US2195916A - Egg carton assembling machine - Google Patents

Description

April 2, 1940. A. E. BROWN Er AL 2,195,916

EGG CARTON ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 10, 1938 13 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 1940- A. E. BROWN El A L 2,195,916

EGG CARTON ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 10, 1938 13 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 2, 1940. A. E, BROWN Er AL 2,195,916-

EGG CARTON ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 10, 1938 13 Sheets-Sheet 3 April 1940 A. E. BROWN ET AL 2,195,916

EGG CARTON ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 10, 1938 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 vvvvvvv w April 1940. I A. E. BROWN ET AL 2,195,916

EGG CARTON ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 10, 1938 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 rZigy April 1940- A. E. BROWN El AL 2.195.916

EGG CARTON ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 10, 1938 13 Sheets-Sheet s ,jr derzdx April 2, 1940. A. E. BROWN ET AL 2,195,916

EGG CARTON ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 10, 1938 13 Sheets-Sheet 7 jg'gjz April 2, 1940.

- A. E. BROWN ET AL EGG CARTON ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 10. 1938 13 Sheets-Sheet 8 April 1940- A. E. BROWN ET AL ,195,916

EGG CARTON ASSEMBLING MACHINE F'i led Dec. 10, 1938 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 I April 2, 1940. A. E. BROWN El" AL 2,195,916

EGG CARTON ASSEMBLING MACHINE.

Filed Dec. 10, 1938 13 Sheets-Sheet 10 I 1 279 ZZ3 ll mlllm lls 221 April 2, 1940- A. E. BROWN ET AL 16 EGG CARTON ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 10, 1938 13 Sheets-Sheet 11 April 2, 1940. A. E. BROWN ET AL 2,195,916

EGG CARTON ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 10, 1938 13 Sheets-Sheet 12 April 1940- a V A. E. BROWN ET AL 6 EGG -CARTON ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 10, 1938 13 Sheets-Sheet 15 Patented Apr. 2, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcs EGG CARTON ASSEMBLING MACHINE Application December 10, 1938, Serial No. 245,024

32 Claims.

The machine of the present invention is designed in its entirety to sequentially perform the various operations required in folding and then punching a procession of carton blanks each constituting the body of the egg carton, and in thereafter introducing the cross walls or partitions and interlocking the same in position in preparation for the final discharge of the assembled carton in knockdown condition at the discharge end of the machine. The machine in certain of its constituents embodies the features of construction shown and described in Patent No. 1,970,550, issued August 21, 1934, to Benoit et al., and Patent No. 1,993,915, issued March 12, 1935,

to Brown and Vaughan, so that in the description of the present invention appropriate reference will be made to these patents.

In the present machine the scored carton blanks are placed flatwise in column form in a suitable hopper from which they are fed singly to breaker mechanism which breaks the carton blanks along the intended fold lines, and thereafter presents them in close folded condition to punch mechanism which punches the required slots and notches for the reception of the cross walls or partitions. Thereafter the punched once-folded blanks are delivered to the mechanism provided for inserting the cross walls through the slots in the body blank in preparation for the final operation, which reversely bends the center fold of the carton blank inwardly and up into the slots or lower notches in the cross wall partitions and flattens out the carton thus infolded in knockdown form for final 5 delivery.

Certain features of novelty in the present machine are found in the department of the machine which serves to break the scored carton blank along the score lines. but thepresent features of the invention are directed mainly to the department of the machine which reversely bends the base wall of the carton blank upwardly into the notches in the cross walls for finally conditioning the carton for delivery from the machine. 45 In respect to the means provided for punching and notching the carton blanks, the mechanism employed in the present machine closely resembles that set forth'and described in the Benoit Patent No. 1,970,550; and in the means provided 50 for inserting the cross walls into the body blanks,

the present machine closely resembles the machine of the Benoit patent aforesaid and also the-machine of the Brown and Vaughan Patent No. 1,993,915, so that in respect to these mecha- 55 nisms which are thus incorporated into the present machine it will not be necessary to describe the same in such complete detail as in the case of those portions of the machine which more particularly embody the features of novelty above referred to.

The machine as a whole is so designed that the carton body blanks may be stacked flatwise at the forward end of the machine, and the cross walls likewise stacked at an intermediate point of the machine, after which the operations in- 10 volved in breaking, punching and assembling the blank constituents and in folding and delivering the same will proceed continuously and automatically so that the cartons in knockdown column form and in condition for final shipment 15 will be delivered by a continuous process so long as the required stack of blanks is supplied to the machine.

