US2835087A

US2835087A - Conveying, packaging, and slitting machine

Info

Publication number: US2835087A
Application number: US448607A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harry E Engleson; Sramek Elmer Daniel
Original assignee: Redington Co F B
Current assignee: F B REDINGTON Co; Redington Co F B
Priority date: 1954-08-09
Filing date: 1954-08-09
Publication date: 1958-05-20
Anticipated expiration: 1975-05-20

Description

May 20, 1958 H. E. ENGLESON ETAL 2,835,087

CONVEYING, PACKAGING AND SLITTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 9, 1954 l3 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 INV ENTORS: HARRY E. ENGLESON ELMER 0. SRAMEK J w IM @M a;

May 20, 1958 Filed Aug. 9, 1954 H.E.ENGLE$ON ETAL CONVEYING, PACKAGING AND SLITTING MACHINE 13 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS: HARRY E. ENGLESON ELMER D. SRAMEK May 20 1958 H. E. ENGLESON ET AL couvannc, PACKAGING AND sumus MACHINE l3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 9, 1954 FIG?) R E m fl Y 8 m m. 4 m T E O O D N w 4 .b. N E Ri w 8 T 9 C H 4 mA m m RI c0 ow l mm 6 A E 4 Y R "A EN EL DM 5 STARTER BOX CONTACTS @4 M, Mf -4 ATT'YS my m E 0 E mG M D Du WE RM A L 5 HE G F 6 3 l I I 1 bwm \M w 2m Ms m m y a 4 0 3 May 20, 1958 H. E. ENGLESON El'AL 2,835,087

. CONVEYING, PACKAGING A ND SLITTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 9, 1954 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS'.

HARRY E. ENGLESON ELMER' D. SRAMEK May 20, 1958 H. E. ENGLESON ETAL 2,835,087

CONVEYING, PACKAGING AND SLITTING. MACHINE Filed Aug. 9, 1954 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 CONTACT POIYNTS m couvsncan MOTOR STARTER BOX no v. so cvcu-z 72 4 RELAY CONTACTS SOLENOID {NORMALLY CLOSED 59 |oo t\k+e mm\m 9o POTENTIOMETER RELAY CONTACTS uomuunr OPEN as g 0 5 E O necnnsa a9 88 |---7d. 4 INVENTORS: RELAY HARRY E. ENGLESON COIL ELMER D. SRAMEK F Ac'rs Fl G. 8 Y lggglgALLY B ATT'YS May 20, 1958 H. E. ENGLESQN ETAL 2,835,087

CONVEYING, PACKAGING AND SLITTING MACHINE 15 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS: HARRY E. ENGLESON ELMER D. SRAMEK BYZ z May 20, 1958 H. E. ENGLESON ETAL 2,835,037

CONVEYING, PACKAGING AND SLITTING MACHINE Filed Aug 9, 1954 15 Sheets-Sheet 7 FIG. IO

INVENTORS:

HARRY E. ENGLESON ELMER D. SRAMEK ATT'YS May 20, 1958 F CONVEYING, PACKAGING AND SLITTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 9. 1954 H. E. ENGLESON ETA]. 2,835,087

13 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTORSI HARRY E. ENGLESON .ELMER D. SRAMEK ATT'YS May 20; 1958 H.- E. ENGLESON ETAL 2,

CONVEYING, PACKAGING .YAND SLITTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 9, 1954 l3 Sheets-Shegt 1O I24 I35 I26 H EQL '57 I v INVENTORSI:

HARRY E. ENGLESON ELMER D. SRAMEK ATT'YS May 20, 1958 H. E. ENGLESON ETAL 2,835,037

CONVEYING, PACKAGING AND SLITTING MACHINE l3 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Aug. 9, 1954 FIG. l5

K WE r. T m T VGA A m ES. 1 D R W 2 R AL I HE w Y. B

May 20, 1958 H. E. ENGLESON ET AL 2,835,087 CONVEYING, PACKAGING AND SLITTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 9, 1954 1s Sheets-Sheet 12 INVENTORSQ:

HARRY E. ENGLESON ELMER D. SRAMEK BY M Mfg: W ATT'YS May 20, 1958 H. E. ENGLESON EIAL 7 CONVEYING, PACKAGING AND SLITTING MACHINE Filed Aug 9, 1954, 13 Sheets-Sheet 13 FIG.|9

IN V EN TORS 2 HARRY E.ENGLESON ELMER D. SRAMEK BY Mr/ oZ'.

ATT'YS United States Patent CONVEYING, PACKAGING, AND SLITTING MACHINE Harry E. Engleson, Chicago, and Elmer Daniel Sramelr, Cicero, Ill.,.assignors to F. B. Redingtou Co, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application August 9, 1954, Serial No. 448,607

30 Claims. (Cl. 53-63) This invention relates to mechanism for conveying articles in a predetermined sequence to predetermined positions, to package the articles in containers and deliver the filled containers to discharge position, all in continuous operations and in predetermined sequences.

The machine of the present invention consists in mechanism for delivering articles, such as small metal containers normally referred to as tins, the tins being delivered from tin packaging machines, which latter machines are normally referred to as tin packers. Tins are delivered by means of conveyers to respective channels where they are conveyed by a main line-conveyer to a converger conveyer, where the tins are shifted at right angles from the main line-conveyer. The tins along the main line-conveyer are intermittently arrested or clamped by certain clamping mechanism, the operation of which is controlled by certain detectors. A pneumatic delay mechanism permits a plurality of tins from each line or channel to be first clamped, and then released at the proper time interval for delivery to the converger conveyer. The converger conveyer delivers the tins in rows to a cartoning machine. The cartoning machine comprises an intermittently operated conveyer in the form of interconnected buckets for receiving cartons into which a plurality of tins are to be received or packaged. The tins are delivered along a conveyer and are periodically clamped to permit a certain number of articles or tins to be inserted in the carton from the same side and at different levels. The tins are clamped at predetermined intervals so as to hold back the line of tins during the insertion operation of tins within a carton, the carton having its side and end flaps arranged so as to permit the article fillers to be inserted easily and properly into engagement with the articles and to push the articles into the container. After the predetermined number of articles, arranged in tiers, are inserted in a proper carton, the fiaps are glued and folded and then put through a glue drier and pressing mechanism for delivery onto a conveyer to have the cartons packed into a box or other receptacle. Means are provided, by means of certain escapement mechanism, to prevent the piling up of articles should there be any jam occurring during the cartoning operation. Also, means are provided to cause continuous operation of the lines of tins being fed to the converger conveyer, but to hold back a certain number of tins when there are an insufficient number of tins within a line, as determined by the detectors. Filled cartons are arranged to proper conveying position and discharge position, being subjected to a slitting operation prior to final discharge.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of new and novel mechanism for causing tins to feed properly to certain predetermined positions and inserting a predetermined number of tins at different levels into cartons.

