US2735598A - Packaging machine - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 21, 1956 H. MESSINGER PACKAGING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 28, 1951 1 N VEN TOR.

155 75/? H Mass/Nam A. My AT TORNEYS H. MESSINGER 2,735,598

PACKAGING MACHINE 28, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 21, 1956 File l Dec.

INVENTOR. 15575? H MESS/N65 A TTORNEYS 1 l lu/ l l l Feb. 21, 1956 H. MESSINGER PACKAGING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 28, 1951 Feb. 21, 1956 H. MESSINGER PACKAGING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 28, 1951 INVENTOR. Milli-I rm 6. /V$$//VG/P A TTORNE Y5 Feb. 21, 1956 H. MESSINGER 2,735,598

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Dec. 28, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 J INVEN TOR. I LESTER/9f MfSS/A/Gf/P ATTORNEYS Feb. 21, 1956 H. MESSINGER 2.7355

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Dec. 28, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVEN TOR. 4575/? hi M55 01/65? A T TORNEYS Feb. 21, 1956 H. MESSINGER 2,735,598

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Dec. 28, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 ATTORNEYS llnited States Patent PACKAGING MACHINE Lester H. Messinger, Trumbull, Conn, assignor to Remington Arms Company, Inc., Bridgeport, (Iona, a corporation of Delaware Application December 28, 1951, Seriai No. 263,858

33 Claims. (Cl. 226-44) This. invention relates to the packaging of elongated articles of circular cross-section, and has been illustrated as applied to the packaging of metallic cartridges having elongated and somewhat tapered bodies with or without laterally projecting head flanges or rims. Such cartridges are commonly packaged in cardboard containers of the tray-and-cover or tray-and-tubetype provided with interior longitudinal and transverse'partitions so that each cartridge occupies an individual compartment or cell. While some attempts have been made at the mechanization of packaging of this character, essentially all of it hasv hithertobeen done by hand.

The present invention contemplates a machine. for receiving a continuous strip of prepared partition material, severing such partition material into sections of the desired length, arranging a double row of cartridges suspended by their head portions in proper relation to such partition material, and elevating a box or tray over each assembly of cartridges and partitions.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a fragmentary somewhat diagrammatic plan of the cartridge-receiving end of the machine, and

Fig. l-A is a continuation of Fig. 1, the two figures together constituting a general plan View.

Fig; 2 is' a fragmentary longitudinal sectional elevation, substantially on the line- 2--2' of Figs. 1 and 1-A,

showing particularly the devices for elevating trays into proper relation to segregated assemblies of cartridges and partitions.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary transverse sectional elevation, substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. l and Fig; i-A.

Fig. 3A is a detailed sectional elevation of a modification, showing how the cartridge holding chains may be adapted for handling rimless cartridges:

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional elevation, substantially on the line 44 of Fig. 1, showing the cartridge feed stop devices.

Fig. 5 is. a fragmentary transverse elevation, substantially on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional elevation, substantially on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1, showing particularly the partition material feed and cut-off and the subsequent movement of the cut partition sections by the cartridges.

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

Fig. 8 is a diagram of the wiring'of the cartridge feed control devices.

Fig. 9 is a. transverse elevation, substantially on the line 9+9 of Fig. 6.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Cartridges are introduced into the machine through two pairs of Molins rolls, which rolls serve to arrange the cartridges in nose-down rows and to deliver them into twohorizontally-disposed cartridge carrying chains associated respectively with the two' rolls; Means are provided for positively controlling the delivery of cartridges from each of the rolls, and devices associated with the delivery ends of the rolls efiect a segregation of delivered cartridges into rows of any desired number, which rows are separated by an amount equal to the spacing of adjacent cartridges. Means are also provided for insuring that cartridge feed can be initiated only when the cartridge chains are in predetermined positions and only when the supply of cartridges in each roll. is-ade quate to form a group of the desired length. The two chains into which the cartridges are delivered converge to bring the two segregated rows of cartridges therein together and directly opposite each other to form a series of double-row groups of the desired number, suitable for insertion into a containeror tray. A continuous strip of material comprising longitudinal and cross-partitions is fed into the machine and cut into sections of the desired length; each section in turn is-placed between the converging lines of cartridges in the two chains and its further advance movement is controlled by the engagement of the converging pairs of cartridges with the crosspartitions.

