US2206279A - Case loader - Google Patents

Description

July 2, 1940. FERGUSON 2,206,279

CASE LOADER Filed May 5, 1937 1:5 Sheets-Sheet 1 b fm/enz or Waders, 61%0/14? M22; 01';

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y 2, 4 J. L. FERGUSON CASE LOADER Filed May 5, 1937 13 Sheets-Sheet 2 JQT l I y 2, 1940- J. L. FERGUSON 2,206,279

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Filed May 5, 1937 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 I l l x July 2, 1940. .1. L. FERGUSON CASE LOADER Filed May 3, 1937 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 W M, W.

WM m #w j y 194% J. L. FERGUSON CASE LOADER l3 Sheet -s a 5 Filed y 1937 y 2, 1940- J. L. FERGUSON 2,20%,279

CASE LOADER Filed May 5, 19s"! 13' Sheets-Sheet s July 2, 1940. J. L. FERGUSON CASE LOADER Filed Kay 3, 1937 13 Sheet's-Sheet 8 Ham J. L. FERGUSON CASE LOADER Filed May 3, 1937 15 Sheets-Sheet 9 WWII llllaml Jay HIIIILI July 2, 1940- J. L. FERGUSON CASE LOADER Filed May 5, 1937 1s Sheets-Sheet 10 jl b Orngyks.

July 2, 1940. J. L. FERGUSON CASE LOADER Filed May 3, 1957 13 Sheets-Sheet 11 y 1940- .J. L. FERGUSON 2,206,279

CASE LQADER Filed May 3. 1937 13 Sheets-Sheet l2 y 1940- I J. L. FERGUSON CASE LOADER Filed May :5, 1937 1a Sheets-Sheet 1s Patented July 2, 1940 PATENT v OFFICE case manna John L. Ferguson, Joliet, 111., assignor to J. L. Ferguson Company, Joliet, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application May 3, 1937, Serial No. 140,467

7 Claims.

This invention relates to case-loading machines, and more particularly to machines arranged to receive containers on a suitable conveyor forming a part of the machine, and automatically segregate a plurality of groups or containers and insert each group simultaneously into a squared out case at a corresponding loading station.

The present invention contemplates an .automatic machine having a plurality of case-loading stations or zones to each of which a collapsed case is moved from a supply, and at whichzones each/case is squared out in a manner to receive a. group of containers therein, each group preferably forming a complete layer. In the present embodiment, each group completely fills the case into which it it inserted.

The embodiment herein illustrated and described comprises a magazine for holding a supply of collapsed cases, and a horizontal container positioned under the magazine is intermittently moved to remove two collapsed cases from the magazine and move them to corresponding spaced loading zones. At these loading zones, automatically operated vacuum cups are arranged to simultaneously engage the top and bottom of the collapsed containers, and-the top vacuum cups, after engagement, move upwardly at a speed varying in accordance with the forward movement of the bottom of the case so that each case is squared out transversely of the machine at its respective loading zone, at which time the conveyor is automatically stopped to enable loading of the containers into the cases.

When the cases are completely squared out the upper corners are engaged by a suitable conveyorwhich cooperates wtih the lower conveyor to continue the movement and discharge of the cases from the machine after they arejloaded with containers.

The containers are fed to loading position by means of a suitable conveyor located on one side of the machine andparallel with the case conveyor. In the present embodiment, this container conveyor moves four rows of closely ailjacent containers to a loading position. A series of electrical switches is provided adjacent the ends of the rows and these switches are in series in a controlling circuit which, when the switches are all closed, causes the operation of the loading devices to move a group of containers into each squared out case. The pressure of the can in each row, when the row is filled, closes its corresponding switch so that when all of the rows are filled the loading operation is automatically started.

The operation of the container conveyor is continuous. However, as soon as the switches are closed to start the loading operation, the con- 6 tainers are lifted slightly from the conveyor chains and a rearward movement of lugs engaging the containers segregates a group of containers in the vertical plane of each loading device.

The machine is provided with a single longitudinal cam shaft, the operation of which is controlled by the closing of the container switches previously mentioned. These switches, when closed, energize a solenoid which permits the en- 15 gagement of a clutch between the cam shaft and the main driving transmission, and the cam shaft then completes one revolution after which the clutch is again disengaged to permit new groups of containers to be assembled at the loading zone. Transverse plungers are operated during each rotation of the cam shaft and these plungers are provided with heads having a plurality of automatically operated vaccum cups thereon, and the plungers are normally positioned above the container conveyor so that groups of containers may be assembled thereunder. During the rotation of the cam shaft the vacuum cup heads move downwardly, each vacuum cup engages one of thecontainers, and the vacuum heads are 80 then moved 90 to bring the containers into alignment with the squared out cases. The plungers then move forwardly to move each entire group into its associated case.

