CA1314203C - Apparatus and method for packaging groups of articles - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

Apparatus and method for packaging individual articles, such as can ends, in groups within sleeves for protection during storage and shipment. The apparatus is preferably associated in use with an end counter/
separator, is capable of taking individual stacks from one or more storage areas or inbound "lanes", picking up the ends in arrays or groups and placing them in a group receiving area wherein they may he advanced under the control of an insertion unit to the interior of a sleeve formed during another portion of the machine cycle. The sleeve is taken from a continuous supply of sleeve stock, advanced by a shuttle mechanism and transiently affixed to a positioner which secures the sleeve while it is filled; end flaps are formed on the package ends and the package thus formed is removed to a storage area on a continuous basis.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD
FOR PACKAGING GROUPS OF ARTICLES

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
.

The present invention relates generally to article packagers and methods, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for packaging individual articles, such as can ends in groups within sleeves for protection during storage and shipment.
According to the invention, an au~omatic end packager, has been developed; it is preferably associated in use with an end counter/separator~ is capable of taking individual stacks from one or more storage areas or inbound "lanes" picking up the ends in arrays or groups and placing them in a group receiving area wherein they may be advanced under the control of an insertion unit to the interior of a sleeve formed during another portion of the machine cycle. The sleeve is taken from a continuous supply of sleeve stock, advanced by a shuttle mechanism and transiently affixed to a positioner which secures the sleeve while it is filled; end flaps are formed on the package ends and the package thus formed is removed to a storage area on a continuous basis.
The invention provides a packaging apparatus having means for counting and separating continuous arrays of articles into individual groups, transferring the groups to the insertion area of a packaging machine, advancing a predetermined length of sleeve forming material securing the free end thereof in facing relation to the articles in the insertion area, inserting the articles into the 131~203 sleeve interior, severing the sleeve while supportinq the package from beneath, forming end flap sections thereon and thereafter folding the end flaps while removing the package to a storage area.
~ he following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention sets forth an example of the invention which is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numbers indicate corresponding parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the packaging apparatus of the invention, showing the counter/separator unit receiving a plurality of can ends, counting them and separating them into individual groups, the manner of transferring such groups to an associated packager unit, and the layout and principal elements of the packager.
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, with portions in section, showing the counter/separator unit of Fig. l;
FIG. 2(a) is a greatly enlarged side view, partly in elevation and with portions broken away, showing the end support arrangement for a group of articles positioned in the apparatus of Fig. 2;
FIG. 3 is a end elevational view, $aken along lines 3- 3 of FIG. 1 and showing the pick-up head for transferring individual groups of articles from the inbound lane staging areas of the counter/separator to the group insertion station of the packager unit;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of a part of the counter/separator, with portions broken away, and with other portions in section, showing parts of the integrated mover unit, certain l ~ t '1 2 l~ ~

elements of the counter mechanism and the separator mechanism used to subdivide the continuous array of incoming articles into individual groups;
FIG. 4(a) is a side elevational view, partly diagrammatic in nature, and showing further details of the operation of the separator mechanism used to subdivide the articles into groups;
FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the integrated mover unit of Fig. 4, taken along lines 5-5 thereof;
FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the mover unit of Fig. 4, taken along lines 6-6 thereof and showing other details of the end counter and of the separator mechanism used to form the incoming articles into individual groups;
FIG. 7 i5 a end elevational view of the article group transfer unit of the apparatus, including the pick-up head;
FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of the pick-up head and head positioner of Fig. 7, taken along lines 8-8 thereof;
FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the article group receiving portion of the packager unit of the invention, showing the pick-up head and portions of the group insertion mechanism;
FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the group receiving station shown in Fig. 9 and taken along lines 10-10 thereof;
FIG. 11 is a greatly enlarged vertical sectional view of the insertion guide assembly and principal elements of the shuttle assembly used to feed the packaging sleeve material to the sleeve positioning and gripping mechanism o~ the invention;
FIGS. ll(a-d) are schematic views showing the cross-section of the sleeve material as it moves from a storage position to a package-forming position;

1 ~ 1 , 2 0 3 FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional view similar to that of Fig. 11, showing a subsequent step in the sleeve advancing and positioning operation carried out by the shuttle assembly and the sleeve positioning mechanism;
FIG. 13 is a view similar to that of Fig.
12, showing the last phase of the article insertion step:
FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the side frame unit of the apparatus, showing the elements for positioning the sleeve, for supporting it during package formation, and certain aspects of the mechanism used to support the package, tension the sleeve, cut the sleeve to length and form and fold end-forming flaps on the sleeve being formed into a package;
FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 14, showing it in another position of use;
FIG. 15(a) is an end elevation view of one of the clamping units used to form the ends of the package taken along lines l5a-15a of Fig. 15;
FIG. 16 is an enlarged side elevational view of the sleeve cutting apparatus of the invention;
FIG. 16(a) is an end view of the apparatus of Fig. 16, taken along lines 16a-16a of Fig. 16;
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a portion of the plow unit used to form and fold end flaps on the being-formed package made b~ the apparatus of the in~ention;
FIG. 18 is an end view, partly in elevation and partly in section, showing the portion of the apparatus used to move the package being formed from a position of article insertion to a position wherein its end flaps are held and tape is applied to seal the package end;

L~ 3 FIG. 18 (a-f) are end views, partly diagrammatic in nature, showing the various steps in the removal of the being formed package from its support position to the tape application position;
FIG. 1~ is a side elevational view of the tape storage, advancing and application mechanism of the invention;
FIG. 20 is a side elevational view, partly diagrammatic in naturer showing one step in the method of applying a section of tape to a package;
FIG. 21 is a vertical sectional view, taken along lines 21-21 of FIG. 20 and showing the tape applicator roller relative to the package having an end being taped; and FIGS. 22(a-f) are diagrammatic views showing certain sequence of the steps performed by the tape applicator in use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