Another important object of the invention consists in the provision of means for periodically clamping lines 2,835,@? Patented May 20, 1958 or rows of tins and periodically releasing such tins to a conveyer converger.

Another object consists in the arrangement of a pneumatic delay system cooperating with detector mechanism to intermittently clamp articles and then release the articles after a certain time delay so long as there are articles in line being fed, and which causes the articles to be clamped indefinitely when there are an insuflicient number of tins in a line.

Another important object resides in the provision of a converger conveyer for delivering released tins in two lines for subsequent conveying to a predetermined position with respect to a bucket conveyer, and then clamping certain tins while other tins are being inserted simultaneously into a plurality of cartons.

A further object of the invention resides in new and improved drying means for exerting a pressure along the glue folds of a carton after the articles are fed into the carton and then delivering the filled cartons by new and novel conveying means to a predetermined position.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of new and novel means for delivering filled cartons to a predetermined delivery position and to prevent operation of certain pushing mechanism should a carton be out of place, canted, or not in the correct position, so as to prevent jamming or damaging of a filled carton.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of new and novel filler rods '01" plungers to cause automatic cessation of certain mechanism when a predetermined excessive load is applied to the plungers.

Still another object consists in the provision of a new arrangement of electrical control circuits for causing operation of certain parts of the machine to cease functioning when a certain device or part thereof is stopped by means of a push button control, or for automatically stopping the operation of certain mechanism because of jamming or other misfunction of the tins being conveyed to position for cartoning purposes.

Another object consists in the method of packaging articles which consists in feeding articles in a plurality of rows or lines, and inserting articles in cartons in rows and on top of each other.

Another object consists in the conveying of filled packages along predetermined paths, providing certain detector mechanism to control the positioning of filled cartons which move past a slitter arrangement, and providing certain pusher means to move the cartons to a discharge conveyer belt.

A still further and more specific object of the invention consists in the provision of new and novel means for inserting twelve tins in a carton in three layers, there being four tins in each layer. 7

Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent throughout the progress of the specification which follows.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a certain selected embodiment of the invention, and the views therein are as follows:

Fig. 1 is a detail top plan view somewhat diagrammatic or schematic in nature and showing the various parts of the machine;

Fig. 2 is a detail perspective View of certain mechanism, including the detector mechanism, the converger mechanism, and tin clamping mechanism for clamping tins prior to release to the converger conveyer;

Fig. 3 is an electric diagram disclosing the operation of certain of the elements shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detail elevational view, partly in section, showing certain of the mechanism, and the manner in which the tin stop is operated;

Fig. 5 is a detail elevational view, partly in section, showing some of the clampv control mechanism adapted to be operated by a solenoid;

Fig. 6 is a detail transverse sectional view showing the converger conveyer and certain mechanism associated therewith;

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view showing the manner in which the tins are conveyed from the main lineconveyer through the converger conveyer, and the means for operating the escapement chute;

Fig. 8 is an electrical diagram of the means for controlling the operation of the escapement chute and the cartoner;

Fig. 9 is a detail top plan view showing part of the cartoner and the hold-down members and the tin clamps;

Fig. 10 is a detail longitudinal sectional view on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a detail transverse sectional view on the line 1111 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a detail transverse sectional view similar to Fig. 11, showing the manner in which the filler members are operated;

Fig. 13 is a detail end elevational view looking in the direction of the arrows 1313 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a detail top plan view of the carton drier mechanism;

Fig. 15 is a detail perspective view looking in the direction of the arrows 1515 of Fig. 1, and showing the end of the drier, the chute therefrom, and certain conveying mechanism with controls therefor;

Fig. 16 is a detail front elevational view of the structure disclosed in Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a detail perspective view of a carton in collapsed position;

Fig. 18 is a detail perspective view of the carton during the filling position; and

Fig. 19 is a detail perspective view of the completed filled carton.

The particular construction herein shown for the purpose of illustrating the present invention comprises a plurality of filling machines, termed fin packers for packaging or packing a plurality of tablets in small flat metal boxes, referred to herein, and known in the art, as tins. These tins may be of any convenient or desired shape or size, and each receives a certain predetermined number of tablets. The type and size of tins employed in the present embodiment are relatively small and shallow, and are designed to receive a dozen tablets, the tins being relatively rectangular in shape with a closed top which is hinged along one side. Five tin packers, or filling machines, are specifically disclosed, being numbered 1 to 5, inclusive, Fig. l. A greater or lesser number of tin filling machines may be used, depending upon the requirements and the production to be handled.

Each tin packer delivers tins, in a row, to a separate delivery for movement to a main line-conveyer. Tins from the tin packers 1 to 5, Fig. l, are discharged onto their separate deliveries 6 to 10, respectively, each delivery having side guides. The tins from each delivery 6 to 10 are received onto a main line-conveyer 11 which may be in the form of an endless relatively wide belt 12. Guide strips 13, arranged over the belt 12, divide the belt or conveyer 12 into separate guideways or channels 14 to 18 which are angularly disposed relative to the deliveries 6 to 10, whereby rows of tins are moved in rows along the channels 14 to 18, respectively, Fig. l. Tins from the packers 1 to 5, inclusive, therefore, are delivered to the belt 12 in rows and are conveyed along the channels between the guides 13, in continuous moving rows for delivery, gathering, packaging and conveying purposes. Five tin packers or filling machines for the five channels are specifically shown, but more or less machines and channels may be employed, depending on the circumstances and upon the conditions required. There is preferably one or more additional channels provided to '4 permit extra tins to be fed by hand, one such extra channel 19 being shown in Fig. 1.

Tins 20, which are filled by the previously mentioned tin packers 1 to 5, are fed by the conveyer 11 (belt .12) along a predetermined path, first passing under detectors 21, there being one detector for each channel. There are five machines, 1 to 5, five delivery channels, 6 to 10, for the five rows of tins 20, and five detectors 21. Thus, there is one detector for each channel or row of tins. An extra detector 21 is provided also for the channel or row 19. As the tins for each row are conveyed in the same manner, and each detector 21 operates in the same manner as the others, only the manner of feed, and the manner of operation of one detector for one row, will be described.

