US1859074A - Glassware forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

May 17, 1932.

A. N. CRAMER 1,859,074

GLASSWARE FORMING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 50, 1928' 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 17, 1932. A. N CRAMER GLASSWARE FORMING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 50, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet May 17, 1932. A. N CRAMER GLASSWARE FORMING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 30, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 A. N. CRAMER 1,859,074

GLAS SWARE FORMING APPARATUS May 17, 1932.

Filed Nov. 30, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 May 17, 1932. A. N. CRAMER GLASSWARE FORMING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 30, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 gymnko'a a o rum Patented May 17, 1932 STATES ALBERT N. GRAMER, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR 10 OWENS-ILLINOIS GLASS COMPAQ. Y, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, CORPORATION OF OHIO GLASSWARE FORMING- APPARATUS Application filed November 30, 1928. Serial No. 322,795.

My invention relates to improvements in glassware forming apparatus and more particularly to means for handling bottles and similar articles after discharge thereof from the forming machines and while saidarticles are more or less plastic and therefore easily distorted.

In the manufacture of blown articles such as bottles and ars they are discharged from the forming machines while extremely hot and more or less plastic. Accordingly-itis necessary to handle the articles with extreme care at this stage of production to avoid distortion thereof. Production of bottles and jars of maximum strength involves among other things, final setting of the centers of the bottom portions in a plane above themargin of the latter so that the Weight of the containers or downward pressure on the containers during sealing thereof is confined to the margin of the bottoms and side walls of the containers rather than to the central portions. If the bottoms are otherwise formed and as a result carry the weight of the containers and are subject to pressure as above stated, breakage almost invariably results. Because of the fact that the bottom portions of glass containers and particularly large articles such as gallon packers? are quite heavy, and therefore retain heat for quite a period of time, it isnecessary to provide some supporting means designed to prevent sagging of central portions of the bottoms'of such ware.

An object of the present invention is to provide novel means to support the ware bottoms against sagging during the cooling and setting period and so locate said means with respect to the discharge station of a forming machine that the timeinterval between the discharge'of an article and placing the article upon said forming means is extremely short. To this end the invention comprises a series of bottom forming plates shaped to correspond with the intendedshape of the lower surfaces of the ware and automatic means positioned between said bottom forming means and a forming machine at the dis charge station of the latter, to receive articles from the machine and place them upright uponthe bottom forming plates.

Another object is to provide improved means for receiving articles at the discharge station ofa forming machine in a ,cumbent position and placing themupright upon suitable support or supportssuch, for example, as thebottom forming plates. To this end this feature of the invention consists in a series of expansible holders or jaws which grip the sides of the articles and move in a from a cumbent positionat a receiving station to a-nupright position at a discharge or transfer station. 1 V

A further objectis to provide an apparatus of the above character in which the several elements are so closely related that the containers discharged from the forming machine are placed upon the bottom forming plates beforethe bottoms of the ware have changed their original position to any appreciable degree.

WVhi-le this apparatus is particularly adapted for use in the handling of glassware as above pointed out, it is obvious that it may closed path, moving the articles in succession be employed to advantage'in" other artsor trades in the; transfer of articles from one point to another where the circumstances require changing the position ofthe articles substantially as herein disclosed.

Other objects will be apparent hereinafter. In the drawings illustrating one embodiment of the invention e Fig. 1 is aside elevation with parts in section. v

; Fig. 2 1s a vertical sectional view of. one of the bottom forming plates in its lowermost position. a r Fig. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus. Fig. 4c is a fragmentary detail plan View showing the manner in which the holders or carriers place articles upon the bottom forming plates.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional'elevation showing in particular the setting-up mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a detail vertical sectional view of the setting-up device showing the cams which control the positions of the holders.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 6.

F ig. 8 is an elevation in detail showing the construction of one of the holders.

Fi 9 is a sectional view taken along the Line FX IX of Fig. 8.

Figs. 10 to 16 inclusive illustrate another form of setting-up device.

Fig. 10 is a sectional elevational thereof.

Fig. 11 is a detail elevation showing one of the holders in the transfer position .just prior toremoval of a bottle therefrom. I

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11' showing the bottom plate removed from beneath the bottle and the latter resting upon a conveyor.

Fig. 13 is a plan view partly in section of one of the holders positioned at the transfer station as shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. '14 is a plan view with parts in sectionshowing the holder and bottom plate positioned as shown in Fig. 12.

' Fig. '15 is an end elevation of one of the holders showing the bottom plate in its normal position.

