US2609645A - Machine for packing buns and the like in cartons - Google Patents

Description

Filed Dec. 18, 1947 :s Sheets-Sheet 1 P 19 2 c. F. JOHNSEN ETAL ,609,645

MACHINE FOR PACKING BUNS AND THE LIKE IN CARTONS INVENiORS CLEMEA/TCJOHNJEN Qua By CLEMENT 1-". JOH/V6E/V.

ATTO ENE Y6.

Sept. 9, 1952 c. F. JOHNSEN ETAL 2,609,645

MACHINE FOR PACKING BUNS AND THE LIKE IN CARTONS Filed Dec. 18, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 rn v ATTOIZ/VEMS Sept. 9, 195 c. F. JOHNSEN :rm.

MACHINE FOR PACKING BUNS AND THE LIKE IN CARTONS Filed Dec. 18, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS CLEMCA/T C. JOHA/SC V 1*- CL EMENT' F. JOHNJEN A TOME Y6 Sept. 9, 1952 c. F. JOHNSEN ETAL 2,609,645

MACHINE FOR PACKING BUNS .AND THE LIKE IN CARTONS Filed Dec. 18, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 f n INVENTORS CLEMENT c. JOHNSAW m BY CLEMENT F.J0///V6EN v oemwlwdi S pt 9, 1 c. F. JOHNSEN ETAL 2.509.645

MACHINE FOR PACKING BUNS AND THE LIKE IN CARTONS 7 Filed Dec. 18, 1947 s Sheets-Sheet 5 f INVENTORS CLEMENT C. JOHNJEN am! By cLEMMT FTJO/INJEN ATTO ABA/5Y6.

Sept. 9, 1952 c. F. JOHNSEN ETAL 2,609,645

MACHINE FOR PACKING BUN-S AND THE LIKE IN CARTONS Filed D90. 18, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. CLEMENT C.JOHN$ON AND BY CLEMENT F. JOHNSON ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 9, 1952 UNITED MACHINEFOR STATES PATENT OFFICE PACKING 'BUNS AND THE LIKE IN CARTONS Clement F. Johnsen, Santa .Monica, Calif., and

Clement C. J ohnsen, Clement F. J ohnsen assignor to Roy 0. Johnsen,

Phoenix, Ariz.

Phoenix, Ariz.; said ApplicationDecember 18, 1947, Serial No. 792,568 so Claims. (01. 53-41) The present invention relates generally, as indicated, to a machine for packing buns and the like into cartons, and more especially to certain improvements in a machine of the general type disclosed in Patent .No. 2,307,510, which issued to one of us. viz. Clement C(Johnsen, on January Another object of this invention is to provide a machine having an improved form of feeding device whereby the buns or the like may be transported from a feeding zone to a collecting zone without smashing or otherwise damaging the same.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine in which the operation of the carton:

feeding and unfolding device is conditioned upon there being a supply of buns or the like carried by the machine from the collecting zone to a packaging zone.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the following description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principl of the invention may be employed.

- In said annexed drawings:

Figs. 1 and 1a are top plan views of contiguous portions of a preferred embodiment of ourinvention;

Figs. 2 and 2a are side elevation views of con- .portion of the righthand end of the machine as viewed in Fig. 2a;

Figs. 7 and 8 are elevation views of a portion of the lefthand end of the machine as viewed in Fig.

2 illustrating two positions of such portion of the machine; p t 1 "Fig. 9 is a fragmentary elevation view partly in section of another portion'of themachineat the lefthand end thereof as viewed in Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary elevation view of the 2 lower portion of the machine to which the mechanism of Figs. 7 and 8 is connected;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view in side elevation of that portion of the bun carrying mechanism disposed in zone D of Fig. 2;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 11; and

Fig. 13 is a view in perspective of a carton adapted-to be unfolded by mechanism of zone E of Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawings and first more especially to Figs. 1 and la, and 2 and 2a, the machine as a whole comprises a longitudinally. extending base I divided into a plurality of zones,

viz. A through E, starting from the righthand end of the base which respectively comprise feeding, collecting, transferring, slicing, and packaging zones. The buns or the like deposited into the feeding zone A are carried thereby to and collected in the collecting zone B wherefrom they are carried in the zone C to the packaging zone E subjected, if desired, during such carriage in Zone C to splitting or slicing in the zone D.