Tins 20 are delivered from a tin packer and supported on the belt 12, Figs. 1 and 2, moving from right to left, Fig. 2, where they are adapted to engage an operated stops 22. Mechanical spring clamps, designated generally by the number 23, close to clamp a third tin 20 as indicated at C, Fig. 2, the first tins 20 beingdesignated as A and B, respectively. The stop 22 operates to release tins A and B to the left, Fig. 2, a short distance, thus permitting a conveyer converger lug 24, on a converger conveyer 25, to move two tins to the left onto a converger delivery belt.

A tin clamp lever 26, supporting each of the clamps 23, is freely mounted on a cam shaft 27, Fig. 2, which is rotatively mounted in bearings in a part of the machine, or machine framework, from a prime mover (such as a motor, not shown) but which also drives the conveyer 11 (belt 12). Each clamp lever 26 carries a clamp 23, each of which has two

spring plates

28 and 29. The left hand spring plate 28 clamps tin C, and the right hand spring plate 29 clamps two tins 20 designated as D and E, Figs. 2, 4 and 5. The clamp lever 26 is held up in clamp position by a spring 30 which has one end fastened to a tail piece 31 on the freely mounted lever 26, and its other end secured to a stationary part of the machine frame.

A cam lever 32, Fig. 2, is fixed to the shaft 27, which gives the shaft 27 its oscillating motion. A cam roller 33, on the lever 32, engages a cam 34 fixed on a rotating shaft 35 which is journaled in hearings in the machine frame. Rotation of the shaft 35, therefore, imparts oscillatory motion to the shaft 27 by the cam lever 32.

A clamp operator lever 36, Fig. 2, is also pinned to the shaft 27 and is also oscillated thereby. A clamp operator plate 37 is fastened to the left hand side of the clamp lever 26. Between the clamp lever 26 and the plate 37 there is a clamp engaging block 38, which is held in down position by a link 39 operated by a solenoid 40. A spring 41, between the clamp lever 26 and the upper end of the link 39, holds the clamp engaging block 38 above the clamp operator lever 36 when the solenoid 40 is de-energized. The clamp operator lever 36 operates the clamp lever 26 down to unclamp tins. Tins 20 (C, D and E) are clamped while a oonverger lugs 24 moves tins A and B to the right; and tins are unclamped to permit tins to feed up against the operated stop 22.

The operated stop 22, Fig. 4, comprises a lever arm 42 having a cam roller 43. The cam roller 43 engages a cam 44 which is fixed to the rotary shaft 35. The operated stop22, therefore, operates in proper timed synchronous relation with the tin clamps 28 and 29. The clamping operation of the clamp lever 26, and the spring clamps 28 and 29, is normally upward, being pulled in that direction by the spring 30, whereby the tins are clamped between the

clamps

28 and 29 and

top guides

45, 45, Figs. 2 and 5.

When there is a supply of tins available, a detector 21 will be held up by the tins 20 on the belt 12, the detector 21 being held away from a normally closed microswitch 46, Fig. 2, which energizes the solenoid 40. The energized solenoid pulls the clamp engaging block 38 between the clamp operator lever 36 and the clamp operator plate 37, the clamp operator lever 36 thus releasing two tins 20 (A and B) each revolution of the cam 34.

Whenever there is a failure of supply of tins 20, the

detector 21 will drop and cause the normally closed microswitch 46, Fig. 2, to open, thereby de-energizing the solenoid 40 and permitting the spring 41, Fig. 2, between the clamp lever 26 and the clamp engaging block 38, to pull the clamp engaging block 38 above the operator lever 36. The clamp operator lever 36 operates during each revolution of the cam 34, but since the thickness of the clamp engaging block 38 is slightly greater than the stroke of the clamp operator lever 36, the tin clamp lever 26 continues to clamp tins in timed position until the supply of tins is again available to hold up the detector. The end of the solenoid link 39 may be bent and extended through the block 38 to receive one end of the spring 41, the other end of the spring being secured to a pin; on the clamp lever 26, Fig. 2.

Tins 20, therefore, are always released in time, being controlled by the clamp operator lever 36 which is timed by the cam 34. Should a detector drop from a tin, and the solenoid 40 be de-energized during the release part of the stroke, that part of the surface of the clamp operator lever 36 which contacts the clamp engaging block 38, being tapered, the spring 41 will not pull the clamp engaging block 38 from between the clamp operator plate 37 and the clamp operator lever 36.

The electrical circuit, Fig. 3, functions so that when. a supply of tins is available an arm 47 of the detector 21, Fig. 2, is lifted, permitting the normally closed microswitch 46 to close and energize the relay coil of a pneumatic timer 48 on delay. Time delay takes place during this action. This on delay closing of contact points 4-9 in the pneumatic timer 48 is to prevent the feeding out of all tins. Should one tin come along on the belt at a time to energize the solenoid 40, and two tins 20 be allowed to feed into converger conveyer lug 24, there would be one tin less than what was had at the start. Should this latter situation occur a sumcient number of times, all tins would run out. With the open type on delay pneumatic timer 48, should one tin come along at a certain time, the contact points would not be closed immediately, but instead would be closed after the proper time delay if the arm 47 of the detector 21 is held up by succeeding tins. The pneumatic timer relay contact points 49 close to energize the solenoid 40. When the supply of tins fails, and the detector arm 47 drops to open the normally closed microswitch 46, the relay coil of the pneumatic timer 48 is de-energized, and the circuit to the solenoid 40 is broken immediately.

Contact points 50, Fig. 3, in a converger motor starter box (not shown) are to close the circuit of a converger intake tin clamp detector 21 and an escapement for the conveyer only when converger 25 is running. This arrangement is to protect the solenoid 40 from burning out if converger 25 should stop at a time when the plunger of the solenoid could not seat itself.

The first two .tins 20 (A and B), after being released from the stop 22, are picked up, two deep, by'the spaced lugs 24 of the converger conveyer 25, from each of the channels or guideways 14 to 19, inclusive. The lugs 24 are fastened to a chain 51, Fig. 6, and are spaced apart a distance somewhat more than the number of lines or channels being employed. The chain 51 is trained over spaced

sprockets

52 and 53, the right hand sprocket 52 being the driving sprocket, and the left hand sprocket 53 being the idler sprocket. The lugs 24 push the tins, two deep, from each lane or channel, and deliver them across a supporting surface 54, the tins being under and guided by top tin guides 45.

