CA2111550A1 - System for unscrambling and orienting pad-like articles - Google Patents

Abstract

SYSTEM FOR UNSCRAMBLING AND ORIENTING PAD-LIKE ARTICLES
Abstract of the Disclosure A new and improved system and method for unscrambling and orienting a random rate, non-oriented flow of pad-like articles from a moving stream thereof into oriented groups of a preselected number of articles for insertion into containers.

Description

SYSTEM FOR UNSCRAMBLING AND ORIENTING PAD-LI~E ARTICLES
BAC~GROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a new and improved system and method for unscrambling a random rate, non-oriented flow of pad-like articles such as soap pads moving in a continuing stream from a source of production, and orienting the pads into precisely oriented groups of a predetermined number ready for quality control inspection, counting and eventual inser-tion into containers or cartons.

2. Background of the Prior Art The present invention is an improvement over the system and method disclosed in U.S. Patent No. RE
27,190, which patent is incorporated herein by refer-ence.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved system and method for unscrambling and orienting pad-like articles received from a moving stream.
It is an object of the present invention to - -~
provide a new and improved system and method in accor-dance with the foregoing object wherein the articles are moving at random rates and diverse orientations in said ~tream from a production resource. `
It i8 another ob~ect of the present invention to provide a new and improved system and method of the -~

MSE #1825 - - ;

o character described capable of ~eparating said articles into groups of predetermined Rize and orientation in readiness for insertion into containers.
Moreover, it i5 yet another ob~ect of the pre-sent invention to provide a new and improved system and method of the character described wherein said articles may be visually inspected for quality and count and are readily removed and replaceable in said groups before insertion into said containers.
Yet another object of the present invention is -~-to provide a new and improved system and method of the - -character described including means for providing a reg-ulated supply of said articles for easier quality inspection and count prior to insertion in cartons.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved system and method of the character described wherein the mechanical complexity is reduced resulting in simplified maintenance, hiqher car-toning throughput rates are achieved, an improved worker environment is attained resulting from an improved reject return system and higher levels of output at higher quality standards are attained.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
In accordance with the foregoing and other -~
25 objects of the present invention, there is provided a ~-~
new and improved system and method for unscrambling and -orienting into groups of a predetermined size, a plural-ity of three-dimensional pad-like articles moving in a randomly oriented fashion along a supply stream moving on a path at random flow rates. The system includes flow diverting apparatus for the controlled diversion of ~-at least some of the articles as they reach a prese-lected location on the supply path in a direction away from the path and toward~ a regulated pad supply sta-tion. The regulated pad supply station includes a con-veyor and movable fingers for leveling out the flow of MSE #1825 ;

, ,Li.,50 articles into a moving layer havinq a substantially con-sistent depth. An unscrambler or separating ~ystem is provided for formlng the moving layer of articles into successive groups with a selected number of articles in each group displayed in a matrix-like pattern of columns and rows in a horizontally moving display in readiness for visual quality inspection and counting of the arti-cles in each group. The unscrambler includes a moving conveyor having a plurality of fixed wall, slotted buckets, into which a selected number of articles are dispersed to form an elongated row or column of the matrix pattern. These row or column oriented articles are then transferred as a group into a cartoner bucket conveyor. Each group of articles in a cartoner bucket is squeezed or compressed by pusher mechanisms in two different directions in readiness for transfer into an awaiting carton that is provided in a cartoning con-veyor. The filled cartons are then sealed and moved on to a packing station for subsequent delivery and distri-20 bution. ' In another aspect of the present invention, aplurality or pair of regulated supply stations are pro-vided for moving layers of articles to flow along two parallel paths for quality inspection and counting of the articles. After quality inspection and counting of the articles moving along each path, the articles are transferred into a single cartoning bucket conveyor ready for subsequent squeezing or compression treatment to reduce the size of each group in width and depth so that a compressed group of articles may be transferred into an awaiting open carton in a cartoning machinè.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the draw-ings, in which~

