US1627853A - Method of and apparatus for charging containers with ice cream or other material - Google Patents

Description

' 1 1927 I v I 1,627,853 May F. x. KUHN METHOD OF'AND APPARATUS FOR CHARGING CONTAINERS WITH 1cm CREAM on OTHER MATERIAL v Filed Jul.v 27, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IllIlIIfilIlIII/llllllI!!! v Invenioir'} I mderz'eitl Kmen,

1,627,853 May 1927' F x. KUHN METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CHARGING CONTAINERS wrrn ICE CREAM OR OTHER MATERIAL Filed July 2;. 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 I Inventor:

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' 1,627,853 May 10, 1927. F. X KUHN METHOD OF AND APPARAT 5 FOR CHARGING CONTAINERS WITH ICE CREAM OR OTHER MATERIAL File Jul 27 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 lien/6min": Fir'ederiviz X. Kazan,

ARGIN MATE 1923 May 10, 1927.

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llIllIIII'I'IIIIIIII'IIII4 1,627,853 May 10, 1927. KUHN METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CHARGING CONTAINERS WITH ICE CREAM OR OTHER MATERIAL Filed Jul.v 27, 1923 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 lnvemr: Fredewa'czc X. Kuhn,

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Patented May 10, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK X. KUHN, OF WALTHAH, MASSACHUSETTS.

. 'EETHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CHARGING CONTAINERS WITH ICE OB OTHER MATERIAL.

Application filed July 27,

This invention relates to methods of and apparatus for charging containers with material, such as ice cream, and consists in improvements whereby this operation is improved, simplificd and expedited.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the following descriptionwhen taken in connection with the accompanying illustration of one specific embodiment thereof, while its scope will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 1

In the drawings,-

Fig. 1- is a plan view showing a machine for charging a container with three flavors of ice cream, the charge being separated into a number of individual portions;

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan on a somewhat enlarged scale showing the charging chamber and supply conduits;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation, in partial section, of the machine shown .in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation in partial section on the line 4--4 in Fig. 3 showing the same machine;

Fig. 5 is a front sectional elevation on an enlarged scale showing the charging chamher and associated parts in operative rela tion to the container and its associated parts;

Fig. 6 1s a sectional elevation of the same parts taken on the line 6-6 in Fig. 5 and looking at the same at right angles thereto;

Fig. 7 is a section in plan taken through the container on the line 7-7 in Fig. 5:

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the frame or support for the separating paper or other material employed;

Fig. 9 shows the container charged with individual, separated portions of ice cream after removal from its metallic cage or form; and

Figs. 10 and 11 show the method of and apparatus for installing the separating material in the container.

The invention embodies numerous tea tures of novelty which may be employed in various forms, separately as well as in combination, and may have widely diflerent appli'cations, but herein for illustrative purposes I have shown the same embodied in an apparatus capable through a simple operation of charging a container, such as a pasteboard carton, in block or brick form with .oneor more flavors (herein three) 1923. Serial No. b54447.

of ice cream in a partly frozen condition, the latter, however, being separated by waxed paper or other suitable separating material, previously installed in the container, into an number (herein seven) of individual portions. The container with its partly frozen individually separated portions is then subjected to a low temperature to further harden or solidify the cream, and, when later opened, the individual portions may [be readily separated one from the other.

the machine there shown is provided with a bed plate 13 resting on the supporting legs 15. On the bed plate 13 there are provided supports 17 which carry the supporting plate 19 for the charging. chamber, which latter is contained within the casing 21. Beneath the charging chamber and guided by suitably formed upright flanges 23 (see Fig. 4) presented bythe table 13, there is provided a vertically movable seat or rest 25 in which the container and its form or cage may be inserted from the front of the machine and through which, together with suitable controlling devices, the container may be presented in operative relation to the charging chamber, as will more fully appear.

In the operation'of the device, the partly frozen ice cream in a semi-fluid state is forced laterally into the charging chamber from the supply, the bottom of the chamber being at that time closed. The container having been brought into operative relation to the chamber through a system of valves under the control of the operator, the supply is cut oil' and the charging chamber opened to the container aid the ice cream is then forced downwardly into the container under the pressure of a. plunger or other 100 suitable expressing device.