As best shown in Fig. 2a, the righthand end of base I has a frame 2 projecting longitudinally therefrom, said frame having formed in its upper surface a plurality of longitudinally extending channels or grooves 3 (see Figs. 1a and 4) which converge toward the collecting zone B. Mounted on frame 2, spaced slightly above the channels 3, are a plurality of vertically disposed partition strips 4. The opposite ends of the partition strips 4 are respectively fixedly mounted to the frame 2 as by cross braces 5, 6, and l, 8, 9, the lefthand ends, as viewed in Fig. 1, being closer together than the righthand ends whereby to define spaces which converge in substantially the same manner as the channels 3. It is-further to be noted that the channels 3 are narrower than the spaces between strips 4 and are disposed to one side or offset transversely as best shown in Fig. 4 whereby to provide edges which cause tipping or tilting of the buns when dumped between strips 4. At the opposite sides ofthe base, longitudinally extending members provide similar edges about which the buns tip or tilt.

Rotatably supported at the endsof frame 2 below the channeled upper surface thereof are two pairs of parallel sprocket wheels l0 and 13 over each pair of which is trained a chain l I. On each chain are a series of longitudinally spaced brackets l2 in which exciter bars I 4 are rotatably other polygonal'shape." In order to rotate said bars during movement-thereof between the channels 3 and strips 4 one end of each bar has a gear l5 fixed thereto, which gear is engageable with a longitudinally extending rack [16 secured- To assure proper meshing of said I! which is operative to properly'rotate each gear f I 5 just prior to the engagement thereof with the rack l6, said spring member I! being in the form of a finger adapted to engage each gear 15 forward of the center and as each said gear [5 approaches the rack IE to allow the gear to pass underneath said finger whereupon the free end of said finger will engage'between'the gear teeth to cause a rotation of said gear l5 to a predetermined position irrespective of the initial 'rotary position of said gear at the time of initial engagement withsaid finger.

Rotatable with the sprocket wheels Hi and outwardly adjacent each'wheel is a guard disk member 21 and a feeding disk [8, said latter'disk being provided with circumferentially spaced radial projections I 9 thereon, such projections 19 being synchronized with the travel of the ex- 'citer bars'M.

Although any conventional form of hopper means may be employed for furnishing buns and the like to the afore-described feeding device, it

is preferred to employ a standard baking tray '20 which is adapted to be placed between the guard disks 2| and moved toward the feeding disks [8 whereupon the projections [9 on the latter will engage a flange -22 on thetray for lift- 'ing that end of the tray-upward. The operator of the machine then quickly tips the tray so that its upper edge lands on the stops 23 on frame 2, the contents of the tray being thereby dumped into the space between the strips 4 and in the channels 3 assuming positions as indicated by the dot-dash lines in Fig. 4. When'the buns are positioned as illustrated the rotating and longitudinally moving exciter bars M will engage the buns and impart a rotating and adjusting action thereto to thus avoid the possibility of the buns being smashed or otherwise damaged during movement from zone A to zone B. From the foregoing it is apparent that the channels into which the buns are adapted to be deposited from a baking tray comprise not only the channels 3 but the spaces between the partition strips 4 as well.

At the end of zone A'the buns are pushed longitudinally through the collecting zone B by means of paddles 24 which are carried by transversely disposed square rods 25 having their ends connected to parallel chains '28, said chains being trained over pairs of sprocket wheels 2! and 28. In zone B the lower edges of the strips 4 have secured thereto longitudinally extending horizontally disposed strips 29 (see Fig. 5) forming between them relatively narrow channels for the paddles'24. The paddles moving in those channels which converge are slidable on the rods 25 V in a direction axially of the rods as best shown in Fig. 5. The channels formed by the strips 29 are sufficiently narrow so as to prevent the buns or the like from dropping downwardly therebetween. At the left end of zone B, movement of the buns is arrested by a plurality of upwardly curved fingers 30 projecting from the cross brace 9 and disposed between the partition strips 4. At