While the end packaging unit of the invention may be embodied in different forms and may include different accessories or auxiliary features, and while the invention may be practiced when utilizing less than all of the capabilities of the machine, and while the machine is likewise capable of packaging groups of articles other than can ends, a detailed description will be given of a form of machine having two major components, a counter/separator unit and a packager unit. As described in detail, the product being packaged is a stack of can ends, usually about four hundred ends, more or less; the packaging material is a gusseted and folded flat reel of untreated kraft paper capable 1 Jl Ll,~a3 of being readily expanded into a tubular sleeve, and the end closing method includes taping one or both folded ends of the package or merely folding both ends of the package to retain the can ends therein.
Various functions are performed by elements of the automatic end packager and auxiliary equipment which groups, counts and stages the ends or other articles for transfer to the packager per se.
The apparatus is best envisioned as a pair of cooperating machines, one serving to count the articles, form them into groups and stage a plurality of these groups for transfer, and the other being the packaging machine which receives and positions individual groups of ends on a single infeed track and inserts them into a being-formed package. The packager subdivides a continuous length of sleeve into individual package-forming lengths which are filled with articles, with end-forming flaps being folded into a closed position at the package ends.
Figs. 1-3 show a combination article grouping and packaging unit 30 having two principal components, a counter/separator unit generally designated 32 and used to count individual can ends and subdivide them into groups in which they are staged for transfer to a second or article packager unit 34. Both the counter/separator unit 32 and the article packager unit 34 include a number of principal individual components.
The principal components of the counter/separator 32 include a plurality of guiding rails or tubes 36 for directing a plurality of inbound units (in this case, can ends "E") which are in nested, face-to-face relation. Adjacent the innermost or downstream ends 38 of the guide units 36 are a plurality of so called integrated mover units 40, details of which are shown in Figs. 4-6(a). The foregoing and other elements are mounted on a counter/separator machine f rame generally de igna~ed 39.
The counter/separator 32 includes a plurality of group forming assemblie~ each generally designated 42, plural group transport assemblie~
generally designated 44, and plural transport actuator assembies generally designa~ed 46. Sin~e the article~ being feed are can ends, the ~uide or lane-forming means in the counter/sep~rator 32 are in the form of semi~circular channels 48 diqposed parallel to one another; each forms a lane dedicated to receiving products from an associated, inbound guide unit 36. The channels 48 extend to and terminate beneath a machine cro~s ~rame generally designated 50 below which plural groups, gener~lly designated 52, of individual article~ generally designated 54, are arrayed prior to being transferred to the packager unit 34.
The areas beneath ~he cross f rame 50 may be referred to fro~ a func~ional standpoint as group staging areas 56, and these areas are defined by fixed stop units 58 for the leading article in the group 52 and movable Qtop units, generally designated 60, for the trailing article in the group 52. The fi~ted stop units normally ha~e associated therewith a detector (not shown), such as a light beam and photoelectr~c cell arrangement to indicate that a group 52 i~ in the channel 48. The ~ovable stop unit i~ shown in detail in Pig. 2 (a) . As will appear, an exactly cou~ted number of articles may be supported and maintained in a group by being held between the fixed and movabl~ stops 58, 60.
~ he group transfer mechanism 62 includes the cross frame 50, which serve~ to mount a pick-up head generally designated 64 and an as ociated ' i, ~ r~ 7 pick~up head drive motor 66. The motor 66, and its as~ociated control and gear drive, actuate~ a toothed belt drive 68, which accurately indexes the pick-up head frame 70 over a desired channel or lane 48 in the s~aging area 56. Two longitudinal guide rods 74 have bushings 72 with eyes which align the pick-up head assembly 64 and position it for reciprocable movement in use. Fig. 7 shows additlonal construction and operational details of the pick-up head mechanism and related component.
Referring again to Fig. 1, various principal components of the packager unit 34 are shownO These include a supply reel generally designated 77 for a continuous length of performed wrapping sleeve material 78, an article group receiving area generally designated 80 and aligned with a reciprocable group insertion unit generally designated 82, a sleeve end po3itioner generally designated 84, and a shuttle assembly generally designated 86. Fig. 1 al30 shows an adjustably positiona~le sleeve cutter assembly 88 fixed to one side of the longitudinal main frame 90 of the packager 3~, and a side frame 92 positioned on the o her side of the ~ain frame 90. As will appear in connection with a description of Fig~. 14, 15, 15(a) and 17, for example, the side frame hou~es a plurality of other individual units which perform important operations in the packaging cycle.
A~ show~ in Fig. 1, the packager 34 includes a ~torage are~ generally designated 76 for receiving a roll of folded sleeve ~aterial generally designated 78.
Details of the integrated mover unit generally designated 40 and its associated co~ponent are illustrated in Figs. 4-6. Thes~ elements include a roller housing generally designated 94, which, with ~' .

suitable conventional bearings and the like positions a pair of vertically spaced, upper and lower hourglass rollers 96, 98, whlch are preferably made from an elastomeric material.
Each roller is operated by an associated drive shaft 100, and all of the rollers are operated synchronously by a drive mechanism (not shown) intended to operate the rollers at identical peripheral speeds. Each roller 96, 98 includes an opposed working surface 102 adapted to engage and grip the edge portion 104 of a can end here generally designated 106.
~ ig. 4(a) shows tbat each of the ends 106 has a countersink wall 108 which permits nesting of the ends as a whole. This wall 108 and the curl forming the top of the end are gripped by th~ working surfaces 102, thereby ali~ning the ends vertically.
The ends nest relative to one another, and hence do not readily fall forward or backward from the group:
therefore, assuming ~hat they are kept relatively close together axially. Pushers for the groups of ends exert an axial compressive force on the group of ends.
Referring to Fig~. 4-6, group forming assemblies 42, the transport assemblies 44 and the transport actuator~ 46 are shown, as are the counter probe unit 110 and its associated electrical connectors 112. This counter is preferably a reflective beam - threshold intensity probe unit which emits a light and determines the existence and intensity of light beam reflection~ Peaks of reflective intensity create pulses in associa~ed counting e~uipment and retain it in memory for the package in question.
Each of the group forming ass2mblies includes a vertically reciprocable biade 11~ adapted 1 J 1 ~r 2 ~ 3 to engage a leading edge of the ungrouped array of ends to transiently prevent advancement of the remainder of the group. This blade 114 and its associated elements cooperate with means in the form of an opposed pair of knife edges or surface-engaging blades 116, 118, arranged on a scissor mechanism generally designated 120. When the counter unit has reached a pre-determined count, the blade 114 moves vertically in response to a count signal, and thus begins the process of dividing the ungrouped array into a leading and a trailinq group. Immediately thereafter, the blades 116, 118 move inwardly to engage the trailing edge of the last article in the group lying downstream of the blade 114. The immediately successive operations of the vertical blade 114 and the horizontally movable blades 116, 118 ensures that the division between leading and trailing articles is made cleanly, and that both sides of a single article are engaged rather than sides of adjacently d~sposed articles which might create tilting and mis-feed.
Referring now to the scissor mechanism 120, this will be seen to include left and right hand bell crank arms 122, 124, which are mounted on pivot pins 126, 128. An air cylinder 130 positioned by a yoke 132 and containing an operating rod 134 is able to move a clevis pin 136 through a short vertical range of movement. This pin 136 is disposed in slots 138, in the inner margins of the crank arms 122, 124.
Consequently, upon a signal generated by the counter, the pneumatic cylinder may be actuated, and the blades rapidly move radially inwardly and engage the trailing surfaces of ~he trailing article to form an article group. As shown in Fig. 4, the yoke 132 is in turn positioned on a carrier element 140 forming a part of the transport mechanism described herein.

i 3 Referring again to Fig. 4, will be noted that the upper ~pre-splitter~ or vertically reciprocating blade 114 is also operated by a pneumatic cylinder generally designzted 142 and containing an operating rod 144 whicb terminates at its lower edge in a holder 146 for the blade 114.
Referring now in particularly to Fig. 4, the operation of ~he transport actuator 46 will be described. In thi3 connection, will be understood that the actu~tor 46 is only one of a group of Qubstantially identical actuators used to operate various mechanisms of the invention. The actua~ors o the type presently preferred for u~ in the present invention are or a type known as ~Tol-o-matic~ cylinder which are made by the ~ol-o~matic Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota and whose operation i~ known to those killed in tbe art.
The following general de~cription therefor~ is made for ease of under~tanding and is primarily ~chematic.
Referring now to the lower part of Fig.4 ., will be seen at the actua~or a~embly 46 include~ a housing qenerally designated 148, having an interior cylindrical ~idQ wall lS0 which positions a reciprocating pi~ton 152 havlng one end of a continuous ~etal tape 154 a~t~ched to e~ch of its end faces. Tho tape 154 is train~d over a rotary, fi~ed axis guide roller lS6 positioned in an end cap 157 for the cylinder.
Tho actuator 46 also includ~s a se~l 158 for retaining air within the interior lS9 of the cylinder 150. ThR other ends 160 of the tapQ 154 are affixed to either end of the carrier 1~0. Th~
carrier includeq a cover unit 162 having guid~ ear~
164 received in longitud~nally ext~nding guide slot3 166 on the exterior of the unit 46. Con3equently, in operation, when either end of the cylinder i~
* Trade-mark 1 , . . . .. .