. Fig. 16 is a View similar to Fig. 15 but showing the holder at the receiving station and bottom plate moved to one side to permit entry of a bottle or similar article into the holder substantially as shown in Fig. 10.

In the embodiment of the invention il lustrated herein, a bottom forming table 10 is positioned adjacent the discharge chute 11 or trough thruwhich bottles B or similar containers move by gravity from the finishing mold 12 of a blowing machine (not shown) 4 to,the setting-up mechanism 13, the latter interposed between the discharge end of the chute 11 and the bottom forming table 10.

The bottom forming table 10 (Figsil and 2) is rotatively mounted upon a pedestal 14 including a gear housing 14?, theupper and.

lower sides of the latter supporting a shaft '15 extending vertically upward above the housing and rotatively' carrying a base plate 16 comprising a part of the forming table 10. Arms 17 extend radially outward and upward from the margin, of the base plate 16 and support an annular frameconsisting of a pair of concentric rings 18 arranged in the same horizontal plane and suitably connected together, said frame carrying a series of plates 19 formed with vertical openings 20 in which bottom forming plates 21 are arranged.

Each-bottom forming plate 21 (Figs. 1 and i 2-) includes a base member 22 formed with an upstanding peripheral flange 22 and with a depending boss 22 at its center. This boss 22 is formed with an axial opening aligned with a guide opening in a block 24 positioned beneath the disk 22. The block 2 1 is connecta tween the boss 22 and the block 24 to hold the rod against accidental rotating in the boss 22. Projecting axially from the lower end of'each guide rod is a roundheaded screw 29 or similar element adjustable lengthwise of said rod by reason of its threaded connection to the latter. A look nut 30 provides means of securing the screw 29 in any adjusted position. Thislatter feature,-as will be pointed out presently, provides for changing the extent to which the push rods 23 lift the plates 1 V The Vertical relation between the center disk 26 and the upstanding flange on the base 22 is determined by'the depth of-the bottom recess" in bottles or similar containers to be supported on the bottom forming plates. The

shape of the upper side of the center disk 26 is governed by the intended shape of the low varying conditions, the locknut 27 is moved downwardly away from the boss 22 so that the guide rod 23 and center disk 26 may be rotated relative to the base member 22. This adjustment predetermines the extent to which the center disk 26 projects into the bottoms of bottles supported on the plates. When the '11s proper adjustment has been obtained thenut 27 is turned into locking position. 'The screw 29 extending from the lowerendof the guide rod 23 ride s over the cam 28 at regular in- V tervals, said cam beingdesigned to raise the bottom forming plates at the receiving and discharge stations A and C respectively to positions in a plane with the upper face of the annular frame. Because of the varioiiis adjusted posltlons occupled by the center disk 26 and guide rod 23 relative to the base mem ber 22 and the necessity for bringing the bottom forming plates 21 into a horizontal plane with the upper face of the annular frame as above stated, it is necessary to regulate the effectiveness of the guide rods from time to time so that the. plates will be properly elevated; By loosening the lock nut 30 andthen adjusting the screw 29 toward or fromthe rod 1 23 the above result may be obtained quite readily. V

' 10, includes a pedestal 34 The stationary cam 28 above referred to as means for controlling vertical movement of the bottom forming plates 21 is positioned below the bottomforming plates and extends in an are from a point just beyond the station A. i The cam holds the bottom forming plates in their uppermost positions while bottles are being placed upon said plate. Shortly after a bottom plate with the article supported thereon moves away from the station A, saidplate and bottle move downwardly to thereby position the lower portion of the bottle in the opening 20. This prevents lateral movement of the bottle on the forming plate. Just before said bottom plate and bottle reach the station the cam lifts the plate to a position in which the bottle thereon may be swept laterally from its supporting plate.

Bottles or similar articles are placed in upright positions upon the bottom forming plates at station A and move in a circular path, due to rotation of the table 10, to a discharge station C where a continuously rotating star wheel 31 or similar transfer device, engages the bottles one at a time and moves them laterally over a: table 31 to positions upon a belt conveyor 32 or some other form of conveying means. I A guide rail 33 extends in an are about a portion of the star wheel 31 and over the path of travel of the bottom forming plates to assist the star wheel in transferring the articles to the belt conveyor 32. This star wheel 31 is continuously rotated in proper timed relation to movement of the table by the motor 43.