Further objects and details will appear from a description of the invention in conjunction with 20 the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l is a diagrammatic elevation view of the entire machine; v

Fig. 2 is a collective view showing the condition assumed by the carton blanks at various stages 25 during their progress through the machine;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing in erected form the type of carton handled by the present machine;

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of the hopper for 30 the body blanks with the associated feeding mechanism;

- Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the breaker mechanism for breaking and folding the carton blanks along the score lines;

Fig. 6 is a detail of the pusher mechanism for positioning the blanks within the breaker;

Fig. '7 is a cross sectional view of the breaker mechanism taken on line 'l1 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a similar view showing the breaker 4G arms distended;

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional elevation of the punching and slotting mechanism taken on line 99 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the cross wall as- 'sembling mechanism taken from the side opposite to that shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the inserting mechanism showing the hoppers and guides for the cross walls;

Fig. 12 is a cross sectional elevation taken on line H of Fig. 11; I

Fig. 13 is a similar view showing certain of the parts in more complete section;

Figs. 14 and 15 are details of the jaw and u switch mechanism for lifting the carton blanks;

Fig. 16 is a side elevation of the folding mechanism for reversely folding the body of the carton into the cross walls, the view being taken on the side of the machine opposite to that illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 17 is a cross sectional view taken on line ll of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a detail of the folder arms illustrated in Fi 17;

Figs. 19, 20, 21 and 22 are series of fragmentary views showing the carton blank during the progress of the folding operation;

Fig. 23 is a cross sectional view of the blank after the folding operation is complete;

Fig. 24 is a longitudinal section through the middle of the carton blank on line 24 of Fig. 23;

Fig. 25 is an end view of a carton of modified form erected in its ultimate condition for use;

Fig. 26 is a detail of the grooved presser bar for acting upon the base of the carton blank;

Fig. 27 is a detail of the grooved folder bar for acting upon the top of the carton blank; and

Fig. 28 is a plan view' of the hopper for receiving the folded blanks for final delivery.

The machine as a whole comprises a hopper A for receiving the carton body blanks in unfolded condition; breaker mechanism B for once-folding the blanks and breaking the same along the score lines; punch mechanism C for punching the slots and notches in the once-folded carton blanks; assembling mechanism D for inserting the cross walls through the once-folded body blanks; mechanism E for infolding the body blanks up into the notches in the cross walls; and hopper mechanism F for receiving and delivering the folded blanks in knockdown condition.

By reference to Fig. 2, it will be noted that the machine begins its operation on a scored laid out fiat body blank, a column of which blanks are stacked in the hopper A. The breaker mechanism B acts to fold the body blank along the medial score line, and to break the blank along certain of the remaining score lines, giving it the appearance in cross section of an arrow. As the blanks thus broken or weakened along the score lines are fed forward, they are flattened into the once-folded condition and punched in the section C of the machine as indicated in the accompanying view of the blank in Fig. 2. Thereafter the cross walls are fed through the blanks, as indicated in the view of the carton immediately beneath the mechanism D. Thereafter the carton proceeds in the form shown in the right hand portions of Fig. 2, and is ultimately delivered with the medial section infolded, as shown, and the cross walls flattened to nest upon one another. so that the cartons in knockdown condition may be stacked in column form for delivery.

Referring particularly to Fig. 3, the body of the carton is formed from a blank 30 which is medially folded along a score line 3i which divides the body of the carton into two sections. The carton body is folded downwardly to afford adjacent longLtudinal partition sections 32 which extend medially of the complete carton and at the base are spread outwardly along the fold lines 3333 forming the base sections 34-34 which diverge outwardly and downwardly to the inverted ridges 35 which afford the lines of contact for supporting the carton. The carton body is thence folded upwardly on each side along the ridge lines 35 to afford side walls 36-38 which terminate at the hinge lines 21, beyond which the carton blank provides cover walls' 38 each connected along a fold line 39 with the marginal tucking flap 40.

The arrangements shown provides two troughlike sections which are divided into compartments by cross walls 4| which, as shown, are seven in number. The cross walls are configured, as best shown in Fig. 23, being of generally rectangular formation with an upwardly extending lower slot 42 and an inwardly extending upper slot 43 in vertical alignment with one another and separated by a bridge section 44. The lower inner edges 45 of the cross walls are beveled inwardly to the mouth of the lower slot 42, and at the outer end of each beveled section is formed a notch 46. The upper edge of each cross wall is provided at each outer corner with an upwardly projecting stop finger 41, and the terminus of the upper slot 43 is beveled away or throated as at 48.

The position occupied by the cross walls with respect to the distended body of the carton when finally erected for use is indicated in Fig. 3, and the condition of the carton body when infolded but with the cross walls distended laterally is indicated in Fig. 23. The erected condition of the carton shown in Fig. 3 does not occur in the present machine but is referred to for purposes of clarity in understanding the nature of the completed carton here involved.

