US2161877A

US2161877A - Mechanism for aperturing cartons

Info

Publication number: US2161877A
Application number: US239824A
Authority: US
Inventors: Francis X Malocsay
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1938-11-10
Filing date: 1938-11-10
Publication date: 1939-06-13
Anticipated expiration: 1956-06-13

Description

F. x. MALocsAY 2,161,877

MECHANISM FOR APERTURING CARTONS Filed Nov. l0, 1938 7 Sheets-Sheet l ORNEY June 13, 1939.

June 13, 1939. F. x. MALocsAY MECHANISM FOR APERTURING CARTON S 7 Sheets-Shea?I Filed Nov. l0, 1938 y. M I` .Y z E mw F V ms j V.l 4 a f June '13, 1939- F. x. MALocsAY 1' MECHANISM FOR APERTURING vCARTONS '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. l0, 1958 June 13, 1939- F. x. MALocsAY MECHANISM FOR APERTURINCT CARTONS Filed Nov. 10, 1958 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 if f7 f77?? I INVENTOR @awa/.YX /uoc sw y BY`V A ORNEY June 13, 1939. F, X. MALOCSAY 2,161,877

MECHANISM FOR APERTURING lCAR'IONS Filed Nov. l0, 1938 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Iwm/a/s/Y/Vzafsy TORNEY June 13, 1939. F. x. MALocsAY MECHANISM FOR APERTURING CARTONS June 13, 1939. F. x. MALocsAY MECHANISM FOR AFERTURING CARTONS Filed Nov. 1o, 1958 7 sheets-sheet 7 Patented June 13, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 26 Claims.

This invention relates to a mechanism for producing one or more apertures in card-board boxes, cartons or the like, and has for one of its objects the provision of means by which a box or .5 carton may be speedily and accurately formed with one or more apertures inone of its walls without requiring the removal of the contents from the box or carton, and if the carton is 10 or opening of the carton.

At the present time, various State laws require the application of a tax stamp toV a package of cigarettes when the same is sold Within that particular State. Since these stamps are applied by ;15v jobbers, dealers or others located in the particular states Where the stamp afxment requirement exists, considerable labor cost is involved as the 'cigarette manufacturers supply the cigarette 'packages in sealed cartons containing ten or more packages. These cartons have to be opened, `the-packages removed from the carton, the stamps applied to the packages, and the stamped packages then repacked in the cartons, and the'cartons re-sealed.

In my Patent No. 2,139,701, dated September 1'3, 1938, I show a carton for containing a number of cigarette packages, the carton there shown being provided with a series of apertures in one vof its walls through which portions of the ends vof the cigarette packages are exposed so that the tax stamps may be applied to the ends of the packages without requiring the removal of the packages from the carton. In the structure of that patent the openings or apertures shown are formed or produced in the carton either during the manufacture of the carton or thereafter, .but in each case, before the contents are placed in the carton. In other words, the placement `of the apertures in the carton occurs before the carton is lled with the cigarette packages.

The present invention contemplates the provision of means by which one or more apertures may be speedily and simultaneously produced in Yone of the walls of a filled and sealed carton Without disturbing or damaging the contents of the carton or requiring the opening of the carton. That is to say, with the present invention, the cartons as manufactured and filled, are of conventional imperforate construction; they are filled and sealed in the usual Way by the cigarette manufacturer and shipped by him to jobbers, dealers or others in the States where the stamp requirement exists, and the jobbers, dealers or others, through the use of the improved apparatus herein described, can speedily perforate sealed, without requiring the'breaking of the seal jthe cartons and apply the stamps tothe cigarette packages therein'throughthe openings so'formed, without unsealing the cartons or opening them, or removingthe contentsthereof. After thecartons are perforatechthe applicationofithe stamps ytothe cigarette packages is Vspeedily performed at a minimum labor cost.

The primary object o'f the'invention therefore consists in the provision of :an apparatus of the character mentioned; which apparatus vmay be provided, if desired, with `means for automatically feedingthe cartons to cutting elements and vthen moving the perforatedcartons awayfrom the cutting means; whichmay also be' provided if desired, with means for reversing the positions of 'the perforated cartons to place the perforated walls thereof uppermost to Athereby conveniently position thel cartons for eitherthe manual or mechanicalaflixment'of the stamps; which maybe provided if desired with manuatcartonefeedin'g i20 means, and which, -if desired, maybe applied to a decalcomania-applying machine' such a-'sis disclosed in my Patent No. 2,117,618,-dated v1\7l.`a.y

In the accompanying drawings,` wherein several embodiments ofthe invention' are disclosed, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machine constructed `in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2is v'ag-plan view of the same, with-certain of the parts'broken away-to disclose construction; Fig. 3 is a side ele- Vation of themachin'e, looking at the side `opposite to that shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a view of the machineV similar to 'that of Fig. 3, showing the parts in the position where the aperturing of a carton has been performed and the carton 35 is ready to be Yoverturned to a position Where the cut-out wall portion is disposed uppermost; Fig. 5 shows the machine in the position where overturning of the carton is ready to begin; Fig. `6 shows the machine 'in the po'siti'on'wher the =4'0 apertured carton has been turned over and `placed in position in the delivery row; Fig". '7 shows the machine in' the position where the 'parts' are returning to the initial starting point;

