US1883230A - Carton feeding machine - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 18, 1932. I Q E RD 1,883,230

CARTON FEEDING MACHINE Filed April 2. 1929 I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 3nnentor .8 J WW, Mmym.

Gttornegs Oct. 18, 1932. c. F. RICHARD CARTON FEEDING MACHINE Filed April 2, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 18, 1932.

c. F. RICHARD 1,883,230

CARTON FEEDING MACHINE Filed April 2, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 W '0 Q Zhwentor (Ittornegs Patented Oct. 18', 1 932 UNITED STATES PATENT; OF C CHARLES F. BICHABD, 01' BATTLE CREEK, KIGHIGAN, ASSIGllOR TO JOHNSON AUTO- IATIC SEALER 00., LTD 01' BATTLE CREEK, IICHIGAN, A PARTNERSHIP LSSOOIL- TION LIMITED, 01 MICHIGAN Application filed April II,

the cartons continuously from. separate sources of supply to the carton sealing machine or other instrumentality to be fed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carton feeding machine which feeds the cartons from separate sources continuously, and at high speed, to a continuously operated carton sealing machine or device with which said carton feeding machine is associated,- I

Another object of the invention is to provide a carton feeding machine which feeds cartons from a plurality ofseparate sources of supply into pockets that. carry the cartons at high speed to the carton sealing machine or other device to be fed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carton feeding machine which embodies a plurality of feeders and movable pockets compactly arranged and readily adapted for association with the carton sealing machine or other device to be fed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carton feeding machine which is simple in construction, efficient in operatiomand relatively inexpensive to manufacture, install. and maintain in operation.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the following description thereof .proceeds. and in order to more clearly understand said invention, reference may be had to the appended drawings which illustrate one embodiment of the inventive idea.

In said drawings-- Fig. 1 is a side view of a carton sealing machine equipped with mechanism embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view, with parts omitcanon mamas IAGHINI me. some Io. maze.

ted,.of the machine and mechanism shown in Fig.1; and

ig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional named, and are preferably operated and cons'tructed as follows.

The carton sealing machine includes upper and lower side frame members 5 and 6, respectively, duplicated at opposite sides of the machine and joined together by upper cross members 7, 8 and lower cross members 9, 10. The lower cross members 9, 10 are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to legs 11, 12 disposed in pairs at opposite sides of the machine, respectively, and supporting the described framework therefor. The 1e ably secured to the machine foundation 13, one of the legs 12 having an extension 14 on which is bolted or otherwise suitably secured, as at 15, 15, a bracket 16. I 7

Supported on the bracket 16 is an electric motor 17 which serves to drive the various movable parts of the machine. This motor 17 is supplied with electrical current from any suitable source, .and the operation of the machine may be controlled either by a switch for said motor, or by a separate, manually operated clutch, or both. The control device or devices just mentioned are of the usual type provided on machines of this character, and it is therefore unnecessary to illustrate and describe the same.

Fixed on the armature shaft 18 of the motor 17, is a pulley 19 around which passes a belt 20 that also passes around a pulley 21.

Tension on the belt 20 may, if desired, be maintained by a roller 21' that is engaged by said belt and supported on a bracket 22 bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the lower side frame 6 adjacent the motor 17. The 10 11, 12, in turn, are bolted or otherwise suite 29 which engages said belt and is adjustablyv around a pulley 26. Tension on the belt i may, if desired, be maintained by a roller 25' engaging said belt and journaled on an arm 25" mounted in any suitable manner on the machine framework. The pulley 26 is fixed on a shaft 27 that extends transversely of the machine and is journaled on the described framework at the top thereof. Fixed on the shaft 27 is a pulley 28 around which passes a belt 29 that also passes around a pulley30. Tension on the belt 29 is regulated by a roller mounted on a bracket 29 bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the machine framework. The pulley 30 is fixed on a shaft 31 that extends transversely of the machine at its forward end and is journaled in suitable bearings on the framework thereof.