MSE #1825 FIGS. lA and lB illu~tratQ a top plan view o~
a new and improved apparatus for diverting, un~crambling and orienting into groups of predetermined ~ize, a plu-rality of three-dimensional pad-like article~ flowing along a supply conveyor in readiness for quality inspec-tion, counting and eventual cartoning; and FlG. 2A and 2B is a side elevational view of the apparatus looking in a direction of arrows 2A and 2B
of FIGS. lA and lB, respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
OF THE INVENTION
Referring now more particularly to the draw-ings, therein is illustrated a new and improved appara-tus 10 for unscrambling and re-orienting into groups of predetermined size and quality, a plurality of three-dimensional pad-like articles, such as soap pads 12 and the like, which pads are supplied in randomly oriented fashion moving along a supply stream or path 14. The -;
articles or pads 12 are moved along a path 14 at random ~-20 flow rates, by means of a belt conveyor 16, which con- .
veyor receives batches or loads of pads 12 from one or more drying ovens (not shown) on a random basis as dry- -:
ing is completed.
The belt conveyor 16 travels longitudinally along a trough structure 18 having opposite upstanding side walls 20 and at appropriate locations or positions -22 and 24 along the travel path 14, openings are formed in the side wall 20 to permit the diversion of at least some of the pads 12 away from the supply stream into discharge chutes 26 and 28. .
At each of the side wall openings 22 and 24 ::~
there is provided a flow diverting vane or plow 30 :~
mounted on an upstanding rotatable shaft or spindle 32.
Rotation control of each spindle 32 is provided to posi- :
tion the diverter plow 30 to a selected position within an arcuate range (arrows A - FIG. lA) bounded by a fully -:
closed position and a fully open or maximum flow rate MSE #1825 (,l li,j-iO

diverting po~ition. The rotational position of the spindles 32 are controlled by electric stepping motore 34 or other types of motor mechanisms. An electrical signal is generated by a sensor such as an electric eye 36 appropriately located as described hereinafter to initiate pivotal movement of the spindles 32 to pre-cisely control the position of the plows 30 relative to the flow path 14 and thereby regulate the flow rate of pads 12 diverted through the openings 22 and/or 24 into respective discharge or diversion chutes 26 and 28.
The discharge chutes 26 and 28 slope down-wardly and outwardly away from the conveyor side wall 20 so that the pads 12 that are diverted from the supply path 14 move down rapidly toward the lower end of the chutes. The chute 26 is adapted to feed a flow of pads 12 to a regulated pad supply station 40 and the chute 28 is adapted to feed a flow of pads 12 to an identical regulated pad supply station 42. The regulated pad sup-ply stations 40 and 42 are arranged in parallel with 20 each other and are substantially identical in construc- `
tion and operation so that identical reference numbers will be used in connection with a description thereof. ~ .-Each regulated pad supply station 40 and 42 includes an endless belt conveyor 44 having a lower 25 level, horizontal run 46 at an inlet end, an upsloping --or inclined intermediate run 48, and an upper or high level horizontal run 50 adjacent an outlet end (FIG.
2A). The endless belt conveyors 44 are mounted in con- ~ ~
tainment housings 52 having pairs of opposite side walls - -30 54 with elevational profiles similar to that of the end- .
less belts. Each housing 52 includes a bottom wall 56, an upstanding inlet end wall 58 and is open on the top.
At a forward or discharge end 60, the housing is open so that a regulated discharge flow of pads 12 is delivered to a connected, downwardly sloping and narrowing width, discharge chute 62.

