US1613984A - Machine for separating and feeding blanks - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 11, 1927.

W. W. DAVIDSON MACHINE FOR SEPARATING AND FEEDING BLANKS Filed July 15. 1925 s Sheets- Sheet '1 .OOOOOOO00OOOOOOOOO0 00NO 1,613,984 Jan. 11, 1927. w; w DAVDSON MACHINE FUR SEPARATING AND FEEDING BLANKS Filed July 15. 1925 s Sheets-Sheet 2- 1927' w. w. DAVIDSON MACHINE FOR SEPARATING AND FEEDING BLANKS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 mama Jan. 11, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM WARD DAVIDSON, OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO DAVIDSON MANU- FAGTURING COMPANY, OF MADISON, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

MACHINE FOR SEPARATING AND FEEDING BLANKS.

Application filed July 13, 1925. Serial No. 43.270.

This invention relates to machines for separating and feeding blanks and relates particularly to such machines of the general type which forms the subject-matter of an 5 application for U. S. Letters Patent therefor, filed by me on November 21, 1922, and numbered serially 602,359.

Machines of the general type to which the invention of the presentapplication relates.

comprise. a vertically movable blank supporting table, actuating means theretor,.

comprising a ratchet wheel and pawl, a vertically movable separator unitcomprising a separator roll which, in operation, is adapted to rest upon the uppermost blank ot' a pack supported on said blank supporting table, pawl actuating means. and means to render the same inactive. controlled by upward movement of the separator unit, the relation being such that said pawl will idle" when the separator roll is in the position. approximately, in which it will operate mostcfl'ecti v-ely. Til the. operation ot' the machine, this position of the separator roll is defined by the height of the pack of blanks in the ma hine where said separator roll rests upon it, regardless of its height elsewhere.

In the machine of my said prior application Serial No. 602,359, operation of the actuating pawl is controlled by an oscillating member adapted to contact directly with the top of the pack of blanks on the blank supporting table, the relation being such that when the level of the top of the pack s5vattains a predetermined height, said actuating pawl will be maintained inactive, but will become active when thetop of the pack falls below said predetermined level. Sperifically, said control member consists of an oscillating arm, mounted at the outer end of which is an anti-friction roller which is adapted to contact with the uppermost-blank of the pack as it approaches the upper limit of its indvement'.

Use in actual practicehas shown, thatthe teed cont rol. mechanism of my said prior application may he objectionable under certain conditions. as for example, when feeding blanks which are warped so' that. at some points, the pack will be higher or lower than the portion thereof with which the antit'riction roller on the control arm contacts,

which may result .in forcing the separator I unit upwardly against the stop which defines its extreme raised position, thus amming the machine and preventing its designed operation.

The control mechanism of my said prior application may also be objectionable when feeding some kinds of stock, due to contact of the roller forming part of the control mechanism with the blanks, as they are withdrawn, which may produce a resistance to the withdrawal of the blanks and thus impa'r the designed operation of the separator mechanism.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the foregoing objectionable features and. in accordance with my invention, I attain this end by providing actuating mechanism for the blank supporting carriage, includ'ng means for rendering said actuating means inoperative, which is controlled entirely by vupward movement of the separator unit, the relation being such that the actuating means for the blank supporting carriage will be inactive when the separator unit attains. a position in its vertical movement corresponding to a predetermined position of the separator roll, preferably that position in which it will operate most efi'ectively.

My improved actuating and control mechanism also comprises the various other features, combinations of features and details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, in which my invention is fully illustrated,

Figure 1 is afragmentary, substantially central, sectional elevation of a machine embodying my invention and improvements, looking towards the right from a position at the right of and facing the figure.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the right side ofthe machine from a position at the left of and facing the figure.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary detailed view of the actuating and control mechanism for the. pack supporting carriage from the right side of Figure 2.

Figures 4 and 5 are substantially similar pack supporting. carriage sectional side views on the line of Fig.

3, showing the control mechanism in different operative positions;

Figure 6 is a detached top plan view of the oscillating arm by which movement is imparted to the actuating pawl arm and its movement controlled; and

Figure 7 is a detached top plan view of said actuating pawl, and the pawl arm therefor.

As previouslv stated, the invention and improvements, which form the subject matter of the present applicatiomrelates to machines for separating and feeding blanks of the general type fully shown and described in my said prior application Serial No. 602,359.

However. as the present invention relates only to the mechanism for actuating and controlling the movement of the pack carriage, parts and features of the machine not germane to the present invention have been, for the most part. entirely omitted or, if shown at all, are shown diagrammatically, thus avoiding confusion, avoiding unnecessary description, and rendering the description of the invention of the present application clearer and more definite.

Describing my invention with particular reference to the drawings, adesignates one of the side frames of the machine.

The pack of blanks to be separated and fed, the top of which is indicated by the line I), Fig. 1, is supported upon a blank supporting carriage, designated as a whole C, comprising frame members one of which is shown at 0. which are rigidly connected by transverse rods 1, 2 and 3, and brackets 4 supported on the rods 1 and 3 so as to be 1 adjustable towards and from each other,

and which are adapted to be secured in adjusted positions by setiscrews threaded through bosses on said brackets in line with the supporting rods 1. The pack of'blanks rests directly upon a board 5 supported on arms .6 forming parts of the brackets 4, the plane of the top side of said bracket arms and the board 5 being substantially horizontal, whereby the pack of blanks will be supported flatwise and in substantially horizontal position.