this point the paddles 24 are free to swing clear of the buns as by disengagement of the roller 36 'on'cacfh r'odc'arried by the end'gofa irearwardly extending arm 32 on rod 25 from a guide means 31 provided on frame 2. The frame has suitable guide supports 33 and 34 for the chains 26. The otherend of each rod 25 likewise has a guide roller 3! rotatably mounted at the rearward end ' pa'irs'ofsprocket wheels 38 and 39, each of which is non-rotatably carried by shafts 40 and 41,

respectively, which shafts extend transversely across the base I. Trained over said sprocket wheels is a pair of endless chains 43 to whic'hare attached in longitudinally spacedrelation relative to the base l a series of cross members 44 with brackets lid-at each end. "Said members 44 also havea" plurality ofcurved arms 46 thereon adapted to engage the buns on fingers 30 and to lift them upwardly for carriage toward the left as viewed-in Figs. '1 and 2.""-Slidably mounted in each of said members is a pair of adjacent :bars 4'! and '48 therebeing a gang of plates 50 on bar '41 and an'othergang of plates-5| on bar l'B. Said bars 41 and 48 are normally urged in a direction yieldably forcing adjacent plates 50 and 51 into clamping relation with the buns therebetween as by suitable spring means (not shown), such clamping occurring after the roller 52 on bar '41 disengages from the righthand 'end of the cam plate 53 fixedly mounted on base I.

Then, if desired-the buns which are clamped between the plates 50 "and SI may be slitorsliced to anydesired depth as by .a gang of axially spaced rotating blades 54 which are supported above the carriage device and rotated as by a motor 55. Suitable means including a bell crank 51 are employed to adjust the depth of slicing and'thetransverse positions of the blades on the base relative to the buns carried bythe device. 'ilhis slicing operation has been ,pre viouslyreferredto aszone D.

The brackets aresuitably guided in their movement by guideways Stand 60 which receive the rollers .61 rotatably supported on the brackets.

When the bunshave reached the lefthand end of base I :thecam plate 63 is "operative to engage roller 52 to thus operate the, plates :and 5; for thereby releasingthe buns sothat they may drop into an unfolded carton 58, shown in dotted lines in Figs. 2 and 9. This is the packaging Zone E previously referred to.

In detail, the zone E comprises a cross slide 62 mounted on base I having, as shown in Fig. 3, a container "64 on one side thereof into which folded cartons 58 may be stacked. A weight on such stack of cartons is used to effect engage ment of the lowermost carton with the upper surface of the cross slide. The stack of cartons 58 and weight 66 are not shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in order to better illustrate the parts which the cartons and weight would obscure. Slidable in the-cross slide is a pusher block 86 which is provided with a pair of upstanding fingers 6? which are operative when said block is moved along the cross slide in a perpendicular direction toward the center line of base i to engage the lowermost carton 58 in the stack of cartons in container 84 andthus move such lowermost carton to apositioirwhere it is unfolded for receiving buns. Movementof pusher block 66 inopposite directions is effected by an arm 68 engaged therewith and pivoted to base- I by a pin wheel it.

69 connected thereto (see Fig. said arm being rocked or oscillated by means of a crank shaft TI journalled in base I. Connected to the crank shaft H is a link l3 which has its lower-end connected to an arm '54 which is rigid with the pin 65% it is thus apparent that when the link 13 is 'reciprocated by the crank shaft H, the arm I58 is caused to oscillate fore and aft longitudinally of the cross slide 532 to thus effect the required reciprocation of pusher block 66 on the closs slide 62. The fingers 5i on the pusher block are'so formed that upon return movement of the pusher block they will not engage the lowermost carton 58 but rather will be deflected so as to pass thereunder. The crank shaft 3 I is driven as by sprocket wheels I5 and I6 and a chain i8 trained thereover, said sprocket wheelsbeing respectively non-rotatably mounted on shaft "'33 and crank shaft I I. The next operation after a folded carton has been positioned under the carriage device is to unfold the carton so that it may receive buns dropped by the carriage device. The means for unfolding said cartons comprises arms '59 and 88 projecting in opposite directions from the cross slide 52, and members '85 and BZ-slidable on said arms. Pivotally connected to each of said members 8! and 82 is a cam member 83 which has hooked fingers 85 thereon which'are adapted to engage what constitutes the upper side edges of an unfolded carton. For unfolding the flaps 85 of a carton into an open position member M has a pair of fingers 8'! pivotally connected thereto and urged apart in a direction longitudinally of the cross slide as by means of interengaging cam grooves88 and pins 89. The cam members 83 are actuated by. engagement of the outer ends thereof with brackets 90 provided on'the arms it and-80.

