US2668482A

US2668482A - Egg carton set-up device

Info

Publication number: US2668482A
Application number: US163608A
Authority: US
Inventors: Burger Martin
Original assignee: GEN PACKAGE CORP
Current assignee: GEN PACKAGE CORP; GENERAL PACKAGE Corp
Priority date: 1950-05-23
Filing date: 1950-05-23
Publication date: 1954-02-09
Anticipated expiration: 1971-02-09

Description

M. BURGER EGG CARTON SET-UP DEVICE Feb. 9, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 25, 1950 INVENTOR. Afarlaz fizz/gel, BY

Feb. 9, 1954 Filed May 25, 1950 M. BURGER EGG CARTON SET-UP DEVICEv '6 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

* Marlin 544 961,

Feb. 9, 1954 M. BURGER EGG CARTON SET-UP DEVICE 6 Shee ts-Sheet 5 Filed May 23, 1950 M amw.

m 1 i l I I Q Q Q 1 2 Q1 MN 1 5 F km m mm )Q M. BURGER 2,668,482

EGG CARTON SET-UP DEVICE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

wk a 0 giarfkz Z524 w, A A

mm 1mm 1Q U Q Q Q Feb. 9, 1954 Filed May 23, 1950 1954 M. BURGER EGG CARTON SET-UP DEVICE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 25, 1950 vm QM M Q\ wv m fi ur r & W. H n. m v \w g Q R m IL b mu 1 m INVENTOR. fifarzzi'z fizz/gen BY WW WW W Feb; 1954 M. BURGER EGG CARTON SET-UP DEVICE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 23, 1950 Q INVENTOR. Harm 5a BY wwz/i/ww/drm Patented Feb. 9, i954 EGG CARTON SET-UP'DEVIGE Martin Burger, Morris, Ill., assignor. to. General.

Package Corporation, a corporation oi Dela- Waite Application May 23, 1950, SerialtNo; 163,608

18= Claims.

The present invention; pertains to, improvements in; a manually operated deviceior setting urea: particular style oiflexible paperboard egg carton. The-device is of the general type'shown andidescribedin the patent to Burger, Reissue No; 18,547 of July26, 1-932. The carton referred to is; the: subject of mycopendingapplication; Serial No. 135,804, filed" December 29, 1949.

This carton is based, as regards its general features, onitheprinciples of cartonv construction covered by the patentto Troyk No. 1,766,155 of June 24, 1930, and Troyk Reissue Patent No. 18,922; of August 22-, 1933. Reference may be made thereto fora: discussion of thegeneral construction of the Troyk carton. It may be assumed that; the: carbon dealt with by the subject setup device is: similar thereto in basic respects. It isafurther characterized bycertain interlockingflaps and tabs 0111 its respective cross and longitudinal partitions which it is: the function OfzthB. present device to. manipulate in-timed relationto'one another, concurrent with the manipulation of the partitions themselves, to bring the carton to erected condition.

It isa general object of the invention to-provide: an. improved carton set-updevice for, performing allof the: operations necessary to erect aspecial paperboard egg carton of the type generally described-t above.

A more specific. object is to provide a carton set+up.-device-oi the sort refer-red to; character ized-by-a plurality of likesets of fixed abutments and swingable leaves which are adapted to. engage and manipulate the swingable crcss partitions of the carton to their proper positions at a right angleto the bottom and longitudinal partitionforming panel: of: the carton; by'a vertically oscillatable blade adapted to engage and shape the last named panel, shifting the same into proper, interenga-ged relation with these positioned crosspartitions; by a set of simultaneously reciprocable elements which are adapted to engage andmanipulate certain integral tabs on the cross partitions in predeterminedly timed relation to theoperation oi the aforesaid leaves and blade, and to open the same at an angle to the-cross partition for subsequent interlocking engagement with certain integral flaps on the longitudinalpartition; and by a further-set of knife: eiements carried by the aforesaid blade which are. adapted: to engage" and deflect the longitudinal partition flapsto guide the same past and into final interlocked engagement with the cross: partition tabs, which device all of theseoperations are per-formed automatically in 2. a predetermined time; sequence,- requiring no further manual work onthe part. of the. operatorsthan that of properly positioning thecarton relative to the. device, ofoperating an actuating arm,.and of removingthe erectedcartom Yeta. further object of the inventionis'to provide. a device of the character outlined above which, with. minor changes in design; is suited for the erection. of the special carton described, in either. a. full dozen capacity, non-divisible adaptation of the latter, or in a divisible embodiment. capable of being readily subdivided. into two. half-dozen capacity carton portions, said alternative adaptations. of. the. device being. basically similar with regardto thespecialfunctioning. of the flap and tab.- interlocking. provisions thereon.