The pack carriage C is bodily movable vertically, being confined and guided in its vertical movement by engagement of rigid 'parts theredf with guide hearings. on the side frame members a. In the preferable construction shown vertical spaced roller studs 7 project from the outer sides of the blank carriage C and engage guide grooves 8 formed in the adjacent sides of the frame members a. The pack carriageC is supported by means of chain belts 9 cormected thereto'andwhi'ch pass over sprocket wheels 10 secured to a shaft 11 rotatably mounted in suitable bearings in the side frame members a. The. ends of said chain belts opposite to the ends there- C hang free and weights l2 arc preferably suspended therefrom. adapted to prevent jumping of said chain belt calculated to cause disengagement thereof from the teeth lating movement is imparted in operation by a lever arm 14 secured to said shaft, said lever arm being connected by a rod 15 with a driven part of the machine in connection with which my improved separating and feeding machine is used. Also, to provide for throwing the separating and feeding machine out of operation without stopping the machine to which it is applied, said lever arm 15 preferably is mounted on the rod shaft 13 so as to turn thereon, and is adapted to be secured thereto and disconnected therefrom by means of a suitable clutch. However, said clutch forms no part of my present invention and will not, therefore be either shown or described herein.

The power means for driving the shaft 11 also comprises a ratchet gear, designated as a whole D so constructed and arranged that oscillation of the shaft 13 W111 impart step by step rotat'on to the shaft 11 in a direction to raise the pack carriage C. As shown, said ratchet gear comprises a ratchet wheel 16 mounted to turnon the shaft 13,

secured to rotate with which is a pinion 17 an actuating pawl 19 pivoted upon a frame or support 20.

As shown, see particularly Fig. 7, sad

pawl frame or support 20 consists of arms 0 and 20 rigidly connected at their outer ends by a stud 21 upon which the pawl 19 is pivoted.

Said pawl 19 is maintained yieldingly in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 16 by'a spring 22 opposite ends'of wh ch are connected to pins 23 and 24, secured in said pawland in the arm'20? of the pawl carrying frame, respectively.

As shown, the ratchet wheel 16 is prevented, from turning hackwards--which would lower the pack carriage by a retaining pawl 25 pivoted to a pin 26 sccurel'l in the frame member (t on which said ratchet gear I) is mounted. The retaining pawl 25 is mainta ned normally in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 16 by a spring 27, opposite ends of which are connected to pins 28 and 29 secured, respectively, in the outer end of said retaining pawl and in the lil frame member a. of the machine.

For reasons presently explained, the pins :3 and 23 secured m'the actuating and retaining pawls l!) and 25, respectively, project at the outer sides of said pawls.

In the operation of the machine the actuating pawl 19 is adapted to be advanced to impart step by step rotation to the ratchet wheel 16 by means of a tappet 31 formed on and which projects laterally from an arm 32 secured'to the shaft 13 so as to turn or oscillate therewith, said tappet 31 being adapted to engage surfaces 33 on the arms and 20 of the frame or support 20 to which the actuating pawl is pivoted, as said arm 32 approaches the limit of itsadvancement towards said frame 20.

As shown, also, a cam 34 is secured to or formed on a lateral extension 35 of the arm 32, said cam comprising a circular tread portion 36 which is concentric with the axis of the shaft 13, and a cut-away portion 37.

- The function of said canrwill presently be described.

In accordance with my nvention. the means for retracting the actuating pawl 19 comprisesa lever designated, as a whole E, which is pivoted to the frame member a at 38. The lever E is connected to the arm a 20 of the frameQO which carries the actuating pawl, by a rod 39, which has pivotal connection to both said lever and arm, the means for connecting said rodto the lever E be'ng preferably constructed and arranged for adjusting the operative length of said rod. As shown the rod 39 has a hook 40 on its lower end adapted to engage a hole in the member 20 of theframe 20 and the means for connecting said rod to the pivoted lever 1) consists of a stud 41 comprising a head 42 formed in which is a hole to wh ch the rod 39 is fitted so as to be freely movable endwise'. The operative length of sad rod is adapted to be adjusted by meansof a nut 43 threaded to the end of said rod wh'ch projects through the head 42 of said stud and which is adapted to be secured in different adjusted positions by means of a lock nut 44 threaded .to the upper end of the rod 39, a nut lock consist ng of a star shaped washer 45 being preferably inserted between the nuts 43 and 44.

As shown, the pivot stud 41 comprises a shank 46 wlrch is fitted to a bushing 47 compris'ng a body portion 48, which has screw threaded engagei'nent with a'hole in (ill the lever B, and a head'49, a shoulder which engages a ri id part of the lever E, a lock washer 50 being preferably inserted between the shoulder of the head 49 and the lever 1).

As shown, the shank of the pivoted stud 41 is secured in engagement with the bore of the bushing 47 by means of a cotter pin.

Applied to the lever E is a spring 51 adapted to turn said lever pivotally to retract the pawl, when said level is free to respond thereto, in'a direction to retract the pawl 19. opposite ends of said spring being attached to said lever and to a pin 52 senot, therefore, be shown or described in detail. A desirable and preferable form of separator unit is that which forms part of the blank separating and feeding machine which is the subject matter of my said prior application Serial No. 602,359, to which reference is here made for a description thereof in detail, both as regards construction and operation.

As herein shown, said separator unit F is supported by means of a rod 54 pivoted in the ends of arms 55 secured to a rock shaft 56 mounted to turn in bearings in the side frame members a. Said separator unit is supported in upright position by roller studs 57 on the frame thereof, which engage guide grooves or channels-58 in the side frame members a of the machine, see particularly Fig. 1.