During the movement of the containers into 88 alignment with the case, a flap opener automatically operates to move the bottom flap of the case downwardly to provide clearance for the containers which are moving upwardly into alignment wtih the case. it

Provision is also made for automatically stoppingthe operation of the machine if one or more of the cases fails to properly open or if a case is not moved to loading position. This comprises normally closed electrical switches arranged to open a control circuit if the case is properly squared out in each zone. After the switches controlled by the containers are closed and the clutch is thereby engaged to cause a rotation of the cam shaft, the raising of the containers will release these switches and break the circuit before the containers are moved sufiiciently to be inserted into a case. However, during this raising movement the case conveyor operates to discharge filled cases from the machine and to ll square out cases in the loading zones, and if a case fails to be properly positioned so as to close the case switches, the machine will immediately stop. This stopping is controlled by means of a timer cam which is operated from the main cam shaft and closes a circuit in series with each of the case switches. If one or more of these switches is closed by reason of a case failing to be in proper loading position, a second solenoid is operated through the circuit control-led by the timer switch cam, and the closed case switch, and this solenoid causes the disengagement of the cam shaft clutch after one-half revolution, so that the plungers do not complete their loading operation.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a machine of the character described which will be completely automatic in operation and may be operated at comparatively high speed.

A further object is the provisionof a new and novel type of container conveyor and grouping mechanism which may be operated at comparatively high speed, and by which groups of containers may be accurately segregated and positioned at the desired loading zone.

It is a further object to provide a machine of the character described in which the loading operation is controlled by'the proper assembly of containers at the loading zone.

Another object is the provision of a new and novel type of squaring out mechanism in which the squaring out may be accomplished substanthe invention, parts being broken away for purposes of illustration.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 with the loading plungers and supports therefor broken away to better illustrate the container conveyor and grouping mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a diagram of the electrical control whereby the loading operation may be controlled by the containers and squared out cases.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on a line substantially corresponding to line 4-5 of Fig. 1 and illustrates the driving mechanism and clutch control for the case conveyor. I

Fig. 5' is a top plan view of the clutch control mechanism for controlling the case conveyor.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the clutch control mechanism illustrated in Fig. 5-with the clutch shaft and control link shown in section and taken on a line substantially corresponding to line 6--6 of Fig. 5.

' Fig. '7 is a transverse sectional view through the main cam shaft clutch and illustrates the electrical control'therefor.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged side elevation of the case squaring out mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view taken on a line substantially corresponding to line 99 of Fig, 8 and illustrates the squaring out mechanism and the position of the squaring out vacuum cups and particularly the method of operating the lower vacuum cups from the main cam shaft.

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the lower vacuum cup controlling means and illustrates the means forprevent'ing tilting of the rubber vacuum cup by the collapsed case as it is being moved to the squared out position by the conveyor, the conveyor flight and collapsed case being shown in sections.

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the container conveyor and operating mechanism therefor with the driving connections leading to the main cam shaft being shown in section.

Fig. 12 is a longitudinal section of the groupassembling end of the container conveyor illustrated in Fig. 11 and illustrates the position of the group segregating means after the containers have been moved rearwardly to segregate the groups to be loaded.

Fig. 13 is a similar longitudinal section of the chain conveyor end of the conveyor illustrated in Fig. 11, and illustrates the mechanism for moving the container supporting racks and for raising the containers from the conveyor chains.

Fig. 14 is a transverse sectional view through the container conveyor frame and taken on a line substantially corresponding to line I l-44 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 15 is a transverse sectional view through the container conveyor and taken on a line substantially corresponding to line 55-15 of Fig. 11. This view illustrates the normal position of the parts before the containers have been raised from the chains.

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 15, but illustrates the racks in raised position, whereby the containers are raised from the conveyor chains.

Fig. 17 is a top view and illustrates the pressure roller for contacting with the top of the containers to assist in moving them to loading position.

Fig. 18 is a transverse sectional view through one of the loading zones and illustrates the loading carriage and vacuum cup head in its normal stop position over the container conveyor.

Fig. 19 is a transverse sectional view similar to that illustrated in Fig. 18, but illustrates the vacuum cup head after it has been moved downwardly to engage a group of containers, the position of the carriage and other operating parts with the containers completely inserted in the case being illustrated in dotted lines.

Fig. 20 is a back view of one of the container loading heads and carriage therefor.

