US2699711A

US2699711A - Carton erecting machine

Info

Publication number: US2699711A
Application number: US246846A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frances M Mobley
Original assignee: BLOOMER BROS CO
Current assignee: BLOOMER BROS Co
Priority date: 1951-09-15
Filing date: 1951-09-15
Publication date: 1955-01-18
Anticipated expiration: 1972-01-18

Description

Jan. 18, 1955 E. H. F. MOBLE-Y 2,699,711 CARTON ERECTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 15, 1951 6 Sheets- Sheet l I I .u

INVENTOR. EDWIN H. E MOBLE);

05054550, BY FRANCES M. MOBLE )1 B noumsmarmx,

l 77 ORNE Y Jan. 18, 1955 E. H. F. 'MOBLEY 2,699,711

CARTON ERECTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 15, 1951 6 Shets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. EDWIN h. F. MOBLEK 0505mm, BY FRANCES M. MOBLEX ADMINISTIMTRJX,

ATTCM'MEY Jan. 18, 1955 E. H. F. MOBLEY CARTON ERECTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 15, 1951 6 Sheets-$heet 4 05054350, BY FRANCES M. MOBLEK INVEN TOR EDWIN Ii EMOBLE'X ADMIN/$77744 TIWX qn I E. H. F. MOBLEY CARTON ERECTING MACHINE Jan. 18, 1955 Filed Sept. 15, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 m a m OECLM TLEBS Nm am E W .0 IF. M4

H w H mm m mm m EF 4 v! w 5 Hal;

9 E. H. F. MOBLEY 2,699,711

'CARTONERECTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 15, 1951 6 sheatsf-sheet 6 INVENTOR. EDWIN H. F. MOBLE):

* GEASED,

05 BY FRANCES M. MOBLEK B Aauuv/srmm/x',

Arron/in United States Patent 2,699,711 CARTON ERECTING MACHINE Application September 15, 1951, Serial No. 246,846 15 Claims. (Cl. 9337) This invention relates to machines for automatically setting up or erecting collapsible cellular cartons made of cardboard or the like, such as egg boxes of the type having collapsible side wall and transverse cell-forming partitions. Such cartons are commonly made, stored and compact, collapsed condition and require setprepare them for filling with eggs. ual erection of such cartons for filling is a tedious, time consuming step where they are handled in quantity lots. Devices are known without movable parts, parts movable only by hand, for assisting in the erection of such cartons but they have proven slow in operation for rapidly erecting a large quantity of cartons. driven automatic machines for this purpose are but they have been-complicated and expensive to manufacture and maintain in operation. One object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide an improved machine of this character having a more simple, practical and efficient type of construction.

Another object is to produce such a machine in which the means relatively low cost.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

1 In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation of an bodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation similar to Fig. 1, but as viewed from the opposite side of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the machine;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing the gripping means in position for partially removing the outermost carton from the hopper;

Fig. 5 is a similar to Fig. 4, but shows the carton partially removed and partially distended;

Fig. 6 is similar to Fig. 5, but shows the carton more fully distended and a rotary erecting device in position for engaging the carton;

Fig. 7 is similar to Fig. 6, but shows the carton more fully distended and the erecting device in position for fully erecting the transverse cell partitions and for partially moving the carton out of the hopper;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the erecting device in full engagement with said carton, but before the erection of the same;

Fig. 9 is similar to Fig. 8, but shows the erecting device in position for completing the setting up of the carton;

Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation of the erecting device along the line 1010 in Fig. 8;

erecting machine em- Fig. 11 is a sectional elevation of the erecting device along the line 1111 in Fig. 8;

Fig. 12 is an end elevation of the carton gripping mechanism detached for purposes of illustration, and

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary, perspective view of one of the carton gripping vacuum cups.

The preferred embodiment of the invention, herein disclosed by Way of illustration, is especially adapted for use with cellular cartons such as egg cartons which are commonly made of a one-piece blank of material cut, scored and folded to form two rows of siX cells each. a carton comprises a front wall 18 (Fig. 4), a rear tions 24 (Fig. 6) and 26 A top wall indicated generally at 2.8 (Fig. 5) is connected with the walls and is cut and scored to form a series of transverse partitions indicated generally at 30, (Fig. 8) hinged to swing from a horizontal to a vertical position to fully erect the carton and separate the cells of each row. Rear wall 20 has hingedly attached thereto a cover portion 32 (Fig. 4) liitvingf a series of locking tabs along the free edge t ereo as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, by an oscillating at 40 (Figs. 2 and The gripping mechanism positions the outermost carton for engagement by one of a pair of erecting deand 2) which are remove it from the d1scharge conveyor The machine is also preferably provided with a movable bottom supporting mechanism shown generally at 48 (Fig. 1) which is adapted to move a supporting member 50 (Fig. 6) into position for supporting the bottom of the carton during the distension and erection of the same as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

The frame 34 of the erecting machine preferably com-,

prises a pair of spaced parallel side members 52 of angle iron or other known and suitable material and a second pair of spaced parallel end members 54 of similar construction. Members 52 and form an open framework or shelf 56 (Fig. 1) and are supported at the corners thereof by legs 58 (Fig. l) of angle iron or other suitable material. Frame 34 is also provided with a second, open-centered platform or shelf 0 which is adapted to support an electric motor 62.

