially over top accessopening 42 of storage compartment 41 to lock the cassette securelytherein.
Continued forward movement of the next loaded package onto support table 59will advance each of the loaded packages to the next position whereuponthe most advanced fully locked package 8e is discharged into a rollovertrough 70 where it is received onto a discharge table 71 (FIGS. 9 and 10)where the packages are moved in the direction of arrow D by a dischargemechanism indicated generally at 65. Mechanism 65 includes a pusher rod 72which is coordinated with the movement of pusher plate 54 at the loadstations to provide proper indexing of the packages being locked and beingremoved along discharge table 71 for subsequent package and shipment.Rearward movement of pusher rod 72 from the position of FIG. 10 to theposition of FIG. 9, will advance a pusher plate 73 to move the packagesalong table 71 and upon retraction to the position of FIG. 10 will enableanother loaded and locked package 8e to be moved into position forsubsequent forward movement in the direction of arrow D.
A modified form of the loading machine is indicated generally at 75 and isshown particularly in FIGS. 12-21. Magazine supplies 6 and 7 and slideassemblies 11 and 12 are the same for machine 75 as for machine 1described above, and therefore are not described in further detail. Themain difference in the second embodiment of machine 75 with respect tomachine 1 is the particular construction of the load mechanism. This loadmechanism is indicated generally at 76, and includes a pair of spaced camblocks 77 which have downwardly curved cam shoulders 78 which replaceflexible fingers 40 discussed above. A pressure actuated cylinder 79 ismounted above cam block 77 and has a curved pusher pad 80 mounted on theextended end of a piston rod 81.
Upon an unloaded security package 8 reaching the end of its stroke at theload station, it will be in a stationary position beneath load mechanism76. Slide plate 26 of cassette slide assembly 12 will continue to moveforwardly in the direction of arrow E (FIG. 15) which will move theforward end 43 of cassette 9 along cam shoulders 78, causing end 43 toenter storage compartment 41 angularly through top access opening 42 andpartially beneath top retaining flange 45 of package 8. Upon reaching thisposition, cylinder 79 is actuated whereupon pusher pad 80 engages rear end46 of cassette 9 forcing it completely into storage compartment 41 andmoving forward end 43 thereof completely beneath top retaining flange 45to completely seat the cassette within the storage compartment as shown inFIG. 16.
After loading cassette 9 into package 8, lock plate 48 will still be in itsfully unfolded position as described previously. Cylinder 53 is thenactuated removing the loaded package and cassette from the load station bypusher plate 54 described above, bringing the loaded cassette into a lockstation 83 wherein a modified locking sequence is performed on the loadedpackage as shown in FIGS. 17-21 to move the unfolded lock plate to thecompletely locked position.
Upon loaded package 8a reaching a predetermined position at lock station83, a cam 84 which is pivotally mounted by a fixed pin 87, is actuatedthrough a pressure actuated cylinder 89. Piston rod 90 is connected to apivot block 88 which is pivotally attached to cam 84 by a pivot pin 91.Cam 84 will move lock plate 48 from its generally flat, unfolded positionto a partially folded position as shown in FIGS. 17-19, at which positionthe extended end 93 of lock plate 48 engages a guide block 94. Anotherpower actuated cylinder 95 then moves plunger 96 downwardly in thedirection of Arrow F (FIG. 20) which moves lock plate 48 into the latchedposition of FIG. 20 with plate end 93 sliding downwardly along guide block94.
Next cylinder 89 is reactuated and cam 84 due to its pivotal mounting onpivot block 88, will move latched lock plate 48 forwardly in the directionof arrow G from its latch position of FIG. 20 to the locked position ofFIG. 21 wherein extended end 93 of lock plate 48 extends over the storagecompartment access opening 42 to fully retain the cassette in compartment41. The fully loaded and locked package then is moved to a dischargestation by the continued movement of the series of cassettes forsubsequent pickup and packaging, either by a mechanism as shown in FIGS. 9and 10 or a different discharge arrangement.
Accordingly, the improved loading machine of the present invention enablesa plurality of cassettes to be sequentially loaded into the storagecompartments of a plurality of security packages automatically, followedby the automatic movement and locking of a lock plate to a fully lockedposition in a continuous procedure. The loaded packages then will movethrough the lock station where power actuated cams will move the lockplate from an unfolded flat position to a latched position and then to afully locked position. It is readily seen that should the lock plate havea different arrangement than that shown above, such as shown in U.S. Pat.No. 4,865,190 wherein the lock plate is moved directly from an unfoldedposition to a fully locked position without first being in a latchedposition, that such security packages could easily be incorporated intomachines 1 and 75 by a simple redesign of the locking steps and poweractuated cams without affecting the concept of the invention.
Loading machine 75 has one advantage over that of machine in that it doesnot require the simultaneous coordinated movements of the security packageand cassette to load the cassette within the storage compartment as inmachine 1. In machine 75, the security package reaches its fully extendedstopped position afterwhich the cassette is moved forwardly causing it tofollow the curved cam shoulders directly into the stationary securitypackage, followed by the subsequent actuation of pusher pad cylinder 79 tofully seat the cassette within the storage compartment. This provides lesscomplicated control coordination than that of machine 1.
The various pressure actuated cylinders of machines 1 and 75 preferably arepneumatic and could be powered by various other means if desired withoutaffecting the concept of the invention. Furthermore, the various slideassemblies may have other constructions in order to move the packages andcassettes from their storage magazines to the load stations as well as themechanism for removing a loaded package from the load station to thelocking station. However, the particular mechanisms shown in the drawingsand described above are believed to best achieve the desired objectivesand advantages of the present invention. Likewise, the various controlsmay be by a programmable controller or other type of logic systems andvarious limit switches and detection mechanisms all of which are wellknown in the art and therefore are not described in further detail.
Also, it is readily understood that the term cassette as used throughoutmay include other types of recorded medium such as video tapes, compactdiscs etc. without effecting the concept of the invention.
Accordingly, the improved machine and method for loading a cassette into asecurity package is simplified, provides an effective, safe, inexpensive,and efficient device which achieves all the enumerated objectives, providefor eliminating difficulties encountered with prior devices, and solvesproblems and obtains new results in the art.
In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art, because suchterms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadlyconstrued.
Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is by way ofexample, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exactdetails shown or described.
Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of theinvention, the manner in which the improved machine and method isconstructed and used, the characteristics of the construction, and theadvantageous, new and useful results obtained; the new and usefulstructures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts and combinations, areset forth in the appended claims.