US2904945A

US2904945A - Carton filling apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2904945A
Application number: US511349A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles E Kerr
Original assignee: FMC Corp
Current assignee: FMC Corp
Priority date: 1955-05-26
Filing date: 1955-05-26
Publication date: 1959-09-22
Anticipated expiration: 1976-09-22

Description

Sept. 22,11959 c. E. KERR 2,904,945

V cARToN FILLING APPARATUs Filed May 26. 1955 e Sheets-shem 2 IOG INVENTOR CMARLES E. KERR BY MW /W ATTORNEY Sept. 22, 1959 c. E. KERR 2,904,945

CARTON FILLING APPARATUS Filed May 26. 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 F, 'IIEI" :EI

INVENTOR CHARLES E. KERR ATTORNEY Sept. 22, 1959 c. E. KERR cARToN 'FILLING A PPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 26. 1955 om -mnImH-Hi mi m-H-Hili ATTORNEY Sept. 22, 1959 c. E, KERR cARToN FILLING APPARATUS Filed May 26. 1955 m T N E V .N.

6 Sheets-Sheet 5 VN.. NN..

IVC. NQ. Ow.

m-'m-H-hi' Tlm-fwn ATTORNEY Sept. 22, 1959 c. E KERR 2,94,945

CARTON FILLING APPARATUS Filed May 26. 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR CHARLES E. KERR ATTORNEY Wylf- 4United States Patent O CARTON FILLING APPARATUS Charles E. Kerr, Hoopeston, Ill., assgnor to Food Machnery and Chemical Corporation, San Jose, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Application May 26, 1955, Serial No. 511,349

7 Clams. (Cl. 53-124) This invention relates to carton filling methods and machines.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved method of filling cartons with granular material or with material consisting of small solids, such as shelled peas or beans.

Another object is to provide a novel method of filling cartons, which is particularly adapted for use in the food processing industry in preparing peas, beans, and like commodities for freezing.

Another object is to provide a method of filling cartons whereby the time required for freezing the filled cartons is minimized. V

Another object is to provide a packaging method capable of effecting a substantial saving in the cost of cartons by causing the commodity to be snugly, or tightly packed within the cartons, thereby permitting the use of cartons of minimum dimensions to pacakge given quantities of the commodity.

Another object is to provide a practical and efficient apparatus for performing the method of the invention.

Another object is to provide a novel filling spout for a carton filling machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a` spout for use in connection with a carton filling machine, whereby measured quantities of bulk material can be funnelled into cartons at an increased rate and with less tendency for the flow of material to be obstructed by choking or bridging within the filling spout.

Another object is to provide a filling spout adapted to feed a measured quantity of loosely packed bulk material into a carton in such a manner that the material, when later compacted to a more dense condition, will closely correspond in Volume to the capacity of the closed carton.

Another object in this connection is to provide a filling spout that is adapted to deform, or distend an empty carton, and thereby to temporarily increase the volumetric capacity of the same, thus Permitting loosely packed bulk material to be fed into the carton in such quantities that when the carton is returned to its normal configuration and closed, the material will fill the carton snugly in spite of having been compacted to a more dense condition.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective schematic illustration of apparatus for performing the method of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective of the carton filling machine constituting one unit of the apparatus of Fig. 1, certain parts being broken away.

Fig. 3 is a Vertical, medial section through the carton filling machine of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective illustrating one of the carton-receiving pockets of the machine shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and the filling spout associatedwith the pocket.

Patented Sept. 22, 1959 Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the pocket and filling spout in a latter phase of their cycle of operation. i

Fig. 6 is a Vertical section taken radially of the filling machine through a filling spout and a carton-receiving pocket thereof and through an empty carton seated within the pocket, showing the parts in the positions assumed thereby a brief interval later than when in the positions thereof illustrated in Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but showing the parts substantially in the phase of their operational cycle illustrated in Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is another view similar to Fig. 6 but showing the parts in a still later phase of their operational cycle.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective of one of the filling spouts of the machine of Figs. 2, and 3, Viewed from below.

Fig. 10 is a diagram of the drive for the rotary table of the carton filling machine and the drive for the cam whereby cartons are elevated into position to receive material from the filling spouts.

In the frozen food processing industry, it is advantageous to package the commodities to be frozen in relatively shallow cartons, because of the greater rapidity with which heat can be extracted from a shallow package as compared with one whose geometric center is spaced at a greater distance from the nearest bounding wall. It is common practice to pack foods to be frozen in shallow cartons of the hnged-lid type, whose large opening permits rapid loading, and whose hinged lid, when closed by a pivoting pressure plate, presses the contents of the carton to an evenly distributed and densely packed condition free of voids. Such a condition of the contents of a package is most conducive to rapid freezing and consequent preservation of prime quality of the food, as well as shortening of the period during which the package must remain in the freezing chamber.

