US2145465A - Box strapping machine - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 31, 1939. H. E. TWOMLEY 2,145,465

' Box STRAPPING MACHINE Original Filed April 3. 1935 8 Sheets -Sheet 1 wwi Jan. 31, 1939. H, E, T MLEY 2,145,465

BOX STRAPPING MACHINE Original Filed April Z, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 L 1939- H. E. TWOMLEY" wil BOX STRAPPING MACHINE Original Filed April 3, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 31, 1939. H. E. TWOMLEY 45,

BOX STRAPPING MACHINE Original Filed April 3, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 I "Jan. 31, 1939. H. E. TWOMLEY 2,145,465

BOX S TiRAPPING rqgpnxum Original Filed April 5, 1935 Sheets-Sheet 5 8 Sheets-Shet 6 Jan. '31,. .1939, H. E. TWOMLEY BOX STRAPPING MACHINE Original Filed April 3,.1935 /60 Jan. 31, 1939. H. E. TWOMLEY 2,145,465

BOX STRAPPING MACHINE Original Filed April s, 1935 s Sheets-Sheet a I, v 0 he 7/ I Patented Jan. 31, 1939 UNITED STATES 2,145,485 BOX STRAPPING MACHINE Herbert E. Twomley, Riverside, Calif. asaignor to Acme Steel Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Original application April 3, 1935, Serial No. 14,496. Divided and this application March 13, 1937, Serial No. 130,739

1'! Claims.

This invention relates to the art of applying straps to boxes and has particular utility in the citrus industry for applying straps over the middle upper portion of lidded overiilled citrus ship- 5 ping boxes and securing the ends of the straps to the sides of the boxes.

The general practice followed in the citrus industry in shipping fruitto market is to overfill the shipping containers, which comprise wooden boxes, so that when these are lidded, the middle of the lid is left bulging upwardly to accommodate the surplus fruit which lies above the upper limits of the box. This manner of packaging citrus fruits compensates for shrinkage of the fruit while it is enroute t6 market, so that when the boxes arrive at market, the fruit is snugly held in place in the boxes.

To secure this result, however, it has beenv found practically necessary to add a strap across the middle of the cover of each box after it has been lidded, which is applied to the cover with tension and then has its ends secured to the sides of the box. A number of machines have been provided for lidding overfllled citrus boxes; others have been provided for strapping overfllled citrus boxes which have previously been lidded; and still others have been provided for lidding and strapping overfilled boxes of citrus fruit in a single operation and requiring only one machine.

The last mentioned development is generally covered in the U. S. Letters Patent to H. D. Benson, No. 1,938,244, issued December 5, 1933, on a Method of and apparatus for securing covers to containers. In the Benson machine the strapper is located in the middle of a lidding machine and the lid pressing operatoin is performed by one mechanism, and the nailing of the lid and the applying of the strap is performed by an independently separate mechanism.

A later development of combined lidding and strapping machines is disclosed in the joint application of Hale Paxton et al., Serial No. 688,104,

filed September 5, 1933, on an Automatic lid i nailing and strapping machine. This machine had a single mechanism for pressing the lid on a box, nailing the ends of the lid to the ends of the box and applying the strap to the box and securing the ends thereof to the sides of the box. These functions were performed by mounting the nail drivers of the strapping mechanism on the frame above the nailing table with the nail chucks suspended in slidable relation with the nail drivers, the nail chucks being held downwardly by yieldable spring means. The nailing table on which the box is positioned is capable of elevation to lift the box upwardly with its ends in alignment with the chucks, so that the ends of the lid disposed beneath the chucks are pressed downwardly against the ends of the box due to the spring means before mentioned, resisting the 5 upward movement of the chucks as the rising table presses the lid and box against said chucks. Completion of the pressing of the lid onto the box causes the upward movement of the table to be transmitted directly through the box 10 and the lid to the chucks so that the resistance oi the spring means for holding these down is overcome and the chucks, each of which has been automatically supplied with a nail, are slid up over the drivers, thereby impaliii thelid and 15 box ends on these nails with the sen? effect as if 7 these nails were driven downwardly through the lid ends into the box ends. W

While the lidding of the box is I taking place, the strapping machine is engaged by the 20 middle of the lid so as to be lifted with the box, the latter movement accomplishing the operation of the mechanism on the strapper which secures thev strap ends to the sides of the box so that as the box reaches its upwardmost position in the 25 machine, the lidding and strapping operations have been completed.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved lidding and strapping machine having the same broad mode of operation as the ma- 30 chine disclosed in the aforesaid copending application.

It is a further object to provide such a machine in which the lidding and strapping functions are performed by a downward and upward 35 reciprocation of the cover pressing, lid nailing and strapping mechanisms disposed above the Yet another object of my invention is to provide a novel strapping machine adapted to be 40 mounted as a unit over a box supporting table and capable of operation to apply a strap across the middle of the lid of said box and secure the ends of the strap to the sides of the box by virtue 01 relative vertical movement between said table 45 strap consumes an appreciably greater proportion of the time of each cycle of operation than the separation of said box and strapping machine following the strapping operation.

This application comprises a division carved out of my copending application on a Box nailing machine Ser. No. 14,496, filed April 3, 1935.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a study of the following specification, read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a front, elevational view of a lidpressing, nailing and strapping machine constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side, elevational view of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail, sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1, illustrating the operative relation of the upper end of the overpacked box and the parts of the machine at the initiation of a lid pressing and nailing operation.

Fig. 3a is a view similar to Fig. 3, illustrating the point in the lid pressing and nailing operation where the ends of the cover have just been pressed against the ends of the box.

Fig. 3b is a view similar to Fig. 3a, illustrating the point when the lid pressing and nailing operation has Just been completed.

Fig. 4 is a detail, sectional view taken along the line 4--4 of Fig. 1 and illustrating the strapping machine of my invention.

Fig. 4a is a view similar to Fig. 4, illustrating the completion of a strapping operation by the strapping machine of my invention.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 3 and illustrating the manner of reciprocably mounting the crosshead of my invention.

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view of the power controlling apparatus employed in connection with my invention.

Fig. '7 is a detail sectional view similar to Fig. 6, illustrating the control apparatus when starting the machine.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, illustrating the manner of actuating the controls in reversing the operation of the machine after the machine has already been set into operation.

