US2643043A - Automatic case filling machine - Google Patents

Description

June 23,1953 G.J.,O1KULITCH E'FAL 9 3 AUTOMATIC CASE FILLING MACHINE Filed March 25, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet l GEORGE JOSEPH OKUL/TC/l n and IGOR v. ZOZUL/N ZNVZ'NTORS ATTORNEYS June 23, 1953 G. J. OKULITCH ETAL AUTOMATIC CASE FILLING MACHINE Filed March 25, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 GEORGE JOSEPH OKUL/TCH and IGOR V. Z OZUL/N ATTORNEYS Mme 23, 11953 G. J. OKULHTCH EE'AL AUTOMATIC CASE FILLING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 llll Filed March 25, 1949 H s Y n R s I 0 E W W N mm m H HM] Q JZ JV ER 6 m m [I M 3W8 1953 G. J. OKULITCH ErAL 9 3 AUTOMATIC CASE FILLING MACHINE Filed March 25, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 was r L I 19- E- 8 I 7 .1 53 95 GEORGE JOSEPH OKULITCH 99 and IGOR; v. ZOZl/LIN 5 JNVENTORS ATTOR s G. .s. oKuLn'c Ef-AL AUTOMATIC CASE FILLING MACHINE June 23, 1953 8 SheetsvSheet Filed March 25, 1949 I i =5 E INVENTORS ATTORNE s June 23, 1953 G. J. OKULITCH ETAL 4 ,0

AUTOMATIC CASE FILLING MACHINE Filed March 25, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 I; r Zfg. 15.

a GEORGE JOSEPH OKULITCH I and IGOR V- Z OZUL/N INVENTORS Jame 23, 11953 G. .11. OKULHTCH ETAL 2,643,M3

wromnc CASE FILLING MACHINE 8 Sheets-finest 8 Filed March 25, l949 mwm E xa k Wk @m #6 has H m M W S m M m 6 Patented June 23, 1953 OFFICE AUTOMATIC CASE FILLING MACHINE George Joseph Okulitch and Igor V. Zozulin, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Application March 25, 1949, Serial No. 83,332 In Canada February 15, 1949 This invention relates to the art of packaging and is particularly directed to a machine which will function to pack shipping cases with articles. The machine which will be described in detail in this specification is specifically intended for packaging bottles in shipping cases.

The present trend in industry is to utilize automatic machines to fill, seal and label containers. The use of such equipment results in high production rates and as a corollary lower cost of unit production. Industries which commonly use this equipment are those which process and market their product as a packaged entity. The food, drug, dairy and beverage industries are examples of those utilizing such equipment.

The production advantages resulting from the use of the automatic equipment referred to above are partly lost unless methods and machines are employed to place the packaged articles in shipping cases with the same efiiciency.

Case filling machines to be rated eificient from the production standpoint should embody definite performance and physical characteristics. The machine should be of a size and other physical characteristics that it can be conveniently located in close relationship to the other automatic equipment processing the market unit, with consequent savings in storage and transportation charges.

In order to avoid an accumulation of packaged articles during periods when the automatic packaging equipment is operating at maximum capacity and the periods when the output of the packaging equipment is low, the case filling machine should have an operating speed capable of handling the output of the previously mentioned equipment over a large range of production.

It is also desirable that case filling machines may be capable of being modified to handle a relatively large range of different articles. An efiicient case filling machine should also be capable of easy adaptation to difierent arrangements of articles in the shipping case. p

A further desirable characteristic of machines of the present invention is the ability to handle semi-fragile containers such as glass bottles used for beverages and containers without jarring or dropping.

' The machine of the present invention embodies all of the desirable characteristics mentioned above and in addition several novel and distinctive features. The simplicity of the construction of the machine and the absence of the complicated mechanical motions usually associated with such machines contributes to increased capacity in comparison with existing machines. The ab- 9 Claims. (01. 226-14) sence of complicated mechanical motions results in reducing the amount of time and money expended in maintenance work.

The novel machine which is the subject matter of. the present invention combines in one unit several individual operations which result in the individual article being placed in an orderly manner in a shipping case. Control means are provided to synchronize the individual operations thus minimizing the amount of supervision during the operation of the machine.

The novel case filling machine may be associated with the machines previously referred to which package and seal an article. Preferably the case filling machine is located at the end of the production line and packages or containers are fed to it by means of a conveyor belt. The operation of the machine is divided into three cycles or sub-operations which function: first, to assemble the packaged article or container in a predetermined order, secondly, transferring the assembled containers into a mechanism which is arranged to receive and hold the containers in a pattern corresponding to that which the containers will occupy in the shipping case, and thirdly, placing and retaining an empty shipping case in a filling position below the container holding mechanism and causing the latter to descend and deposit the containers in the shipping case. Immediately the shipping cases are filled they are released from the filling position and succeeded by an empty case. Interlocking means are provided to insure that the individual operations take place in proper sequence and to prevent faulty or imperfect operation.

