US1659831A

US1659831A - Packaging machine

Info

Publication number: US1659831A
Application number: US152357A
Authority: US
Inventors: Garrett W Mudd
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1926-12-03
Filing date: 1926-12-03
Publication date: 1928-02-21
Anticipated expiration: 1945-02-21

Description

Feb, 21, 1928. 1,659,831

G. W. MUDD PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Dec. 5. 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 G. W. MUDD PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Dec. 3. 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 JET/aw Feb. 21, 1928. 1,659,831

G. w. MUDD PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Dec. 5. 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 mam?? Gar/07l ZMJl [udd Feb, 21, 1923.; 1,659,831

e. w. MUDD PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Dec. 5. 1926 e Sheets-Sheet 4 am ofi 1 a, pit

Feb. 21, 19280 1,65,832

a. w. MUDD PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Dec. 5, 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 21, 1928. 1,659,831

a. w. MUDD PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Dec. 5. 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Feb. 21, 1928.

UNITED STA TES.

GARRETT W. MUDD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PACKAGING MACHINE.

Application filed December 8, 1826. Serial ll'o. 152,857.

This invention relates to improvements in packaging machines and one of its objects s to provide an improved machine of th1s character for placing containers lnto a box or carton for shipping or storage purposes.

A further object is to provide an 1mproved machine of this character operating.

automatically to superpose a predetermined number of layers or rows of containers, out of'contact with each other, at a delivery station and then automatically and simultaneously ejecting the superposed rows of containers into a carton or box.

A further object is to provide improved means for feeding the containers into the machine and improved means for arrestin the incoming containers at predetermine times in the cycle of operation of the feeding mechanism While the operation of the feeding mechanism remains constant.

A further object is to provide an improved machine of this character embodying a carrier for receiving and carrying a plurality of rows of containers to a position to be delivered from the machine into a box or carton, and a conveyor for delivering the containers to the carrier, and means whereb the operation of the carrier will be automatically controlled by the articles being fed thereto by the conveyor.

A further object is to provide an im roved machine of this character which will e continuous in operation and which will be comparatively simple, durable and compact in construction.

To the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new and useful objects as will appear, the invention consists in the features of novelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings illustrating this invention, and in which Figure 1 is a view in elevation taken from the discharge side of the machine.

Figure 2 is a view as taken on line 2-2, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view as taken on line 3-3, Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a detail sectional View taken on line 44, Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view taken on l'ne 55, Figure 1, with parts omitted.

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view taken on line 66, Figure 1, with parts omitted.

Figure 7 is a view taken on line 7-7, Figure 1, partly in elevation and partly in section with parts omitted.

Figure 8 is a detail view partly in perspect ve, partly broken away and partly in sectlon of the controlling means for controlling the operation of the machine."

F1gure 9 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 9-9, Figure 7. Referring more particularly to the draw ings the numeral 15 designates suitable spaced uprights forming a supporting structure and arranged at any convenient position are a plurality of tubular dischar e outlets or members 16 which are preferab y of a greater diameter at the inlet ends thereof as at 17, for a purpose to be hereinafter described. j

These tubular members are spaced from each other for an 1 suitable distance so as to allow a carton to be sleeved over each and into whlch carton the containers are adapted to be placed, the carton being removed from the respective tubular members by the contalners being placed therein.

Obviously a support (not shown) will be arranged adjacent each of these members on I to w ich the containers are delivered.

Arranged within the supporting structure so as to extend across the space therebetween and ournaled in suitable bearings are shafts 18-19 arranged one above the other and suitably spaced.

Carried by the respective shafts and preferably adjacent the inner faces of the uprights 15 are sprocket wheels 20-21.

An endless flexible member 22 passes over the respective co-operating sprocket wheels 20-21. These endless members are preferably formed of links pivotally connected together by pins or pivots 23 which are adapted to enter the space between the teeth of the sprocket wheels as the sprocket wheels are rotated.

Carried by the links are members 24 and the links together with the members 24 and sprockets constitute a carrier adapted to receive the articles or containers and carry them to the delivery or discharge point in the machine adjacent the tubular member 16.

The members 24 extend across the space between the endless members 22 while the pins 23 preferably extend laterally from the inks only a sufiicient distance to be seated in the space or recesses between adjacent teeth of the sprocket wheels.

The carrier thus formed ma be provided with any desired number of b ades or members 24 which are so spaced that the containers may be fed to the carrier'in an upright position and as the carrier is intermittently operated the containers will be advanced by the res ective members 24 so that the bottoms o the containers will move along a guidewa 25 preferably formed on an are escribe from the axis of the shaft 19. This guideway may be constructed of a single piece of material which extends acrossv the space between the uprights 15, or if desired, may be formed of se arate members laterally 80 between the tubular members 16 away portions 27 extending through their outer edges and into which cut away portions 27 the member 26 projectsas the car- 80 means of a gear 28 rier is operated.

Motion is imparted to the carrier by see particularly Figures 1 and 3) carrie b the shaft 18 for rotation therewith, and t is gear 28 meshes with a pinion gear 29 loosely mounted upon a shaft 30. Secured to the gear 29 for ro- 85 tation therewith and loosely mounted upon the shaft 30, is a disc 31 which has ivotally mounted thereupon and for bodi y rotation therewith a dog 32 which is controlled by a spring 33. Loosely mounted upon the shaft 30 and in proximity to the disc 31 is a toothed or ratchet wheel 34 and connected with the ratchet wheel 34 for rotation therewith and loosely mounted upon the shaft 30, is a sprocket ear 35.