Fig. 9 is a detail view illustrating the relation of the controlling pedals with each other and with the brake mechanism.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view illustrating the mechanism for elevating the nailing table incidental to a nailing operation when a box is to be lidded which is of less depth than the standard box.

Referring to the drawings, I have illustrated my invention as embodied in a box-lldding and strapping machine particularly adapted to apply covers to overfllled orange boxes, or boxes in which other citrus fruits may be packed, though it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the machine illustrated and described herein is equally adaptable to the lidding of boxes for any desired contents, and particularly wherein the contents protrude above the top level of the box prior to the application ofthe lid thereto.

The machine comprises a suitable base formed from a pair of foot members I and 2 at opposite sides of the machine and connected across the front and back of the machine by suitable cross bars 3 which may be formed of any suitable material, preferably fabricated steel structural members, such as angle iron. Rising vertically from the foot member I is an upright 4 constituting a vertical rail on which the lid-pressing, nailing and strapping apparatus may be reciprocably mounted. Similarly. at the opposite side of the machine, arising from the foot member 2, is an upright I. The uprights 4 and 5 may be, and are preferably, formed from a section of channel iron or steel. The uprights have their upper ends connected together by means of a cross bar 8 to form the uprights and foot members into a substantially rigid rectangular structure extending in the vertical direction.

Also mounted upon the foot member I, slightly in advance of the upright 4, is a short upright I, while a similar upright 8 is mounted upon. the foot member 2 at the opposite side of the machine. The uprights and 8 constitute guideways in each of which operates a bar 8, the upper end of the bar 9 at one end of the machine secured as at ill to a cross tie l I, while the bar 9, at the opposite end of the machine is similarly connected to a cross tie l2. The cross ties II and i2 constitute the end members of a substantially rectangular frame, theside rails l3 of which constitute bearing members in which are rotatably mounted a plurality of rollers i4 upon which boxes to be lidded may be moved into and out of the machine. The rectangular frame formed by the members Ii, l2 and I3 with the rollers l4, constitutes a section of roller conveyer which may constitute a continuation of a suitable feeder conveyer by which, the boxes are moved from the packing tables toward the lidding and strapping machine by mounting the lidding and strapping machine in the line of the feeder conveyer.

The rectangular frame ll, l2 and I2 is normally seated upon a stationary supporting structure including end bars I5 at opposite ends of the machine, interconnected by means of horizontal rails It all supported by and secured directly to the uprights 1 and 8.

Thus in the normal operation of the machine the rectangular frame ll, l2 and I3 constitutes a mailing table upon which boxes to be lidded may be received and which will support the boxes in position during the time the lids are applied to or nailed to or strapped upon the boxes. This nailing table being supported by the supporting structure I! remains at the same level during the normal operation of the machine upon boxes of a given height and thus constitutes a stationary nailing table toward which the lid-pressing, nailing and strapping elements may be moved in accomplishing the lidding and strapping operations, except as will be hereinafter described when the nailing table may be lifted from its normal position to an elevated position to adapt the machine to apply lids to boxes of less height.

The lid-pressing and nailing mechanism includes, essentially, a reciprocating frame I! from which is suspended a nail chuck assembly I8 and nail driving punches IS.

The frame I 1 is illustrated as being formed of a substantially rectangular frame, including a back-rail 20 to which is secured a vertical bearing.

member 2i at one end of the machine, and 22 at the opposite end of the machine. Extending hOIlZOIltHJlY from the bearing member 2| is a bracket 23, while a similar bracket 24 is secured to" the bearing member 22, the forward ends of the bracket 22 and 24 being secured together by means of a front rail 25. Each of the bearing members 21 and 22 is provided with a slide rail 22a, which extends vertically and is received in vertical bearing grooves 222; formed in a metal filler 220 secured to the inner surface of the uprights 4 and 5.

The left-hand end of the frame I1 constitutes a cross head structure for supporting lid-pressing and nailing mechanism for the left-hand end of a box, having secured to the-bracket 23, a mail punch support 28 from which'a plurality of nail punches l8 extend downwardly, the nail punches l8 having enlarged heads which are secured in suitably slotted grooves in the support 28. Similarly the right-hand end of the frame I1 constitutes a cross head upon which a nail punch sup-'- port 21 is secured to the bracket 24- and likewise suspends a plurality of nail punches l9 extending vertically therefrom;

The nail chuck assembly at one end of the machine is suspended immediately below the nail punch support 28 and includes a nail chuck and lid engaging frame 28 having tubular guide bearlug 23 thereon slidably mounted upon bearing rods 38 secured in turn directly to the bracket 23. The lower end of the bearing rods 38 extend through and are secured to a secondary bracket 3| securedto the bearing member 2| and'extending parallel to the bracket 23.

Secured upon the inner face of the chuck frame 28 are a plurality of nail chucks 32, one of which is aligned immediately below the nailpunches l3 in the normal position, as shown in Fig. 3, and

extending into its associated nail chuck 32. Thus by movement of the nail chuck frame 28 relative to the crosshead l1 the nail punches l3.will be driven downwardly through the nail chucks to drive nail therethrough or the nail punches 13 will be retracted through the nail chucks 32 ready for the next nailing operation.

The relative movement between the nail chuck frame 28 and the crosshead 23 is accomplished by yieldingly mounting the nail chuck frame 28 upon the crosshead i1, and by securing to the inner face of the nail chuck frame 28 a pair of laterally extending suspension brackets 33 and.

34, the suspension bracket 38 having a rearwardly extending lug 35 formed thereon to pivotally mount one end of a toggle link 38. The opposite end of the toggle link 36 is pivotally secured at 31 to the free end of a'second toggle link 38, the opposite end of which is secured at 33 to a downwardly dependent lug 48 as formed'upon a cross strap 4| secured at its opposite ends to the rear bar 28 and the front bar 25 of the crosshead assembly.

The suspension bracket 34 likewise has aforwardly extending lug 42 which pivotally mounts one end of a toggle link 43, the free end of which is pivotally secured as at 44 to the free end of a toggle link 45, the opposite end of which is secured to a lug 48 depending downwardly from the cross strap 4|. The pivotal points of the free ends of toggle links 38, 38 and the pivotal point of the free ends of toggle links 43, 45, are interconnected by means of a tension spring 41 normally under tension to draw the midpoints of toggle links 38, 38 and 43 and 45 toward each other. The spring 41 may be secured to the pivot points 31 and 44 by any suitable means, as by means-of aclevis 48 secured to the end of the spring 41.

