US2006147A - Machine for packing flat packets and the like - Google Patents

Description

n 25, 1935- M. PARIDON MACHINE FOR PACKING FLAT PACKETS AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 50, 1934 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 25, 1935. M. PARIDON 2,006,147

MACHINE FOR PACKING FLAT PACKETS AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. so, 1954' 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 m 7 MTV/607;) 7 75 5%7Drcer/ I69 WM ym yam Jun 25, 1935. M. PARIDON 2,006,147

MACHINE F03 PACKING FLAT PACKETS AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 30, 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 25, 1935. M. PARIDON 2,005,147 MACHINE FOR PACKING FLAT PACKETS AND THE LIKE 1 7 Filed Jan. 30, 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 v Q La LQ Q n 8 E Q g N ,l ru/c -ralovp June 25, 1935. M. PARIDON V '2', 4 MACHINE FOR PACKING FLAT PACKETS AND THE LIKE I Filed Jan. 30, 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 25, 1935- M. PARIDON 2,006,147

l MACHINE \FOR PACKING FLAT PACKETS AND THE LIKE Filed Jan.'50, 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 175- 1&7 12;

June 25, 1935. M. PARIDON MACHINE FOR PACKING FLAT PACKETS AND THE LIKE '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Jan. 30, 1954 Patented June 25, 1935 STATE "MACHINE FOR PACKING FLATPACKETS AND THE LIKE Michael gParidon Barberton johio, assignor to- The Diamond Match Gompany, New York,

7 "N. Y., a corporation offMaryland Application January 30, 1934, Serial No. 708,963

I v 24 Claims.

Thisinvention relates to a'machine forpacking flat packets, such as book or card matches, which machineis especially, though not exclusively, designed for use inconnection with a book-match i making machine embodying parallel delivery troughs along which the articles are advanced. In each of the troughs match books of tapering fiat form are aligned in upright end position, face to face, with the large or head ends of adjacent books oppositely-disposed, that is to say,.the endwise positions of alternate books of the row are reversed as to the match heads. The principal object of. my invention is to provide a machine whereby succeeding leadingpackets of two con- I currently advancing rows are removed in a uniform and orderly manner and progressively assembled in two separate rows comprising each a predetermined number of packets, and whereby the-two rows of packets thus assembled are arranged: in close parallel relation and-then packed in a commercial carton; the .various mechanisms of the packing machine operating automatically and in timedrelation to each other.

- With this object in view, and others which will presently appear, theinvention embodies fea tures ofconstruction and organization, and principles of operation, which will be'hereinafter described; the scope of the invention then being expressed in: the appended claims.

"In'the'drawings-' i Figure 1 is a side elevation of a packing machine embodying a form --of my invention, the mechanisms being shown intheir relative positions immediately upon the assembly of two separate rows of articles preparatory to their asso- :ciation.- i a Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the machine.

" "Fig; 3 is a-horizontal section of the machine, as onthe line 3-3 of Fig. l.

Fig. i'is a similar section, as onthe line 4-4 *of Fig. 1.

.-Fig. 5 is alongitudinal vertical section, as on the line 5-5 of Fig. 24 1 Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical section of the machine, asonqthe line, 6--6 of Fig. l. i

Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical section, as'on the line l'l of Fig. l', but showing the mechanisms intheirrelative positions during the packing of the-associated rows of articles in a container.

Fig.8 is a partial plan of a slotted bridge struc ture, including. its assembly chambers, showthe article supply troughs at the respective sides ofthe structure,reciprocative.ejectors for transferring the leading articles from the troughs wto the respective chambers; pusher and backer (o1. saw-4) rods vfor the articles as they are progressively delivered to-and alinged in the'assembly chambers, and lifters for the rows of assembled articles.

1 Fig. 9 is a vertical section'through-the bridge structure and adjuncta as ;on the line.9-9-.of Fig. 8, but showing the lifters intheirlupward strokes advancing the opposing rows oiarticles to and upon the doorsof the bridge throauand also showing the presser members for aligning the rows in close parallel relation above; ,me

throat. I i

v Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a match packet.

Fig. 11 Ba plan of a commercial carton, with match packets assembled therein inrparallel rows. The -main supporting frame of the form, of packing machine illustrated in the. drawings com: prises a base spaced parallel standards, 2 Lrising from the base, and, spaced transversecross bars 22 for the standards. .These standardshave formed on their upper lateral portions outward extensions 23 upon which are respectively supported the outer ends of two spaced; parallel dis.- charge troughs 24 which may extend; from.:a match-book machine or other source ,of book.- match supply. The troughs supportandguide in-parallel rows the match books (or other packets) which are being progressively delivered to the receiving ends of the .trougha'with the tapering fiat backs of each row. of books in upright end position, face .toface, and with the. large or head ends of adjacent books oppositely disposed; in order to ensure a uniform and compact assembly of the books.