pressurized, the piston will move in the opposite direction, moving tbe tape over the roller and causing the carrier unit to move atop the housing in the opposite direction. A series of Commercial units normally include a series of protective covers or casinqs for the tape and appropriate keyways or like arrangements generally shown in Fig. 6 are usually provided for this purpose.
Referring now to Figs. 7 and 8, various construction and operational details of the pick-up head 64 of the invention are shown. The pick-up head 64 is of a generally known type, such as that referred to ~or example in U.S. Patent No. 4,808,057.
However, this head has been modified so~ewhat for the purpose of the present invention and i8 therefore shown in detail here.
Ba~ically, the head 64 includeq a pick-up head frame 70t means for moving the head transversely over the lanes 48 in which the incominq articles are rece iY ed, and means for mo~ing the head vertically, means for removing the ends or other articles once gripped, and means for securing the ends against falling from the end of the assembly unit 64.
Fig. 7 shows not only the pick-up head frame generally designated 7~, but the arrangement of the movement and guide systems. Thus, the head 64 includeq a mounting bracket 168 having an eye 170 therein for receiving a mounting pin 172. The pin is disposed in a lower portion of a operating rod 174 extending from the lower end of a pi3ton and cylinder assembly generally designated 176. According ~o the invention, the double acting piston and cylinder assembly 176 cau~es vertical reciprocation of the bracket 168 and the head 6~ carried thereby.
In order to insure appropriate vertical movement in an aligned relation, left and right hand A

iden~ical guide rods 178, 180 are received in suitable bearinqs 182, 184 provided in the frame.
Tho lower end3 of the guide rod~ 178, 180 are pinned, as at 1~6, 188 to two stub mounting~ 190, 192 on the top frame 194 of the pick-up head.
Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, it will be noted that on the interior of the head assembly 64 there is disposed a longitudinally extending, inverted V-shaped channel unit 196, which i8 ~ecured to an associated knock-out cylinder 200 a plural, spaced apart point~ by a rod 198. Actuation of ~he cylinder 200 move~ the 3upport rod 19~ vertically, pushing the end or other article~ thereon downwardly relative to the fræme 19~. A~ is shown in Fig. 8, article~ cuch as the ends generally designat~d E are retained in place by the radially ~lightly inwardly dilected lower marginQ 202, 204 of sidewall~ 206, 208 of the pick-up head.
In ~he preferred form of unit, these sidewalls 208 are made from a pla~tic material, such as ~Lexan~ polycarbon~te pla~tic material having a strong ela~tic me~ory. In use, the sidewalls 206, 208 deflect ~lightly outwardly when the head i8 received ov~r ~ ~ixed column or group of ends or other articles, and arc thu~ 8i~ply pr-88 fit into the articl~ r~ceiving ar~a in tho pick-up head.
Tho innate re~iliency of th~ qidewalls i5 sufficient to confine the articles until they aro fo~cibly rem~ved by actu~tion of the cylind~r 200 and the rod 198. On- cylinder pi~ton ~nd rod as~embly 200, 198 i~ dQ3cribed in det~il; its countorpart generally de3ignat~d 201 in Fig. 7 will be understood to be identical and i8 there~or~ not de~crib~d in detail herein.
Referring again to Pig. 7, there i5 shown a pair of substanti211y identic~l, left and right hand * Trade-mark ., , - T .- .

end clip assemblies. Each of these is intended to position an apertured end plate 210 by means of an arm 212 to retain ends within the pick-up head 64.
The end plate 210 preferably includes a semi-circular recess 214 (~ig. 3) permitting it to fit over the end of the leading edge retainer rod (Fig. 1).
Fig. 7 shows the left hand mechanism in the open position, toward which position it is schematically shown to be biased by a spring 215.
Upon generation of a proper signal, the control cylinder ~16 is actuated pneumatically, urging the operating rod 218 vertically until it engages the lower surface of the pivot ar~ 220. Further movement causes of the arm 212 and the end plate 210 about the axis of the pivot pin 222, ~hus positively retaining the ends E wi~hin the pick-up head 64. Fig. 8 also shows that clamps 224, 226 are used to secure the free ends of the drive belt 68 to the movable frame 70.
~ ence, it is apparent that in operation, when it is desired to position the frame 70 such that the head 64 is aligned with a given lane ~8, the control (not shown) is actuated and the drive motor 66 moves the belt 68, stopping the unit just above the desired inbound lane in the ~aging area. A D.C.
motor drive of a known type is suitable for this purpose.
Thereupon, the cylinder 176 i8 actuated and the head is lowered fully until the ends are gripped between the sidewalls 206, 208 of ~he he~d 64. This is done with the end Clamp8 in the open or extended position. The ends are then end clamp cylinder~ are then operated in the end clamps retain the respective ends of ths group. The cylinder 176 is then actuated, raising the head. The motor pulls the belt until the head is positioned over the loading or group receiving area 80 of the packer unit 34. Then, the sequence of operation is rever~ed.
When the head is lowered by the cylinder 176, it is held in the position spaced ju3t apart from the loading area, and the unloading or discharge cylinder and rod apparatus 198, 200 are energized, ~his removes the ends from the pick-up head and deposits them as a group in the loading area. Next, the pick-up head 64 is moved by the frame 70 to the next succeeding position and the cycle i~ repeated.
As pointed out, the machine, usinq the counter memory, and beinq appropriately programmed for an operating sequence as will be desc~ibed, is able to determine the particular of lane from which an article group is to be picked up, and al80 recalls the appropriate count for eash group.
Referring now to Figs. 9 and 10, certain aspects of the article group posi~ioning and inserting mechanism generally decign~ted 230, and located in the article group receiving area 80, are shown. A~ illustrated, the article group receiving and inserting mechanism 230 includes several principal elements, including means in the form of a semi-circular channel 232 for receiving and positioning ~ group of articles arrayed in end-to-end relation. The channel 232 i3 ~upported by a plurality of spaced apart stand~ 236 extending up fro~ the log$tudinal machine frame gO and i8 open at it~ downstream end 234.
~ ere, the channel 232 joins the a~ticle insertion guide as~embly generally designated 238 and shown to be mounted on a tran~ver~e bulkhead 240.
The guide assembly 238 includes a guide tube 241 having inlet and ou~let ends 242, 244 (best seen in Fig. 11~

i fr 2 ~ 3 Referring now to the manner of feeding groups of articles throuyh the guide assembly 238, Figs. 9 and 10 show the article group 52 positioned on the channel 232, with the pick-up head unit 64 disposed thereabove. In use, the center lines of the channel 232 and the pick-up head 64 respectively are aligned so that the articles may be simply dropped into the channel 232.
In the article group receiving area 80 is an insertion unit generally designated 82 and shown to include a plunger 246 affixed to the end of an operating rod 250 and adapted to engage what becomes the trailing end article 248 of the group of articles 52 through the guide 238 and into a packaging sleeve in a manner to be described. The operating rod 250 is positioned by an arm 252 (Fig. 10) which is secured to a reciprocable carrier unit 254. The carrier 254 forms the exterior reciprocable element of a "Tol-o-matic" or like actuator assembly generally designated 256 which is essentially identical in construction and operation to those actuators described in connection with Fig. 4 hereof.
Referring now in particular to Fig. 9, means for positioning what becomes the leading end article 258 in the array 52 is provided in the form of an article end support finger 260 forming a part of a link assembly generally designated 2Ç2 for transiently retaining the leading end article 258.
An end support piston and cylinder assembly 264 includes an operating rod 266 positioned, such that, upon reciprocation, the finger 260 will be raised into contact with a leading edge surface of the end article 258. As the pusher rod 250 is moved by the carrier 256 to the right as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the finger 260 is pushed out of the way against light resistance. This permits the group of articles to move to the right.