(Fig. 1) and other components of the machine, as hereafter more fully described.

Hopper 36 preferably comprises an member 64 (Fig. 3) which has attached sides thereof side rails inclined bottom 70. Bar 76 is adapted to engage the inside of the covet portion 32 of the outermost carton, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 and, together with a movable retaining finger 72, a fixed finger 74 (Fig. 4), and an upwardly projecting lip (not shown) on the bottom front edge of the hopper, is adapted to releasably hold the cartons in position in hopper 36, as hereafter described. Hopper 36 is supported at the forward end thereof by a transversely extending bracket 76 (Fig. l) which is attached to upwardly extending posts 68 by a pair of arms '73 (Figs. 3 and 4). The opposite end of the hopper is supported in an inclined position by a suitable bracket The hopper may also be provided with a switch (not shown) of known and suitable construction, actuated by the weight of the collapsed cartons in the hopper and arranged to automatically open the electri- 54 are fastened together to e211 circuit to motor 62. as. the last carton isremovedfrom said hopper for stopping the erecting machine.

The gripping mechanism preferably comprises a pair of vacuum or suction cups 82: (Figs. 4,, 12 and 13) of known or suitable construction which. are mounted on thetop, of a frame.84, as shown: inFig. l2.v The lower portion, of frame 84; ispivotally mounted on a transversely extending shaft 86, which in turn is supported. at the opposite ends thereof in suitable. bearings 88- on lower platform 60 as shown in, Figs. 2 and 12.. The top of frame 84 cQrnprisestwo-inwardly extending sections9t) and 92, the, inner ends of'which are, spaced apart and have mounted thereon, rollers 94'; as, shown in Fig. 12. are adapted to v engage a pairof grooves or cam which arelocated on opposite sides of the rotary erecting means 44, as shown inFigs. 1. and 2, and by means of which, the gripping; mechanism is caused to. move between its. rearward position shown in Figs.v l. and 2, and its,forwa rd,position.shown in Fig.4. A spring 98 (Fig. 2) normally urges the mechanism to its rearward position.

As shown in Fig. 2', vacuum cups 82 are preferably connected by conduits100 to a suitable low-pressure source such as an evacuating pump 102 mounted on lower platform 60. Pump 102, of known and suitable. construction, has an inlet filter 10,4. and an outlet oil trap 106, both f-known. and; suitable construction and which form no part of the present invention. toinlet filter 4 by asingle valve 110 which is normally by, a spring 112..so that. apartialvacuum is conduit 108-. and a by-pass maintained in cups 82 and conduits. 100 andlOS. Thus, when gripping cups are brought into engagement. with the front wall of the outermost carton. (Fig. 4) said cups firmly adhere to the front wall and pull said wall outwardly. relative to the rear wall. ofthe carton, past. retaining

fingers

72 and 74, as shown inFigs. Sand 6' and as hereafter more. fully described, as the. gripping mechanism moves towards its rearward position shownin Figs. 1, 6 and 7. However, whenthe gripping mechanism reaches its rearward position, as shown in, Figs. 1 and 2, one of the. erecting de vices is moving into erecting engagement with the partially distended, outermost carton, as shown in Fig. 6, and it is necessary to release the grip of cups 82 on the front wall of the carton so that the carton may be moved downwardly and to the left during the erection and withdrawal of thesame from hopper 36. The means for releasing the gripof cups 82, preferably comprises a release lever 11'4 mountedonshaft 86. Asthe gripping mechanism moves towards its rear-ward position shown is rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewediin Fig. 1, and an adjustable stud 1'16;

attached thereto strikes against the. lower'portionofthe valve stem andopensvalve 110 against thetension of spring 112. This allows the'pump to: draw air in-aroundsaid valve andbreaksithe partial vacuumin cups 82. Stud 116-rnaybe adjusted to secure and-the movement of the erecting device 42'into engagement-with the proper timingbet-ween therelease of cups 82 the outermost carton.