The foregoing statements are indicative in a general. way of the nature. ofthe.- invention. Other and more. specific objects will be apparent to thoseskilled intheart upon a. fullunderstanding of the construction.andloperation ofthe device.

Two. embodiments. of. the invention are presentedherein. for purpose of. illustration, but it will be appreciated that the invention may'be embodied in: other. modified formscoming. within'the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawingsi.

Fig. 1' is afragmentary plan view of the set-up deviceof the invention, in the embodiment thereof devised for the erection of non-divisible type cartons; this view being partially broken away and showing the various partition, nap and tab manipulating elements in an inoperative nonactuat'ed' position thereof;

Fig. 2 is a view in central longitudinal, vertical section through the. bed oithe device of Fig. 1, being taken along a line corresponding to line 2-2 of that figure;

Figs. 3 and 4. are fragmentary, generallyv similar figures in section. corresponding to Fig. 2, showing the. parts of thedevice in their operating relation to one. another at successive later phases'of. the erecting operation, no carton being shown in position on the device in these figures inthe interest of increased clarity;

Fig. 5 is a-view intransverse vertical section through: a fully erectedcarton of the type operated on by the present device, showing the erected; and interlocked?relationship oi the cross andxlongitudinai partition tab" and: flap" elements which results-from"tiienperaticnof the device;

Fig dis a; iragmentary perspeetive view of the erected carton, still more clearly showing the relationships referred to;

Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10 are similar and related somewhat schematic views in longitudinal vertical section through the device, illustrating the manner in which a partially squared carton blank is applied to the latter and manipulated thereby into fully erected interlocked condition;

Figs. 11, 12 and 13 are similar views in transverse vertical section along lines lll I, I2-l2 and l3-I3 of Figs. 2, 3 and 4, respectively, further showing the operations and relationships of parts of the carton set-up device during successive stages of the erecting cycle; and

Fig. 14 is a view in longitudinal vertical section corresponding to the sectioning of Fig. 2, illustrating the device of the invention in a modified adaptation thereof for the erection of a divisible type carton.

Figs. and 6, considered in conjunction with Figs. 7 through 13, adequately illustrate the paperboard egg carton C which is operated on by the device. It has a longitudinal partition, designated a, as an integral part of a bottom forming panel I) of the blank from which the carton is constructed, which panel is shaped by the subject set-up device into an inverted V outline, in the completed form of the carton. The upper, longitudinal partition portion a thereof subdivides the interior of the carton into a pair of parallel rows. In the flat, knock-down condition of the carton, the cross partitions, designated 0, are folded upon themselves about a medial crease d and are hinged to the front and rear side walls e, ,1, respectively, of the carton. They are adapted to be swung by the subject device into position normal to the bottom and longitudinal partition forming panel, whereby to penetrate and interengage with the bottom thereof when the same is thrust into the inverted V outline mentioned above. This subdivides the pair of rows into a plurality of cells, and the cross partitions interlock with the carton bottom to support it and the longitudinal partition in elevated position. A carton cover 9 is integrally hinged to rear wall f.

The particular carton C in question has tab elements 2' integrally formed on the cross partitions 0 thereof, the tab elements being hinged medially of their length on the cross partitions and being swingable so as to extend on opposite sides of the cross partitions and substantially at a right angle thereto, in the erected condition thereof. The longitudinal partition a has flaps h integrally formed thereon which are swung outwardly therefrom and interlocked in the vertical sense with the cross partition tabs 2'.

The operation of so interlocking the fla s and tabs involves the preliminary deflection thereof out of the respective panels in which they are disposed, plus continued control thereof until they are in final interengaged relation, manipulations which are practically impossible to perform without the aid of some sort of automatic equipment. This is due to the fact that the flaps and tabs of a number of similar cross and longitudinal partitions must be simultaneously shifted and predeterminedly engaged with one another in predetermined synchronization with the manipulation of the respective cross and longitudinal partitions themselves. Successful manual erection of such a special carton is obviously impossible, hence the present invention provides a simple, relatively inexpensive, manually operated device (though Well adapted for automatic operation, also) for performing the special manipulations necessary to shape the carton, operatively engage its cross and longitudinal partitions, and interlock their respective tabs and flaps. The device may be inexpensively produced for installation in any desired quantity in a commercial candling establishment, thereby enabling the advantages offered by the special carton to be put into use on a commercial scale.