~J14.'''~'3 In use, a principal function of the end support finger and the associated apparatus is that, once the group of articles has been deposited by the pick-up head, it may be desired to pre-load or very slightly compress the stack of articles by appl~ing a downstream axial force to the operating rod 250. The finger not only prevents the end article from tilting or falling forward, but also ensures that the slight axial compressive load may be applied to the article group 52 as a whole without undesirably moving it until such as such action is indicated by the sequencir.g controls. Thereafter, as additional moving force is applied to the operating rod, the finger may be either pushed aside or positively withdrawn by the action of the piston and cylinder assembly 264.
Referring now in detail to Figs. 11-13~
additional details of the article group insertion guide assembly 238 as well as the sleeve end positioner 84 and the shuttle mechanism 86 for advancing, positioning and retaining the sleeve 78 of package forming material are shown.
Referring first to the guide assembly 238, it will be noted that this unit is supported on a machine bulkhead 240 and includes a cylindrical tube 241 having inlet and outlet end portions 242, 244.
The guide tube includes an inside diameter surface 27~ which is sized just larger than the outside diameter of the articles 54 being inserted therethrough; the sleeve end positioner 84 of the tube 241 comprises a reduced diameter cylindrical outlet end margin 272 and other elements to receive and retain the leading end margin 274 of the sleeve material 78 being advanced by the shuttle assembly 86.

1 ~ 1 i 2 3 , Because the article group and the sleeve material are fed in opposite directions, the term "downstream", while accurately applied to both operations, denotes a different direction for each operation. In Fig. 11, for example, movement to the right is downstream for the articles and upstream relative to the sleeve material.
As is shown in Fig. 11, the guide unit 238 includes a pneumatic housing generally designated 278 and opposed, radially inwardly and outwardly directed cylindrical surfaces 280, 282 which define therebetween an annular, pressurizable chamber 284 positioning an annular piston 286 for reciprocation.
The piston 286 includes inside and outside diameter O-ring or similar seals 288, 290, and further includes a plurality of inclined cam or ramp surfaces 292. The housing 278 includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced pockets 294 for receiving return springs 296 which act on an end face of the annular piston 286 to return the same to a withdrawn position.
The sleeve end positioner 84 also includes means for gripping a leading edge margin of the sleeve material 78. The positioner arrangement includes a plurality of assemblies generally designated 298 and each shown to include a rigid finger 300 having affixed thereto a sleeve end gripping pad 30~. Each finger moves about a pivot pin 304 in response to radial movement of the roller assembly 306. An associated spring plunger unit 308 biases the roller end o~ the finger 300 inward and thus raises the gripping pad 302; this is permitted only when the ~hamber 284 is evacuated and the return springs 298 extend and withdraw the piston 286~ When the chamber 284 is pressurized ~y a charge oP
compressed air entering through the hose and fitting .~ 1r , ~ ~