An endless sprocket c ain 36 (see Figure 2) passes over the sprocket gear 35 and also over another sprocket wheel 37, to be hereinafter described. One run of the sprocket chain 36 also passes over a sprocket wheel 38 loosely mounted u on the shaft 19 and to which sprocket wheei 38 a pulley 39 is connected for rotation therewith so that when the pulley 39 is. rotated from any suitable source of power (not shown) motion will 55 be imparted to the sprocket chain 36.

If desired the sprocket chain may also pass over an idle pulley 40', preferably arranged adjacent the shaft 30.

It will therefore be seen that when the .60 dog 32 is in engagement with the ratchet wheel 34 will also be rotated and this ratchet eheu 34 will be locked to the disc 31 to tate the latter through the medium of the dog 32 which will cause the pinion gear 29 to rotate and this will impart a rotary movement to the gear 28 and the shaft 18, so that the carrier 22 will be moved so long as the dog 32 remains in locked engagement with the ratchet 34. Y

It is desired, however, that the carrier 22 shall have only an intermittent operation and therefore it is necessary to rovide means which will, at predetermined times in the cycle of operation of the machine, move the dog 32 out of locking or active engagement with respect to the ratchet 34 was to unlock the pinion gear 29 and disc 31 with respect to. the sprocket gear 35.

This is accom lished by means of a trip 40 (see particu arly Figure 3) which is adapted, at predetermined times in the cycle of operation of the machine, to be positioned in the path of movement of the tail 41 of the dog 32, or in the position shown in Figure 3.

The disc 31, when locked for rotation, will move in the direction indicated by the arrow, and as the trip 40 is arranged within the path of movement of the tail 41 of the dog 32 it will be manifest that when the tail strikes the trip the dog 32 will be rocked about its pivot with respect to the disc 31, against the stress of the spring 33 and thereby not only unlock the disc with respect to the sprocket gear 35, but will hold the disc and pinion gear 29 against rotation. 4

The trip 40 is pivotally mounted as at 42 and is adapted to be rocked about its pivot in a manner which will be presently described.

Thus it will be seen that each time the pinion gear 29 is locked with the sprocket gear 35 the carrier 22 will be advanced. The trip 40 is adapted to be so positioned that it will render the dog 32 inoperative upon each complete revolution of the disc 31 so that the carrier 22 will be given one step of rotation.

Obviously the extent of movement of such step will be controlled by the ratio or proportion between the pinion gear 29 and the gear 28 which is connected with the shaft 18.

In the present form of the invention the ratio is nine to one, so that upon each rotation of the pinion gear 29 the shaft 18 will be moved a step to equal one-ninth of the complete rotation of the shaft.

The operation of the carrier 22 is controlled by the containers which are being fed into the machine, and this is accomplished in the following manner.

The containers are fed into the machine by means of an endless conveyor 43 of any suitable type, here shown as an endless flexible conveyor, one run of which moves over a suitable support 44 and the runs of the conveyor are such that the containers will preferably rest upon their ends in an upright position thereupon, the conveyors passing over suitable sprocket wheels 45-46.

The ends of the guides (see particularly Figure 5) terminate adjacent the path of movement of the run of the conveyor upon which the containers rest so that the containers may be ejected laterally from the conveyors into engagement with the guides 25 to be moved thereacross by the members 24 of the carrier 22.

The containers are frictionally held upon the conveyor by the weight of the container, and therefore in order to prevent crowding of the containers as they are being fed and to maintain them in proper alinement upon the conveyor, a stop 47 is provided which is pivotally mounted as at 48, and connected with the stop is a weighted arm or member 49 which tends normally to hold the stop in the position shown in Figure 5. An arm 50 is preferably connected with the stop and an adjusting or stop screw 51 is connected with the arm for limiting the movement of the stop in one direction.

This guide may be of a continuous member or formed by spacedprojections, and is so arranged that it will hold the containers in proper alinement.

When the feeding of the containers is arrested, the carrier 22 will be operated and one of the members 24 will engage the arrested and positioned containers and move them bodily in a lateral direction from the conveyor into engagement With the guide 47, the latter being deflected or depressed against the stress of the weighted arm 49, by the contact of the containers therewith so as to permit the containers to be moved across the guides 25, the member 26 dividing the supply of containers thus fed so that a portion of the supply will be directed into each of the discharge members or spouts 16.

As the containers are fed by the conveyor 43 into the machine they will successively contact with a rotatable member or wheel 52 see particularly Figure 6), which is mounted or free movement and is secured to an upright shaft 53, the periphery of the member 52 being cut away or shaped as at 54 to provide pockets for receiving one of the containers 55. Thus as the containers are advanced by the conveyor 43 the member 52 will be rotated thereby.

Connected with the shaft 53 is a disc 56 (see particularly Figures 1, 7 and 8) which is provided with a slot 57, the disc being rotatable with the shaft when the member 52 is rotated by the containers.

In order to arrest the advancement of the containers by the conveyor 43 and after a predetermined number of containers have been fed into the machine, all that is necessary is to maintain the element 52 against rotation.

This is accomplished by means of a dog 58 which is pivotally mounted as at 59 to a fixed support. The end 60 of the do being adapted to engage and rest upon t e surface of the disc 56, but when the slot or opening 57 in the disc is in alinement with the end 60 of the dog, the end of the dog will drop into the slot and the disc will be locked againstrotation. This will lock the shaft 53 and member 52 against rotation.

In order to again permit the containers to be fed into the machine the dog 58 must be raised outof theslot 57 to unlock the member 52 and after it is raised so as to disengage the slot, the member 57 will continue to rotate the slot 57 againuntil it arrives in a position to receive the end of the do v The raising and lowering of this dog is effected by means of a shaft 61 which is journaled in suitable bearings and preferably extends across the space between the uprights 15. Connected with the shaft 61 is a laterally projecting pin 62 which enters an elongated slot 63 in the dog 58 so that the dog 58 may be raised and lowered by rocking the shaft 61 about its axis.