Fig. 21 is a side elevation of thevalve mechanism for controlling the vacuum for operating the case opening cups and the container loader cups.

Fig. 22 is a top plan view of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 21.

Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the vertically and longitudinally movable rack for raising the containers from the conveyor chains by vertical movement, and for segregating the groups of containers by longitudinal movement of the rack. Fig. 24 is a fragmentary cross sectional view through the rack and taken on a line substantially v corresponding to line 24-24 of Fig, 23.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the embodiment illustrated comprises a frame I, on which substantially the entire mechanism is supported. A magazine 2 is supported adjacent one end of the machine and arranged to receive a supply of 1 collapsed cases 3. An intermittently movable The chains 4 are mounted on suitablesprockets secured to transverse shafts 6 and I, rotatably mounted in suitable bearings at the front and rear of the machine respectively. A motor 9 is operation of the motor may be continuous. The conveyor transmission comprises a transverse shaft 9 which is driven from the motor by means of a belt l0 and pulley II, the latter secured to the shaft. A pinion I2 is also secured to the shaft and is in mesh with a gear l3 secured to a second transverse shaft l4. This shaft i4 is provided with a clutch l5 which is normally disengaged and which is arranged when engaged to drive a sprocket I 6 which is loosely mounted on the shaft and comprises the driven member of the clutch. A chain l'l connects the sprocket IS with a suitable sprocket l8 on the conveyor shaft 6. It will therefore be apparent that when the clutch I5 is engaged, the conveyor 4 will be operated to move a plurality of cases from the magazine to their respective loading positions.

The engagement and disengagement of the clutch is automatically controlled by a main cam shaft which is in turn controlled by the proper assembling of the containers to be loaded. The control will be described in detail later.

When the cases are moved by the conveyor 4 to the loading stations and squared out by means of a suitable mechanism, the rear top corner of each container is engaged by a flight I9 on a' suitable longitudinal conveyor chain 20 positioned above the loading stations and supported on an idler sprocket 2| at the discharge end of the machine, and a sprocket 22 secured to a stub shaft 23. The shaft 23 is also provided with a sprocket 24 which is driven from a sprocket 25 by means of a chain 26. .The sprocket 25 is secured to a gear 21 which latter is in mesh with a similar gear 28 on the main conveyor drive shaft 6. The conveyor 20, therefore, operates in synchronism with the conveyor 4 to engage the squared out cases and to thereafter cooperate with the conveyor 4 in discharging the loaded cases from the machine.

In order to operate the various mechanisms automatically a main longitudinal cam shaft 29 is mounted in suitable bearings on the frame I. This cam shaft is driven from the transverse shaft 14 by means of a chain 30 on the shaft l4 (Fig. l) and sprockets 3| and 32 on the cam shaft l4 and on a transverse shaft 33 respectively. The transverse shaft 33 is also provided with a beveled pinion 34 meshing with a beveled gear 35 on the cam shaft 29. The beveled gear 35 is loosely mounted on the cam shaft and forms the driving member of a clutch 36, the driven member of which is rigidly secured to the cam shaft. It will, therefore, be apparent that when the clutch 36- is engaged, the cam shaft will be driven through the transmission just described.

As previously mentioned, the machine is automatically controlled by the proper assembling of the containers which are to be loaded in the cases and when these containers are properly positioned, the clutch 36 will be engaged and permit one revolution of the cam shaft 29 to complete the loading operation.

The mechanism for squaring out the cases is illustrated particularly in Figs. 1, 2, 8, 9, and 10 and comprises a horizontal frame or track 31 on which is slidably mounted a vacuum cup 38 for the cases to be squared out or the amt loading station, and a second vacuum cup 39 for the cases to be squared out at the second loading station.

- The horizontal frame 21 is supported as illustrated in Fig. 8 on suitable bell cranks and 4|,

which are connected together by means of a link 42. The bell crank- 49 is provided with 'anarm" 43 having a link 44 secured thereto. The 011- posite end of this link 44 is securedto a cam lever 45 (Fig. 9) having a roller 49 thereon engaging a cam 4'! on the main cam shaft 29. It will, therefore, be seen that with each revolution of the cam shaft, the frame or track and the vacuum cups thereon will be raised and the cups will contact with the lower surfaces of the collapsed case while the cases are being moved into the loading zones.

The vacuum cups .39 and 39 are slidably mounted on the frame 31 and are connected together by a suitable hollow rod or conduit 49, which conduit may be connected by means of a flexible hose to a suitable vacuum source. The first vacuum cup adjacent the magazine is illustrated particularly in Fig. 10 and is provided with a rearwardly extending bar 49. A pulley 50 is mounted on the frame 31, and a cable 5| is secured to the vacuum cup member and provided with a weight 52 so that when the vacuum is cause the vacuum cups to be moved rearwardly to their normal position and against .a suitable stop.