Referring to the drawings, the operating instrumentalities of the subject set-up device are appropriately supported on an open cradle-like frame or bed H] which is preferably fabricated from a one-piece casting for the sake of strength and rigidity, as well as economy of production cost. The bed includes a specially shaped righthand end plate I l as viewed in Figs. 1 through 4, a left-hand base cross piece l2, and a pair of parallel, longitudinally extending, front and rear side frame members (3, l4, respectively, these being integral with the members ll, 12. Frame members l3, M are specially shaped to act as pivotal supports, as will be described. An upright rear post l5 integral with the left-hand frame cross piece 12 inclines upwardly and somewhat rearwardly from the latter and a relatively heavy, longitudinally extending rear brace H5 integrally connects post [5 with the right-hand side plate H. This rear brace is also integrally connected by a center strut ll with the rear bed frame member M, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The bed I5 is provided with outwardly extended, slotted supporting feet Ill for the purpose of bolting the device to a supporting table or other surface.

Right-hand end plate l i has a thickened upper rear boss l8 integral therewith which is longitudinally aligned with a similar boss IS on the rear left-hand post l5; these bosses are suitably bored to receive and journal a longitudinally extending main operating shaft 20. A thrust collar 2 I is applied to the shaft immediately to one side of the right-hand boss l8 to serve as an end stop.

Plate H likewise has an integral, outwardly extending, forked bracket 22 formed thereon, which acts as a pivot for support of certain operating provisions to be described. Immediately forwardly of this bracket, an elongated, vertically extending guide slot 23 is formed in the plate, this slot being rounded and oppositely flared at its upper portion to guide and control a longitudinal partition shaping blade of the device, hereinafter referred to.

The front and rear longitudinal side frame members I 3, M of the bed have integrally formed thereon a plurality of longitudinally spaced pairs of fixed upright abutments 25, the abutments of each pair being transversely aligned with one another and, in the main, being identical in shape, although oppositely oriented. The pairs of abutments are equally spaced longitudinally of the open bed or cradle of the device. It may be noted that the pair at the right-hand end of the bed, specially denoted 25, are shaped slightly differently from the remainder, in that each has recesses 46 formed therein for a purpose to be described, occasioned by the fact that certain carton cross partitions c on which they operate must be swung in the opposite direction from the rest of the partitions c.

A plurality of pivoted, cross partition manipulating leaves 21 are provided for coaction with the fixed bed abutments 25 in the operation of the device, These take the form of plate-like gamma elements of Venotched loutline' havingside trunnions zmextending fromthe lowersmargin thereof: The 1 trunnion-s 28: are received in' upwardly. opening journal seats 291 of the bed sideframes [3,14'; which seatsiare located adjacent and for wardly: oi the fixed abntments 2E;-

o'fthe leaves :25! ispmvided'with a central; downwardly depending; forked-I arm 3i| pivotally connected; by aipin. 31 with a longitudinally shiftabl'e actuating bar disposed beneath the series ofleaves 21:

Actuatinga ban 32 is adapted tobe engaged at its right hand end-by. a short-pushrod-3'3 which is slidably mounted in the right-handi bedplate H. This rod is in turn engaged at itscuterend,- externally of the plate l I, threadedly adjustabletapp'et 35 mounted on one end of" an operating lever 35.- Eever' 35 is medially pivoted by atpin 36 in the forked bracket 22 on end plate 1 1-; :atitsupperend it is provided with a cam follower member 3? which rides the specially-shaped-face cam 38: Cam 38 is carriedon a rocker member 39-which is fixedlyattaohed to the-actuating shaft 29, a hand crank l8 being secured thereto. This-enablesa rocking motion through-somewhat more than 90 to be imparted to cam--roclier'39, and shaft 20- upon forward and downward swinging-of-the (n'ank Mi. Asa result, lever-35 isshifted-iin' clockwisedirection, as viewed in* Figs. 1 through. 4, causing-push rod 33 to be shifted .to thaleft and accordingly shifting the: actuatingbar 32a corresponding amount. A coiled tension spring-41 connecting one of the leaf" forks '30 with the bed end plate ll, urges the actuating. bar 32 and the series of leaves which are pivotally connected thereto in the oppositedirection, i. e.,.toward the right in Fig. 1. Shifting of the bar 32 to the left thusv produces simultaneous oscillation of f the partition manipulating leaves.2l;.the upper v notched plate portions thereof approaching the fixed bed abutments 25 to,swing thecross. partitions. c to. operative positionnormalto the carton walls. 6, j, and bottom panelb.