The tin supporting surface 54 is provided with a normally closed escapement chute 56, Fig. 6, to deliver tins 20 to a hopper or receptacle 57, Fig. 7, should a certain condition arise. Normally, however, the lugs 24 transfer w 6 the tins 20 from left to right, Fig. 6, in two lines from one or more rows, move them over the chute 56 and deposit them onto a conveyer 58 which preferably comprises a delivery belt, Figs. 6 and 7.

The escapement chute 56, Fig. 7, is in the nature of a trap door having a lever 59 connected thereto. The lever 59 is pivotally connected to a link 60 which is connected to an operator lever 61 pivotally mounted on a shaft 62. A cam lever 63 is mounted on the shaft 62 and carries a cam roller 64, which is operated by a cam 65 mounted on a shaft 66. The shaft 66 is located at right angles to the previously described shaft 35 and is operated from the shaft 35 by means of gealing (not shown) connecting the

shafts

35 and 66, whereby the two shafts operate in proper timed relation with respect to the converger conveyer 25 and its lugs 24.

The operator lever 61, Fig. 7, carries an operator plate 67, and an escapement engaging block 68 fits between the plate 67 and the operator lever 61. A solenoid 69 has a link 70 to which is connected the escapement engaging block 63 and pulls the escapement block down in the path of a projection 71 on the cam lever 63 to operate the chute 56 in the down position, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 7. The cam 65 controls the time of escapement of the chute 56 relative to a lug 24 of converger intake transfer conveyer 25. The distance of motion of cam lever 63 is slightly less than the thickness of the escapement engaging block 68, and when the escapement engaging block 68 is in the up position, the chute 56 remains in up position as shown in Fig. 7. A spring 72 between the block 68 and the operator lever 61 holds the block 68 up when a cartoner device 73 is running, Figs. 9 to 11. When the cartoner 73 stops, the solenoid 69 is energized, and the escapement engaging block 68 is pulled down between operator lever plate 69 and cam lever 63. During each revolution of the machine, the escapernent chute 56 is lowered just as tins 20 are being transferred onto escapement chute 56 and brought back up when a lug of the converger transfer conveyer 25 clears the left hand end of the escapement chute. When the cartoner 73 is stopped, tins 20 will drop down the escapement chute 56 into the container or hopper 57, Fig. 7.

The cartoner 73 receives cartons 74, Fig. 17, from the stack 75, Fig. l, and positions them into a carton conveyer 76, Figs. 9 and 11. The carton conveyer comprises a plurality of buckets 77 which are spaced a predetermined distance apart and hingedly connected by means of an endless chain 78, Fig. 11, which is driven by a sprocket 79. The sprocket 79 is fixed to a shaft 80, which is mounted in suitable bearings 81 and 82 fixed to a part of the machine frame. The shaft 82 has a Geneva wheel 83 fixed thereto, which is driven by a Geneva drive 84. The Geneva drive is operated from a main drive shaft which extends from front to rear the full length of the machine, and is driven by a prime mover such as an electric motor (not shown). Each bucket 77, on the bucket conveyer 76, therefore, is driven intermittently in proper timed relation to supply cartons 74 continuously, but intermittently, along the cartoner 73.

The cartoner 73 comprises the spaced buckets 77 which are each adapted to receive a carton 74 from the carton stack and to have twelve tins 20 inserted in each carton. The tins are positioned in each carton in three layers, there being four tins in each layer. The cartons 74 are fed out of the magazine 75, Fig. 1, and expanded in the usual manner, Fig. 18, when they are deposited into adjacent buckets 77. Each carton 74 has four front flaps, Fig. 18, which are spread apart at right angles to the body. The back sides of the cartons are folded inwardly after the top flap is folded down and the bottom flap is folded down at right angles to the body, Fig. 18. The cartons 74 are conveyed from left to right in the Geneva driven bucket chain. The Geneva wheel operates so that the cartons will move in one hundred 7 eighty degrees of main shaft time and rest during the remaining one hundred eighty degrees of main shaft time, at which time the cartons are to be filled by the tins 20.

The main shaft of the cartoner (not shown) is driven by a clutch shaft through suitable gearing, and the Geneva wheel 83 is driven by a Geneva driver by means of gearing from the main shaft. (A clutch on the clutch shaft is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 8 and is given the numeral 85.) The converger conveyer 25 delivers tins 20 onto the intake belt 58 of the cartoner. The cartoner 73 is equipped with the electric clutch 85, as disclosed in the electrical circuit shown in Fig. 8. The electric circuit, Fig. 8, also includes a starting switch 86, a stop switch 87, and a jog button 88 wired to a relay 89, to engage or disengage the electric clutch 85, starting and stopping the machine. The relay 89 has two sets of normally

open contacts

90 and 91 and one set of normally closed contacts 92. When the start button 86 is pressed, one of the sets of normally open contacts (set 91) keeps the relay coil 89 energized, the second set 90 of normally open contacts closes to complete a ninety volt D. C. clutch circuit, and the third set of normally closed contacts 92 opens to de-energize the solenoid 69. When the solenoid 69 is de-energized, the spring 72, Fig. 7, between the operator lever 61 and the escapement engaging block 68 pulls the escapement engaging block 68 up out of the way of the cam lever 63 and the escapement chute 56 remains up, feeding tins 20 into cartoner 73. When the stop button 87 is pressed, the relay coil 89 is de-energized, breaking the two sets of normally

open contacts

90 and 91, disengaging electric clutch 85, and closing the normally closed set of contact points 92 to energize the solenoid 69. The energizing of the solenoid 69 pulls the escapement engaging block 68 between the operator lever plate 67 and the cam lever, operating the escapement chute 56 to lower tins 20 into the container or hopper 57, Fig. 7.

Tins 20, Fig. 9, are delivered by the converger delivery belt 58, Figs. 6 and 10, onto a conveyer 93, Figs. 9 and 10, which comprises two endless belts in line. The tins are moved from left to right, Fig. 9, for insertion into the cartons 74, in three layers with four tins constituting each layer. The side-by-side belts of the conveyer 93 are inclined upwardly from left to right, Fig. 10, and rise to the height of one tin in the distance from one carton being filled to the next succeeding carton being filled. The inclined belts of the conveyer 93 run continuously at a speed somewhat more than double the speed for the space occupied by six tins which are simultaneously being pushed into cartons.