Alongthe. bottoms of the respective troughs are the upper runs of travelling endless chains =25which receive the lower edges of the match books and frictionally advance the books through the troughs to the outer end walls 26 of the latter where predetermined numbers of the leading books are progressively separated from the respective rows in' the troughs and positioned in assembly chambers, 27, at the sides of the packing machine; Y g i A commercial book match carton, as commonly used, contains fifty books arranged in twoad- ,jacent equal rows, and thereforethepresent ma- ;chine has been so designed that ineach operat- 'ing'cyc1e thereof twenty-five of the reversely disposed books are transferred from each trough to the adjacent assembly chamber. To this 1 end mechanism is provided whereby the leadingbooks of each, row are shifted in succeedingpairs from the trough into the adjacent assembling chamber until twentyfour books have been separated from :the row and assembled, whereupon a single leadings in one side of the main frame.

ing book of the row is pushed from the trough into the chamber to complete the count. The transfer mechanisms of the respective troughs are designed to effect the simultaneous transference of match books from the troughs to the respective chambers. Each of the transfer mechanisms in a desired form includes a bifurcated ejector head 28 which is reciprocative horizontally through the adjacent trough, the walls of which latter are vertically slotted, as at 29, to permit thefree passage of the head. The head is afllxed to an upstanding lug 30 on a horizontal slide 3| which is guided in ways 32 on an outwardly projecting shelf 33 whereof the flange 34 is fastened on the extension of the adjacent frame standard. This shelf is slotted, as at 35, for the free passage of a depending roll 36 on the slide, which roll is operatively received by the race of a cam 91 fast on one end of a transverse shaft 38 extending transversely of the machine and continuously driven in any suitable manner during the transference of the books to the assembly chambers. The cam races for the respective slides are of corresponding form but in opposite relation, and therefore during the rotation of the cams the slides are reciprocated in opposite directions to each other.

As herein illustrated the shaft 38 has its bearings in the frame standards'and also in hubs 39 on the flanges 34 of the respective shelves. This shaft has fast thereon a bevel gear 40 in mesh with a similar gear 4| on the upper end of a vertical shaft 42 which has its bearings in a bracket v43 at one side of the main frame. Fast on the lowerend'of the shaft 42 is a bevel gear 44 in mesh with a similar gear 45'loose on a longitudinally disposed drive shaft 46 having its bear- The shaft 46 has fast thereon a pulley 41 which is connected with and driven from a suitable source of power. The bevel gear 45 is periodically connected to and released from the drive shaft by suitable clutch mechanism presently described. When suchgear is clutched on the shaft 46 motion is transmitted at corresponding speed from the latter to the transverse shaft 38 and its cams 31, and

therefore the slides 3| together with their ejectors 28, are simultaneously reciprocated transversely of the respectivetroughs 24; it being noted that the contour of the races of the earns 31 is such that in one half rotation of the cams the slides are moved inward, andin the remaining half rotation they are retracted.

As herein illustrated the bevel gear 45 is backed by a collar 48 fast on the drive shaft 46, and the hub on the opposite side of the gear is provided with a clutch member 49 in cooperative relation to a complementary clutch-member 50 on a sleeve which is splined on the shaft 46 for sliding movement toward and from the clutch member of the gear hub. I The sleeve is formed with a circumferential groove 52 which receives rolls 53 on the upstanding members 54 of the bifurcated upper end of a rocker arm 55 which is fulcrumed at its lower end on a shaft 56 fixed between brackets 51 on the frame base 20. The hub of the (See Figs.

The'cam shaft 6 3 is driven in timed relation to the drive shaft 46 through a suitably-disposed train of reducing gears between the two shafts, the gear train shown comprising a small gear 65 on the drive shaft in mesh with'a larger gear 66 on a lower shaft 61 parallel with the drive shaft;

odically moved toefiect the sliding engagement of the sleeve clutch 56 with the gear clutch 49 and maintain the clutching actionfor a half rotation of the cam 6|, and then to effect the disengaging relation of the clutches and maintain such relative position thereof during the succeeding half rotation of the cam.

From the foregoing it will be seen that when the bevel gear 45 is clutched to the drive shaft 46 the upper cam shaft 38 makes thirteen rotations to each half rotation of the lower cam shaft 63 and then rests during the succeeding half rotation of the shaft 63; During the rotational period of the upper cam shaft 38 twenty-five books are transferred from each of the book troughs 24 to the adjacent assembly chamber 21, and during the idle period of such cam shaft the books are transferred from the two chambers to an upper level where they are uniformly arranged in close parallel relation and then efficiently packed in an underlying carton (C), as will hereinafter appear.

The acting end of each of the bookejectors 28 is of sufficient width to engage two opposing books at the discharge end of the adjacent trough, and

hence during each inward stroke of the ejector the two opposing leading books are simultaneously pushed from the trough assembly chamber 21. 1

When each 'of theejectors 28 has made twelve reciprocations, and therefore transferred twentyfour books to the adjacent assembly 'chambena single leading book 'is pushed from the trough into the chamber, thus completing the row of twenty-five assembled books. To this end mechanism is provided to push the leading book in the trough slightly rearward so that it alone will be in the path of the acting end of the ejector. The mechanism illustrated for this purpose comprises a horizontally reciprocative rod 13 whereof the free end is seated in the perforated outer end wall 26 of the trough to'be movable against the opposing face of the leading book which 'is seated in the path of the ejector 28. The outer end of the rod 13 is pivotally connected to the top of an upstanding arm14 fast on a' transverse rock-shaft 15 which has its bearings. in the outer ends of the frame standards. The arms for the two rods are fixed at the respective ends of the shaft 15. Fast on this shaft is" a depending arm 16 having at its lower end a roll 11 which is'normally held by means of a suitably disposed spring 18 against the flat face of a cam 19 on the lower cam shaft 63 previously described. I

In this face of the'cam 19 is a suitably-located socket 96 which reaches the roll 11 immediately upon the delivery of twenty-four books to each 'of the assembly chambers, whereupon the roll is caused to enter the socket by the retractive action of the spring 18 on the depending lever arm 16.