Actuating bar: 32-, is. provided with. aplura'lity of. sets of.- U.-shape.d deflecting. members .42. which engage a pair. or" cross partitiontabs. of each 7 of. the cross partitions to. swingthe. same from the plane of the respective partitions. These members? are appropriately fixed on.the bar 32 in any.=desired.fashion, as byv being weldedthereonorcast integral therewith. The members 42- include. the. laterally spaced, upwardly. ex.- tending fingers d2 eachoi which terminates in a tab-deflecting pin 43 (Fig. 3) extending to the left, as-viewedindl 'igs, 1, 2-.and3, and: adapted to-eng-age a pair of cross partition tabs 1. when bar- 32: travels to the left.

The-number of. such sets ofmernbers 42 is" one less than the number of. sets=of partitionswinging' leaves 221, ct which there are. seven, since they provisions for deflecting. the tabs 2 of the outermost. right-hand cross partition of. the car:- ton are carried. by the. endmost. partition. ma.- nipulating.le.af,..specially designated 27. These provisions-taketheforrnof'a pairof'pins 45 extending to the right from the right-hand surface. of that leaf. The reason for. the use of special deflecting means. at this end of the device is that. the end. cross partition. has its tab elementsdefi'ected' in the opposite direction from the rest-for interlock with the carton longitudinalpartition-of the latter. Referringto Fig. 3; it" will be noted thatthe endbed abutments are relieved or ent-away somewhat on the i'nside 6 of the-i'legsa'of. its shape,- as 1 indicated bysreference numeral! 46;. to accommodate thespecial deflecting pins "In addition; to actuating: the swingableleaves Z1; 21" and. the-tab: deflecting fingers 42'." in: the fashion described abovathehand crank: 40. also controls operation ofi "the bottom and longitudinal partition manipulating assembly, generally designated tl, by which the longitudinal partition of the carton is. shaped and properly engaged with the. cross partitions. This assembly' includesa specially shaped arm 38' securedz to the shaft 29 and, in the inoperative, retracted position of the same, projecting upwardly from .the shaft. It is of-relatively massive construction, being provided with an enlarged rear -boss which is rigidly pinned at 50 to the shaft 2h: Arm 58' iscurved forwardly at its-outer end portion and'terminates in. a pair of. longitudinally spaced bosses or shoulders Elwhich are bored for the reception of a pivot pin dz by w'hich a bottom deflecting and manipulatingblade 53 1s hingedly articulated to armflf; The bladehas'a loose-swinging connection to the arm, 'lim'ited in the degree of swing by coasting stops it on the arnrand blade.

A co'iled'torsion spring 5 5 encircles shaft 2il 'to the l'eft of the arm 48, being engaged at the outer end thereof to the upstanding bed post 59'- and at the opposite end being lodged in one of a pluralityof anchoring slots 55 formed in theadjacent surface of the arm boss-49. Spring E'Ytends to urge theshaft 26 in a direction to retract the assembly 4'! to its inoperative elevated position illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 11.

The bottom and longitudinal partition forming blade bs'has a guidelug itisuitably'secured thereto at the righthand' end thereof. This lug proj'ects outwardly: to the right and is adapted to enter the verticalslot 23 0f thebed endplate H. Asmentioned above, this slot is outwardly and upwardly flared to insure'unfailing reception of the lug 56'; Assurance is thushad that the pivoted blade fiswill follow a proper downward'path in engaging and shaping the bottom and longitudinalpartition forming panelb of the carton 0.

Referring to Fig. 2, the bladeliii' is provided with longitudinally spaced notches 53" along its outer, lo-wer edge; for the purpose of straddling the cross partitions cof the carton as the blade moves-downwardly. Each notch has associated therewith a further,- flap deflecting, knife-like element-59; these elements projecting forwardly of the edge, of theblade 53 and being adapted to engagethe flaps'h. on the bottom and longitudinal partition panel b of' the carton, thereby'condi tioning the flaps to swipe past the deflected interlocking: tabsi on the crosspartiticn and to-subsequentl y interlockwith the latter.

In the initial, flat knock-down condition of the carton, the longitudinal creased edge of longitudinal partition forming panel I) constitutes an outer side margin thereof; The'panel'from which the cross partitionsc are formed isiolded upon itself? and its medial; longitudinally extending, outer crease doverlies the cover panel 9.

The operationoffthe device is shown in Figs.

to: 13 inclusive. The body of the carton C is first manipul'ated in order to bring its front and rear. walls 1, g into open, generally rectangular outline, with bottom: panel 2) and the panel containing. cross partitions c extending therebetween in generally box like outline. So expanded, thecart'on inverted and applied' to the device with the cover: g: thereof depending vertically along the front of the device. The cross partitions c are engaged over and thrust down upon the rearwardly retracted leaves 21, 2'1 and fixed

bed abutments

25, 25, causing the partitions c to take the inclined position shown in Figs. 7 and 11. The handle 40 has not yet been actuated, the operation to this point being entirely preliminary in so far as the functioning of the device is concerned.