Referring first to the ice cream supply, the latter is maintained in one or more supply chambers, which are herein supported from the brackets 27 carried by the bed plate 13. There may be one or any number of such chambers having communication with the charging chamber, but herein there are shown three supply containers, 29, 31, 33, each with its supply chamberadapted to be filled with ice cream of different flavors and communicating with the charging chamber through separate supply passages 35, 37, 39. respectively, which passages connect each at the bottom of its res ective supply chamber with the side of the charging chamber. The v supply chambers, and such portions of the supply passages and char ing chamber as may e required, are preferably provided with a jacket which affords a cooling space 41 to -form a art of a cooling system connected to the intake and outlet pipes 43,'45 respectively, through which brine orv other suitable cooling'fiuid may be circulatedto keep the supply at the required low temperature and *to maintain the desired degree of viscosity. The supply chambers are filled ,each with its respective flavor of ice cream in a partly frozen state,one-third frozen as it is commonl ter'rned,-andthe supply is preferably rep enished from time tot me 'as may be needed. Access} is had to,the supply chambers through the covers 47, the 'lat- I ter being readily removable but seemed to the supply receptacles by any suitable means,

i such as the bayonet joint 49 (Fig. 3), which will hold the cover tight'and permit a suitable pressure to be maintained within the su ply chamber. I I

ach supply chamber is preferably provided with means to agitate the cream and prevent it from freezing to the sides. An

suitable means may be employed for this purpose, but herein there are provided for each container four upright scrapers 50 oper-:

atively related to the inner walls of the container and provided eachwith sets of blades or paddles 51 all mounted on the rotary frame 53 and adaptedto rotate within the supply chamber. This rotation may be power driven and'automatic, but herein the same is effected intermittently each time the charging apparatus is operated. For this purpose each frame'is connected to an upright shaft 55 passin through the bottom of its chamber and has secured to itthe sprocket wheel 57, the several sprocket wheels being simultaneously turned by means of the chain 59. The middle sprocket wheel is provided with a beveled gear 59 meshing with a similar gear 61, the latter in turn driven through a chain and sprocket wheel drive 63 from the stud shaft 65. The latter has secured to it the ratchet 67 and is adapted to be turned from time to time a part revolution by'means of the pawl 69 on the pawl lever 71 which latter is raised and lowered each time the foot lever 73 is operated by means of the link 7 5, lever 77 and rock shaft 79. As will more fully appear, the foot lever 73 is depressed preceding each charging operation and this at the same time serves to give the necessary rotary movement to the blades and scrapers within the supply chamber.

Referring now to the casingi21 and the charging l ter is vided by partitions into separatechamber within the sam e, the latpartscorres onding in number to the numer of supp y chambers, there being herein pending separate portions or tongues 89, 91, 93 which close or 0 en communication as the 4 valve 87 is lowere (Fig. 2) or raised (Fig. 5). The tongues work in grooved guideways formed in the walls of the. casing 21. To operate the supply valve 87, the latter is connected by the link 95 to the arm 97, the opposite end of the latter being secured to the rock shaft '99 journaled in the upright supports 101, 103.;

As will more fully appear, the rock shaft is normally turned to open the supply. valve and, when this condition pertains, a charge of the semifluid, partly frozencream passes from each supply chamber through the connecting supply passage and enters the corresponding chargingchamber, so that each of the three charging chambers becomes filled with ice cream of its particular kind or flavor. To facilitate the complete and quick filling of the charging chambers withthe ice cream, suitable means are preferably employed to force the cream into the charging chambers in addition to the force of gravity arising from the weight of the cream alone. For this purpose means are herein shown for introducing compressed air to the top of each supply chamber, this being achieved by means 0 the supply 4 ipe 105. connected to any suitable source of compressed air supply and having communication through sev- -eral branch pipes 107 with the top of each supply chamber.