Fig. 8 is a side view'of the machine, modiedby 45 the elimination of the cartoneoverturning mechanism so that the apertured vcartonsare yplaced in the delivery row in the'same position as they occupy when moved over the cutting mechanism; Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the line9-9 of Fig. 250 8, looking in the direction'of the arrows; Fig. 10 is a front elevation of the machine; Fig. 11 is a sectional View on the line II-II of Fig. 2, looking in the 'direction of the arrows; Fig. 12 is a vView of ia part of the machine, with parts in sec- '55 tion, indicating how the same may be attached or connected to a decalcomania-applying machine such as shown in my Patent No. 2,117,618; Fig. 13 is a sectional View through the cutting table, showing the rotary cutters and the piercing blades; Figs. 14, 15 and 16 are sectional views through the cutting mechanism showing the successive steps in forming'an aperture by severing a section from a wall of the carton; Fig. 1'1 is a sectional view showing a modification of the piercing blades; Fig. 18 is a side elevation oi a modified structure, wherein the cartons are manually fed to the cutting mechanism; and Fig. 19V is a perspective view of a cartonV in which the apertures have been formed.

In Fig. 19 is shown a carton asit appears after.

having passed through the machine. The iive apertures, indicated at I, are preferably formed in the rear wall 2 of the carton which, as originally supplied by the cigarette manufacturer, is imperforate.

dealers, usuallyV contain ten packages 3 of the cigarettes packed in the carton in superposed rows, the folding cover for the carton being indicated at 4, and being usually sealed by an adhesive. The iilled carton thus supplied by the cigarette manufacturer is 'imperforate closed and sealed and the present invention produces the ve apertures I shown inY Fig. lg'without requiring the vremoval of the cigarette packages'from'the carton, without requiring breaking of the carton seal and without damaging the cigarettes or the wrappers in which they are contained.

Each aperture Iin the carton extends from one end of the wall 2 of the carton to the other end of thewall and each aperture exposes portions of the -ends of two packages so'that`V the five apertures shown expose parts of the nten packages and the tax stamps may beapplied to these exposed portions of the packagesfthrough theapertures yI either'by handY or'by'machin/e.Y If a artonof 'different construction contains more or less packages, the number of apertures formed in the c ar- `ton may be increased or decreased accordingly withoutV requiring 'extensive changes in the machine. Y Y Y Y y With reference to themachine, IIJ and I I indi- Ycate the side members of tl'ie'machine frame, the

same being connected by front plate I3 and by a `top or table portion I2 on which the cartons are supported and'moved tothe cutting mechanism -asV hereinafter explained. Mounted onthe front plate I3 of the frame is an' electric motor I4 having a shaft I5 upon which a pulley I6 is mounted.

:A belt I1 extending over the pulley I6, extends around a pulley I8 which normally rotates freely :on "a bushing on clutch shaft I9 vunless coupled 'thereto by a clutch mechanism, rwhich will be brieiiy described. A clutch operating in some- Vwhat similar manner was employed in the machine of, and is more completely described'in, my prior Patent No.2,11'1,618jY The operation of the clutch is governed Vby the passage of cartons which have been apertured by the cutting mechanism andwhich,` after having passed the cutting mechanismfare moved in a 'delivery row along the face of the table extension |2a. At a desired location, and preferably near 30 extends upwardly, said lever being secured on Said The packed and sealed cartons, as` .supplied by the cigarette manufacturer to the to the end of a link 34. The other end of link 34 is pivotally attached at 35 to the arm 36 of abellcrank lever, pivoted at 38 on the frame and having its other arm 31 engaged by a spring 38 which extends to the frame and which tends, through its downward pull on arm 31, limited by the stop 31a, to elevate the feeler lever 3G for a distance up through the opening 29 unless prevented from doing so by a carton resting upon table extension I2d above the opening 29. The end of arm 31 carries a stud 49 which is located in a slot in the upper end of a rod 4I. The lower end of the rod f 4I passes through an opening in a pivoted guide member 42 which is pivoted at 43 to the side member II] of the frame.

The clutch structure consists of means by which thepulley I8 will be coupled with and drive the shaft I9 as long as the rod II is in a lowered position, this occurring while the feeler lever 30 is elevated through opening 29. In other words,

yas long as there are no cartons located overopening 29 to depress lever 3l), the carton feeding and upturning mechanism will continue in operation. The clutch structure includes, among other ele- Vments, the clutch drum r2|, stripping arm 22 pivoted at 23, and upwardly spring-pressed at 24; the latch member 42, lever d1 and other operative elements, the structure and operation of said clutch being fully described in my previous Patent No. 2,117,613, and inother prior patents. It is sufficient to state that the structure is such that unless the feeler lever 3i! is elevated, the constantly-rotating pulley ISWill remain uncoupled from shaft I9 so that the carton feeding, cartonv upturning, and carton delivery mechanism will remain inoperative. y Y

Secured on the inner end of the clutch shaft AI9 is a pinion 5I) (Fig. 1G) which meshes with and drives a gear 5I secured on the shaft 52 mounted to rotate in the bearings F13 and 54 on the side frame members I Il and I I. Secured on one end of Y61 of a carton feed-member 68.