Consequently this arm is swung slightly outward and the rocker shaft 15 is partially turned clockinto the adjacent chambers; "it being noted that the bifurcated actingpoition of each ejector embraces the in- Wardly projecting end of the adjacent rod. In the next succeeding backward strokes of the respective ejectors, the bevel gear 45 is unclutched from the drive shaftMi; thus temporarily stopping the upper cam' shaft38 and therewith the operation of the electors; a'r'id'v'vhen the socket 813 in the face of the cam '18 escapes the roll H the arms 14 andlG are actuated by the opposing cam face "to retractthe respective'rods 13 to their original outward positions and therein hold them during a'complete rotationof the shaft'63, whereupon the socket will againreceive the roll.

- Thefloors of the assembly chambers 21 are at the'same level as the floors of the adjacent book troughs so as to receive and support the lower ends of the match books as theyaretransferred by the electors from thetroughs to the chambers, which floors are constituted by'the heads 8! of oppositely swinging T-arrns 82 when the latter are indownward position, as will be hereinafter described. The ends of the chambers are formed by the'lower vertical portions of the two spaced parallelwalls B3 of a bridge structure which is bolted to the respective frame standards, the space between the walls substantially corresponding in length with that of a row of twenty-five match books.

" The bridge walls 83 are rounded at their ends, as at 84, and have rectangular openings 85 in their body portions. The inner side of each wall is formed or otherwise provided with curved ribs BE 'a-djacent to and concentric with the respective ends of the wall, each of which ribs extends through an arc of aboutQO". The ribs of one wall correspond in form with the adjacent ribs of the other wall, and are edgewise spaced to provide between the walls two oppositely curved cen trally slotted bridge trackswhich rise from the respective assembly chambers and terminate at a horizontal level adjacent'thetops of the vertical sides of-the openings BELthus affording a throat 81 between the upper ends of thetwo tracks. The throat is provided with a movable barrier, comprising inthe present instance a pair of normallyclosed swinging doors 8B which are hinged at their outer ends; as at 89, to and between the side walls "of the bridge structure. The-doors are maintained yieldingly in horizontal or closing position across the throat by suitable torsional springs 90 which are secured-to the pintles of the doors and to the adjacent bridge walls (see Figs. 3, 5, 8

'The'lower portions of the tracksflfi are positioned to affordend abutments'and horizontal guides for the match books asahd when the books are transferred to the respectiveassembly'chambers by thereciprocating bifurcated ejectors 28.

Mechanism is provided to maintain the match books (13) in upright position within each of'the assembly chambers and'advance the books therea'long'asthe books'are being progressively assembled in a row in the chamber. In the present instance this mechanismincludes two "opposed horizontallyreciprocativerods 9| and 92 which -*are guidedin perforations in the respectiveend walls of each ofthe assembly chambers. The rod EH is seated in the end wall atthe receiving end. of the chamber and isreciprocative with a stroke equal to the width of two booksseated in the assembly chamber, thereby bearing against the i opposing books in succession and pushing them bodily along the chamberas rapidly as they are received thereby. The rods 9| for the respective chambers may be termed push rods.

The means illustrated for reciprocating the two push rods si in timed relation to the respective ejectors 23 comprises a pair of spaced counterpart cams 93 fast on the upper cam shaft =38; Horizontal plungers 94. which are slidably mounted in one of the upper cross-bars 22,'are'he1d with their inner ends yieldingly in contact with the respective cams 93 by means of suitably-disposed springs95. The'outer ends of these plung cm are pivotally connected, as at'96, with the lower arms of a pair of vertical rock levers-9l which are fulcrumed, at 98, on the respective frame standards, and the upper ends of the levers are pivotally connected, in turn, with the respective push rods 9!. 1 v

' The rod 92 is seated in jth'e bridge wall at the remote end of the assembly chamber, and is gradually moved along and substantially throughout the length of the chamber. The free or acting'end of the rod 92 is initially positioned adjacent "the receiving end of the chamber to f ejectors 28 comprises a cam 99 fast on the adjacent end'of the lower cam shaft 63, the race lllfl of the cam having a dwell portion 16! "extending about one-half of its circumference and oppositely-inclined acting portions N32 communicating with the respective ends of the dw'ellportion and converging to a short dwell portion 103.

' Operatively fitted in the race Hill of the cam 99 is a roll HM on the lower end of a depending arm 185 which is fast on a transverse rockershaft i063 having its bearings in rearward ektensions Hi! of the frame standards. This shaft IM' has secured thereto a pair of spaced upstanding arms 5% whereof the upper ends are pivotally connected by links I09 to the outer ends ofthe respective backer rods 92. Hence during the rotation of the cam 99 the two backer rods are simultaneously actuated and controlled, that it to say, when'the respective assembly chambers have received their full quota of match books, the backer rods arefully retracted by the engagement'of v the roll HM with the dwell portion ml of the cam race; which condition of the rods obtains during a, half rotation of the cam. Immediately thereafter the outwardly inclined portion "I02 of the cam race receives the roll HM and retracts it and its arm 35 during substantially a quarter rotation of the cam, thus gradually advancing th backer rods within the assembly chambers until the free ends of the rods are adjacentthe paths of the" respective ejectors 28 and in position to serve as back supports for the first pairs "of match books entered in'the respective chambers. Thereupon theroll I04 rides on the'sho'rt dwell portion I03 at the apex of the inclined portionscf the cam race and the backer rods are at rest, during which interval the first books are transferred by the ejectors 28 from the troughs to the respective chambers. The following inclined portion I02 of the cam race then receives the roll I04 which together with its arm is swung inward during a quarter rotation of the cam 99, thus gradually retracting the two backer rods 9 timed relation to the entry of the succeeding books in the assembly chambers. At the completion of the cycle of the cam 99 the dwell portion IOI of the cam race I00 again receives the roll I04 of the rocker-arm I05, and so on during the operation of themachine the periodic inward and outward movements and dwells of the backer rods are effected. I v