However, cartons of the end-fill type are less expensive to produce and are capable of being handled more expeditiously and with simpler and less expensive equipment than hinged-lid cartons. Therefore, shallow, endfill cartons would be more nearly universally adopted for packaging for freezing such food items as peas and beans were it not for the difliculty of rapidly funnelling the requisite quantity of the commodity through the restricted end opening of such a carton. Another disadvantage inherent in Shallow, end-fill, rectangular cartons is that a carton of such a type cannot receive the same quantity of a bulk material as a round, or cylindrical carton of the same volumetric capacity without agitation or tamping of the material during and following introduction of the material to the carton. Since such compacting of the contents of a carton necessitates substantial lengthening of the filling time and is apt to impair the quality of the finished product, the customary present practice is to employ oversized cartons. This results in a loose package, i.e., a package whose contents are so loosely compacted that the particles constituting the contents do not bear against each other with sufiicient pressure to promote rapid flow of heat between particles. Moreover, the contents do not completely fill` the closed carton with the result that voids, or dead air spaces, remain within the carton. A package of this nature is characterized by such a low co-efficient heat conductivity that the period required for freezing thereof is seriously prolonged.

The present invention overcomes these disadvantages of an end-fill, Shallow rectangular carton by ernploying a filling spout which deforms such a carton to a condition more nearly approximating a cylindrical configuration. By changing of the shape of the end opening of the carton from a relatively long and narrow rectangle to one having the same perimeter but which s only slghtly shorter and the sides of which are bowed outward, the area of the opening can be increased by as much as 25 percent. Such an increase in the area of the opening of a carton makes possible a substantial increase in the rate atwhich material can be fed into the carton Without clogging or bridging, and a corresponding reduction of the carton`s filling time. Of even more importance, however, is the temporary increase in volumetric capacity of the carton resulting from an increase in the area of an end of the carton without any appreciable reduction inthe carton's length. As a consequence, material can be introduced to the distended carton in a loosely packed condition but in a quantity sufficiently in excess of the cartonis normal capacity to insure completely filling the carton When the material is later compacted to a more dense condition and the carton is closed. Therefore, when cartons are filled by means of the apparatus and according to the method of the present invention not only can a substantial economy be attained by employing a Smaller carton to contain a given quantity of material,

vbut a densely compacted package free of voids is produced, thus making for maximum freczing efficiency.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a carton feeding, filling and closing system including al rotary carton filling machine 10 and a carton closing machine 12 to and through which cartons C are carried in a continuous, rapidly advancing procession, by a conveyor 14. The conveyor 14 comprises a flexible belt 16 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) which conveniently may be of stainlesslsteel 'and which is disposed with its transverse dimension extending vertically. The belt 16 is trained around a, driving Wheel or pulley 18 (Fig. 3) that convstitutes, the rotary table of the filling machine 10. Blocks 20 (Pigs. 2 and 3) are secured to the belt 16 at equally spacedl intervals along the same, which intervals are but slightly greater than the width of the cartons` C to be filled. Hence, the blocks 20 cooperate With the belt 16 in defining pockets '21 each of which is adapted to receive a single carton C With one Wall 22 (Figs. 6, 7 and 8) facing inward toward the belt 16 and With the bottom '24 (Fig. 6) of the carton slidably supported on a horizontally extending stationary plate 26 (Figs. 2 and 6). A guide rod 28 (Fig. 2) is mounted in position to slidably engage the outwardly facing walls 30 of the cartons to prevent outward displacement of the cartons C from the, pockets 21 as the cartons are carried toward the filling machine 10 on the conveyor 14. The guide rod 28 terminates lat a point somewhat in advance of the position where it would become penpendicular to a radius of the rotary table 18, and the terminal end of the guide rod' 28 is supported by a bracket 31 that is rigid with the frame 32 of the filling machine 10.

The bracket 31 likewise provides support for a pair of vertically spaced, substantially arcuate guide rods 33 and 34 (Fig. 2) which are secured to the bracket 31 by upper and

lower strips

35 and 36, respectively. The guide rods 33' and 34 extend circumferentially of the filling machine 10 in a position spaced radially outward from the rotary table 18 to accommodate a carton C in each pocket 21 and thus to prevent displacement of the cartons from the pockets during their progress through the filling machine 10. The ends of the

guide rods

33 and 34 first engaged by a carton C are offset fromV Vertical alignment, the upper rod 33 being at a greater radial distance from the belt 16 than the lower I'Qd.V 34, asV best shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. Additional support. is provided for the guide rods 33. and 34 at spaced l intervals therealong by a plurality of posts 38 (Fig. 2) only one of which is shown.