At some suitable point in the supply pipe, a valve 109 is provided, which valve (Fig. 4) is normally closed to cut off compressed air from the supply chambers by means of the lifting spring 111. \Vhen the su ply valve 87 is opened (as will more fiilly appear) the air valve is also opened by means of an arm 113 carried on the upright rod 115 and overlying the stem of the valve, so that on downward movement it serves to depress the latter, compressing the spring 111 and opening the valve. It therefore follows thatwhen the supply valve is opened air pressure is simultaneously supplied to force the cream into the charging chamber, and when the supply valve is closed air pressure is cut oil". c

While the cream is being forced into the chamber and at all times while the supply .valve 87 is in its open or raised position,

of the lever arm 119, the latter connected to cream in the three sub-divisions of the the rock shaft 99 and adapted to-be moved thereby to.close the bottom of the delivery ehambeigorto open the same, as the case may be. 1

After thesupply valve has been closed and the delivery valve opened, the container having been previously raised into operative relation beneath the chamber (as is hereinafter more fully described), the charge dof elivery chamber is forcibly expelled through the open bottom of the dellvery chamber into the container by suitable expressing means, which herein comprises a plunger 121 fitting the charging chamber and adapted to move up and down within the same, the plunger being slotted to work in each of the three sub-divisions of the charging chamber.

To raise and lower the plunger, the latter has a link connection 123 to a lever arm 125' pivoted at 127 to an upright support 129 carried by the machine bed plate 13. The arm 125 has connection through the turnbuckle or other adjusting device 131 with the rod 133, the latter being normally elevated to maintain the plunger in its uppermost position by means of the compression spring 135, one end of which is seated against the bed 13 and the other end against the collar 137 and the rodf133. A second collar 139 on the rod abuts against the bottom of the table and determines the uppermost position of the plunger. The bottom of the link 133 is connected to an arm 141, which in turn is secured to a foot treadle 143. Vhen the foottreadle is depressed the plunger also is depressed and the cream expelled from the charging chamber. When the foot treadle is released the spring l35raises the plunger to its normal position.

The capacity of the charging chamber varies according to the position which the plunger 121 occupies when the c cam is delivered to the charging chamber. In order to measure and adjust the amount of the charge, I have herein shown the side of the plunger (see Fig. 3) provided with graduations 145 constituting a scale which may be read in connection with an edge or re erence mark on the side of the casing 21. The turnbuckle 131 provides means for adjustably raising or lowering the flange in its normal position to vary the capacity of the charging chamber, and the scale 145 may be marked in terms of ounces or other units employed in measuring the charge of cream.

Before describing the construction of the container and its preparation for the charging operation, the operation of the machine as so far described may be explained. In the normal or starting position of the machine the supply valve 17 is open and the discharge valve 117 closed. so that. the cream is forced into the three sub-divisions of the charging chamber, as indicated in Figs. 5 and 6. The plunger 121 is elevated and the quantity of the charge is dependent on the position-to which the plunger has been previously adjusted by the turnbuckle connection to correspond to the capacity of the container. The container having been placed on the seat 25, the latter is then elevated to bring its open mouth firmly against the un der side of the support 19, and in registra tion with the bottom of the discharge chamber so that, when: the valve 117 is subsequently opened. the container will be in communication with the chamber. the container, the seat 25 has a jointed connection 146 to the lever arm 147, which latter is pivoted at 149 to the bottom of the bed plate. The opposite end ofthe lever is forked and embraces the upright rod 115 and lies between the two abutting I sleeves 151, 153 both slidable on the rod. The lower abutment is pressed against the lever by means of the spring 155, the lower end of which seats against the collar 157 secured to the rod, so that as the rod is lifted the forked end of the lever is raised by the spring 155 and the container elevated. When the rod is lowered the forked end of the lever is kept seated against the abutment 151 to lower the container by means of the spring .159, one end of which seats against the abutment 153 and the opposite end against the collar 161 also secured to the rod. The lower end of the rod 115 rests against the stop piece 163 and has jointed connection to the arm 165 secured to the rock shaft 79, the latter also having secured thereto the foot treadle 73 which is depressed at the proper time to raise the rod. \Vhen the pressure is released the rod is automatically lowered through the action of the weight 169.