The relation of the race I00 of the cam 99 to that of the clutch control cam BI, hereinbefore described, is such that when the clutch sleeve 5| is actuated to release from the drive shaft 46 the bevel gear 45 which is included-in the transmission gearing for the upper cam shaft 38, the

dwell portion II of the cam 99 engages the roll I04 of the rocker arm I05, and therefore the operation of the mechanism for transferring the books from the troughs to the assembly chambers, together with that of the mechanism for actuating the pusher rods 9| at the receiving ends of the chambers, is suspended during the inactive intervals ofthe retracted backer rods 92 at the opposite ends of the chambers. I

In each of these inactive intervals the two rows of assembled books are bodily lifted from the respective chambers 21 and swung upward and toward each other upon the respective tracks 86 by actuation of the oscillatory T-arms 82 hereinbefore referred to. In this upward movement of the T-arms the two rows of books are swung thereby through opposite arcs of 90 respectively, thus partially turning the rows and compactly positioning them upon the doors 88 for the throat I" at the upper ends of the tracks, and with the books of the respective rows in close end to end relation preparatory to their delivery as a unit to a carton located beneath the throat, as will presently appear.

As illustrated the shanks of the T-arms 82 are fast on a pair of spaced parallel rockershafts IIO having their axes coincident with the centers from which the respective trackways are described. These shanks extend radially and freely through the slots between thetracks, and the heads 8| of the arms overlie and travel in proximity to the adjacent tracks during th swinging motion of the T-arms.

The shafts I I0 have their bearings in the walls of the bridge structure andin brackets III secured to the frame standards. These shafts are provided, adjacent the .brackets, with outwardly extending crank arms H2 which are pivotally connected, asat II3, to the upper ends of two rods H4 which depend adjacent the machine base 20 and are shaped to overlap at their lower extremities directly below the axis of the lower a suitable cam race I I9 in the face of the cam ill on theshaft- 63, the contour of the race being such that duringthe rotation of the cam BI the roll H8 and therewith the rods III are periodically raised and lowered in a manner to.

oscillate the shafts H0, and their respective T- arm. The shafts IIO are actuated and controlled immediately upon the complete assembly of the rows of. books in the respective chambers 21. and while the book ejectors 28-and the pusher and backer rods 9| and 92, respectively, are at rest.

As an efficient means to bar the entry of books of the respective rows into the slots of the curved trackways of the bridge structure, not'only when the books are being entered in and moved along the assembly chambers .21, but also while the rowsare being swung upward to position them above the discharge throat/81 of the structure, a resilient guard blade I20 is affixed at one'end to thehub of each of the T-arms 82, so that normally the outer or free end of the blade extends slightly in advance of the radial acting face of the head III. This blade end is positioned to travel freely in the slot'with theextremity of the blade flush with the upper face of the track. Preferably a reinforcing leaf spring I2I is secured at itslower end to the base of the blade I29 and to the adjacent hub'so as to exert pressure against the inner-face of the guard blade. (See Figs. 8 and 9).

By the construction just described it will be seen that the'spaced free ends of the guard blades I20 serve to bar the accidental entry in the respective slots of any of the books situated at the mouths of the slots, not only during the assembly of thebooks in the respective chambers, but also during the upward travel of the books between the walls of the bridge positions with the acting radial faces of the heads 8| in close relation to the doors. This done, the T-arms, together with the guard springs, are retracted from the doors, and permitted to assume their relative downward positions in the bridge structure. I

As an efficient means to position the two rows of books uniformly and in close parallel relation when they have been placed upon the closed throat doors, preparatory to the delivery of the associated books thorugh the throat to an un-x derlying carton or other appropriate commer-; cial container, a pair of elongated presser members' are mounted and arranged for swinging movement toward and from the respective sides of the throat in timed relation to the T-arms, so as yieldingly to embrace the two rows of books when they have been moved to and upo the throat doors by the T-arms. 1

In the construction illustrated each of the presser members comprises a plate I22 having an upstanding acting portion I23 at its inner end, and a pair of pivot receiving lugs I24 at its outer end, which plate is approximately as wide as the space between the inner walls of the bridge structure so as to be freely movable therebetween in respect to the curved book supporting tracks. The lugs are pivoted, as at I25, to the lower end of a depending arm I26 which is loose on a rock shaft I21 journaled in spaced upright members I28 on theiadjacent' frame standard. Fast on the shaft I21 adjacent the hub of the arm I26, is. a depending actuating foot I29 having a lateral toe I30 which lies in contact new. .nmximi yto t e huhi the tuatin f t I28.- (S Fi s-.1 2,1 37; nti

'. Cerresp nd ns vmoun ed epe din arm I 2.5

forthe respec Presser member are enmlo ed,

' h actua ins. t I29 forthe espective rm b n pp sitely. dispos d as. shown,- 'Ihesearm .126 arec nn ct dhy atension sprin 13.2 which maintains. them .yieldingly .incontact with, the "toes 43.0 .of the respective feet I29.