'Fixed on the shaft 31 are sprockets 32 around which pass chains 33 that also pass around sprockets 34. The sprockets 34 are fixed on a shaft 35 which is journaled in suitable bearings on a cross member 36. The cross member 36 is disposed between and secured to, upper and lower ways 37 and 38,

respectively, and the chains 33, through the described connections therefor with the motor 17, travel continuously along said ways during the operation of said motor. ixed at intervals along the chains 33 are a plurality of carton supports or forms 39, the faces of which engage the ways 37 and 38 to hold said supports or forms in proper position as they travel continuously with the chains 33. The supports or forms 3!. are in accordance with the present invention, successively supplied with cartons 40 by a plurality of pockets indicated broadly at 41, 41' and from which the cartons are transferred to said supports or forms. These pockets are preferably operated and constructed as follows.

Fixed on the continuously driven shaft 35 is a sprocket 42 around which passes a chain 43 that also passes around a sprocket 44 that is fixed on a shaft 45 extending at right angles to the carton sealing machine and in parallel relation with the shaft 35. This shaft 45 is journaled in suitable hearings on a substantially rectangular frame which is indicated broadly at 46 and extends at right angles to the conveyor ways 37, 38. This frame includes the usual supporting legs 47 which are joined together by upper and lower cross members 48 and 49, respectively, and said frame serves to support the movable poplllrets 41, 41' and devices associated there- W1 Fixed on the shaft 45 is a bevel gear 50 that meshes with a similar gear 51 which is fixed on a vertical shaft 52 journaled in suitable bearings on the frame 46. The frame '46 also has journaled in suitable bearings thereon vertical shafts 53, 54, 55. Fixed on the shafts 52, 53, 54, 55, are sprockets 52, 53', 54', 55', respectively, and passing around said sprockets is a continuously driven chain 56 on which the pockets 41, 41 are secured to stand vertically and travel continuously with said chain. The chain 56 has all of its reaches disposed in a substantially horizontal plane and said chain and the sprockets around which it passes could, if desired, be replaced by a belt and pulleys, respectively. The pockets 41, 41' are all constructed substantially alike and ea ch of the same preferably includes the following devices.

For each pocket there are provided relatively movable parts 57, 58 that form opposed carton supporting portions of the pockets adapted to be opened and closed relatively. The parts 57 58 are fixed in spaced superposed relation res ectively, on shafts 59, 60 that are journale in suitable hearings on a bracket 61 secured to the,chain 56. The pocketis normally closed by springs 62, 63 (Fig. 1) which have their 0 posite ends secured to the shafts 59, 60 and the bracket 61. These springs also provide for o ening the pockets to receive the carton. A ter thecarton has been introduced into the pocket and the latter is closed, the sprin s 62, 63 act on the parts 57, 58 so that they yie dably support the carton in the pocket.

Fixed on the shafts 59 near the upper ends thereof, are arms 65, 65, the arms 65 all extending in a single substantially horizontal plane, and the arms 65'- all extendin in a single similar plane spaced above t at in which the'arms 65 extend. The arms 65 have journaled on the free ends thereof rollers 66, and the arms 65 have journaled on their free ends rollers 66'. The shafts 60 of the pockets have fixed on the lower ends thereof arms 67 all extending in a single substantially horizontal plane and carrying rollers 68. The continuously traveling chain 56 and the pockets secured thereto, are uided and maintained in proper position by ways 69, 70, 71, 72, that are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the frame 46 and form a substantially rectangular structure.