The weightof the separator unit is sup ported in part by a counter weight 59, which is adjustable lengthwise on lever arm 60 secured to the rock shaft 56. Simple means for securing said lever arm to the rock shaft consists of a head 61 pinned or otherwise-rigidly secured to the end of said rock n shaft whichprojects through its bearing in the frame member a, formed in which is a groove 62 to which said lever arm is fitted, being secured in engagement therewith by screws or similar means. 7

During the actuation of the-separator and feed rolls to Withdraw blanks separately from a pack on the pack carriage C, the.

actuating pawl 19 is adapted to be maintained inactive by means provided for the purpose. As shown. said means consistof a roller stud 63 mounted at the end of the lever arm l] at the opposite side of its pivot I 5 roller stud 63"will be above the portion 37 of said cam tread. which is cut back a sufficient distance below the tread portion 36, to permit the lever arm E to turn pivotally-when free to do so-a distance corresponding to desired retraction of the actuating pawl 19, say five or six teeth as a maximum.

In the operation of the machine, the actuating pawl 19 is adapted to be maintained inactive at intervals bymeans in association with the separator unit F, the relation being such that when the blank separator unit attains an elevation corresponding to a predetermined position of the separator 20 roll 53, in which it will operate most effectively, said actuating pawl will idle, that is, will execute an oscillating movement less than the pitch of the ratchet wheel 16, but will become operative as blanks are fed from the top of the pack on the pack carriage C,

so that the position of the separator roll will be below said predetermined position.

In the preferable construction shown, the means for thus controlling the operation of said actuating pawl 19 consists of a lock bar 64 pivoted upon the pin 52, the lower end of which is adapted to engage a rigid surface on the pivoted lever E, said surface comprising a section 65 which is concentric :55 with the axis of the pin 52 and a section 66 which is eccentric to the axis of said pin, and which diverges from the surface 65 in the direction of the pivot 38 of the lever E. For reasons presently explained, the surface 40 66 is provided with serrations 67, the rela- ,tion being such that corresponding surfaces of said serrations will be normal to radial lines intersecting the same and which pass through the axis of the pin 52. The function of said serrations will presently appear.

When there are no blanks on the pack carriage C or when the level of the top of the pack of blanks is below the separator roll 53, said separator roll being at the lower limit of its movement, the lock bar 64 will hang free, Substantially as Shown in dotted I the cam 34, said lever will have capacity for lines in Fig. 5, with its lower end over the cccentrlc portion 66 of the stop surface on the "pivoted lever E. the relation being such that when said lock bar is in this position it will permit maximum retraction of the lever E by the spring 51, thus imparting designed maximum rotation to the shaft 11 My improved control mechanism also comprises means, rendered operative by upward 9 movement of the separator unit F, whereby,

retraction of the' actuating pawl uutil,

when the said lock bar is in position to contact with the portion of said stop surface, retraction of the actuating pawl will be less than the pitch of the teeth of the ratchet wheel 16, whereupon said actuating pawl will merely idle, that is will execute a shaft backward and forward movement which, however, will be insutiicient to permit said pawl to engage a tooth otherv than that with which it is in engagement at any given time.

Stated differently, when, in the operation of the machine, the lock bar 64 is in position to engage the'stop surface 65 of the lover I), it will maintain said lever in pivotal position corresponding, substantially, to engagement of the roller stud 63 with the cam surface 36. Preferably, however, said cam and roller stud are so proportioned that when in engagement, they will turn the lever l) pivotally to provide slight clearance between the lowcr end of the lock bar 64 and the stop surface 65. thus permitting free pivotal movement of said lock bar. Obviously this would not be the case if the lower end of said lock bar were held in frictional engagement with the stop surface by the tension of the spring 51, as would be the case without said cam and roller stud, or equivalent means.

In operation, engagement of the roller stud 63 With the cam 36 will turn the lever E pivotally to extend the spring 51 and restore its tension, the connection between the link 39 and stud 41 being constructed and arranged to permit pivotal movement of the said lever E in a direction corresponding to'advancement of the actuating pawl 19, independently of the rod 39.

The relation is such, however, that when the lock bar 64 is in a position above the stop surface 66 on the lever E and the roller stud 63 is over the cut-away section 37 of pivotal movement to permit retraction of the actuating pawl a distance greater than the pitch of the teeth of the ratchet wheel 16, such retraction increasing as the lock bar 64 approaches the positionshown in dotted lines in Fig. 5, in which position the capacity for pivotal movement of said lever E will correspond to designed maximum retraction of'the actuating pawl.

The function of the serrations 67 is to provide a number of short steps on said stop ,surface 66 at different distances from the axis of the pivot pin 52, which the end of sists of a pin 68 secured in an extension 69 of the counter-weighted lever 60, rearwardly from the rock shaft 56, which as the lever 60 turns pivotally, corresponding to raising movement of the separator unit, will engage acam surface 70 formed on a head 7 l on the pivoted end of the lock bar 64, the relation being such that, as the separator unit is raised into position corresponding to most eflicient operation of the separator roll 53, said lock bar 64 will gradually be turned pivotally into the position shown in full lines in Figs. 4; and 5 of the drawings. In this position of the lock bar, the actuating pawl 19 will be inactive and will become andremain inactive until a sufficient number of blanks have been fed from the pack supported on the pack carriage C to permit the separator unit-and thus the separator roll 53t0 lower a suflieient distance to permit the lock bar 64 to turn pivotally out of engagement with the stop surface 65 and to bring it over a-serration 67 of the stop surface 66, which corresponds to retraction of the actuating pawl a distance equal to the pitch of the teeth of the ratchet wheel 16.