The setting-up device 13 which is of the rotary type, is positioned between the discharge chute 11 and the bottom forming table (Figs. 1, 5 and 6), having a gear housing 35 at its upper end. A tubular frame 36 extends vertically upward from the cap plate 35 of the gear housing 35 and encloses a major portion of a tubular shaft 37 (Fig. 5), the lower end of the latter being supported upon a thrust bearing 38 and carrying a worm gear 39 running in mesh with a worm 40, the latter fixed upon a shaft 41. The worm 40 and worm gear 39 are onclosed in the gear housing 35. The shaft 41 carries a sprocket 42 which is rotated by a motor 43 (Fig; 1), rotary movement being imparted to the sprocket 42 thru. a line shaft 44 and sprocket 45, the latter and the first named sprocket 42 being connected together by a sprocket chain 46. The motor. 43 Fig. 1) also operates thru the line sh aft 44, sprocle ets 47 and 49 and a sprocket chain 48 trained over said sprockets to drive a worm 14 3) meshing with a worm gear 14,said w rm and worm gear being enclosed in said housing 14. The worm gear 14 is fixed to the vertical shaft 15 and imparts rotary motion to said shaft.

A sprocket 50 (Figs. 1 and 5) is secured to the holders. tactwith the cain roll 68 (Fig. 8) onthe rock the vertical tubular shaft 37 and is connected thru a sprocket chain 51 to a sprocket 52 fixed to a vertical shaft 53 upon which the star wheel 34, previously referred to, is mounted.

An idler 54 supported on a swinging arm 55 is adapted to tension the sprocket chain 51 for obvious reasons. A coil springfil holds the idler against the sprocket chain. I

The upper end of the tubular shaft 37 carries a collar 56 formed with an annular series of radially extending ears 57. .Each earsupports a horizontal hinge pin 58 whose axis is disposed tangentially relative to the path of rotation of the collar 46. V A bottle holder 59 is pivoted near its inner end to each hinge pin 58 thru a clevis 73 8) herein 1 after referred to. Each holder 59 (Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive) is composed of two arcuate jaws 60 and 60 formed with apertured bosses 61 near their meeting'edges, the bosses on the jaw 6O being connected by pins or the like fasteners 63 to a rock shaft 62 extending lengthwise of the holder 59. Such connection between the shaft and bosses is provided so that oscillation of the rock shaft 62 will impart a swinging movement to one jaw 6O whereby the holder alternately gripsand releases articles in a manner hereinafter apparent. A COllSPI'lI'lQ, 64 encircles the rock shaft between the bosses'on the swingingj aw 60 and has one end contacting with said jaw while the other end is seatedin a tensioning device consisting of a collar 65 rotatively mounted upon the rock shaft'62 and adapted. to be held in any adjusted position by a cotter pin 66 or similar fastener. The tension of this spring determines the gripping pressure of the jaws '60 and 60' upon an article therebetween and is readily controlled by manually adjusting the collar 65. The upper end of the rock shaft 62 carries a rock arm 67 upon which a cam roll 68 is journaled. This cam roll 68 periodically contacts with a stationary cam 78 which rocks the arm 67 and opens the jaws 60 and 60 of the holder at regular time intervals in opposition to the spring 64 which normally holds the jaws at the upper end of the stationary supporting rod 70 (Figs. 5 and. 6) diametrically opposite a bottle releasing cam' 69 and in. radial alignmentwith the high portion of a earn 7 6 or track which alternately raises and lowers This cani7 8 is adapted to conarm 67 to impart a jaw opening movement to the rock shaft 62 net before a bottle or similar article enters the holder 59. The cam' 7 8 holds the jaws open until just before the 7 holders begin their downward swinging movement. As the hol'der starts to swing downwardly or just prior to initial downward swinging, therock'ishaft is released from the influence of the cam 78 and due to the action of the spring 64 the shaft 62 is rocked to bring the jaws 60 and 60 into gripping engagement with the bottle. The cam 69 above referred to is formed upon the base plate 69 and positioned between the .aXes of rotation of the bottom forming table 10 and the bottle setting-up device 13. This cam 69 operates thru the rock shaft 62 to open the jaws 60 of a holder 59 at the moment the latter is brought into vertical alignment with one of the bottom forming plates 21 at the station A. In this fashion articles such as bottles are released from the holders and drop a short distance to an upright position upon the bottom forming plates.