During its progress through the machine, the carton body blank is punched to provide a row of outer slots 49 and a row of inner slots 50, which latter are connected with the medial folding line 3| by slits 5| which terminate in notches 62 in the folded area.

The body blanks 30 are stacked flatwise within a hopper 53 comprising angled corner standards 54 which receive and guide the corners of the blanks. The column of blanks is supported upon a sloping feeding plate 55 which is mounted upon a slide bar 56 operating within guideways 51. The feeding plate near its rear edge is provided with a shoulder 58 which is adapted to engage the outermost edge of the lower body blank and feed the same forward through a slot 59 below the gate plate 60 and into the bite of the feed rolls 6|. Reciprocating motion is imparted to the feeding plate through an ec centric rod 62 which rides upon a cam 42 mounted upon a cam shaft 84.

The feed rolls 8| serve to advance each b1ank singly along a narrow central supporting bar 65 upon which the blank is centrally disposed as indicated in dotted lines in Fig.- 8, with its side edges projecting laterally and its forward edge in contact with a stop 68 (Fig. 5). In order to. positively position each blank after it has passed beyond the bite of the rollers a kicker finger 61 is provided which is pivoted at the upper end of a rocker arm 88 and operated by a cam arm 10 actuated by a cam H. The centrally disposed supporting bar engages the middle of each blank, but the outer edges are supported each upon the face of a folder plate 12 when the folder plates stand in extended relation as shown in Fig. 8. The folder plates are carried by arms 12 and 14, each pivoted at 15 to the frame of the machine. The arm 13 terminates in a straight section 16 while the arm 14 terminates in-a bend or angle section 11.

The arms are swung in opposition to one another through the medium of slotted bracket heads 18 and 19, which straddle a cam shaft 80 upon which are mounted cams N and 82 which engage rollers 83 carried by the respective bracket heads for imparting opposed oscillatory movements to the arms 13 and 14 through the medium of connecting rods 04-84. result of this arrangement the folding arms are moved toward and away from one another in unison so that the edges of the carton body blanks which initially lie flatwise against thefolder plates 12 will be carried upwardly as the bars are swung inwardly.

The folder plates are of a size to substantially enclose the once-folded carton blanks, and are configured as in Fig. 8 to afford a lower offset groove 85 which merges into the flat inner face of the plate, which fiat face along its upper margin is ofiset to afford a flared lip 86. The configuration referred to is such that when the two plates are swung to their innermost positions, as in Fig. '7, they will enclose an arrow shaped space and impartto the carton blank a series of folds or breaks along score lines which coincide with the angles afforded by the inner faces of the folding plates. The folding-plates in conjunction cooperate with an anvil bar 81 which comprises a wedge shaped lower head 88 and a flared upper tail piece 89, giving to the anvil as a whole an arrow shape in cross section which is complementary to the configuration of the folder plates, so that when the side edges of the carton blank are folded upwardly by the folder plates they will break along the angles afforded by the anvil and assume the configuration shown in Fig. '7, with the upper marginal edges of the blank flaring outwardly between the beveled walls of the tail piece 89 and the flared margins 86 of the folder plates.

The anvil as a whole is suspended by a plate 90 from the .frame of the machine, with its inverted apex held slightly elevated above the central supporting bar 65 which affords a slight clearance for the insertion of the carton blank while lying flatwise. The stop 60 is provided with a notch 9| in its center, so that the stop is effective only for retarding the blank while lying flatwise, but when folded upon the anvil by the action of the folder plates the carton will clear the stop 66 and may be carried forward through the notch 9|. This forward advance of the broken and folded carton is effected in the first instance by a kicker finger 92 carried by an arcuate arm 93 pivoted to a rock shaft 94 journaled within a bracket 95.

The rock shaft is actuated by an arm 96 to which is pivoted a thrust rod 91, which in turn is actuated by cam mechanism 98 properly timed to actuate the kicker finger 92 at a time when the folder plates 12 have begun to retract and release the folded carton from confinement. The kicker finger operates within slots 99 in the folder plates, which arrangement affords clearance for the movements of the kicker finger which projects the forward edge of the folded carton forwardly into the bite of rollers I operating on a vertical axis, which rollers engage the middle portion of the folded carton blank and feed it forwardly.