Trays suitable for receiving the groups of cartridges are stacked in a container from which they are removed one at a time by vanes projecting from a tray carrier chain, such vanes remaining in engagement with the trays throughout their passage through the machine and serving to deliver finished assemblies of trays-partitionsand-cartridges to an exit chute. Each tray in turn. is brought into a positionin vertical alignment withan' assembly of cartridges and partition and, while being ad vanced in unison with the advance of the associated cartridge-partition assembly, is supported on a horizontally disposed platform carried by an inclined escalator chain by which it is elevated to embrace the associated cartridge-partition-assembly. One of the sprocket wheels traversed by eaclicartridge chain, the carrier chain, and the escalator chain, respectively, is provided with a flexible mount which controls a micro-switch by which the machine drive is disabledin the event that a jam'produces excess tension in any one'of the chains.

Cartridge feed (Figs. 1 and 4) The cartridges to be packaged are presented? to the machine in head-up position in side-by-side relation and in two rows. Many parts. associated with the two rows respectively are duplicates or mirror duplicates, and, in general, a description of one will sufiice. Each cartridge feed device comprises a pair of rolls identified by numeral 10, the rolls of each pair being incline'd'upwardly and outwardly from the control devicesto be described. The two rolls of each pair are parallel to each other and are separated by an amount equal to the'd'iameter of a portion of the tapered cartridge body which is between the cartridge head and the center of gravity, so that a cartridge presented to the rolls will assume a vertical position, bullet-end down, but'will not drop between the rolls. Suitable connections from main drive shaft 11 turn the rolls of each pair in reverse direction (Fig. l), the portions of the rolls which engage the cartridge body turning upwardly, so that the rotation of the rolls tends to feed a line of cartridges or other tapered bodies down the length of the rolls. Themotion of the rolls also lifts the cartridges to a certain extent, due to the fact that the cartridges tend to hang in a vertical position while the rolls are inclined to the horizontal by such an amount as is necessary to effect proper feeding. Suitable means (not shown) are provided. for presenting cartridges in random positions to the upper ends of the rolls. The surfaces of the rolls through the greater part of their length are cylindrical and smooth, butadjacent itslower or delivery and each roll is. enlarged outwardly to formspiral ridges or threads 12' separated by grooves 13 of such width as to receive and positively hold and feed the bodies of the cartridges or other objects being handled. It is thus seen that while the movement of cartridges suspended between the cylindrical portions of the rolls is controlled only by the movement of the rolls and lateral contact of the cartridges with each other, a few cartridges adjacent the delivery end of the rolls are positively controlled and advanced.

As above mentioned, the rotation of the rolls tends not only to feed cartridges lengthwise of the rolls, but to thrust them upwardly at substantially a right angle to the length of the rolls. Such upward movement of the cartridges is limited by their contact with the undersurface of a bar 14 (Fig. 4), supported above and parallel to the gap between the rolls, and is utilized for the purpose of insuring that cartridges will not be delivered from the rolls in the absence of a full supply between the rolls in a manner to be hereinafter described. A ramp 15 secured in a channel member 16 which likewise serves as a support for the rolls of the roll drive mechanism, may support cartridges held in the threaded end portions of the rolls under some conditions. The upper surface of ramp 15 is continuous with an inclined support 17 down which the nose of each cartridge in turn slides as such cartridge is released from the last thread 12 on the feed rolls. The body of the cartridge at this time is received between inclined guide plates 18 and 19 (Fig. 1), the cartridge engaging-surface on guide 18 being continuous with the surface of a guide member or plate 20 which serves to retain cartridges in the open links of a chain (to be described) to which the cartridges are delivered from guides 18-19. The outer end of support piece 17 is turned upwardly in a lip 21 which serves to stop the advance of the bullet end of a cartridge in position to be received in the chain.