The boss 61 at the upper inner end of each non-swinging jaw 60 is of considerable length to provide a substantial bearing for the rock shaft 62' and is formed with an extension 72 embodying the previously mentioned clevis 73 which embraces the upper endof one of the ears 57 and is connected to the hinge pin 58. Thus, it is seen the holders "59 are connected to the rotating collar, 56

(Figs. 4 and 5) in a fashion permitting vertical swinging of the holders radially of the apparatus from a horizontal or cumbent position in, which theyreceive bottles or, the

like, to a pendant or vertical position in which articles are'released from the holders and set upright upon bottom forming plates or some other type of support.

The aforementioned upper boss 61 is formed with an arm 74 carrying a cam roll 75 which rides upon the stationary cam 76, the latter secured to a collar 77 at the upper end of the frame 36 and shapedto swing the holders vertically as above stated. The high portion of the cam 76 is arranged directly opposite the open lower end of the discharge chute 11 and bumper block 11, so that when the holders 59 arrive at a position in longitudinal alignment with the chute said holders position between the jaws 60 of the holders 59. When the jaws close they grip the bottles.

The operation may be stated 'as'follows: The motor 1-3 (Figs. 1 and 3), thru the sprocket chains 46 and 48 imparts continuous rotary movement to the bottom forming table 10 and setting-up mechanism 13, the latter operating thru the sprocket chain 51 to continuously rotate the star wheel 31 by which bottles or similar articles are trans ferred from the forming table 10 to the belt conveyor 82; The finishing molds 12 are broughtat regular time intervals to positions adjacent the upper end of the discharge chute 11 and deposit bottles B neck first into the upper end of the chute. These botties move down the chute 11 by gravity and come to a stop between the jaws of the holder 59, the latter being horizontally dis posed in line with the discharge end of the chute 11. In the event the bottles are moving down the chute quiterapidly they may come in contact with the stop block or bumper 11 which is positioned above, and in line with the axis about which the setting-up mechanism rotates. Thus, the bottles cannot I move entirely thru the holders. 7

The jaws 60 and 60 of each holder'59 are held open while the bottles B arebeing-deposited therein by the action ofthe cam 78 (Fig. 6) upon the rock shafts 62 thru which the jaws are hinged together. As each holder moves in a clockwise direction away from forming plate, the holder jaws are separated a short distance by action of the cam 69 upon the rock shaft 62, thereby releasingthe bottle and allowing it to drop vertically to an upright position upon the bottom forming late. g Q

The cam 69 which, effects separation of the jaws of each holder is of such length, that the jaws 60 are held separated until the bottles B pass beyond the path of rotation of the setting-up niechanisin 1.3 and the holder approaches the station at which bottles are deposited therein. The holders 59 are gradually swung upwardly about their pivots as they approach the bottle receiving station at the lower end of the chute 11 so that they are positioned horizontally as shown indotted lines in Figs. 6 and '2. While in this position bottles B are placed in the holders as previously stated. a

The speed of rotation of the forming table 10 and the diameter thereof are such that by the time a bottle is transferred from the table to the belt conveyor 32, the, glass forming the bottom is chilled and sufficiently set to prevent sagging. V p

The bottom forming plates 21 are sup ported by the cam 28 in their uppermost positions during placing of bottles thereon by the setting-up mechanism and during removal of the bottles therefromby the star wheel 31. This is of considerable advantage in that at the station A it avoids the necessity of dropping the bottles any great distance, and at the station 0 allows lateral movement tation of the setting-up mechanism 18-and the article receiving station A at thelower V the bottom forming plates 21 provides means whereby the time interval between the discharge of a bottle B from the mold 12, and

upright positioning of the bottle upon one. of the bottom forming plates 21 is extremely short and prevents any appreciable degree of sagging of the bottoms, even'tho the glass is quite plastic. The high speed at'which the bottles are placed upon the bottom forming plates, and the retention of the bottles upon the plates until the glass is chilled consider ably and set in the desired shape, practically preclude production of bottles withsagging or otherwise distorted bottoms. This rapid transfer of the glassware from the finishing molds to the bottom forming plates is par ticularly advantageous where the articles are quite large and in which the bottoms are exceptionally thick and consequently chill and set quite slowly. a

In another form of setting-up device, Figs. 10 to 16 inclusive, the holders are of rigid construction and include bottom plates upon which the bottles or similar articles are supported during a portion of their travel.

The pedestal (F lg. 10) is provided at its upper end with a gear housing101 having a removable cap plate 102 which closes the upper side of the housing. A stationary, vertical spindle 105 has its lower end secured in a recess 104 in the bottom wall of thehousing 101. A tubular shaft 106 is mounted to rotate on the spindle 105 and extendsthru a bearing sleeve 103 formed on the cap plate 102. This tubular shaft extends above and below the sleeve 103 and at its lower end is keyed to a worm gear 107 running in mesh with a worm 108 fixed to a rotary shaft 109 which may receive its power from any suitable source.