The blocks 20 are secured, to the belt 16 by bolts 40 (Figs. 2, 4 and whose heads 42 (Figs. 3, 6, 7 and 8) protrude beyond the inner face of the belt 16 so that each bolt head.. 42 extends. into an annular channel 44 in the periphery of the rotary table 18V when the adjacent por- 2304,945 v re r f tion off the belt 16 engages the rotary table. The channel 44 is defined by spaced annular flanges 45- of the table 18, land pins 46 carried by the flanges 45 and extending across the channel 44, divide the channel into circumferentially spaced pockets 48 adapted to receive the bolt heads 42 and thereby assure that the belt 16 is positively driven by the rotary table 18. In this manner, the belt 16 is retained in such relation to the rotary table 18 that the conveyor pockets 21 advance in suitably timed and positioned relation to the carton filling machine 10.

As shown in Fig. 3, the table 18 is rotatable about a Vertical, tubular column 50 supported from the frame 32 of the filling machine 10. Although the column 50 is secured against rotation with respect to the frame 32, by a suitable spline connection (not shown), the column 50 is vertically adjustable by a hand Wheel 52 laccessible at one side of the frame 32 and connected by a shaft 54 to a worm 56. This worm 56 is enmeshed With a worm Wheel 58 aflixed to a shaft 60 suitably journaled in a bossl 62 on the underside of the frame 32. Also afixed to the shaft 60 is a pinion 64 enmeshed With rack teeth 66 on the column 50, With the result that the column 50 can be raised and lowered by turning the hand Wheel 52. Such adjustment of the column 52 has no effect on the table 18, since the column is freely slidable through the table 18. The table 18 is supported for rotation with respect to the column 50 by thrust-bearing rings 64 the lowermost of which rests upon a central boss 68 upstanding from the frame 32.

An upper head 70 is carried by the column 50 for Vertical adjustment in response to raising or lowen'ng thereof. The head 70 is freely rotatable with respect to the column 50, since it is supported above the rotary table 18 by a thrust-bearing ring 72 resting upon-'a shoulder 74 formed on the column. The head 70 carries a plurality of filling spouts 75 suspended in a circular series from its lower side. The head 70 is connected to the table 18 for rotation therevvith, and for vertical adjustment With respect thereto, by a plural-ity of pins 76 rigid with and extending upward from the table 18 and extending slidably through tubular guides 78 integral With 'and extending downward from the head 70. Such vertical adjustment of the head 70 adapts the filling machine to fill cartons of different heights, since it varies the ele- Wation of the carton filling spouts 75 without changing the height of the carton supporting members, to be described later herein.

The filling machine 10 is provided' With a plurality of telescopic measuring cups 80 (Pigs. 2` and 3), each of which is. in cooperative association With one of the filling spouts 75. The lower tubular portions 80a of the measuring cups. 80 are carried by the head 70, while the upper tubular portions 80h of the measuring cups 80 fits slidably within the lower portions 80a and are carried by an annular plate 82. The inner periphery of the annular plate 82 is slidably supported upon a second head 84 rigidly secured by a nut 86 upon the tapered upper end of a central post 88 above the upper end of the column 50. The post 88 extends through the column 50 and is axially slidable With respect to the same, but is prevented from rotating by an arm 90 whose inner end 92 is clamped rigidly to the lower end of the post 88 and whose bifurcated outer end 93'slidably embraces a guide pin 94 aflixed to and extending downward from the underside of the frame 32. Rack teeth 95 on they post 88 are engaged by a pinion 96 that is secured tol a shaft 97 journaled in a bracket 98 clamped on the lower end of the column 50. The shaft 97 is adapted to be turned by a hand Wheel, worm and worm Wheel which are not shown but which are similar to the hand Wheel 52, worm 56 and worm Wheel 58 hereinabove mentioned.

Inasrnuch as the post 88 is supported from the column 50 through, the rack teeth 95, pinion 96 and shaft 9.7, manipulation of' the hand` Wheel 52 efiects 'vertical''ad- Pigs. 2 and 4 to 9, inclusive.

^Dn the under surface of the lower head 70.