The foot treadle having been depressed and the container lifted to seat against the bottom of the charging chamber, further de- To thus raise pression of the treadle and elevation of the rod 115 serves to compress the spring 155 and increase the seating prescurc against the container. As the rod rises, the arm air-valve control 113 moves with it, releasing the stem for the air valve 109 which automatically closes and shuts off compressed air from the ice cream in the supply chambers. The rod 115 continuing to rise. the arm 113 is brought into contact with the bottom of a sleeve 170 slidahly mounted on the rod 115 and connected to the forked end of the lever arm 171 which latter is secured to the rock shaft 99, and herein constitutes one arm of on I With the foot treadle 73 full depressed,

-it may be held in that osition w ile the container is charged, eit er by the continued pressure of the foot of the operator or b a pivoted spring-pressed latch lever 173 (liig. 3) which acts automatically to lock the treadle in depressed position, but may thrust to one side b the foot of the operator to release the tread e at will;

Immediately following the pressure of the foot treadle 73, the operator depresses the foot treadle 143 and thereby lowers the lever arm 135 and the three-part charging plunger 121, which latter, descending through three sub-divisions of the charging chamber, forcibly expels the ice cream therein contained, forcing it into the underlying container which it is caused compactly to fill.

It will be observed that the cream is forced intothe charging chamber under extraneous pressure so that the several compartments of the latter are completely filled, that the charging chamber is then cut oil from the supply so that a charge of definite and predetermined measured amount is prepared, and that such measured charge is expelled from the chargingchamber into the con tainer by the extraneous pressure acting at substantially right angles to the charging pressure exerted simultaneously. and uniformly against the cream in the several compartments, so that a predetermined charge of the several kinds of cream enters the container and these are insubstantially the same geometrical relation which they had in the charging chamber. That is to say, the container may be charged with the severalvarieties of cream separated along approximate geometrical planes instead of more or less intermingled or irregularly separated. I As soon as the plunger has been depressed, the footpressure is released from the treadle 143 and the spring 135 rai es the plunger again to its normal position. The foot treadle 73 is then released which causes closure 'of the deliveryvalve 117 and the opening of the supply valve 87, this being immediately followed by the opening of the air valve 109 and the lowering of the container. The latter is then removed, replaced by another container and the opera tion again completed.

It will be observed that each time the foot treadle 73 is depressed the ratchet 67 is given a part turn through the actuated pawl 69 and the blades and scra ers simultaneously rotated in each one o the icecream supply chambers.

While the above described apparatus may be usefully employed to fill containers with undivided charges, I have herein disclosed the same in connection with a container specially prepared so that it may be charged with individual portions, readily separable when the container is opened, each individual portion consisting of either one or a number of different kinds of flavors of ice cream, according to whether the charge in.- troduced into the charging chamber consists of one or more kinds. Through this means the container, in the form of a cardboard car ton if desired, which is to be delivered to the ultimate consumer, may be directly charged with the partly frozen cream consisting of individual portions with separating wrappers and consisting each of a plurality of kinds, but assembled in brick form and the contents then hardened, the packing when delivered 'to the consumer being readily separable into its individual parts with individual wrappers if desired.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 5 and 9 inclusive, the container is shown as consisting of a box 175 rectangular in cross section. This may be an ordinary cardboard box or carton and is herein shown as provided with a cover 177 adapted to be folded over to close the open top of the box when the latter is filled. To present acontainer of cardboard or other yielding material to the charging operation, there is provided a rigid form or cage 179 in which the carton is adapted to fit such cage, herein in the form of sheet metal,being herein split at 181 (see Fig. 7) in two equal parts, which latter have telescopic connection with each'other so. that by pulling its opposite ends apart the cage can readily be separated from the filled carton. The open top of the cage is provided with flanged edges, as, for example, 183 and 185 (Fig. 6), to permit the container to be pressed up tightly against the bottom of the support 19 and theopen top or mouth of the cage, and the assembled carton is such as to register with substantial exactness with the mouth of the charging chamber.