The carton feed-member B8 consists of a horizontally disposed plate portion69 supported on the table I2 and reciprocated thereon by means of said shaft 52, on the outside of frame side Il, is' a the mechanism above described, and 4it also includes a vertically disposed web or plate 10 from which the web portions 61 extend. Plate 10 constitutes a platen which contacts with each carton and slides it along the table I2 to the cutting mechanism. A guide block 1I mounted on bolt 12 is guided in slot 13 inthe table to direct the carton feed member in its reciprocating movement, and hold it against thertopy of the table.

The cartons to be apertured are arranged in a .stack above the table I2 and by movement of the carton feed member 58 are successively fed from the bottom of the stack to the cutting mech- Yanisrn. The stack holder includes the two,

properly-spaced, channel shaped guide members 14 and 15, cut awayat their lower ends to permit lateral movement of the lowermost carton by the feed member 68. Each of the guide members has a laterally extending ange or footv 16 Ysecured vin Fig. l1.

bythe screws 11, through spacer-blocks 1-8, tothe vtable I2.

The cartons |30 in thestack are duringcertain periods `of time, supported by rods 8|. These rods have their upper-ends engagingunder and supporting Vthe stack while the cartonfeed-member is on its travel to a retracted position inpreparavtion forits next forwardk or-cartonfeeding movement. 'Ihe carton feed-member |:`8 during Vits retracting movement is shown fin Fig. 5 and the manner in which the stack of cartons is supported at this time by the rods 8| is clearly shown Eachirod 8|f'is guided :for vertical movement through a guideflug 182 on theframe vand the two'rods'are simultaneously elevatedand lowered at theiproper'tim'e bylmeans of .levers83 pivoted at 84 on the frame, each of these levers having a 4yoke 85at its free end located y*between the collars .86..and 81 on'the rod. V,Each rod8| is elevatedand lowered by oneofthe leversf83and each lever 83carries a oamroller '88 which rides on a cam 89 secured on the shaft-52.

VAs the lowermost carton'in the stack-is moved to the :cutters by the carton feed-member, or to the right as-viewed in Figs. 3 and 4, it ismoved under and held down by a resiliently mounted pressure plateindicated at-90 in Fig. 2. VAt each of its ends the plate is attached to an arm 9|, pivoted at 92-to one of the stack guide members 14, 15. 4Extending upwardly from the top of the pressure-plate'are pins 93 which pass through guide members 94 projecting from the stack guides 14 and 15, said pins. being threaded for the reception of the adjusting nuts 95. A coil g spring-96 surrounds each pin 93 4and is interposed Cutting mechanism Secured on top of the table-I2 arefve properly spaced piercing blades 91 shown most clearly in Figs. 2 and 13 to 16 inclusive. Each blade is mounted in a complementary recess formed in the table I2 and rmly secured in position by means of the screws 98. At its free end Veach blade is formed with a point 99 and its upper face adjacent the point is inclined or vbeveled at |00 as clearly seen in Figs. 1 and 14. The pointed end portions ofthe blades are elevated above the face of the table I2 for a distance equal to-the'thickness of the card-board of which the body of the carton is made. As will be noted in Fig. 2, the

blades are preferably but not necessarily of' several different lengths so that when a carton is moved against their pointed-ends, the pointed ends of all the blades do not strike the carton simultaneously. Y

Situated below the piercing blades are spaced rotary cutters which operate in the openings |01 in the table I2, these cutters being kheld in properly spaced relationship by means of `the spacing elements |02 land |03 and the nuts |10. The cutters and spacing elements are all keyed cn a shaft |04 rotating at each of its ends in a ball bearing |05 secured to the frame. kShaft |04 is driven at relatively high speed from the motor I4 by means of the belt |96 extending around the' pulley |01 (Fig. 10) secured on the motor shaft |5,vand over the pulley-|08 secured on rthe'cutter` shaft |04.

As'willbe seen ,in Fig. `13, each ofthe piercing bladesisflocated betweentwoV of the'cutters ||l| so that .the twogshorter ends a and b (Fig. 19) of each opening in the cartonis formed by the entryand-exit of one of the blades through the carton, while the longer sides c and d of each opening are produced by the action of two of the rotating cutters.