Connected with the shaft is an arm 64 which is provided with a guide 65, and a spring 66 operates on the shaft by being connected to the arm 64 and also to a fixed support, to tend normally to move the shaft 61 in a direction to permit the dog 58 to drop into the slot 57.

The dog will engage and rest upon the top of the disc 56 untilthe slot is in a position beneath the dog at which time the spring 66 will cause the dog to drop into the slot.

The shaft 61 is rocked in the following manner.

Pivotally connected by one end as at 67 to the trip 40 is a lever 68. The other end of the lever passes loosely into the guide 65 on the arm 64, so that the lever 68 will be adapted for a vertical movement with respect to the arm 64, but when the lever is rocked about its pivot 67 so as to shift the lever laterally the arm 64 will be rocked and this will in turn rock the shaft 61 against the stress of the spring 66.

A spring 69 may be connected with the lever 68 b one end and anchored by its other end to a xed support, the spring 69 tending normally to move the lever 68 in a direction to rock the trip 40 (see particularly Figure 3) so that it will assume a position within the path of movement of the tail 41 of the dog 32.

PiVota-lly mounted upon a fixed support 70 and intermediate its ends as at 71 (see also Figure 2) is a lever 72. one end of which lever terminates adjacent the lever 68 and is adapted to be rocked about the pivot 71 to move the lever 68 laterally. This movement lsu suitable manner but preferably by means of an arm or bracket 73 which is connected with the lever 68, and a resilient member such as a spring 74 is connected by one end with the lever 72 and by its other end with the arm 7 3.;

With this construction it will be manifest that when the lever 72 is rocked about the pivot 71 toward the left in Figure 2, the spring 74 will, through the medium of the arm 7 3. shift the lever 68 laterally.

The lever 7 2 is adapted to be rocked about its ivot 71 by means of a projection 75, pre erably in the form of an antl-frlction roller, on the disc 31, the extremity 76 of the lever 72 being arranged within the path of movement of the projection 75 when the disc 31 is rotated.

If desired an adjustable stop 77 ma be provided for limiting the movement 0 the lever 72 about its pivot in one direction.

Connected with the sprocket 37 for rotation therewith is a cam member 78 (see particularly Figures 1, 2 and 3), having an suitable number of cam surfaces 79 whic are adapted to engage a roller 80 carrled by an arm 81 that is pivotally mounted by one end as at 82. This arm 81- is adapted to be reci rocated about its pivot 82 as the member 8 is rotated.

Carried by the lever 68 is a shoulder or formation 83, which when the lever 68 is moved laterally to the right in Figure 3, W111 be positioned in the path of movement of the end 84 of the arm 81 so that when the arm 81 is then raised about its pivot 82 the end 84 will engage the shoulder or formation 83 to raise the lever 68 against the stress of the spring 69 and thereby rock the trip 40 about its pivot 42 so as to permit the spring 33 to move the dog 32 into engagement with the ratchet wheel 34. This will lock the pinion gear 29 for rotation with'the sprocket gear 35, with the result that the pinion gear 29 which meshes with the gear 28 will rotate the latter and thereby advance the carrier 22. As soon as the projection 75 passes out of engagement or contact with the end 76 of the lever 72, the

levers

72 and 68 will assume their normal positions and'the shoulder or formation 83 will be moved out of the path of movement of the end 84 of the arm 81, thereby causing the trip 40 to be positioned in the path of movement of the tail 41 of the dog32 to trip the latter and thereby unlock the pinion gear 29 so that the gear 28 and with it the carrier 22 will remain idle.

The projection 7 5 is provided for the purpose of lifting the dog 58 out of the slot 57 in the disc 56 and the pawl 32 is tripped by the member 40.

The member 40 is positioned to trip the pawl 32 by the dog 58 dropping into the slot 57 of the disc 56.

. In other, words the dog 58 first dro in'toflthe slot57 in the disc 56 to trip the og-32. 1 After this has ha pened the projection 75 leasing of the dog 32 to lock the pinion 29.

for rotation with the disc 31.

The rotation of the disc 31 is, as has been before set forth, controlled by the dog 58 and the disc 56.,

Therefore in order to control the operation of the carrier 22 so that a predetermined number of containers will be fed to the machine before the carrier is advanced, it is only necessary to provide the disc 56 of a predetermined diameter, with the slot 57 properly located therein, and also to provide the disc 52 of proper diameter.

The conveyor 43 which conveys the containers into the machine is also actuated from the sprocket 37 through the medium of a gear 85 (see particularly Figures 1 and 3) preferably in the form of a spiral gear which meshes with a spiral gear 86 carried by the shaft 87 to which the sprocket 86 is connected.

Inasmuch as the conveyor 43 is continuously operating and as the feeding of the containers into the machine is intermittently arrested it will be manifest that by locking the feed controlling disc or element 52, the containers will be arrested in their advancing movement, but, inasmuch as the containers rest upon the conveyor 43 and are held in position upon the conveyors for traveling movement by friction created by the weight of the container upon the conveyor, there will be'a slipping operation of the conveyor 43 with respect to the containers when a predetermined number of containers are in position in the machine. By reason of the guide 47 .a lateral crowding movement of the containers will be avoided and the containers will be maintained in proper alinement.

In the present form of the invention means have been provided whereby the carrier-22 will be advanced three steps of movement so as to carry or position three rows of containers in front of the outlet opening 16 by the members 24, and as indicated in Figure 5. 7

When these three rows or layers have reached this osition, they are simultaneously ejected rom the carrier into the tubular members 16 to be packed in a container.