The rotary erecting meanswhich; as shown in Fig: 6, en-

gages the-partially-distended carton and erects-or-di'stends the same, preferably comprises which havemounted on the ends thereof theerecting devices 42, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Member 118* is mounted on a transversely extending shaft 122, the opposite ends of which are rotatably supported in suitable bearings 124', mounted on frame members 52Ias shown in Fig. 3. Shaft 1-22has adjacent the rightend thereof, as viewed in Figs. 3-7', a sprocket 126 whichis connected by a chain 128 to a suitable-power source as hereafter described. Shaft 122 has a similar sprocketlocated adjacent the. opposite end thereof by means of which the plates 130 are-rotated, grippingmechanisrn40 iscaused.

tooscillatebetweenits rearward'position shown in Fig. 1, and its forward position shown in Fig. 4, for engaging and Rollers 94- tracks 96 Conduits 1.00 are connectedv held in its closed position in Fig. 1, lever 1154" a central member 11?;- (Fig. 2) having a pair of oppositely extendingarms 120- blades 1144; thus similarly partially distending the outermost carton, shown in Figs.

5 and 6 and for positioning said carton for engagement with erecting devices 42 as hereafter more fully described.

Erecting devices 42 are. preferably similar to the carton erecting devices disclosed in my copending application, Device for Setting Up Collapsible Cellular Cartons,

Serial No. 113,079, filed August 30', 1949, now U. S. Eatent No. 2,586,551, to which reference may be had for a more complete disclosure of a preferred form of the erecting devices and certain constructional features herein disclosed but not claimed. Erecting device 42, similar to the devices disclosed in said copending application,

comprises a two-piece base having a stationary and a

movable section

132 and 134, respectively (Fig. 9).

Stationary base is fixed by screws 136 to a section 192, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9,

rectangular plate 138 which is formed with a longitudinally extending groove or track 140. Plate 138-isfastenedz by suitablemeansto the-outer end.ofarmwhich has attached thereto a transversely extendinggflat bar 141 (Figs.

5-9). Right hand base. section 134 is secured. to anelongated. bar 142 which is adapted to slide in said. trac k and. by means of whichbase porti0n134 ismoved. from: its position shown in Fig. 8 away from. stationary base. portion 132 to its'position shown. inFig. 9,.

Base sections

132 and 134 are provided with aseries. of pairs of fingers 144-and 14'6. (Figs.

are adapted to enga enre longitudinally spacedblades or 8 and 9), respectively, which partially distended. carton asshown in Fig. 6. The blades are preferably; the center of the base sections, as r at 148 formedin: two rows, spaced apart adjacent (Fig. 2), to accommodate the longitudinal partition 22 of the carton. As the rotary device is moved from. its position shown in Fig. 6 towards itsupositionushown in l-jig, 7, said. blades enter the carton and swing the transverse. cell partitions to their partially erected-position as shown inFig. 8'. The outermost pair of blades. inxeach group or. series of blades is preferably at substantially right angles to the remain ing pairs of: blades, as shown.m;Fig. 3, for insuring full and. complete erectionof. theends of the carton.

To completeuthe. erection: of

the transverse partitions,

it is necessary to move: right: hand base portion 134 to the right: relative to stationary base. portion 1'32. This movementfirst swings; the; right: hand group of partitions 150, as viewed in'Eigs'.x8"and-.9', inaa counter-clockwise direction to their fully erected position at which point their pivotal movement. is

arrested by engagement with shoulders-1'52 in thenotchesformed to accommodate them in: thelongitudinal partition. Red.

142. and base portion 1342are; then movedfurthersto'the right, and as the right hand grouppfpartitions cannot move relative to the carton, the entirercarton'is carried tozthe right so as to bring the: left hand; group OfL'PZtI'tltiOllS 154 against stationary swinging these partitions to vertical positionagainsttheir stop: shoulders 156 on the longitudinal partition as shown i scribed in my copending application.

n Fig. 9 and as more fully dc- This shifting or movingiof-the: carton relativeto the fixed base portion may be clearly seen by a.

comparison of Figs. 6 and 8,

and Figs, 7 andl9yrespectively.

It is to be:.noted:that the' rear moved out ofcengagement 74, as shownin Fig. 6, prior carton'by the'erecting device, .as

Wall of the carton is withretaining fingers 72 and to. the, engagement of the hereaftermore fully described. Thus, the erecting device can readily move the carton sideways, relative. to hopper 36, for completing the erection of thesame, and can also carry the erected carton downwardly through its position shown in Fig. 7,

cover 32 freely; sliding-under stop bar 70, untilthe-carton is completely removed from hopper 36, after which it is deposited .on discharge conveyor 46 as hereafter described. The means for movingrod 1.42 and base portion: 134 to the right, comprises. a. cam

158'(Figs. 3, 8 and 9) and a roller I60'mountedonthe left end of. said rod. Cam 158 is preferably so shapedand positioned that roller Milengages. the upper portion1'62lthereof as the erecting device fully engages the partiallyerected'carton as shown in Fig.