Throughout this disclosure and in the appended claims the word container is used to indicate a bottle, box or other individual article which has been filled and sealed in a previous operation and which it is desired to place into an additional case for shipment. Likewise the term shipping case or case is .intended to indicate a carton, box, crate or other receptacle in which the first men tioned articles are assembled for shipping. The shipping case may contain any suitable subdivisions such as cells and is usually of substantial construction to avoid damage during shipment. The adoption of these terms is admittedly to be purely arbitrary, but is done in order to avoid confusion in terminology in describing the machine and its operation.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the machine along line 3-3 of Figure 1 illustrating the unloading rack and case conveyor stop and delaying brake.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the machine along line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the switch which activates the discharge mechanism.

Figure 5 is a view partly in section along line 55 of Figure 4 of switches which activate the container discharge mechanism and stop machine which supplies containers to the conveyor.

Figure 6 is an elevation view in detail of the container discharge mechanism.

Figure '7 is a cross section along line 1-1 of Figure .8 of the combined reduction gear and one revolution clutch.

Figure 8 is a plan view along line 8-8 of reduction gear and one revolution clutch shown in Figure '7.

Figure 9 is an elevation view of blocks which determine one revolution of the clutch shown in Figures '7 and 8.

Figures 10, 11 and 12 illustrate details of the ,elevator and gripping mechanism.

Figures 13, 14 and 15 disclose details of an alternate gripper mechanism.

Figures 16 and 17 disclose details of the automatic case stopping device.

Figure 18 is an enlarged view of details of the device disclosed in Figures 16 and 1'7.

Figure 19 is a side view of delaying brake used in connection with the conveyor for the shipping cases. I

Figure 20 is a schematic view of the electrical circuits controlling and synchronising the various operations in the machine.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the machine will be described by reference first to the general frame construction and then by describing in detail the various units which make up the complete machine.

The machine of the present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises a main frame indicated generally by the character F. This frame, as shown, is of open design and comprises vertical, horizontal and inclined members shown by the numerals I, 2 and 3 and made from suitable structural shapes.

The machine illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is a single unit type suitable for handling containers of one size only and for the sake of convenience, is illustrated handling and inserting 12 containers into a shipping case arranged to receive a like number of containers. It is to be realized that the machines of the type illustrated may be grouped in multiples to provide greater capacity. The operation of the machine consists of three principal cycles and for clarity of description, the construction and inter-relation of the elements constituting each distinct cycle of operation will be described as a unit.

Delivery of containers to machine and preliminary stacking ,machine and its operation, that side of the machine which adjoins the container-filling equipment, or the side to which the filled containers are delivered, will be called the front and the other or remote side, the back of the machine. In Figure 3, the left-hand side of the machine would be the front side and the right-hand side the back side. Previously filled and labelled containers move along on the conveyor belt and enter the'machine from the front side and are guided by the side walls 5 which function to maintain the containers in linear relationship to each other. As the containers are advanced by the conveyor, the foremost of the row of containers is prevented from further forward movement by the action of the stop 6. The stop 6 extends transversely across the conveyor belt and does not touch the conveyor. The stop 6 is of sufficient height to prevent the containers from being carried forward and at the same time, it functions to support the containers and maintain them in an upright position.

Positioned behind the stop 6 are two microswitches generally designated at I which are activated by an arm 8 having a container contacting member 9 at right angles to the arm. The detailed construction of the limit switch assembly I is disclosed in detail in Figure 4. By reference to this illustration, it will be seen that there is an aperture II] in the wall 6 through which the plunger arm 8 and the cross member 9 extend. The plunger arm 8 is pivoted at II and carries at its outward extremity an adjustable counterweight I2. Two sensitive electrical switches or micro-switches I3 and I4 have activating plungers I5 and I6 which are capable of being moved by the action of the plunger arm 8. The microswitches I3 and I4 are of standard commercial design and will not be described in detail in the specification. It will be noted that the switches I3 and I4 are arranged in stepped relation to each other in order that under the movement of the arm 8 the switch I3 will be actuated prior to the switch I4. By adjusting the counterweight I2, the movement of the arm 8 can be adjusted to move and operate the switch I3 when a predetermined number of containers are deposited in front of the stop 6, a set screw on plunger arm 8 further controls the movement of the arm.