This is accomplished in the following manner.

Connected with the continuously rotating sprocket wheel 38 (see particularly F1gures 2 and 3) is a ratchet or toothed wheel 88 and fast upon the shaft 19, adjacent each 0 the uprights 15, are eccentrics 8.9.

Pivotally mounted upon one of the cocentrics 89 and intermediate its ends is a dog 90 which is adapted to co-operate with and engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel 88. A spring 91 tends normally to move the dog 90 in a direction to engage the ratchet wheel so that as the ratchet wheel is continuously rotated with the sprocket 38, the dog 90 will lock the eccentrics 89 and the shaft 19 for rotation with the sprocket wheel 38.

The eccentrics 89 operate in eccentric straps 92 having arms 93 and these arms 93 are respectively connected to levers 94 pivotally mounted by one end as at 95 upon the respective uprights 15. To the other ends of these levers 94 and on each side of the machine is pivotally connected by one end as at 96, a link 97 (see also Figures 1 and 6).

The other end of each of the links 97 is pivotally connected as at 98 with slides 99 that move in suitable guideways 100 on the outside uprights 15, the uprights being provided with slots 101 therethrough, through which the ends of a bar or member 102 are secured to the slides 99. It will therefore be manifest that when the eccentrics 89 are locked for rotation with the sprocket gear 38 a reciprocatory movement will be imparted to the slides 99 and as these slides are moved forwardly ejector members 103, which are connected with the bar or member 102, will engage the containers which are supported by the members 24 in alinement with the delivery outlet 16, and simultaneously eject the three rows or layers of containers from the members 24 into the tubular members 16. The portion 17 of the tubular members 16, which is of a greater diameter than the remaining portion of the tubular member is provided so that the uppermost row of containers will be deflected and directed into the tubular member.

Three of these ejector members 103 are provided and they may be formed in any suitable manner and are spaced one above the other in such ositions that when they are movai forwar ly to eject the containers they will respectively move between two adjacent members 24.

In order that the rotation of the eccentrics 89 will not be interfered with by the

levers

68 and 72, these levers may be bowed or arched intermed ate their ends for that purpose.

To control the operation of the ejectors it is only necessary to control the locking and unlocking of the ratchet 88 by the dog 90. This is accomplished by means of a lever 104 pivotally mounted at one end as at 105, and carried by this lever is a shoulder or formation 106 (see particularly Figures 2 and 3), which is adapted to be moved 1nt o and out of the path of movement of the tall 107 of the dog 90 so that when this shoulder is in the path of movement of the tail 107,

and as the eccentric 89 is rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 3, the shoulder 106 will contact with the tail 107 and thereby move the dog 90 out of locking relation with the ratchet 88 and against the stress of the spring 91.

The lever 104 is rocked about its pivot 105 to accomplish this 0 eration by means of a member 108, prefera ly in the form of a disc which is secured to the gear 28 for rotation therewith, through the medium of bolts and slots 109-110 to effect a proper relative adjustment and positionin of the member 108, as well as a timing of the operation of the lever 104.

This member 108 is provided with a plurality of cam faces or portions 111 and with recesses 112 intermediate the cam portions.

In'the present form of the invention each of the cam portions 111 is of a suflicient length to permit of the operation of the carrier 22, in the manner already described, through three steps of movement before the ejectors 103 are operated.

Pivotally connected with the lever 104, preferably by one end thereof as at 113, is another lever or arm 114, the extremity 115 of which latter arm is arranged so that it will stand in close proximity to the periphery of the member 108 and also will be disposed in close proximit to a cam or formation 116 on the perip ery of the disc 31, and which portion 116. is shaped to form a shoulder 117.

A link 118 is pivotally mounted as at 119 by one end upon a fixed support and is provided preferably with an anti-friction device 120 in the form of a roller at its other end, which engages the periphery of the element 108. A link 121 is pivotally connected at one end as at 122 with the link 118 and by its other end as at 123 with the lever or arm 114. The links 118 and 122 serve as a means for supporting and holding up the end 115 of the arm or lever 114 so that it will be disposed normally in close proximit to the periphery of the member 108. spring 124 is connected at one end with the link 121 and at its other end with the arm or lever 114 and assists in holding up the arm or lever 114 and also the lever 104.

The normal tendency of the spring 124 is to move the shoulder 106 on the lever 104 into the path of movement of the tail 107 of the dog 90 so as to trip the latter.

A latch member 125 is pivotally mounted by one end and its other end 126 is disposed so that a spring 127 will tend normally to l contact with the notch or recess 128 in the move the end 126 against the peri hery of the disc 31. This end of the late 125 is provided with a notch or recess 128 into which one edge of the end 115 of the arm or lever 114 is adapted to enter, when the roller 120 drops into one of the recesses or cut away portions 112 of the member 108.

When the parts are in full line position shown in Figure 3, that is with the edge of the end 115 of the arm or lever 114 out of latch 125, the shoulder 117 on the formation on the disc 31 will have assumed a position to permit the extremit 126 of the latch 125 to pass under the shou der 117. This will be the position of the parts until the gear 28 has rotated sufficiently to cause the roller 120 to move over one of the cam portions of the member 108 to a position where it will drop into or enter one of the recesses or cut away portions 112. During this movement of the roller 120, as has been before stated, the carrier 22 will have to move three steps of movement or until it has assumed the position shown in Figure 5. As

the roller 120 is traveling over the cam faces 111 the shoulder 106 on the lever 104 will hold the dog 90 in an inoperative position so that the carrier will not be advanced until the dog 90 is released.