8. As the erecting device 1s carried'towards its position shown in Fig, 9; roller160',movesdownwardly along inwardly inclined cam surface162 thereby moving rod 142 to the. right and fully erecting the carton,

above:

Cam 158, below surfac slightly to the right as at as described e162, is preferably inclined 164. The lowermost portion of cam 158 is inclined outwardly to the left as at 166. Roller 160 engagesyinwardly inclined-portion 164 after the carton has beenfully erected, moving base-portion 134 slightly to theright relative to. fixed portion" 132, and as a result the erected carton is seeurely gripped by the erecting device so' that it may be 'easily carried downwardly out of hopper 36 and depositedondischarge conveyor 46. When roller 160 passes'the lowermost portion 166 of the cam, it moves outwardlyyunder the action of a spring 168 (Fig. 9); carryingbase portion 134 to the left towards stationary base portion 132, thereby releasing the carton from'theierecting device, and allowing the same to fall by gravity onto discharge conveyor 46 or a curved feed plate 170 thereof (Fig. 1). Spring 168 which moves rod 142 and "base portion 134to their normal positions, as shown in Fig. 8 is secured atone end to plate 141 and at theotherend to base portion 134, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

The present machine isreadily'adapted-foruse with a slightly modified type of carton"in which .the carton blank is scored transversely so that thecartonmay be readily torn in halves, each containing'but six cells. 1In this type of carton, .each half comprises two transverse partitions swinging in one "direction'and twopartitions swinging in the opposite direction. Accordingly the erecting devices are provided with .twostationary and two movable base sections .arranged 'in' alternate order starting ontheleft, as viewed in Fig. 8;With a stationary section. Each base section .has two pairs of spaced, gupwardly projecting fingers orblades, sunilar to

blades

144 and 146, for erecting "the transverse cell partitions of the carton in the same manner as described above for! the non-divisible type of carton and similar to themethod of operation set forth in detailin-my said copending application.

The bottom supporting mechanism 48 preferably comprises a pair of arms172 (Fig. l) which are pivotally mounted on a transversely extendingtshaft 174 (Fig. *3) and which have at the forward endsthereof a transverse member 176 (Fig; 8)towhich isattached bottom supporting member 50 (Fig. l). Arms 172 arepreferably shaped, as shown in Figs. l3, and areconnected together at the opposite ends thereof by a short shaft .178 (Fig. 3) which is engag'edby a cam'180 (Fig. 2) mounted on a transversely extending shaft 182 posite ends of which are rotatably supported in suitable bearings 184 mounted onupper. frame members'SZ. In order to insure proper coordination between the bottom supporting member 50 and the movement of'theerec'ting devices as, shaft 182 has ajsprocket adjacent one end thereof; which. is connected to a similar sprocket 188 on shaft 122- by achain 190 "(Fig l). The rotation of shaft182 andcam 180 causesarms 172 to oscillate between their raised and lowered positions, as shown in Fig. 2,by full and broken lines,- respectivel When arms 172 move to theiruppermost position, transverse supporting member 50 is moved into position for supporting the bottom of the outermost carton during the distention of the carton by gripping mechanism 40, and during the first stages of the erection of the carton by one of the erecting devices 42, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. Cam 1% is so shaped that supporting member 50 moves downwardly with the carton during the completion of the erection of the same by erecting device-'42, as shown in Figs. 69. After the carton is fully erected, as shown in Fig. 9, supporting member 50 quickly moves out of engagement with the carton and into its lowermost position, as shown in Fig. 2, thereby to be fully removed from the hopper conveyor 46 by the erecting device as Discharge conveyor 46 allowing the carton and deposited upon described above. preferably comprises a rectangular frame 192 (Figs. 1 and ,3) having at the opposite ends thereof a pair of transversely extending shafts 194 which have pulleys 196 mounted thereon. is Corresponding pulleys on shafts 194 are connected together by belts 1980f rubber or other known and suitable material forming an endless conveyor belt so that as said shafts and belts are driven in aclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, any cartons deposited on the lower'end of .the conveyorwill be carried by frictionupwardly and to the right on the upper surface'of the belts forclearing the erecting machine of the erectedcartons.