310, the roller5 306 ride up the ramp surface~ 292 and push the finger pads 302 into snug contact with the end margin 274 of the sleeve 78. Releasing pressure permits the piston to return as explained above.
Referring again ~o Fig. 11, and now to what may be termed the sleeve advancing and positioning shuttle assembly generally de ignated 86, this assembly is shown to include two principal ele~ents, an outer cylinder assembly generally de~ignated 312 and an inner mandrel assembly generally designated 314. The outer cylinder assembly 312 in turn includes a cylindrical metal ~leeve 316 of circular cro~s section, and a cylinder guide unit generally designated 318 and shown to include a pair of spaced apart, aligned bushings 320, 322 whose inside cylindrical surfaces engage a guide rod 324. On the lower side of the cylinder 316 i3 a flanse 326 affixed to the actuator 328 of a ~Tol-o ma~ic~
positioner unit generally designated 330. In addition, the outer cylinder unit includes two or more centering roller asse~blies generally de~igna~ed 332 which cooperate with their counterparts on the mandrel 314. These units 332 include centering rollers 334 positioned on axles 336 and urged by an axle carrier 338 into a radially inward position.
Tension springs 340 exert a radial outward force on the axle~ 336; however~ the clip unit releas~bly engages and normally positions the rollers in the radially inner position ~hown. 8e~e, the rollers nest with and lie ~etween an opposed pair of mandrel rollers 394. Aq is shown, the flexible sleeve of kraft paper material 78 i5 trained radi~lly in~ide the cylinder roller and radially outwardly over the mandrel rollers the rollers and the slight working clearance permit relative movement of ~he sleeve when 1 ~1 '120 `) the mandrel and cylinder retract, a~ i8 de~cribed elsewhere herein.
The other principal element of the cylinder assembly 312 is the ratchet feed assembly generally designated 346. The feed assembly 346 includes a plurality of identical claw assemblies 348 mounted for pivotal movement about a stub shaft 350 so that the saw toothed end surfaces 352 may move into and out of a slot 354 on the cylinder body. When in use, the toothed surface 352 of the claw 348 move~ into a position of engagement with the kraft paper sleeve 78 when the shuttle unit i~ moving to the lef~ or feed position as shown in Fig. lls when the ~huttle assembly 276 is withdrawn or retreat~, the claws 348 are cammed out of the way by a rail (not shswn) permitting ~he outer cylinder 316 to slide ~moothly over the exterior surface of ~he paper ~leeve 78.
Referring again to Fig. 11, details of the mandrel asse~bly 314 are shown. Thi~ unit 314 includes a forward body generally designAted 360, a center body 362 and a rear body 364. The rear body 364 include3 a modified conical tapered surface 366 designed to per~it easy return of the mandrel through the inner ~urface of the sleeve 78. Th~ center body portion 362 i~ provided ~o position and ~upport the mandrel roller~ 394. The forward body portion 360 comprises a guide tube generally designated 370 and having an in~ide di~meter surface 372 which reciprocably positions a sleeve support unit generally designated 374. As shown, the forward body 370 also includes an outer diameter cylindrical surface 376 over which the sleeve ~ateri~l passe3 in use.
A~ shown in Fig~. lla-lld, thi3 ma~erial customarily lies flat and, although cyllndrical in its expanded condition, in its flatened condition it 1 ~ 1 4203 presents top and bottom surfaces with inwardly folded webs or gussets forming either of its side edges.
Referring now to the positioning and operation of the sleeve support, it will be noted that this unit 374 is preferably made from a plastic material and includes a cylindrical body section 378 terminating in an enlarged nose 380 having a beveled leading edge surface 382 thereon. A bushing 384 located centrally of the sleeve support 374 is slideable over a sleeve support positioner 386 having a movement limiting stop 388 forming one end thereof and a threaded end portion 390 forming the other end.
The threaded end 390 is positioned in a threaded locating boss 392 forming a part of the forward body unit 370. An operating spring 396 biases the sleeve support unit to an extended position.
Fig. 12 shows the operation of the shuttle system 276 in use and the functioning of the sleeve support unit 374. As shown in Fig. 11, when the sleeve material is advanced, a leading edge margin 274 is kept in a generally cylindrical, open-ended shape by surrounding the support unit 374; the nose portion 380 is disposed just outward o the leading edge of the sleeve. The outer cylinder and mandrel combination, in use, advanced to the left as shown in Figure 11, with the guide bushings and rod 320, 322, 324 serving to align the center line of the mandrel with that of the feed guide 238. With a section of sleeve entrapped between the mandrel 314 and the cylinder 312 by the claws 348, the sleeve is advanced as shown in Fig. 11~
When shuttle motion continues, the nose portion 382 of the sleeve support 374 is engaged by an end face 398 of the guide tube 241. Continued movement of the mandrel and sleeve assembly causes the sleeve support 374 to retract inwardly of the 1 '; ¦ L'i sleeve, compressing the spring 396. This permits the margin 274 to extend outwardly or be cantilevered over the reduced thickness margin 272 of the tube 241.
When the margin 274 of the sleeve is so positioned and the carrier 328 has reached it ful stroke length, the control energizes the compressed air source, feeding air through the tube and fitting 310 into the pressure chamber 284. This cams the fingers 300 downwardly, causing the finger pads to engage and hold the sleeve margin 274 securely.
Thereupon, the shuttle assembly 276 retreats or is withdrawn to the right, until it achieves the fully withdrawn position. The sleeve is held in this position as shown in Fig. 13, until the operating rod 25û is extended fully to the right, loading an entire group of articles into the sleeve interior. As shown in Fig. 13, since this array of articles is slightly compressible axially, a position such as that shown in Fig. 13 is achieved. Thereupon the operating rod 250 is rapidly withdrawn while the fingers 300 remain in their down and locked position of Fig. 13.
Before the individual articles in the group move axially to the left, and just as the operating rod 250 is withdrawn, a part of a clamping finger assembly generally designated 400 moves in the direction shown by the arrows in Fig. 13 to close off the end of the being~formed package. Thereafter, the fingers 300 may be released by permitting compressed air to flow from the chamber 284 through a bleed line; this permits the annular piston 286 to withdr~w and the plungers 308 to pivot the fingers 300 upwardly to the position of Fig. 12, for example. At this point, the remaining section 401 of the sleeve 78 is an end forming flap having a free end portion previously secured over the end of the gulde eube 241.
Referring now to Fig~. ll(a-d), reference is made to the change in shape of the supply of sleeve-forming material as it moves from a storage location and becomes a package wrapper. Fig.
ll(a) schematically shows a reel generally designated 402 to comprise supply means for a extended, continuous length of sleeve material 78. As the material is withdrawn from this reel 402 and advanced from time to ~ime by the shut le mechanism 84,it is transformed from a lay-flat cross section into a circular cross section.
Fig. ll(d) shows the sleeve material 7a to have upper and lower sheet portion~ 402, 404 joined at their ends by inwardly double folded gu85ets 406, 408. Fig. ll(c) shows that as the material is thus unfolded, the inwardly extending directed or re-entrant gusset expand as the upper and lawer portions 402, 404 move apart. Finally, as a result of being trained over the mandrel 314, the sleeve 78 assumes a subst~ntially circular cross section suitable for receiving can ends~
If a manufactured article having a different croa~ sectional shape were selected, an appropriate unfolded shap* could be a sumed by sleeve material, which is preferably formed as just described for purpo~es of convenient storage.
Ref~rring now to Fig~. 14 and 15, there is shown an enlarged de~ail of the side frame unit 92 affixed to the main longitudinal frame 90 of the packaging unit 34. The side fra~e 92 serve~ to posi~ion a package support and transfer assembly generally de~ignated 410 and sh~wn to include a number of principal elements, including a carriage unit generally designated 412, a reciprocable tray assembly 414, a pair of clamping assemblies generally desiqnated 415, 416 and a pair of plow units generally designated 417, 418 for folding an end flap on the package being formed.
Referring again to Figs. 14 and 15, the side frame 92 includes a plurality of spaced apart transverse rails 419, 420 and a pair of longitudinal rails 421, 422. These rails 419-422 serve to position the carriage unit generally designated 412, which is shown to include a carriage cross frame 424 having cylindrical bushings 426, 428 surrounding portions of, and movinq along, transverse guide rods 430, 432.
A "Tol-o-matic" cylinder unit 434, the constructional details of which have been referred to elsewhere herein, provides power to move the carriage laterally of the article group feed axis, that is, towards the top and bottom as shown in Fig. 14, a plan view of the unit. In addition, the carriage unit 412 also includes a pair of outer frame extensions 436, 438 which terminate in and are affixed to clamp support frame assemblies 440, 442.
Consequently, reciprocation of the carriage unit 412 will cause movement of the parts associated with the carriage, as will now be described.
Referring first to the tray assembly 414, this includes not only means in the form of a right angle package support section 444 (see also Fig.
18(a-f)) for use during the time package sleeve is being filled, but also includes a pair of tray positioning rods 446, 448 riding within bushings 450, 452 affixed to the carriage cross frame 424. Remote end portions 454, 456 of the rods 446, 448 are kept extended relative to the cross frame unit 442 by captive compression springs 458, 460. Hence, movement of the carriaqe cross frame 424 will tend to, but not necessarily cause, a counterpart movement of the support section 444. The clamp assemblies 415, 416, are fixed to the cross frame 424 and thus will exactly replicate movement of the frame 424.
Thus, while the carriage unit 412 moves between fully extended and fully withdrawn positions, the tray assembly 414 is arranged so that it will remain in an intermediate position, i.e., the portion shown in Fig. 15. This is because, when the rod end portions 461, 462 of a pair of positioning cylinder assemblies 464, 466 are extended, their ends engage rod ends 454, 456 preventing fully withdrawn movement of the tray 414. The full withdrawal of the carriage unit 412 is effective to compress the springs 458, 460 during this phase of the operation, but the tray 414 is held as shown. Only after the package has been unloaded and removed to a lower position for taping, as will be described, are the piston and cylinder assemblies 464, 466, (which are positioned on brackets 468, 470 secured to the longitudinal cross frame rail 422,) deenergized and the end portions 461, 462 are withdrawn or retracted to the solid line position of Fig. 14. This then permits the tray 444 to move fully to the rear or withdrawn position prior to performance of another operating sequence.
~ eferring now to Fig. 15(a), certain constructional details of one of the clamping assemblies 415 are shown. Both assemblies are identical, so only one will be described in detail.
A typical assembly 415 has its clamp support frame 440 affixed to the outer frame extension 436. ~he support frame 440 includes a plate 472 on which a piston and cylinder assembly 474 is mounted. The operating rod 476 of the assembly 474 terminates in a clevis 478 to which are pivotally secured a pair of 1 J ~