In order to char e the container with individual, separated portions of ice cream, the container is prepared for the charging operation by having installed thereinseparating members which during the charging operation are held in such position that they separate the charge transversely into a number of equal individual portions.

Any suitable material and prepared in any suitable form may be employed for this purpose, but in the illustrative embodiment of the invention the separating material conprovided in various ways, same consists of a U-shaped sists of a continuous sheet 187 of waxed or paraflined paper of somewhat less than the width of the container and arranged in folded or draped relation over a series of transverse supporting lingers 189 the latter forming part of a removable support, so that a series of equi-dimensioned pockets are formed by the sepm'atingstrip into which the ice cream is forced by the. charging plunger, the supporting Lingers being subsequently withdrawn after the charging operation and be-. fore the container is closed. The temporary support for the separating material may be but herein the rest (seeFig. 8) comprising the plate 191 with the side arms 193. The arms 193 are adapted toembrace the ends of the cage (see Fig. 5), while the plate 191 rests upon one flanged edge 185 of the-cage see Fig. 6), the transverse fingers 189 "bridging the space across the open mouth of the container and cage and having their opposite ends resting on the opposite flanged edges 183 thereof. The flanged edge 185 is lower than the edge 183 so that when the container is pressed up toward the charging chamber the assembled parts may be pressed against the underside of the support 19 in such relation as to form a tight seal, the bottom of the support 19 being preferably provided with a gasket 194 of rubber or other yielding material to assist in forming the seal.

In preparing the container for the charging operation, the carton 175 is first inserted in the cage 179. The carton may then be lined if desired with one or more strips of waxed paper 195 arranged therein transverse to the long dimension. The cover177, being folded back, the temporary supporting grid is then placed on the cage in the position in which it is shown as occupying/ in Figs. 5 and 6, and the separating strip 187 running lengthwise the long dimension of the carton is'then installed to form the separating pockets.

As a simple and convenient means of installing the separating material in the carton, I have shown the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11. The cage 179 with the earton 175 and the supporting fingers 189, all assembled as just described, are placed upon a supporting table 197 between the"two locating pieces 199. A strip of waxed paper 187 is then drawn from the supply reel 201 .over the carton, its length being measured by drawing it until it contacts with the stop 203. I The measured strip is then cut by the cutter 204 and the severed length forced down in between the supporting fingers 189 to form the pockets, this being performed in the disclosed apparatus by the following described devices.

The plunger 205 carrying K prick points 207 is first depressed by means 0 the handle 209 to engage the paper near the middle of the fingersLnIn the illustrative form of device carton and carry it down between successive the handle 209 has also secured to it adjoining plungers 211, 213, each of the latter carrying small rollers 215 separated at about the'width of the space between adjoining.

fingers, so that as the three plungers descend the paper is folded down to form the middle andtwo adjoining pockets and is there held in position while the two adjacent handles 217, 219 are depressed, each carrying plungers equipped with ,rollers 215 so as to fold in the paper for the remaining pockets. This leaves the plungers and the paper in the relative position shown in Fig. 11. The central plunger is then allowed to lift, and immediately afterward the two adjoining plungers are raised, leaving the paper folded in and forming the required adjoining pockets with strips overlying each end of the container. To increase the adherence of the paper to the canton and to avoid the possibility of the withdrawal of the paper when, the plungers are lifted, the bottom of the carton, prior to the insertion of the paper, may be coated with some semi-ad esive substance such, for example, as a light brushing of fruit juice.

The container with its cage is then in condition to be inserted in the machine and raised into charging position, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. As soon as the container is charged it is withdrawn from the machine, the supporting fingers and cage removed,

the free ends of the waxed paper 175 and 187 folded'over the to of the filled carton (as shown in Fig. 9), t e cover folded down and the box with its contents placed in a freezing chamber, where the cream is further solidified. When the carton is o ened, if

the ends of the paper 187 are pul ed sepa-" rate individual portions will readily separate, or by pulling away each successive end portion and tearing away its wrapper along the line of fold, each portion may be individually handled with its wrapper intact.