. The .inneror acting. ends Qfthe presser members areprovided'with projections or studs; 230' which arideupon and .are .supportedby. the upper edgesof the bridge walls 03. during. the reciprocation ofsuch. members toward. andwfromeach other. These edgescompri e horizontahportions 23I' which support. the studs to maintainthe. respective .presser. members with their acting ends I23 in the plane of the books, above the throat, d. also c m ri e. suitably-dispo ed. r sedcam portions 232 which lift the ,studszand the presser members to position the acting endsof the latter above, the paths. of. the books on the; trackways as and whenthe presserv members approach and reach. the limits of their outward strokes, as hereinafter described.

The two rock shafts I21 haveaflixed thereto the outer ends of inwardly extending arms I 33, respectively, whereof the inner ends are provided with meshing gear sectors-134,;- and hence when oneof the shafts I21-is partially turned, the

companion shaft. is similarly; turned, but in an opposite direction. Fast on one of the shafts I21 isthe inner. end ofan outwardly extending arm I35 which is pivotally connected bya link I36 with a rocker arm I31 extending from alower transverse shaft I38 journaled in bearings inthe frame standards. On this shaft I38 is secured arms l33.

.uIn the extended interval. when the concentric :Dortion 1.42 of theti l race 4' isensased ith the roll I 40 the. a m 13$..i .main i dq ni raised position to retract the actuating feet I29 andpermit .the arms. I26 through their spring 1 connection. I32 to move .the presser members yieldingly toward each-other; and inthe relatively short interval when the depression, I43 is passing the roll .I4.0 .therocker arm. I39 is low- -ered and raised by the. retractive force of the spring I32 through the, connections between. the

upper rockvshafts andthelower rock-shaft Whentheroll I40 .15 in the .depression and the rock arm I39..is.lowere.d,.the actuating feet..I29

and the opposingv arms IZS wWiththeir pivoted 'presser members are in outer positions with the r projectionsor. studs 230 resting on the cam portions.232of thebridgestruoture, thus supportins -.th ipr s r memb rs above the pa hs. of h 'Tsarmssand the books during .the succeeding upward and return strokes of the T arms, The

depression receives the..rol1:..l4.0 until. the two row r-b oks a n u u ward nt placedv upon the throat doors by the T-ar whereupon as these arms swing back ard the depression recedes from, and the concentric portionj l4 2fof the cam race co-acts with.the roll,

h s ra s n h r a m .9 ndefi c n the outward movement of the actuating feet IZQ to permit the spring to retract the arms I25 .and their respective presser members.L Intheinitial inward movements of thesepresser members their studs. 230-;pass from the cam portions 232 110 the lowerhorizontal portions 23I of the bridge walls, and in consequence the presser members drop into the horizontal plane of the books previously positioned on the doors, so that in thepontinuance of their inward movements said members bear s uar myet yi ld ly. a ainst the pposin rows sf books and centrally align them above the b id th a n he r n movem ts o h n es er m ers as. t y pp o ch 1 h irpu e l mits. suc m m r a a s d y h pas a e-9 their projections. or studs 230 onthe respective 08.111'901110113232 01 the bridge walls.-

While the presser members are embracing the associated books the latter are depressed as. a unit to open the doors and pass thence through the throat 81 into a suitably positioned carton, as will presently appear. The rock-arm, I39 .is held in raised position by'the concentric portion I42 of the cam race during each succeedingldownward and upward stroke of the T-arms, and also in the intermediate interval when the arms are in down position and the match books arebeing transferred to and arranged in the respective assembly chambers.

The means herein illustratedfor movin the associated .rows of books through the;. .brl. e throat, against the. resilient action of the doors 80, comprises. a vertically reciprocative plunger M4 which is guided in a bracket structure 14} secured to one. of the frame standards. The lower acting surface of the plunger, which normally overlies the throat 81 in a plane above that of the associated rows of books, corresponds in dimensions with the opposing area of the books embraced by the parallel acting portions I23 of thepresser members. The upper. end of this plunger .is pivotally connected' by a link QIQG.

to the inner ends of a pair of inwardly-ektending arms I41 which are affixed at their outer ends to the respective rock-shafts I21. Hence during the oscillatory motion of the shafts I21, .asthe depression. I43 of the cam race I4I ,receivesand recedes from the roll I40, of the rockTarmI I38, the plunger I44 is depressed and raised respectively. In its yieldable down stroke the plunger evenly presses theunderlying books upon the doors .88 .0f. the bridge throat in a manner to in e opr n n an ater utwa d. thereby forcing the books uniformly throughthe throat and into a properly positioned carton, as

will now., be descriloed. (See Figs, 1, 2, 3,. 5, 6 and '7 I s I A vertically-reciprocative carriage constituting a carton supporting andfeeding structure .e xjtends longitudinally of the machine directlyblow the bridge throat. This structurecompri ses a substantial bar I48 which has ,up-turned bifurcated end extensions I49 and issecuredto {a pair ofspaoed vertical rods I50whi'ch] are slidahly f tted inthe cross-bars 22 of the mainframe. These rods support at their upper ends a horizontal open-endtrough I5I which extends free- 1y through the openings in the bridgeewalls. The lower ends of therods I50 are connected I12 designates a carton-supply trough 'located by a cross-head I 52, the extremities'of which are "provided with rolls I53 fitted in corresponding camra'ces I54, one of which is formed in the inner face of the gear 12 and the other in the inner face of the cam GI on the lower cam shaft 63, which races are of such formation asjto effect ithe raising and lowering'of the rods I58 and their appurtenances in timed relation to the operation of the plunger I44.