The combined piercing and cutting operation, b y which-'theapertures vor openings are -produced in the wall of the carton, is shown in detail in Figs. 14 to 16 inclusive. VAs a carton at the bottom `ofthe stack isengaged'by the feed member 8 and moved along thetop of the table |2'tothe right, as viewed in-Fig. 3, with the wall ofthe carton to beapertured resting upon the surface of the table, the vcarton is pushed into contact with the pointed ends of the piercing blades 91 which enter within the carton at one end ofthe Wall 2 of the same, 'or as indicated ata in Fig. 19. To permit theffeed member 68 to pass over the piercing blades 91, the bottom of the feed member is grooved 'as Vindicatedat 10a in Fig. 11. The beveled end |00 of each blade enables the blade to enter into the carton between the packages therein and the inside face of the wall 2, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14 without tearing orV damaging the wrappers on the packages. As these wrappers on the packages are usually made of a slippery, transparent material suchras Cellophane, the blades slide easily past the packages. It will also be noted that when the packages are fed to the blades,the flaps on the wrappers ofthe packages, indicated at F in Fig. 2 are so disposed that the blades move from the fold of the flap toward the free end thereof so that the blades cannot possibly enter between the flaps and the Vremainder'of the wrapper and'damage either the flaps or wrapper. 'The blades, entering into the carton, elevate the packages slightly in a direction away from the wall'to be apertured. Asthe carton continues its movement'in the direction of the arrow (Figs. 14 to 16) it reaches a point where the two rotary cutters locatedat the sides of the blade, contact with the outer'faoe ,of the wall 2 of the carton and 'form two Vparallel cuts or slits c andd therein (Fig.r 19) extend# ingffrom-the Vendsfof the slit formedat a by the entry of Ytheipiercing blade into the carton. The blades 91holding the packages raised from the wall ofthe carton thus keep the packages raised away from the cutters. 'The under side of each piercing blade is curved or concaved as indicated at |09 to follow the peripheral curve of the cutters, and this curved under-portion of the blade directs the cut-out portion I of the carton downwardly and' away from the carton, as the carton continues its movement as indicated in Fig. 15. As furtherV movement of the carton is continued past the cutting mechanism, the ends of the piercing bladesk finally emerge out of the carton, at-the point'b, (Fig. '19) thus producing the last slit required and which connects those formed at c and d by the rotary cutters and frees the cut-out section from the body of the carton, so that the same falls down as indicated in Fig. 16, into a suitably positioned receptacle. It will be thus apparent that by the operation of the piercing blades, the two c uts or slits a and b are formed atvthe frontand rear ends of the wall to be aperturedyand that theends of'these two slits are connected 4by the longer parallel slits formed at c and d by the spaced rotary cutters so thata'reCtanguIar section is cut out and completely removediby each piercing blade anda cooperating pair of cutters, leaving a window opening I inthe wall of the carton, as clearly seen in Fig. 19, through which a portion of the end of two packages is exposed.

While five piercing blades and a pair of companion cutters for each blade are shown, to suit the requirements of present-day cigarette cartons and contents, it will be apparent that this arrangement may be varied as may be required to suit any reasonable changes in cigarette packing in the future.V To facilitate the smooth entry of each blade into the carton, the top of each blade may be rounded slightly as seen in Figs. 13 and 17, and also, if desired, the longitudinal side edges of each blade may be undercut as indicated at ||2 in Fig. 17, with the toothed edges of the rotary cutters disposed in the undercut recesses s o formed, to thus cover these toothed edges and prevent the same from contact with the hands of an operator should they be inadvertently placed near the cutters.

Carton-upturning mechanism After an apertured carton has passed the cutting mechanism, it is overturned onto the table extension I 2a. so that the apertured Wall 2 of the carton is placed uppermost, enabling the stamps to be easily applied to the packages without requiring manual upturning of the carton. A pair of tumbling arms H3 secured on an oscillating shaft |I4 engages the carton, by impingement against its apertured wall, and tumble it over so that the apertured wall is uppermost, or to the position shown in Fig. 2. Each end of the shaft II4 is rotatably mounted in a bearing H5 rising from the table I2. VShaft H4 is rocked by means of a rack I I6 secured to and extending from one side of the carton feed plate 68 by screws II'I and reciprocated with the feed plate. A segmental Vpinion I I8, secured on the shaft I I4, is periodically engaged by the ra'ck at the proper time to oscillate the shaft ||4in synchronism with the feed mechanism. A yoke I I9 forming an extended portion of the hub of pinion H8 holds the tumbling arms in a lowered position during the time that the carton feed plate 68 is continuing its movement of the carton past the cutting mechanism. During this period, the yoke H9 is engaged by a lug |28 constituting a lateral extension of the rack H6. The lug |20, in engagement with the yoke I I9, is clearly shown in Fig. 4.