Bolted or otherwise suitably secured in spaced superposed relation on the machine framewor r, are a pair of substantially rectangularly endless tracks or mils 73, 74, that are engaged by the rollers 66, 66, respectively. These rails are provided with cam portions 75, 76 and 77, 78, respectively, the latter cam portions extendin past a carton feeding mechanism which is indicated broadly at 79 and disposed at one side of the frame 46 in disposed at the o p'osite side of the frame 46 and alsoexten s in spaced, parallel relation with said carton. sealing machine. The

ockets 41, 41' alternately receive cartons from said feeding mechanisms and pass the same successively during their travel with the chain 56'. For this purpose, the cam portions 7 5, 76 and 77, 78 of the rails 73, 74, act through their engagement with the rollers 66, 66, respectively, to open all of the pockets and hold them open until they reach the carton feeding mechanism 79. This mechanism is timed to. deliver cartons into alternate pockets indicated, for example, by the reference character 41, and to permit alternate pockets indicated, for example, by the reference character 41', to pass by said mechanism without receiving cartons therefrom. Each pocket 41, after receiving a carton from the feeding mechanism 79, is closed to yieldably grip and support the carton in the pocket.

For this purpose, the rail 73 is provided beyond the cam portion-77 thereof, with a cam portion 7 9a which, when engaged by the roller 66 of a pocket, enables spring 62 thereof to immediately swing the lever and the parts '57 in a clockwise direction '(Fig. 2), thereby closing the pocket and yieldably supporting the carton between the opposed arts 57, 58 of the pocket. The parts 57 o the pockets, except atone point in theirtravel,

are closed by the action of the springs 62, said parts normally standing at right angles to the brackets 61 and the springs 62 being strong enough to resist appreciable movement of the parts 57 when they engage the carton delivered-forwardly thereof into the pockets by the feeding mechanisms 79, 80. Y

The alternate pockets 41 traveling successively past the cam portion 79 of rails 73 are retained closed by engagement of the rollers 66 with straight portions of said rail extending between the cam portion 79 and the cam portion 75. The alternate empty pockets 41 that pass the carton feeding mechanism 79,

are retained in openpositionby engagement of the rollers 66' with cam portions 81, 82, 83, 84, of the rail 74. These cam ortions through their engagement with the ro lers 66', act to retain the arms 65- and the parts 57 of the alternate pockets 41 against closing movement until said pockets have been supplied with cartons by the carton feeding mechanism 80. After each pocket 41' receives a carton from the carton feeding mechanism 80, the roller 66' of said pocket engages a cam portion 85 of'the rail 74. This cam portion 85 is formed to permit the springs 62 of the pockets 41 to close said poc ets successively y swinging the arms 65. and the parts 57 of said pockets in a direction opposite to that of their opening movement.

It will be understood, from the foregoing, that the carton feeding mechanism. 80 1s timed to successively deliver cartons into the alternate pockets 41' and to permit the alternate pockets 41 having cartons supported therein, to pass successively without interruption past said feeding mechanism. The parts of the carton feeding mechanism 7 9 are duplicated in the carton feeding mechanism 80, and have like reference characters which in the case of the carton feeding mechanism 80, are primed to diflerentiate the two mechanisms. The carton feeding mechanisms '79, 80 being identical in their construction and operation it is therefore only necessary to describe one of said mechanisms. i

The carton feeder 79, for example, is supported on a suitable framework including oposed side members 86 arranged in spaced reation and supported at their opposite ends by legs such as indicated at 87 (Fig. 3). These legs are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the machine foundation 13 and the frames and legs at the opposite sides of the feeder are connected together by upper and lower cross members such as indicated at 88 and 89, respectively. Journaled in suitable bearings on the front pair of legs 87 is a shaft 90- having fixed thereon a sprocket 91 around which passes a chain 92. This chain 92 is controlled and intermittentl driven by any suitable devices (not shown for these purposes.

Fixed in spaced relation on the shaft 90 are bevel gears 93 (Figs. 2 and 3) that mesh with similar gears 94, respectively. The gears 94 are fixed on vertical shafts 95 that are journaled in suitable bearingson the front cross member 88 of the feeder. Fixed on the shafts 95 are sprockets 96 around which pass chains 97 that also pass. around sprockets '(not shown) which are journaled in any suitable manner on the end of the feeder opposite that carrying the shafts 95 and the sprockets 96. The intermittently driven chains 97 have secured thereon at intervals, transversely alined stops 98 in front of which may be placed followers 99 adapted 'to stand on and travel along rails 100 extending longitudinally of the feeder. The rails 100. project forwardly of the feeder below the pockets 41, 41' and support open cartons delivered by a continuously moving knife 101 into alternate pockets 41.