As shown, the pivotal position of the lock bar 64 corresponding to inaction of the actuating pawl 19 is defined by engagement of the pin 68 with a shoulder 72 at the upper end of the cam surface 70, said shoulder being preferably rounded to fit the pin 68.

- Obviously, the rounded shoulder 72 will form an abrupt divergent extension of the f cam surf-ace 70 in a direction to throw the lock bar 64 abruptly into position to engage the stop surface 65, as the separator unit approaches an elevation corresponding to inaction ofthe actuating pawl. This expedient obviates any necessity for nice adjustment of parts, which might otherwise be necessary.

insure that said lock 'har will 'not 'pass out of engagement with said stop surface. Also,

the head 71 on said lock bar is extended upward beyond the shoulder 72 so that, even should the separator unit F be raised to the extreme limit of its elevation, it would be impossible for said pin to pass out of engagement with said head 71'.

The contour of the extension of the head 71 ot' the lock bar 61L above the shoulder 72 is the arc of a circie.said are being designated 73 which is concentric with the axis oi" the rock shaft. 56, when the pin 68 is in engagement with the shoulder 72.

To avoid fine fitting and to provide for making adjustments to compensate for wear I of theparts, particularly in the pivot stud 63, the lever E preferably consists of separate parts 74 and 7 5, which are pivoted to each other at T6. The pivot bearing 38 for said lever is formed in and the roller stud 63 is mounted upon the part 76 of said lever,

while the stop surfaces 65 and 66 are formed.

directly upon the part 75 thereof.

The parts 74 and 75 of said lever are adapted to be adjusted relative to each other into positions corresponding to desired operative relations of the roller stud 63 and the stop surfaces65 and 66 by a thrust screw 77, which has screw threaded engagement with a boss on the part 74 of said lever, in line with the portion of the p'art 75 of said lever on which the stop surface 65 is formed, said .thrust screw being adapted to be secured in adjusted positions by a lock nut.

\Vhen the parts 74 and 75 ofsaid lever E have been adjusted into proper operative positions, they are adapted to be clamped rigidly together by the bushing 47 which has screw threaded engagement with a hole in the part 74L of said lever and which is positioned in a slot 7 8 formed in the part 75 of said lever, shown best in Fig. Thus, when saidbushing is screwed up, it will clamp the parts 74L and 75 of said lever together, unscrewing of said bushing being prevented by means of the l ck washer applied thereto, as previously explained.

The pack carriage C is adapted to be.

raised manually by means of a crank 79 rigidly secured to the ratchet wheel 16 and i the pinion 17, said crank, ratchet wheel and pinion being mounted on the shaft 13 so as to turn thereon. Said crank, ratchet .wheel and pinion may thus be secured together and mounted by means of a bushing 80 to which they are keyed or otherwise secured. said bushing being provided with a borefitted to the shaft 13 and said bushing is secured in engagement with the shaft 13 by means of a washer 81 secured to the outer end of said shaft 13,by a screw 82, the

shank of which extends thru a hole, in -the said washer-and has screw threaded engagement with a hole in the end of said shaft.

As shown the outer arm 20 of the pawlcarrylngirame 20 is fitted to turn on the pack carriage gradually by bushing 80, while the inner arm thereof is fitted to turn on the shaft 13.

With the described constrifction, it is obvious that rotation of the crank 79 in a direction to cause the teeth of the ratchet wheel 16 to overrun the pawls 19 and will turn the gear 18 and the sprocket wheel shaft 11 in a direction to raise the pack carriage. a

To lower the pack carriage it is first necessary to disengage both the actuating pawl 19 and the retaining pawl 25 from the teeth of the ratchet wheel 16, to permit the sprocket wheel shaft 11 to be turned backwards and,

- to prevent the pack carriage from falling from its own Weight or under the added weight of a pack of blanks carried thereby, the means for disengaging said pawls preferably constructed and arranged so that it may be operated with one hand only, leaving the other hand free to lower said gripping the handle of the crank 79. As shown,- the means for disengaging said pawls from the ratchet wheel consists of a lever 83 pivoted at one end to the side frame member a on which the ratchet gear I) is mounted, and which is maintained normally in raised position by a spring 84 opposite ends of which are secured to pins 85 and 86 secured, respectively, in said lever and in the frame member a. v

Said lever 83 is adapted to be turned 3 pivotally against the force of the spring 84 said slot 92.

by means of a pin 87 secured in the outer end therefrom and which projects inwardly towards the frame member a.

Pivotally connected to said lever 83 is a pawl retraction link 88 formed on which are projections 89 and 90 which extend over the pins 23 and 28 secured in the actuating pawls 19 and 25, respectively, and which, as previously explained, project at the outer sides of said pawls.

The pawl retraction link is confined in operative position relatively to the pins 23 and 28 by means of a stud 91 secured in the frame member a, the outer end ofwhich is reduced and extends through a slot 92 formed in said pawl retraction link and is secured in engagement with said slot by means of a screw 93, which has screw threaded. engagement with a hole in the end of the stud 91 and the head 'of which extends outwardly so as to embrace the sides of The lever 83 is maintained normally at the upper limit of its movement-defined by contact of the lower end of the slot 92 with the stud 91'by the spring 84, said slot being made sufiiciently long to" provide for pivotal movement of the lever 83 to depress the projections 89 and 90 on the pawl retraction link into engagement with the pins 23 and 28 securedin the pawls 19 viousthat the pawls 19 and 25 may be re- 7 tracted by depressing the lever 83 with one hand, leaving the other hand free to turn the crank 79 to lower the pack carriage U.