The manner in which the carton-upturning mechanism operates will be clearly understood by reference to Figs. 3 to '7 inclusive. In Fig. 3 the carton is shown passing over the 'cutting mechanism, the same being, at this time, pushed to the right by the feed member 68. The tumbling arms ||3 are in lowered position, the same resting in recesses |2| formed in the top of the table VI 2, and the lug |20 is about to enter into the yoke I I9 to hold the shaft |`|4 against oscillatory movement and hold the pinion against movement during the time that the toothed portion of the rack is moved away from below the' pinion. In Fig. 4 the carton has passed the cutting mechanism and has been moved to a position over the tumbling arms I I3, or in other Words, has reached the limit of its movement to the right under the impulse of the carton feed member 68. Carton feed member 68 now begins to retract or move to the left, as shown in Fig; 5, leaving the apertured carton 80 resting on thek table I2 directly over the tumbling arms H3; YAs the feed member 68 re- Carton delivery mechanism When the apertured cartons are upturned in the manner justV described, they are delivered onto the table extension |2a and moved along the same in a delivery row as seen at the right of Figs. 3 to '7 and'at the left in Fig. 1. Means is provided for moving each carton, as it is upturned, out of the way Vof the next carton to be upturned. Said means includes a pair of delivery arms |25 secured on an oscillating shaft '|26 rotatively mounted in bearings in the side frame members I0 and I'I. Secured on one end of said shaft is an arm I 2'I which has its end pivotally connected at |28 to one end of a link |29 having its opposite end attached at |29a to a pin projecting from the arm 59. When shaft 60 is os'cillated to move the carton feed member 68 to the right (Fig. 6) to cause it to force the lowermost carton in the stack to the cutting mecha-V nism, arm 59 being also swung to the right, will swing arm |21 through link connection |29 therewith, in the same direction, and the delivery arms |25 will contact with the last carton that has been upturned Yand push it and the preceding cartons on the delivery row along the top of the table extension |2a to make room for the next carton to be deposited in the row in upturned position by the tumbler arms H3. Y

Briefly, the operation of the machine is as follows: Y

To begin operation of the machine, the stack is rst filled with cartons, with the Wall of ea'ch carton to be apertured facing downwardly.

Assuming that current to the motor I 4 has been turned on, the motor will begin driving the pulley I8 and also begin rotation of the cutter shaft |04. If table extension I2a is cleared of cartonsy and none is located above feeler lever 30, so that said lever is elevated up through opening 29, shaft I9 will be at once coupled by the clutch to pulley I8 and begin its rotation. Carton-feeding member 68 now begins movement toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 1, moving the lowermost carton in the stack before it toward the piercing blades 97. As the carton is so moved, it passes under the spring-pressure plate which holds it down during the cutting operation. The pointed ends of the piercing blades enter the carton and the cutters IBI co-operating therewith, begin the severance of five sections'of Ythe carton as shown in Fig. 14. Continuance of movement ofthe carton past the piercing blades causes the five sections I I I- ofthe carton to start downward movement away from the carton, as shown in Fig. l5. Finally, the pointed end of each piercing blade Vemerges out of the carton as shown in Fig. 16 and the severed section of the carton descends as there shown. Under the push of the carton feed member 68, the now apertured carton continues its movement past the piercing blades until it Yreaches a position of rest directly above the tumbling arms I I3, which are at this time in lowered position, as shown inFig. 4. At this time also, the lug |20 is located in Fig. 12.

the yoke H0 thus holdingshaftV Hagainstshiftingrotative movement. The carton. feed-member. 68.has now reachedthe limitof itsfeeding movement and begins. itsl return.. movement.

While this is occurring, thecartonsin. the stack.

arey held in elevated positionby the rods.f.8.| so

thatthe feedmembermaypass under them on its return movement. As the carton .feeding member moves on its return movement, ther-.ack IIS rotates pinion H8. causing shaft. H4 to be rotated to swingthe tumbling arms. upwardly and cause them to upturn the apertured cartonso that its. apertured wall is disposed uppermost. When the feed member reaches its retracted position, rods 8| are lowered to allow the then lowermost carton in the stack to descend and .cometo rest on top of the table l2 infront of the retracted feed member. Carton feed member now begins its next feeding movement and as this takes place,.pusher arms are'moved to cause.

In order to maintain the machine in constant.

operation, it is necessary that the cartons be removed from over the opening 29 to permit rais.- ing movement of feeler lever 30. Thus, if the machine should be unattended it will automatically halt the feeding and cutting of cartons as soon as one is located over the opening29. Also, if girls applying the stamps to the cartons issued from the machine work more slowly` than the output of the machine, the machine will automatically halt whenever the table is full of cartons.

While the apertured cartons may have the stamps manually applied to their contents while the cartons are on the table extension |2a or elsewhere, the present machine may also be employed in conjunction with, or used `as an attachment for, the decalcomania-applying machine shown in my Patent No. 2,117,618. The manner. in which this can be done is disclosed in There, the tumbler arms ||3 Yare arranged to upturn the apertured cartons directly on top of a support |65 under which carrier bars |66 and |61 of the decalcomania-applying'machine are moved with an upward, forward, then downward and backward, movement to move the carton progressively along from one position of stamp-application to the next, as fully explained in said patent. These carrier bars form a part of said decalcomania-applying machine, and by the combination of the present invention with said machine the cartons can be apertured, fed directly to the decalcomania-applying machine, and the stamps applied by said machine.