A stack of cartons 102 is placed on the rails 100in front of a follower 99 and intermittently advanced by the chains 97 as the cartons are successively separated from the stack by the knife 101; Each carton separated in the manner just mentioned, is advanced by the knife 101 through guide fingers 103, 104 which are supported in any suitable manner by the forward part of the feeder framework. The fingers 103 are curved-and somewhat longer than the fingers 104, the latter being short to permit the pockets to pass the feeder and the former being yieldably mounted to permit passage of all of the pockets and car- With tons delivered into alternate ones of the same. The fingers 103, 104 provide a restricted guide that acts to open the cartons successively advanced therethrough by the knife 101 into the pockets 41.

mg movement of the fin ers 103, but is strong enough to prevent yielding movement of sai fingers when the carton is advanced therepast by the knife 101.

The knife 101 moves upwardly into the front carton of the stack, then forwardly to separate the carton therefrom and advance it between the opening fingers 103, 104, into one of the pockets 41. Thereafter, the knife moves downwardly, rearwardly, and upwardly into the next carton on the front of the stack. The last mentioned carton is then delivered by the knife through the opener into the next pocket 41, and these operations are repeated as the pockets 41, 41' successively pfiss the carton feeding mechanism.-

e mechanism forcontinuously imparting the above described movements successively to the knife is preferably comprised by the following instrumentalities. Fixed in s aced relation on the continuously driven s aft 45, are a pair of cams 107, 107. Each of these cams is provided on its opposite faces cam ooves, the cam grooves of cam 107 being indicated at 108, 109, and the cam grooves of the cam 107' being indicated at 08', 109'. The vertical motion of the knife 101 is derived from the cam groove 108 which has engaged therein a roller 110 that is journaled on an arm 111 intermediate the opposite ends thereof. The arm 111, in turn, is 1ournaled on a shaft 112 supported in any suitable manner by the frame 46. The lever 111 has its free end pivotally connected with one extremity of a lmk 112a the opposite extremity of w ich is pivotally connected with the freeend of an arm 113.

The arm 113 is fixed on a rockshaft 114 that is journaled in suitable hearings on the frame 46. Fixed on the rockshaft 114 is a second arm 115, the free end of which is pivotally connected with a link 116. The opposite extremity of this link is pivotall connected with a slide 117 which, through 1: e described connections therefor with the cam grooves 108, is vertically reciprocated in a guide 118. This guide 118 is secured to a second guide 119 that is adapted to be horizontall reciprocated along a way or ide 120 bolted or otherwise ber 89.

suitably secur to the cross m'em- Fixed on the upper end of the slide 117 is a holder 121 on which is ivoted, as at 122, a substantiall L-shape bracket 123. The knife 101 is b0 ted or otherwise suitably secured on the substantially vertical lev of this bracket, the horizontal leg thereof extending between a set screw 124 and a spring 125 that'provides for limited yielding movement of the knife 101 when it engages the rear wall of the carton on the inner face thereof. The set screw 124, serves to regulate the yielding movement of the knife and is carried by a bracket 126 secured to or formed integrally with the holder 121. The sprin 125 is interposed between said holder and t e horizontal arm of the bracket 123 and retained against displacement in any suitable manner.