The mechanism for reciprocating the members 8i and 82 on the arms is and 89 to thus effect actuation of the fingers 85 and 8'? comprises a link 92 pivoted between its ends on the cross slide 52 and having links 93 andEM respectively pivotally connected to its ends, said links 93 and 94 having their other ends pivotally connected respectively to the members BI and 82. Rocking. of the link 92 about its pivot is effected by a fork member 95 provided with a pin portion 95 engaging in a cam groove 97 in a disk 98 non-rotatably mounted on the crank shaft I I.

Also non-rotatably mounted on crank shaft "H is another cam disk IN which through a fork IOI and a link I02 pivoted to the base I at the point I03 is operative to reciprocate a rod 'Ie l. Connected to the outer end of rod 1&4 is a plate I85,

In order to prevent cartons from being supplied under the carriage device and unfolded thereunder when no buns are being carried by the carriage device there is provided a novel mechanism for interrupting operation of the carton feeding and unfolding device. fhis mechanism comprises a wedge II}? fixed on one end of bar it-said wedge being adapted when the carriage device assumes a position such as shown in Fig. Swithout buns between the plates 53 and 5! to engage the roller I88 disposed at one end of an arm I82? pivoted to the base of theapparatus at the pointlfle, said arm in turn being operative to move the link IIil connected to the other end of arm H39 downwardly thereby effecting disengagement (by a crank lever H t) between a clutch collar i I l and the clutch surface H2 provided on the sprocket Such disengagement effects stopping of the rotation of sprocket wheel it through the crank shaft H whereby the pusher block 65 Will not be reciprocated and likewise the unfolding 6 mechanism will'not be actuated. Thus with'such mechanism, cartons are fed and unfolded only when a supply of buns is'being carried by the carriage device. mally engaged position of the clutch collar 'II I with wheel I6 when the wedge I01 is out'of en gagement with the arm I09, a spring II3'on' said arm being operative to lift'the link IIII upward and thus through the crank I I4and collar III maintain engagement of the clutch.

Driving of the apparatus is preferably effected by providing a main drive shaft I I 5 and sprocket wheels IIB, II I, 8, and IIS, respectively nonrotatably mounted on the shaft M, and those shafts which carry the sprocketwheels 28, 21, and I3 the-wheels IIS and II! having'a chain I20 trained thereover, and the wheels H8 and H9 having a chain I2I trained thereover.

In connection with'the chain I8 trained over the Wheels I5 and "I6 there is provided an idler wheel I22 carried on-a swingably'adjustable arm I23 whereby the tension of said chain may be properly adjusted.

Othermodes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims, or the equivalent of such; be employed;

We therefore particularly. point out tinctly claim as our invention:

l. In a machine for packing buns and the like into cartons, the combination of a longitudinally extending base, successively arranged feeding, collecting and carriage devices on said base operative to transport buns and the like placed in said feeding device at one end of said base toward the other end of said base, acarton feeding and unfolding device at such'other 'end of said base operative to position and unfold cartons adjacent said carriage device and therebelow for receiving buns and the like-droppedfromsaid carriage device, and'means for actuating all of said devices. said carriage device comprising a plurality of opand disposed plates adapted to yieldably clamp buns and e the like therebetween, means separating said plates when the buns clamped therebetween are disposed above-an unfolded'carton therebelow, normally engaged clutch means between said carton feeding and unfolding device and the means for actuating the same, and clutch'disengaging means associated with said carriage device operative when saidplates are urged together Without buns and the like therebetween to render said carton feeding and unfolding device inoperative.