A modification of the invention is disclosedin Figs. 8 and 9 wherein the carton-upturning means is omitted and the apertured cartons are delivered upon the table extension |2a with their apertured walls facing downwardly. In this structure, means is provided for preventing rearward movement or creeping offthe apertured cartons, such means consisting of bars |15, one of said bars being located at the outer` side of each of the stack guides 14 and 1'5. Eachbaris loosely mounted upon two pins Iland |11 and y`is resiliently held against the side of thefstack guideonwhicnit isgmountedyby means, of a coil spring. |18. surroundingthe pin |11 and capable ofhaving its tension adjustedby means of the adjusting nut 129;. threaded on' the pin. |11. Y The' free vend portions 18|)y of. the bars |15 Vare bent inwardly,.or. ina direction toward one Vanother so that they are spaced apart for adistance'. slightly less than the length ofi a. carton. A s a carton is meved between. the. two, bars |15 during the cutting. operation, the bars Will Spread apartagainst the'tension of, springs |18 togper mit thev carton to pass between them AssOOri asthe carton is moved beyond the cutters to the position shown in, Eig. 8, .the bars |15 will move toward one anotherunder pressure of the springs |18 to a position lbehind the carton as indicated at V,l 81| .inllig 9, thus noldingthe carton in place in the delivery row and, preventing it from mov-- ingv backwardly toward the cutters.

While I have thusI far described an apparatus inl which the .cartonsfto be ,.apertured. are .fed 130th@ Cllilillmearls mehancally and are there' after delivered by -mechanical means, it will be QbViQusthat .such mechanical feeding. and delivery ,meansmay be eliminated, in theA case wherea simple carton-aperturing deviceis desired, and the cartonsqfedto the` cutting means by hand. VSuch a structure is disclosed in 18. AThereisshown a frame |90 having a table portion |31.- enfwllch is. slidably mounted a oarton feedmember |92gwhich may correspond generally inshape topfeed member l,|58 except that itis manually lreciprocatedY on the table. A motor |533` isfprovided with a shaft |34 on which a p ulley. |95, is attached. `AIV-belt' |96 extends over lpulley ISS. and ,connectsngtopulley |91 secured on cutter shaft yl SB, which maybe similar in all respects .to thecutter` shaft |04 and4 provided with the rotary cutters,in thedsarne manner. Table |`9| is provided with piercing blades `|991smilar to those shown atf91. A conveyor beltis.` shown at 200 forv carrying away` the apertured cartons.- With thisrrstructure, ac arton .ismanually placed .with one of its ends against anupstanding guideplate 204|and4in front ofthe feed. member |92. The. handpf r the operatonshown in dotted lines in the drawings, rests on top of the`- carton and `on the raisedtop ofthefeedmember. and moves the feed membergvand carton together toward andv` over the piercingblades. |99 andthe .co-operat-.- ing rotary cutters; Asfthe cartonis passedover the cutters, andblades the apertures aregzcut out as explained -with respect to the. structure shown. in Eigs.V lato 16 inclusive. The sectionsoi waste material out'. out of the Acarton by. the..forma.. tion of the apertures therein, fall downintd chute 202 and into a suitably placed receptacle. The stroke of the sliding carton feed-member |92. is sunicientto move the cartonbeyond theblades.` |99,A and ontoqthe conveyorfs200 .by whlcheit. is carried away-while the `carton feed..memberv is manually returned to its initial positionin readiness to move thenext cartontothe. cutters.:

While I have described several embodiments .of the invention it will be obvious that various, modifications may be Vmade without departing; from the spirit of the invention. By meanssof., the several structures herein described.. sealed, and lledcartons can be apertured topermitthe, afxment of stamps tothe contentszrwithout.dise,A turbing the contents. Since the packagesfaregnot removed from-the cartonsfor the yaflixment `oi.' the stamps, unduehandling of thepackagesandthe possibility of damage to the cigarettesresulting therefromis avoided. '111e consi1merof l the cigarettes is thus assured that the merchandise secured by him is in the same condition as when it was originally packed. VOn the other hand, the apertures in the packages permit ready examination of the contents for the purpose of ascertaining that the stamps have been attached as required by law.

What I claim is:

1. A machine of the character described, comprising, a support for a iilled carton containing a plurality of packages, means for piercing the carton and entering into the interior of the carton, and cutting means co-operating with the piercing means for cutting out a section of a wall of the carton and detaching said section to form an aperture in the wall without damage to the contents of the carton and without requiring the removal of the contents from the carton.

2. A machine for forming an aperture in a filled carton of packages comprising, a piercing member for entering into the carton between one wall thereof and the packages contained in the carton, and, cutting means operative from the outside ofthe wall adjacent the piercing member and co-operating therewithin cutting out and removing a section ofthe carton wall to form a" window aperture therein.

I 3. In amachine for forming an aperture in a wall of afilled carton, a piercing member, means for thrusting the same within the carton at one end of the'wall and out of the carton at the other end of the wall, and cutting members operative against the outside of the wall along the edges of the piercing member for co-operation with said piercing member in cutting out and detaching a section of the wall from said wall.