Journaled in the end extensions of the bar I48 areftwo parallel cross shafts I55, I56, respectively.f Faston these shafts are sprocket wheels I51 about which pass a pair of intermittently movable spaced conveyor chains I58, whereof the upper runs I59 travel in parallel guideways I68 ex tending along the-bottom of the trough II. These chains areprovided on their outer faces with regularly spaced lugs or projections 260 'which are arranged in pairs to abut against each successive carton (C) imposed, mouth up, upon the upper runs of the chains, at one end of the trough, and then to advance the carton directly to and beneath the bridge throat in a position to receiveth-e'a ssociated books as they are depressed by theplunger I44. 7 p

1 In the present instance the shaft I55 has fast ther'e'ona'. ratchet wheel I6I with the teeth of whichco -acts a spring-pressed pawl I62 pivoted on a rock-arm I63 loose on the shaft I55. This arm I63 is pivotally connected by means of an outwardly extending link I64 with the upstanding arm I65 of a lever which is fulcrumed on a'transverse shaft I66 fixed in brackets I61 on the adjacent ends of the frame standards. The depending arm I68 of the lever is provided with a roll I69 which is operatively fitted in a race informed in the cam 19 on the lower cam shaft 63", which race is .of such formation in relation i to the cam racesi54 cfthe gear 12 and cam 6|,

respectively; that when the carton-supporting structure is lowered the lower lever arm I68 is swung' outward, thereby moving the upper arm I65 'and the link I64 inward and effecting the actuation of the pawl I62 to advance the ratchet wheel a predetermined distance; and that when 'the structure isl'owered the pawl is idly retracted ion the-teeth of the ratchet wheel and is then 'maint'ainedat'rest untilthe next succeeding upward stroke of 'the structure.

Thereupon the pawl is actuated to advance the ratchet wheel another step, and so on at predetermined intervals; In each step of the ratchet wheel the shaft I 55 and its sprocket wheels I51 are partially turned in a" manner to impel the chains I59 along the trough I5I a sufficient distance to positiona suitable height above and parallel with the feed trough I5I and terminating in a curved chute "I13 which leads to a point adjacent the receiving end of the latter trough, so that cartons placed upside down in the trough I12 and advanced into the upper end of the chute will gravitatethrough an arc of substantially 90, thus partially turning .the'cartons to permit their deposition, open side up, on the intermittently-moving conveyer chains I5I." The cartons; manually placed end to end in the trough I 12, are fedtherealong by a pair of feed belts I14 whereofthe upper runs travel on the bottom of such trough; These belts pass about pulleys I15, the shafts I16 of which are I journaled in bearingbra'ckets I- I'I at the respective ends of the supply troughJ -The shaft at the discharge end of the'trough has fast ther'eon' a in amanner continuouslyto impel'the feed belts 8 I14 and'advance the superposed cartons in succession to the delivery chute. i

To ensure the orderly delivery of the descending cartons to the conveyer chains I58 of the trough I5I, so that each succeeding carton discharged from the chute will be properly positioned on the chains-to be engaged by the approaching lugs 260, a trip device is constructed and arranged to swing periodically into and from the leading carton in the chute, and thereby temporarily arrest and then release the carton. (See Figs. 1, 5 and 6). l

This device comprises a light one end of which is secured to an arm. I83 fast on a transverse rock shaft I84 journaled in the frame standards adjacent the chute, while the other or free end of the blade curves outwardly and upwardly for movement into the interior of the delivery portion of the chute. Fast on one end of the rock-shaft is a crank arm I85 which is pivotally connected with the upper end of a depending rod I86, the lower end of which is provided with an eye or collar I81 loose on the adjacent shaft I56 of the reciprocating carton supporting and feeding structure. Hence during the downward movement of this structure the rod I86 is lowered and the blade I82 is swung to position its free end within the leading carton in the chute and thereby temporarily bar its egress,

as seen in Figs. 1 and 5, and in the upward movement of the structure said rod is raised and the blade I82 is swung out from the carton so as to permit'the descent of the carton to an inclined position with its leading end resting on the chains and its rearward end supported on the lower end of the chute I13, as shown in Fig. 5. r

curved blade I82 In thesucc'eeding downward movement of the reciprocative structure the chains are advanced one step by the co-operation of the pawl and ratchet devices, thereby advancing the inclined carton from the chute and permitting it to drop flatwise in the trough and-upon the chains in ter. At the same time the leading'carton in the trough 92 is impelled by the movingchains to a position directly beneath the bridge throat, and

therefore in the next succeeding upward stroke of the structure such leading carton is in position to receive the associated rows of books and the downwardly swung doors 88 as and when such books are forced through the throat by the descending plunger I44, as previously described.

This done, the-reciprocative structure again descends, the doors '88 swing upward to closethe throat, "and-the chains are moved another step to advance the filled carton and position another empty carton beneath the throat, preparatory to the next succeeding ascent of the reciprocative structure; and so on.