The mounting of the nail chuck frame 28'by means of the opposed toggle links 38, 38 and 43,

adjusted at any desired value by de rmining the tension of the spring 41. Itwill be further observed that as vthe crosshead i1 is moved downwardly to bring the nail chucks into engagement with the cover of a box, the resistance offered by the cover of the box to further downward movement of the nail chuck assembly 28 will be sufficient to overcome the tension of the spring 41, thus permitting the crosshead l1 to continue its downward movement without causing further downward movement of the nail chuck assembly 28.

However, as the nail chuck assembly and the crosshead l1 are moved toward each other, the midpoint of the toggle links 38, 38 will tend to move outwardly away from the midpoint of the toggle links 43, 45, and, similarly, the midpoint of the toggle links 43, 45 will move outwardly away from the midpoint of the toggle links 38, 38. This relative movement of the toggle links 33, 38 from the toggle links 43, 45 will tend to further stretch the spring 41, thus increasing the force exerted by this spring. However, the force exerted by the spring will be applied to the nail chuck assembly 28 through the toggle links 36 and 43 which will be moved to more acute angular positions relative to the nail chuck frame 28. By plotting the horizontal and vertical forces exerted through the toggle links 38 and 43, it will be observed that as the nail chuck assembly 28 approaches the crosshead l1 the vertical component of the forces exerted by the spring 41 will be greatly reduced and by selecting the length of the toggles 36, 43 -so proportioned to the strength 41, the vertical component of the force exerted by the spring on the nail chuck frame 28 may be reduced by an amount which substantially equals the increased tension of the spring 41. Thus the maximum amount of vertical'force' which can be exerted upon the nail chuck frame 28' to compress covers down upon the box ends may be adjusted by, the initial tension on the spring 41 and irrespective of the distance through which the crosshead moves in bringing the nail chuck frame 28 into contact with the end of the cover and driving the nails through the cover, the pressure whichjis exerted by the nail chuck frame on the cover cannot vary or exceed the predetermined amount for which the spring 41 has been selected.

It will also be observed that while the crosshead l 1 may be moved through the same distance upon each of its operations, the chuck frame 28 be accomplished by the movement of a single upon the cover and upon the box upon which it is operating. Thus the pressing operations may crosshead l1 to spring the cover ends down over the overpacked or protruding fruit to bring the cover end into contact with the box ends with only -a predetermined pressure exerted upon the cover, which pressure willnot be increased should the overpack be greater in one box than in another box operated upon. The main advantage, however, is the fact that the strain on the machine assembly and the power required to press the cover down is not'increased during the nail driving operation.

The nail chuck frame 28 may be employed to initially support the covers 48 prior to their application to the box and may also support suitable tucking mechanisms 58 which may operate to tuck in or press in the protruding 'fruit at the end of the box prior to the springing of the cover ends down uponthe box ends. For this latter protru twn which is pivotally mounted the tucker I0 so a ranged as to extend below the endsof the 48 to be brought into contact with the .1 fruit at the ends of the box as the chuck frame 28 is moved down toward the box. Asthe chu k frame 28 continues its movement, the tucker in will be engaged by the end of the box and rotated upwardly about its pivotal mounting to withdraw the tucker 88 from its position between the cover ends and box ends and thus permit the cover ends to spring down into contact with the box ends. Also the forwardly extending brackets 33 and 34 may be employed for the mounting of additional press shoes 53 spaced from the nail chucks 32 to engage the cover between its extreme ends and the center thereof to assist in the shaping of the cover as it is bowed down over the extending or protruding fruit.

It will be observed that at the opposite end of the machine a similar nail chuck frame 54 is provided mounted upon vertical rods 55 corresponding in all respects to the nail chuck frame 28 and its mounting upon the rods 38. Similarly, the nail chuck frame 54 is provided with a similar toggle link and spring assembly indicated generally by the reference character 88 corresponding in all respects to the toggle link and spring mounting for the nail chuck frame 28 to mount the nail chuck frame 54 at that side of the machine for the same relative movement and to exert the same constant compressive forces, irrespective of the movements of the crosshead l1 relative to the nail chuck frame 54.

With the nail chuck frames 28 and 54 secured to the crosshead H, as described, a single movement of the crosshead i1 toward the box supporting table II, l2 and i3 will first spring the cover ends down into contact with the box ends and then, by further downward movement of the crosshead H, the nails will be driven by the nail punches [9 into and through the cover ends and into the box ends to secure the cover to the box, while return upward movement of the crosshead II will first elevate the nail punches l9 until the bearing members 29 abut upon the bracket 3| and then further upward movement of the crosshead l'l will lift the chuck frames 28 and 54 away from the now lidded box, freeing the box for movement out of the machine.

'I'he crosshead H, as hereinbefore described, is 'sliclably or reciprocably mounted upon the uprights 4 and 5 and is arranged to be moved through a cycle of operations from its normal elevated position as shown in Fig. 1 down toward the box supporting table I I, l2, l3 to complete the pressing and nailing operations, and then back to its elevated position as shown in Fig. 1, by means of suitable power apparatus which includes a motor or similar prime mover 51 which may be mounted in any suitable position upon the base of the machine. The motor shaft 58 drives a pinion 59 which is meshed with a gear 60 having a laterally extending crankpin 8| pivotally mounting a sleeve 82.

The sleeve 62 is slidably assembled upon a cylindrical drive bar 63 rigidly and radially secured to a drive shaft 64 extending longitudinally of the machine and journaled in suitable bearings 65 at opposite ends of the machine which are in turn mounted upon cross braces 66 extending between the uprights 4 and l and uprights 5 and 75 8 respectively. Thus one complete rotation of urpose, the chuck frame 28 is provided with a pir of downwardly extending lugs ll and 82 bethe gear shown in Fig. 2, from its normal rest position as shown in Fig. 2, will cause the drive shaft 84 to be moved in a clockwise direction during substantially 240 of such revolution, while during the remaining 120 of said revolution the shaft 34 will be moved in a counter-clockwise direction.