An end tin stop 94, Fig. 9 (to the extreme right), holds back all tins so that they will be held stationary on the moving belts of the conveyer 93, the belts riding under the tins. The tins 20 are also prevented from buckling in line, or rising upwardly, by means of a top plate or holder 95 and may be in two sections as shown in Fig. 9, one section being to the left and the other to the right. The holder 95 may comprise a pair of spaced

longitudinal members

96 and 97 which are arranged above the tins on the two belt conveyer 93. The

members

96 and 97 are secured to a plurality of cross members 98 which have their inner ends pivoted to a stationary longitudinal rod or bar 99, Fig. 9, being pivotally supported in suitable bearings 100 on the machine frame. The holder 95 may be latched in its lowered tin holding position.

Sets of clamps are provided to clamp the front ends of front tins and the rear ends of rear tins, three such sets of

clamps

101, 102 and 103 being shown, Fig. 9. The first tin clamp 101 comprises a front tin clamp member 104 and a rear tin clamp member 105. The

members

104 and 105 include spring pressed pins 106 which are forced into clamping position to hold back the line of incoming tins. I

The

clamps

102 and 103 are identical in construction and operation, each being operated on a rod or link 107,

Figs. 9 and 10, which is horizontally shiftable and parallel to the belt conveyer 93. The rod or link 107 is mounted in suitable bearings in the frame and is adapted to be operated by a cam lever 108, Fig. 10, which is pivotally mounted at 109 to a part of the frame. The forward end of the cam lever 108 is provided with an opening through which the rod or link 107 passes and is locked between a pair of collars 110. The cam lever 108 has a roller 111 mounted thereon which is adapted to engage the periphery of a cam 112. The cam 112 is fixed to a cross shaft 113 which is rotated by the main shaft through suitable gearing.

Each

clamp

102 and 103, Figs. 9 and 10, is arranged between spaced

collars

114 and 115, there being a spring 116 interposed between the collars and the ends of the

clamps

102 and 103. Each

clamp

102 and 103 is pivotally mounted on a pin 117, Fig. 9, so that during horizontal shifting of the rod or link 107 the forward tin clamping end 118 of each clamp is free to oscillate in a horizontal are about the vertical pins 117. The forward clamping ends 118 are adapted to engage the forward end of the first row of tins 20. An arm 119, to which the clamping end 118 is attached, comprises a vertically extended relatively C-shaped member 120, Fig. 10, which is fixed to each horizontal arm 119. A link or rod 121 is fixed to the part 120 and extends transversely across the conveyer 93 and comprises a back clamp 122 for engaging the back end of the back row of tins. The construction of each of the

members

121 and 122 is such that when the rod or link 107 moves to the right, Fig. 9, the clamping surfaces 118 will engage the front ends of the transverse rows of tins, and the members 122 will engage the rear faces of the rear row of tins. Also, when the rod 107 moves to the left, the collars 114, Fig. 10, will move the clamping edges 118 and 122 outwardly to release the tins. After the tins have reached their proper position, and are being held by the clamps 101 to 103, inclusive, a tin filling member 123 is operated to insert tins 20 into cartons 74 when the cartons are moved by the conveyer 73 to proper position, whereby the tin filler 123 will insert two tins from each row into a carton 74 and, inasmuch as the belt is inclined, the first carton (to the left, Fig. 9) will receive four tins. The second carton will receive four tins on top of the previously inserted four tins. The third carton (to the right, Fig. 9) will receive four tins on top of the latter inserted four tins, whereby there will be twelve tins arranged in a carton, four tins on the bottom, four tins in the center, and four this on the top, Figs. 9 and 10.

The tin filler 123, Figs. 9 to 11, comprises a first filler member 124, a second filler member 125, and a third filler member 126, Figs. 9 and 10. The

filler members

124, 125, and 126 each comprise a pair of spaced rods 127, which are carried by a casting 128, Figs. 9 to 13, inclusive. The casting member 128 is mounted on a supporting bracket 129, Figs. 11 and 13, there being a filler bar pivoted shaft 130, Fig. 11, passing through the supporting bracket 129 and the casting or filler bar carrier 128. The supporting bracket 129 is fixed to a slide 131, Figs. 11 and 13, which rests on a supporting surface 132 of the machine frame, the slide 131 being mounted in

gibs

133, 133, Fig. 13. The casting 128 is provided with spaced grooves 134 into which the filler rods or plungers 127 are received, being held in position by a top cover plate 135, Figs. 11 to 13. The slide 131, Figs. 12 and 13, is provided with a protuberance or boss 136, to which a link 137 is pivotally connected, as indicated at 138, Fig. 12. The link 137 is connected at 139 to a cam lever 140, Figs. 12 and 13, which is pivotally connected at 141 to a part of the machine frame. The cam lever carries a cam roller 142 which engages a face cam 143 mounted on a shaft 144 and is driven by whom the main shaft. 7

The filler rods or plungers 127 are slidably mounted in-the slots 134. in the casting-128 and are held in nor.- mal locked position by the top. plate 135. .The filler rods or bars 127 may have longitudinal slidable adjustment, Fig. 11, but are normally maintained against slidable movement by means of a ball 145, Fig. 11, engaging a socket 146 formed in the under side of the filler rods or plungers 127. The ball. 14-5 is arranged in a cylindrical opening-in the casting 128, Fig. 11,, and is maintained in engaged position by means of a spring 14.7. The ball and socket arrangement is such that should there occur a jam of the tins, or a tin become bent, or there is some other means of obstruction against the ends of. the pusher rods 127 during the slidable movement of the casting 12.3 on the slide 131, the pusher rods 127' will be forced or pushed inwardly to the left, Fig. 11,- against the pressure of the ball 145 in the recess 146. Such inward movement of a filler or pusher rod 127 will cause it to be pushed inwardly against the frictional. movement of the ball and

socket

145, 146 and shift a plate 148, Fig. 11. The plate 148 is connected to a rod 149 which is mounted on a supporting member or bracket 150, Fig. 11. The inward movement of. a filler or pusher rod 127, therefore, will engage the plate 148 and swing the rod 149, turning the rod on a clockwise direction (upper left, Fig. 11) and cause a lever member 151, fixed to the rod 149, to move downwardly and operate a microswitch 152. The microswitch 152 will then operate a switch of the electrical circuit and cause disengagement of the clutch 85, Fig. 8, whereupon the operation of the cartoning and filling and clamping structure of the machine will cease, and the escapement door 56 will be swung on its pivot by the solenoid 69, preventing additional tins from being fed to the cartoner 73 as the incoming tins from the converger conveyer 25 will then fall through the escapement 56 and into the hopper 57, Fig. 7.