His to be understoodthat invention is the path of the approaching" lugs 268' on the latan underlying carton; y

into an underlying, carton.

saidchamber, sald'means including an element not :limited. to ,the particularl, exemplifying tform vof embodiment, herein disclosed; as. the methanisms may.,be.:v.ariously :modified within the principle of the. invention andthe scope of. the

appendedclaims. l V

Iclaime o. 1. In a machine. foripacking fiat packets and the like, the, combination lofztwo elongated assem-' bly chambers arranged in spacedparallel relation,

,a trackway connectingsaid chambers and having a throatv therebetween, a barrier for saidv throat, means for :progressivelyesupplying a, predeter mined number of articles totherespective chambers, and means, for moving the two rows of articles. towardeach other along the, trackway and arranging them in juxtaposition upon thebarrier. 2.,In,a machinefor packing ,flatpackets and the like,- the. combination: of two elongated assembly chambers arranged inispaced-parallel re- ,lation, a trackway-connecting said chambers and having a throatv therebetween, a barrier for said throat, means for progressivelysupplying a pre- 1 determinedpnumber of articles to the respective chambers,v and meanslincluding two oppositelymoving members ,formovingthe two-rows of articles toward eachi other along the 'trackway and arran ing themhin. juxtaposition upon the barrier. e M I 3. In a machine for packing flat packets and the like, the combinationof-twoelongated assembly chambers arranged in spaced parallel re- ;lation, an, arched trackway connecting said chambers and-having a throat :therebetween, a barrier for said-throat, means for progressively supplying a predetermined number i of articles to the'respective chambers, and means including two oppositely-moving-,oscillating members for moving the two rows of articles toward each other along the trackwayandarranging them in juxtapositionupon the, barrier. a

,4; In a machine for packing flat, packets and the like,the combination oftwo elongated assembly chambers arranged in spacedparallel relation, a,trackway connecting :said. chambers and having a throattherebetween;a-barrier'for said throat, .meansfor. progressively supplying a predetermined number of articles to .thetrespectivechambers,

means for moving, the ,two rows of articles toward each-other along the trackwayand arranging themgin juxtaposition uponthe barrier, means for feeding cartons successively beneath said throat, and means for passing the two rows through: the throat againstthe actionbf the barrier and into 5. In a machine. for packingflat packets and the, like, the combination of two elongated assem- *bly chambers arranged inspaced parallel relation, a trackway connecting said chambers and having a throat therebetween, a barrier for said ,throat, means Ior progressively-supplying a predetermined number of articles to the respective chambers, means for, moving .ythetWUrows of articles toward eachothenalong the trackway and arranging them in juxtaposition upon the barrier, means. for, then pressing the two rows into close parallel relation, meanspfor feeding cartonssuccessively beneath said throat, and means for passing the tworows through. the throat and 1 6. In a machine for packing flat packets and the like, the combination with means ,for. supportzing ,a,succession-zoftadvancing. articles,,and an assembly gchambe-r adjacent thereto, of transfer means for; removing anaggregate uneven number ofjsaidtarticieslandlarran ina themsinarowgin whichtransfers successive even numbers of articles=to thachamber until the row approaches completion and then transfers an uneven number thereofyto the chamber to complete the row.

7. Ina machine for packing fiat packets and the like, the combination withmeans for supporting asuccession of advancing articles, and an assembly chamber adjacent thereto,- of -transjer meansfor removing an aggregate uneven number of saidarticles and arranging them in a rowin saidchamber, said means including anelement whichtransfers successive even numbers'of' articles to the chamber until the row approaches completion and then transfers an uneven number thereof to the chamber to complete the rOW, and including also an element that successivelyadvances the articles along the chamber a distance equal ,tothe width of each succeeding-number ,of articles introduced thereto.

8. In a machine for packing fiat packets and the like, the combination with means for supporting a succession of advancing articles, and an assembly chamber adjacent thereto, of transfer means for removing an aggregate uneven number i of said articles and arranging them in a'ro'w in said chamber, said means including an element which, transfers successive even numbers of articles to the chamber until the row approaches completion and then transfers an uneven number then like, the combination of means for supporting a succession of advancing articles, an abutment member, means for periodically projecting said member into or retracting it from, thepath of the leading article at predetermined. intervals, an assembly chamber adjacent said article supporting means, an ejector reciprocative trans- ,versely of the delivery end of said supporting means, the acting portion of said ejectorbeing of sembly chamber during each succeeding active stroke oivthe ejector when the abutmentmember iS' retracted, and for engaging a lesser number, at least'one, of the articles when the abutment is inwardly projected.

10. In a machine for packing flat packets and the like, the combination of means forsupporting a succession of advancing articles, an abutment-member, means for periodically projecting said member into or retractingit from the path of the leading article at predetermined intervals, an assembly chamber adjacent said articlesupport ing means, an ejector reciprocative transversely of the delivery end of said supporting means, the acting portion of said ejector being of a width to bear against a definite plurality of the leading articles and transfer them into the. assembly chamber during each; succeeding active stroke of-theejector whenthe abutment member is retracted, andfor engaging a lesser number, at least -one,,ofthe articles when the abutment is inwardly projected-.1 means, for moving. said, articles along a widthto bear against a definite plurality of, the leadingarticles and transfer them-into the asthe chamber as they are entered therein until a predetermined number of articles have been assembled in a row, and means for bodily removing the ,row broadside from the chamber.