By referring-particularly to Fig. 1 it will be observed that near the right hand end of the drive shaft 84 there is rigidly secured to the drive shaft a lever 81 having one arm thereof extendin: rearwardly of the machine to be pivotally engaged as at 88 with the lower end of a connectlng rod 88. The upper end of the connecting rod 88 is pivotally secured as at 10 to an angle bar 1| secured between the bearing members 2| and 22 on the crosshead l1. Thus the movement of the drive shaft 64 first in a clockwise direction and then in a counter-clockwise direction will be transmitted through the lever 61 and through the connecting rods 88 to first move the crosshead I! downwardly toward the box-supporting table II, l2 and I3 and then upwardlly away from the box-supporting table to return the crosshead I! to its normal elevated position. A lever 12 is similarly secured to the drive shaft 84 near the opposite end thereof and is connected by a connecting link 13 to the angle bar II at the side of the machine opposite the connection of the connecting rod 88.

By reason of coupling the gear 60 to the drive shaft 64 through the sleeve 62 and the slide bar a 83, it will be observed that one complete revolution of the gear 80 will move the crosshead l1 downward and then back to its normal position, the downward movement occurring at a relatively low speed; that is, with the gear 60 rotating at a constant speed throughout one revolution. The downward movement of ,the crosshead l'l will occur during 240 of the revolution of the gear 60,

the crosshead I! thus providing for the pressing forces which are necessary to draw the crosshead l1 and the nailchuck frames 28 and 54 down against the resistance of the box, its contents, and its cover and also with sufllcient force to insure the driving of the nails through the cover and into the box ends, while the return movement of the crosshead l1, constituting merely the lifting of the crosshead, the nailing mechanism and the pressing mechanism to a position free of the box, may be accomplished at the higher speed, at which time the leverage provided by the coupling of the gear 80 to the slide bar 63 will be much reduced.

The motor 81 may be controlled in any suitable manner to apply power to the gear 60 whenever it is desired to perform a lidding operation'upon a box. However, I prefer to arrange a switch 14 in circuit with the motor 51, arranged to be closed to start the motor 51 only when it is desired to perform a lidding operation.

The switch 14 may be suitably controlled, as indicated in Fig. 6, by means of a foot pedal 15 constituting one end of a foot lever .16. The lever 16 extends forwardly and rearwardly of the machine and is pivoted upon a rod "11 near the rear mountedabove the switch 14 so that when the 1 foot pedal "15 is depressed by an operator of the machine, the switch plate 18 will be rotated about its pivot to depress and close the switch 14. A suitable spring. 19 may be employed to normally hold the foot pedal. 15 and foot lever 16 in its normal or elevated position, the spring 19 being illustrated as surrounding a bolt 80 rigidly secured to the frame of the machine and passing through an opening BI in the foot pedal-1B.

Since it is desired-that the gear'ill should always come to rest at the completion of one operation of the machine with the parts in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, namely with the crosshead l1 in its normal elevated position, I arrange a brake for the motor 51 which will apply a braking force thereto to the motor whenever the foot pedal 15 is released.

By referring particularly to Figs. '7 and 9, it will be observed that the brake apparatus. includes a brakedrum 82 secured upon the motor shaft 50 upon which may bear a brake-shoe ll having a suitable brake-lining 84 thereon to engage the drum. The brake-shoe 93 is illustrated as having an arm' 85 extending forwardly of the machine to pivotally engage, as at 88, with an upstanding lever 81 rigidly secured to the rod 11. The rod 11 is also provided with a forwardly extending lever 88 rigidly secured thereto, the lever 88 projecting parallel to the longitudinal axis of the foot lever 16 and disposed immediately below a laterally extending lug 89 formed upon or secured to the foot lever 16. Thus whenever the foot lever 18 is depressed to close the switch 14 to start the motor, such depression of the lever 18 will cause a depression of the lever 88, partially rotating the rod 11 and drawing the brake-shoe 83 out of engagement with the brake-drum 02. The lower surface of the brake-shoe I3 is adapted to slide rearwardly and forwardly of the machine 3 and normally rests upon a slide bearing, illustrated herein as constituting the head of an ad- O3, tending to apply it to the brake drum 9!, may

be controlledby forming an "extension 92 on the lower end of the lever 81 and iriterposing a brake-spring 93 between this extending end of the lever 81 and some stationary portion of the machine illustrated as an abutment 94 (see Fig. '7).

Since it" is essential that the gear 60 must be stopped when the parts of'the machine have arrived at the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2, I provide a cam 95 upon the shaft 98 upon which the gear '60 is mounted, the cam 95 having a low;

level 91 thereon which will permit the foot lever 15 to return to its elevated position when the cam 95 has arrived in the position shown in Figs. 6 and 7 The cam 95 may also be provided with a high level 98 extending about a portion of its periphery to prevent the return of the foot leverv 16 to its normal or motor-stopping position if the operator should release the same immediately before the gear 60 has completed its revolution.

In the lidding of a box with the parts of the machine thus far described, [the box will be brought in over the feeder conveyor which furnishes the boxesto the machine and from this conveyer the box will be drawn in either by power or by hand onto the nailing table ll, 12 and ll, g preferably being stopped in a central position with the box ends aligned directly below the nail chucks 32 at-opposite ends of the machine by means of a suitable stop 99. A cover 49 may then be placed above the box, preferably by permitting 10 the same to rest upon the inwardly extending tuckers 50. The operator may then depress the pedal 15, closing the switch 14 and starting the motor 51 which will, by rotation of the gear 80. draw the crosshead 11 down toward the box, 15 bringing the cover down toward the box, while the tuckers 50 engage and press inwardly any protruding fruit at the ends of the box. When the cover rests upon the overpack, or fruit extending above the top level of the box, it will be 20 engaged by this fruit so that pressure must then be applied to the ends of the coverto spring them down into contact with the box ends. This pressing operation is accomplished by the continued downward movement of the crosshead i1 25 bringing, the nail chuck frames" and 4 down upon the ends of the'cover, the pressure exerted being determined by the tension of the springs 41. During the pressing of the cover down into contact with the box ends, it may be discovered no that some of the fruit is in danger of being crushed or pinched between the cover and the top edges and sides and ends of the box, in which event the operator must be able to stop the further downwardmovement of the crosshead I1 35 and permit this crosshead to re-elevate while the operator adjusts the fruit within the box. This may be accomplished by providing a motorreversing mechanism, as hereinafter described.

However, should the pressing operations be ac- 40 complished without mishap or danger of injury to the fruit, the continued downward movementof the crosshead l1 will cause the nail punches II to continuetheir downward movement after the chuck frames II and 54 have been stopped ,5

by the engagement of the cover ends with the box' ends and the complete nailing operation may then be completed by the continued downward movement of the crosshead l1.