Cartridge chains (Figs. 1, 3, and 4) Each cartridge chain, identified generally by numeral 26, to which cartridges are delivered between the guides 1819, is of the roller type, comprising pivot pins 22 which form bearings for rollers 23 and supports for chain side plates 24. Said chain plates 24 extend outwardly from the face of the rollers and in their margins are formed one or more semi-circular cutouts or recesses 25, each cutout being adapted to receive and embrace substantially half the circumference of a cartridge body. The cartridges or workpieces W as illustrated comprise a rim or lateral extension of the head portion which is adapted to be supported on the margin of the upper chain plate 24 adjacent the cutout 25 as seen in Fig. 4 and elsewhere in the drawings. It is within the purview of this invention to handle rimless cartridges, as

well as rim cartridges, and, in this event, the margin of each cutout in upper chain plate 24 is adapted to be received in an extractor or comparable groove of a workpiece W as illustrated in Fig. 3-A. For convenient packaging, it is necessary that the cartridges in chain 26 be segregated into groups of any desired numbergroups of ten have been illustrated. To this end, the

chain plates 24 are so arranged as to provide ten adjacent cutouts 25 and at the next adjacent position there is no cutout. The plate, instead, presents a plane surface 27 against which the lowermost cartridge between guides 18 and 19 abuts and remains between the guides until the chain has moved to present the next adjacent cutout 25 opposite such cartridge and into which the cartridge normally moves. However, means are provided for preventing the movement of any cartridge from the guides into the chain in the absence of a continuous row of cartridges in the guides and back into the threaded portion 12 of rolls 10. This means may comprise a lever 28 pivoted on a stud 29 and urged by spring 30 to a position partly in front of the lowermost cartridge W1 in the guides, over-movement of said lever being stopped by the engagement of the shaped end 281 thereof with a fixed part of the machine. Said lever 28 is provided with a cam nose of such configuration that the lever can be pushed aside and permit movement of the cartridge from the guides into the chain when such cartridge is thrust against the stop by pressure of the last cartridge W3 being positively advanced through the threaded section of the rolls, such pressure being transmitted through the intermediate cartridge W2 in the guides.

Each chain 26 traverses a sprocket 32 adjacent the cartridge delivery rolls, said sprockets being driven by suitable connections from the main drive shaft 11. Adjacent each sprocket 32 the chain traverses a formed guide plate 33, the chain rolls 23 providing non-frictional movement and tail portions 24a of chain plates 24 overlying the margin of guide plate 33 to provide vertical support. As heretofore mentioned, during this movement the cartridge bodies are held in the chain cutouts 25 by their engagement with the margin of fixed guide plates 20. The formed guide plates 33 which back up the chains and the guide plates 20 which hold the cartridges therein are so formed that the two loaded chains approach each other as seen in Fig. l, the guide plate 20 being appropriately tapered substantially to a point, the two chains coming into parallel relation, and the successive segregated rows of cartridges in each chain coming into juxtaposition ready to receive a box or tray which is thrust upwardly over each segregated group. It is obviously necessary to provide that the two cartridge chains work in synchronism and that the movement of the cartridges into the threaded end portions of each pair of rolls be synchronously momentarily interrupted to provide a gap between the segregated groups.

Cartridge feed control Means are provided for interrupting the cartridge feed in such a manner as to form segregated groups of cartridges in the chain 26, which groups are separated by one cartridge space, and for insuring that only full and complete groups of cartridges are delivered. Two conditions must be satisfied-the first cartridge delivered when feeding is resumed must occupy the first chain cutout 25 adjacent the blank 27; and there must be sufficient cartridges between the rolls to complete the group thus started. Devices for this purpose are illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.