With the carton in place, as in Figs. 7 and 11, the handle 40 is grasped, while the operator steadies the carton body with his other hand, and swun forwardly and downwardly. The initial portion of the forward and downward stroke results in the swinging of the cross partition engaging leaves 21, 21' from the position of Fig. 7 to that of Fig. 8. This is accompanied by movement in the reverse direction of the tab deflecting pins 43, due to their direct connection to the leaf actuating bar 32, so that as the cross partitions c approach and reach the position shown in Fig. 8, the pairs of tabs i are engaged by the pins and pivoted about their respective medial hinges to a position at a right angle to the respective cross partitions. During these operations, the bottom and longitudinal partition shaping blade 53 is moving downwardly (see Fig. 12). However, it does not contact the bottom and longitudinal partition forming panel b of the carton C until after the cross partitions have been swung and the tabs deflected in the manner described.

The cross partitions c are now firmly gripped between the respective fixed

abutments

25, 25 and leaves 21, 21'. At this point it should be noted that the pins 45 on the special leaves 21" operate to deflect the tabs 2 at the right hand end of the carton in the opposite direction from the direction of deflection of the remaining tabs, as will be evident from an inspection of Fig. 3. As stated, the coacting fixed abutment 25 is relieved somewhat at 45 to accommodate the pins 45 in their movement to the right. To the same end, the remaining cross partition swinging leaves 21 are recessed at B in the V-notched portion thereof (see Figs. 3 and 11-13) to provide clearance for the deflecting pins 43, as well as to accommodate the swinging movement of the deflected tabs.

As the bottom shaping blade 53 continues to move downwardly, the knife-like flap deflecting elements 59 engage the pivoted flaps h on the longitudinal partition a and thrust the same downwardly and inwardly of the interior of the carton, as shown in Fig. 9. The purpose of this deflection of the flaps is to position them for sliding clearance past the previously deflected cross partition flaps i. The relative position of the parts at this phase is clearly illustrated in Fig.

Further downward movement of the blade 53 by swinging of lever 40 now shifts the bottom and longitudinal partition panel inwardly and downwardly, by engagement of the edge of the blade 53 along the medial crease of panel 2). The notches 58 of the blade straddle the cross partitions a during this movement and the latter are caused to be thrust into certain preformed slitted openings 9' in the bottom panel b, as shown in Figs. 9 and 13, whereby the integral, in-turned hook formations k on the cross partitions c are engaged with the inner extremity of these openings to lock the cross partitions and bottom and longitudinal partition forming panel in final position. Hooks Ic are thus interengaged with the carton bottom to sustain the same vertically.

As the foregoing operations take place, the de- 8 scending longitudinal partition flaps h brush past the tabs 2, which are held in deflected position by pins 43 and come into final interlocked relation thereunder, as illustrated in Figs. 5, 6, 10 and 3- The handle of the device is allowed to return to original, inoperative position, the blade 53 to rise and the leaves 21, 21' to return to their original open condition. The completed, erected carton is then lifted off the bed of the device, in condition for filling with its intended contents.

The bottom of the carbon is vertically sustained by the engagement of flaps and tabs h, i, respectively, as well as by the engagement of the cross partition hooks 7 in the slitted bottom openings k.

The adaptation of the invention described above and shown in Figs. 1 to 13 inclusive of the drawings is employed in the erection of cartons of full, non-divisible, 12-egg capacity. A modified embodiment of the invention, designed to operate on cartons of the divisible type which are adapted to be separated along a central transverse weakened line into two carton sections of one-half dozen capacity, is illustrated in Fig. 14. In this modification, many of the operating provisions, and in particular the supporting bed or frame, are practically identical in structure to those illustrated in Fig. 1 through 13; accordingly, corresponding reference numerals, primed, are applied thereto and further description is dispensed with.

In the form shown in Fig. 14 there are two like sets of fixed abutments 62 on bed In", as well as two sets of coacting cross partition manipulating leaves 63 and reciprocatory tab deflecting members 64. The functions of these respective elements correspond to those of the

abutments

25, 25, leaves 21, 21' and deflecting members 42 of the first form. As regards the set of these elements which is located to the left of the center of the device, the abutments 62 face outwardly or to the left and the leaves 63 swing clockwise or inwardly toward the same. These leaves have the actuating arm 65 thereof pivoted on a control bar 66 which extends the full length of the device and is engaged at its right-hand end by the lever operated thrust rod 33. The tab deflecting elements 54 are mounted on bar for travel to the left and engagement with the cross partition tabs 1'.