'ago-1,945

justment of both the column 50 and the post 88. Hence, the filling -spouts '75 can be` adjusted to accommodate cartons of different heights without disturbing the setting of the cups 80 to measure a given quantity of material. Similarly, the cups 80 can be adjusted to measure a different quantity of material, by turning the shaft 97 by means of its associated hand Wheel (not shown), without disturbing the Setting of the lower head 70 and of the filling spouts Each measuring cup 80 is provided with a cutoif plate or gate 100 (Figs. 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8) that is mounted for movement to and from a position wherein the gate 100 retains a charge of material within the cup. The gate 100 comprises a flat plate secured at one end 101 (Figs. 2, 4 and 5) to a vertical pin 102 extending through and journaled in the head 70 and a boss 103 (Fig. 2) formed on the underside of the same. An arm 104 secured to the lower end of the pin 1102 extends radially outward therefrom to a position outward of the peripheral edge of the head 70. A no-carton, no-fill mechanism 105 (Fig. 2) is mounted on the frame 32 in position for a tripping pin 106 thereof to be engaged successively by the arms 104 as they are carried therepast by the rotating table 18. The no-carton, no-fill mechanism 105 may be of Conventional design, and since its structure and operation constitute 11o portion of the present invention, the present disclosure requires no detailed description of the mechanism other than the explanation that the tripping pin 106 is raised into operative position in response to the outward movement of a lever 107 (Pigs. 2, 4 and 5). This lever 107 is mounted in position to be engaged and moved outward by each carton C in a pocket 21, a brief interval after the carton has entered the filling machine 10. In the event of interruption in the supply of cartons to the conveyor 14, resulting in the passage of an empty pocket 21 past the lever 107, the mechanism 105 will remain idle, the tripping pin will remain in a lowered position wherein the arms will clear the same, and the gates associated with the arms thus permitted to pass freely over the tripping pin will remain closed.

A supply hopper 110 is mounted on the upper head 84 which, as hereinabove explained, is prevented from rotating by being aflixed to the non-rotatable post 88. The hopper 110 is located at such a radial distance from the axis of the central post 88 that its open lower end overlies the lannular plate 82, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. Since an opening 112 is provided in the annular plate 82 for each measuring cup 80, rotation of the head 70 about the Iverticail axis of the column 50 causes the measuring cups 80 to successively present their open upper ends to the open bottom of the hopper 110. In this manner, each measuring cup is filled with material gravitating from the hopper 110, once during each full turn of the rotary table 18 and lower head 70. v

The drive for the table 18 comprises an internally toothed ring gear 114 (Figs. 3 and secured coaxially to the underside of the table 18 by a plurality of bolts 116. A Vertical stub shaft 118 is journaled in a boss 120 within the frame 32, and a pinion gear 122 afiixed to the upper end of the stub shaft 118 makes meshing engagement with the teeth of the ring gear 114. 'Ihe lower end of the stub shaft 118 carries a bevel gear 124 that is enmeshed with a bevel gear 126 carried by a drive shaft 128 journaled in and extending through a side of the frame 32. A pulley 130 (Pigs. 2 land 10) aixed to the *outboard end of the drive shaft 128 adapts the mechanism to be driven from any suitable power source (not shown).

The construction and manner of operation of the filling spouts 75 can bestbe understood by references to Each filling spout 75 in- `cludes a shell 140 of generally U-shaped horizontal section, removably secured in fixed position to a boss 142 Whereas the two lateral sides.144 of the shell 140 are flat and parallel to each other, the back 146 of the shell 140 is arcuate in horizontal section, the outer surface of the back 146 being convex. 'Ihe lateral sides 144 are disposed in vertical planes extending substantially radially of the head 70. The back 146 inclines so as to dispose its lower end at a greater radial distance tfrom the axis of rotation of the head 70 than its upper end. The shell 140 is secured to the head 70 by cap screws 148 extending through angle brackets 150 that are welded to the shell.

Two of the brackets :150 disposed at opposite sides of the shell 140 provide bearing support for a pivot rod 152 upon which a gate 154 is secured by a clamp 156, the gate being disposed between the sides 144 of the shell 140 and substantially corresponding in width to the space between the sides 144. The gate is arcuate in horizontal section, its outer face likewise being convex. The horizontal curvature of the shell's back 146 and that p of the gate 154 are oppositely arranged, since the convex outer face of the back 146 faces inwardly of the head 70 while the convex outer face of the gate 154 faces out- Ward, as best revcaled in Fig. 9.

A coil spring 160 is under compression between the under surface of the head 70 and a finger 162 integral with the clamp 156 and extending from the pivotal mounting 152 of the same in an outward radial direction with respect to the head 70. The spring 160 constantly urges the gate 154 to rotate toward the shell 140, to an inward and downward inclined position (Fig. 6) wherein the lower end of the gate 154 is disposed so close to the lower vend of the back 146 of the shell that the spacing between their most widely Separated portions is substantially less than the distance between the

sides

22 and 30 of a carton fC. Therefore, when the gate and shell are thus disposed lin a downwardly convergent relation, their lower ends are adapted for entry into the open upper end of a carton C. The lower, outer corners of the sides 144 of the shell 140 are notched as indicated at 164 to accommodate the outermost of the flaps 166 extending upward from the carton (see Fig. 7). A second finger 170 integral with and extending outward from the clamp 156 carries at its outer `end a downwardly extending pin 172 upon which a cam Vfollower roller 174 is rotatably mounted..