As the carton is fed between the rollers, its lower folded edge and the upper margins will project respectively below and above the rollers,

.so that the carton as a whole will be free to expand and assume a once-folded flatwise condition in preparation for its advance into the die cutting or punching department of the machine illustrated at C in Fig. 1, and illustrated in detail Asain Fig. 9. This punching mechanism is practically identical with that shown in the Benoit Patent No. 1,970,550, so that it is not necessary to describe the same in full detail. It will sufllce to point out that the once-folded carton blanks are fed forward into position to stand against the inner face of a vertically standing female die plate IOI provided with a row of upper die slots I02 and a row of lower die slots I03. The die slots cooperate with upper male die members I04 and lower male die members I05 which are carried by a plate I06 which is mounted to swing upon an axis I01 through the action of suitable cam mechanism I08 and connections I09, which need not be described in detail.

The advance of the male die members inwardly results in the cutting of the upper row of slots 49, the lower row of slots 50, the slits 5|, and the notches 52, all as illustrated in Fig. 2, which operation prepares the carton blank for the reception and interlocking of the cross partitions, which occurs in the next' department D of the machine now to be described.

The folded carton blanks, after being punched. are advanced forwardly through the action of kicker mechanism IIO identical with that shown in the Benoit Patent No. 1,970,550, and which need not be described in detail. This kicker mechanism advances the folded and punched carton blanks into the bite of vertically standing power driven feed rollers II I-III (Figs. 10- and 11) which advance the blanks into the bite of feed rollers II2I I2, at which point the car ton blanks occupy the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 13, with their folded lower edges upon a shou dered guide bar I I3, from which extend inwardly a pair of inclinedtransverse rails H4, each having its upper edge II5 beveled to afford a sharp ridge which affords an incline for elevating the carton blanks to the right hand.

position shown in full lines in Fig. 13 as the blanks are shoved sideways, and ride along the rails I'M which engage the outermost notches 52 in the folded lower edge of the carton blank.

The companion upper free edges of the carton 1 blank are held within a guide bar N6 of inverted channel form (Fig. 13) which is supported by brackets H1 at the required height to allow for the passage of the'once-folded carton blanks within the space subtended between the shouldered lower bar H3 and the upper channeled guide bar 6.

An accurate positioning of the cartons is effected by the movements of a kicker finger H8 (Fig. 11) which is mounted upon a vertical rock shaft II 9 having at its lower end a crank Q20 suitably actuated throughconnections I 2i by a cam I22. The rock shaft is journaled within a bracket head I23, and the arrangement as a whole is such that at properly timed intervals the kicker finger will be oscillated to move the carton blanks forward against a suitable stop which holds them accurately in position to bring the notches 52 in the lower folded edge of the carton blank into registry with the inclined rails H5 which serve thereafter to transport the carton blanks-into the required position to receive the cross walls.

With thecartons so positioned, but still occupying the outermost position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 13, the cartons are thrust inwardly I and elevated by the transverse movements of a. pusher plate I21 having upstanding arms I.249

pusher arm is provided on its under surface with a rack I21 in mesh with a pinion I28 actuated by a rack I29 on the end of a thrust rod I33 actuated by cam mechanism I3I to advance the cartons inwardly in timed series to the full line position indicated in Fig. 13, at which point they contact the inner face of a guide plate I 32, provided with a series of vertical slots I33'through which the cross partition walls are thrust by mechanism substantially like that shown in the Benoit Patent No. 1,970,550, and the Brown and Vaughan Patent No. 1,993,915. As the cartons are thrust inwardly along the inclined rails II4 they are elevated slightly to bring the upper series of slots 49 in the carton blank into exact register with the slots I33 in the guide plate I32.

The cross wall partitions H are fed transversely into and through the aligned slots 49 in the body blank by the mechanism shown more particularly in Figs. 11 and 13, but since this mechanism is substantially a counterpart of that shown in the Benoit Patent No. 1,970,550, a brief description only will be given of it. Since seven cross partitlons are required to afford two rows of six cells each in the completed carton, provision is made for seven stacks of cross partitions arranged flatwise in column form and supported within T- shaped standards I34 (Fig. 11), which provide seven open chutes or hoppers for the columns of cross partitions. With each operation of the machine, seven cross partitions are fed inwardly from the bottoms of the respective stacks by means of a feed plate I35 provided with a notch or shoulder I36 (Fig. 12), which plate is carried by a carriage I31 slidable transversely upon guide rods I38 and operated by a thrust rod I39 suitably actuated by cam mechanism I40 in properly timed relation. The carriage also carries suitable pivoted fingers I which are rocked or oscillated to partially elevate the blanks after they have been fed forward from the stacks and are advancing toward the rear ends of a series of guide-' ways I42 (Fig. 11), which complete the edgewise elevation of the partition blanks and guide them inwardly to the slots I33 through which they are inserted into the slots in the walls of the body blank.