With regard to the set of abutments, leaves and deflecting members located to the right of the longitudinal center of the device, they are oriented and operate oppositely of the directions of orientation and operation of the left-hand set. The actuating arms of the leaves are pivoted to a secondary actuating bar 61 which is received in a space 58 cut away from the lower portion of main control bar 56. The bars 68 and 61 are oppositely movable relative to one another in the operation of the device.

The two swingable partition erecting leaves on immediate opposite sides of the center line of the device, specially designated 63, coact with an enlarged center abutment 69 on the bed ID of the device, and these leaves have integral, oppositely facing tab deflecting pins 78 thereon which perform the function of the tab deflecting members 64. Leaves 63 are swingable oppositely toward one another in moving adjacent cross partitions c to operative position against abutment 59, and in order to accomplish this movement each of the leaves 63' has a segmental gear element H aflixed to the trunnion thereof outwardly of the rear side frame member i4.

The gear "segments "H are :in zmeshing engagement, whereby movement rof'lthe :leafflfii' :toft'he left of abutment 1-59, as the result I of movement of themain controlbar .66, results in equal, opposite swinginglmovementbf the leaf :63 :to the right of the abutment. The-result is 1to.;swing the cross partitions c .of therdivisibl'e type carton inwardly and upwardly toward'and parallel to one another, clamping the same againsttheabutment-69. 'At the same'time the'crosspartition tabs 2' thereof are deflected'byathe .pins lii.

The bottom and longitudinal partition manipulating blade Hshown in Fig. 14 is modifie'd for .coaction with 'the above described-provisions inthat the respective sets-of notches lZ'to the left and right of the longitudinal :center :are disposed oppositely, as are -.the flap deflecting knife elements .13 thereof. At the-center line, the notches, specially denoted 12, are in close adjacency in view of the presence of two'cross partitions in close adjacency at this zone. same is-true of knife elements 13.

.It is believed that extended description of the operation of the device-according .to=the.embodiment of Fig. 14 is uncalled for. It simply represents an extension'of theprinciples underlying the structure of Figs. lthrough l3 toaccomplish the erection of .a still .further specialized type of-carton.

The device. is inexpensive in character, readily operated by comparatively unskilled personnel. It successfully performs the relatively complicated operations of erecting the disclosed carton with completereliability- It. .can be readily and quickly installedin an egg room in any desired number, Idepending uponthe production requirements or output of the-egg roomin question.

I claim:

.1. Apparatus for erecting partition-type egg cartons, comprisingmembers adapted to engage and actuate-the cross 'par-titi'onsofa carton from a positiongeneraLlly parallelingthe'wall and bottom panels thereof to a1.positiontransverse of said-panels, means to Idefie'ct certain lockingftabs of said cross partitions "from-a position in the plane thereof to an angular relation thereto, and means :to operate said'members 'and tab 'defleeting means'intimed relation'to'one another 2. Apparatus for erecting "partition type egg cartons, comprising a set of members adapted to engage and "actuate th'e-cresspartitions of a carton from a position generallyparalleling-the wall and bottom panels thereof to a position transverse of said panels, a set of member-s-operative to deflect certain locking tabs of said cross partitions from a position in the plane thereof to an angularrelation thereto, and means to'operate said sets-in timed' relation to one another, including means interposed betweenand connected to said respective sets to operate'on'e thereof in response'toactuation of the other.

'3. Apparatus for erecting partition-type egg cartons, comprising-members adapted to engage and actuate the cross partitions of a carton from apposition generally parallelingxthe wall and bottom panels thereof to a position "transverse of saidpanels, means operative duringsaid actuation to deflect certain locking'tabs-o'f said cross partitions from a position inthe-plane thereof to an angular relation-thereto,means to engage the bottom panelwithsaid cross partitions, means to deflect certain flaps in :said bottom ,panel to an angular-relation thereto, and means to eperatei said members, panel engaging means and tab and flap 'deflecting means .in itimed' relation 10 to one 'ian'other'tointerengagesaidYtabsandiflaps in the erected condition of theearton.

4. Apparatus for erecting partition-type egg. cartons, comprising ai basesets of relatively-movable membersxon saidr'base adapted to engage and actuate the cross partitions of 7a ncarton from a position generally paralleling the wall and bettom panels :thereof to :a position transverse of said. panels, a: blademovablerelative to vsaidibase for engagement with the-bottom; panel of the carton to shape and'engage the samein ereoted relation to :said cross :partitions, -means on said blade to deflect certain-flaps in saidbottomqpanel to an angular-relationIthereto, 'and' means to operate said tmembers, blade and :flap deflecting means in timed relation-tointerengage"said-cross partitions and flaps in itheerected condition of the carton, said operating means comprising'an operating member on which said 'blade 151100581X pivoted .and an :actuating connection between said: operating member and said sets: of relatively movable members :onsaid base, said base-being provided with guide means to engage and'control said blade in the :bottom shaping movement thereof.