. 4: In lagmachinerfor forming an aperture in a wall ofra lled carton, a piercing member, means for causing said member to be thrust through one end of -the wall of the carton to enter into the carton and out of the carton through the opposite end of the wall to thereby form slits in the carton at its opposite ends, and cutting members operative along the sides of the piercing members for cutting slits across the wall to connect those formedat the opposite ends of the wall by the piercing member.

i 5. In a-machine for forming an aperture in a wall of a lled carton, a piercing member, means for causing Ysaid Amember to be thrust through one endv of the wall of a carton between said wall Vand the carton contents and to thereby move the contents away from said wall, said means also causing the end of the piercing member to extend out of the opposite end of the wail" to thereby form slits in the carton wall at the opposite' ends of said wall,rotary cutters operative along the sides of the piercing member for cutting slits across the Wall to connect those formed at'Y the ends of the wall by the piercing member, and means for rotating said cutters.V

. r6. `Amachinev Yof the character described com-- prising, a support for a filled carton, a plurality of spaced piercing members disposed on said sup- 051 portto pierce a carton at spaced points at one piercing members, a plurality of cutters adapted to cut spaced slits in the pierced wall of the carton to connect the slits produced therein by the piercing members and thereby sever sections from said wall of the carton to leave openings in said wal1,and means for operating the cutters.

'7. In a machine of the character described, a support against which the wall of a carton to be apertured is placed, a plurality of fixed piercing blades attached to said support, means for moving the carton over said blades to cause the blades to enter into said carton at one end of the wall to be apertured and pass out of the opposite end of the wall to thereby form a slit in the carton at each end of the wall, a pair of cutting members between which one of the piercing blades is 1ocated, means for causing said cutting blades to form a pair of parallel slits to connect the two slits formed by the piercing blades, and means on said blades for ejecting the portion of the wall of the carton that is located between the four slits so formed.

8. In a machine of the character described, cutting means for producing an aperture in a wall of a closed and filled carton comprising, iixed and movable cutting elements co-operating in cutting out and ejecting a cut-out section from the carton wall, and means for moving the carton y to be cut over said cutting elements whereby the fixed `element will enter the carton Ybetween its contents and the wall to be apertured.Y

9. In a machine of the character described, cutting means' for producing an aperture in a wall of a closed and lled carton comprising, fixed and movable cutting elements co-operating in cutting out and ejecting a cut-out section from the carton wall, means for moving the carton to be apertured ovei said cutting elements whereby the fixed elements'will enter the carton between its contents and the wall to be apertured, the movable cutters being operative along the sides vof the xed cutting elements.

10. A machine of the character described commembers, means movable over said support for moving a filled and closed carton over said cutting elements whereby said cutting elements cut out sections of the wall of said carton to form spaced window openings therein to expose parts of the contents without requiring removal of the contents of the carton or the opening of the carton, and means for moving the carton after the same has been apertured to bring its apertured wall uppermost on the support.

12. In a machine of the character described, a ilat support, a fixed piercing blade secured thereon and having a pointed tapered end, a pair of movable cutters disposed so that one of said cutters is at each side of said blade, and means for `moving said cutters, whereby a closed and filled carton passing over the blade and cutters will have a section cut out of the wall of the same that is directed toward said blade and cuttersI by the'blade and cutters, and means on the xed blade for ejecting the cut-out section of the carton in a direction away from the carton.

13. A machine of the character described comprising, means for supporting a stack of closed and filled cartons, a support on which the lowermost carton in the stack rests', a feed member and means for reciprocating the same below the stack to cause the same to engage the lowermost carton therein and move it away from the stack, a plurality of spaced cutting elements over which the carton is moved by said feed member to cause apertures to be formed in said cartons without requiring opening of the cartons or the removal of the contents thereof, and means for moving the apertured cartons away from the cuttingl elements after the cartons have been apertured thereby.

14. A machine of the character described comprising, means for supporting a stack of closed and lled cartons, a support upon which the lowermost carton in the stack rests, a feed member movable on the support, means for moving said feed member below the stack to cause the same to engage the lowermost carton in the stack and move it away from the stack, a plurality of spaced, xed piercing blades mounted on the support and having tapered and pointed ends directed toward the carton that is moved toward them by the feed member, each of said blades having a rotary cutting knife operative along each of its edges whereby said blades and knives co-operatively cut apertures in the cartons without requiring the opening of the cartons or the removal of the contents thereof, means for rotating the cutting knives, and means for moving the apertured cartons away from the blades and knives after the cartons have been apertured thereby.