A step by step inward advancement of the partition blanks is effected by mechanism having a four-way movement of the character fully described in the Benoit patent aforesaid, which consists briefly of a series of spaced bars I43 (Fig. 12) which partake of the in and out movements of the carriage and which are provided with depending plates I44 which in a stepped sequence engage the rear edges of the partition blanks and feed them forward twice in order to project them through the slots in the body blank. Provision is made for holding the bars I43 in lowered position during the inward feeding movements so that they will engage the rear edges of the blanks as in Fig. 12, and for elevating the bars so that the plates I44 will clear the blanks on the return movement of the bars, thus feeding them inwardly in a step by step processional movement. In view of the more complete disclosures contained in the Benoit patent aforesaid it is not deemed necessary to further describe these feeding movements which have the effect of thrusting the partition blanks into the position shown in Fig. 13, at which point the upper and lower notches 43 and 42 of the cross partitions stand in alignment with the slots 43 in the body blank.

vate the body blank sumciently to bring it into the bite of two sets of feed rollers I43 and I4! 10 (Fig. 11), which stand in elevated relation with respect to the body of the carton and in position to engage the upper margins thereof, so that as the carton is advanced by the rollers I48 and I4! it will be suspended therefrom. with its lower or folded edge riding along a guide rail I (Fig. 10)

In order to effect the necessary elevation of the blanks, the lifting jaw mechanism shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 14 is provided. This mechanism is carried by a vertically movable slide plate I43 provided with forwardly extending ears I which journal a pintle I5I carrying an arm I52, which mounts a roller I53 adapted on the downward movement to ride upon the outer face of a switch arm I54 pivoted upon a pin I55.

The switch arm is provided on one side with an offset shoulder I55 which furnishes the pathway for the roller I53, and at the terminus of the shoulder the roller will drop inwardly behind the switch arm as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 15, so that, upon the next upward traverse of the slide plate I 49, the roller will occupy the innermost position and roll along behind the switch arm. The arrangement is one which imparts osciliatory movements to the pintle I5I which carries a finger I52 to which is pivoted a link I53 having its outer end pivoted to the tail I54 of a jaw member I55 to which is secured a spring :2? connecting at its upper end with the finger The arrangement is one which normally pulls the jaw inwardly into clamping position, but on the downward movement of the roller I 53 the roller will move into contact with the tail I54 of the Jaw, which forces the jaw away from clamping engagement with the carton. Thus on the downward movement of the slide plate I43 the jaw will stand in open relation to the grip ping surface I51 of the slide plate, so that at this stage in the operation there will be nothing to interfere with the positioning of the carton blanks by the inward movement of the pusher bar I 24.

After the cross partitions have been inserted, the slide bar will be moved sufficiently to allow the roller I53 to drop in behind the switch arm as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 15, which causes the jaws to swing inwardly to the gripping position, in preparation for the lifting movement of the slide plate I43, which elevates the body of the carton blank to the degree required to draw the lower ends of the slots in the body blank into engaging relation with the lower slots 42 in the cross walls. This engagement is effected by reason of the fact that the cross walls are held against movement during this interval by the contact of a bar I 53 (Fig. 13) which is carried by plunger rods I53, the upper ends of which are secured within lugs I" on the slide plate in such a way as to afford the required amount of lost motion to permit the slide plate to be partially elevated before any elevation of the bar I53 occurs, which bar is of sufiicient weight to hold down the cross partitions during this interval and until an interlock is effected.

' after the cross partitions have been inserted, and

a shaft I63, carrying a pinion I64 which in turn is actuated by a rack I65 at the upper end of a draw rod I66 actuated by a cam I61 in properly timed relation to elevate the carton body blanks the initiatory portion of the lifting movement serves to interlock the cross partitions within the slots, and the final lifting movement serves to bring the upper margins of the blank into line with the rollers I46 and I41.

At this stage the assembled carton is thrust forwardly by the action of a kicker bar I68 (Fig. 10) which is carried by a block I69 slidably mounted within a guideway I10 and actuated by a rocker arm I1I pivoted at I12 and having its lower end connected by a thrust rod I13 suitably actuated at properly timed intervals to advance the cartons slightly until they enter the bite of the rolls I46 and with their lower edges resting upon the guide plate I48, which serves to steady the cartons and permit them to be fed forwardly with the cross walls distended in transverse relation to the body. This advancement of the cartons causes them to traverse the space between two inclined guide plates I14 provided each along its lower inner edge with an angle bar I15 so disposed as to engage the lower edges of the outstanding partition walls, without, however, interfering with the direct forward advance of the carton body, which is advanced by the action of a series of pairs of upper rollers I16, I11, I18 (Fig. 16) which act in conjunction with pairs of lower feed rollers I19, I80, I8I.