While I have herein shown the container prepared to receive seven individual portions, obviously by varying the number of supporting fingers in the support six, eight or any number of individual portions may be frozen state to be subsequently hardened, having means for charging said container 7 and simultaneously presenting to the charged material membranous separating walls separate from the container, andadapted to sub-divide the subsequently hardened container contents into individual "portions.

2. The method of charging a container with ice cream or similar material in a partly frozen state which consists in charging the container'with the material and in simultaneously presenting to the charged contents thin separating members apart from the container to sub-divide the bulk contents thereof into individual portions.

3. The method of charging a container with ice'cream or similar material which consists in preparin the container with separating material to orm separate compartments or subdivisions of said container, and charging said compartments simultaneously with the semi-solid material to provide separated, individual portions.

4. The method of charging a container with ice cream or similar material in a partly frozen state which consists in installing in said container a strip of separating material, holding the same to form separate pockets or compartments, and introducing the material simultaneously into said compartments.

5. The method of charging a. container with ice cream or similar material in a partly frozen state which consists in charging said container while holding sheets of separating material arranged at intervals therein to constitute separating partitions or walls sub-dividing said container into separated compartments, and forcing the material into said compartments.

6. The method of charging a container with ice cream or similar material which consists in arranging at separated intervals in a partitionless cardboard carton strips of waxed paper or other thin separating material, holding the same in predetermined position, and forcing'the material into the several compartments thus formed.

7'. The method of charging a container with ice cream or similar material which consists in introducing the .material in a semi-solid state into a charging chamber, arranging within a carton a strip of separating material in folded relation to form a succession of pockets within said carton, holding the material within said carton, presenting the carton to'the charging chamber, expressing the material simultaneously into said compartments, and subjecting the carton to further freezing to harden the contents.

8. An apparatus for charging a container with individual portions of ice cream or similar material comprising a rigid holder or cage for the container, and a support for the separating material adapted to hold a strip of separating material in folded rela tion to provide a plurality of pockets or compartments a charging chamber, means for holding said cage and container in charging relation to said'chamber, and means forv delivering the charge simultaneously to said pockets or compartments.

9. An apparatus for charging a container 'with individual portions of ice cream or similar material, comprising a rigid holder or cage for. the container, a support for the separating material comprising .a frame adapted to rest on the holder and having a plurality of separated holding members adapted to lie across the mouth of the container at separated intervalsand to hold the container at separated intervals and hold.

separating material thereat, said support being adapted to be withdrawn after the container has been filled a charging chamber, means for holding the support and container in charging relation to said chamber, and means for delivering acharge simultaneously between. the material holding members.

11. In an apparatus for charging a con tainer with individual portions of ice cream or similar material, a support for separating material comprising a frame having a series of material supporting fingers adapted to lie across the mouth of the container at separated intervals while the container is bein chargeda charging chamber, means for olding the support and container in charging relation to said chamber, and means for delivering a charge simultaneously between the supporting fingers.

12. In an apparatus for-charging a container with ice cream'or similar material, a rigid cage or holder for a non-rigid container comprising separable portions, a charging chamber, and means for holding the holder and its container in operative relation to the charging chamber.

13. An apparatus for char 'ng a container I with individual portions 0 ice cream or similar material comprising a charging chamber, means for presenting in operative relation thereto the open mouth of an unpartitioned container, means for charging the chamber, and devices for charging the I container from the charging chamber with individual, separated portions.

14. An apparatus for charging a container with individual portions of ice 'cream or similar material having a charging chain-- ber, means for charging the same, means for presenting the open mouth of a container in operative relation to the charging chamber, means for forcing the material from the charging chamber into the container, devices transversely the mouth of the container to sub-divide the material into individual portions in the container, and said apparatus having provision for presenting separating material between such subdivided individual portions. v

15. An apparatus for charging a container with individual portions of ice cream or smilar material having a plurality of compartments, means for charging the same with different kinds of material, means for presenting the open mouth of the container in operative relation to the mouth of the charging chamber, means for delivering the charge simultaneously fromsaid plurality of com partments into the container, devices presented transversely to the charge at intervals across the mouth of the container transverse to the said compartments and arranged to sub-divide the charge into individual portions, and said apparatus having provision for presenting sepmating material between such individual portions.