The pin 23 secured in the actuating pawl 19 will oscillate with the frame 20 on which said pawl is mounted and to insure discngagement of said actuating pawl by the retraction link 88, under all operating conditions, the projection 89 on said link extends beyond the pin 23when the actuating an pawl is in its position of extreme advancementa distance slightly greater than the traverse of said pawl.

In accordance with my invention, also,

I preferably provide safety means to prevent falling of the pack carriage C when the lever 83 is turned to disengage the pawls 19 and 25 from-the teeth of the ratchet wheel 16, should the handle of the crank 79 slip out of the operators hand in lowering lathe pack carriage.

lVhat I now consider preferable means for this purpose, consists of a projection 94 on the lever 83 which, .when said lever is in its position of extreme depression, will 95 project into the path of movement of a rigid ,part of the crank 79, but will be out of the path of movement thereof when said lever is at the upper limit of the movement, thus permitting said crank to be turned freely by hand to raise the pack carriage.

As shown, the projection on the crank 79 consists of a pin 95 mounted so as to bc movable endwise in hearings in the crank handle 96, said rod being maintained yield- 1 ably extended so as to engage the safety projection 94 on the lever 83, when said lever is depressed,',and being adaptedto be retracted manually to permit it to pass said safety projection, when it is desired to lower 0- a hole formed in the end of said handle sup port 97 remote from the crank arm 7 9. The pin 95 is maintained yieldingly extended by a spring 101 which reacts between a shoulder 102 at the inner end of the pin 95 and the inner end of the relatively small hole 99 said handle support 97, and which surrounds the shank 10Q of said pin, as a guide. The pin 95 is' maintained in engagement with the hole 98 in the crank by a head 103 se cured to the outer end' of the shank of said pin and to provide a smooth hand grip, the parts of the portion of the crank heretofore described are enclosed by a sleeve 104 fitted to bearings formed on the handle sup port 97 adjacent to the crank arm 79 and on the head 103. As shown, the head 103 is secured to the shank 100 by'a screw 105, comprising a shank which extends thru a hole formed in the end of the shank 100 of the pin 95 and has screw threaded engagement with a" hole formed in said head 103. As shown, thehead of'said screw is relativelylong, its outer end being preferably substantially fiush with the surface of the sle ev'e.104.

Retraction of the pin 95 to permit it to pass the safety projection 94 on the lever 83 when the lever 83 is depressed, may obviously be effected by drawing the sleeve 104 outwardly into the position shown in dotted lines, Fig. 4, which conveniently can be done by the hand of the operator used for turning said crank. a

Retraction of the pin 95 is limited by contact of the-shoulder at its inner end with the shoulder formed between the large and small porti'ons98 and 99 of the hole in the handle supporting portion 97 of the crank.

I claim: 1 1. In a blank separating machine of the type specified, the combination of a vertically movable pack carriage, means for raising and lowering said pack carriagecomprising power actuated means for raising the same, a vertically movable blank separator unit comprising a rotatable separator roll adapted to rest upon the uppermost blank of a pack of blanks on the pack carriage, the relation being such that, in operation, the separator rollwill at all times rest upon the pack, means for-rotatingsaid separator roll in a direction .to advancethe blanks, and means actuated and controlled solely by u ward movement of said sep-" arator unit or rendering the poweractuated means for raising said pack carriage anactive when said separator unit attains. a.

predetermined position. I

2. In ablank separating machine ofthef type specified, the combination of a vertically movable pack carriage, means for raising and lowering-said pack carriage comprising power actuated means for raising the same, a vertically movable, blank separator unit comprising a rotatable separator roll adapted to rest upon the uppermost upwardkmoveme'nt of said separator blank ot a pack of blanks on the'lpack carriage,the relation being such-that in opera- 1 tion the separator rollwil'l at'all times restupon said pack, means for rotating said separator -rollupon a; substantially stationary axis, and means actuated, and controlled soleunit for rendering the power actuated means for raising said pack carriage inactive when said separator unit-attains a position corresponding to that of most efiective operation of the separator roll.

3. In a blank separating machine of the type specified, the combination of a vertically movable pack carriage, means for raising and lowering said pack carriage comprising power actuated means for raising the same, a vertically movable blank separator unit comprising-a rotatable separator 'roll adapted to rest upon the uppermost blank of a pack of blanks on said pack car riage, the relation being such that, in operation, the separator roll will at all times rest upon said pack, the power actuated means for raising said pack carriage comprising ratchet gearing, and means actuated and;

fiedin claim 1, which also comprises means for disconnecting said pack carriage actuating means, meansfor controlling the lowering of said pack carriage, and means to pre vent falling of the pack carriage when said actuating means is disconnected.

6. A blank separating machine as specitied in claim 1, which also comprises means for disconnecting said pack carriage actuating means, means for controlling the lowering of sa1d pack carriage, and manually operated means to prevent-falling of the pack carriage when said actuating means is disconnected. 1

7 Ablank separating machine as specified in'claim 1, which also'comprises means for disconnecting said pack carriage actuating means, means for controlling the lower ing of said packcarriage, and manually opcarriage when said actuatingmeans is disconnected rendered operative by disconnecting thepackearriage actuating means.

fied in claim 3, in which the ratchet gearing comprises'a ratchet wheel, actuating and re-' tainin, ;pawls and manually operated means erated means to prevent falling of the pack a 8. blankseparat-ing machine as specifor disengaging said pawls from 7 said,

carriage.

ratchet wheel to permit lowering of the pack I 9. A blank separating machine as spe tied in claim 3,'in which the ratchet gearing" comprises a ratchet wheel, actuating and re 1 tainingpawls, means for disengaging said pawls from' said ratchet wheel to' 'pennit lowering of the pack carriage, and a crank applied to the driven shaft for turning the same by hand.