The carton retaining means which"compr isesfstop bar 70, stationary retaining finger 74, movableretainingfinger 72, and asmall upwardly projectinglip-orfplate '(n'ot (Fig; 3) theop- (Fig, 1) or other suitable driving shown) adjacent the lower front edge of hopper 36, is adapted to provide a positive means fon'holding a stock of cartons in the hopper and yetat-"the same time'allow the cartonsto be removed, one at a time, for erection, without thetearing of the same. 7

The means for moving retaining finger 72 (Fig. 4) to release the outermost carton for erection, preferably comprises a solenoid200 havingan armature 202 which is connected at theouter end thereof 'tofinger 72. Armature202 and finger 72 are yieldably held in their positions shown in Fig. 4 by a coil spring 204. When'the front wall 18 of thte outermost carton is moved by gripping mechanism 40 from its positionshown in Fig. 4 to its position shown in Fig. 5; front wall 18and central longitudinal partition 22 are pulled past-an'upwardly projecting lip (not shown) on the bottomfront edge of the hopper, and past movable finger 72 and stationary finger 74, the latter two of which then engage the inner surface of rear wall 20 of the outermost .carton. Gripping mechanism 40 continues to move the front wall of the carton away from the rearwall' whichis prevented from moving outwardly by

fingers

74 and 72, thereby partially distending the carton. As the front .wall reaches its fully extended position, solenoid 200 is connected to a suitable source of electrical "energy by the closing. of a switch 206 (Fig. 2). The'energization of solenoid 200 draws armature 202 tothe right, as viewed in Figs. 4-7, through a guide plate 208 (Fig. 4) and moves finger 72 out of contact with the rearwall'of the outermost carton which then springs past finger 74 and moves outwardly away from hopper 36 under the action of gripping mechanism 40. The carton is then in position! for engagement by one of the erecting devices, as shown in Fig. 6.

Switch 296 isiclosedfor'only a short period of time so that finger-72, under the action of spring 204,-qu'ickly returns to its normal position where it en-gagesthe outer surface of the front wall of the next succeeding carton and holds the remaining cartons in hopper 36, as shown in Fig. 6; Switch 206 is actuated'by a diamond-shaped cam212 (Fig.2) mounted on the outer end of shaft 182 which rotates at thesame speed as shaft 122 and erecting devices 42 so that switch 206 isclos'ed each time one of the erecting devices is about to come into carton engaging position as shown in Fig.

The erecting machine is provided with means for actuating and coordinating the movementof the rotary erecting devices, the vacuum gripping mechanism, the. mova'ble bottom supporting member, the releasable carton retaining mechanism and the discharge conveyor 46. Preferably,'the power for actuating the above components is supplied by electric motor 62 which is connected by a suitable belt 214 (Fig. l) to apulley 216-(Fig. l) attached to a speed reducing gear box 218 (Fig. '1) of known and 'suitable'construction. Gear box'213' has a spur gear 220 and a sprocket 222 (Fig. .2) mountedon a shaft 224 (Fig. 2) which extends through .the gear box, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Chain 128 connects sprocket 222 to a simlar sprocket 1.26 on transverseshaft 122. The rotation of the shaft l22 not onlyrotates the carton erecting devices, but as shaft 122 is connected to shaft 182 by chain 190, it also causes shaft 182 to rotate at the same speed. As described above, earn on shaft 182-controls the movement of the bottom supporting member and the diamond-shaped cam 212 which controls the release of the movable carton retainingfinger '72. Thus, the movement of the erecting .devices, the bottom supporting member, and the movablereleasableretaining and synchronizedone with the other and with the movement of the. gripping mechanism 40 which is caused to move from its. rearward position, as shown in Fig. 2, to its forward position, asshown in Fig. 4, by the rotation of cam tracks 96 which are engaged by rollers 94 on -the gripping mechanism frame. Sprockets 226 (Fig. l) and 228 (Fig. 2) serve as tighteningmeans for chains and 128,1espectively, as well understood in the art.

Spur gear 220 engages a pinion 230 (Fig. 2) located adjacent one end of a transversely extending shaft 232 (Figs. 1 and 2) which is mounted in suitable bearings 234 (Figs. 1 and 2) on legs 58. Shaft 232 has a large pulley 236 (Fig. 1) adjacent the opposite end thereof which is preferably adapted for use with a V belt 238 means which connects said pulleyto a smaller pulley 240 (Fig. l) on the lower shaft 194 of the discharge conveyorm'echanism described objects and above. Thus, the discharge conveyor is also driven by electric motor 62, and to start the entire machine in operation it is onlylnecessary to close the electrical circuit to motor 62 by a suitable, single switch (not shown).