2. The structure according to claim 1 further characterized in that said clutch disengaging means includes a linkage mechanism connected to a shiftable element of said clutch means, and a Wedge on said carriage device engageable with such linkage only when said plates are urged together without buns therebetween, said wedge and "linkage mechanism being formed with cooperating cam surfaces actuating said linkage mechanism for shifting said shiftable elementln a direction effecting disengagement of said clutch means.-

' f 3. In a machine for packing buns and the like into'ca-rtons, the combination of a bun feeding device comprising a base formed with longitudinally extending channels, a series of spaced bars transversely across said base and channels, driving means engaged with said bars for moving the latter longitudinally of said base and thereby correspondinglymoving buns andthe like adapt- In Fig-7' there is shownthe nored to beloaded into such channels and engaged by said bars, and mutually engaged means on said base and bars imparting rotation to said bars while moving as aforesaid.

' 1 4. The structure according to claim 3 further characterized in that said mutually engaged means comprises a longitudinally extending gear rack on said base, and a gear on each'of said bars inmesh with said rack.

5. The structure according to claim 3 further characterized in that the mutually engaged means includes a longitudinally extending gear rack on said base, a gear on each of said bars in mesh with said rack, and a spring finger member on said base ahead of one end-f said gear rack engageable between the teeth of said gears for 'predeterminedly rotating the same for proper engagement with said rack.

6. The structure according to claim 3 further characterized in that a plurality of longitudinally extending partition strips are mounted on said base above such channelsand spaced above said base a sufiicient distance to accommodate said here and in that such channels and the spaces between said partition strips converge in the direction of movement of said bars for positioning buns adapted to be loaded into such channels on edge and with the buns in each row closely ad- Jacent one another.

7. In a machineforpacking buns and the like into cartons, the combination of a carton feeding and unfolding device operative to predeterminedly position and to unfold cartons, a carriage device located above and adjacent to said carton feeding and unfolding .device for transporting buns and depositing the same into unfolded cartons, and means for actuating said devices, said carriage device,comprising-aplurality of opposed plates adapted to yieldably clamp buns and the like therebetween, means separating said plates when-the buns clamped therebetween are disposed above an unfolded carton therebelow, normally engaged clutch means between said carton feeding and unfolding device and the means for actuating the same, and clutch disengaging means associated with said carriage device operative when said plates are urged together without buns and the like therebetween to render said carton feeding and unloading device inoping said plates when the buns clamped therebetween are disposed above an unfolded carton therebelow, a control operatively interposed between said carton feeding and unfolding device and'the means for actuating the same and adapted when operated to render said last-named means inoperative to actuate said carton feeding and unfolding device, and a control operating means associated with said carriage device operative when said plates are-urged together without buns and the like therebetween to operate said control and thereby render said carton feeding and unloading device inoperative.

'9. In a machine for packing buns and the like.

into cartons, the combination of a longitudinally extending base, successively arranged feeding, collecting and carriage devices on said base operative to transport buns and the like placed in said feeding device toward said collecting and carriage devices, a carton feeding and unfolding device operative to position and unfold cartons adjacent said carriage device and therebelow for receiving buns and the like dropped from said carriage device, and means for actuating all of said devices, said carriage device comprising a plurality of opposed plates adapted to yieldably clamp buns and the like therebetween, means separating said plates when the buns clamped therebetween are disposed above an unfolded carton therebelow, a control operativelyinterposed between said carton feeding and unfolding device and the means for actuating the same and adapted when operated to render said last-named means inoperative to actuate said carton feeding and unfolding device, and a control operating means associated with said carriage device operative when said plates are urged together without buns and the like therebetween to operate said control and thereby render said carton feeding and unloading device inoperative.

10. The structure according to claim 9 further characterized in that said carton feeding and unfolding device comprises a cross slide member disposed transversely across said base adjacent to and below said carriage device, a pusher block reciprocable longitudinally on said slide member, means for reciprocating said block including an arm having one of its ends engaging said block and the other of its ends connected to said base for pivotal movement about an axis disposed longitudinally of said base, a container on said slide member adapted to carry a stack of folded cartons therein with the bottom one of such cartons engaging said slide member, means on said block operative when said block is moved in one direction on said slide member to engage such bottom carton and shift the same to a position adjacent to and below said carriage device.