As previously stated, the vacuum cup mem ber 38 is provided with a rearwardly extending arm 49, and when the vacuum cups are raised to the position shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the arm 49 is in the path of a downwardly extending lug 55 on the flight 5 of the conveyor chain, each of the flights 5 being provided with one of the lugs 53. This lug engaging the arm 49 assists in pushing the vacuum cups along with the collapsed cases until they are squared out, and prevents the vacuum cups from being tilted by the rearward pressure caused by the weight 52, and therefore prevents the pulling loose of the vacuum cups from the cases before the cases are completely squared out. As soon as the cases are completely squared out at the loading stations the vacuum is released and the cam 41 (Fig. 9) permits the cups and associated arm 49 to move downwardly out of the path of the conveyor flights. The weight 52 then moves the cups to their normal position.

When the collapsed cases 35 are engaged by the lower cups 38 and39, the top walls of the cases are substantially simultaneously engaged by a set of upper vacuum cups which are vertically movable downwardly to engage the cases and then move upwardly to move the top walls of the cases into the squared outposition. This upper squaring out mechanism comprises a vertically reciprooable frame 54 which is normally in the raised position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 9 and may be moved downwardly as shown in Fig. 8. This frame is supported on the upper longitudinal framework 55 of the machine on which is supported a plurality of rollers 56 in which the frame is supported and which act as guides for the frame.

As illustrated more clearly in Fig. 8, the frame 54 is provided at its lower end with horizontal bars 51 having adjacent each end thereof a vacuum cup 59, each of which is arranged to engage all pose of enabling a sliding movement of the vac-.

uum cups on the rod in case of slight variations in the cases, or for other reasons. The rigid 'conduit 59 between the cups'is connected to a suitable vacuum source by means of a conduit 60. It will be understood that the application of vacuum to the various vacuum cups of the machine is controlled and timed by a suitable valve mechanism, which will be described later.

As will be apparent from Fig. 9, the vacuum cups 58 are in tranverse pairs, each pair arranged to engage an associated case to be opened. The bottom vacuum cups 38 and 39 are located on the central plane of the case, and only one lower cup is used for each case. The vacuum cup frame 54 is normally retained in its raised position by means of a spring 6| connected to a lever 62, which lever is pivoted at 63 and connected to the frame by means of a link 64. A cam 65 is secured to a stub shaft 65 and is driven from the upper conveyor shaft 23 by means of a chain 6! on suitable sprockets. This'cam engages a roller 68 on the lever.62. It will, therefore, be apparent that during the movement of each pair of collapsed cases to the loading station, the lower vacuum cups will engage the lower walls of the collapsed cases while the upper vacuum cups will move downwardly and engage the upper walls. The lower cups will then move with the cases toward the squaring out position, while the upper cups. will raise the upper wall of each case into engagement with the flights on the upper conveyor chain 29. The conveyor is automatically stopped when the cases are properly squared out.

It will be noted that while the lower vacuum cups and lower walls of the cases move at a uni form rate, the movement of the upper cups must necessarily substantially uniformly accelerate during the raising movement in order that the upper wall of the case may move vertically at the squaring out station while the lower wall is moved horizontally to the squared out position. This acceleration is accomplished by means of a proper shaping of the cam 85, which causes an accelerating upward movement of the upper 'vacuum cups.

When the cases are completely squared out,

the upper front corner of each case is engaged by a latch 69 pivoted to the frame 55, these latches being normally retained in the position illustrated by means of springs III. The resilient latches assist in retaining the cases in squared out position and are sufficiently yieldable'to allow the cases to be moved from the loading position during the next operation of the machine.

Fig. illustrates the control means for the case conveyor clutch I5, and this clutch may be of the usual type in which a dog is provided for operating a locking pin between the driving and driven member. This dog is provided with an outwardly extending lug H which is normally engaged by a pawl I2 whereby the clutch is normally retained out of engagement. The pawl 12 is connected by means of a link 13 to a vertical shaft I4 having an arm 15 thereon, which arm is provided with a link 16 having a roller 1] thereon. This roller is arranged to engage a cam 18 secured to the cam shaft. This cam and roller operation is better illustrated in Fig. 4.

It will be apparent that with each revolution of the cam shaft the conveyor clutch l5 will be engaged over a predetermined portion of the revolution of the cam shaft, and the case conveyor will move sufliciently to carry two of the collapsed cases to their respectiveloading stations where they will be squared out by the mechanism previously described.