When the switch I3 is actuated the mechanism of the second cycle of operation functions to transfer the containers from the conveyor belt to a loading rack. This transfer mechanism will not, however, operate unless the elevator or holding mechanism is in position and is not fully loaded. Providing that the transfer mechanism is not able to function for the reasons given and as containers accumulateon the belt, the additional pressure will cause the arm 8 to move and contact the plunger I6 of the micro-switch I4. The micro-switch I4 controls the circuit which in turn controls the operation of the conveyor belt, consequently, with an accumulation of containers on the belt over the maximum for efficient operation of the machine, the belt is stopped by the action of the switch I4. When the transfer mechanism is again free to operate, a suilicient number of containers are removed from the belt to open the switch I4 and permit the conveyor to operate in the normal manner.

The conveyor transfer mechanism is illustrated generally by the letter T on the right-hand side of Figures 1 and 3 and Figure 5 illustrates the details of the timing and operating portion of the mechanism T.

The transfer of the containers from th b t to the loading rack comprises a plunger I! in the form of a longitudinal bar disposed parallel to the conveyor belt and to one side of the belt. The plunger l! is generally L-shaped with a flange l8 extending at right angles to the main part of the plunger at the front end of the machine. The plunger ll is supported on a U- shaped frame l9 which is in turn supported on the general frame F of the machine by guide 20. A covering of resilient material may be provided on the container contacting side of the plunger.

The plunger I? is capable of movement at right angles to the belt carrying the filled containers and functions to transfer the assembled containers to the loading rack indicated generally by the symbol LR. The transfer motion of the plunger H is created by the sub-unit including a motor and clutch which is indicated generally by the letter D. When the electrical circuit controlled by the micro-switch i3 is activated, the motor 2 i, operating through a reduction gear and one revolution clutch 22, revolves the disc 23 by means of the shaft 24, through one revolution. Revolution of the disc 23 which carries a connecting rod 25 pivotally secured thereto and which is in turn connected to the supporting member IQ of the plunger causes a transverse motion of the plunger IT. The return stroke of the plunger ii is assisted by the spring 23 and is considerably faster than the forward stroke. Movement of the plunger ii is prevented by the micro-switch 56 when the loading rack and elevator are fully loaded with containers.

m mentioned above, the sub-assembly D moves the mechanism T in a transverse direction and pushes the filled containers from the belt. This sub-assembly D will now be described in detail. The motor 2| revolves continuously and on actuation of the electromagnet EM| the disc 23 is caused to make one complete revolution. The rotative motion of the disc is transmitted through shaft 24 by means of the combined reduction gear and clutch unit 22. Figure 7 illustrates in detail the construction of the reduction gear and clutch unit shown generally at 22. Figures 8 and 9illustrate details of the clutch mechanism. A housing 2! is mounted on the general supporting frame F and is made from sheet metal of the required strength to support the reduction gear and the associated clutch. The shaft 28 extends into the interior of the housing and is driven by. a pulley which in turn is rotated by a belt 29 connected to a pulley on the motor 2|. To the shaft 28 is keyed a worm gear 30 which is in operative engagement with a gear 3| which is secured to the shaft 32. The shaft 32 is supported by the frame 27 and the cone bearing 33 carries a disc 34. The disc 34 being arranged in the manner just described, will constantly revolve as long as the motor 2| is turning. The disc 34 will hereinafter be referred to as the driving disc andhas a series of circular openings 35 located in an annular manner about its periphery. The shaft 24 is supported on the shaft 32 by the thrust bearing 36 which is in the form of a single ball bearing. The upper-face of the disc 34 has a recess 31 into which is forced a cone bearing 38. Secured to thelower end of the shaft 24 is a disc 39 which carries pins 40 which are capable of being removably inserted into the holes 35 in the disc 34. The pins 40 are mounted in a block 4| which has an indented inclined surface capable of sliding up a similar inclined surface of the lower block designated as 42. A spring 43 in the form of a leaf exertspressure on the pins to hold them in place in the openings 35. Guides 44 are provided in the driven disc 39 for the pins 40. When the pins 4|] are in the extended position, the discs 34 and 39 are locked together and consequently the shaft 24 will rotate. The pins 40, however, are kept in a retracted position by the action of the block 42 which engages the under side of the block 4| to hold the latter in a retarded position. The block 42 is capable of lateral movement by the action of the pins 45 which slide in lateral or horizontal guides. A compression spring 46 acts to maintain the block 42 in a position supporting the block 4|. The pins 45 are connected by a lever system shown generally at 41 to a" rod 48 which is capable of being given longitudinal movement by the electromagnet EMI. Withdrawal of the block 42 from underneath the block 4| allows the pins 49 to drop into the holes 35 assisted by the action of the spring 43. As the disc 39 revolves the block 42 rides upon the inclined plane of the block 4| lifting the pins 4|] from the holes 35. The inclined planes of the blocks 4| and 42 are so arranged that one revolution of the disc 39 will cause the block 4| to assume its upper position at the end of one complete revolution.