As soon as the roller 120 drops into one of the recesses or cut away portions 112 on the member 108 the link 118 will be lowered and this link will, through the vmedium of the link 121, rock the arm or lever 114 about its pivot 113 or until the end 115 enters the notch or recess 128 in the extremity 126 of the latch 125. The shoulder 106 on the lever 104 will still be in a position to hold the dog 90 in an inactive position. the parts in this position it will be manifest that when the disc 31 is then rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 3, the cam or formation 116 will engage behind the end of the latch 125 and shift it about its pivot, which movement will ,depress or niove the arm 114 longitudinally against the stress of the spring 124. This will rock the lever 104 about its pivot 105 and will move the shoulder 106 out of engagement with the tail 107 of the dog 90 to release the latter so that the spring 91 will cause the dog 90 to lock the eccentric v 89 with the ratchet 88, with the result that the eccentric 89 will be rotated and the ejectors 103 will be reciprocated.

J As soon as the cam or formation 116 passes out of engagement with the latch 125 the end 126 of the latch will be moved into contact with the periphery of the disc 31 through the medium of the spring 127 and the arm or lever "114 will be moved from the dotted line position to the full line position shown in Figure 3, by the roller 120 passing out of the recess or notch 112 in the With member 128 on to the cam surface 111,

thereby positioning the shoulder 106 on the lever 104 so that it will engage the tail 107 of the dog 90 to tri the latter upon the completion of the eye e of operation of the eccentric 89.

Thus, it will be seen that u on the completion of the 'predetermine number of steps of advancing movement of the carrier 22 the ejectors 103 will be actuated to eject the superposed layers of containers held b the carrier and deliver them into the tu ular members 16 so that the next series of containers which are ejected from the carrier, will advance the previously deposited layers of containers in the tubular members 16.

This operation is repeated until the desired numberof containers have been ejected into the carton and as the last layer of containers is placed into the carton, the carton will be completely stripped from the tubular members 16 with the containers therein and delivered upon a suitable support arranged adjacent the tubular members 16 for that purpose.

In order to arrest the feeding movement of the containers intothe machine and past the member 52, during the advancing movement of the ejector, there is provided a latch 129 referably in the form of a bar or rod, SlldtEJlG in suitable bearings 130 (see particularly Figure 7), the lower extremity 131 of which is disposed in close proximity to the upper face of the member 52. The member 52 is provided with a shoulder or stop 133 projecting thereabove into the path of movement of which the end 131 of the latch 129 is adapted to be positioned.

The latch is normally held elevated by means of a spring 133 so that the member 52 may be freely rotated until the ejectors 103' start to operate. At that time a beveled or inclined face 134 on the slide 99 and in the path of movement of which face the end 135 of the latch 129 is normally positioned, will engage the end of the latch and depress the same against the stress of the spring 133, thereby holding the extremity 131 of the latch in the path of movement of the shoulder 132 so as to lock the member 52 against rotation.

When the slide 99 recedes so as to pass out of engagement of the end 135 of the latch 129, the latter will be automatically raised by the spring 133 so that the disc or member 52 will be free to rotate.

If desired and as a means for manually operating the latch 129, an eccentric 136 may be provided. This eccentric has connected with it a link 137 provided with a deflected portion 138 having an aperture 139 passing therethrough and through which aperture the latch 129 freely passes.

A handle 140 may be connected to the eecentric and arranged in a convenient position for the operator, so that by actuatin the handle 140 the end 138 of the link 13? will engage a pin or shoulder 141 on the latch 129 and depress the same against the stress of the spring 133.

It is thought that the operation of this machine will be clearly understood from the foregoing description, but briefly stated it is as follows. The machine is first filled by hand, that is the articles are placed upon the conveyor 43 until the predetermined number of articles are in position to be advanced by the first movement of the carrier 22.

The rotatable element 52 (see Figure 6) is then operated by hand until the indication A assumes a predetermined position with respect to the machine. At this time the disc 56 (Figure 8) will be positioned so that when the element 52 is moved for a short distance the dog 58 will drop into the slot 57. This will rock the shaft 61 and actuate the lever 68 so as to move the shoulder 83 on the lever 68 into the path of movement of the end 84 of the arm or member 81, the latter being elevated by the rotation of the member 78 so that the end 84 will engage the shoulder 83 on the lever 68 to raise the latter and thereby rock the trip about the pivot 42 to release the dog 32 so that the pinion 29 will be locked with the disc 31 for rotation.

The gear 28 will then be rotated as long as the pinion gear 29 is locked with the disc 31. Just before the completion of one cycle of rotation of the disc 31 the projection 75 will engage the end 76 of the lever 72 to rock the lever about its pivot 71 and thereby move the lever 68 laterally so as to move the shoulder 83 out of the path of movement of the end 84 of the arm or lever 81. This will rock the shaft 61 against the influence of the spring 66 so that the end of the dog 58 will rest upon the top of the disc 56 so as to drop into the slot 57 when the slot is in a position to receive the dog. The member 52 will then be locked against operation and the feeding movement of the containers or articles into the machine by the conveyor 43 will be arrested while the conveyor will still continue to operate.

The intermittent movement of the carrier 22 will continue until the roller 120 (see Figure 3) on the link or lever 118 drops into one of the recesses 112 in the disc or member 108.

When this roller drops into this recess the link 121 will move the lever or arm 114 so that the extremity 115 thereof will enter the notch 128 of the latch 125. The cam or formation 116 will then, upon the rotation of the disc 31, move the latch 125 about its pivot to shift the lever 114 longitudinally, with the result that the lever 104 will be rocked about its pivot 105 to move the shoulder or formation 106 on the lever 104 out of engagement with the tail 107 of the dog 90 thus allowing he dog 90 to lock the cocentrics 89 with t e ratchet 88, so that the eccentrics will be rotated to actuate the ejectors 103, thereby dislodging or moving the containers or articles off of the members or supports 24 on the carrier 22.