35 extending upwardly from channel 16. A pivot 36 on said bracket supports a lever 37 joined at 38 to plunger 39 of a solenoid 40. The solenoids 40 will, for convenience, be called lifter solenoids, their function being, when energized to thrust plunger 39 outwardly, to lift the cartridge stops to ineffective position. A solenoid 49 being de-energized, its lever 37 is rocked clockwise (Fig. 4) by suitable means, such as a spring 41 connected between said lever and a fixed element of the machine frame. Pivoted at 42 on lever 37 is a vertically disposed rocker 43 provided adjacent its upper end with a plate 44 adapted to contact and displace a control plunger 45 of a micro-switch 46 carried on bracket 35, and connected in series with the winding of solenoid 40. The upper free end of plate 44 is adapted to enter a slot 47 in a block 48 secured at the top of bracket 35, the engagement of the plate in the slot preventing switch plunger disengaging rotation of the rocker unless solenoid 40 is de-energized to permit spring 41 to lower the rocker to its broken line (Fig. 4) position. When plate 44 is free from slot 47, said rocker 43 is urged clockwise (Fig. 4) by a spring 49 extending from a portion of said rocker below its pivot 42 to a fixed bracket 50. Pivoted in slots in the lower end of rocker 43 are a pair of cartridge-engaging claws 51 urged apart by a spring 52 placed between them. The lower ends of such claws extend inwardly and downwardly between the upper portion's at rolls 10, the" surfaceof the claws adjacent the rolls being so inclined" that when rocker 43' is lowered contactwith the roll's cams the claws toward each other and into position to block the movement of cartridges between the rolls. Each claw is provided with an inwardly extending blade portion 511 to provide a positive stop in front ofa cartridge between the rolls.

It is thus apparent that, the rocker 43 being in its lowermost position, the forward movement of cartridges within theunthreaded portion'of 'the rolls is interrupted, and" that the rocker cannot be lifted to resume cartridge feeding'until it has-been rotated counter-clockwise (Fig. 4 to align plate 44*with slot 47and't'o close switch 46. Such counter-cockwise positioning of the rocker is effected by the presence in the rolls ofan adequate supply of cartridges. Since the pressure of a full row of cartridges againstthecl'awsiS], may not be enough to strain spring 45), advantage is take'n ofthe upward thrust of the cartridges within the rolls, heretofore mentioned, in the following manner. bar 145 is provided with a nose 55 adapted toengage rocker-43 below itspivot' 42. The tail 56 of the elbow lever overlies a cutout in a bar 57 pivoted at 58 to bar 14. Itwill be rememberedthat b'ar l t overlies the gap betweenlthc rolls and limits the upward movement of the row of cartridges. In the-absence of cartridges, bar 57-" is rocked about its pivot 58 by spring 49 into the dotted. line position, in which'itextends below bar 14. The presence of a full row of cartridges displaces the free end of said bar upwardly, rocking lever 53 about its pivot- 54 and displacing; rocker 43 into the position in which it 'can belifted andcartridge feed resumed.