As the shaft 24 revolves it turns the disc 23 to which the connecting rod 25 is pivotally secured and in turn connected to the supporting structure IQ of the plunger l'l. Suitable bearings are provided to support the shaft 24 as it passes through the frame F of the machine. As these bearings are of conventional construction, they are not described in detail in this description. Secured to the upper face of the disc 23 is a knuckle 49 which supports for pivotal movement one end of a crank 50 the other end of which is supported in the center portion of the disc 23 by the bearing 5|. Pivotally secured to the crank arm 50 is the connecting rod 25. Accordingly, as the disc 23 revolves the crank 5|} is rotated and the connecting r0d'25 reciprocated. In the forward stroke the spring 26 is under tension but not sufficient to overcome the forward motion. The spring 26 tends to pull the plunger backwards and consequently the motion of the plunger IT in a rearwardly direction is faster than the forward stroke, thereby speeding up the operation of the machine.

Loading rack and elevator The mechanism which operates to transfer the assembled containers from the conveyor belt has now been described in detail and the following description will refer to the mechanism located on the left hand side of Figure 1 and designated by the letters LR.

On each stroke of the plunger I1 four containers are moved off the belt and into channels 52 formed by the walls 53 which extend vertically and run in a transverse direction to the axis of the conveyor belt. The length of the stroke of the plunger I! is such that the containers are pushed along the channels 52 until their tops slide into stationary upper holding rails 54. On the following stroke, additional groups of four containers are delivered into the same channel and advance the preceding containers into the jaws 55 of the movable loading rack. When the loading rack has been filled to capacity, predetermined by the size of machine or the size of article handled, the containers exert pressure upon the pressure- sensitive switches 56 and 51, opening switch 56 and closing switch 51. The opening of switch 56 then prevents further movement of the plunger in a forwardly direction and closing of switch 51 initiates the operation of lowering the elevator shown generally at 58.. A safety mechanism is provided to preventthe lowering of the elevator 58 unless there is a shipping case in proper loading position and providing also that the shipping case is empty. The catches 59 are provided on the walls 53 to prevent backward swinging of containers which have been inserted into the loading rack. When the loading racks 55 are filled to capacity they are lowered by the elevator shown generally at 58 in order that the containers may be deposited in the shipping case. The elevator 58 consists of various supports and gripping members which are arranged to hold the containers in place and to lower them at a desired rate into the shipping case.

The elevator mechanism by which the loading racks carry the containers is illustrated in Figure 1 by the symbol LR. In describing the construction and operation of the elevator reference will be made to Figures 1, 2, 3, 10, 11 and 12. Referring first to Figure 1 four vertical columns 60 are secured to the frame of the machine and act as guides for the movement of the elevator. Positioned for sliding motion over the rod 66 are tw horizontal plates 6| and 62 spatially separated by hanger rods 63. The rods 63 are secured to the upper plate 62 by means of lock nuts 64 and at the lower end the rod 63 passes through the plate BI and is rigidly secured to the top of the loading rack 55. The loading racks 55 are arranged to releasably grip the container near the top, the mechanism for gripping and releasing the containers being actuated automatically by the vertical movement of the elevator. Two control rods 65 extend upwardly from the top portion of the loading rack 55 and terminate in and are secured to a horizontal plate 66 disposed a short distance below the horizontal plate 62. The plate 66 is of lesswidth than the plate 62 permitting it to move within the area defined by the plate 62.

The elevator is reciprocated vertically by the movement of the connecting rod 61 which is p otally secured to the plate 62 by the bracket and bearing shown generally at 68. The other end of the connecting rod 61 is mounted upon a revolving disc 69 by means of the bearing attachment shown generally by 10. The disc 69 is a one revolution disc functioning in asimilar'manner to the one revolution disc 23 previously described in connection with the mechanism for moving the containers from the delivery belt. A motor 12 operates a reduction gear 13 which is identical in construction to the reduction gear shown generally by 22. A shaft 14 operating through bevel gears '55 revolves the disc 69. Activation of the reduction gear 13 is effected by the electromagnet EMZ or 16 which is actuated by closing the switch 51. The whole elevatorassembly is counterbalanced by weights chosen so that the loaded elevator exceeds the weights by the same amount by which the weights exceed the empty elevator. The counterbalance system is of conventional design and consists of a cable 18 secured to the upper plate 62 and weights l9 operating in vertical slidewaysforming part of the frame F of the machine. The number of counterweights used is shown in Figure 2 as two, but it is, of course, realized that a greater or smaller number of weights may beused to suit the particular operation.