In operation, therefore, a stack of collapsed or flattened cartons is placed in hopper 36 and as the erecting machine is operated, the gripping mechanism swings forward from its position as shown in Fig. 2 to its position as shown in Fig. 4 at which point the vacuum gripping cups are brought into engagement with the front wall of the outermost carton, and as said gripping mechanism returns towards its initial position shown in Fig. 2, the front wall of the carton is pulled outwardly from its position, as shown in Fig. 4, through its position shown in Fig. 5 to its position as shown in Fig. 6, at which point the carton is nearly distended and is supported by bottom supporting member 50. As the outermost carton is being distended or opened up, as shown in Figs. 4-6, one of the rotary erecting devices 42 moves from its position shown in Fig. 4, to its position shown in Fig. 6, at which point the erecting device is just moving into engagement with the top of the carton and is in position for completing the erection of the carton and for moving the carton downwardly out of the hopper, as shown in Fig. 7, and depositing the same on conveyor 46 by means of which the erected carton is removed from the machine. It will be noted that the vacuum cup and rotary carton erecting means serve also as the means for withdrawing the cartons from the hopper, thereby eliminating the necessity for carton feeding means for that purpose. The erection of the transverse partitions and the completion of the setting up of the carton is rapidly accomplished by the continuously rotating erecting devices 42 which furthermore operate to discharge the completed cartons, so as to obviate the necessity for carton stripping devices. These parts, of relatively simple construction, function effectively and reliably to withdraw the cartons from the hopper, erect them and discharge the completed cartons in a rapid and automatic manner, requiring the attention of an operator only to keep the hopper supplied with a quantity of cartons to be erected.

It will thus be seen that the invention accomplishes its while it has been herein disclosed by reference to the details of a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that such disclosure is intended in an illustrative, rather than a limiting sense, as it is contemplated that various modifications in the construction and arrangement of the parts will readily occur to those skilled in the art, within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A machine for setting up collapsible cartons of the type having front and rear walls hingedly attached to the opposite sides of the bottom wall and transverse members adapted to be swung at right angles to the bottom wall in setting up the carton, said machine comprising a hopper for supporting a stack of collapsed cartons, mechanism for removing one of said cartons from said hopper and for partially distending said carton, rotary means entering said partially distended carton between the front and rear walls thereof and engaging and swinging the transverse members to erected position for fully erecting said carton, movable means for supporting the bottom of said partially distended carton during the erection of the same by said rotary means, and means for actuating said mechanism, said bottom supporting means and said rotary means in timed coordination with one another.

2. A machine for setting up collapsible cartons of the type having front and rear walls hingedly attached to the opposite sides of the bottom wall and transverse members adapted to be swung at right angles to the bottom wall in setting up the carton, said machine comprising a hopper for supporting a stack of collapsed cartons, mechanism for removing one of said cartons from said hopper and for partially distending said carton, rotary means entering said partially distended carton between the front and rear walls thereof and engaging and swinging the transverse members to erected position for fully erecting said carton, movable means for supporting the bottom of said partially distended carton during the erectionof the same by said rotary means, and means for continuously rotating said rotary means and for actuating said mechanism and said bottom supporting means in timed coordination with one another.

3. A machine for setting up collapsible cartons of the type having front and rear walls hingedly attached to the opposite sides of, the bottom wall and transverse members adapted to be swung at right angles to the bottom wall in setting up the carton, said machine comprising a hopper for supporting a stack of collapsed cartons, mechanism comprising oscillating gripping means for removing one of said cartons from said hopper and for partially distending the same, rotary means entering said partially distended carton between the front and rear walls thereof and engaging and swinging the transverse members to erected position for fully erecting said carton, movable means for supporting the bottom of said partially distended carton during the erection of the same by said rotary means, and means for oscillating said gripping means and actuating said bottom supporting means and salild rotary means in timed coordination with one anot er.

4. A machine for setting up collapsible cartons of the type having front and rear walls hingedly attached to the opposite sides of the bottom wall and transverse members adapted to be swung at right angles to the bottom wall in setting up the carton, said machine comprising a hopper for supporting a stack of collapsed cartons, mechanism comprising oscillating gripping means for removing one of said cartons from said hopper and for partially distending said carton, rotary means entering said partially walls thereof and-engaging and swinging the transverse members to erected position for fully erecting said carton, movable means for "supporting the bottom of said partially distended carton during the erection of the same by said rotary means, and means for continuously rotating said rgtgi lg egns and oscillating said gripping means'and actuating said maniairT'aTrTsiri timed coordination with one another.

5. A machine for setting up collapsible cartons of the type having front and rear walls hingedly attached to the opposite sides of the bottom wall and transverse members adapted to be swung at right angles to the bottom wall in setting up the carton, said machine comprising a hopper for supporting a stack of collapsed cartons, mechanism for removing one of said cartons from said hopper and for partially distending said carton, rotary means having parts movable thereon entering said partially distended carton between the front and rear walls thereof and engaging and swinging the transverse members to erected position for fully erecting said carton, movable means for supporting the bottom of said partially distended carton during the erection of the same by said rotary means, means for continuously rotating said rotary means and moving said parts thereon to engage and erect said carton and to release and discharge the same and means for actuating said mechanism and said bottom supporting means in timed coordination with said rotary means.