It will be observed, however, that as soon as the pressing operations are completed and the nailing operations start,-that is as soon as the chuck frames 28 ,and it have sprung the cover ends into contact with the box ends, and therefore cannot move downwardly any further, the nailing operations must continue to completion.

For this reason I provide the low level 91 of the cam "as extending throughout that portion of the revolution of the shaft 96 as will correspond to the ordinary pressing operation; that is, this low level or the cam "will extend throughout that portion of the movement of the crosshead l1 which is required to bring the'cover ends down into contact with the box ends. 5

While the low level of the cam 95 is presented to the roller Hill of the foot lever", the foot lever 18 maybe released and /by reason of the spring 19' will return to its normal, or switch-open position. However, the high level 9 8 of the cam 95 extends throughout the remaining portion of the periph- 79 cry of the cam, starting at the point in the revolution of the shaft 96 at which the pressing operations should be,complete and the nailing operations should start. When the high level 98 of the cam is presented to the roller I00, release of the pedal I6 by the operator will not return the foot lever to its switch-open position, this lever being held depressed by the high level 38 of the cam until the rotation of the shaft 83 has been completed, at which time all of the parts of the machine are again in their normal positions, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

However, as hereinbefore explained, if, during the pressing operations it is discovered that the fruit is in danger of being crushed or bruised or that the box is liable to be damaged because it is not properly centered, or has some defect, the operator must be enabled to stop the machine and to reverse the movement of the crosshead H to permit the operator to correct the defect and avoid the damage. For this reason I haverprovided a second switch IOI preferably arranged in the same case I02 which houses the switch I4 and preferably lying immediately below the pivoted plate I8 but on the opposite side of the pivot thereof. The switch IN is connected in circuit with the motor 51 in such manner that when this switch is closed current is supplied to the motor in such manner as to cause reverse rotation of the motor. The switch ml is arranged to be actuated by a reversing pedal I03 similar in general construction to the pedal I3 in that the pedal I03 constitutes the extending end of a reversing foot lever I04, the rear end of which, is formed in a relatively T-shape, the head I00 of the T constituting a pivotal support for the foot lever I04 by engaging the rod 11.

shaft in the same manner as though the foot pedal 15 had been depressed, and for this purpose I provide an outstanding lug I03 upon the foot lever I 04 which extends immediately above a second lever I01 corresponding in all respects to the lever 88.

An adjusting screw I08 may be provided in the lug I06 to make contact with the lever I01 so that when the pedal I04 is depressed the lever I01 will be depressed and will rock the shaft I1 in the same direction and to substantially the same .extent as this shaft is rocked by actuation of the foot pedal 15. Thus the brake-shoe 83 will be withdrawn from the brakedrum 82 at the same time that the pedal I03 closes the reversing switch I0l.

Since at any time during the pressing operations,-that is, during the first portion of the cycle of operations of the crosshead I1, the pedal I03 must be free to be depressed to reverse the motor, but when the nailing operations are started the reverse operations of the motor must not be permitted, I provide a second cam I 08 on the shaft 96 which has a low level IIO extending throughout a portion of its periphery, so arranged, relative to the low level of the cam 05, as to present its surface to a roller I II formed upon an extending end of the head I05 of the T-shaped reversing lever I04. Thus during the time at which the low level 91 of cam 95 is presented to roller I00 on foot lever I6 (that is during the entire pressing operations) the low level H0 01' the cam I09 will be presented to its roller III, leaving the pedal I 03 free to be depressed to reverse the motor at any time.

The cam I09, however, is provided with a high level II2 which will be presented to the roller III at about the same time that the high level 33 of the cam 95 is presented to its roller I00 so that at the time the foot lever 18 is prevented from returning to its switch-open position the foot lever I04 and its pedal I03 will be positively prevented from operating to reverse the motor.

By referring particularly to Fig. 6 it will be understood that when the shaft 86 has been moved through one complete cycle of operations the high level II2 of the cam I03 will be Just ready to pass the roller III, while the high level 38 of cam will have pust passed the roller I00. Thus to apply the lids to boxes of the greatest height when the nailing table II, I2 and I3 is in itsnormal or lowermost position, and to provide means for lifting the nailing table to an elevated position whenever boxes of a lesser height are to be lidded in the machine. As hereinbefore explained, the nailing table I I, I2 and I3 is mounted upon the bars 3 which are slidably engaged in uprights 1 and 8. A cross bar or rod I I3 is secured between the bars 9 by which force may be exerted to elevate the table II, I2 and I 3.

I prefer to cause the table II, I2 and I3 to be elevated by power mechanism, which power may be supplied from the motor 51 upon each operation of the machine, as by extending the levers 61 and I2 forwardly of the machine to constitute arms II4 on the lever 61 and H5 on the lever I2, respectively, which may be employed to perform the table-elevating operations.

By referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 10, it will be observed that upon each of the uprights I and 8 I provide a forwardly extending bracket H6 in which is journaled a shaft II'I extending across the front of the machine. Near each right-hand end of the shaft II! I pivotally mount a link H8 which is in turn connected as at H9 to a second link I20. At the opposite side of the machine a similar link construction, including a link I2I, is pivoted upon the shaft I I! and is connected at I22 to a second link I23. The links I20 and I23 are interconnected across the front of the machine by means of a cross bar I24 so that assembly of the links Il8I20 and I 2 I-I 23 at opposite sides of the machine are tied together as a single unit. The links II8-I20 and I2I-I23 form a folding elevator mechanism which, when the machine is operating only upon boxes. of the greatest height for which the machine is designed, may be folded as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, out of the path of movement of the extending ends II4 of the lever 61.

However, when it is desired to cause the nailing table to be elevated to the position shown in Fig. 10, all that is necessary is to lift the cross bar I24 to the position shown in Fig. 10, engaging the ends of links I20 and I23 with the cross head II3 extending between the cams 8 for the table II, I2 and I3. .Preferably, the ends of the links I20 and I23 are provided with a spring clip I23 to engage above the cross rod II3 to hold the link assemblies in engagement therewith. When the link assemblies have been removed to the operative position shown in Fig. 10, it will be observed that the links H8 and I2I lie in the path of movement of extending ends H4 and I I5 of the levers 61 and 12 and if desired these extending ends of the levers may be provided with rollers I26 to form a roller bearing at this point of engagement. Thus, when a box of reduced height, for instance one-half the height of the normal boxe to be used on the machine, is placed upon the nailing table II, I2 and I3, the link assemblies may be moved into the position shown in Fig. 10 to engage the cross rod II3. Then upon the depression of the pedal 14 to move the crosshead I1 downwardly the nailing table II, I2

and I3 will be simultaneously moved upwardly toward the approaching crosshead I1. By properly selecting the length of the links I Iii-I20 and I2 I-I 23, the amount of upward movement of the nailing table may be made any desired value to accommodate a predetermined' reduced height box.