An annular series of arms110 extend horizontally from the upper portion of the tubular shaft 106 and are formed with upturned ends 111.. The extremities of these upturned ends 111.carry horizontal hinge pins 112 to which article holders or carriers 113 are pivoted. From. the foregoing it is seen that by rotating the shaft 109. the tubular shaft 106 is rotated about the spindle 105 and thereby causes movement of the arms 110 and holders 113 about the axis of said spindle 105. 1

Each article holder 113, in the embodiment illustrated, comprises a pocket substantially V-shaped in cross-section and open at both ends. An ear 114 (Fig. 10) is formed on the under side of each pocket and is pivoted to the hinge-pin 112.. Preferably this ear is arranged a short distance abovethe transverse center line so that the pocket will by gravity assume a vertical position when not moved by mechanical means to other positions. A short curved arm 115 extends lengthwiseof each pocket at a point above the corresponding ear 114 and carries a cam roll 116 running in a continuous closed cam 117 which is arranged above the arms 110 and supported on a hub 118 keyed to the spindle 105. Thus the cam 11? is held against rotation. The cam is of such shape that it rocks the article holders 113 about their pivots 112 in a fashion to support articles such as bottles in a cumbent position at the receiving station E and in an upright position at the discharge or transfer station D.

The article holders 113 are each provided with a swinging bottom plate 119 comprising a disk-like member formed with an arm 120 which is secured to one end of a short spindle 121 whose other end is journaled in a bearing formed in a boss 122 on the under side of the corresponding holder. A coil spring 123 encircles the spindle 121 between the boss 122 an d the extension 120 on the bottom plate and operates to normally yieldingly hold, the I bottom plate in position to close the adjacent open end of the corresponding pocket or holder. A stop finger 124 is secured to one end of the holder and projects across the path of movement of the corresponding bottom plate 119 to. limit the swinging, movement of the latter in one direction. Thecoil spring 123 normally holds the bottom plate in contact with said stop linger 124. The hub 125 thru which the bottom plate 119 is connected'to the spindle 121'carries an arm 12 6 upon which a cam roll 127 is mount-ed.

A cam 128 (Figs. 10 and 16,) is arranged at the receiving station B. This cam is fixed to the outer end of a bracket 1 29 on the gear housing 101 and is shaped to rock the arm 126 and to swing the bottom plate 119 to position shown in Fig. 16 just prior to alignment of the carrier 113 with the chute 130 into whichbottles or similar articles B are discharged from the forming machine and thru which they move by gravity to the holders. A bumper or stop 131 is arranged at the receiving station R and fixed to the upper end of the spindle 105. This block limits lengthwise movement of bottles orsimilar articles as they move into the article holders 113.

A short cam 132 (Figs. 10 and 14)' is fixed to the upper face of the cap plate 102 and is shaped to swing the. bottom plate 119 laterally from beneath the correspiondingpocket or holder 113 and from beneath an article in the holder. This movement of the bottom plate from the position shown Fig. 11, to that shown in Fig. 12 allows the bottle or other article to drop a short distance to an uprightv position upon a conveyor 133 or other support. 7 V i Modifications may beresorted to within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is: Y

1. In combination, a series of bottom forming plates movable in a horizontal plane past an article receiving station, and automatic means to drop articles to upright positions upon the bottom forming plates, said means including an annular series of expa-nsible trough-like holders brought one at a' time to positions over and in register with the bottom forming plates.

' 2. In' combination, an inclined chute, means to deliver articles into the upper end of the chute, an annular series of bottom forming plates rotatable about a vertical axis adjacent and below the lower end of the chute, and means including 'expansible trough-like'holders interposed between the chute and plates to receive articles discharged from the chute and then dro the articles one at a time upon the bottom torming plates.

3. In an apparatus for moving articles from a cumbent position at one station to an upright position at another station, an annular series of expansible trough-like holders rotatable about a vertical axis past said stations, means to place articles in the holders at said one station, means to contract the holder to yieldingly grip the article, means to swing the holders from one position to another while moving between the stations, and means at the second station to expand the holder and thereby release the articles in an upright position.