10. A blank separating machine as specified in claim 3, in which the ratchet gearing comprises a ratchet wheel, actuating and retalnmg pawls, means for disengaging said 7 pawls from said ratchet wheel and means to prevent the pack carriage from falling when said pawls are disengaged.

11. A blank separating machine as specified in claim 3, in which the ratchet gearing comprises a ratchet wheel, actuating and retaining pawls, means for disengaging said pawls from said ratchet wheel to per-.

' mit lowering of the pack carriage comprising a manually operable lever, projections v on said pawls, a link connectedto said lever,

for disengaging said pawls from said ratchet wheel, and means to prevent the pack car riage from falling when said pawls are disengaged, the means for disengaging the when pawls from the teeth of the ratchet wheel consisting of a manually operable pivoted v.lever, projections on said pawls, a link connected' to said le'ver, projections thereon adapted to engage the projections on said pawls, and a spring applied to said lever adapted to turn it to retract the projections on said link from engagement with the projections onsaid pawls.

-13. A blank separating machine as specified in 'claim 3, in which the ratchet gearing comprises .a ratchet wheel, actuating and retaimng pawls, a crank applied to the driven shaft, means for disengaging said pawls vfrom said ratchet wheel, and means i to prevent the pack carriage from falling said vpawls are disengaged, th means for disengaging the" pawls fro the teeth of the ratchet wheel consisting of a manually operable lever, projections on said pawls,a link connected to said lever,

projections thereon adapted to engage. the

projections on said pawls, and a spring applied to said lever adapted to turn it to retract the projections on said link from engagement with the projections onv said.

pawls,- and the means for preventing the pack carriage from falling consisting of a projection on said pawl retracting lever, I and a pin on the crank applied to the driven shaft, 'the relation being such that the projection on said pawl retracting lever will be out of the path of movement of the pin on said crank when said 'lever is in position corresponding to engagement of the pawls with the teeth of the ratchet wheel andwill project into the path of movement of said pin when said lever is in position to disengage said pawls, the, pin on the crank being movable, a spring applied thereto adapted to maintain itnormally extended, and manually operable means for retracting said pin.

14. A blank separating machine specified inlclaim 3, in which the ratchet. gearing comprises a ratchet wheel, actuating and retaining' pawls, a crank applied to the driven shaft, means for disengaging said pawls from saidratchet wheel, and means, to prevent the pack carriage'from falling when said pawls are disengaged, the means for.

disengaging the pawls from the teeth of the ratchet wheel consisting of a manually operable lever, projections on said pawls, a link connected to said lever, projections thereon adapted to engage the projections on said pawls, and a spring applied to said lever adapted to turn it to retract the projections on said link from engagement with the projectlons on said pawls, and the means for preventing the pack carriage from falling consisting of a projection on said pawl retracting lever, and a pin on the crankapplied to the driven shaft, the relation being such that the projection on said pawl retracting lever will be out of the path of movement ofthe pin on said crank when said lever is in position corresponding to engagement of the pawls, and will project into the path of movement of said pin when said lever is in position corresponding to disengagement of said pawls, the pin on the crank being movable endwise, and a spring applied thereto adapted to maintain it normally extended, the handle of said crank comprising a grip portion which is movable endwise, and connection between said grip portion and pin providing means for retracti'ng said pin. I

15.4 In a blank separating machine of the type specified, the combination of 'a vertically movable pack carriage, means for raising and lowering said pack carriage comprising power actuated means for raising the same, a vertically movable blank .separator unit, comprising a frame and a separator roll'rotata ly mounted therein ada ted to restupon the uppermost blank 0 -a pack of blanks on saidpack carriage, the power actuated means-for raising said pack carriage comprising driving and driven shafts, meansadapted for imparting oscilf lating movement to said driving shaftin' pack carriage a distance less than the pitch of the teeth,

of the ratchetwheel when said separator-- unit attains a predetermined position.

"16. In a blank separating machine of the type specified, the combination of a vertically movable pack carriage, means for raising and lowering said pack carriage comprising power actuatedmeans for raising the same, a vertically movable blank separator unit, comprising a frame and a sep arator roll rotatably mounted therein "adapted to rest upon the uppermost blank of a pack of blanks on said pack carriage,

the power actuated means for raising said 7 comprising driving and driven shafts, means adapted for imparting oscillating movement to said driving shaft in 4 operation, ratchet gearing connecting said driving and driven shafts, and connection between the driven shaft and the pack carriage, means for limiting'retraction' of the actuating pawl to a desired maximum when the separator unit is at the lower limit of its movement, and means controlled by raising movem'ent'of the separator unit for gradually reducing retraction of the actuating pawl to a distance less than the pitch of the teeth of the ratchet wheel when said separator unit attains a predetermined position.