15. A machine of the character described comprising, means for supporting a stack of closed and filled cartons, a support upon which the lowermost carton in the stack rests, a feed member movable on the support, means for moving said feed member below the stack to cause the same to engage the lowermost carton in the stack and move it away from the stack, a plurality of spaced, fixed piercing blades mounted on the support and having tapered and pointed ends directed toward the carton that is moved toward them by the feed member, each of said blades having a rotary cutting knife operative along each ci its edges whereby said blades and knives cooperatively cut apertures in the cartons without requiring the opening of the cartons or the removal of the contents thereof, means for rotating the cutting knives, means for moving the apertured cartons away from the blades and knives after the cartons have been apertured thereby, and means for tumbling the carton to bring its apertured wall to an upwardly disposed position on the support.

16. A cutting device for cutting out an aperture in the wall of a closed and filled carton cornprising xed and movable cutters over which the carton is moved to cause said cutters to enter the carton and sever a section from the carton from one end of the wall to the other end and detach said severed section, without requiring removal of the contents of the carton, and means for moving the carton during the cutting operation.

17. A device for cutting a plurality of spaced window apertures in the wall of' a closed carton containing a plurality of cigarette packages completely lling the interior of the carton comprising a blade entering the wall at one end thereof and emerging at the other end, and cutters operative along the opposite edges of said blade and working on the outer face of the wall for cooperating with the blade in cutting out and detaching a section of the wall with the packaged contents of the carton remaining within the carton during the cutting operation.

18. In a machine of the character described, a support, a at blade secured on the upper surface of the support, said blade having a tapered, pointed end whereby a carton moved over the support and over the blade will be pierced by the blade at the opposite ends of the wall of the carton that rests against the support, and means for cutting spaced slits through said wall of the carton from one end of said wall to its other end, while the blade is passing through the carton.

19. In a machine of the character described, a support, a flat blade secured on the upper surface of the support, said blade hav-ing a tapered, pointed end raised above the surface of ythe support, whereby a carton moved over the sup-port and over the blade will be pierced by the blade at the opposite ends of the wall of the carton that rests against the support, means for cutting spaced slits through said wall of the carton while the blade is passing through the carton from one end of the wall to the opposite-end, and. means at the underside of the blade for causing the section of the carton dened by the slits to be ejected from between the blade and cutting means.

20. In a machine of the character described, a pair of spaced rotary cutters, a support over said cutters on which wall to be apertured directed toward the cuttersv whereby said cutters form a pair of spaced parallel slits in said wall extending from one end of the wall to the other and an element fixed on the support between the cutters for forming a pair of slits at the opposite ends of those formed by the cutters and at right angles thereto.

21. In a machine of the character described, means for holding a stack of filled cartons to be apertured, a sliding feed member mounted for movement below the stack to successively feed the lowermost carton in the stack away from the stack, a plurality of fixed blades and companion cutting elements to which the cartons are successively fed by the feed member, means for operating said cutting elements to cause the same in co-operation with the blades to sever and detach sections from a wall of each carton as each carton is moved over said blades and cutting elements, means for moving the feed member to and from the cutting means, and means operative from below the stack for supporting the cartons in the stack while the feed member is moving beneath the stack.

22. In a machine of the character described, a supporting surface upon which a filled cardboard carton to be apertured is moved, a iiXed blade mounted on said surface and spaced above the same for a distance equal to the thickness of the wall of the carton to be apertured, whereby a carton moved over said surface and against the blade will cause said blade to enter into the carton between the wall of the carton that is in contact with the surface and the carton contents, and cutting means (zo-operating with said blade for cutting out a section of said carton Wall and detaching said section.

23. The method of cutting out an aperture in the wall of a filled and closed carton comprising, causing a piercing element to enter into the carton at one end of the wall to be apertured and to pass between the inner face of said wall and the carton contents and then pass out of the carton at the opposite end of the wall, and slita carton is moved with itsV ting the carton through said wall from the out- Y nect the two slits formed by the piercing element.

24. The method of cutting'out an aperture in the Wall of a lled and closed carton containing cigarette packages comprising moving the carton past a stationary piercing element to cause said element to form a slit and enter into the carton through said slit at one end of the Wall to be apertured and pass between the cigarette packages and the inner face of the Wall and then form a slit and pass out therethrough at the opposite end of the wall, and slitting the carton through said Wall by slitting elements operating from the outside of the Wall and forming a pair of slits which connect those formed by the piercing element, and ejecting the section of the wall defined by the four slits in a direction awa-y from the carton.

25. The method of forming an aperture in a closed'and-filled carton comprising, inserting a relatively flat member Within the carton between the wall thereof to be apertured and the contents and forming a slit in the carton by the insertion of said member thereinto, causing the flat member to emerge from the carton and forming a slit by the emergence of said member, and cutting spaced slits in the Wall of the carton along the sides of said member to connect the two slits formed by the entry and emergence of said member. Y n

26. A machine of the character described comprising, a carton support for the reception of a iilled and closed carton, a cutting device for forming a, plurality of apertures in one Wall of the body of the carton located on the support While the carton remains lled and closed, to thereby expose portions of the carton contents through the apertures so formed, and carton-feeding means for feeding the carton to the cutting device and moving the carton relatively to the cutting device during the formation of the apertures.`

FRANCIS X. MALOCSAY.