US2940579A - Apparatus for packing containers into cases - Google Patents

Description

June 14, 1960 E. H. MURVPHY 2,940,579

APPARATUS FOR PACKING CONTAINERS INTO CASES Filed June 17, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 F IIE|' 1 INVENTOR EMMETT H. MURPHY ATTORNEY June 14, 1960 Filed June 17, 1958 E. H. MURPHY APPARATUS FOR PACKING CONTAINERS INTO CASES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR EMMETT H. MURPHY ATTORNEY June 14, 1960 E. H. MURPHY 2,

APPARATUS FDR PACKING CONTAINERS INTO CASES Filed June 1'7, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 F'IE'| :EI

INVENTOR EMMETT H. MURPHY ATTORNEY June 14, 1960 E. H. MURPHY 2,940,579

APPARATUS FOR PACKING CONTAINERS INTO CASES Filed June 17, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 EMMETT H. MURPHY Q0 ATTO RN EY e 2,940,579 1C Patented June 14, 1960 APPARATUS FOR PACKING CONTAINERS INTO CASES Emmett H. Murphy, Westminster, Md., assignor to Food Machinery and Chemical Corporation, San Jose, Calrfi, a corporation of Delaware Filed June 17, 1958, Ser. No. 742,662

Claims. (Cl. 198-21) The present invention appertains to container handling machines, and more particularly to apparatus for packing containers into crates, cases or the like.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for transferring tiers of containers from. a multi-file supply conveyor into a shipping case, crates or the like.

Another object is to provide an improved control mechanism for a case loading machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a case loading machine wherein the operation of the transfer mechanism control device is not impaired by moisture, collection of foreign objects, or sensitive components.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the case loading machine of the present invention shown in operative relation with the discharge end of a supply conveyor.

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the case loading machine and the discharge end of the supply conveyor of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section taken along line 33 of Fig. 2.

i Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical section taken along line 44 of Fig. 3 illustrating the control device for the transfer mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4 further illustrating the control device for the transfer mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of the control device for the transfer mechanism.

In Figs. 1 and 2 is illustrated the discharge end of a supply conveyor 10 of the endless belt type that is adapted to convert a single-file supply of containers into a multi-file supply of containers and advance the files of containers in suitable lanes such as lanes 11', 12, 13 and 14. The construction of the supply conveyor 10 and the associated mechanisms is described in detail in the US. Patent to Charles E. Kerr, No. 2,650,009, for Apparatus for Packing Containers. The case loading machine 20 (Figs. 1 and 2) of the present invention transfers tiers of containers from the discharge end of lanes 11, 12, 13 and 14 into a shipping case (not shown) supported by a case loading chute 30 (Figs. 1 and 2) of the machine 20.

The case loading machine 20 (Figs. 1 and 2) comprises a pair of vertical side frames 40 and 41 secured in spaced apart relation to a base 42 with a spacer rod 43 interconnecting the upper ends thereof. Jonrnaled at the center of the side frames 40 and 41 at approximately the level of the container supply lanes 11, 12, 13 and 14 is a horizontal shaft 44, and keyed to the opposite ends of the shaft 44 adjacent the inner walls of the spaced side frames 40' and 4-1 are angularly aligned spiders 45 and 46, respectively. Each spider includes three radial- 1y extending spokes 47, 48 and 49 (Fig. 3) spaced at equal angular distances around shaft 44. Extending transversely between the spiders and rotatably received 7 within the bored free ends of the pairs of spokes 47, 48

and 49 are transverse rods 51, 52 and 53, respectively. Fixed to each transverse rod are a plurality of lifting or transfer levers 54 (Figs. 1 and 3), there being one lifting lever 54 on each rod for each lane of the multi-file container supply conveyor 10. Each lifting lever 54 includes a radially directed lifting finger 55 and a retaining thumb 56 projecting at right angles thereto.

Fixed to each of the transverse rods 51, 52 and 53 at one end thereof is :abell crank lever 57 (Fig. l), and each of the bell crank levers 57 at the free ends thereof carries cam follower rollers 58 and 59. The rollers 58 engage the edge of a stationary cam 65 (Fig. 1) which is fitted over the shaft 44 and is bolted to the inner wall of the side frame 40. The rollers 59 engage a camway 66 (Fig; 1) that is also bolted to the inner wall of the side frame 40. Through this arrangement, rotation of the shaft 44 causes the transverse rods 51, 52 and 53 to swing in a circular orbit about the center axis of the case loading machine 20; The configurations of the cam 65 and the camway 66 determine the angular position of the transverse rods relative to their own central axis and, hence, determine the angular position of the transfer levers 54 carried by the transverse rods.