The tin filler 123, Figs. 9 to 11, therefore, consists in the provision of six bars 127 which are mounted on a hinged carrier or casting 128. They are operated on the slide 131, front to rear, by means of the operation of the cam 143. Each of the six filler bars 127 pushes two tins, one from each of the two belts of the conveyer 93, and inserts them into the cartons 74. A

filler member

124, 125 or 126, each comprising two filler bars 127, pushes tins into a separate carton. Thus, each of the three cartons receives one layer of four tins. simultaneously into a respective carton upon each stroke of a set of filler bars 127. On the return stroke of the filler bars 127, they are operated upwardly to clear the incoming tins 20 on the belts of the conveyor 93.

Because of the spacing of three adjacent cartons 74 is greater than the spacing of tins on the belts for insertion, it is necessary that two sets of tins 20 remain in place on the belt, while six other sets of tins 20 are being pushed into the carton, Figs. 9 and 10. Thus, while the fillers or filling rods 127 are pushing sets of tins F and G, sets I and I and sets Land M; sets of tins H and K are held in position by the

clamps

102 and 103, Figs. 9 and 10.

The three pairs of tin clamps 101, 102 and 103.clamp the tins 20 at front and back while cartons 74 are being filled with unclamped tins. As the filler bars 127 have completed their filling stroke, there is left sets of tins H and K, as well as sets N and O, and remaining incoming tins on the continuously moving belts of the conveyer 93. Tin clamps 101 clamp tins N and O and thus hold back the line of incoming tins. Tin clamps 102 clamp tins K,

and clamps 103 clamp tins H. Clamp 101 opens when the fillers 127 are all the way in, and releases the line of tins 20. When the line of tins 20 comes up to tin K, Figs. 9 and 10, the tin clamps 102 will open. When the line of tins 20 gets up to tin H, the tin clamps 103 will open. This sequence is necessary to assure that all tins 20moving on the double belts of the conveyer 93 move as a unit, guiding each other, and thus. preventing a spinning -10 orv turning of anyv individual tin 20. Tin clamps. 101 are operated by one cam, while

clamps

102 and 103 are operated by the cam 112.

The cam112 has steps as shown in Fig. 10. The

clamps

102 and 103 are operated by the spring actuated link or bar 107, so that the clamp 102 will open on the first step ofthe cam, and clamp 103 will open on the second step of the cam. When tins 20 have fed all the way to the right against the stop 94, Fig. 9, the clamps 101 close and hold back the sets of tins N and O and the remaining tins. The tin stop 94 then operates by moving about three-sixteenths of a inch to the right, Fig. 9, freeing those tins which are to be filled from the pressure of the incoming moving tins. At this point the

clamps

102 and 103 will close simultaneously, and the filler bars 127 will start pushing tins 20 into cartons 74.

Since tins 20 are stopped and started on the moving belt of the conveyer 93 because of the action of the stop clamps 101,. 102 and103, it is necessary that they be guided to prevent telescoping or turning. This is done by means of the latched plate 95, previously described. 1

The cycles of feeding tins along the belts of the conveyer 93 clamping predetermined tins for predetermined time intervals and inserting tins into the cartons 74 by means of the filler bars 127, are repeated successively as successive tins are moved to position and successive cartons are in position. After the last layer of four tins has been inserted into a carton, the filled carton will have its top end flap and side flaps closed, glue applied to the bottom end flap, and then delivered to a glue drier 153, Fig. 14.

The cartons 74 in the stack 75 are collapsed, Fig. 17,

and then are expanded, Fig. 18, as they are placed in the buckets 77. The cartons 74 have their top covers glue seamed on top, Fig. 17, and the flaps are pushed outwardly by folding mechanism so that the flaps of the cartons will be in the position shown in Fig. 18, to permit easy insertion of tins 20 into cartons 74. Folding mechanism (not shown) closes the flaps of each carton, and these latter flaps are then glued in place, as shown in Fig. 19. The closed glued flaps are then delivered by the successive buckets 77 of the conveyer '73 to the drier 153, Fig. 14, first passing between

squeeze plates

154, 154 for squeezing the glued end flaps. The cartons are fed between the squeeze plates 154 by a succeeding carton pushing a prior carton in place, as the cartons successively leave the buckets 77. A drier comprises elements 155, arranged on each side of a plate 156, Fig. 14, which move cartons toward the delivery end. Each drier element 155 includes a vertical driven btlt 157 passing over spaced pulleys 158, one of said pulleys being a driver pulley.

A plurality of spaced apart cushion rollers 159, Fig. 14, are arranged inside the inner reaches of each vertical belt 157 and squeeze against the ends of the cartons. The cartons are pressed by the rollers 159 to set the glue on the flaps, and are positively conveyed by the belts 157. The filled closed cartons engage a spring pressed pivotally mounted gate 160, Fig. 15, as they leave the drier 153 and drop down a quarter round chute 161. The gate 160 prevents the cartons from falling down the chute 161 too rapidly and assist in guiding the cartons on the chute between the chute side guides. The cartons are then free to fall in sequence onto a plate arranged above a support 162 for delivery onto a discharge conveyer 163 which comprises a constantly moving belt.

The completely filled and sealed cartons containing the dozen tiris are indicated by .the. numeral 164, Fig. 15. In cases where the filled sealed carton 164 is properly positioned on the support 162, a top pusher 165 will drop downwardly and push the cartons 164 in line to the delivery belt 163. In cases, however, where a carton or package is not properly positioned, as shown in Fig. 15, the top pusher 165 will be in its raised position, as shown, and will not contact the carton 164 at the position P.