11. In a machine for packing fiat packets and the like, the combination of means for supporting a succession of advancing artic1es,an abutment member, means for periodicallyprojecting said member into or retracting it from the path of the leading article at predetermined intervals, an assembly chamber adjacent said articlesupporting means, an ejector reciprocative transversely of the delivery end of said supporting means, the acting portion of said ejector constructed to bear against a definite plurality of the leading articles and transfer them into the assembly chamber during each succeeding active stroke of the ejector when the abutment member is retracted, and for engaging a lesser number,

at least one, of the articles when the abutment member is inwardly projected, means for inter- -mittently moving the articles along the assemment member, means for periodically projecting 1 said member into orretracting it from the path of the leading article at predetermined intervals, anassembly chamber adjacent said article-supporting means, an ejector reciprocative transversely of the delivery end of said supporting means, the acting portion of said ejector constructed to bear against a definite plurality of the leading articles and transfer them into the assembly chamber during each succeeding active.

stroke of the ejector whenthe abutment member is retracted, andfor engaging a lesser number, at

, least one, of the articles when the abutment member is inwardly projected, means for intermittently moving the articles along the assemblingchamber as they are successively delivered therein, a back support for the articles within said chamber, means for gradually retracting said support in timed relation to the delivery of the articles in the chamber and for'returning said back support to its original inward position within the assembling chamber when a predetermined num ber of articles have been assembled in a row therein, and means for bodily removing the row broadside from the chamber.

13. In a machine for packing fiat packets and the like, the combination of two elongated assembly chambers arranged in spaced parallel relation, means for assembling the articles in the respective chambers to produce therein two cor-v responding rows of articles, an article-support between the two chambers, and means for'movl- 'ing the two rowsof articles broadside toward each other and arranging them in juxtaposition upon I the said support.

14. In a machine for packing fiat packets and the like, the combination of two elongated assembly chambers arranged in spaced parallel relation, means for assembling the articles" in the respective chambers to produce therein two cor- ..responding rows of article, an article-support betweenthet'wo chambers, and means for moving the two rows of articles broadside toward each other through an arc of about and arranging them in juxtaposition upon the said support.

15. In a machine for packingflat packets and the like, the combination of two elongated assembly chambers arranged in spaced parallel relation, means for assembling the articles in the respective chambers to produce therein two corresponding rows of articles,xan elevated support between the two chambers, and oscillatingjmembers movable in vertical-arcs between the respective chambers and the support and operative to swing the two rows of articles broadside toward each other and in juxtaposition upon the said support; 7 I

' 16. In a machine for packing flat'packets and the like, the combination of two elongated assembly chambers arranged in spaced relation, slotted arcuate trackways rising from said chamber to a horizontal level intermediate the two chambers,

a'support for articlesbetween the upper ends-of "theetrackwa'ys, oscillatory members extending through the slots of the trackways and'movable between the respective chambers and the sup- -port,.and means for actuating sai'd membersto swing the two rows of articles broadside toward each other and in juxtaposition upon the said support.

17. In a machine for packing fiatpackets and the like, the combination of two elongated assembly chambers arranged in spaced relation, slotted arcuate trackways rising from said chamber to a horizontal level intermediate the two chambers,

a support for'articles between the-upper ends of the like, the combination of a support, means for depositing rows of articles in juxtaposition upon said support, and means for transversely pushing said rows toward each other and in close parallel relation upon said-support, said latter means comprising a pair of members having opposing parallel acting surfaces, pendant rock arms to which said membersfare pivoted, and means for periodically swinging said arms and the presser elements toward and from the support.

' 19. In a machine for'packing flat packets and the like, the combination of a support, means for depositing rows of articles in juxtaposition upon said support, and means for transversely pushing said rows toward and in close parallel relation with'each other upon said support, said latter means comprising a'pair of elements having opposing parallel acting surfaces, pendant rock arms to which said elements are pivoted,

means for yleldingly swinging said arms and the presser elements toward the support, and means for thereafter retracting the said arms and their presser elements.

20. In a machine for packing flat packets and the like, the combination of a support, means for depositing rows of articles in juxtaposition upon saidsupport means, including presser elev75 .said support, and means for raising and temporan'ly supporting the presse-r elements as they travel backward.

21. In a machine for packing fiat packets and the like, the combination of a support, means for depositing rows of articles in juxtaposition upon said support, and means for transversely moving said rows toward each other and in close parallel relation upon said support, said latter means comprising a pair of complementary elements having parallel acting surfaces, pendant rock arms to which said elements are pivoted, resilient means urging said arms toward each other, rocker members for spreading said arms against the action of the resilient means, and means for actuating said rocker members at predetermined intervals.

22. In a machine for packing flat packets and the like, the combination of a support having a discharge throat, a barrier for said throat, means whereby articles are orderly arranged upon said barrier, a carriage beneath said throat, means for vertically-reciprocating said carriage, means mounted on and reciprocative with said carriage for feeding cartons successively under the throat when the carriage is in down position, and means whereby the said barrier is opened and the articles thereon are moved through the throat and into the cartons when the carriage is in raised position, and whereby said barrier is closed when the carriage is lowered.

23. In a machine for packing flat packets and the like, the combination of a support having a discharge throat, a barrier for said throat, means for arranging articles in orderly position upon said barrier, a carriage beneath said throat, means for vertically reciprocatingsaid carriage at predetermined intervals, an intermittently movable conveyer for a succession of cartons,

said conveyer being mounted on said carriage beneath and longitudinally .of the throat, means I for actuating said conveyer in the downstroke of the carriage to position a carton under the throat, and means for depressing the said articles and opening the throat when the carriage is in raised position.

24. In a machine for packing flat packets and the like, the combination of a support having a der the throat, means for depressing the said articles and opening the throat when the carriage is in raised position, and means for supplying carton successively to the conveyer, said lastnamed means including a chute, a stop device movable into and from the pathof each succeed-, Y

ing leading article in the chute,and operative connections whereby said stop device is actuated concurrently with the reciprocations of the carriage. Y

MICHAEL PARIDON.

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