The loading. racks 55..will vary in number and linkage system to the control rods 65.

size depending on the type of container being handled and the type of case being used for shipping purposes. As previously indicated the loading racks 55 are capable of releasably securing the containers and consist of a pair of pivoted jaws. The detailed construction of the loading racks 55 is illustrated in Figures 10, 11 and 12.

The support rods 63 pass through apertures in the plate 62 and are secured directly to the top of the loading rack 55. In a similar manner, the control rods 65 pass through the plate and operatively engage the top of the loading rack 55. The loading rack 55 comprises a pair of jaws which have a configuration enabling them to grasp the particular container being handled. The jaws 80 are pivoted at the joint shown generally at 8| which consists of a series of collars 82, 83 and 84 carried on the pin 85. The collars are arranged in pairs and one set number 82 is secured to the hanger rods 63 in order to support the weight of the racks 55. Another'pair of collars shown at 83 is secured to one jaw of the pairs of jaws 80 and the collars 84 of a similar nature are secured to the other jaw of the pair of jaws 89. The collars as previously indicated are arranged about the pin 85accordingly the jaws 80 are capable of opening and closing with a scissor-like motion. In Order to keep the jaws in the closed position, a pair of arms 86 is attached to the collars 83 and 84. The arms 86 extend outwardly and upwardly and a tension spring 81 is attached to the outer extremity of each of the arms. This spring tends to pull the outer extremities of the arms 86 in an inwardly direction and consequently may exert force maintaining the jaws 50 in a closed position.

In order to-prevent premature opening of the jaws 80 when the elevator is in the loading position, a pair of pins 88 pass through the plate 6| and bear against the upper side of the jaws 80. The pins 88 are adjustable in nature by reason of the'screw thread and nut arrangement 89.

Adjustment of the'width of the laws is provided by a plate 96 and adjusting screw 9|. Accordingly the distance between the gripping edges of the jaws 80 can be varied by substituting plates 90 of different widths and securing them in place by the screw arrangement 92. Slight adjustmen'ts'in width of the opening of jaws 86 can be obtained by adjusting the regulating screw 9| which bears against the end of the plate 96 and with an outward and inward motion affects the width of the opening between the jaws 80.

To discharge the containers from the jaws 80 it is necessary to have means to open the jaws at a predetermined time. Bars 93 are attached to each side of the jaws 80 and are connected by a Durin the period of loading the containers into the loading rack and the descent of the elevator, the rods 65 exert pressure through the arms 93 against the top of the jaws 80 and prevent the latter from opening and discharging the container held there. As the elevator descends and approaches the limit of its downward stroke, the lock nuts 64 are stopped by the collars 94 through which the control rods 65 pass'through the plate 6|. Consequently, the control rods are prevented from further descent in unison with the rest of the elevator and accordingly, they cannot exert further pressure through the arms 93 upon the top of the jaws 80. The remaining part of the elevator, however, continues a short distance to the end of its downward stroke; there being no furtherpositive pressure upon the jaws to prevent them from openin they open and deposit the container in the awaiting shipping case. As the elevator has completed about one-half of the upward movement a projection on disc 69 actuates switch II which releases the filled case and allows it to proceed. Ihe plate 62 when it re turns to its upper position activates switch TI and permits a new cycle of loading to commence.

When the jaws 38 have opened to discharge a container a safety dog 25 containing notches 5 and 97 and which is pivotally secured to the side of the jaw 86 by the pin arrangement 98 is free to rotate in the slot 99 in one of the jaws 89 and the notch 9'I engages the side portion of the plate 9! and prevents the natural tendency of the jaws 88 to close by means of the arms 85 and spring 81. The safety dog $5 is rotated by means of the tension spring I130 one end of which is secured to the safety dog and the other end of which is secured to a bracket IIII which is in turn secured to the upper edge of the jaw 8!].

The safety dog 85 is shaped in the form of a cam and when the elevator begins its upward motion, the cam-like portion of the safety dog 95 strikes against the stationary wall 53 and releases the jaw 85! in order that it may assume its normal closed position.

The details of this gripper mechanism have been disclosed in connection with a single mechanism but it is to be understood that a plurality of such mechanisms could be used depending upon the length of the loading rack 55 and the number of containers which are to be assembled in the rack and, of course, depending upon the size and weight of such containers. In Figures '7 and 8 the invention is illustrated using two gripper mechanisms for one loading rack.