MSE #1825 ,i. j J () In accordance with the present invention, the endless belts 44 are provided with up~tanding flight~ 64 extending transversely across the width of the belts and spaced apart at an appropriate dimension designed so that generally a consistent quantity of pads 12 can be contained between adjacent pairs of flights.
In addition, each regulated pad supply station 40 and 42 is provided with a rotating doffer assembly 66 comprising a shaft 68 supported in parallel with the flights 64 at a level above the inclined or upsloping intermediate run 48 of the endless belt 44. A plurality of fingers 70 formed of resilient material such as rub- --ber or plastic are mounted on the shafts 68 to extend radially outwardly thereof. The fingers 70 are aligned at spaced apart intervals in radial rows on the shafts 68 as shown in FIGS. lA and 2A and the outer end of each finger 70 moves in a circular path 72 (FIG. 2A) in a clockwise direction (arrow B), which circular path is :
spaced slightly above the level of the upper edges of ~ -the flights 64 on the upwardly moving (arrow C) interme-diate run 48 of the endless belt 44. The close proxim- -~
ity of the downwardly traveling outer free ends of the rotating fingers 70 to the upper edges of the upwardly traveling flights 64 of the intermediate run 48 of the ~-25 belt conveyor 44, results in a consistent depth, layer ::
of pads 12 remaining on the belt above the level of the -fingers 70 at the closest point of approach to the belt run 48. Any of the pads 12 tending to form excessively :
deep on the traveling belt 44 are removed and knocked back downwardly toward the inlet end of the regulated pad supply stations 42 and 44 by the action of the rotating fingers 70 of the doffer assemblies 66.
When substantial numbers of pads 12 are knocked back down the inclined runs 48 of the belt con-veyors 44, the pads 12 gather into a relatively largemass several layers high at the horizontal inlet runs 46 of the belt conveyors 44. When a mass of pads 12 MSE #1825 t~ a reaches certain predetermined 1BVQ1S above the belt rune 46, a light beam 74 (dotted arrows - FIG. lA) emanating from a light source 76 is interrupted and/or deflected or diffused and does not reach the opposite sensor 36 with the same strength, intensity or focus as when there are only a few pads 12 above a single layer. When this condition occurs, the sensor 36 generates a signal for driving the stepping motor 34 to move the respective shaft 32 and vane or plow 30 thereon towards a closed position. This condition, in turn, reduces the flow rate of pads 12 that are diverted away from the supply conveyor 16 to flow down the chutes 26 and/or 28 so that the mass or masses of pads 12 on the inlet runs 46 of the belts 44 do not increase in height so as to plug up -the system. Moreover, when the mass or masses of pads 12 declines in size, the sensor 36 generates a signal to the stepping motors 34 to move the plows 30 toward a more open position thereby to increase the diversion flow rate of pads 12 to the respective regulated pad 20 supply stations 40 and 42. - -The sensors 36 and light beam sources 76 may -have a multiple level control capability so as to main~
tain the plows 30 in an intermediate angular position ~
range between a fully open and a fully closed position ~ -so that an adequate diversion flow rate of pads 12 is provided to maintain the masses at a relatively constant level to insure that neither plug-up conditions nor pad saturation conditions occur. In this type of arrange-ment the plows 30 may only move back and forth between partially open and partially closed positions and are only driven to fully closed or fully open positions when absolutely necessary because of supply interruptions or other outages.
In accordance with the present invention, the apparatus 10 includes a plurality of pad unscrambling stations 80 and 82. Each station 80 and ~2 includes a pair of endless belt or chain conveyors adapted to MSE #1825 ~. I L .L j . j O

recelve a controlled flow of pads 12 at an inlet end from the discharge chutes 62 of the respective regulated pad supply stations 40 ~nd 42 as ~hown in FIGS. lA and 2A.
The conveyors of the unscrambling station~ 80 and 82 are substantially identical and each includes a pair of endless chains or belts 84 on opposite sides entrained around sprockets 86 and 88 at opposite ends.
The endless chains 84 support opposite ends of a plural-ity of slotted buckets 90 having a plurality of elon-gated slots or troughs 92 extending transversely between opposite ends of the buckets between a pair of endless chains or belts 84. The slotted buckets 90 are open at the upper end when moving along the upper runs of the lS endless belts 84 and each transverse trough 92 is posi-tioned in readiness to receive a single row or column of -pads 12 with the pads generally aligned longitudinally end to end.
The width, depth and length dimensions of the individual slots or troughs 92 of the buckets 90 are chosen in relation to the nominal size dimensions of the pads 12 being handled so that generally only a single line of end to end pads 12 will be accommodated when the :
troughs 92 are filled which corresponds to the largest pad count matrix to be run on the system. Each bucket 90 contains a plurality of adjacent troughs 92 separated -by sloped, fixed, dividing wall structures with the result that when an entire bucket 90 is completely filled, the individual pads 12 filling the buckets 90 are arranged in a matrix pattern or group of predeter-mined size having columns and rows in an array so that quality inspection of the pads 12 as well as pad count can be obtained by inspectors 96. The inboard wall of sach pad unscrambling station 80 is adjustable so as to expose varylng longitudinal dimensions of the troughs 92, thereby enabling various counts of pads 12 to fall MSE #1825 " l, i ,l. ) .l ' ~