operating arms 480, 48~. Each of these is mounted at its remote end portion to a blade mounting unit 484, 486; and each blade mounting 484, 486 is guided by vertical rods 488, 490.
Consequently, in and out movement of the operating rod 476 will result in a vertical reciprocation of the mounting units 484, 486. Each of these units has a clamping blade 491, 4g2 formed therewith or affixed thereto. Thus, a clamping action having the degree of force desired to be supplied by the air cylinder 474 may be generated in this assembly 415. The force applied to clamping the sleeve material 78 is effective both to tension the sleeve and to subdivide the package into a center section filled with articles, and two end flap forming sections.
As pointed out, in normal use, as the carriage 412 moves from a withdrawn position toward the centerline axis of the article feeding station, the blades 491, 492 are positioned in the open or widely spaced apart position. Prior to time the group of articles 52 is inserted, the downstream clamping cylinder ~the right hand cylinder as shown in Figs. 14 and 15) is actuated, forming, in effect an end stop for the group of inserted articles; the left hand or upstream clamping unit (relative to article movement) remains open until after the operating rod 250 has completed its forward stroke pushing the articles into the sleeve and applying a compressive force thereto, and has withdrawn.
Thereafter, the upstream clamping blades 491, 492 are moved together to grip the package end.
This action also tensions a portion of the packaging sleeve 78 between the downstream clamping unit 416 and the withdrawn position of the shuttle assembly 86, enabling the sleeve 78 to be easily cut by the 1 3 1 4 2~3 sleeve cutter unit 88, in a manner which is described herein.
After the sleeve 78 has been cut and the clamping blades have tensioned the package, the carriage drive is energized, and the carriage withdraws both the tray 414 supporting the package and the end clamping units 415, 416 to the position of Fig. 15, wherefrom the package will be lowered.
Prior to this lowering action, however, the sleeve is cut as mentioned, and also, as will be described below, a vertically extending end flap is formed on each end of the package.
Referring now to Fig. 16, the construction and operation of the sleeve cutter 88 will be described. As shown, this unit 88 is mounted by a right angle bracket 494 secured to the main frame 90 in a suitable manner; the mounting bracket 494 includes removable fasteners 496. As best shown in Figs. 14 and 15, the bracket 494 includes elongated slots 498 as well as a series of other openings to facilitate adjustable positioning of the unit 88. In this way, the position of the cutter 88 relative to the clamping unit 416, and hence the length of the end-forming flaps is determined.
In its simplest form, the cutter 88 may be envisioned as having a piston and cylinder assembly 500 adapted to e~tend and withdraw the cutter subassembly generally designated 502, and another pair of piston and cylinder assemblies generally designated 504, 506 for vertically reciprocating associated cutter blades to sever the sleeve 78. In this connection, each of the upper and lower cylinder assemblies 504, 506 includes an operating rod 508, 51n having blade holder frames 512, 514 secured thereto. The upper blade holder frame 512, positions a blade 515 with an inclined cutting edge 516. The i ~ .; 3 upper blade holder also includes a hold-down foot 518 which is resiliently positioned by a pair of springs 520. The lower frame 514 ha~ a flush insert blade 522.
Hence, when the actual cutting operation is performed, the lower surface 524 of the foot 518 engages the sleeve held on the upper surface 526 of the lower blade holder 514, and further downward movement shears the sleeve.
The entire cutter subassembly 502 just described is mounted for reciprocation on a transport frame generally designated 528 and having a main frame unit 530 which is generally ~C~ shaped in end elevation~ This frame 530 include~ upper and lower mounting ears 532, 534 having openings secured about and journaled for travel along the length of upper and lower guide rod~ 536, 538 which are in turn secured to rod mounting end bracket~ 540, 542.
The movement of thi~ as~embly transversely of the feed axis of the article groups i~ achieved by operation of the cylinder 500 which includes an operating rod 544 extending therefro~ and secured by a rod brack~t 546. In use, as just described, the ~leeve cutter operating ~equence i8 ~uch that, after the shuttle unit 86 is withdrawn and the clamping blades 491, 492 on the leading edge or downstream clamping unit 416 are actuzted, the cutter 88 i8 traversed into position and the blades reciprocate vertically to perform the cut. The~e~fter the blades are separated and the extensible subas~embly 502 is withdrawn from it8 position on the group feed axis.
Referring now to Fig. 17, a somewhat diagrammatic illustration of the manner of fo~ming the package end flaps is shown. ~ere, one of the plows generally de~ignated 417 and comprising the means for forming and folding the package end flap is 1, I ~1 ./ ~ ) ,) illustrated. For purposes of clarity, while tbe tray section 444 which supports the package is shown along with a series of phantom lines steps in its movement sequence, the clamping assembly is not illustrated.
However, it will be understood that the blades of the associated clamping arm are positioned closely adjacent both the end article within the package and the plow 417 (see Figs. 14 and 15). When this is done, a lay flat portion 550 of the sleeve is formed and this will rest on the horizontal plate portion 55~ of the plow 417. Because of its contour, as the tray 444 is withdrawn, the end flap 550 is folded into a vertical position as illustrated, finally achieving the phantom line position shown to the right in Fig. 17. ~ plow 417 or 418 is provided for each end of the package.
~ eferring now to another component of the apparatus of the invention, Fig. 18 shows a positioner assembly generally designated 554 for removal and taping of the just-formed package. This unit 554 is subdivided into a package platform assembly generally designated 556 and a package hold-down assembly generally designated 558. These units cooperate in removing the formed package from the tray section 444 forming a part of the transfer apparatus 410 and lowering it to a position wherein one or both of the end flaps 550 may be taped to the remainder of the package in a manner which will be described; the operation involves lowering the package into alignment with the taping equipment, usually a distance of 3 to 5 inches, for example.
Referring now to the package platform assembly 556, this unit includes a flat package platform 559 having an edge rail 560 forming one side thereof to prevent movement of the package toward the free or left side as shown in Fig. 18. The platform `` 1Jlll2n3 559 is positioned by a platform support bracket 562 which in turn includes one or more guide bushings 564 having portions encircling associated guide rods 566.
In addition a movement limiter rod 568 extends downwardly from a lower edge of the platform support bracket 562~ The rod 568 has adjustment and locking nuts 570, 572 positioned near its lower end.
The lower end extends through a movement limiting stop collar 571 positioned by a bracket 573. The guide rods 566 extend between upper and lower subframe tubes 574, 576, forming portions of a positioner subframe 578; this subframe 578 is in turn secured to a carrier bracket 580 which rests upon an end portion of a vertically movable platform extension rod 582~ The opposite end portion of the rod 582 lies within the piston and cylinder assembly 584 which is pneumatically operable to raise and lower the elements referred to in a manner described herein.
A preloaded lost motion spring 585 extends between the bushing 564 and the lower subframe tube 576, permitting the subframe 578 to move relative to the platform assembly 556. Both subassemblies are movable relative to the heavy channel section 586 forming a part of the longitudinal main frame 90 of the packaging apparatus 34.
The tube portions 574, 576 of the positioner subframe 578 carry the guide rods 566 just described, and these rods 566 terminate at their upper ends in a bar positioning cylinder support bracket 588 having an offsetting section 590 supporting a bar positioning cylinder assembly 592.
The cylinder assembly 592 includes an extensible hold down rod 594 having a contoured hold down bar 596 affixed to its outer end.

Because of the foregoing arrangement, wherein the positioner spring 585 is disposed between the lower tube 576 and th~ guide bu~hing 564, when the operating cylinder 584 is energized, the carrier bracket 580 will move upwardly, carrying with it both the bar positioning cylinder assembly 592 and the package platform asse~bly 556.
When the platform assembly 556 reaches a cer~ain height, the adjustment nut 570 on the movement limiter rod 568 will engage a lower surface of the stop collar 571 positioned by the bracket 573 on the fra~e member 90.
This will arrest further upward movement of ~he package platform assembly, but the c~rrier bracket 580, the 3ubframe 578 and itQ as~ociated components will continue to move upwardly, compressing the 103t motion spring 585 and raising the cylinder 59~ and its associated co~ponents relative ~o the platform.
Thi3 create~ an open ~pac~ of a height sufficient to provide working roam for rec~iving the package. Deenerqizing the cylinder 584 to lower the asse~bly a~ a whole will first caus~ the hold down bar 596, which has been previou~ly extended by enersi7ing th~ cylinder assembly 592, to engage the ~pper surface of the p~ckase Rp~ This will secure th~ package ~P~ ag~inst falling during removal and tran~fer as i8 clearly ~hown in Fig~. 18(a-f).
Referring now to Figs. 18ta-f), it is shown that the tr~ns~or tray ~ection 4~4 i~ positioned to the left or along ~he center line or feed axis of the article group 52. A~uming that the p~ckage ~leeve has been filled while supported by the tray ~ec~ion 444, and ~hat the clamping fingers were appropriately actuated, the being-formed package is removed after a portion of the sleeve 78 is severed by the cutter unit 8~.