' 11 The mechanism which causes the operation of the pusher 165 comprises a lifter lever 166 freely mounted for pivotal movement on a shaft 167, to which the-re is fastened a lifter operator lever 168. The shaft 167 has connected thereto a cam lever 169, Fig. 16, which cam lever carries a roller 170 operating in a camway or groove 171 in a cam 172. The cam 172 is connected to the main drive shaft of the machine, as indicated at 173. The lifter lever 166 is connected to a lifter carrier link 174, Figs. 15 and 16, which is pivotally connected at 175 to a follower lever 176 pivotally mounted on a stud shaft 177. Therefore, during rotation of the cam 172 the lifter operator 168 will cause the lifter lever 166 to be raised upwardly. A slotted bar 178, in the form of a channel member, is connected to the carrier link 174, and, therefore, during normal operation of the operator lever 168 the channel shaped lifter 178 will be caused to reciprocate up and down. A pusher operator lever 179 carries a roller 180 which rides in the groove or slot of the lifter 178 and, inasmuch as the pusher lifter lever 179 is fixed to a pin or shaft 180, the pin or shaft 180 will oscillate in a vertical arc during every reciprocation of the lifter carrier link 174. Thus, on the up stroke of the lifter carrier link 174 the pusher lever 179 will be caused to raise upwardly, and, inasmuch as the top pusher 165 is fixed to the oscillating pin or shaft 180, the top pusher member 165 will be raised and lowered, lowering of the lifter link 174 lowering the lifter and causing the top pusher 165 to be lowered. When the lifter 178 is in its raised position, then the top pusher 165 will be raised. The pusher lifter lever 179 is mounted on a slide 181 which slides upon a rigid plate 182, Figs. 15 and 16. The slide 181 has a link 1833, Fig. 16, connected thereto, which is pivotally connected to a crank arm 184 of a crank 185 pivotally mounted on the shaft 177. The other arm 186 of the crank 185 is pivotally connected to a link 187 which is pivotally connected to a crank 188, the crank 188 being driven from the main shaft 173, Fig. 16. The slide 181 is therefore given horizontal reciproeating movement through the link 187, bell crank 185 and link 183, and the vertical movement of the top pusher plate, which is connected to the slide 181, is given vertical reciprocating movement by the vertical reciprocation of the carrier link 174.

In cases where there is no carton 164 in proper position, as indicated at P, Fig. 15, or if there is no carton in position on the support 162, there will be no contact of a carton with a detector 189, but in such cases where the cartons 164 move downwardly out of the chute 161 in proper position on the support 162, the oncoming carton 164 will engage the detector 189 and cause the detector 189 to swing forwardly. The lower end of the detector 189 is fixed to a pin 190, which carries a lever 191. The lever 191 is adapted to engage a microswitch 192 and cause a normally de-energized solenoid 193 to become energized. Energization of the solenoid 193 will lift a solenoid link 194 upwardly against the tension of a spring 195. The solenoid link 194 is connected to a stop lever 196, which is pivotally mounted on a stud shaft or pin 197. A stop lever 198 is rigidly connected to the member 196 and therefore when the link 194 is raised upwardly by the solenoid 193, the upper end of the lever 198 will swing on its axis 197 (to the right, Fig. 15) and move the lever 198 out of the line of engagement of a lifter block 199, which is fixed to the lifter lever 166. In normal operation, therefore, the packages 164 will engage the detector 189 and cause operation of the microswitch 192 to energize the solenoid 193. When the solenoid 193 is energized, the lever 198 will be away from the lifter block 199, at which time the lifter 178 will be given continuous reciprocal up and down movement, causing the top pusher 165 to be first in a down position to engage a carton 164 and push it to the right, Fig. 15. As the lifter lever 179 moves upwardly, which will be when the slide 181 has reached its innermost travel, the lifter 178 will again be in its up position and cause the top pusher member to be moved to its upward position. Therefore, during its return stroke, the pusher 165 will be raised to clear the next oncoming carton. It will then drop so that it will engage the left hand edge, Fig. 15, of a next carton and again cause the latter to be pushed along the support 162. After the top pusher 165 has pushed a carton 164 to the position shown at Q in Fig. 15, the glued seam at the top of the carton will be slit by a glued seam slitter 200, Fig. 15. The glued seam slitter 200 is preferably made in the shape shown in Fig. 15, and is flexibly mounted on a base 201, the slitter itself being fastened to the base 201 by means of engaging spring 202 mounted on pins 203. The base 201 is fixed to a slitter lever 204, which is pivotally mounted at 205 to a stud or pin. 1

A link 206, Fig. 15, has its upper end connected to the glue seam slitter lever 204 and its lower end pivoted, at 207, to a lever 208, Fig. 15. The lever 208 is pivotally mounted on the shaft 167 and is driven by a cam lever (not shown) from a cam on the shaft 173, Fig. 16, located behind the cam 172. The slitter 200, therefore, operates in timed relation with respect to the oncoming filled cartons 164.

The base or support 162 is lowered or drops slightly so that after a carton 164 is received in proper position there will be no interference at all'with the pusher 165 during the return movement of the pusher. The support 162 also is inclined or lowered at one side so that a package or carton 164 will be tilted in the manner in which package 164 at position Q is shown, Fig. 15. Therefore, the slitter 200 will feel its way along the seam 209, Fig. 19, to allow the glued seam along the edge of the top flap to be severed easily.

Of course when no packages 164 are in proper position on the support, it is desirable that the slitter 200 does not continue to operate on the same package. Therefore, a bottom pusher 210, Figs. 15 and 16, is provided, the pusher 210 being positioned beneath the top pusher 165. This bottom pusher 210 extends a predetermined distance beyond the edge of the slitter 200 so that even if there are no packages coming down the chute 161, the bottom pusher 210 will push the carton and not again become engaged by the slitter.

Filled cartons 164 which lie on side, with glue seam on top, pass from the drier 153 and drop down the quarter round chute 161, Fig. 15, engaging detector 189, stopping against a left hand side guide. The carton 164, Fig. 15, pushes the detector 189 to the left, and rotates the microswitch operator lever 191 down, closing the normally open contacts in the microswitch 192 and energizing the solenoid 193. The energized solenoid 193 pulls up, rocking the lifter stop lever 198 out of the way of the .lifter lever block 199 on the lifter lever 166, permitting the lifter mechanism 178 to go down. The pusher lifter lever 179 follows the lifter 178 down, lowers the top pusher 165 to the path of a carton, and a carton 164 is pushed to the right, in line with the slitter 200. The pusher 165 is lifted on the return stroke so as to not interfere with the oncoming cartons. In pushing a carton 164 from position P to position Q, Fig. 15, the carton drops forward of the bottom pusher 210 and comes to rest at a slight angle for insertion of the slitter 200. The glue seam slitter 200 is carried on two spring pins 203 of a rocking lever 204, permitting the slitter 200 to yield from left to right, being backed up against a corner of a finish cut. The slitter 200 goes down and up while pusher 165 goes back. The bottom pusher 210 pushes a carton out of the way of the slitter 200. A carton in dislodged position P is not used to push a previous carton Q because the slitter 200 should not go into a carton more than once. The bottom pusher 210, therefore, pushes cartons away from the slitter for subsequent movement onto the inclined delivery belt 163. The delivery belt 163 is inclined upwardly, Fig. 15, to deliver a carton 164 at the proper height for delivery to a following machine.