It was previously pointed out that the knife 101 moves rearward y into enga ement with the inner face of the rear wall 0 the carton. For the latter purpose, the cartons'are each formed in a manner well understood in the art, with one fla shortened to permit the knife to en age t h as aforesai The forward and rearward or horizontal reciprocating movement of the knife 101 is derived from the cam groove 109 in which is engaged a roller 127 that is journaled on an arm 128 intermediate the opposite ends thereof. The arm 128, in turn, is journaled on the shaft 112, and the free end of said arm is pivotally connected with one extremity of a link 129. The op iosite extremity of the link 129 is pivotally qonnected with the free end of an arm 130 forming part of a bell e rear wall "of the cartoncrank that is journaled on the shaft '114. I

The other part or arm'131 of this bell crank has its free end pivotally connected with one extremity of a ink 132. The olpposite extremit of the link 132 is ivota y connected wit the slide 119 whic through its described connections with the cam oove 109, is reciprocated horizontal? to t ereby impart like motion to the kni e 101.

The ockets 41, 41' supplied with cartons by the eeders 79, 80, respectively, carry said cartons in succession past means for recollalpsing the same. This recollapsing means i 2) is similar in construction to that descri ed in m copending application Serial No. 351,930, ed April 2, 1929, and includes a recollapsing element 133 extendin angularl to and across the path of trave of the poo ets in staggered relation with the parts 57, 58 thereof. The element 133 is bent rearwardly and angularlyas at 134 to enga e the cartons and recolla se them in the poc ets. It will be remem red thatthe parts 57 of the pockets are closed by the springs 62 when they have traveled past the second carton feeding mechanism 80. In order to provide for collapsing of the cartons in the pockets, however, the parts 58 thereof are assaaao pockets by engagement of the parts 57, 58

with diagonally opposed corners of the cartons.

As each pocket with a carton supported therein approaches the recollapsing means, the roller 68 on the arm 67 of sand pocket, en gages a fixed cam rail 135 supported in any suitable manner transversely of, and below,

the path of travel of the 0ckets.- Engagement of the roller 68 with said cam rail swings the rear parts 58 of the pocket in a clockwise direction (Fig. 2). The forward part of the cam rail 135 terminates in an abruptly and outwardly directed portion 136,

and when the roller 68 is disengaged therefrom, rear parts 58 of the pocket are closed by the spring 63 and reopen the carton in the ocket. y

T e reopened cartons are. successively transferred from the pockets onto the successive holders or forms 39 of the carton sealing machine, and any suitable means may be employed for so transferring the cartons. As herein disclosed, the parts 58 of the pockets are provided with bosses 58 in which are slidabl mounted vertical rods 137 that are retaine against rotation by any suitable means for this purpose. Mounted on the rods 137 are springs 138 which, throu h engagement of their opposite ends with the top parts 58 and horizontally extendin arms 139 fixed on the upper ends of the r s 137, normally tend to hold said rods and arm in raised position.

The arms 139 have secured to or formed integrally therewith, depending holders 140, on t e lower ends of which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured, strippers 141 that are normally raised above the pockets. These strippers are adapted to be moved downwardl and successively transfer the cartons from t e pockets 41, 41' to the successive elements 39 of the carton sealing machine. For this urpose, the rods 137 have mounted on the ower ends thereof, rollers 142 successively adapted to engage an inclined cam rail 143 .that successively lowers the strippers and likewise transfers the cartons from the successive pockets onto the successive forms or supports 39. The cam rail 143 is sup orted in any suitable manner by the machine iiamework and when the rollers 142 are successively disengaged from the lower forward end of said cam rail, the rods 137 and strippers 141 are likewise raised through the action of the springs 138. I

The operation of the machine will be readily understood from the foregoing and may be briefly summarized-as follows. The ockets 41, 41' are opened before they reac the carton feeding mechanism 79, and as said with cartons.

pockets travel ast said mechanism, the latterv successively de ivers opened cartons into the alternate pockets 41. The alternate pockets 41 remain open and receive cartons from the carton feeding mechanism 80, whereupon the latter pockets are closed as they travel forwardly of said mechanism. The pockets 41 traveling past the carton feeding mechanism 80 remain closed and the pockets 41, 41 all travel successively past the recollapsing means 68 which successivel recollapses the cartons as previously descri ed. -Each ocket is opened by the cam 135, to provi e for collapsing of t e cartons therein, whereupon the pocket is closed to reopen the carton therein. The; reopened cartons are then successively transferred by the strippers 141 to successive supports or. forms 39 of the carton sealing machine conveyor.