6. A machine for setting up collapsible cartons of the type having front and rear walls hingedly attached to the opposite sides of the bottom wall and transverse members adapted to be swung at right angles to the bottom wall in setting up the carton, said machine comprising a hopper for supporting a stack of collapsed cartons, mechanism comprising oscillating gripping means for removing one of said cartons from said hopper and for partially distending said carton, rotary means having parts movable thereon entering said carton between the front and rear walls thereof and engaging and swinging the transverse members to erected position to fully erect said carton, movable means for supporting the bottom of said partially distended carton during the erection of the same by said rotary means, means for continuously rotating said rotary means and moving said parts thereon to engage and distend said carton and to release and discharge the same and means for actuating said mechanism and said bottom supporting means in timed coordination with said rotary means and parts.

7. A machine for setting up collapsible cartons of the type having front and rear walls hingedly attached to the opposite sides of the bottom wall and transverse members adapted to be swung at right angles to the bottom wall in setting up the carton, said machine comprising a hopper for supporting a stack of collapsedcartons, mechanism for partially removing the outermost one of said .cartons from said hopper and for partially distending the .same, rotary means entering said partially distended carton betweenthe front and rear walls thereof and engaging and swmging the transverse members to erected position "distended carton between" the -front-and-rear m a scream for fully erecting said carton and for removing the same from said hopper, movable means for-supporting the bottom of said partially distended carton during. the erection of the same by said rotary means, movable retaining means for releasably holding said cartons in said hopper, means for moving said retaining means for releasing the outermost carton for removal by said mechanism and by said rotary means, and means for actuating said mechanism, said bottom supporting means, said rotary means and said moving means in timed coordination with one another. I

8. A machine for setting up collapsible cartons having front and rear walls hingedly attached to the opposite sides of the bottom wall and transverse members adapted to be swung at right angles to the bottom wall in setting up the carton, said machine comprising a hopper for supporting a stack of collapsed cartons, vacuum gripping means for partially removing one of said cartons from said hopper and for partially distending the same, rotary means entering said partially opened carton between the front and rear walls thereof and engaging and swinging the transverse members to erected position for fully erecting said carton and removing the same from said hopper, movable means for supporting the bottom of said partially distended carton during the erection of the same by said rotary means, cooperating means connecting said vacuum means and said rotary means for synchronizing the movement of said vacuum means with said rotary means, movable retaining means for releasably holding said carton in said hopper, means for moving said retaining means for releasing the outermost carton for removal by said vacuum means and by said rotary means, and means for actuating said bottom supporting means, said moving means and said rotary means in timed coordination with one another.

9. A machine for setting up collapsible cartons having front and rear walls hingedly attached to the bottom wall along the opposite sides thereof and transverse members adapted to be swung at right angles to the bottom wall in setting up the carton, said machine comprising a hopper for supporting a stack of collapsed cartons, vacuum gripping means for partially removing the outermost one of said cartons from said hopper and for partially distending the same, rotary means entering said partially opened carton between the front and rear walls thereof and engaging and swinging the transverse members to erected position for carton from said hopper, movable means for supporting the bottom of said partially distended carton during the erection of the same by said rotary means, cam means on said rotary means, roller means on said vacuum means engaging said cam means for swinging said vacuum means into gripping engagement with the front wall of the outermost carton in said hopper and for moving said vacuum means and the front wall of said carton away from said hopper for partially opening said carton as said rotary means moves into carton engaging position, and means for actuating said bottom supporting means and said rotary means in timed coordination with one another.

10. A machine for setting up collapsible cartons having front and rear walls hingedly attached to the bottom Wall along the opposite sides thereof, said machine comprising a hopper for supporting a stack of collapsed cartons, vacuum gripping means for partially removing the outermost one of said cartons from said hopper and for partially distending the same, rotary means engaging said partially opened carton for distending and removing the same from said hopper, movable means for supporting the bottom of said partially distended carton during the erection of the same, cam means on said rotary means, roller means on said vacuum means engaging said cam means for swinging said vacuum means into gripping engagement with the front wall of the outermost carton in said hopper and for moving said vacuum means and the front wall of said carton away from said hopper for partially opening said carton as said rotary means moves into carton engaging position, movable retaining means for releasably holding said cartons in said hopper, means for moving said retaining means for releasing the outermost carton for removal by said vacuum means and by said rotary means, and means for actuating said vacuum means, said bottom supporting means, said rotary means and said moving means in timed coordination with one another.