. A cam rod 176 (Figs. 2, 3, 8 and 9) is supported by the posts 38 (Fig. 2) in a horizontal plane and ex- `itending in an arc whose center lies in the axis of rotation of the table 18. The cam rod 176 extends in the circular path of the cam follower rollers 174, so that as the table `18 turns, the rollers successively engage an end 178 of the "cam rod, which is so disposed that each roller 174 engages the end 178 of the cam rod 176 a brief interval before the gate-opening arm 104 of the associated measuring cup arrives in position of engagement with the tripping `pin 106. The end 178 of the rod 176 is so beveled that as :

walls

22 and 30 when the carton C is in its normal, rectangular configuration. i

When thus moved to its position of maximum spacing from the back 146, the lateral edges of the gate 154 remain between the si-des or wings 144 of the shell 140, so

that while in this position theshell and the gate 154 function efficiently to funnel material from the associated measuring cup 80 into a carton C arranged in receiving position below the spout 75.

The belt 16 of the conveyor 14 is so positioned on the rotary table 18 that as any one of the conveyor pockets 21 approaches the point of tangency of the belt with the table, one of the filling Vspouts-75 moves into register with the pocket. The horizontal plate 26 of the conveyor 14 is mounted at an elevation spaced below the lowermost portions of the spouts 75 by a distance slightly in excess of the total height of a carton C whose lower end is closed and whose closing flaps 166 at the upper end of the carton extend vcrtically upward from the carton walls. This permits the cartons C, With their upper ends open, to pass freely into the filling. machine and into position below -the filling spouts 75 (Fig. 2).

Immediately after lreaching the said point of tangency, the cartons C successively pass off the terminal end of the plate 26, and onto a lifting cam 180 (Pigs. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 10) thaty is rigidly securecl to a shaft 182 journaled in the frame 32 above and parallel to the drive shaft (see Pigs. 2 and 10). The. cam 180 has a high lobe 184 (Fig. 10) whose peripheral'extent is approxmately 120, and the'cam, shaft 182 is so positioned that when the lobe 184 is down, all parts of the cam 180 are below the plane of the horizontal plate 26 of the conveyor 14. Thus, a carton C in sliding ofl the end of the plate 26 is enabled to pass freely into a position above the cam 180. The cam 180 is adapted to be rotated so that while a carton C is positioned above the cam, the high lobe 184 engages the bottom 24 of the carton and lifts the carton to an elevated position wherein the open upper end of the carton embraces the lower ends of the back 146 and gate 154 of the filling spout 75 then disposed above the carton. The 4mechanism for rotati'ng the cam 180 in timed relation with the rotary table 18 and the conveyor belt 16 is illustrated diagrarnmatically in Fig. 10, and includes a sprocket gear 186 on the drive shaft 128. The gear 186 is connected by an endless chain 188 to a driven sprocket gear 190 on the cam shaft 182.

An auxiliary guide rod 185 (Figs. 2 and 4 to 7) is supported by the bracket 31 and upper rod supporting strip 35. This rod 185 assists in guiding the cartons C as they venter the filling machine, into such position below the spouts `75 that when the cartons are lifted by the cam 180, they Will be properly aligned with the lower ends of the rfillingl spouts. a

The cam 180-operates tolii-ft each carton inl the manner described, without' interrupting the forward progress of the carton, so that after the carton is raised into engage- 'ment witha filling spout 75, the carton is pushed forward onto and along al slide 192, while remaining in proper position with rel'ation to `the spout to receive material therefrom. The slidel 192 (Pigs. 2 to preferabl-y is in the form of a plurality of closely spaced parallel rods 194 `in horizontal transverse alignment. The initial portion of the slide 192v extends horizontally and therefore continues to support the advancing carton in its elevated, or filling position. The cam rod 176 is of ample length to assure that the entire contents of 'a measuring cup 80' is discharged into the carton before the associated cam follower roller 174'- reaches the terminal end 196 (Fig. 1) of the cam rod; and'after passng the terminal end 196, where the spring 160 is perrnitted to return the gate 154 of the spout to its retracted' position, the filled carton passes `onto. a downwardly inclined portion 198 of the slide 192.

Consequently, before a carton completes 180 of travel in the filling machine. 10 andpasses therefrom onto the discharge portion 200 of the=conveyor 14, the filled cartonC `is lowered sufliciently' to clear the filling spout 75 from which it has received a charge of material.

A pressure plate 210 (Fig. 1) is rigdly mounted in position to be slidably. engaged by the outer wall 30 of 02110' is disposed in a vertical'. plane, and is spaced from the 1belt 16 by a distance approximately: equal to the thickness of a carton C when the'latter is in its normal, rectangular formi. The other end 214 of the plate, i.e., the end first reached by the advancing cartons, nclines upward and outWard slightly, and is spaced from the belt 16 by a distance somewhat greater than the normal thickness of a carton C.