into the slots and form matrice~ of different predeter-mined sizes and corresponding to different pack si~es.
In the event a pad 12 i~ of inferior quality or is damaged, an inspector 96 can easily remove the pad from the group in a filled bucket 90 and provide a replacement pad of good quality. Moreover, any excess or deficit in the number of pads 12 contained in a bucket 90 can be readily corrected by the inspectors 96 because of the excellent view afforded and the easy access to the open troughs 92 of the slotted buckets 90 . , .
In order to reduce the chances that pads 12 ~-falling into the troughs 92 from the chutes 62 may rest on top of one another and thus constitute more than a ~ ~
15 single layer of pads in a matrix pattern or group, the -pad unscrambling stations 80 and 82 are provided with a plurality of sequentially staged, rotary doffer assem-blies 100 having flexible, radial fingers mounted on -transversely extending rotating shafts. The doffer assemblies 100 are positioned above the path of the slotted buckets 90 so that the flexible fingers move in circular paths 102 in a clockwise direction D and the outer ends of the fingers pass in close proximity to the buckets 90 in a direction opposite to the direction of 25 travel of the filled slotted buckets 90 moving from left :.
to right (FIG. 2A). This results in kicking back (toward the left) any pads 12 resting above the upper edges of the slotted buckets 90 and generally results in a single layer deep row or column of pads 12 in each matrix-like group or pattern contained in a filled bucket trough 92. The inspectors 96 are stationed at a region downstream of the doffer assemblies 100 and can readily correct any errors in count because of under-filling or overfilling of the slots or troughs 92 of each bucket 90.
In accordance with the present invention, the apparatus 10 includes only a single cartoning conveyor ~ -~

MSE #1825 ~-" ll i)J ~

102 for receiving groups of pad~ 12 of a selected size simultaneou~ly from both of the pad unscrambling sta-tlons 80 and 82 for eventual loading of the pads into a cartoning machine 104. An inlet or left hand end of the cartoning conveyor 102 is positioned between the outlet ends of the conveyors of the unscrambling stations 80 and 82 and the conveyor 102 has an outlet or discharge end extending to a region laterally adjacent the carton-ing machine 104.
After counting and quality inspection by the inspectors 96, each group of pads 12 contained in a :
slotted bucket 90 is transferred to the cartoning con-veyor 102 by means of one or more lateral transfer con-veyors 106~ Each conveyor 106 has a pair of endless belts or chains 108 supporting a plurality of pusher assemblies 110. The transfer conveyors 106 are disposed on opposite sides of the input end of the cartoning con-veyor 104 and are operative to move the pads 12 from a pair of slotted buckets 90 as they simultaneously reach the output end of the respective pad unscrambler sta-tions 80 and 82. The cartoner conveyor 102 includes a pair of endless belts or chains 112 on opposite sides supporting opposite ends of cartoner buckets 114 having an open upper end (FIG. 2B) and a channel-shaped cross-section but without any internal divider walls forming troughs or the like. The cartoner buckets 114 are open on opposite sides in order to simultaneously receive a group of pads 12 from a pair of slotted buckets 90 in flanking positions on either side.
The pusher assemblies 110 of the lateral transfer conveyors 106 travel with the supporting end- :
less belts 108 and each pusher assembly includes a slide bar 116 having depending fingers 118 adapted to contact the pads 12 in each trough 92 of a slotted bucket 90 to move out a row of pads 12 contained therein into the awaiting cartoner bucket 114 which is traveling at the same speed in the same direction.

MSE #1825 ;~ L L .j .j ~J

The pusher bars 116 and fingers 118 move in a transverse direction toward and away from the cartoning conveyor 104 and movement is controlled by roller cam followers 120 mounted on the pusher bar~ and biased into camming engagement against inwardly and outwardly directed, elongated bar cams 122 and 124, respectively.
It will thus be seen that each cartoner bucket 114 nor-mally receives and holds two groups of pads 12 by virtue of the transfer conveyors 106 which act to simultane-ously push the pads from a pair of flanking slottedbuckets 90 toward the central cartoner conveyor 102 therebetween.
In accordance with the present invention, the apparatus 10 includes a pair of lateral pad compressor devices 126 which are similar in construction and opera-tion to the lateral transfer conveyors 106 previously described. Each pad compressor 126 includes a pair of endless belts or chains 128 for supporting a plurality of pusher bar assemblies 130. Each pusher bar assembly 130 is movable transversely toward and away from the cartoning conveyor 102 and includes a pusher bar 132 having a pressure plate 134 at the inner end adapted to engage and compress or squeeze the pads 102 contained in an adjacent cartoner bucket 114 moving in unison there-with. Travel of the individual pusher bar assemblies130 toward and away from the cartoning conveyor 102 is controlled by roller cam followers 136 mounted on the pusher bars 132 and biased to engage inwardly canted bar cams 138 and outwardly canted bar cams 140. As best -illustrated in FIG. lB, as the cartoner buckets 114 move between the pair of a lateral pad compressors 126 dis-posed on opposite sides of the cartoner conveyor 104, the pressure plates 134 are moved inwardly from opposite open sides of the buckets to compress the pads 12 into a tight and more compact mass or cluster of pads.
In addition to lateral compression or squeez-ing of the pads 12 contained in the cartoner buckets ~`