After the reduced height boxes have been lidded and it is desired to continue the lidding of normal sized boxes, the link assemblies may be disconnected from the ,cross arm H5 and folded out of the way, thus returning the machine to its normal position upon normal sized boxes.

While the lidding machine thus far described may be employed for applying lids to boxes and for securing these lids to the boxes, it may also be desired to have a strap across the center of the box and this operation may be performed in a separate machine such as that illustrated and described in the United States Letters Patent No. 1,777,474 issued to George D. Parker, or a. strapping head may be applied directly to the machine herein described to be actuated by movement of the crosshead I1 to thus apply the straps to the boxes, while they remain in this machine.

I have illustrated a strapping mechanism particularly in Figs. 1, 2 and 4 as comprising a pressshoe I30 which may be, and preferably is, formed of a pair of plates I3I and I32 extending parallel to each other and transversely of the nailing table II, I2 and I3, these plates beirIg spaced apart by suitable spacing members I33 and secured together by means of suitable bolts I34. The space between the plates I3I and I32 of the press-shoe is preferably just sufficient to accom-j .ispivotally secured as at I40 to a second link I4I, the opposite end ofwhich is secured to a downwardly depending lug I42 formed upona cross strap I43 extending between and secured to the cross bars 20 and 25, Similarly the lug I38 has secured thereto a link I44, the free'end of which is pivoted at I45 to a second link I46, the opposite end of which is secured to a downwardly extending lug I41 also secured to the cross strap I43.

Interposed between the pivot points I40 and I45 is a tension spring I48'similar in all respects to the tension spring 41 described with reference to the mounting of the chuckframe 28 so that the assembled toggle links I39-I4I and I44-I46-with of the box to secure the strap thereto.

head I1.

' mount a wedge I66 the spring I40 constitute a mounting for the press-shoe I30 by which downward movement of the crosshead I1 applies downward force upon the press-shoe I30 until a predetermined resisttance is built up in the protruding fruit and the cover of the box, after which the press-shoe I30 will not be moved to a further downward position but such pressure will be maintained upon the cover of a constant value during the continued downward movement of the crosshead I1.

Means may be provided upon the press-shoe I 30 for bending the ends of the strap I35 down over the side edges of the box-cover and for driving the pre-formed ends I36 into the side walls This driving means is illustrated herein as comprising a driving element I49 pivoted as at I50 between the plates I 30-I3I, constituting the press-shoe I30. One end of the driving element I49 extends upwardly above the upper limits of the plates a bellcrank I52 pivoted at I53 upon a bracket I54 mounted upon a vertical bar I55 extending between the cross bars 20 and H. driving element I56 is pivoted at I51 between the plates I3I-I32, the extending end of which is connected by means of a link I50 to a second bellcrank I 50 pivoted upon the same pivot I53 but arranged to operate reverselyto the movement of the bellcrank I52. The driving elements I49 and I56 are normally held in their retracted positions, as shown in Fig. 4, by means of a suitable tension spring I00 interposed between upstanding ears I6I on link I5I and ears I62 on link I50.

I prefer to employ the downward movement of the crosshead I1 both as a means for. applying pressure to the press-shoe I 30 to compress the Similarly, a

cover down upon the box during the time the the box and to drive the ends of the strap into the box. For this purpose I employ the movement I54, which, being secured to and -movable with the crosshead of the bracket I 1, is moved downwardly through the same distance as the cross- The bracket ends with a pair of rollers I63 and I64, respectively, which extend toward each other in such manner that under the force exerted by the spring I 60 the rollers I63 and I64'are brought into engagement with each other. Mounted upon any suitable stationary portion upon an angle brace I65 constitutin'g one of the braces employed for the frame of the machine, I substantially aligned with the meeting faces of the rollers I63 and I64 so that as the crosshead I1-moves downwardlyjfbearing the bellcranks I52 and I59 downwardly, they engage the wedge 168 and are separated by it to move the link I5I forwardly of the machine, and

the link I58 rearwardly of the machine, to swing the driving elements I49 and I56 about their pivots. In order that the inward movement of the driving elements I 49-I56 shall not crush or inlure the contents of the box, or the box,-I prefer to mount the wedge I66 by suitable yielding means, which, 'while it will exert cufllcient pressure to insure the complete driving of the strap ends into the box, will permit a yielding of the forces exerted upon the drivng elements should the overpack of the fruit be of abnormal height. This spring mounting is illustrated in Fig. 4 as of the machinei 'eas.

I54, mounting the two bellcranks I52 and I53, is provided at their lower constituting a spring I81 surrounding a post I88, the upper end of which constitutes the mounting for the wedge I 88, while the: lower-end of the post I88 extends through a bracket I88, being held against removal therefrom by means of a head I18 formed upon the post I88. The spring I81 engages the upper surface of the bracket I88 at one of its ends, while the opposite end of the spring engages a suitable adjusting nut I1I threadedly secured upon the post I88 so that by adjusting the nut I1'I toward and away from the bracket I88 the compression force of the spring I81 may be given any desired value.

It will also be observed that the spring and post mounting of the wedge I88 permits this wedge to be rocked slightly relative to the support bracket I88 so that should greater resistancebe oflered to the driving of one end of the strap into the box than is ofiered to the opposite driving end of the box, the wedge I88 may yield laterally of the machine and thus insure that sufiicient pressure is exerted to complete the strap-applying operations without crushing or injuring the box.

It will also be observed that I have provided a machine in which-lidding, pressing and strapping operations may be performed at a sufliciently low speed to permit the operator of the machine to correct any improper operations and to prevent damage to the fruit or the box during the pressing of the strapping head upon the box, but in which a rapid return of the parts to their normal box-releasing position may be accomplished to free the box from the machine without loss of time.