5..Apparatus :for erecting partition-type egg cartons, comprising a: base, sets of relatively movable-members onsaid base adaptedto-engage and actuate the cross "partitions of .a carton .from v a position generally paralleling the wall and :bottom panels thereof to a position :transverse -.of saidtpanels, means to defiect-certainrlocking tabs of said cross partitions from a position-in the-- plane thereof to "an angular :relationthereto, a blade 'movable relative to said base for engagement with thebottom panel of the carton to shape and engage the same in erected relation to said cross :partitions, :means on said blade to deflect certainfiaps in said bottom panel toan angular relation thereto, and means .to operate said members, ;.bladeand tab and flap :defiecting means in timed relationrto interengage said tabs and flaps .inxthe erected conditionof the carton, said operating *means' 'comprising 33,1). :operating member on which said blade is loosely pivoted and an actuating connection between .said operating member :andsaid sets of relatively movable members on saidbasesaid :base being provided With guide means :to engage and eontrol said blade in the:bottomshapingmovement thereof.

6. Apparatus for erecting 'partitionetype egg cartons, comprising pairs ,of rel-atively movable members adapted to engage and actuate .the cross cross partitions, -means carried by .said element toLdeflect certainifiaps: insa-idbottom, panel. tovan angular relation thereto, and-means to operate said members, element and tab'and fiapdefiecting means imtimedrelation-to one another to interengage said tabs and flaps in. an erected .con-

dition of thecarton.

"7. Apparatus .for erecting partitiomtype egg cartons, comprising -a set a of pairs of relatively 1 movable members adapted .to-engage-andactuate the cross (partitions of .a collapsed carton .from

a position generally; paralleling the -.wall.andi bottom panels thereof 'toa positiontransverse ofrsaid panels, aset of members operativetodeflect leer tain locking tabs of said cross partitions from a position in the plane thereof to an angular relation thereto, an element engageable with the bottom panel of the carton to shape and engage the same in erected relation to said cross partitions, means carried by said element and operative during said shaping to deflect certain flaps in said bottom panel to an angular relation thereto, and means to operate said sets of members and said element in timed relation to one another to interengage said tabs and flaps in an erected condition of the carton, including means interposed between and connected to said respective sets to operate one thereof in response to actuation of the other, and means operatively connecting said element to one of said sets.

8. Apparatus for erecting a collapsed paperboard egg carton, comprising sets of coacting, relatively movable members adapted to engage and position certain cross partitions of the carton in a predetermined transverse angular relation to the walls and bottom thereof, means to engage and deflect certain tabs of said cross partitions to an angular relation thereto, said last named means being operatively connected to said partition positioning members to deflect said tabs substantially coincident with the positioning or said cross partitions, and means operating in timed relationship to said partition positioning members to position said bottom in interlocked relation to said cross partition tabs.

9. Apparatus for erecting a collapsed paperboard egg carton, comprising sets of coactlng, fixed and relatively movable members adapted to engage and position certain cross partitions of the carton in a predetermined transverse angular relation to the walls and bottom thereof, means acting in opposition to said relatively movable members to engage and deflect certain tabs of said cross partitions to an angular relation thereto, said last named means being operatively connected to said movable partition positioning members to deflect said tabs substantially coincident with the positioning of said cross partitions, and means operating in timed relationship to said movable partition positioning members to position said bottom in interlocked relation to said cross partition tabs.

10. Apparatus for erecting a collapsed paperboard egg carton, comprising sets of coacting fixed and oscillatable members adapted to position certain cross partitions of the carton in a predetermined transverse angular relation to the walls and bottom thereof, means reciprocable in opposition to said oscillatable members to deflect certain tabs of said cross partitions to an angular relation thereto, said last named means bein operatively connected to said oscillatable partition positioning members to deflect said tabs substantially coincident with the positioning 0f S3.lCl cross partitions, and means operating in timed relationship to said partition positioning members to engage and shape said bottom and to position the latter in interlocked relation to said cross partitions and tabs.

ll. Apparatus for erecting a collapsed paperboard egg carton, comprising sets of coacting fixed and oscillatable members adapted to position certain cross partitions of the carton in a predetermined transverse angular relation to the walls and bottom thereof, means reclprocable in opposition to said oscillatable members to deflect certain tabs of said cross partitions to an angular relation thereto, said last named means being operatively connected to said oscillatable partition positioning members to deflect said tabs substantially coincident with the positioning of said cross partitions, and means operating in timed relationship to said partition positioning members to engage and shape said bottom and to position the latter in interlocked relation to said cross partitions and tabs, said last named means including a bottom engaging blade and elements on said blade engageable with certain flaps on said bottom to position the same for interlocking with said cross partition tabs.