11. A machine for setting up collapsible cartons haverecting and removing said.

ing front and rear walls hingedly attached to the opposite sides of the bottom wall, said machine comprising a hopper for supporting a stack retaining means releasably engaging the front wall of the outermost carton for holding said carton in said hopper, vacuum gripping means for partially removing the outermost carton from said hopper and forpartially distending the same, the front wall of said carton being moved out of engagement with the retaining means by said gripping means, rotary means engaging said partially opened carton for fully distending the same and for fully removing said carton from said hopper, movable means for supporting the bottom of said partially distended carton during the erection of the same, means for moving said retaining means out of engagement with the rear wall of said outermost carton as said gripping means partially removes said carton from said hopper, yieldable means for moving said retaining means into engagement with the front wall of the next succeeding carton for holding the remaining cartons in said hopper, and means for actuating said gripping means, said moving means, said bottom supporting means and said rotary means in timed coordination with one another.

12. A machine for setting up collapsible cellular cartons of the type having front and rear walls hingedly attached to the opposite sides of the bottom wall and transverse members adapted to be swung at right angles to the bottom wall in setting up the carton, said machine comprising a hopper for supporting a stack of collapsed cartons, vacuum means for partially removing one of said cartons from said hopper and for partially distendmg the same, rotary means engaging said partially opened carton for fully distending the same and for removing said carton from said hopper, movable means for supporting the bottom of said partially distended carton during the erection of the same, spaced blades mounted on said rotary means for engaging the transverse members for swinging said members to erected position, and means for actuating said vacuum means, said bottom supporting means and said rotary means in timed coordination with one another.

13. A machine for setting up collapsible cellular cartons having front and rear walls hingedly attached to the opposite sides of the bottom wall and transverse partitions hingedly connected to the tops of the front and rear walls and adapted to be swung from horizontal to erected vertical position, said machine comprising a hopper for supporting a stack of collapsed cartons, vacuum gripping means for partially removing one of said cartons from said hopper and for partially distending the same, rotary means engaging said partially opened carton for fully distending and removing the same from said hopper, movable means for supporting the bottom of said partially distended carton during the erection of the same, spaced blades mounted on said rotary means for engaging and partially erecting the transverse partitions as said rotary means engages said partially distended carton, cam means for moving said blades for swinging said partitions to vertical position to complete the erection of said carton, and means for actuating said gripping means, said bottom supporting means and said rotary means in timed coordination with one another.

14. A machine for setting up collapsible cellular car tons having front and rear walls hingedly attached to the opposite sides of the bottom wall and transverse partitions hingedly connected to the tops of the front and rear walls and adapted to be swung from horizontal to erected vertical position, said machine comprising a hopper for supporting a stack of collapsed cartons, vacuum means for partially removing one of said cartons from said hopper and for partially distending the same, rotary means engaging said partially opened carton for fully distending and removing said carton from said hopper, movable means for supporting the bottom of said. partially distended carton during the erection of the same, spaced blades mounted on said rotary means for engaging and partially erecting the transverse partitions as said rotary means engages said partially distended carton, cam means for moving said blades for engaging and swinging said partitions to vertical position to complete the erection of said carton and for releasing and discharging the erected carton from the machine, and means for actuating said vacuum means and said bottom supporting means and for continuously rotating said rotary means in timed coordination with one another.

of collapsed cartons, movable 1 1 15'. A machine forSettingTup collapsible cellular cartonsofv the; type having' fr-ront and rear. longitudinal partition andtwo groups of titions hingedlyconnected to the tops ofl rear walls and adapted to be swung in opposite direct-ions, respectively, from horizontal to erected vertical position,

transversepat:-

walls, a central said front and saidmachine comprising ahopper for supporting a stack of collapsed cartons, vacuum gripping means for partially removing one of said cartons from said hopper and for partially distending. the same, rotary rneansengaging said partially opened cartonfor fully distending moving said: carton" from said hopper, movable means for: supporting the bottom: of saidpartially distended car:- to'n: during,5 the erection comprising two" groups of spaced blades projeetingathere of thesame,,saidrotary means fi1om=fojr engagement with the partitions of said groups,

respectively; for partiallyerecting the transverse par-t1- tions-as said rot-arym'ean's engages said partially distendedri carton-,;--meansfor effecting, the relative rnoveir'ientof said groups-of bladesopposite directionsto complete said'rot-aryrneans 1n timed coordination with one another.

ReferencesCi ted in the file of this patent UNI-TED STATES PATENTS 1,828,123 Bickford Oct 20, 193i 1,991,221 nedi nnnrrfin- Feb. 12 1935 2,018,396 Burger Oct. 22, 19 35 2,-l;1 6;6 0 7 Milmoe May 10, 1938 2324 510 Coy-le- Dec. 10, 1940 2518 208; First et al-i May 4, 1943 23441 372 Quigley-et al'-. May 11, 1 948 2,6 Q1-,48'1 Willi-arias June 24, 1952 2,624,248

Bakei et'al. Ian. 6, 1953