As illustrated herein, the strapping mechanism may include also a magazine or holder for a supply of straps which may automatically be fed from the holder into a position between the plates I3I and I32 in response to the operations of the machine in the same manner as described in the George D. Parker Patent No. 1,777,474. Such magazine is illustrated at I88, which is supported upon a bracket I8I secured to the left-hand plate I82 of the press-shoe.- Extending rearwardly from the plate I32 is .a second bracket I82 which has a vertical extension I83 thereon constituting a bearing member in which is pivoted as at I84 a lever I88, the upper end of which brings a roller I88 in the path of movement of a cam plate I81 secured to the crosshead I1. Thus whenever the strapping mechanism is actuated to apply a strap to a box, causing a relative motion between the press-shoe I88 and the crosshead I1, the engagement of the lever I88 by the cam plate I81 will cause actuation of the feeding mechanism, such as is shown and described in the said George D. Parker Patent No. 1,777,474.

With the parts of the machine as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a packed box ready to be liddeduand strapped is fed into the machine so as to rest on the rollers I4 of the nailing table. A lid 48 is now inserted in place supported at its ends on the tuckers 58. .The operator now steps on the pedal 15 whichenergizes the motor 81, causing rotation greases latter over the protruding contents of the box with the ends of the cover pressed downward onto the ends of the box. Just prior to the consummation of this action the downward movement of the cross head I1 brings the end tuckers 88 into engagement with the box thus rocking these end tuckers upwardly and outwardly from between the ends of the box and the ends of the cover.

The strapping machine is so located on 'the cross head I1 that the press shoe I38 comes into engagement with the cover 48 of the box and shapes this cover transversely beneath a strap I38 carried by the press shoe just as the ends of the cover 48 are brought into contact with the ends of the box in position for nailing thereto. Following the arrival at this step in the lidding and strapping operation, the cross head I1 continues to move downward. The downward movement of the nail chucks I8 and the strapper press shoe I38, however, having been halted by their engagement with the cover of the box, the springs 41 and I48 are caused to yield and the toggles supportim these springs to collapse somewhat. The angles at which the members of these toggles are connected to the cross head I1 and to the nail chuck assemblies I8 and press shoe I38 are such that the downward resultant of pressure by the springs 41 and I48 are caused to remain substantially constant throughout the relative movement between the cross-head I1 on the one hand and the nail chuck assemblies I8 and the press shoe I38 on the other hand.

The relative movement just noted results in the nail drivers I8 sliding downwardly through nail chucks 82 so as to drive nails therefrom through the ends of the cover and into the ends of the box. It also results in the pivot I83 (see Fig. 4a) moving downwardly with the cross head I1 until the rollers I88 and I84 of the levers I82 and I88 carried on that pivot engage with opposite sloping edges of the cam member I88 thus swinging the strap end drivers I48 and I88 into strap drivin! positions, as shown in Fig. 4a:

The cross head I1 reaches its lowermost position just as the downward swing of the arm 88 ceases and the slide sleeve 82 commences to rock this arm back to its original upward position as shown in Fig. 2. The return upward of the arm 82 is transmitted through the shaft 84 and the pitmans 88 to the cross head I1 so that the latter is returned to its upwardmost position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 leaving the box in the machine completely lidded and strapped.

As the cross head I1 rises and the rollers I83 and I84 are lifted out of contact with the cam plate I88, the spring I88 returns the strap end drivers I48 and I88 to their retracted positions as shown in Fig. 4 and the strapper magazine 881s automatically actuated to deliver another strap I88 into thejguide recesses I83 provided'in the cover shaping bar I38. The box just lidded and strapped having been moved from the nailing table, the machine is again ready to receive a packed box to be lidded and strapped.

The cross head I1 reaches its uppermost position just as the gear 88 has completed a single revolution. This coincides with the arrival of the low level 81 of the cam 88 opposite the roller I88 which permits the latter to ride onto the low level thus swinging the arm 18, shutting oi! the switch I82, applying brake shoe 83 to brake drum 82 of the motor 81 and stopping the entire machine.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to be limited to any of the details of construction shown herein, except as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a box-strapping machine, the combination of a table for supporting the box; a crosshead mounted above said table and vertically reciprocable relative thereto; a strapping head supported on said crosshead and including means for applying a strap across the lid of a box on said table and flexing the edges of said lid downward and means for securing the ends of the strap to the sides of said box; means for reciprocating said crosshead vertically; and means responsive to said reciprocation to actuate said strap-applying means and strap end securing means.

2. In a machine for strapping a cover to an overfilled packed box by a strap applied across a middle portion of said cover in a plane disposed transversely of said cover, the combination of: a frame; a table on said frame for supporting said packed box in upright position with a cover disposed thereover in readiness to be strapped to said box; a crosshead vertically reciprocable on said frame; means to confine opposite end portions of a strap in said plane and adjacent 0p-' posite sides of said box; means to secure the strap ends to said box sides; a member extending across said cover and uniting said aforementioned means" in a vertically movable strapper unit, said unit being mounted on said crosshead; means for lowering said crosshead to shift said strapper unit downward into proper relation with said cover and said box -to perform a strapping operation; and means responsive to said downward movement of said crosshead to actuate said strap securing means to cause the latter to secure the strap ends to the sides of said box.

3. A combination as in claim 2 in which said strapper unit member is adapted to shape the cover of the box laterally at the time said strapper unit applies the strap to the box.

4. In a machine for strapping a. cover on an overfilled packed box having a partition, the combination of: a table for supporting said packed box in upright position with a cover positioned thereover; a crosshead disposed above said table and vertically reciprocable relative to the latter; means to confine opposite end portions or the strap in the plane of said partition and to then secure the strap ends to said box; cover shaping means extending across said cover and connecting said aforementioned means to form a strapper unit; means for supporting said strapper unit on said crosshead so as to be yieldable vertically relative to the latter; means for urging said unit downwardly to its lowermost limit oi movement relative to said crosshead; means for causing vertical reciprocation of said crosshead; and means responsive to said vertical reciprocation to operate said strapper unit to cause the latter to apply a strap across the cover of said box, to shape said cover, and to secure the strap ends to opposite sides of said box.

5. In a machine for lidding and strapping boxes, the combination of: means for positioning a box in said machine; means for nailing the ends of the lid on said box while so positioned; means for applying the strap across said lid between its ends and securing it to sides of said box while the latter is so positioned; and a crosshead for carrying said nailing means and strapping means and operating the means so carried by vertical reciprocation of said crosshead relative to said box to accomplish the functions aforesaid of said nailing and strapping means.