As previously stated, the cam shaft 29 is driven by the beveled gear 35 forming the driving member of the clutch 3G, and this beveled gear is in turn driven by means of a suitable transmission from the motor. The clutch 36 and control mechanism therefor are illustrated in Fig. 7 and comprise a driven member 19 secured to the cam shaft 29 and provided with the usual clutch engaging dog 88. The beveled gear 35, which forms the driven member is provided with a plurality of notches 8|, any one of which may receive the dog 88.. The dog is provided with an outwardly extending lug 82 which is normally engaged by a pawl 83 pivoted on the frame of the machine. This pawl 83 normally retains the clutch disengaged, but may be released to permit engagement by means of a solenoid 84 which, when energized, will move the pawl to the dotted line position and permit one revolution of the cam shaft. Normally, the cam shaft rotates one revolution in order to move the cases to the loading position; square out the cases; segregate groups of containers; and load these groups into the cases. However, if the cases are not properly squared out or a case is not moved to a loading position, it is desirable to stop the machine before the cam shaft has completed its revolution in order that the containers may not be moved to the loading position unless a case is properly squared out to receive them. In order to automatically stop the cam shaft after a half revolution, if the case is not properly squared out, a second pawl 85 is pivoted on the frame as illustrated, and may be controlled by means of a solenoid 86. The electrical controls of these solenoids will be described later.

The pawl 85 is normally inthe dotted line position shown when the solenoid 88 is deenergized. However, if a case for any reason is not properly squared out at the loading station, the solenoid 86 wilbe energized and the pawl 85 will move to the full line position whereby it will engage the lug 82 of the clutch dog and stop the cam shaft after a half revolution.

The combined container conveyor and group segregating device is illustrated in detail in Figs. 11 to 17 inclusive, and comprises .a rigid frame 81, which in the present embodiment, is arranged to support four rows of containers 88. The present embodiment is particularly adapted for use with containers such as the ordinary cocoa cans.

These containers are usually provided with a comparatively large depressed cover in one end, such as shown at 89, and the conveyor is particularly adapted to convey these cans inverted with the top down as shown, and the depression in the cover is used to receive lugs, which are raised therein in order to move the containers to segregate the groups. It will, of course, be understood that the invention is adapted for use with any type of containers having depressed ends, which are sufliiciently depressed to permit lugs to be raised therein to move the containers.

As previously stated, the conveyor comprises a rigid frame 81 to support the rows of containers, and this elongated frame is provided at the left iii? hand end, as shown in Fig. 11, with transverse shafts 90 and 9| on which are secured a plurality of sprockets 92 and 93 respectively. Conveyor chains 94 are mounted on these sprockets and support the containers as illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16, and are in turn supported on fixed guides 95, forming a part of the rigid frame. The conveyors are continuously driven from the transverse shaft 33 shown in Fig. 4. A chain drive is provided from the shaft 33 to the conveyorshaft 90 by means of suitable sprockets and a chain 96. The right hand end of the conveyor frame (Figs. 11 and 12) extends for some distance beyond the conveyor chains 94, and the containers are pushed onto this extension by means of the conveyor chains 94 and a transverse roller 91 which is posi-,

tioned above the containers. This roller 91 is preferably of resilient material such as rubber, and is continuously driven by means of a transmission from the conveyorshaft 9I. This transmission comprises gears 98 and suitable sprockets on which is supported a chain 99.

The roller 91 is normally in a position to exert v a downward pressure on the tops of the conveyors and assist the chains in assembling the four rows of containers onto the forward extending support. The container assembling device as illustrated may be described as comprising two zones as shown by the dotted line brackets C and D respectively (Figs. 2 and 11), zone C being a conveyor zone having conveyor chains supported in a fixed position on the frame of the machine, that is, the conveyors are not bodily movable. These chains normally support the containers and convey them toward the grouping zone D. As the containers move from the conveyor chains they are pushed, by the succeeding containers, onto fixed supports and between guides forming a stationary part of the frame of the machine in zone D whereby the grouping zone D is filled with closely adjacent containers as shown in Fig. 11.

It is desirable to segregate two groups of containers in zone D so that these groups may easily be moved out of the grouping zone by the loading mechanism and then into the adjacent squaredout cases. The segregated groups are indicated by the full line brackets A and B in Fig. 12. At the same time it is desirable to raise all of the containers remaining in zone C, from the conveyor chains on which they are supported, so that all of the containers except those in group B (Fig. 12) may easily be moved rearwardly, that is,

l to the left as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, to segregate the groups and to prevent friction of the chains on the containers.