L'In asetting-up device of the character described, an annular series of trough-like article holders rotatable about a vertical axis past article receiving and discharge stations, means to place articles in the holders at the receiving station, means to then contract the holders to yieldingly grip thearticles, and automatic means to expand the' holders at the discharge station to release articles from the influence of said holders. I 5. In a setting-up device of the'character described, an annular series of trough-like article holders rotatable about a vertical axis past article receiving and discharge stations, meansto place articles in the holders at the receiving station, means to then contract. the

holders to yieldingly grip the articles, automatic means to expand the holders at the discharge station to release articles from the influence of said holders, said holders mounted for vertical swinging movement, and cam mechanism causing horizontal positioning of theholders at the receiving station, and vertical positioning of said holders at the dis I charge station. 7

6. In combination, an annular series of trough-l1keart1cle holders rotatable about a vertical. axis'past article receiving and dis- 7 charge stations, said holders mounted for vertical radial. swinging movement from horizontal position at thearticle receiving station to a vertical position at the discharge station, cam means toccntrol thev swinging movement of said holders, means to place articles in a cumbent position in the holders at the receiving station, andmeans whereby the articles are discharged from the holders an upright 15051561 at the discharge std.-

tion.

of elongated arcuate' jaws hinged together and forming a trough-like holder substan- 7. In an apparatus of the character; da scribed, an article holder comprising a pair.

tially U-shape in cross-section, yielding I means to normally hold the jaws in their innermost contracted position, and cam oper-' able means to cause relative outward movement of the aws.

8. In combination, a support rotatable about'a vertical ax1s, an annular series of trough-like article holders pivoted to the sup portfo'r vertical swinging movement radially relative to the latter, cam means controlling the' swinging movement of the holders, and automatic means to alternately contract and expand the holders to thereby cause said holders to alternately grip and release articles deposited therein.

9'. A setting-up device comprising an annular series of trough-like bottle holders rotatable about a vertical axis past article receiving and discharge stations, means to position the holders at the receiving station to position the holders atthe receiving station to support bottles in a cumbent position, means employing the force of gravity to deliver articles to the holders, means to position the holders to support the articles in an upright position at the discharge station, means to cause dischar e of the.

articles from the holders at sai discharge station, said delivery means including an inclined chute to guide articles to the holders at thereceivingstatioinand a horizontally moving carrier at the discharge station to receive articles fromthe holders. v

p 11. A setting-up device comprising an annular seriesof trough-likebottle holders rotatable about a vertical axis past article receiving and discharging stations, means to position the holders at the receiving station to support bottles in. a cumbent position,

means employing the force of gravity to de-- liver articles to the holders, means to position the holders to support the articles in an upright position at the discharge station, means to cause discharge. of the articles from the holders at said discharge station, and means holders at the receiving station and expand them at the discharge station.

13. The combination of a support rotatable;

about a vertical axis past article receiving and discharge stations, an annular series of trough-like article holders pivoted to the support for vertical swinging movement to different angles at the article receiving and discharge stations, a pair of stationary cams, and means individual to the holders and operable by said cams to alternately contract and expand the holders.

14. An article holder of the class described comprising, a pair of cooperating jaws adapted to alternately grip and-release articles, said jaws curved transversely of their length, a rock shaft pivotally connecting the jaws and extending parallel to the axis about which the jaws are curved, a rock arm at one end of the shaft to engage an operating member at regular time intervals, yielding means to normally hold the jaws in contracted relation, and means to regulate the effectiveness of said yielding means.

15. In combination, a frame rotatable about a vertical axis, article holders mounted on the periphery of said frame for swinging movement about horizontal axes tangent to the path of travel of the holders with said frame, a bottom plate for each holder, yielding means normally positioning the bottom plates in co-operative relation to the holders, and cam means to inoperatively position said bottom plates during predetermined portions of their rotation 16. In combination, a frame rotatable about a vertical axis, article holders mounted on the periphery of said frame for swinging movement about horizontal axes tangent to the path of travel of the holders with said frame, a bottom plate for each holder, yielding means normally positioning the bottom plates in co-operative relation to the holders,

cam means to inoperatively position said bottom plates during predetermined portions of their rotation, and a stationary cam regulating and controlling the swinging movement of the holders. 7

17. A setting up device comprising an annular series of bottle holders rotatable about a vertical axis past receiving and discharging positions, each holder comprising a hinge pin, a pair of curved jaws mounted on the hinge pin, said jaws at times cooperating to form a trough-like holder, springs means forming a part of each holder and operating to normally hold the jaws in their innermost contracted positions, cam means for separating the jaws at the discharging position, and a support disposed in a plane below the holders at said discharging position.

Signed at Toledo, 0., this 28th day of November 1928.

ALBERT N. CRAMER.

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