The circuit containing the two solenoids 40 and the twoswitches46' is shownin Fig; 8i The solenoids in parallel are in series with the switches sothat both solenoids are energized together, but only when the circuit is'closedat both switches 46. In the circuit is a normally closedswitch- 60- (Fig; 1) adapted to be opened by the engagement-'ofa switch operator 61 by cams 62'associated with the cartridge chain-26. Such cams may, for example, bemounted on one of the chain sprockets 32, andare-so-designed and-spaced as topermit the feeding of azpredetermined'number of cartridges (say 10) from each roll, then to break the circuit while the cartridge chain advances one cartridge space, then to reclcsethe circuit permittingcartridge feed'tobe resumed if the supply'of-cartridges-in each roll is adequate tocause its rocker- 43 to close the associated switch 46 as above described. Let it be assumed that feeding hasbeen interrupted, and resumedby the-transit of one of the cams 62 past theswitch operator 61 and that at'this time the supply of cartridges in one or both of the pairs of'feed rolls This not sufiicient to operate the associated rocker 43 to close its switch 46, so that no cartridges are de livered. Thereafter, and before the next transit of a cam 62 past switch operator 61, the supply of cartridges is replenished, so that switches are closed. If cartridge feed is thenresumed, an incomplete group will be formedi One means for-preventing this is illustrated in the wiring diagram, Fig, 8. Each of'the switches 41) is of'the 3-waytype, and when plunger 45 is free from plate 44 not only is the circuit to the lifter solenoids opened but connection is made to a'secondcircuit which includesa-locloout-solenoid'63 which actuates a switch comprising two connector bars and 65; Fig. 8 shows the circuit/in normal operating condition, solenoid 63 being deenergized and connector 64"closing a gap between terminals in the circuit to lift the solenoids 40. The shifting of either switch 46 to the dotted line position closes the circuit'through lock-out-solenoid 63, disconnecting.,the connector 64and bringing connector 65 into position to bridge a gap between terminals, in the circuit whichiincludes lock-,out-solenoidu63. The wiring diagram will show that once. thisjcircuit is closed'itremains closed; holding the connector 64in disconnectedposition until An elbowlever 53 pivoted at 54 on 6 the circuit is broken at: the sprocket switch 60: Thus; if cartridge feed is not resumed immediately upon the closing of sprocket switch 69' it cannot beresumed until this switch has been opened and reclosed by the next transit of a cam 62'. It will be noted (Fig. 4) that, When cartridge feeding'is interrupted by the engagement of claws 51 of rocker 43 with the lowermost'cartridge in the smooth part of rolls10, there are as many-cartridges being positively'advanced through' the threaded end p'ortion of the rolls as there are threadson-the rolls, and that such positive feed isessential to the displacement of the spring-pressed member 28 which temporarily holds the lowermost cartridge in guides IS -1 9 When the cartridge feed is thus stopped; a blank 27' of the: cartridge chain is behind the cartridge delivery point bya' number of spaces which permits the unoccupied roll thread to reach the end of the rolls, so that there is no positive forward thrust on the cartridges in the guides 19 1'9as blank 27 passes the delivery point.

Partition feed (Figs. 6-,, 7, and 9) Partition material of cardboard or the-like comprising a continuous center strip P, notched as shown at: P1 through about half its. width toreceive similarly notched cross partitions P2, is feed into the machine in the direction of the advance of cartridges therethrough on a hori zontally disposed track 70 located below and between the rolls 10 and extending beyond the rolls in a position-'directly below and centered with respect. to the parallel cartridge carrying reaches of chains 26. While the main shaft. 11' of the present machine may be driven. by a separate motor (not shown), it is contemplated. that the partition strip be formed, in a machine (not shown). which is driven in synchronism with the present machine by suitable means; for example, the main shaft'll of the present machine may be driven from the partition. ma.- chine, or vice versa. The upper ends of cross-partitions P2 terminate substantially flush with the upper edge of the center strip P, but the center strip projects below the lower ends of the cross-partitions and is guided and. sup} ported in. a groove 71'. in track 70 (Fig. 9), The strip partition material is advanced into the machine by a. feed wheel 72 providedwith groups of shapedteeth 73 adapted to enter the spaces between the cross-partitions P2. The functioning of the partition-forming, machine is such that the cross-partitions may stand at varying angles. with respect to the center strip; hence, means are provided for locating the cross-partitions in uniform positions. Such means may comprise lateral guide plates 74 and 75 located adjacent the feed wheel and a vertically disposed pin 76 within and adjacent the guide plate 75. Pin 76 is adapted to engage the margin of each cross-partition entering between the guides, as shown at P21 in Fig. 7. As each cross-partition is released from the pin, its opposite margin engages the guide. 74 and the cross-partitions, are thus held in the uniform positions illustrated in Fig. 7-, in which they are adapted to enter the slots betweenthe teeth 73, which teeth are formed to receive cross-partitions thus held. The feed wheel is provided with a circumferential groove 77 adapted: to receive the upper portion of the longitudinal partition strip P. The parti tion strip as it enters the machine is provided with groups of nine cross-partitions, each tenth slot P1 beingv empty. Immediately after passing the feed wheel, the strip. is severed into sections suitable for insertion into a tray by cutters which are applied to the strip opposite the blank slot P1. Such cutters are mounted on vertical spindles 78 driven in synchronism with the feed wheel and provided with slotted bosses 79 adapted to hold cutter blades 80Fig. 7 shows these blades in cutting position. When the partition section Pt; is thus severed from the strip, its forward end. is between converging lines, of cartridges; in the chains- 26. As the cartridges in the two' chains converge; they arebrought between the successivescros's;

partitions P2 and the partitionis thereafter advanced by the cartridges. This movement is slightly faster than the movement of the continuous partition strip by feed wheel 72, to leave spaces between the successive partition sections Pt corresponding to the blanks 27 which separate the successive groups of cartridges.