It will appear from the foregoing, that by increasing the number of cams and pockets, any desired number of carton feeding mechanisms can be provided to supply the pockets It will further appear, that devices embodying the present invention may be associated singly or together with any instrumentality to which it is desired to feed cartons.

It is'therefore to be expressly understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment thereof herein. disclosed, or otherwise than by the .terms of the appended claims.

What is claimed is 1. In a carton feeding machine, a pluralit of mechanisms each adapted to open and a Vance cartons, and a plurality of pockets all movable past each of said mechanisms and adapted to selectively receive the open cartons advanced thereby.

2. In "a carton feeding machine, a pair of mechanisms each ada ted to open and advance cartons, and a movable past both 0 said mechanisms and alternately receiving the open cartons advanced thereby respectively.

3. In a carton feeding machine, a pair of mechanisms each adapted .to open and advance cartons, and a plurality of pockets all movable along a closed path past both of said mechanisms and alternately receiving the urality of pockets all.

open cartons advanced thereby respectively.

plurality of carton supplies, a carton sealing machine, means for carrying cartons successively from the plurality of means to the carton sealing machine and comprising a plurality of movable carton supporting pockets adapted to receive the cartons from said plurality of means, and means for transferring the cartons successively from said pockets to said carton sealing machine.

6. In anjapparatus of the character described, a lurality of means each adapted to feed and open cartons successively, a carton sealing-machine, means for carrying the open cartons from the plurality of feeding and opening means to the carton sealing machine and comprising a plurality of continuously moving carton supporting pockets ada ted to receive the open cartons from said fee ing and o ning means, and means for transferring t e cartons successively from said pockets onto successive continuously trl'laveling elements of said carton sealing ma: 0 me.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of means each adapted to feed cartons from one of a plurality of carton sup lies, a carton conveyor, means for carrying t e cartons from the plurality of feeding means to the carton conveyor and comprising a lurality of movable carton supporting poc ets each adapted to receive a carton from one of said plurality of feeding mean; and means for transferring the cartons successively from said pockets to said carton conveyor.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of means each adapted to feed cartons successively, a carton conveyor,

means for carrying the cartons successively fromthe :plurality of feeding means to the carton conveyor and comprising a plurality of movable carton supporting pockets adapted to receive the cartons from said plurality of feeding means, means arranged between the carton feeding means and the conveyor and adapted to successively collapse cartons supported in the pockets, means forming opposed parts of the ockets relatively movab e to provide for col apsing and reopening of the cartons supported therein, and means for transferring the reopened cartonsv succes sively from the pockets to said carton conveyor. v

9. ha carton feeding machine, a plurality of movable carton supporting pockets adapted to travel continuously one after another along a closed path and a pluralityof carton sup ly and feeding means arranged adjacent the path of travel ofthe pockets and adapted to deliver cartons into said pockets selectively.

10. In a carton feeding machine,.an endless chain or belt having a lurality of carton supporting pockets fixed t ereon,'means for liver cartons into alternate chain or belt.

11. In a carton feeding machine, an endless chain or belt havin dis osed in a substantial y horizontal plane, a p uralit of carton supporting pockets secured on the chain or belt to travel therewith, means for imparting motion to the chain or belt and said pockets, and a air of carton feeding mechanisms arrange sides of the chain or belt respective y and each adapted to deliver-cartons into alternate pockets on the chain or belt.

12. In an apparatus of the character described, an endless chain or belt, a plurality of carton supporting kets secured on the chain or belt to trave therewith, means for imparting motion to the'chain or belt and said pockets, a pair of carton feeding mechanisms arranged at opposite sides of the chain or belt respectively and each adapted to depockets on the all of its reaches at opposite chain or belt, a carton conveyor at one end of the chain or belt, and means for transferring the cartons successively from the pockets to said carton conveyor.