I j,,", Fig. 18(b) shows 'che withdrawal of the package while held on itQ support tray past the end flap forming plows 417, 418, thus forming end flaps 550 a~ shown in do~ted lines. ~he tray section 444 is then stopped while Qpaced well above but vertically ~n line with the support platform 558.
ThiQ is accomplished when, a~ shown in Fig. 15, the rods 446, 448 are engaged by the rod end3 451, 462.
The fixed package ejector 595 in Figs. 18(a-f~ which ends through an opening 593 in the ~ray section 444 then jU8t engage~ a sid~ wall portion of the package.
A~ shown in Fig. 18(c), the entire positioner assembly 554 i~ raised until the movement li~iter rod 568 prohibit~ further upward movement o the platform as~embly 556t this 81:0PE~ the platform 559 ju~t beneath the lower surface of the support tray 8ection 444.
Upward movement of the p~ckAge hold~own assembly 55~ continues as the spring 585 i8 compres~ed. Becaus2 of the offset plate 590 forming a part of the cylinder support bracket 588, the bar po~itioning cylinder agsembly 592 the hold-down bar 596 and th~ rod 594 positioning it are ~ble to move vertically p~st the pnckage i.e., to the left in Fig.
18(c). When the mæximu~ vertical height of the hold-down a~sembly i8 refiched (Fig. 18(c) th~
cylinder 592 is actuated and the hold-down rod 594 extend3 fully ~uch that the hold-down b~r 596 i~
positioned atop the pac~age, adequ~te clearance to permit ~uch exten~ion being provided by the 108t motion ~ U8t described.

Thereafter, the operating cylinder 584 is operated in the ~down~ direction and the hold-down bar 596 contact~ the upper surfac~ of ~he pac~hge ~P~
as downward movemen~ of the pla~for~ 559 i8 about to begin. Next, as shown in Fig. 18 (e) the tray i8 ~r 1 J ~ J 3 removed to the right. The ejector bar 595 being fixed, however, it holds the package above the platform and permits withdrawal of the tray 444.
This in turn occurs as the cylinders 464, 466 (Figs.
14, 15) are deenergized and the springs 458, 460 extend, carrying the tray 444 fully to the rear.
Thereupon, the package i5 supported solely by the platform assembly 556.
As shown in Fig. 18(f), the platform assembly 556 and hold-down assembly 558 move together as a unit, until the package entrapped therein is moved to the position at which taping will occur.
The foregoing apparatus thus serves to utilize lost motion to provide an insert gap for the package, and permits the package "P" to be positively retained while the support tray is withdrawn from its transfer position beneath the package.
Referring now to Figs. 19-21 and 22(a-f), a somewhat schematic construction and operational illustration of a tape applicator apparatus made in accordance with the invention is shown.
As shown in Fig. 19, the apparatus is generally intended to advance, wet, and dispense tape, such as a paper tape containing a water remoistenable adhesive, in individual lengths which are applied first to the top surface portion of the package adjacent the end, and then down along the end face of the package.
The presently preferred form of apparatus, as shown in Fig. 19, includes a tape supply reel generally designated 600, containing a supply of tape 602 wound about a roller 604. The tape is then trained through a pair of opposed feed guide rollers 606, 608, and fed through a narrow channel in a horizontal direction by a tape forwarding assembly generally designated 610. The forwarding assembly 1 3 1 , 2 ~

610 includes an operating piston and cylinder unit 612, and an operating rod ~14 affixed to a tape clamping fra~e generally de~ignated 616. A pinch clamp cylinder assembly 618 is secured to the clamping frame 616.
~ n operation, the pinch clamp ~ylinder 618 moves the outer margins of a pinch clamp (no~ shown in detail) into engagement with the lateral margins of the tape; aft~r the tape i8 gripped, the operating rod 614 extend~ forwardly and advances a length of the tape equal to the rod stroke through ~lotted guide plates 620. At the end of the~e guide plates 620 is a cutter bar 622, disposed oppo~it~ a cutter bar 623 which forms a portion of a vertically reciprocable t~pe repositioning ~ssembly generally designated 624.
The tape repositioning asRembly 624 includes a main body portion generally designated 626, and a pair of oppo~ed cylind~ical guide bushinqs 628, 630 surrounding vertically extending guid~ rods 632, 634. The body 626 i5 moved by a positioning cylinder a~embly 636 having the end portion of it~
operating rod 638 ~ecured by a fastener 640.
Th~ body 626 also includes a reservoir 642 for receiving ~ supply of liquid which i8 Ped to a bru~h unit 644 having its end portions secured in a brush holder 646s when sufficient liquid i~ fed to the bru~h hold~r chamber 648, capillary action wets the tip portion o the bru~h. Th~ body 626 i8 surmounted by a vacuum head as~embly generally designa ed 650, which iQ turn includes a tape pick-up portion 652 di~po~ed beneath th~ vacuum head 650; the head a~sembly 650 also include~ a vertically ex~endlng ~lot sen~rally de~ign~ted 65~ for receiving a roller 656 po itioned for rotation about an axle 658. In FigO 19, some of ~che operating s~ructure o~

~4 .