When the ejectors 103 recede or are withdrawn to their normal position the roller 120 on the link or lever 118 will then pass out of the recess 112 on to one of the cam faces 111, thereby moving the end 115 of the lever or arm 114 out of contact with the latch 125 so that when the disc 3]. is then rotated the operation of the latch 125 by the cam or formation 116 will not affect or move the arm or lever 114 thereby allowing the lever 104 to remain in a position that the shoulder 106 will trip the dog 90 and hold the dog tripped to render the eccentrics 89 inactive.

It will therefore be seen that upon the completion of three steps of advancing movement of the carrier 22 the eccentrics 89 will be rendered active to operate the ejectors 103.

While the present machine has been described in connection with the packaging of containers into a carton, it is of course to be understood that any other articles may be handled by the machine, and while the preferred form of the invention has been herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, within the scope of the claims. without departing from the spirit of this invention.

What is claimed as new is 1. A packaging machine embodying a carrier for receiving and holding a supply of articles, means for intermittently advancing the carrier, means for feeding the articles to the carrier, mean-s controlled by the articles being fed to the machine for controlling the actuation of the carrier, means for ejecting the articles from the carrier, and means whereby the feed of the articles to the carrier may be intermittently arrested while the operation of the feeding means remains constant.

' 2. A packaging machine embodying a carrier for receiving and holding asupply of articles, means for intermittently advancing the carrier. means for feeding the articles to the carrier, means controlled by the articles being fed to the machine for controlling the actuation of the carrier, means for intermittently ejecting the articles from the carrier, and means responsive in its operation to the operation of the said ejecting means for arresting the feed of the articles to the said carrier.

3. A packaging machine embodying a carrier for receiving and holding a supply of articles, means for intermittently advancing the carrier, means for feeding the articles to the carrier, means controlled by the articles being fed to the machine for controlling the actuation of the carrier, means for intermittently ejecting the articles from the carrier, and means responsive in its operation to the operation of the said ejecting means for arresting the feed of-the articles to the said carrier and While the operation of the said article feeding means remains constant.

4. A packaging machine embodyin a traveling conveyor for conveying the artlcles into the machine, a carrier operating across the conveyor for receiving the articles from the'conveyor and for conveying them to a discharging station, means operating to maintain the articles in alinement upon the conveyor and against lateral crowding movement and against the stress of which means the articles may be moved laterally by the said carrier, means for intermittently operating the carrier, and means for ejecting the articles from the carrier.

5. A packaging machine embodying a travelling conveyor for conveying the articles into the machine, a carrler operating across the conveyor for receiving the articles from the conveyor and for conveying them to a discharging station, means operating to maintain the articles in alinement upon the conveyor and against lateral crowding movement and against the stress of which means the articlesmay be moved laterally by the said carrier, means controlled by the articles being fed by the said conveyor for intermittently actuating the carrier, and means for ejecting the articles from the carrier.

6. A packaging machine embodying a conveyor for feeding the articles into the machine, a carrier, members operating transversely of and across the conveyor for successively receiving suppliesof articles from the conveyor and for carrying them to a discharging station, means for intermittently operating carrier means automatically rendered active by the articles themselves at a predetermined time in the cycle of operation of the machine for arrestin the feed of the articles by the conveyor wlile the operation of the conveyor remains constant, and means for ejecting the art cles from said carrier.

7, A packaging machine embodying a conveyor for feeding the articles into the machine, a carrier, said carrier embodying members operating transversely of an across the conveyor for successively receiving supplies of articles from the conveyor and for carrying them to a discharge station, means for intermittently operatln the carrier, means a-utomatlcally rendere acsaid carrier embodying tive at a predetermined time in the cycle of operation of the machine for arresting the feed of the articles by the conveyor while the operation of the conveyor remains con stant, means for rendering the last said means active at will, and means for ejecting the articles from the carrier.

8. A packaging machine embodying aconveyor for feeding the articles into the machine, a carrier, said carrier embodyin members operating transversely of an across the conveyor for successively receiving supplies of articles from the conveyor.

and for carrying them to a discharging station means for intermittently operating the carrier, a stationary vuard co-operating with the said members and extending along a ortion of the path of movement of the mem ers for assisting in placing the said articles upon the respective said members of the carrier as the latter is actuated, means for arrestin the feed of the articles to the carrier, an means for ejecting the articles from the carrier.

9. A packaging machine embodying a conveyor for feeding the articles into the machine, a carrier, said carrier embodying members operating transversely of and across the conveyor for successively receiving supplies of articles from the conveyor and for carrying them to a discharging station, means for lntermittently operating the carrier, a stationary guard co-operating with the said members and extending along a portion of the path of movement of the members for 'asslsting in placing the said articles upon the respective said members of the carrier as the latter is actuated, means for alining the articles being fed by the carrier and for maintaining the, articles against lateral crowding movement, the last recited means yielding under the stress of the articles when moved from the conveyor by the respective members of the said carrier, means for arresting the feed of the-articles to the carrier, and means for ejecting the articles from the carrier.

10. A packaging machine embodying a conveyor for delivering the articles to the machine, a carrier embodying spaced members movable transversely across the conveyor for receiving the articles therefrom and for carrying them to a discharging station, means for intermittently actuating the carrier, means for intermittently ejecting the articles from the carrier, means for intermittently arresting the feed of the articles by the conveyor, and additional means responsive in its operation to the actuation of the said ejecting means for controlling the feed of the articles to the machine.