MSE #1825 /`l ; i Jtj~

114, the pads 12 are also equeezed or compressed in a downward or vertical direction againet the bottom of the cartoner bucket~ by means of an overhead pad compre~sor 142 (FIG. 2B). The overhead pad compressor 142 includes a pair of endless belts or chains 144 which support hor-izontal pressure platss 146 adopted to move toward and away from the traveling cartoner buckets 114. Each pressure plate 146 is dimensioned to compress or squeeze a group of pads 12 in an adjacent cartoner bucket 114 in a downward or vertical direction and then is retracted upwardly after maximum pad compression is accomplished.
Control of the movement of the pressure plates 146 is provided by cam roller followers 148 mounted on the plates and biased to engagement with a downwardly slop-ing compression cam bar 150 and an upwardly slopingretraction cam bar 152.
After the group of pads 12 in each cartoner bucket 114 has been squeezed or compressed into a desired smaller sized mass by lateral compression from opposite sides by the lateral pad compressors 126 and in vertically downward direction by the overhead pad com-pressor 142, each compressed pad group is transferred laterally from the cartoning conveyor 102 into the car-toning machine 104 by means of a lateral transfer con-veyor 154. :-~
The transfer conveyor 154 is adapted to feed compressed groups of pads 12 laterally of the cartoner conveyor buckets 114 into awaiting, open ended cartons 156 provided in the cartoning machine 104. In general, the transfer conveyor 154 is similar in construction and operation to the lateral transfer conveyors 106 previ-ously described and includes a pair of endless belts or chains 158 for supporting lateral reciprocally movable pusher bar assemblies 160. Each assembly 160 includes a pusher bar 162 slidable toward and away from the car-toner machine 104 and each pusher bar includas an inner MSE #1825 ~ ,3~J

end plate 164 dimensioned to match the cro~s-sectional shape of an awaiting open ended carton or container 156.
Movement of the pusher bar assembly 160 back and forth is initiated and controlled by means of roller cam followers 166 at the outer ends of the pusher bars 162 which are biased into cammed engagement with an inwardly directed, elongated cam bar 168 for transfer of the pads 12 into an open carton 156 and an outwardly directed cam bar 170 for retraction of the pusher bar end plate 164 from the carton 156.
The cartoning machine 104 includes an endless belt conveyor 172 for supporting a line of open ended cartons 156 during the pad insertion process and while carton closing and carton sealing takes place. A supply of flattened out cartons 156 is provided at the input end of the cartoning machine 104 and the cartons are then opened up and laid down on the side as shown by the arrow E (FIG. 2B) with the end flaps open in order to receive groups of pads 12 from the lateral transfer con-veyor 154. After a group of pads 12 is transferred into an open ended carton 156 and the pusher bar assembly 160 ~
has been withdrawn from the filled carton, the end flaps -are closed, and adhesively sealed by conventional and well known closing and sealing mechanisms indicated gen-25 erally by the number 174 in FIGS. lB and 2B. -~
With the exception of the endless belts 144 of the overhead pad compressor 142, all of the upper hori-zontal runs of the endless belts or chains 84, 108, 112, 128, 158 and 172, in the apparatus 10 move in the same ~ ~
30 direction from left to right as illustrated by the ~ --arrows not having numbers or letters thereof. In addi-tion, the belts or chains are driven in synchronism to travel at the same rate of speed 80 that lateral trans-ferring of pads 12 and lateral compression of the pads in the cartoner bucXets 114 can take place in an effi-cient and speedy manner.