17. A blank separating machine as specified in claim 15, in which the means for retraeting the actuating pawl .of\the ratchet gearing and for controlling retraction of said pawl, comprisesa pivoted lever, a link which connects said lever with the support for saidpawl, a spring applied to said lever adapted for turning the same to retract said means in association with said lever and conpawl, means in association with said lever and controlled by raising movement of the separator unit for reducing the pivotal move ment of said lever to an arc corresponding to retraction of the actuating pawl a distance less than the-pitch of the teeth of the ratchet wheel when the separator unit attains a predetermined position 18, Ablank separating machine'as specified in claim 15, in which the means for retracting the actuating pawl of .the ratchet gearing and for controlling retraction of sai' pawl, comprises apivoted lever, a link which connects said lever with the support for said pawl, a spring applied to said lever adapted for turning the same to! retract said pawl,

trolled b'yraising movement of the separator unit for reducing the pivotal movement of said lever to an arc corresponding to retraction of the actuating pawl a distance less than the pitch of the teeth ofthe ratchet wheel when the separator unit attains a predetermined position, the connection of said link to one of the parts connected thereby being constructed and arranged to permit movement of said pivoted lever in a direction corresponding to advancement of said actuating pawl independently of the support for said actuating pawl.

19; A blank separating machine as specified in claim 15, in which the means for re- 3 tracting the actuating pawl of the ratchet gearing and for controllin retraction of said pawl, comprises a pivoted ever, a link which connects said levenwith the supporting mem berfor said actuating pawl, a spring applied to said lever adaptedfor turning the same to retract said pawl, a pivoted lock bar, and a stop surface formed on said pivoted lever adapted to be brought into contact with the end of said lock bar by pivotal movement of said lever, said stop surface comprising sec tions which are relatively proximate to and remotefrom the-pivot of said lock bar, and means controlled by raising movement of the separator unit for turning said lock bar pivotally. 1

20. A blank separating machine as specified in claim 15, in which the means for retractin'g the actuating pawl of the ratchet gearing and for controlling retraction of said pawl, comprises a pivoted lever, alink which connects said lever with the supporting member for said actuating pawl, a spring applied pawl, apivoted lock bar, and a stop surface formed on said lever adapted to be brought into contact with the end of said lock bar by pivotal movement of said lever, said stop surface comprising sections Which are relatively proximate to and remote from the pivot of said lock bar, the proximate section being concentric with the pivot of saidlock bar, and means controlled by raising movement of the separator unit for turning said lock bar pivotally.

21. A blank separating machine as specified in claim 15, in which the means for retracting the actuating pawl of the ratchet gearing and for controlling retraction of said pawl, comprises a pivoted lever, alink which connectssaid lever. with the supporting member for said actuating pawl, a spring applied to said lever adapted to turn it to retract said pawl, a pivoted lock bar and a stop surface formed on said lever which is adapted to be brought into contact with the end of said lock bar by pivotal movement of to said lever adapted to turn itto retractsaid 45 to turn said lever proximate section being concentric with the pivot of said lock bar, and the remote section being eccentric relative to the pivot of said lock bar, and means controlled by rais- 5 ing movement of said separator unitto turn the lock bar pivotally.

22. A blank separating machine as specified in claim 15, in which the means for retracting the actuating pawl of the ratchet l0 gearing and for controlling retraction of said pawl, comprises a pivoted lever,a link which connects said lever with the supporting member for said actuating pawl, a spring applied to said lever adapted to turn it. to retract said pawl, a pivoted lock bar and a stop surface formed on said lever adapted to be brought into contact with the end of said lock bar by pivotalmovementof said lever comprising sections which are relatively proximate to and remote from the pivot ofsaid lock bar, means controlled by raising movement of the separator unit to turn said lock bar pivotally, and means to turn said lever ivotally to retract the stop surface on said pivoted lever from contact with the end of said lock bar between actuations of said lever to retract the actuating pawl.

23. A blank separating machine asspecified in claim 15, in which the means for re- 3 tracting the actuating pawl of the ratchet gearing and for controlling retraction of said pawl, comprises a pivoted lever, a; link which connects said' lever with the supporting member for said actuating pawl, a

springapplied to said lever adapted to turn it to retract said pawl, a pivoted ,lock" bar and a stop surface formed on said lever adapted to be brought into contact with. the end of saidlock bar by pivotal movement of 40 said lever comprising sections which are relatively proximate to and remote from the pivot of said lock bar, means controlled a cam secured to the driving shaft and a stud on said lever adapted toengage said cam.

24. A blankseparating machine as specified in claim 15, in which the means for retracting the actuating pawl of the ratchet gearing and for controlling retraction of said pawl, comprises a vpivoted lever, a link whichconnec ts said leverwlth the supporting member for said actuating pawl, a 50 spring applied to said lever adapted to turn it to retract said pawl, 21 pivoted lock bar and a stop urface formed on said lever adapted to-be brought into contact with the end ofsaid stop bar by pivotal movement of said lever, and means controlled by raising movement of the separator unit to turn said lock bar pivotally comprising a head formed on said lock bar, a cam surface thereon and a pin secured in a part which moves with said separator unit adapted to engage the cam surface on the head of said lock bar.

25. A blank separating machine as specified in claim 15, in which the means for retracting the actuating pawlvof the ratchet gearing and for controlling retraction of said pawl, comprises a pivoted lever, a link which connects said lever with the supporting member for said actuating pawl, a spring applied to said lever adapted to turn it to retract said pawl, a pivoted lock bar and a stop surface formed on said pivoted lever adapted to be brought into contact with the end of said lock bar by pivotal movement, of said lever, and means con trolled by raising movement of the, separator unit for; turning said lock bar pivotally,

a cam surface thereon and a pin secured in a part which moves with said se arator unit adapted to engage the cam surace on the head on said lock bar, the head on said lock bar extending above the control pin to preventfdisengagement of said pin and lock bar from each other.

