RETORT CRATE LOADER AND UNLOADER

RETORT CRATE LOADER AND UNLOADER A semi-automatic retort crate loader and unloader is disclosed. A standard retort crate is positioned adjacent the outer edge of a dead plate at one end of a conveyor by horizontal positioning assembly which includes a clamp and a pair of crate sensors. A floor cylinder raises and lowers the bottom of the retort crate and the containers therein. Jar load and unload sensors control indexing the floor cylinder to the proper heights for loading and unloading layers of containers into and out of the retort crate. During loading, the horizontal positioning assembly positions the crate so that the inner surface lies underneath the dead plate and behind its outer edge. A jar clamp, located above the dead plate and having a resilient lower surface, clamps jars to the outer edge of the dead plate after the retort crate is filled. The horizontal positioning assembly then moves the carriage and retort crate therewith away from the dead plate a short distance providing seating space for imperfectly clamped jars. The containers are then indexed down one level via the floor cylinder and jar loading sensor. The horizontal positioning assembly then moves the retort crate back under the dead plate. A circular sweep ring having a downwardly and outwardly beveled interior surface is also disclosed. During unloading, the horizontal position assembly, jar unload sensor, floor cylinder and sweep ring combine to position the crate, index the layers of containers and sweep the upper layer onto the conveyor.