The carton closing machine =12 is illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 1. The present invention is not concernedwith the details of structure, nor with the manner of operation, of the closing machine 12, and it will suffice, therefore, for the purpose of the present disclosure, to eXplain thatV the closing machine 12 is so disposed in relation to the discharge portion 200 of the conveyor 14 that each carton, after leaving the pressure plate 210, enters the closing machine 12, which engages the several closure flaps 166 extending vertically upward from the sides of the carton, and folds the flaps inward and down, thus eflfectually closing the filled carton. A suitable 'bonding agent may be applied to one or more of the flaps lbefore they are closed, either within the closing machine 12 or otherwise, depending upon the nature of the material being packaged, the type of carton being employed, and other circumstances.

Operation It will be assumed that power is applied to the pulley (Figs. 2 and 10) causing rotation of the table 18 and `actuation of the conveyor belt 16. Before cartons are supplied to the machine, bulk material to be packaged is placed within the hopper 110, and during operation of the apparatus the hopper is replenished with suicient frequency to maintain an ample supply within the hopper at all times. Empty cartons C to be filled are placed individually in the pockets 21 of the conveyor 14 as the pockets 21 are approaching the filling machine 10. Each carton C is closed at its bottom end and open at its top end with the closure end flaps 166 at the top of the carton extendingvertically upward from the sides of the carton, as indicated at C1 in Figs. 1 and 6.

So that the method of the present invention and the manner of operation of the vapparatus may most readily be understood, the progress of -a single carton through the apparatus will be described, with the understanding, however, that the cartons are supplied to and advanced through. the apparatus in continuous procession and at a high rate of speed.

The parts of the apparatus are so synchronized that as a carton C passes of the horizontal plate 26 (Pigs. 1 and 2) and enters the filling machine 10, the lobe 184 of the carton lifting cam is disposed in a downward position so that the carton can pass freely into position over the cam. While the carton is thus disposed, the cam 180 turns its lobe 184 upward, causing the same to engage the bottom of the carton and lift it to lan elevation equal to or slightly higher than the receiving end of the slide 192,. so that as the carton continues to advance it is maintained in an elevated position for an appreciable period.

As the carton is lifted by the cam v180 to the position C2 (Figs. 1 and 7) its open upperend, as defined by the upstanding flaps, is raised into position surrounding the collapsed lower end of a filling spout 75. Immediately thereafter, the cam follower roller 174 of the spout 75 engages the end 178 of the cam rod 176 (Fig. 2) whose outwardly inclined surface cams the roller 174 outward as the roller is advanced along the same in conformity with rotation of the table 18. The gate 154 of the associated spout 75 is thus caused to swing outward from the position thereof illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 to that of Fig. 8. Since the material of the carton is-relatively stiif, in spite of the fact that the hinge lines definingthe juncture of the flapsv 166 With the side walls may have been scored, and since the back 146 and gate 154 of the filling spout 75. make point contact With portions of the flaps intermediate the lateral sides of the same, the-outward pressure exerted against the flaps by the back 146 and gate 154, causes the nner and outer sides 22. and 30 of the carton to bow outward, as indicated at C3 (Figs. 1 and 8). In this manner the open top of the carton is distended from its normal rectangular form to that of an oval having relatively narrow flat ends, as clearly shown at C3 and C4 in Fig. rl. The greater thickness of the upper portion of the carton thus attained, is accommodated by the greater distance of the upper guide rod 33 from the belt 16 than that of the lower guide rod 34 (see Fig. 8). Therefore, before the associated gate- Operating arm 104 engages the tripping pin 106 of the no-carton, no-fill mechanism y105 (Fig. 2) the effective area of the open end of the carton is suhstantially increased even though the length of a line defining the perimeter of the opening remains unchanged.

For example, if the dimensions of the end of the carton are 4 inches by 1% inches when in its normal, rectangular form, the area of the open end is S square inches. If the long sides of the rectangle are bowed outward until their mid points are spaced 2% inches apart, the length of the opening is reduced only about one quarter of an inch, and the area of the deformed opening is 61%; square inches, an increase of more than 25%.

It is readily apparent that the increase in area of the opening at the top of the carton, permits introduction of a given quantity of material into the carton at a considerably increased flow rate, without any increased tendency for the material to choke the throat of the filling spout by bridging therein. Therefore, the filling machine Vcan be operated at an increased rate, even though this causes the arm 104 to swing more rapidly when it encounters the tripping pin 106, and withdraws the gate 100 from under the associated measuring cup more quickly. The correspondingly increased rate at which 'the measured charge of material is released from the measuring cup does not jeopardize eificient delivery of the material to the cartons, and yet the increased filling rate permits the entire system of which the filling machine 10 is a part, to be operated so much faster that the hourly capacity of the system is substantially in- V creased.