26. A blank separating machine as specified in claim 15, in which the means for retracting the actuating pawl of the ratchet gearing and for controlling retraction of said pawl, comprises apivoted lever, a link which connects said lever with the support.- ing member for said actuating pawl, -a spring applied tosaid lever adapted to ,turn it to retract said pawl, a pivoted lock bar, and a stop surface formed on said lever adapted to he brought into contact with the end of said lock bar by pivotal movement of said lever, said stop surface comprising sections which are relatively proximate to and remote from the pivot of said lock bar, the proximate section being concentric with the'pivot of said lock bar, and means controlled by raising movement of the separator unit for turning said lock bar pivotally, the stop surface on said pivoted lever being sufl'iciently long to prevent disengagement of the lock bar thereforma N 27. A blank separating machine as specified in claim 15, in which the means for re- 'tra'cting the actuating pawl of the ratchet:

gearing and for controlling retraction of said pawl, comprisesa pivoted lever, a'link' which connects said lever with the supporting member for said actuating pawl, a spring applied to said lever adapted to turn it to retract said pawl, a pivoted lock bar and astop' surface formed on said lever which is adapted to be brought into contact with the end of said lock bar by pivotal movement of said lever, sa'id' comprising a head formed on said lock bar,

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stop surface comprising sections which are relatively proximate to and remote from the pivot of said lock bar, the proximate section being concentric with the pivot of said lock bar, and the remote section being eccentric relative to the pivot of said lock bar, and means controlled by raising movement of said separator unit to turn the lock bar pivotally, the eccentric section of the stop surface onthe said pivoted lever being serrated.

28. A blank separating machine as specified in claim 15, in which the means for retracting the actuating pawl of the ratchet gearing and for controlling retraction of said pawl, comprises a. pivoted lever, a link which connects said lever with the supporting member for 'said actuating pawl, a

:spring applied to said lever adapted to turn .it to retract said pawl, a pivoted lock bar,

and a stop surface formed on saidpivoted lever adapted to be brought into contact with the end of said-lock bar by pivotal movement of said lever, said stopsurface being adjustable and comprising sections which are relatively proximate to and remote from the pivot of said lock bar, and means controlled by upward movement of the separator unit for turning said lock bar pivotally.

29. A blank separating machine as specic fied in claim 15, in which the means for retracting the actuating pawl of the ratchet gearing and for controlling retraction of said pawl, comprises a-pivoted lever, a link which connects said lever with thesupporting member for said actuating pawl, a spring applied to said lever adapted for turning the same to retract said pawl, a pivoted lock bar, and a stop surface formed on said pivoted lever adapted to be brought into contact with the end of said lock bar by pivotal movement of said lever, said lever comprising separate adjustably connected parts, one thereof'being pivoted to a fixed support, and the other bearingthe stop surface,- and means for securing the parts of said lever togetherin fixed relatioz 30. A blank separating machine as specified in claim 15, in which the means for re tracting the actuating pawl of the ratchet gearing and for controlling retraction of said pawl, comprises a pivoted lever, a link which connects said lever with the supporting member for said actuating pawl, a

spring applied to said lever adapted for turning the same to retract said pawl, a

pivoted lock bar, and a stop surface formed on said pivoted lever adapted to be brought into contact with the end of saidlock bar by pivotal movement of said lever, saidlever comprising separate adjustably connected parts, one thereof being pivoted to a fixed support, and the other bearing the stop surface, means for effecting adjustment of the part of said lever which bears thestop surface relative to the other part of the lever and means for'securing said parts together in fixed relation.

' 31. A blank se arating machine as specified in claim 15, in which the means for retrading the actuating-pawl of the ratchet gearing and for controlling retraction of said pawl, comprises a pivoted lever, a link which connects said lever with the supporting member for said actuating pawl, a. spring applied to said lever adapted for turning the same to retract said pawl, a pivoted lock bar, and a stop surface formed on said pivoted lever adapted to be brought into contact with the end of said lock bar by pivotal movement of said lever, said lever comprising separate pivotally connected parts, one, of which is pivoted to a fixed support, and the other of which bears the stop surface, and means for securing said parts-together in fixed relation.

32. A blank separating machine as speci fied inclaim 15, in which the means for re-,

which connects said lever with the support ing member for said actuating pawl, a

spring applied to said lever adapted to turn it to retract said pawl, a pivoted'lockv bar and a stop surface formed on said lever adapted to be brought into contact with the end of said lock bar by pivotal movement of said lever, comprising sections which are relatively proximate to and 'remote from the pivot of said lock bar, means controlled by raising movement of the separator unit to turn said lock bar pivotally, and means to turn said lever pivotally to retract the stop surfaceon' said pivoted lever from contact with the end of said lock bar between actuations of said lever to retract the actuating pawl, said pivoted lever comprising separate adjustably connected parts, one thereof being pivoted to a fixed support, and the other bearing the stop surface, and means for securing the parts of said lever together in fixed relation.

33. Av blank separating machine as specified in claim 15, in *which the means for retracting the actuating pawl of the ratchet gearing and for controlling retraction of said pawl, comprises pivoted lever, a link end of said lock bar by pivotal movement ofsaid lever, comprising sections which are relatively proximate to and remote from the pivot of said lock bar, means controlled by raising movement of the separator unit to turn said lock bar pivotally, and means to turn said lever pivotally to retract'the stop' 5 surface on said pivoted lever from contact with the end of said lock bar between actuations of said lever to retract the actuating pawl, consisting of a cam secured to the driving shaft and a stud on said lever adapted to engage said cam.

' In Witness that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I affix my signature this Qlth day of June, 1925. K

WILLIAM WARD DAVIDSON.

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