In order to segregate the groups and substantially simultaneously raise the containers in zone C from the chains an elongated skeleton frame or rack (Fig. 23) is positioned under the containers .ln zones C and D and is arranged to be moved vertically to raise the containers in zone C from the conveyor chains, and is then moved 'longitudinally to segregate the groups A and B. In other words, the containers in zone C are normally'supported on the conveyor chains and in zone D they are always supported on fixed guide members on the frame of the machine. When the movable rack (Fig. 23) is raised the containers in zone C are thereby raised from the conraised, extend into the depressions 09 in the container covers or otherwise engage predetermined containers so that when the skeleton rack is then moved longitudinally the groups will be segregated. As soon as the groups are removed by the loading mechanism for insertion in the cases the rack is returned to itsnormal position and the conveyor chains again move containers from zone C onto the fixed supports in zone D.

The rigid frame 01 is provided, in the segregating zone D, with fixed container-supports I I (Fig. 14) having upwardly extending thin flanges IOI, which latter extend upwardly between the rows of containers and maintain the containers in alignment when they are pushed from the conveyor chains and onto the fixed supports in zone D. The frame 81, including the containersupports I00 and aligning flanges IOI, may rigidly be supported on the frame of the machine by means of brackets 01a and 81b (Figs. 11, '12, and 14). The break between the fixed members I00 shown at the right end of Fig. 13 and adjacent the left end of Fig. 12. I

A vertically and longitudinally movable. frame or rack I 02 is positioned below the containers provided with longitudinal bars I03 (Figs. 15, 16, and 23)-forming supports for the containers in zone C only when the rack is raised. These supports have container spacing and aligning flanges I03a associated therewith. The supports I03 are normally below the plane of the conveyor chains when the rack is in its lowered position and raise all of the containers in zone C from-the chains when the rack is raised.

The rack is also provided with longitudinal bars I04 extending under the containers in the grouping zone D and having upwardly extending lugs I 05 thereon; these lugs normally being below the containers as shown in Figs. 11 and 24 and extending into the depressed covers 89 of the conta-iners only when the rack is raised. This rack is arranged to automatically be moved upwardly and then longitudinally when the grouping zone is filled with containers, and the lugs I05 enter the depressions in the covers of predetermined containers as illustrated in Fig. 12, and move and IM and the rack members I03 and I03a is them to the left, and thereby separate the con- 'tainers-into groups A and B, which groups may then be removed by the loading mechanism and inserted into the squared o'ut cases. The'rack is then lowered to deposit the containers in zone C onto the conveyor chains whereby zone D will again be filled. The bars I04 (Fig. 24) never contact the containers and the lugs I05 do not raise them.

The rack is provided with rollers I06 which support the rack for longitudinal movement on suitable tracks forming a part of vertically movable slide members I0'I. These slide members are guided in suitable guides I00 on the rigid frame of the machine. The slide members I01 are provided with cam rollers I08 which rollers are in engagement with cams I09 on transverseshafts I I0. By this arrangement the entire rack is 'supported on the slides for longitudinal movement, and on the cams for vertical movement thereby. The transverse shafts IIO are each. provided with beveled gears III which mesh with beveled gears II2;on a longitudinal shaft II3 (Fig. 11). This longitudinal shaft is arranged to be. driven from the'main cam shaft by means of suitable transverse shafts IIO will also be rotated and the v A and B.

cams thereon will lift the movable rack Hi2, and this rack will lift the containers in zone C slightly from the chains 94 and will also raise the lugs I into the depressions in the covers of the containers. The containers in zone D will not be lifted. The rubber roller 97 is supported above the containers on the central slide members I0la so that this roller is raised simultaneously with the frame. It will be noted from Figs. and 16 that there is considerableclearance between the normal low position of the frame and the containers on the chains so that the containers are only slightly raised above the chains, whilethe rubber roller is raised completely free from the topsof the containers so that the containers may easily be moved'longitudinally by the groupsegregating lugs E65.

As soon as the rack is raised by the cams I09, or substantially simultaneous therewith, the rack is moved to the left to cause the lugs I05 to segregate the groups A and B as illustrated in, Fig. 12. This longitudinal movement is accomplished by means of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 13, which comprises a link H5 secured to the rack member and provided, at its opposite end, with a roller H6 engaging a cam III on one of the transverse shafts I I0. By this mechanism, whenever the cam III is rotated, the rack I02 will be raised and substantially simultaneously move to the left to the position illustrated in Fig. 12, to thereby segregate the two groups of containers Fig. 24 illustrates the normal position of the parts in full lines and the approximate position after the rack has been raised is shown in dotted lines.