These upper and lower feed rollers grip the upper and lower margins of the body blanksand hold the body blanks in the direct line of advance while the distended cross walls are caused,

to travel along the inclined angle guide bars I15 and thus be progressively elevated, with the result that at the end of this feeding movement the notches 43 in the cross walls will be elevated to engage with the upper ends of the slots 49 in the body wall, thus establishing a higher point of interlock. In this condition the assembled blank enters the department E of the machine within which the lower edge of the carton body is reversely folded and tucked inwardly in the manner now to be described.

The final movement of the cartons into this department of the machine is effected by a kicker bar I82 carried by a slide I83 mounted upon the guide bar I84 and actuated in properly timed sequence by a lever I85 pivoted at I85 and rocked by the action of a cam I81. The upper end I88 of the lever is bifurcated to freely engage a pin I89 on the slide plate so that the rocking movements of the lever will be transformed into back and forth movements of the kicker arm, which serves to give the final advancement to the cartons along the upper grooved edge I90 of a centrally disposed plunger plate I9I, which at its forward end is provided with a boss I92 carrying a roller I93 which rides in a slot I94 (Fig. 26) in a guide standard I95. Up and down reciprocating movements are imparted to the grooved plunger bar by a lever arm I96 pivoted at its outer end I91 and actuated by a thrust rod I98 carrying a cam head I99 operated by a earn 200 in properly timed sequence.

The plunger bar cooperates with a pair of folder bars 20I each carried by arms 202 and 203 (see Fig. 16). Each of the arms 203, at a point somewhat below the middle, is provided with an inwardly extending finger 204, which fingers are hinged upon a pintle 205 (Fig. 18) carried within a sleeve 206, so that the arms are free to rock toward and from one another upon the pintle as an axis. Upon the same pintle is mounted the inner end of a lever 201 pivoted at its outer end upon a fixed pivot 208, which arm is oscillated vertically and in properly timed sequence by the action of a thrust rod 2I0 actuated by a cam 2'I I.

The lower ends of the arms 203 are projected downwardly, and each arm has pivoted thereto a toggle link 2I2, which links in unison are pivoted at the point 2I3 to the innner end of a lever arm 2I4 fixedly pivoted at the point 2I5 and actuated by a roller 2I6 riding upon a properly configured cam 2. The arms 202 are similar in all respects to the arms 203, except that they do not have the downward extensions below the inwardly projecting fingers 204.

The method of mounting and actuating the folder bars and timing and coordinating the movements imparted by the respective cams is such that as the bars are actuated they will move in the manner shown diagrammatically in Figs. 19 to 22 inclusive. These movements are coordihated with pressure which is imparted to the top of the carton blank by means of a grooved presser bar 2I8, which is moved up and down in properly timed sequence by means of a plunger rod 2I9 actuated by a cam 220. The carton blank, during the movements presently to be described, is held in position between guide plates 22I having their lower edges 222 bent inwardly in oblique relation to engage the beveled side edges of the cross walls and suspend the same during the infolding movements, and the support thus afforded is supplemented by overhanging bars 223, which engage the aligned upper edges of the cross walls and hold them steadily against displacement during the ensuing operations, which serve to reversely bend the folded lower edge of the carton blank and tuck it up inwardly until it assumes the final position shown in Fig. 23.

At the initial stage of these operations, the carton occupies the position shown in Fig. 19 with the folder bars standing distended and with the vertically movable grooved plunger bar I9I occupying a position immediately below the folded lower edge of the carton. The first movement is imparted to the plunger bar which rises to the position shown in Fig. 20, thereby flattening out the fold in the lower edge of the carton blank and distending the side walls as incidental to this operation. The side walls in being thus distended break along the grooves or score lines 33-35, which gives to this portion of the carton blank the right angled configuration indicated in Fig. 20, with the angles substantially aligned with the folder bars which have notched inner edges adapted to engage the ridges or angles along the score lines 35 thus presented.

As the movements progress from the position bends along the score lines 35 into position to be engaged by the folder arms which are grooved or notched along their acting upper faces. with of the carton blank to collapse and infold upwardly, bending along the score lines 3|, and approach a fiatwise folded condition.

These movements cause the slits at 5| to spread sufliciently to engage the sides of the cross walls and thus permit the infolding of the carton into the substantially fiatwise condition shownin Fig. 22. During these operations the upper edge of the carton body is held against vertical displacement by the contact of the grooved bar 2|8, which lowers from the position shown inFig. 19 to the position shown in Figs. 20-22, to thus effectively engage and hold the carton while the infolding operation is occurring. At the same time the cross walls are held against displacement by the plates 22! which, as shown in Figs. 19-21, closely embrace the outer edges of the cross walls.