12. In a carton set-up apparatus, means to position certain cross partitions of a collapsed carton in erected transverse relation to the walls and bottom thereof, including means to deflect certain cross partition tabs to an angular relation to the respective cross partitions, means to engage said bottom with said positioned cross partitions, including means to deflect certain flaps on said bottom to an angular relation thereto,

and means to actuate said respective means in timed relation to cause said deflected tabs and flaps to have wiping contact with one another in approaching and assuming an operatively interlocked relation coincident with the positioning of said cross partitions and bottom in engaged relation to one another.

13. Carton set-up apparatus, comprising a support, coacting relatively movable members on said support adapted to position certain cross partitions of a carton in erected transverse relation to the walls and bottom thereof, a blade movable relative to said support and members to engage said bottom with said positioned cross partitions, a set of fingers simultaneously movable on said support relative to said members to engage and deflect certain cross partition tabs to an angular relation to the respective cross partitions positioned by said members, elements on said blade adapted during the operation of the latter to engage and deflect certain flaps on said bottom to an angular relation thereto, and means to actuate said set of fingers, said members and said blade in timed relation to one another whereby said tabs and flaps have wiping contact with one another in the positioning of said cross partitions and bottom in engaged relation to one another and the tabs and flaps in interlocked engagement.

l4. Carton set-up apparatus, comprising a support, coacting relatively movable members on said support adapted to position certain cross partitions of a carton in erected transverse relation to the walls and bottom thereof, a blade movable relative to said support and members to engage said bottom with said positioned cross partitions, a set of fingers simultaneously movable on said support relative to said members to engage and deflect certain cross partition tabs to an angular relation to the respective cross partitions positioned by said members, elements on said blade adapted during the operation of the latter to engage and deflect certain flaps on said bottom to an angular relation thereto, and means to actuate said set of fingers, said members and said blade in timed relation to one another whereby said tabs and flaps have wiping contact with one another in the positioning of said cross partitions and bottom in engaged relation to one another and the tabs and flaps in interlocked engagement, said relatively movable partition positioning members being arranged in sets on opposite sides of the midpoint of said support, which sets are reversed with regard to the direction of relative movement of the members thereof.

15. Carton erecting apparatus of the type described, comprising a support, two cross partition aging units mounted oppositely on said support, each unit including a plurality of pairs of relatively oscillatable cross partition engagin members adapted to position the cross partitions of a carton in operative angular relation to the carton walls and bottom, means to deflect certain tabs from the respective planes of said cross partitions, including two sets of deflecting elements mounted for opposite reciprocating movement relative to said members of said respective units, means operatively connecting said positioning members and deflecting elements for simultaneous movement of said respective members relative to one another and of said elements relative to said members, a bottom shaping plate movable relative to said members and elements, and common operating means for said plate, members and elements adapted to move the same in timed relation to one another.

16. Carton erecting apparatus of the type described, comprising a support, a plurality of pairs of relatively oscillatable cross partition engaging members on said support adapted to position the cross partitions of a divisible type carton in operative angular relation to the carton walls and bottom, said pairs being arranged in sets on opposite sides of the longitudinal midpoint of said support and being oppositely oriented in said respective sets, means to deflect certain tabs from the respective planes of said cross partitions, including two sets of deflecting elements mounted on opposite sides of the midpoint of said support for opposite reciprocating movement relative to one another and to said members, means operatively connecting said positioning members and deflecting elements for simultaneous movement of said respective members relative to one another and of said elements relative to said members, a bottom shaping plate movable relative to said members and elements, and common operating means for said plate, members and elements adapted to move the same in timed relation to one another.

1'7. Apparatus for erecting partition-type cartons, comprising a frame having members thereon adapted to engage and actuate the cross partitions of a carton from a position generally paralleling the wall and bottom panel thereof to a position transverse of said panels and frame, further elements movably mounted on said frame and acting to deflect certain locking tabs of said cross partitions from a position in the plane thereof to an angular relation thereto, means to actuate said elements longitudinally of said frame into engagement with said tabs of certain of said transversely disposed cross partitions, and means to engage and interlock said tabs with said bottom panel.

18. Apparatus in accordance with claim 17 in which said members include members movably mounted on said frame and elements thereon engageable with the locking tabs of other of said cross partitions to deflect the same from coplanar relation to the plane of the cross partition to an angular relation thereto.

MARTIN BURGER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Re. 18,547 1,960,238