Should a carton out of drier 153 fail to feed, or be fed out of time, or not slide down the quarter round chute 161 far enough to actuate the detector 189, the normally open contact points on the microswitch 192 will remain open, the solenoid 193 will be de-energized, and the spring 195 will hold the lifter stop lever 198 in line with lifter block 199. The lifter mechanism will remain in the up position, holding the pusher lifter lever 179 and pusher 165 above the top of a carton 164, thus preventing the pusher 165 from jamming and spoiling a carton 164.

The conveyer 93, which comprises two endless belts in line, may be provided with

strips

211 and 212, Figs. 9-

and 11, so as to maintain the tins 20 square and in proper alinement and to prevent the tins in line from shifting. The strip 211 is arranged between the two belts of the conveyer 93 while the strip 212 is arranged at the back of the back tin. These

strips

211 and 212 are depressed during the inserting movement of fillers 127 so that there will be no interference of movement of the tins being pushed by the fillers into the cartons. The

strips

211 and 212 remains in depressed condition until the pusher ends of the filler rods 127 are at or beyond the back of the back tin and then raise again to permit guiding and squaring of other tins in the rows. The rods 127 create no interference during their return stroke as the rods 127 are raised upon return as previously mentioned.

The

strips

211 and 212 are operated by the

links

213 and 214, respectively, which in turn operate synchronously with the operation of the filler rods.

The machine of the invention provides new and novel means for clamping oncoming tins for a predetermined interval of time, and causes tins to be fed to the cartoner to be packaged into a carton by the filler pushers. In the event of failure of a supply of tins being fed to the converger conveyer, the rows of tins will be held up. In the event of failure of the mechanism, caused by jamming of tins en route to packaging position, the cartoner will stop, at which time the escapement door will open, and thereby prevent the piling up of tins.

The invention also includes the addition of a detector located beyond the converger conveyer so that in the event there are no tins being fed to the cartoner, the cartoner will stop; this latter detector, however, does not control the operation of the escapement chute or door.

The structure of the invention is positive and eflicient in operation, permits several rows of tins to be positioned in several layers within a carton, and insures that the carton is properly sealed, and a prior glued flap cut, without in any way damaging the carton, as well as permitting free and easy flow of cartons through the cartoner by a delivery belt.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages, and

the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fall fairly within the scope of the following claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A machine comprising a support, a conveyer delivering a preselected number of articles from several rows on said support, the articles of each row arranged in contacting relation, a converger conveyer conveying the preselected number of articles from each row and shifting them angularly along said support, a cartoner receiving articles from the support, means to operate the cartoner, a trap door adjacent said support, and means to open said door by said last named means when said last named means is stopped.

2. A machine comprising a support, means for feeding articles in rows continuously over the support, an escapement chute including a trap door adjacent the delivery end of the support, a cartoner, means for feeding said rows of articles to the cartoner, a solenoid to operate the chute, means to operate the cartoner, and

'14 means controlled by said last named means to operate the solenoid for opening the chute, whereby the rows of moving articles will fall through said chute.

3. A machine comprising means for feeding rows of articles along a predetermined path, a cartoner receiving said articles in rows, means to operate said cartoner, a trap door interposed between said first named means and said cartoner, a solenoid to hold said door in normally closed position, and means controlled by said second named means to operate said solenoid to open said door.

4. A machine comprising means for feeding rows of articles along a predetermined path, a cartoner receiving said articles in rows, means to operate said cartoner, a trap door interposed between said first named means and said cartoner, a solenoid to hold said door in normally closed position, means controlled by said second named means to operate said solenoid to open said door, means to clamp a predetermined number of articles from each row, means to feed cartons adjacent said clamp means, and means to insert a predetermined number of unclamped articles into said cartons.

5. A machine comprising means for feeding rows of articles along a predetermined path, a cartoner receiving said articles in rows, means to operate said cartoner, a trap door interposed between said first named means and said cartoner, a solenoid to hold said door in normally closed position, means controlled by said second named means to operate said solenoid to open said door, means to clamp a predetermined number of articles from each row, means to feed cartons adjacent said clamp means, means to insert a predetermined .number of unclamped articles into said cartons, and means to insert a plurality of articles in rows in said carton and on top of each other.

6. A machine comprising means for feeding rows of articles along a predetermined path, a cartoner receiving said articles in rows, means to operate said cartoner, a trap door interposed between said first named means and said cartoner, a solenoid to hold said door in normally closed position, means controlled by said second named means to operate said solenoid to open said door, means to clamp a predetermined number of articles from each row, means to feed cartons adjacent said clamp means, means to insert a predetermined number of unclamped articles into'said cartons, and means to' insert a predetermined number of articles in a predetermined number of rows in said carton to form a layer of articles in said carton.

7. A machine comprising means for feeding rows of articles along a predetermined path, a cartoner receiving said articles in rows, means to operate said cartoner, a trap door interposed between said first named means and said cartoner, a solenoid to hold said door in normally closed position, means controlled by said second named means to operate said'solenoid to open said door, means to clamp a predetermined number of articles from each row, means to feed cartons adjacent said clamp means, means to insert a predetermined number of unclamped articles into said cartons, means to insert a predetermined number of articles in a predetermined number of rows in said carton to form a layerof articles in said carton, and means to insert a predetermined number of articles in a predetermined number of rows in said carton on top of said previous layer to form another layer.

8. A machine comprising means for feeding row-s of articles along a predetermined path, a cartoner receiving said articles in rows, means to operate said cartoner, a trap door interposed between said first named means and said cartoner, a solenoid to hold said door in normally closed position, means controlled by said second named means to operate said solenoid to open said door, means to clamp a predetermined number of articles from each row, means to feed cartons adjacent saidclamp means, means to insert a predetermined number of unclamped articles into said cartons, and means to insert a plurality