This concludes the infolding operation and conditions the carton for final delivery from the machine, and at this stage the cartons are thrust forwardly into the bite of feed rollers 224 by a terminal movement imparted by the kicker arm I82, the cam I81 being so configured as to impart this final movement after the infolding operation has been completed. This final feeding' movement by the rollers 224 carries the assembled carton blanks standing edgewise into a delivery guideway consisting of transversely extending flanged rails 225-225 along which the cartons are moved by a reciprocating plunger bar 226, or in any other suitable and convenient manner.

All of the various departments of the machine are so unified and coordinated that the entire operation will proceed automatically and without interruption. This is due to the fact that after the carton body blanks are first medially folded by the breaker plates in the department B of the machine, so that they stand in vertically fiatwise relation with their folded edge presented downwardly, the blanks progress forwardly through the machine in this upstanding position and without further stacking or reassembling, and subject only to the lateral and vertical movements required in the introduction and interlocking of the cross partitions. By thus maintaining the body blanks in folded vertically standing relationship, there is no need for any interruption in the continuity of the operations, 1

since the blanks are constantly under the control of the machine.

It will of course be understood that after the infolding of the carton blanks, the final delivery of the blanks causes the cross walls, when freed from confinement, to pivot upon their centers and nest fiatwise against one another as they are finally stacked together at the delivery end of the machine. Although it is essential that the distended right angle relation of the cross walls be maintained during the infolding operation in order to properly align the slots in the body blank and in the cross walls so that no difiiculty will be experienced in effecting the movements previously described, the parts, however, during this operation are adequately confined and held, so that the necessary operations will occur without interference.

In Fig. 25 we have shown a carton which is similar in all respects to the one previously described, with the exception of the fact that the two plies of the body are not connected along the medial folding line. However, the infolding mechanism of the present invention will operate on the two separate plies thus associated in substantially the same manner as in the case previously described in which a reverse bending along the medial folding line occurs. Where the two plies, however, are separately formed as in Fig. 25, it will of course be understood that no reverse bending occurs, but that the disconnected lower edges constituting the base portion of the carton body will be thrust inwardly in unison, which will cause a distension of the side wall portions in the manner previously described, so that the base portion of the carton will be tucked inwardly between the side walls in the same manner as though the operation were directed upon a carton blank in which the two plies are actually connected along the folding line. It will therefore be understood that in so far as the infolding mechanism is concerned, it makes no difference whether it acts upon a carton blank having a once-folded body or one in which two separate body plies stand in disconnected edgewise relation to one another, and that it is not the intention, unless otherwise indicated in the claims, to limit the invention to the employment of folding mechanism of the character pointed out in the description of the complete machine.

The machine as a Whole is one which is designed to rapidly and accurately assemble cartons of the general character described and deliver them in condition for shipment with a minimum of attention, and with proper safeguards at all stages of the operation to prevent displacement of the carton blanks or jamming the machine thereby.

Although the machine as a whole has been described with particularity as to detail, it will be understood that numerous modifications in structure may be introduced without departing from the spirit of the invention.

We claim:

1. In a machine for assembling cartons consisting of a slotted body and individual cross walls, means for advancing the carton body with the two plies of the body standing on edge and in flatwise relation to one another and for inserting the individual cross walls through the slots in the two ply body, infolding mechanism to which the assembled blank is delivered, said infolding mechanism comprising an inwardly movable member adapted to engage and impart an inward edgewise thrust to the body to cause distension of the body plies from one an-- other, and folder means adapted to impart inward lateral pressure against the distended sides 01 the body' in timed relation to infold the base portion of the body between the side portions thereof.

2. In a machine for assembling cartons consisting of a slotted body and individual cross walls, means for advancing the carton body with the two plies of the body standing on edge and in fiatwise relation to one another and for inserting the individual cross walls through the slots in the two ply body, infolding mechanism to which the assembled blank is delivered, said infolding mechanism comprising an inwardly movable member adapted to engage and impart an inward edgewise thrust to the body to cause distension of the body plies from one another, folder means adapted to impart inward lateral pressure against the distended sides of the body in timed relation to infold the base portion of the body between the side portions thereof, and means engaging the opposite edges of the two ply body during the infolding operation to prevent bodily displacement thereof.

3. In a machine for assembling cartons consisting of a slotted body and individual cross walls, means for advancing the carton body with the two plies of the body standing on edge and in flatwise relation to one another and for inserting the individualcross walls through the slots in the two ply body, infolding mechanism comprising a movable member positioned to impart an inward thrust to thebase of the body to cause distension of the plies, and pivotally mounted oscillating folder bars positioned to engage the sides of the body when outwardly distended by the inthrust of the movable member and to move inwardly in timed relation thereto to reverse the base portion of the body and tuck the same inwardly between the side portions thereof.