11. The structure according to claim 10 further characterized in that said slide member is provided with longitudinally extending arms thereon, member slidable on said arms, and hooked fingers on said members pivotally connected thereto and adapted to engage the edges of a folded carton shifted as aforesaid, said fingers and arms being provided with cooperating cam surfaces operative when said members are slid on said arms to swing said fingers about their respective pivots to lift said fingers from the edges of the carton engaged thereby after such carton has been filled with buns and the like.

12. The structure according to claim 10 further characterized in that said slide member is provided with longitudinally extending arms thereon, members slidable on said arms, fingers on said members engageable with the edges of a 13. The structure according to: claims further characterized in that'said .feeding device comprises: a plurality of longitudinally extending channels formed on said baseinto which the buns and the like are adapted tobe placed, a series of spaced bars transversely across said base and channels movable longitudinally of said base toward said collecting device and engageable with the buns and the like in such channels for correspondingly moving the same, and means for moving said bars.

14. The structure according to" claim B further characterized in that said feeding device comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending channels formed on said base intowhichthe buns and the like are. adapted to be' placed, a series of spaced bars transversely across; said base and channels movable longitudinally of'saidbase toward said collecting device and engageable with the buns and the like in such channels for correspondingly moving the same, means for moving said bars, said bars being of non-circular cross-section, and mutuall engaged means on said base and bars effecting rotation of said bars while they are moved longitudinally-of said base and channels. V 1

l5. Thestructure according to claim 14 further characterized in that the'mutually engaged means includes a longitudinally extending gear rack on said base, and a gear on each of said bars engageable with said rack.

16. The structure according to claim 14 further characterized in that the mutually engaged means includes a longitudinally"extending gear rack on said base, a gear on each of said'bars engageable with said rack, and a-i'i'nger member on said base ahead of one end of said gear rack engageable with said gears for rotating the same for proper engagement with said rack.

1'7. The structure according to claim 9 further characterized in thatm eans are provided on said base adjacent said feeding device for lifting an end of a tray containing buns and the 7 like, said means including a rotating disk with circumferentially spaced radial projections thereon adapted to engage an edge of one end of a tray placed thereagainst.

18. The structure according to claim 9 further characterized in that said collecting device comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending strips defining channels converging in a direction from said feeding device to said carriage device to position buns adapted to be loaded into such channels on edge, a plurality of paddles movable longitudinally in such channels and adapted to engage successive buns and the like delivered to such channels by said feeding device for correspondingly moving the buns in rows toward said carriage device, and means slidably carrying said paddles for transverse movement relative to said base whereby said paddles may simultaneously movelongitudinally and transversely of said base in such converging channels.

19. In a machine for packing buns and the like into cartons, the combination of a bun feeding device comprising a base formed with longitudinally extending channels, a series of spaced, non-circular cross-section bars transversely across said base and channels, driving means engaged with said bars for moving the latter longitudinally of said base and thereby correspondingly moving buns and the like adapted to be loaded into such channels and engaged by said bars, and mutually engaged means on said base 10 and bars imparting rotation to said ibars while moving as aforesaid.

20. A bun feeding and collecting device adapted to receive ,bun's 'ininverted position from a baking tray, to prearrange suchbuns on edge and into rows,l andto transport'such rows of buns for depositintoropen cartons, comprising a longitudinally extending-basev formed. with a plurality of longitudinally extending channels having narrower bottom portions than top portions to provide edgesaboutwhich the buns are adapted tov be tilted, and means movable longitudinally along said base between the bottom and top portions of such channels engaging, and thus similarly moving, the buns, suchchannels converging whereby to progressively further tilt the buns to positions on edge during the course of their travel longitudinally of said base.

21. The structure'of claim 20 further characterized in that saidmeans comprises a series of spaced bars transversely across said base and channels, and that:mutually-engaged means are provided on said base and said bars for imparting rotation to said barswhile moved as aforesaid.

22. The structure of claim 20 further characterized in that the wider top portions of the channels comprise. a plurality of longitudinally extending partition strips defining spaces therebetween which are offset transversely with respect to the narrower bottom portions of the channels.