11. A packaging machine embodying a conveyor for delivering the articles to the machine, a carrier embodying spaced members movable transversely across the conveyor for receiving the articles therefrom and for carrying them to a discharging station, means for intermittently actuating the carrier, means for intermittently ejecting the articles from the carrier, means for intermittently arresting the feed of the articles by the conveyor and additional means controllable at will for controlling the feed of the articles to the machine.

12. A packa ing machine embodying a conveyor for eeding the articles into the machine, an endless carrier embodying members spaced throughout the length of the car: rier, said members operating transversely across the said conveyor for successively receiving separate supplies of. articles therefrom and for supporting and carrying the supplies to a common discharging station,

' a guard arranged along a portion of the path of movement of said members for receiving the articles from the carrier as they are moved from the carrier by the said members, said guard also assisting in lacing the articles upon the respective said members, means for intermittently operating the said carrier, and means for simultaneously ejecting the supplies of articles held by a plurality of the said members of the carrier.

13. A packaging machine embodying a conveyor for feeding the articles into the machine, an endless carrier embodying members spaced throughout the length of the carrier, said members operating transversely across the said conveyor for successively receiving separate supplies of articles therefrom and for supporting and carrying the supplies to a common discharging station, a guard arranged along a portion of the path of movement of said members for receiving the articles from the carrier as they are removed from the carrier by the said members, said guard also assisting in placing the articles upon the respective said members, means for intermittently operating the said carrier, ejecting means, and means for intermittently actuating the said ejecting means after a predetermined number of steps of movement of the said carrier for simultaneously ejecting the supplies of articles held by a plurality of the said members of the carrier.

14. A packaging machine embodying a conveyor for feeding the articles into the machine, an endless carrier embodying mem bers spaced throughout the length of the carrier, said members operating transversely across the said conveyor for successively receiving separate supplies of articles therefrom and for supporting and carrying the supplies to a common discharging station, a guard arranged along a ortion of the path of movement of said mem ers for asslsting in placing the articles upon the respective said members, means for intermittently operating the said carrier, means for simultaneously ejecting the supplies of articles held by a plurality of the said members of the carrier, and means controlled by the'articles being fed by the said conveyor for arresting the feed of the articles by the conveyor and for controlling the operation of the said carrier while the operatlon of the said conveyor remains constant.

15 A packaging macliine embodying a carrier, a conveyor for conveying the articles to the carrier, a freely rotatableelement arranged along the path of movement of" the articles by the conveyor and adapted be successively engaged and rotated by the articles as they are advanced by the carrier, means for actuating the carrier, and means influenced by the rotation of said element for locking the element against rotation to arrest the feeding movement of the articles to the machine.

16. A packaging machine embodying a carrier, a conveyor for conveying the articles to the carrier, a freely rotatable element arranged. along the path of movement of the articles by the conveyor andada ted to be successive] engaged and rotated y the articles as they are advanced by the carrier, means for actuating the carrier, and means influenced by the rotation of said element for locking the element against rotation to arrest the feeding movement of'the articles to the machine and for controlling the operation of the said carrier.

17. A packaging machine embodying a carrier, a conveyor for conveying the articles to the carrier, a freely rotatable element arranged along the path of movement of the articles by the conveyor and adapted to be successively engaged and rotated by the articles as they are advanced by the carrier, means for actuating the carrier, means influenced by the rotation of said element for locking the element against rotation to arrest the feeding movement of the articles to the machine, means for ejecting the articles from the carrier, and additional means responsive in its operation to the operation of the said ejecting means for also looking the said rotatable element against operation.

18. A packaging machine embodying a carrier for the articles, a conveyor for conveying the articles to the carrier, a rotatable element arranged along the path of movement of the articles by the conveyor and adapted to be successively en aged and rotated by the articles to permit them to be advanced b the conveyor, a disc rotatable with the e ement and having an opening therein, an additional element adapted to enter said opening when the said disc assumes a predetermined position with respect thereto to arrest the feed of said articles, and means controlled by the operation of said additional element for controlling the ,enter said opening whenthe said disc assumes a predetermined position with respect thereto to arrest the feed of said articles, and means controlled by the operation of said additional element for controlling and arrest-ing the operation of the said carrler.

20. A packaging machine embodying a carrier for the varticles, a conveyor for conveying the articles to the carrier, a rotatable element arranged along the path of movement of the articles by the conveyor and adapted to be successively engaged and rotated by the articles to permit them to be advanced by the conveyor, a disc rotatable with the element and having an opening therein, an additional element adapted to enter said opening when the said disc assumes a predetermined position with respect thereto to arrest the feed of said articles, means controlled by the operation of said additional element for controlling the operation of certain mechanisms in said machine, and additional means controllable at will for locking the said rotatable element against rotation.

21. A packaging machine embodying a. carrier for the articles, a conveyor for conveying the articles to the carrier, a rotatable element arranged along the path of movement of the articles by the conveyor and adapted to be successively engaged and rotated by the articles to permit them to be advanced by the conveyor, 3. disc rotatable with the element and having an opening therein, an additional element adapted to enter said opening when the said disc aS- sumes a predetermined position with respect thereto to arrest the feed of said articles,

means controlled by the operation of said additional element for controlling the operation. of certain mechanismsin said machine, an ejector for ejecting the articles from said carrier, and means res onsive in its operation to the operation 0 the said ejector for locking the said rotatable element against rotation.

22. A packaging machine embodyinga carrier, said carrier embodying a carrier element, a conveyor for conveying the articles to the carrier, means for intermittently actuating the carrier, an ejector for e ecting the articles from the carrier, means for mamas;

termittently actuating the ejector, the last said means embodying a ratchet and pawl for rendering the ejector active, a cam device connected with the said carrier-element,

an element actuated by the cam device, and a pivotally mounted element operatively connected with the last recited element and movable into the path of movement of the pawl to render the pawl inactive with respect to the ratchet, said pivotally mounted element being movable out of the path of movement of the pawl to release the latter and render the same active with respect to the ratchet.