The right hand end of the container support as illustrated in Figs, 2 and 11 is provided with a plurality of switches H8, with one switch in alignment with each row of containers. These switches are normally open and are in series so that when all of the rows are filled, the pressure of the containers will close all of the switches and the main cam shaft will be rotated and the filling operation accomplished.

The wiring diagram is illustrated in Fig. 3 and includes case controlled switches H9 and I20, which are normally closed and are arranged to be opened by the squared out cases when they are properly squared out at the loading stations. These switches are illustrated in Fig. 8, and it will be apparent that when the cases are properly squared all of these switches will be open.

The wiring diagram comprises the conductors I26 which are connected to any suitable power source, and the series switches IIB for the containers are also in series with the solenoid 84 illustrated in Fig. 7 so that when all four rows of containers are properly assembled, the solenoid 34 will be energized and permit the engagement of the cam shaft clutch 36 in order that the cam shaft may complete a revolution and thereby load a group of containers into the cases.

Before the cam shaft has rotated one-half a revolution, the cases are completely squared out andin the event that any case does not properly square out and open all of the switches H9 and I26, a timer cam I22, which may also be mounted on the cam shaft, closes a switch I23, which is in series with the case switches I I9 and I26. The solenoid 86 is in series with these switches and also with the switch I23, and therefore if any one of the case switches is closed, the solenoid 86 will be operated and prevent the further operation of the cam shaft, and thereby stop the loading operation.

aeoaare The loading mechanism for moving the groups of containers into the cases is illustrated in Figs. 18 to 20 inclusive. Each loading mechanism comprises a carriage I24 supported for reciprocation on suitable guide rods I25, which are in turn supported on the frame l. The carriage is reciprocated by means of a lever I26 oscillatabiy mounted on a shaft I21 and connected to the carriage by means of a link I28. The lever I26 is connected to an eccentric I29'on the cam shaft by means of an arm I30. It will, therefore, be seen that with every revolution of the cam shaft 29, the carriage I24 will be reciprocated to and from the case.

The carriage is provided with a vacuum cup head I3I having vacuum cups I32 thereon, one of which engages each of the containers in its associated group when the head is moved downwardly so that the cups can contact therewith. The vacuum head I3i is supported on vertical rods I33 which are slidably mounted in brackets I34 secured to an oscillatable shaft I35. Springs i36 normally tend to retain the head in the raised position illustrated in Fig, 18.

The head is provided with a cross bar I31 and the link I28, which is pivoted on the carriage at I38, is provided with an upwardly extending arm I39, which arm is connected by means of a slotted link I40 to an upwardly extending arm I on an oscillatable shaft I42. This shaft I42 is provided, as shown particularly in Fig. 19, with an arm I43 secured thereto and having a roller I44 thereon, which is normally positioned above the cross bar I3'I, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 18. At the beginning of the cam shaft movement, the lever I26 for reciprocating the carriage moves slightly downward to the position indicated in Fig. 19, and this movement causes the lever I43 and roller thereon to be moved downwardly, and thereby force the vacuum cup head I3I downwardly to cause the vacuum cups to engage the containers. Simultaneously with this engagement, the vacuum is applied so that when the head is raised the containers may be raised there- W1 The carriage I24 is provided with an arm I45 pivoted at I46. This arm is provided with a roller I41 which engages a cam rail I48. This cam rail, at its outward end, is provided with a downwardly extending pocket I49 in which the cam roller I41 moves during movement of the carriage. The lever I45 is connected to the oscillatable shaft I which supports the head, by means of a link I50, and an arm I5I on the shaft. By means of this arrangement,,when the cam shaft rotates, and the arm I26 is moved to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 19, the vacuum head I3I will be moved through an arcuate path into axial alignment with the case to be loaded.

The movement of the vacuum cup head during one revolution of the cam shaft is as follows. The normal position of the head is shown in Fig. 18, and as soon as the cam shaft starts to rotate, the head moves downwardly to cause the vacuum cups to engage the containers, and is then released by the raising of the lever I43 and the cups lift the containers from the conveyor. The head then moves in an arcuate path into axial alignment with the case and is then inserted in the case by a longitudinal movement.

Before the containers are moved into alignment with the case, the lower flap I52 of the case is moved downwardly by means of an army I53 pivoted at I54. This arm is connected by means of a linkI55 to an arm I56 having a roller I51 thereon. This roller engages a cam I56 (Fig. 18), so that, as the containers are raised, the flap I52 is moved out of the arcuate path of the containers. The arm I53 is returned to its normal position by means of spring I59.