MSE #1825 o Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possiblQ in light of the above teachings. Thus, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appsnded claims, the inventlon may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described above.
What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United states is:

MSE #1825

Claims (20)

1. Apparatus for unscrambling and orienting a plurality of three-dimensional pad-like articles moving in an unoriented scrambled supply stream along a path at random flow rates comprising:
means for diverting at least some of said articles as they reach a selected location on said path away from said path toward a regulated supply station;
a regulated supply station for positioning said articles into a moving layer traveling in a direc-tion away from said path, said layer having a substan-tially consistent depth;
means for separating said articles moving in said layer into successive groups, each group comprising a matrix pattern ready for quality inspection and count-ing of said articles in each group; and first means for reducing the size of said matrix patterns of said articles in at least one dimen-sional direction in readiness for transfer of successive groups of said articles in said matrix patterns into successive containers moving in sequence in a cartoning machine.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, including:
second means for reducing the dimensional size of said matrix patterns of said groups of said articles in a second direction normal to said one direction in readiness for the transfer of successive groups of said articles in said matrix patterns into said containers.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
said regulated supply station includes upwardly moving conveyor means for elevating said arti-cles; and depth regulating means above said conveyor means for removing any of said articles above said layer.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein:
said depth regulating means includes a plural-ity of flexible fingers having free outer ends posi-tioned at an upper extremity of said layer of said arti-cles.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein:
said flexible fingers are supported to rotate about an axis transverse to said first direction and spaced above said conveyor means.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein:
said flexible fingers are rotated in a direc-tion so that said free outer ends move toward and away from said articles on said conveyor means opposite to the direction of upward elevation of said articles.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein:
said article diverting means includes a plow mounted for controlled angular movement in said path in said supply stream; and sensor means downstream of said plow adjacent said regulated supply station for controlling the angu-lar position of said plow in response to the quantity of said articles reaching an inlet end of said upwardly moving conveyor means.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein:
said sensor means includes photoelectric means for generating a control signal for changing said angu-lar position of said plow to increase or decrease the number of said articles directed away from said supply stream path toward said regulated supply station.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
said means for separating said articles moving in said layer comprises:
bucket conveyor means having a plurality of bucket slots for receiving a finite number of said arti-cles comprising at least a portion of one of said groups from said regulated supply station; and finger means for moving said articles from said layer to fill said bucket slots of said bucket con-veyor with said finite number of articles.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:
said finger means are positioned above said bucket conveyor means for directly engaging said arti-cles moving in said layer from said regulated supply means.

11. Apparatus for unscrambling and orienting into groups of predetermined size a plurality of three-dimensional pad-like articles moving in a randomly ori-ented supply stream along a path at random flow rates comprising:
means for diverting at least some of said articles as they reach a selected location on said path away from said path toward a regulated supply station;
a regulated supply station for positioning said articles into a moving layer of said articles trav-eling in a direction away from said path, said layer having a depth substantially corresponding to the dimen-sion of an article;
means for separating said articles moving in said layer into successive groups, each group comprising a matrix pattern of a selected number of said articles exposed in a horizontal display ready for quality inspection and counting of said articles in each group;
preconditioning means including first means for reducing the size of said matrix patterns of said articles in at least one dimensional direction; and second means for reducing the dimensional size of said matrix patterns of said groups of said articles in a second direction normal to said one direction in readiness for the transfer of successive groups of said articles in each matrix into successive containers.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein:
said separating means includes moving conveyor means having a plurality of elongated buckets open at an upper end for receiving at least a fractional portion of a group of said articles of a matrix pattern, each of said elongated buckets dimensionally adapted to receive and contain a single row of said articles of unitary depth separated from an adjacent elongated bucket by fixed wall means.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein:
each whole matrix pattern of a group of said articles is contained in a plurality of adjacent elon-gated buckets.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, including:
transfer conveyor means having at least one, unitary, upwardly open cartoner bucket for receiving a whole group of said articles from said plurality of adjacent, elongated buckets.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein trans-fer conveyor means includes transfer pusher means engageable with said articles at one end of said adja-cent elongated buckets for transferring said articles longitudinally outwardly into said upwardly open car-toner bucket.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein:
said first means includes first pusher means engageable with said articles of a group contained in said cartoner bucket for compressing said articles in said one direction.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein:
said second means includes second pusher means for compressing said group of articles in said cartoner bucket against a wall surface thereof.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein:
said separating means includes a plurality of said moving conveyor means, and including:
transfer conveyor means having a plurality of unitary upwardly open cartoner buckets for sequentially receiving a plurality of whole groups of said articles from said plurality of said conveyor means; and transfer conveyor means including a plurality of transfer pusher means engageable with said article at opposite ends of said adjacent elongated buckets of said plurality of moving conveyor means for transferring said articles longitudinally out of said elongated buckets toward said cartoner buckets.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein:
said first means includes first pusher means engageable with said articles of a group contained in said cartoner bucket for compressing said articles in said one direction.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein:
said second means includes second pusher means for compressing said group of articles in said cartoner bucket against a wall surface thereof.