When the packaging machine of the present invention is not driven in unison with the partition-making machine, it is desirable that the feed and cutting of partition material be interrupted in the absence of cartridges in the cartridge chains 26. To this end, the drive for the feed wheels 72 and cutters 80 may include a clutch 81 (Fig. 6) controlled by the plunger 821 of solenoid 82, which solenoid is in circuit with a microswitch 83 (Fig. 1) activated by a lever 84 which may, for convenience, be pivoted on the aforementioned stud 29. Lever 84 is provided with a cam face 841 adapted to be displaced by cartridges in one of the chains 26, and the activation of switch 83 thus effected disconnects clutch 81 in the absence of cartridges.

Tray handling (Figs. 1, 2, and 3) Trays T, stacked in side-by-side relation in a chute indicated at 85, are removed one-at-a-time from the bottom of said chute by vanes 86 projecting from the links of a horizontally disposed tray carrier chain 87 which traverses sprocket wheels 88 and 89, said sprocket wheel 38 being driven by suitable connections to the main drive shaft 11. Referring to Fig. l-A, it will be noted that sprocket wheel 89 is pivoted in a crank 90 extending from a fixed post 91, the position of the crank being controlled by a spring 92, and that any shift in the position of the crank, due to excess tension on the chain 87, will actuate a micro-switch 93 which controls the circuit to the machine driving motor (not shown). Similarly, mountings are provided for the sprocket wheels 321 of the two' cartridge chains and for a sprocket of the escalator chain (to be described)--thus, any jam which produces excess tension in any of the conveyor chains stops the machine, permitting the jam to be removed without damage. Each tray removed from the bottom of the stack drops into a cell 94 so formed as to turn the tray from a horizontal position to a vertical position, open edge up. The trays thus oriented are conveyed through a guideway 95 around the sprocket wheel 88 to a position vertically beneath the parallel cartridge carrying reaches of the chains 26, which chains are guided and supported by the margins of fixed plates 96 and 97. At this point the side walls of guideway 95 merge with longitudinally disposed guide plates, identified generally by numeral 107, the bottom support terminates, and each tray in turn is transferred to one of a series of escalator platforms 98 carried by a sprocket chain 99 which traverses sprocket wheels 100 and 101 and is further guided by the upper margin of a guide plate 102 which is inclined upwardly from the sprocket wheel 100 adjacent trayreceiving position. One end of each escalator platform 98 is pivoted to chain 99 as indicated at 103, while the opposite end is provided with a roller 104 adapted to traverse the upper margin of a guide bar 105, the relationship of these parts being such that each escalator platform is supported in a substantially horizontal position throughout the major portion of its tray-carrying movement. The relationship of the mechanisms just described is such that each vane 86 on tray conveying chain 87 thrusts a tray onto an escalator platform soon after such platform has assumed a horizontal position after traversing a guide 106 associated with sprocket wheel 100. Vanes 86 are of such height that each remains in contact with the rearward end of a tray while such tray is being lifted on an escalator platform and thereafter to effect delivery of loaded trays from the machine. The position of each tray as thus determined is such that as it advances it also rises over an assembly of cartridges and partition being synchronously conveyed through the machine by the cartridge chains 25. The assembly of cartridges, partitions and tray thus formed is received in a short passage-way comprised of sides 108 and a floor 109 (Fig. 2) which terminates adjacent the uppermost position of escalator platforms 98 in a downwardly inclined lip 110 adapted to engage beneath a tray T on said escalator platform. Transfer of trays from the escalator platforms to the floor 109 is facilitated by the fact that the forward end of the tray overhangs the platform, and further by the drop in the escalator chain guide 102 at 1021 by which the forward end of an escalator platform is lowered substantially simultaneously with the engagement by lip 110 of the tray thereon. In the position in which a tray is first engaged by the end portion of floor 109, the cartridges therein are still supported in the carrier chains 26, the top of the tray necessarily being slightly below the bottom of the chain. A short distance further on, the chains rapidly recede about the sprockets 321, dropping upon the bottom of the tray and completing the desired assembly.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for the continuous packaging of articles comprising a plurality of similar conveyors, driving means for said conveyors, means for segregating articles into groups and delivering a segregated group of articles to each of said conveyors, means for bringing the groups of articles on said conveyors respectively into juxtaposition, and means operable as said juxtaposed groups are moved by the conveyors for gradually moving a container transversely to the line of movement of said juxtaposed groups into housing relationship to each juxtaposed group of articles.