The parts of the apparatus are so proportioned that the entire measured charge of material is released from the measuring cup 80 well before the cam follower roller 174 passes oif the terminal end 1196 of the cam rod 176 (Fig. 1), at which time the spring 160 is permitted to return the gate 154 of the fill-ing spout 75 to its position closer to the back 146, as in Fig. 6. This relieves the pressure of the filling spout against the walls of the carton, but the latter tend to remain in their outwardly i bowed condition, due to the pressure exertedthereagainst by the carton*s contents, as indicated at C4 (Fig. 1).

Upon passing beyond the cam rod 176 the carton is slid along the downwardly inclined portion 198 (Fig. l) of the slide 192, thus lowering the carton until its upper extremities are at a lower elevation than the lower end of the filling spout. This permits the filled carton C to enter and travel along the straight, discharge portion 200 of thetconveyor 14, while the filling spout 75 diverges therefrom in its circular Orbit. The open gate `100 of the ,emptiedt measuring cup 80 then engages a closing device (not shown) which operates to return the gate 100 to its closing position, thereby placing the measuring cup in condition to be refilled as the initial step of its subsequent cycle of operation. Refilling occurs when the measuring cup, with its gate 100 closed, passes under the magazine 110, permitting a new charge of material to gravitate from the magazine into the measuring cup.

As the filled, open carton C enters the discharge portion 200 of the conveyor 14, its side walls are still in an outwardly bulged condition, due to the non-fluid nature of the carton's contents. The outward inclination of the end 214 of the pressure plate which is first encountered by the carton permits the bulged carton to 10 pass the end 214 and thus enter the space between the plate 210 and the conveyor belt 16, as indicated at C5 (Fig. l). As the carton C continues to advance, this space gradually becomes increasingly restricted, due to the convergence of the plate 210 with the belt 16 in the direction of carton advance, and due to the spiral form of the plate. Accordingly, the carton is gradually compressed as it advances past the plate 210, as indicated `at C6 (Fig. l). The terminal end 212 of the plate 210 is Vertical, and is spaced from the belt 16 by a distance substantially corresponding to the normal thickness of the carton. Therefore, as the carton passes the terminal end 212, it is compressed back to its normal, rectangular configuration, as indicated at C7 (Fig. l.)

It has been found that when the area of the upper, `open end of the carton is increased by bowing two opposite sides thereof outward, as hereinabove described, the length, i.c., the height of the carton, is dirninished by such a small amount as to be negligible, if at all. It `is apparent that if the length of a carton remains constant while the cross `sectional area of an end of the carton is increased, the volumetric capacity of the carton is correspondingly increased. The fact that the carton receives a charge of material from a measuring pocket while the carton =is distended by an expanded filling spout, permits adjustment of the measuring cups 80 so that each is adapted to segregate and deliver to a carton, a quantity of material slightly in excess of the normal capacity thereof, i.c., in excess of the capacity of the carton when the same is in its normal, rectangular condition. The expanded condition of the carton enables ,the carton to receive without spilling, a. sufficient eXcess quantity of the material to compensate for the 4loosely `compacted condition of the material resulting from the 4sure applied to the contents of the carton as its closure flaps are closed by the carton closing machine 12 immediately after the carton leaves the pressure plate, have the effect of compacting the material to a Volume coin- ,ciding with the normal capacity of the carton. As the material becomes thus compacted, its density is increased to an extent minimizing any further compacting of the same after the carton is closed. Therefore, even when subjected to the vibration and jouncing coincident to the `further processing of the package after the same leaves the closing machine, such as that experienced by the carton during its passage through a wrapping machine, the Volume of the cartons contents Will not be further reduced to any appreciable extent.

Thus, it may be seen that when cartons are filled with loose, or bulk material in accordance with the method, and by means of the apparatus of the present invention, cartons of the end-fill type may be used which are of Smaller dimensions than those heretofore necessarily employed to receive the same quantity of the same material, when filled otherwise than by the method hereinabove set forth. This reduces the cost of the cartons, as well as the size and cost of the cases in which wholesale quantities of the cartons are shipped. Furthermore, since the contents of a carton filled in accordance with the method of the present invention do not compact to a Smaller Volume after the carton is closed, the carton remains tightly filled, i.c., does not develop voids. The particles of the material therefore remain in tight pressure engagement with the walls of the carton, as well as with each other, thus causing the filled package as a whole to maintain a high coeicient to heat conductivity-an important factor in connection with the processing of certain commodities for freezing.