13. In a carton feedin machine, a plurality of carton feeding mec anisms, a plurality o carton supporting pockets each arranged to travel past all of said feeding mechanisms and adapted to be opened and closed, means for opening each pocket adjacent one of the feeding mechanisms to receive a carton therefrom, and means for closing the pockets on the cartons therein.

14. In a carton feedin machine, a plurali? of carton feeding mec anisms, a plurality o carton supporting pockets each arranged to travel past all of said feeding mechanisms and adapted to be opened and closed, levers on the pockets,-cam means for operating the levers to open each pocket adjacent one of the carton feeding mechanisms and rovide for delivery of a carton from said mec anism into the pocket, and spring means for closing the pockets on the cartons therein.

15. In a carton feedin machine, a plurality of continuously trave ing carton supporting pockets adapted to be opened and closed, a P

urality of carton supply and feeding mechanisms for delivering cartons into the pockets selective! and means for selectively,

ity of movable pockets adapted to be opened and closed, a air of carton feeding mechanisms each a apted to deliver cartons mto alternate pockets, and means for opening and closing the pockets to receive and grip the cartons therein res ectively.

18. In a carton eedin machine a plurality of movable pockets a apted to be opened and closed, a pair of carton feeding mechanisms each adapted to deliver cartons into alternate pockets, means for opening the pockets traveling ast the first carton feeding mechanism an adapted to hold alternate pockets open until they have traveled past the second carton feeding mechanism, means for .closing alternate pockets after they have received cartons from the first carton feeding mechanism, and means for closing alternate pockets after they have received cartons from the second carton feeding mechanism.

19. A carton feeding machine including a plurality of pockets arranged to travel one after another along a closed path and a plurality of feeding mechanisms at opposite sides of said path and each adapted to deliver cartons in the-pockets selectively as they travel past said mechanisms.

20. A carton feeding machine including a series of pockets travelling continuously one after another along a'closed path and a pair of carton feeding mechanisms each adapted to deliver cartons from one of a pair of carton supplies in alternate pockets of said series respectively.

21. A carton feeding machine including a plurality of pockets travelling continuously one after another along a closed path and a plurality of means past each of which all of the pockets travel and each adapted .to deliver open cartons in the pockets selectively as said pockets move in succession past said plurality of means.

22. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of mechanisms each adapted to feed cartons successively from one of a plurality of supplies thereof, and a plu rality of pockets all travelling continuously past each of said mechanisms and selectively receiving the cartons fed thereb 23. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of mechanisms each adapted to open and advance cartons, a plurality of pockets all travelling continuously past each of said mechanisms and selectively receiving open cartons advanced thereby, and means for successively removing the cartons from said pockets.

24. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of mechanisms for separating, opening, and advancing cartons, a plurality of pockets all movable past each of said mechanisms and adapted to selectively receive open cartons separated and advanced thereby, and means for removing the open cartons from the pockets'successively.

25. In an ap'paratusof the character described, a plurality of mechanisms each supplying cartons successively, a plurality of pockets all movable past each of said mechanisms and selectively receiving the cartons supplied thereby, a movable device adjacent the path of travel of the pockets, and means for transferring the cartons from said pockets successively to said movable device.

26. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of mechanisms each adapted to supply open cartons successively, a series of pockets all movable one after anotherl past each of said mechanisms and adapted to selectively receive the cartons supplied thereby, means for removing the open cartons from the pockets successively, and a movable device onto which the cartons are delivered successively by said means.

27. In an apparatus of the character described, a' plurality of mechanisms each adapted to supply cartons successively, an endless series of pockets all movable past each of said mechanisms and into which the cartons are delivered selectivelfy; thereby, means for removing the cartons om the pockets successively, and a movable device on which the cartons are successively delivered by said means.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification.

CHARLES F. RICHARD.

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