23. Mechanism for opening folded cartons comprising a horizontal support for a folded carton, a horizontally, disposed transverse arm on said support, a slide member reciprocable on said arm toward andaway from saidsupport, a finger unit pivotally connected between its ends to said slide member forswinging ina generally vertical plane, said finger unit having 'a hooked inner end adapted to engage an edge of afolded carton on said supportwhich; constitutes the top edge of one side of an unfolded carton, and cooperating cams on the outer end 1 portions of said finger unit and said arm operative during outward movement of said slide member and finger unit to swing the latter and thus lift the side of the carton edge engaged thereby.

24. The mechanism according to claim 23 further characterized in that one of said cams comprises a roller carried on one of said finger unit and arm.

25. Mechanism for opening folded cartons comprising a horizontal support for a folded carton, a horizontally disposed transverse arm on said support, a slide member reciprocable on said arm toward and away from said support, a finger unit pivotally connected to said slide member for swinging in a generally vertical plane, said finger unit having a hooked inner end adapted to engage an edge of a folded carton on said support which constitutes the top edge of one side of an unfolded carton, cooperating cams on said finger unit and said arm operative during outward movement of said slide member and finger unit to swing the latter and thus lift the side of the carton edge engaged thereby, and driving means for positively reciprocating said slide member in opposite directions.

26. The mechanism according to claim 25 further characterized in that said driving means comprises a first link pivotally connected to said support, a second link pivotally connected at its opposite ends t said first link and to said slide member respectively, a rotatable cam disk formed with a cam groove on one side face, and a third link including a transverse pin portion at one end engaged in such cam groove and pivotally connected at its other end to aid first link whereby upon rotation of said cam disk said first link is oscillatedby said third link to reciprocate said slide member. through said second link.

27. The mechanism according to claim 26 fur ther characterized in thatsaid third link is forked at such one end, and a drive shaft is connected to said cam disk, such forked end of said third link transversely slidably straddling a portion of the cam disk and drive shaft assembly so as. to be held centered with respect'to the axis of said shaft while permitting radial movement of such pin portion of said third link with respect to such axis.

28. Mechanism for opening. folded cartons comprising a vertically disposed open bottom container for holding a stack of. folded cartons, a horizontally extending. support underneath said container, a pusher block reciprocable on said support and adapted to engage an edge of the bottom carton and to displace the bottom carton to one side of said container for unfolding and means for reciprocating said. pusher block, said mean comprising. a driving crank, 'a downwardly. extending link pivotallyv connected to the crank pin of said crank, a horizontally disposed shaft rotatable in said'support having a transverse arm at one end, said aim being pivotally connected at its outer end t the lower end of. said link, and an upwardly extending arm keyed at its lower end to the. other' end of said shaft and pivotally connected at its upper end. to. the under side of said pusher block.

29.. Mechanism for opening iolded cartons comprising a horizontal support for a foldedL carton,

meansen'gagingthe edge of a folded side of a.

said support, a slide member reciprocable on said arm toward and away from said support, a finger unit pivotally connected to said arm for swinging in a generally horizontal plane, and cooperating cams on said finger. unit and slide member operae tive to swing said finger unit in opposite directions in response to reciprocation of said slide member on said arm.

30. The. mechanism according to claim 29 flll'e ther characterized in that said first-named means comprises another finger unit pivotally connected to said slide member for swinging in a generally. vertical plane, said another finger unit having a hooked end adapted to engage the. edge of one side of a folded carton, and other cooperating cams on said arm and another finger unit operativeto raise. and lower the. hooked end in responseto reciprocation of said slide memher on said arm.

CLEMENT E. JOHNSEN. CLEMENT C. JOHNSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name. Date 415,386 Hipperling Nov. 19, 1889 935504;. Heybach Sept. 28, 1909 1,250,764 Baker Dec. 18, 1917 1,755,006 Gurxthal Apr. 15, 1930 1,875,423 Daniels. Sept. 6., 1932 2,192,518 Eissmann Mar. 5, 19.40 2,307,510 Johnsen Jan. 5, 1943 2,390,419. Brown. Dec. 4, 1945 2,484,222 Hauswald Oct. 11, 1949.

FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country I Date 373,026 ireat Britain May 19, 19 32

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