In Figures 13, 14 and 15 an alternate form of control mechanism for opening and closing the gripper jaws 80 is disclosed. In this mechanism the control jaws are pivotally mounted in an identical manner to that previously described and are maintained in a normally closed position, by the identical mechanism. The restraining arms 93 and associated linkage mechanism and the securing pins 88 are, however, dispensed with along with the safety dogs 95 and its associated mechanism. A pair of bent bars I02 are secured at one end to the jaws 80 and at the other end to a pair of control. jaws I83 which contain two hemispherical recesses of different diameters. The hemispherical recesses are shown at His and I 05 respectively with the recess I64 being larger than that shown at I05. The control jaws I93 are in operative engagement with the control rod 65 which has secured to its lower end, an operating sphere I06. In the closed position of the jaws, the sphere IDE is contained within the recess I04. However when the elevator approaches its lowest position, the control rod is again stopped from further movement by the collars 94 which are secured to the plate BI and the sphere I65 is forced from the recess I04 into the recess I05 thus causing the jaws 80 to open. As the elevator starts moving upwardly, the jaws 80 are maintained in an open position by the rounded surface of the upper recess I05 until a locking nut IIJI which is secured to the control rod 55 strikes against the under side of the plate -5I. The control rod and sphere I06 are consequently then forced downwardly into the larger recess IM and the jaws are closed by the action of the tension spring 81 and the arms 86. In order to secure more effective gripping effort between the jaws Bil and the sides or neck "guides III runs transversely of the machine.

Shipping case mechanism 'The shipping case and control mechanism is designated by the symbol 5 and is illustratedin the lower left-hand side of Figure 1. The shipping case conveyor shown generally by symbol,

I09 and consisting of a conveyor belt II 0 with Vertically extending plates secured to the frame F serve as guides for the case along with the horizontally disposed guides II3.

Secured to vertical guide member II2 is an automatic case stopping device shown generally by the symbol II4. This device functions to automatically stop and retain an empty case in the filling position until the case is filled, at which time, this device will automatically release it and permit it to be carried away by the moving conveyor. An additional feature which prevents an empty case being carried past the filling position in situations where the automatic stopping and retarding device. I I4 fails to function or functions slowly is the delaying brake shown at II5.

The delaying brake H5 is secured above the case conveyor and out of the line of the descending elevator and is shown in dotted lines in Figure 1.

The automatic case stopping and retarding device is disclosed fully in Figureslfi, 17 and 18. A shaft IIBsecured to the vertical side plates II2 carries a sector plate I I "I which is capable of pivotal movement through an opening II 8 in the plate II2. The sector plate III is of generally hemispherical shape and has a stepped periphery joined by two arcuate sections. The stepped portion- I I 9 engages the plate II 2 when there is no case in the filling position. When an empty case approaches onthe conveyor the portion I20 of the sector I I! which extends into the path of the case is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction. The sector II-I carries a two position catch IZI upon its upper surface and as the sector II? is rotated anti-clockwise by the action of the incoming case the sector. comes to rest against the pivoted stop I22 which serves to hold the sector. At the same time, the catch lever I23 of the catch I2I closes the micro-switch I24 which perthe same time closes switch I2'I.

mits the elevator mechanism to descend.

After the case is filled an impulse reaching the electromagnet EM3 or I 25 causes rod I 26 to lower the stop I 22 and release the sector II I and at The case then causes further counter-clockwise movement of the sector III and the ,catch I23 then opens switch I24 and switch I21. Rods I28 and I29 serve as limits of travel for the catch IZI and the catch lever I23 and turn the latter over depending upon the direction of travel. The filled case is now free to proceed along the conveyor belt. If for any reason the loaded case does not move forward when the stop I22 is depressed, the leaf spring I 30 secured to the leading edge of the sector III will tendto further rotate the sector III and complete the circuits by opening the switches I24 and I21.

When the loaded case has cleared the sector III, the latter is rotated in a clockwise direction to its original position awaiting an empty case by the action of the tension spring ISI, one of which is secured to the sector III by means of a bracket I32 to the vertical side plate II2.

As already previously referred to, if an empty case follows too quickly behind a loaded case just ae isgo is extends sufficiently below the average height of cases carried by the conveyor to intercept the loading edge of-a case. A'horizontally sliding bar I35 is actuated by the electrom'agnet EM4 or I36 and acts to prevent the vertical pivoted bar I33 from being tipped by the action'of the'incoming case. Whenever the switch I2'I- is open whilst a case is passing the'sector III the electrom-agnet I36 operating the rod. I35 is off, and the spring I3'I forces the bar I35 against the vertical member I33 and the latter catches against the inside of the rear wall of the empty case'which is following the loaded one' and holds it until sector II I returns to its normal positionwhich closes the switch I21 and causes the electromagnet I36 to withdraw the sliding stop rod I35 thus permitting the case to proceed to loading position by tipping the bar I33.