the roller as~embly generally designated 659 are hidden from view. Fig. 21, however, shows the principal elements, which include a roller frame 661, a frame bracket 663, and a cylinder assembly 665 with an operating rod 667. ~he roller axle 658 is po~itioned by an arm 660 which pivot~ about a pin 662; a spring (not shown) biases the upper or roller end of the assembly to the left as sbown in Fig. 20.
A~ will now be described in detail, after a length of tape has been advanced so as ~o lie beneath the pick-up unit 652, both it and the repo~itioning unit 624 are raised together ~uch that the tape then lies above itQ feed axis. This causes the cutter bars 622, 623 to 3hear the tape. When in the elevated position, vacuum i8 applied to the tape top ~urface, whicn is retained on the lower ~urface of the pick-up unit 652.
Next, and referring now to Fig. 22(a) and 22(b), the tape has been passed over the brush and has been wet, by reason of the pick-up unit 652 having moved fro~ the position of Fig. 19 to that of Fig 22. Th~ tape was retained by the vacuum on pick-up head 65i while being furth~r raised, as shown in Fig. 22(b), ~o as to now lie ~bove the upper surface of th~ package ~P~. At thi~ point, th~
roller r~ains within its slot 65~.
Th~ entlrQ head ~upport unit generally d~lgnated 664 in ~igs. 22(a-f1 i~ then ~oved fully to the left as shown in Pigs. 22~b-e~. When the po ~tioner h~ mov2d to the position of Fig. 22 (b), it hac pa~sed through an apærture 669 in a~ end plate 671 which holds the packa~e en~. As sh~wn in Fiq.
22(c)~ when the pick-up 652 i~ posit~oned over the package, the unit 652 is then lowered ~o that the lower, wetted surface of the tape engages the upper package surface, permitting the tape to begin I .J ~ ~` 2 adhering to the package. During this time, the package ~p~ is urged again~t the end plate 671 by a force F (Fig 22~) supplied by a cylinder or the like (not sh~wn).
Thereupon, the roller support unit (Fig.
21) is lowered and the tape i8 wiped alonq the end face surface of the package by the roller 656. Next, as shown in Fig. 22(d), the roller assembly iæ
returned to its uppermost posit;on and permitted to reenter the slot. Thereafter, as sho~n in Fig.
22(e), the entire assembly is raised out of contact with the package end, and ~hen ~hown in Pig. 22(f), withdrawn fro~ its position o~erlyinq the package.
In this connection, it will b~ understood, that the head support unit i5 capable of significantly greater movement to the right, at which point it will be positioned as ~hown in F~g. 19.
ffere, it can be reloaded. ~he vacuum he~d ~nd related components sh~wn in detail in Fiq. 20 and 22(a-f~ lie partially behind the tape positioning and wetting unit.
Referring now to one ~spect of the overall operation of the machine, no detailed description has been given of the control 8y8~e~ of the in~ention, since this ~yste~ i~ not a ne~essary part of the operation o~ th~ appar~tus of the invent~on. ThusO
whlle an inventive form of control unit might be used wlth the app~ratus, it~ e3sential operation may be conductsd si~ply by a series of detectors and a proper 3equencing control. Thu9, af~r a certaln number of end~ ha~ passed the integrat~d ~over, the forwarding unit m2y be energized5 ~ proxi~ty switch determine~ the arrival of a group of article~ at the end of an inbound lane. A ~imple me~ory i8 ade~uate for positioning ~he pick-up head and it de3cends for pick-up and for drop~off of group~ of article~ when 1 3 1 '1 203 so positioned. Other sequencing controls are used to initiate advancing of the shuttle, positioning and gripping of the sleeve, and clamping one end thereof, following which an insertion of articles is made.
When the insertion operation is completed, the second clamp operates, as described above.
Cutting the sleeve, transferring the package and positioning it for subsequent repositioning to the tape applicator may carried out by sequencing controls of a known type. Hence, means of any known type is provided to ensure that a given operation is not undertaken before the necessary preconditions have been achieved. Travel limit switches, proximîty detectors, and the like may be provided for operating controls and for safety measures as may be indicated.
The invention has been described in detail with respect to stacks of can ends, which readily nest with each other and which have a circular cross section. Of course, if other types of manufactured articles are processed by an apparatus falling within the spirit of the invention, the handling apparatus would be suitably shaped for reception and handling of such articles~ Likewise, the cross section of the sleeve and other elements would be appropriately shaped for such articles.
According to the invention, kraft paper is used to wrap the articles in question, since this is a material which has historically proven satisfactory in the beer and beverage industry. Water remoistenable type natural glue adhesives are accepted in this industry. However, other wrapping materials may be used, such as plastics of various kinds, if they are otherwise appropriate for the end use considered. Pressure sensitive or solvent-containing tapes or heat activateable or hot melt products might likewise be used if there use is 1 J 1 4 2 ) acceptable from other standpoints.
Throughout the specification, "Tol-o-matic"
brand cylinder positioners have been illustrated as being used in our preferred for use with the invention. ~owever, other pneumatic, electric or hydraulic or purely mechanical positioners might be used if desired.
The machine described has been laid out in such a manner that most of the operations occur in a single plane, with only the taping and movement to storage area being carried out a few inches beneath the plane on which the articles are grouped, cross fed, inserted, and package ends formed. However, the machine could clearly be constructed such that the spacings might be vertical rather than horizontal.
Where relative motion is illustrated, in many cases, as is known to those skilled in the art, the relatively fixed and movable elements might have their functions reversed without loss of effectiveness.
It will thus be seen that this invention provide a novel packaging apparatus and method having a number of advantages and characteristics including those pointed out herein and others which are inherent in the invention. A preferred embodiment having been described by way of example it is anticipated that modifications may be made to the described form of apparatus and methods without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (17)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An apparatus for successively packaging groups of articles in a tubular sleeve, said apparatus including means for receiving a group of substantially identical articles arranged in end-to-end relation, means for receiving a continuous length of pre-formed wrapping sleeve material and positioning it for feeding its free end downstream to a package-forming mechanism, and a package-forming mechanism which comprises,in combination, reciprocable means for engaging the margin of said sleeve adjacent said free end of said sleeve material, transport means for advancing said margin-engaging means and a package-forming section of said sleeve in a downstream direction from a first position to a second position adjacent an article group insertion area, means for positioning said sleeve margin in said insertion area so as to provide an end opening in said sleeve for entry of said article group, means for releaseably retaining said free end margin in said open position in said insertion area, said transport means further including means for returning said sleeve margin engaging means to said first position, means for inserting said group of articles into said open ended sleeve, first and second, spaced apart clamping means for engaging said sleeve and thereby subdividing said sleeve section into a central portion containing said group of articles and first and second end flap forming portions of said sleeve section lying respectively downstream of said first clamping means and upstream of said second clamping means, means spaced upstream of said second clamping means for cutting said sleeve material means so as to separate the package formed from said sleeve section from said continuous length of sleeve material and form a new free end thereon, means for folding said end flap forming portions such that end flaps closing off the end portions of said package body are created, and means for transferring said packages thus formed to a package storage area.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 which further includes means for taping at least one of said end flap forming portions of said sleeve to an adjacent end portion of said package body.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 which further includes means for continually supplying pre-formed groups of articles to said means for receiving said groups of articles.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said articles are can ends, and wherein said ends include countersink-forming portions whereby said ends are in nested relation when grouped.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for receiving said continuous length of wrapping sleeve material comprises a supply reel, and wherein said sleeve material is continuous length of kraft paper in tube form, folded into a lie-flat position.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said material when in said lie-flat position, includes gussets folded inwardly on themselves and lying on opposite sides of said length of material.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said reciprocable means for engaging said sleeve margin comprise a shuttle assembly having an outer cylinder and an inner, coaxially arranged mandrel, said cylinder and mandrel being spaced apart by a working clearance permitting passage of said sleeve material there through.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein at least one of said cylinder and mandrel includes material-engaging rollers and at least the other includes roller pockets, whereby said working clearance between said cylinder and mandrel may be maintained in use when said sleeve forming material is disposed within said working clearance.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said transport means for advancing and returning said shuttle assembly comprises cooperating guide means on said cylinder and on another portion of said apparatus, and an actuator adapted to move said cylinder between said first and second positions

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for positioning said sleeve margin in said insertion area includes a cylindrical collar having a cylindrical margin on the outer surface of one end thereof for receiving said sleeve margin, said cylindrical margin having a diameter just smaller than the inside diameter of said sleeve material and just larger than the diameter of said articles to be packaged.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said means for releaseably retaining said free end margin comprises a plurality of gripping fingers disposed about the periphery of said collar, said gripping fingers being mounted for pivotal movement between engaged and released portions of said sleeve margin.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said means gripping fingers are associated with a single annular pneumatic piston, whereby said fingers may be operated simultaneously by the application of air pressure.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said spaced apart clamping means comprises a pair of oppose fingers movable between open and closed portions, said clamping means further including finger actuators and guide means constructed and arranged so that said fingers are positioned and remain parallel to each other during operation.

14. An apparatus as defined in claim 13 which further includes a support frame for said fingers, said support frame being mounted for reciprocation perpendicular to the axis along which said articles are fed into said sleeve, whereby said package may have its ends retained between said clamping fingers as said package is transferred toward said storage area.

15. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 hwerein said means for inserting said group of articles comprises a pusher rod having an end portion engageable with an end article in said array of articles, said inserting means further including a two-way actuator for said pusher rod.

16. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for receiving said group of articles comprises a channel of generally semi-circular cross-section, having at least one open end, said channel being aligned with an article insertion guide element.

17. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for folding said flaps comprises at least one stationary plow positioned adjacent said one of said clamping means, whereby moving said package moves said flap past said plow to form said end flaps by folding.