6. In a machine for applying straps to covers of boxes, the combination of: a table for supporting a packed box having a cover disposed thereover; a press shoe; means suspending said press shoe from said cross head for yielding movement relative to said cross head; means for reciprocating said crosshead toward and away from said table to bring said press shoe into pressural engagement with said cover; means for exerting a force of substantially constant value between said cross head and said press shoe, said force opposing said yielding movement in all the positions of said press shoe relative to said cross head; and means for securing a strap across the cover of said box, while pressure is being applied to said cover by said shoe.

7. In a machine for applying straps to covers of boxes, the combination of: a table for supporting a packed box having a cover disposed thereover; a press shoe; means suspending said press shoe from said cross head for yielding movement relative to said cross head; means for reciprocating said cross head toward and away from said table to bring said press shoe into pressural engagement with said cover; means for exerting a force of substantially constant value between said cross head and said press shoe, said force opposing said yielding movement in all the positions of said press shoe relative to said cross head; and means for securing a strap across the cover of said box, while pressure is being applied to said cover by said shoe, said means being actuated by continued relative movement of said table and gross head after said press shoe has engaged said 8. In a machine for applying straps to covers of boxes, the combination of a table for supporting a packed box having a cover disposed thereover; a, press shoe; means suspending said press shoe from said cross head for yielding movement relative to said cross head; means for reciprocating said cross head toward and away from said table to bring said press shoe into pressural engagement with said cover; means for exerting a force of substantially constant value between said cross head and said press shoe, said force opposing said yielding movement in all the positions of said press shoe relative to said cross head; means on said press shoe for supporting a strap disposed across the cover of said box; means on said press shoe for securing the ends of said strap to said box; and means actuated by continued relative movement of said table and cross head after said yielding movement starts for operating said strap securing means.

9. In a machine for strapping a cover on an overfilled packed box, the combination of: a table for supporting said packed box in upright position with a cover positioned thereover; means to confine opposite end portions of a strap in a given plane intersecting said cover and said box;

a member extending across said cover and rigidly uniting said aforementioned means, said means and said member comprising a unitary strap support; means for causing relative vertical movement between said strap support and said table to position a strap across said cover; and means for securing the opposite ends of said strap to the opposite sides of said box when the strap is so positioned.

10. In a machine for strapping a cover on an overfilled packed box, the combination of: a table for supporting said packed box in upright position with a cover positioned thereover; means to confine opposite end portions of a strap in a given plane intersecting said cover and said box; a member extending across said cover and rigidly uniting said aforementioned means, said means and said member comprising a, unitary strap support; means for causing relative vertical movement between said strap support and said table to position a strap across said cover; and means provided on said strap support for securing the opposite ends oi said strap to the opposite sides of said box when the strap is so positioned.

11. In a machine for strapping a cover on an overfilled packed box, the combination 01': a table for supporting said packed box in upright posi-'- tion with a cover positioned thereover; a rigidly unitary inverted U -shaped strap support mounted over said table, said support having a relatively deep mouth adapted to receive the cover and a substantial upper portion of a box resting on said fable, there being guideways on said support to confine a strap in a given plane intersecting said cover and said box; means for causing relative vertical movement between said-support and said table to position a strap confined in said support across the cover of said box, and with its ends opposite the sides of said box; and means for securing ends of said strap to sides of said box.

12; In a machine for strapping a cover on an overfilled packed box, the combination of a table for supporting said packed box: in upright position with a cover positioned thereover; a rigidly unitary inverted U-shaped strap support mounted over said table, said support having a relatively deep mouth adapted to receive the cover and a substantial upper portion of a box resting on said table, there being guideways on said support to confine a strap in a given plane intersecting said cover and said box; means for causing relative vertical movemet between said support and said table to position a strap confined in said support across the cover of said box, and with its ends opposite the sides of said box; and means provided on said support for securing ends of said strap to sides of said box.

131' In a machine for strapping a cover on an overfilled packed box, the combination of: a table for supporting said packed box in upright position with a cover positioned thereover; means to confine opposite end portions of a strap in a given plane intersecting said cover and said box; an

, arcuate cover shaping member extending across said cover and rigidly uniting said aforementioned means, said means and said member comprising a unitary strap support and cover shaper; means for causing relative vertical movement between said strap support and cover shaper and said table to arcuately shape said cover and to position a strap thereacross; and means for securing the opposite,ends 01. said strap to the opposite sides of said box when the strap is so positioned.

14. A combination as in claim 6 in which said strap securing means comprises drivers provided on said press shoe; a cam; and cam responsive means carried by said cross head and connected to said drivers for actuating the latter when said cam and said cam responsive means are brought into engagement by the movement of said cross head.

15. In a machine for applying straps to covers of boxes, a table for supporting a box, a cross head disposed above said table, means mounting said table and said cross head for movement toward and away from each other, a press shoe for engaging and applying pressure to said cover of a box when said table and cross head are moved toward each other, means suspending said press shoe from said cross head for yielding movement relative to said cross head, and means for exerting a force of a substantially constant value between said cross head and said press shoe opposing said yielding movement in all positions of said press shoe relative to said cross head.

16. In a machine for applying straps to covers of boxes, a table for supporting a box, a cross head disposed above said table, means mounting said table and said cross head for movement toward and away from each other, a press shoe for engaging and applying pressure to said cover of a box when said table and cross head are moved toward each other, means suspending said press shoe from said cross head for fyielding movement relative to said cross head, and means for exerting a force of substantially constant value between said cross head and said press shoe opposing said yielding movement in all positions of said press shoe relative to said cross head, and means for securing a strap across the cover of said box actuated by continued relative movement of said table and cross head after said press shoe has started its yielding movement.

17. In a machine for applying straps to covers of boxes, a table for supporting a' box, a cross head disposed above said table, means mounting said table and said cross headfor movement toward and away from each other, a press shoe for engaging and applying pressure to said cover of a box when said table and cross head are moved toward each other, means suspending said press shoe from said cross head for yielding movement relative to said cross head, means for exerting a force of substantially constant value between said cross head and said press shoe opposing said yielding movement in all positions of said press shoe relative to said cross head, means on said press shoe for supporting a strap disposed across the cover of said box, means on said press shoe for securing the ends of said strap to said box, and means actuated by continued relative movement of said table and cross head after said yielding movement starts, for operating said strapsecuring means.

HERBERT E. TWOMLEY.

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