The upper run of the multi-file supply conveyor 10 moves continuously in the direction shown by arrow 67 (Fig. 2) and vertical partitions 68 (Fig. 2), suitably mounted alongside conveyor belts 69 of the conveyor 10, guide the advancement of four files of containers. The containers in each file advance in an upright position and in a continuous procession to the transfer levers 54.

The machine 20 operates intermittently and Whenever it is at rest one of tlre'tra'nsverse shafts, such as shaft 51 (Fig. 5), is positioned in front of the discharge end of the supply conveyor 10 with the fingers 55 of the transfer levers 54' held in a horizontal position. adjacent to and at approximately the level of the conveyor belts 69 of the supply conveyor 10. Carried by the case loading machine 20 in line with the partitions 68 are partitioning plates which are supported by spacer blocks 70 (Figs. 1 and 3) bolted to the base 42. Angle bars 76 (Figs. 2 and 3) are secured to the confronting side surfaces of the partitioning plates 75 at such a level that their horizontal flanges form continuations of the upper runs of the conveyor belts 69. Thus, each pair of angle bars forms a ramp 73 that is a continuation of one of the conveyor supply lanes (Fig. 2) and upon which the containers discharged by the belts 69 may slide. In addition, the ramps 73' have central openings whereby the containers may be readily lifted by the fingers 55 of the transfer levers 54 to the case loading chute 30 when the machine 29 is set in motion. For keeping the containers together as they are transferred from the ramps 73 t0 the loading chute 30, side walls 7:. and 72 (Figs. 1 and 3) are provided. In addition, the case machine may comprise a stop device 74 (Fig. 3) to prevent, temporarily, newly arriving containers from reaching the container receiving ramps 73 as the lifting levers 54 rise above the ramps- 73. Toward this end, the stop device swings into position, when the transfer levers 54 begin to rise, pushing backwards any containers that may crowd upon the receiving ramp and, thus, the ends of the transfer fingers are cleared to rise freely. The stop device '74 is fully described in the aforementioned patent to Kerr No. 2,650,009:

To prevent entanglement of the container rims with the edges of the flanges 76, as the containers are advanced from the belts 69 and pass onto the flanges 76, transfer bridges 77 (Figs. 2 and 3) are interposed be tween the discharge ends of the conveyor belts 69 and the feed ends of the flanges 76. The transfer bridges.

77 are formed of horizontal plates 78, which are supw surfaced16 (Fig. 1

ported by the partition plates 75 at approximately the same level as the belts 69, and have rearwardly directed tails 79. Each of the tails 7 9jextends laterally of one of the cQnveyor belts .69 at the level of its upper run, with the free end of the tail curved downwardly below theupper run of the associated belt as shownin Fig. 1. Thus, containers arriving upon the upper runs of the belts 69 glide smoothly over the downwardly-curved ends of the tails 79,'which lift them to the level of the bridge 77 'so that they, may pass smoothly over the rear edges of the bridge whereby succeeding containers push them onto the ramps '73 without any possibility of obstruction or entangle- 7 correspond tothe four lanes 11-14, inclusive, of the supply conveyor. 10. The channels of the chute 30 are effective to maintain containers delivered onto the loading chute 30 from the transfer levers 54, in proper longitudinal alignment.

For pushing forwardly on the chute 30 tiers of containers deposited onto the loading chute 30 by the lifting levers 54, the case loading machine 20 includes. a pair of. elongated actuating arms 100 and 101 (Figs. 1 and 2) that are pivoted rat the lower ends thereof to the outer walls ofthe side frames 40 and 41, respectively, and with the.