Figs. 21 and 22 illustrate a valve mechanism for controlling the application of vacuum to the various cups. This mechanism comprises cams I on the main cam shaft and these cams control levers I6I to open andclose inlet valves I62 and exhaust valves I63. A conduit I64 leads to the case opening cups and a second conduit I65 leads to the container cups. It will be apparent that these cams and levers may be timed to open and-close the valve as desired to control the operation of the cups.

In the present embodiment, a single group of containers completely fills the cases, and, as soon as they are filled, the filled cases are discharged from the machine by the same movement of the caseconveyor which moves the collapsed cases to the loading stations. During the discharge of the cases from the machine, the forward flap on one end of the case is closed by a shoe I66, and substantially simultaneously the rear flap is closed by an arm I61 on a vertical shaft I66. This shaft I68 is operated by means of a cam I69 driven by the transverse conveyor shaft I, to which it is connected by a suitable gear train. The cam is in engagement with a roller I10 on a pivoted lever III to which the arm I61 is connected by means of a link I12. The top and bottom flaps are folded in by means of the curved shoes I13.

The filled cases are moved outwardlyonto a tilting table I14 which is provided with rollers I15 to support the cases. When both cases are completely on the table, the table is tilted by suitable means to turn the cases 45 and deposit them on a suitable conveyor where they may be conveyed to a sealing machine, or otherwise disposedof.

It will be apparent that modifications may he made without departing from the spirit of the lnvention, and it is therefore desired that the in vention should be limited only by prior art and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine of the character described having a loading station, means for assembling a group of containers adjacent the open end of a squared out case at said station and below the axial line thereof, means for loading said group into said case, said loading means comprising a reciprocating carriage having a vacuum cup head normally positioned above said group, an intermittently movable cam shaft, a link and lever connection between said cam shaft and said carriage for horizontal movement of said carriage, means whereby the intial movement of said cam shaft will cause said vacuum cup head to be moved downwardly for engagement of a cup with each of said containers in said group, and means whereby the continued movement of said cam shaft will cause said head and containers thereon to be moved into axial alignment with said case and inserted therein.

2. A loading mechanism for a machine of the character described, combining a horizontally reciprocating carriage, a container carrier arranged for ,vertical and arcuate movement on said carriage and normally positioned above a group of containers, means for moving said carrier downwardly to engage said group of containers and to raise said containers from their support, means to reciprocate said carriage, and means controlled by said reciprocation to move said carrier and containers thereon through an arcuate path and into axial alignment with said case and into said case.

3. In a machine of the character described having a plurality of loading stations, means for assembling and segregating a group of containers adjacent the open end of a squared out case at each station and means for loading each group into its respective case, said grouping and segregating means comprising a conveyor for assembling a plurality of elongated rows of containers, a. container support, said rows extending onto said support beyond the end of said conveyor and adjacent the ends of said cases, means for raising the containers on said conveyor out of contact therewith, and means for moving said raised containers and at least a part of said containers on said support rearwardly to separate the containers on said support into groups for loading into said cases.

4. In a" machine of the character described, having a plurality of loading stations for squared out cases, means for delivering a group of containers adjacent each squared out case, means for loading each group into its respective case, said loading means comprising a horizontally reciprocating carriage, a vertically reciprocating head on. said carriage, vacuum cup means on said head for engaging each container by vertical movement of said head and supporting each container of a group, means for moving said carriage towards said case and simultaneously turns for moving the lower flap downwardly out of the arcuate path of said containers.

5. In an automatic machine for loading containers having wall depressions into consecutively oositioned cases at a loading station, a support djacent said station for a continually renewed supply of closely adjacent containers, means normally tending to renew said supply, means to engage in the depressions in predetermined containers to move more than the engaged containers to segregate a selected group for loading, means to momentarily make ineifective said supply renewing means, and means to load said group into a case at said station.

6. In an automatic machine for loading con.- tainers having depressions in, the walls thereof into consecutively positioned cases at a plurality of loading stations, an elongated support extending adjacent said stations for a continually renewed supply of closely adjacent containers, a container conveyor substantially in alignment with said support and normally tending to new said supply, means intermittently operable to prevent movement of said containers by said conveyor, means. operable during the said intermittent operation to engage in said depressions and move selected containers to segregate a plurality of groups corresponding in number to said loading stations, and means to load each group into its respective case.

'7. In an automatic machine for loading containers into consecutively positioned cases at a plurality of loading stations, an elongated support extending adjacent said stations for a continually renewed supply of closely adjacent containers, a container conveyor substantially in

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