4. In a machine for assembling cartons consisting ofa slotted body and individual cross walls, means for advancing the carton body with the two plies of the body standing on edge and in flatwise relation to one another and for inserting the individual cross walls through the slots in the two ply body, infolding mechanism comprising a movable member positioned to impart an inward thrust to the base of the body to cause distension of the plies, pivotally mountted oscillating folder bars positioned to engage the sides of the body when outwardly distended by the inthrust of the movable member and to move inwardly in timed relation thereto to reverse the base portion of the body and tuck the same inwardly between the side portions thereof, and means engaging the opposite edges of the two ply body during the infolding operation to prevent bodily displacement thereof. I

5. In a machine for assembling cartons consisting of a slotted body wall and individual cross walls, the combination of means for folding the body wall along an intermediate folding line to provide a once-folded body blank, means for advancing said body blank while standing upright upon its folded edge, means for inserting the cross walls through the slots in the oncefolded body blank while standing edgewise, means for advancing the assembled blank, infolding mechanism to which the assembled blank is delivered by the advancing means, said infolding mechanism comprising a vertically movable member adapted to impart an inward thrust to the folded edge of the body blank, and folder bars adapted concurrently to impart inward lateral pressure against the sides of the body blank in timed relation to reverse the fold in the blank and tuck the base portion of the body blank inwardly between the side portions thereof.

6. In a machine for assembling cartons consisting of a slotted body wall and individual cross walls, the combination of means for folding the body wall along an intermediate folding line to provide a once-folded body blank, means foradvancing said body blank while standing upright upon its folded edge, means for inserting the cross walls through the slots in the oncefolded body blank while standing edgewise, means for advancing the assembled blank and for holding the cross walls in distended relation during such advancement, infolding mechanism to which the assembled blank is delivered by the advancing means, said infolding mechanism comprising a vertically movable member adapted to impart an inward thrust to the folded edge of the body blank, and folder bars adapted concurrently to impart inward lateral pressure against the sides of the body blank in timed relation to reverse the fold in the blank and tuck the base portion of the body blank inwardly between the side portions thereof.

7. In a machine for assembling cartons consisting of a slotted body wall and individual cross walls, the combination of means for folding the body wall along an intermediate folding line to provide a once-folded body blank, means for advancing said body blank while standing upright upon its folded edge, means for inserting the cross walls through the slots in the oncefolded body blank while standing edgewise, means for advancing the assembled blank and for holding the cross walls in distended relation and elevating them relatively to the body blank to interlock therewith during the period of advancement, infolding mechanism to which the assembled blank is delivered by the advancing means, said infolding mechanism comprising a vertically movable member adapted to impart an inward thrust to the folded edge of the body blank, and folder bars adapted concurrently to impart inward lateral pressure against the sides of the body blank in timed relation to reverse the fold in the blank and tuck the base portion of the body blank inwardly between the side portions thereof.

8. In a machine for assembling cartons consisting of a slotted body wall and individual cross walls, the combination of means for folding the body wall along an intermediate folding line to provide a once-folded body blank, means for advancing said body blank while standing upright upon its folded edge, means for inserting the cross walls through the slots in the oncefolded body blank while standing edgewise, means for advancing the assembled blank. infolding mechanism to which the assembled blank is delivered by the advancing means, said infolding mechanism comprising a vertically movable member adapted to impart an inward thrust to the folded edge of the body blank, and folder bars adapted concurrently to impart inward lateral pressure against the sides of the body blank in timed relation to reverse the fold in the blank and tuck the base portion of the body blank inwardly between the side portions thereof, and means engaging the top edge of the body blank during the infolding operation to prevent bodily displacement thereof.

9. In a machine for assembling cartons consisting of a slotted body wall and individual cross walls, the combination of means for folding the body wall along an intermediate folding line to provide a'once-folded body blank, means for advancing said body blank while standing upright upon its folded edge, means for inserting the cross walls through the slots in the once-folded body blank while standing edgewise, means for advancing theassembled blank and for holding the cross walls in distended relation during such advancement, infolding mechanism to which the assembled blank is delivered bythe advancing means, said infolding mechanism comprising a vertically movable member adapted to impart an inward thrust to the folded edge of the body blank, folder bars adapted concurrently to impart inward lateral pressure against the sides of the body blank in timed relation to reverse the fold in the blank and tuck the base portion of the body blank inwardly between the side portions thereof, and means engaging the top edge of

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