Control mechanism Figure illustrates the electrical control system by which the individual operations of the machine are controlled and synchronized. Throughout the machine pressure sensitive switches are located which either act to initiate impulses of electrical energy, which in turn activate electromagnet circuits to cause the operations to function with other pressure sensitive switches which function to balance or counteract the functioning of the first mentioned group of switches to provide safety features or prevent various operations from functioning when the apparatus would not be-in synchronism. Manually operated switches are also provided to permanently control'the four principal circuits by which the machine is operated.

The motors 2| and. I2 operating respectively the loading mechanism T and the loading rack and elevator assembly LR operate continuously, but in each case, the mechanism functions only when an activated electromagnet causes the one revolution clutches 22 and 13' to 'funtion.

The electromagnet controlling the plunger or loader mechanism T'is shown as EMI and is controlled by the operation of the micro or pressuresensitive switches I3, 'I'! and 56. Closing of the switch I3 sends an impulse through the electromagnet EMI and activates the one revolution clutch 22 for the mechanism T providing that the pressure-sensitive switches 11 and 56' are closed. Switch 11 will prevent the mechanism T from operating if the elevator assembly is not in its loading position. Likewise switch 56 prevents mechanism T from operating to push containers into loading racks already filled to' capacity.

Closing the switch 51 due to the pressure of containers in the loading rack'causes an electrical impulse to reach magnet'EM2 or I6, which in turn causes one revolution clutch I3 to operate and permit the elevator to descend providing that pressure-sensitive switch 124 is closed. Switch I24 is controlled by the presence of a case in the filling position. In other words, the elevator cannot descend if there is no case in the filling position. Switch II when closed by the action of the ascending elevator causes the loaded case to be released by activating electromagnet EM3 or I25.

The containers having been lowered into the shipping case and released and the filled case carf2 ried away by the conveyor, switch I21 which is also of the pressure-sensitive type, is opened which permits an empty case to enter the loading position on the loading conveyor. A new cycle of opertaions is instituted by the plate 62 of the elevator returning to its normal position and activating switch 11.

Test or indicating lamps are provided in each circuit to give visual indication that the various sub-units of the machine are functioning correctly. In a like manner the usual electrical safety features such as fuses are provided in the circuits to prevent damage caused by electrical overloading.

' Operation At the beginning of operations the various manually controlled circuits are closed and the conveyor delivering containers is started and the machine is ready to function to transfer the filled containers into a shipping case without manual means. It is interesting to note that it is not necessary to stop the conveyor bringing a supply of filled containers or to stop the conveyor delivering and taking away the cases at any time, with the exception of those instances where either the delivery of filled containers is too rapid or there has been a breakdown in the mechanism T which transfers filled containers to the loading rack. In these exceptional cases the conveyor delivering the full containers is stopped until the rest of the machine is operatnig normally. Due to the synchronization of the various parts of the machine, it is not necessary that the supply of filled containers or empty shipping cases be uniform. Consequently, considerable variation in the speed of delivery of the filled containers or empty shipping 'cases'is permissible which is a distinct advantage of the present apparatus. The containers delivered to the machine need not be in precise arrangement but are arranged linearly in the assembly area and then transferred to the loading racks.

In the embodiment of the invention described herein four containers are transferred to the loading rack with one movement of the transferring means. In the example described the loading racks have accommodation for twelve containers that'is three groups of four.

of the loading rack is reached at which point the control means are actuated and providing there is an empty case properly positioned the elevator commences to descend. During the loading operation and the descent of the elevator the containersare held by the releasable gripping jaws.

When the elevator approaches the lowest point in its downward path the jaws open and the containers drop a short distance into the empty case. The empty elevator then returns to its original position, the filled case is released from the filling position and an empty case takes its place.

Each operation'of the device is controlled by the electrical means already described and consequently synchronized action is achieved. In addition the mechanical motions involved are very simple. The capacity of the machine is accordingly quite high and a rate of 200 containers per minute has been achieved.