23. A packaging machine embodying a carrier, said carrier embodying a rotatable carrier element, a conveyor for conveying the articles to the carrier, means for intermittently actuating the carrier, an ejector for ejecting the articles from the carrier, means for intermittently actuating the ejector, the last said means embodying a; ratchet and pawl for rendering the ejector active, a cam device connected with the said carrier element, an element actuated by the cam device, a pivotally mounted element operatively connected with the last recited element and movable into the path ofmovement of the pawl to render the pawl inactive with respect to the ratchet, said pivotally mounted element being movable out of the path of movement of the pawl to release the latter and render the same active with respect to the ratchet, and means responsive in its operation to the articles being fed to the machine for controlling the operation of the said cam device.

24. A packaging machine embodying a carrier for the articles, a conveyor for feeding the articles to the carrier, means for intermittently actuating the carrier, said means embodying a ratchet and a bodily movable pawl, said pawl being adapted to be rendered active and inactive with respect to the ratchet, an element adapted to be intermittently positioned in the path of movement of a portion of the said pawl to render the pawl inactive with respect to the ratchet, a reciprocable arm, a shoulder connected with the said element and adapted to be positioned in the path of movement of the-said reciprocable arm for positioning the said element to render the awl active, and means controlled by the fee ing of the articles to the machine for thus positioning the said shoulder.

25. A packaging machine embodying a carrier for the articles, a conveyor for feed-% ing the articles to the carrier, means for intermittently actuating the carrier, said means embodying a ratchet and a bodily movable pawl, said pawl being adapted to be rendered active and inactive with respect to the ratchet, an element adapted to be intermittently positioned in the path of movement of a portion of the said pawl to render 26. A packaging machine embodying a carrier for the articles, means for feeding the articles to the carrier, means for intermlttently operating the carrier, said means embodying a gear element connected with the carrier, a normally inactive gear meshlng with said gear element, a rotatable support, a pawl and co-operating ratchet member, said pawl and ratchet member being connected one with the said rotatable support and the other with the said normally in active gear, means tending normally .to render the pawl and ratchet members actlve with respect to each other whereby said normally inactive gear will be rotated with the said support to actuate the carrier, a trip adapted to be positioned to render the pawl inactive at a predetermined time in the cycle of operation of the machine, and means controlled by the articles being fed to the carrier for controlling the operation of the said tri 2 7. A packaging machine embodying a carrier for the articles, means for feeding the articles to the carrier, means for intermittently operating the carrier, said means embodying a gear element connected with the carrier, a normally inactive gear meshing with said gear element, a rotatable support, a pawl and co-operating ratchet member, said pawl and ratchet member being connected one with the said rotatable support and the other with the said normally inactive gear, means tending normally to render the pawl and ratchet member active with respect to each other whereby said normally inactive gear will be rotated with the said support to actuate the carrier, means operating automatically to render the pawl inactive at a predeterminedtime in the cycle of operation of the said support, an ejector for ejecting the articles from the carrier, and means responsive in its operation to the operation of the said support for rendering the ejecting means active.

28. A packaging machine embodying a carrier for the articles, means for actuating the carrier, a rotatable element operatively connected with the said means, e'ecting means for ejecting the articles from t e carrier, means for intermittently rendering the said ejecting means active, the last recited means embodying a shiftable arm, means connected with the said rotatable element 1 and into the path of rotation of which means the said shiftable arm is adapted to. be positioned to be shifted thereby, and means responsive in its 0 eration to the operation of the said carrier or thus positioning the said shiftable member. v

29. A packaging machine embodying a carrier for the articles, means for actuating the carrier, a rotatable element operatively connected with the said means, ejecting means for ejecting the articles from the carrier, means for intermittently rendering the said e ecting means active, the last recited means embodying a shiftable arm, means connected with the said rotatable element and into the path of rotation of which means the said shiftable arm is adapted to be positioned to be shifted thereby, a cam device operatively connected with said carrier, said cam device having an active and an inactive portion, and a controlling mem ber operatively connected with the said shiftable arm, said controlling member operating when in engagement with the inactive portion of the cam device, to position the arm into the path of movement of the said means carried by the said rotatable element to be shifted thereby and also operating when in engagement with the active portion of the cam device to move and maintain the said arm out of the path of movement of the said means that is carried by the said rotatable element.

30. A packaging machine having a discharge station, means for supporting a plurality of containers adjacent said station, a carier for receiving and conveying the articles to said station, and means for ejecting the supply of articles from said carrier, portion of the said supply of articles being simultaneously delivered into each of said containers.

31. In a packaging machine means for holding a plurality of containers adjacent the delivery station of the machine, means for carrying the articles to the station, and means for ejectin the articles simultaneously into two di erent containers.

32. machine of the character described embodying a carrier for receiving the re ceptacles at a low elevation and operating to raise them to a delivery station at a higher elevation, and means for ejecting the receptacles from the carrier at the said delivery station.

33. A packaging machine embodying a carrier for receiving and conveying the 34. A packaging machinev embodying a carrier for receiving and simultaneously, conveying .a plurality of layers of articles .to a delivery station, means for sup' orting 5 a container adjacent said station, an means for simultaneously ejecting all of said layers of articles into said container.

35. A packaging machine embodying a carrier for receiving a plurality of super- 10 posed layers of articles and for conveying them to a delivery station, means for supsimultaneously directing portions of said articles into two diflerent containers.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this s ecification, on this 18th day of November, D. 1926.

GARRETT W. MUDD.