While a preferred apparatus and a preferred method for carrying out the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that both are capable of modification and variation while still employng the prin- Vciples of the invention. It is to be nnderstood, therefore, that the scope of the invention should be limited only by the scope and proper interpretation of the claims appended hereto.

The invention having been thus described, that which is believed to be new and for which protection by Letters Patent is desired, is:

1-. In a packaging machine, apparatus for packingV material in rectangular cartons compn'sing means for supporting a carton having one end thereof open, means engaging a side of the carton for bowing the side of the carton outward, means controlli-ng said Wallbowing means to temporarily increase the volumetric capacity of the carton, means for feeding into the distended carton a quantity of material in excess of the carton-,s normal capacity, means for closing the carton, andI means for flattening said walls to compress said material and thereby cause the same to completely filll the closed carton.

2'. In packaging machines, apparatus for packing' material' in rectangular cartonscomprisingmeans f'or supporting a carton in a position withl an openL endl facing in a predetermined direction, alaterally expandable filli-ng spout mounted adjacent said supporti-ng means, means for entering the spout into said open end of the carton, means for expanding the spout to `bow walls of the carton outward, means controlling said spout expanding means to temporarily increase the volumetric capacity of the carton, means for feeding material intol the carton through the expanded spout, means for separating the carton and spout, and means for flatteningl said walls to decreaseito normal the capacity of the carton. v

3. In packaging machines, apparatus for packing material in rectangular cartons comprising means for supporting a carton in a position with an open end facing in a predetermineddirection, a l-aterally expandabl'e filling spout mounted adjacent said supporting means, means for entering the spout into saidI open end of the carton, means for expanding the spout to how walls of the carton outward, means controlling said spout expanding means to temporarily increase the volumetric capacity of the carton, means for feeding material into the carton through the expanded spout, and means for separating said spout and: carton to permit return of said walls to normal' coniiguration.

4. In apparatus for preparing ma-terial for freezing, machinery for packaging the material in rectangular cartons comprising conveyor means fortransporting along la predetermined path a carton having an upwardly diward and thereby increase the area of said open endV and to correspondingly increase the volumetric capacity of the carton, means for feeding material to be frozen through the spout into the carton, and means for separating the spout and carton to. permit return of said walls to their normal confignration.

l5. In apparatus for preparng material for freezng, machinery for packaging the material in reetangnlar cartons comprising conveyor' means for transporting along apredetermined path a carton having-an' upwardly directed open end, a horizontally eXpa-ndable filling spout mounted for movement adjacent said pred'etermined path., means for aligning the spout and the carton in register With each other and for advancifng the spout and carton along cong-ruent paths, meansfor temporarily expanding the spout and' to flex Wallis of the carton out- Ward and thereby increase the area of said open end and to correspondingly increase the volumetrie capacity of the carton, means for feeding materiali to be' frozen 'through' the spout into the carton, means for separating the spout and carton, and means for flattening said walls to decrease to normal theV capacity of the carton.

6. In apparatns for preparng materia for4 freezing, maehinery for packagingv the materi-al in rectangular cartons comprising conveyor means for'transporting along a pred'etermined path a carton having an upwardly directed open end, a horizontallyexpandahle fi-lling spout mounted. for movement adjacent said predetermined path, means for aliigning the spout and the carton in Vregister With each other and for advancingthe spout and carton along congruent paths, meansfor' expanding theV spout and to flex walls ofV the carton outward and thereby increase the area of said open end and to correspondi-ngly increase the volumetric capacity ofv the carton, means for feeding material to be frozen through the spoutinto the carton, means for separating the spout andL carton, means for cl'osing the carton., and means for 'fla-ttening said walls to decrease to normal the capacity of the carton and thereby to compact the materiali snugly within the carton- 7. Apparatus. for filling a carton including a body portion having an open upper end,` comprising means for supplying material with which a carton is to be filled, and a vspout adaptedv to, guide the material from the supplying means; into the carton and including opposed co- Operating guiding members extending downward from said supplying means, one of said guiding membersbeing pivotally mounted for movement toward and away from the other guidingy member, means. for yield'ably moving said pivotally movable guiding member toward the other guiding: member to a position wherein the lower ends of the members are adapted for entry* into the open upper end of the carton, and; means. for moving said pivotally movable. member away from the other member while the lower ends. of the members extend into the open. upper end of the: carton, said members. including means for bowing walls: ofV the body of the carton outfward upon movement of said movable member away from the other member to increase the area of theV open upper end of the carton...

References Cited in the file of this patent. UNITED STATES PATENTS` 803,357; Peile Oct.. 3'17, 1905 2,481561-1 Moore, Sept. 13, 1949 2,496,609 Van Antwerpen Feb. 7, 1950 2,,676,442 Gaubert Apr. 27, 11954 a a r)