2. Apparatus for the continuous packaging of articles comprising a plurality of similar article conveyors, driving means for said conveyors, means for segregating a continuous row of articles into' groups and delivering a segregated row of articles to each of said article conveyors, means for bringing the rows of articles on said article conveyors respectively into juxtaposition to form a segregated group, means for conveying a container into alignment with each of said segregated groups of articles, and means for moving said aligned containers along a path parallel to that of said segregated groups and simultaneously moving said containers transversely to that path to bring a container into housing relationship to each of said groups of articles.

3. Apparatus for the continuous packaging of articles comprising a plurality of similar article conveyors, means for delivering to each of said article conveyors a sequence of segregated rows of articles, means for bringing the rows of articles on said conveyors respectively into juxtaposition to form a sequence of segregated groups, a container conveyor adapted to bring a sequence of containers into alignment with said segregated groups of articles respectively, and a container elevator adapted to lift each of said containers in turn into housing relationship to one of said segregated groups of articles.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, comprising a container storage device, and container engaging means moving with said container conveyor adapted to displace containers one at a time from said container storage device and onto said conveyor.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, in which said container engaging means comprises a part adapted to engage a container and control its forward movement while said container is being elevated into housing relationship with a segregated group of articles.

6. Apparatus according to claim 3, comprising means for moving said article conveyor, said container conveyor, and said container elevator continuously and in synchronism.

7. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which said container elevator comprises a continuously moving element having pivoted thereon a sequence of container carrying platforms, and means for holding each of said platforms in a horizontal position while the container thereon is bemassacre 9 ingv elevated into housing relationship to a" group of articles;

8. Apparatus according to claim 7; in whichsaid platform holding means comprises a guide follower associated with each of said platforms, and a fixed guide plate adapted to be traversed by each" of said guide followers in turn.

9; Apparatus accordingto claim 3,.in which eachof said article conveyors comprises a series of plates-having therein open recesses,.each recess being adapted to receive an article, said recesses being: separated into group by unrecessed plate portions.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8, comprising means for maintaining said article conveyors in relative positions such that articles are held in the recesses of each conveyor by contact with articles in the recesses of another conveyor.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, comprising article conveyor guides which cause said article conveyors to recede from each other as each container, in turn, reaches its uppermost position, thereby dropping said articles sequentially into the container which theretofore has partially housed them.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, provided with a fixed support onto which each loaded container is moved in turn by the container engaging means on said container conveyor.

13. Apparatus according to claim 3, comprising means for delivering an assembled partition into article separating relationship with the articles of each of said groups as the rows of articles in each of said article conveyors are moved into juxtaposition.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, comprising means for receiving a continuous strip of partition material, means for feeding said strip of partition material at a predetermined rate, and means for cutting successive sections of partition material from said strip actuated in synchronism with said partition strip feeding means.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, comprising means for moving said out partitions in engaging and separating relationship with articles in said conveyors.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, comprising means for driving said partition moving means at a predetermined rate, and means for driving said article conveyors at a faster rate, the speed difierential being such as to provide a spacing between successive cut partitions equal to the spacing between successive groups of articles.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16, in which said partition strip feeding means comprises a wheel having on its periphery a plurality of groups of formed teeth adapted for feeding engagement with transversely disposed portions of said continuous strip of partition material.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17, in which said groups of formed teeth are separated by untoothed peripheral areas which are spaced according to the length of the sections of partition material to be cut from said strip.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, provided with an aligning device adapted to engage and uniformly position the transversely extending portions of said strip of partition material.

20. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which said am ticle delivering means comprises an article orienting and holding device adapted to frictionally engage and advance a row of articles in side-by-side relation, a stop device adapted to interrupt the forward movement of articles in said article holding and orienting device, and activating means controlled by one of said article conveyors for moving said stop device to effective position.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20, in which said activating means comprises an element movable with one of said article conveyors, a cam associated with said l0 element; and a cam follower adapted to be" displaced by said-cam.

22. Apparatus according toclaim 21, comprising a solenoid associatedwith said stopdevice and a switch controllingsaidsolenoid, said switch being activated by said cam follower.

23: Apparatus according to claim 22, comprising a plurality ofarticle delivering means associated respectively with said-plurality of article conveyors, a stop device associated with each of said pluralityof article delivering means, and a solenoid associated with each of said plurality of stop devices, all of said solenoids being adapted for simultaneous actuation by said activating means.

24. Apparatus according to claim 22, comprising means for preventing movement of said stop device from effective position to ineffective position in the absence of a row of cartridges in engagement with said stop device when in effective position.

25. Apparatus according to claim 24, in which said stop device comprises a pivoted member adapted to be displaced by the pressure of a row of cartridges against said stop device and, upon being so displaced, to close said switch.

26. Apparatus according to claim 25, comprising spring means adapted to displace said pivoted member to disengage said switch, and an element adapted to prevent movement of said stop device to ineffective position when so displaced by said spring means.

27. Apparatus according to claim 26, comprising a latch adapted to prevent displacement of said pivoted member by said spring when said stop device is in ineffective position.

28. Apparatus according to claim 27, in which said article orienting and holding devices are adapted to move a row of articles therein transversely when the forward movement of such articles is obstructed by said stop device, and means actuated by such transverse movement of said row of articles to move said pivoted member against the force of said spring means and enable the movement of said stop device to ineifective position.

29. Apparatus according to claim 20, in which said article conveyors are each provided with a plurality of recesses each adapted to receive an article, said recesses being arranged in groups separated by unrecessed plates, said stop device being adapted to interrupt the delivery of articles when one of said plates is at the article delivery point, and means for preventing movement of said stop device to resume article delivery except into the recess next adjacent one of said plates.

30. Apparatus according to claim 20, in which a portion of said article orienting and holding device is provided with means for positively engaging and advancing articles therein.

31. Apparatus according to claim 20, in which said article orienting and holding device comprises a pair of parallel, spaced and reversely rotating rolls having adjacent their delivery ends a series of matching grooves separated by ridges, each pair of matching grooves being adapted to receive and positively control an article.

32. Apparatus according to claim 31, comprising a spring-urged retainer adapted to engage an article at the point of delivery to one of said article conveyors and to be displaced by the positive advance of articles in said grooves to enable delivery of the article engaged thereby into said article conveyor.

33. Apparatus for the continuous packaging of articles, comprising a plurality of similar article conveyors, means for delivering to each of said article conveyors a sequence of segregated rows of articles, means for bringing the rows of articles on said conveyors respectively into juxtaposition to form a sequence of segregated groups, a container conveyor adapted to bring a sequence of containers into alignment with said segregated groups of articles respectively, a container elevator adapted to lift each of said 11 containers in turn into housing relationship to one of said segregated groups of articles; said article delivering means comprising an article orienting and holding device adapted to frictionally engage and advance a row of articles in side-by-side relation, a stop device adapted to interrupt the forward movement of articles in said article holding and orienting device, and activating means controlled by one of said article conveyors for moving said stop device to elfective position; and control devices for said stop device comprising a circuit which includes a switch actuated by means associated with said cartridge conveyor, a

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,090,855 Jagenberg Mar. 24, 1914 2,013,555 Deeren Sept. 3, 1935 2,400,695 Jackson May 21, 1946 2,439,883 Brown et a1 Apr. 20, 1948 2,630,951 Slightam Mar. 10, 1953

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