We claim: I 1. A machine for filling cases with containers comprising a supporting frame work, a receiving area for the preliminary assembly of containers conveyed to the machine from previous operations consisting of a space in the frame work for the reception of a delivery conveyor, a container holding and suspending device capable of vertical movement located adjacent to said receiving area holding a quantity of containers equivalent to the capacity of the case and grouped in parallel rows symmetrical with the arrangement of containers in a filled case, jaws associated with the suspension of the holding device to releasably secure the containers, vertical motion imparting mechanism associated with the suspension and holding device initiated by the act of filling the device to capacity with containers, whereby a continuously operating motor intermittently conneoted through a crank system reciprocates the device through one complete cycle, said vertical motion imparting device comprising a wheel rotating about a horizontal axis and carrying a pin on its periphery, said pin engaging a slotted bar and producing a crank action, said crank action producing said cycle, a transfer device acting transversely of the receiving area comprising a horizontal bar disposed parallel to said conveyor and on the side thereof opposite said holding and suspending device said bar capable of reciprocal motion across said conveyor and back again thereby pushing the aligned containers into said holding and suspending device, said reciprocal motion being created by a continuously operating source of power intermittently connected through a crank system to the pushing face to create one complete cycle of reciprocal motion, and initiated by the collection of a predetermined number of containers in the receiving area, a conveyor for the delivery of empty cases and the removal of filled cases located below said container holding device, retarding and holding means to position an empty case in the downward path of the container holding means, means associated with the container holding device to open the holding jaws as the containers are lowered into the case. further means associated with the jaws to prevent premature closing of the jaws about the released containers. means associated with the suspension and holding device, to release the filled case as the suspension and holding device returns to the loading position.

2. In the device disclosed in claim 1 wherein means associated with the container receiving area stops the delivery container when there is an excess of assembled containers and when the transfer device fails to function.

3. In the device disclosed in claim .1 wherein means associated with the loading and filling device prevents movement of the container transfer device when the suspension and holding device is filled to capacity and when it is not in the loading position.

4. In a case filling apparatus comprising a frame, a container holding rack arranged for vertical movement, and consisting of a series of individual jaws, a conveyor continuously supplying containers to a receiving and aligning area, means to push aligned containers into the jaws of the holding rack, said means comprising a horizontal bar disposed parallel to said conveyor, and on the side thereof opposite said holding and suspending device, said bar capable of reciprocal motion across said conveyor and back again thereby pushing the aligned containers into said holding and suspending device, said reciprocal motion being created by a continuously operating source of power intermittently connected through a crank system to the pushing face to create one complete cycle of reciprocal motion, means actuated by the filling of said rack to capacity to cause downward movement of the rack, means to deliver and position an empty case below and in line with the rack, means to remove a filled case the jaws of the holding rack consisting of longitudinally pivoted elements normally held in a closed position but adapted to open and release the containers at the extremity of the downward path of the rack and remain in an open position during the initial portion of the upward travel of the rack.

5. In a case filling mechanism, a floor for holding a container in upright position, a pair of downwardly extending parallel elongated jaws pivoted to turn about at least one horizontal axis and having inwardly directed flanges so as to form a downwardly open groove capable of engaging the head of the container, means to produce vertical movement of said jaws between upper and lower positions, means to hold said jaws in proximate relation in said upper position, said groove being open in the direction of said floor, and means to push containers successively from said floor to engage the heads thereof in such groove, said means comprising a horizontal bar disposed parallel to said conveyor and on the side thereof opposite said holding and suspending device said bar capable of reciprocal motion across said conveyor and back again thereby pushing the aligned containers into said holding and suspending device said reciprocal motion being created by a continuously operating source of power intermittently connected through a crank system to the pushing face to create one complete cycle of reciprocal motion.

6. In a mechanism as claimed in claim 5, means to control said movement producing means, means to move the jaws to their lower position, and means to separate the jaws in such lower position.

7. In a mechanism as claimed in claim 6, means to move cases to and from the space below said jaws.

8. A mechanism as claimed in claim 7 having an open space below said jaws at the level of said floor, for the purpose of allowing the vertically downward passage of the elevator.

9. A mechanism as claimed in claim 5 having an open space below said jaws at the level of said floor for the purpose of allowing the vertically downward passage of the elevator.

GEORGE. JOSEPH OKULITCH. IGOR VASILIVICH ZOZULIN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,243,407 Hawthorne Oct. 16, 1917 1,247,722 Rigers et al Nov. 27, 1917 1,568,082 Mitton Jan. 5, 1926 2,067,301 Miller, Sr Jan. 12, 1937 2,277,688 Cattonar et al. Mar. 31, 1942 2,358,447 Creamer Sept. 19, 1944 2,371,026 Cattonar et al Mar. 6, 1945 2,371,027 Cattonar et al Mar. 6, 1945 2,452,376 Holstebroe et al. Oct. 26, 1948 2,556,082 Hartness June 5, 1951

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