16. In an apparatus for charging a container with ice cream or similar material, the combination with a charging .chamber, of means for charging the same, means to present the open mouth of the container operative relation to the delivery end of said chamber, means for presenting devices arranged at separated intervals across the mouth of said container and said delivery chamber to sub-divide the charge when delivered to the container, and means for delivering the charge to said container, said devices also serving as a support during the charging operation for separating the material. 'I-

17. In an apparatus for charging a container with ice cream or similar material, the combination with a charging chamber, of means for charging the same, means to present the open mouth of the container in operative relation to the delivery end of said chamber, means for presenting devices arranged at separated intervals across the mouth of said container and said delivery chamber to sub-divide the charge when delivered to the container, and means for delivering the charge to said container, said devices serving as a support for a continuous strip of material arranged in folded relation to present individual pockets or compartments to the charge.

18. An apparatus for charging a container with icecream or similar material comprising an apparatus for charging a container in brick form with individual portions of ice cream or' similar material, a charging chamber having a brick form ation, means for charging the same .with a pluralit of portions of difierent material separated al ong substantially parallel lanes, means for presenting the mouth of delivery mouth of the charging chamber, and devices for deliveringthe charge to the container and devices to present to the charge separators apart from the container and serving to separate the charge into indi vidual portions sub-divided'alongplanes at right angles to the planes of separation of the difierent kinds of material..

19. In an apparatus for charging a container with individual portions of ice cream or similar material, the combination with a charging chamber, means for delivering a charge of material from said chamber to an operatively related container, and separating devices adapted to be inserted between the container and the charging chamber during the charging operation, and arranged at intervals to sub-divide the charge into individual portions, said devices also acting to hold separating material to separate the individual portions.

20. In a machine for charging a container. with individual portions of ice cream or similar material, the combination .with a charging chamber, a supply chamber, means to introduce a charge of material from the supply chamber to the charging chamber, a delivery valve, means to present the container in close sealedrelation to the mouth of the charging chamber, means for opening the delivery valve and operating the plunger to express the charge into the container, a removable holder presenting a series of separated fingers transverse the container and adapted to hold the separating material, whereby the contents of the container when removed is divided into individual portions separated by said separating material.

21. In a machine for charging a container with individual portions of ice cream or similar material, the combination with a charging chamber, a supply chamber, means to introduce a charge of material from the supply chamber to the charging chamber, a delivery valve, means to present the container in close sealed relation to the mouth of the charging chamber, means for opening the delivery valve and operating the plunger to express the charge into the container, a removable holder adapted to hold a strip of separating material in folded relation in the container to form a succession of pockets or compartments, whereby the charge is subdivided into'individual portions, and separated by the walls of said compartments.

the container to the 22; In an apparatus for packaging frozen material such as ice cream or the llke n a carton or other container in which the same' is to be hardened and transported for'delivery to the consumer, the combination with a plurality of supply chambers for holding a plurality of kinds of material in a part1y frozen condition, of means for deliverlng the charge of such material to an unpartitioned carton, said charge consisting ota portion of each kind, means for holding in position in said carton while the same is being charged with said partly-frozen material a plurality of separating members comprising thin membranous wall incapable of self support and arranged to sub-divide the charged material into individual portions, each portion comprising a part of each kind of said material, said holding means being removable to leave said separating members in the carton whereby the subsequently hardened package comprises a series of individual portions separated by said separating members assembled and hardened in brick form in. the original container.

23. Ina device for filling a container with individual ortions of ice cream or similar material, a older for an unpartltioned carton, and devices arranged across the mouth of said carton to support separating material to separate the individual portions.

24. In a device for filling a container with individual portions of ice cream or similar material, a holder for an unpartitioned carton, and means associated with said holder adapted to present in said carton sheets of separating material arranged at intervals therein to constitute separating partitions or walls and sub-dividing the carton into separated compartments.

25. In a device for filling a container with individual portions of ice cream or similar FREDERICK X. KUHN.

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