upp r ends thereof projected above the side frames 40 and41. ,At their upper ends, the arms 100 and 101 are slotted to freely receive, a transverse horizontal shaft 102 which supports apair of anchor-shaped rocker plates 103 and 104 (Figs. 2 and 3) at the upper portions thereof. The rockenplates 103 and 104 are connected at their lower central portions to another. horizontal 'shaft105 that is journaled in a pair of arches 106 and 107 which projectupwardlyfrom the top surface of a horizontal plate 108 (Fig. 3). The'horizontal plate-.108 is arranged to ,slide within a pair of horizontal grooves 109 (only one being shown in Fig. 3) that are formed between inwardly directed ledges 111 (only one being shown) of the upper ends of the side frames 40 and 41 and cover'strips 112 and 113, respectively (Fig. 2). Mounted on the shaft 105 in clamping engagement therewith is a pair of parallel loading shoes 114 and 115 (Fig. 2). Each of the. loading shoes has a hat forwardly directed pusher The angular position of the loading shoes 114 and 115 and,,hence, the location of their pusher surfaces 116 eitheriin or above the loading chute are determined bythe rotary position of the shaft 105, which is controlled by the position of the rocker plates 103 and 104. Each rocker plate comprises arms 121 and 122 (Figs. 1 and 3) having angularly disposed surfaces 123 and 124, respectively, joined by a rounded surface, not shown. -When the actuator arms 100 and 101 are moved forwardly, the shaft 102 is moved forwardly and the surfaces 124 of. the rocker arms 122 engage the plate 108 (Fig. 3) thereby positioning the pusher faces 116 in position to engage containers in the chute 30, and whenthe actuating arms 100 and 101 are moved rearwardly, the

' surfaces 123 of the rocker arms 121 are moved into engagement with the .plate 108, thereby lifting the pusher faces 116 above the loading chute to clear containers that may have been deposited thereon. To facilitate the rearward rocking of the plates 103 and 1 04 against the weight of the loading " shoes 114 and 115, a counterweight 118 is carried by the shaft 105.

For moving the actuator arms 100 and 101 alternately in a forward direction and in a rearward direction, the ac- V tuatorfarms 100 and 101 include rearwardly directed extensions 130 and 131, respectively, which are pivotally connected to links 132 and 133, respectively (Figs. 1 and 2). The links 132 and 133 irijturn are pivoted to a pair of crank discs 134 and 135, respectively, that are mounted on an actuator shaft 136. The shaft 136 is journaled in the spacer blocks 70 (Fig. 1). With every revolution of the shaft 136, the discs 134 and 135 move the actuator arms 100 and 101 in unison from the rearward position to the forward position and back to their initially occupied position. The above-described arrangement for pushing tiers of containers deposited on the loading chute 30 into a packing case is more fully disclosed in the aforementioned patent to C. E. Kerr, No. 2,650,009, for Apparatus for Packing Containers.

A motor 140 drives continuously the supply conveyor r 10 through a chain :141. Operatively connected to the drive shaft of the motor 40 are belts 142 of the case loading machine which are connected to the drive member ofa clutch 1 43 (Figs. 1 and 3). A drivenshaf-t 143a of the clutch 143' carries a sprocket 144 (Fig. *3); and trained around the sprocket 144. is a chain 145." The chain 145 is trained around a sprocket 146, which is secured to the main shaft 44, and is also trained around a sprocket 147, which'is secured to the shaft 136. Thus, the clutch 143 controls the operation of the container transfer levers 54 and the loading shoes 114 and f115 andcau'ses the conveyor 10, the transfer levers 54, and the pusher shoes 114 and 115 to be actuated in timed re-' lation. H j f i p The clutch 143 is a single revolution clutch and is normally held out of engagement'by a clutch dog 148 (Fig. 3) so that the case loadingmachine is normallydog .148 is withdrawnfrom the clutch 143, the driven 'shaft"143a makes a single revolution inthe clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig; 3) to simultaneously operate theshaft 44 and the shaft 136. Theclutch dog 148 withdrawn to a clutch release position by a plunger 151 of a clutch control solenoid 152 (Figs. Sand 6) through' a bell'crank 153. The energization of the clutch control solenoid 152 is' for a short time duration, and, hence;

. the clutch dog 148 is urged toward the clutch-disabling position by a restore spring 154 prior to the completion of eachrevolution of the clutch 143.

According to the present invention, the clutch control. solenoid 152 is energized when a predetermined number of containers are receivedrby each of the ramps 73 to form a tier'of containers having a predetermined pattern. For this purpose, a control device (shown schematically in Fig. 6) is provided, which includes four sensing arms 161a161d, inclusive, which willbe referred to as sensing arms S. There is one of said sensing arms S for each ramp 73 (Fig. 3). The sensing arms S, which are of arcuate configuration, are pivotally supported at their upper ends by the partitioning plates 75 through suitable means, such as pivot pins 162, and are disposed in the; path of movement of the leading containers advancing on the ramps 73 so as to be engaged thereby. The leading containers'engage the convex portions of the sensing arms S. While the sensing arms S areshown in an ar-. rangernent wherein each isclose to an adjacent partition-f ing plate 75, itis to be understood that each sensing arm could be mounted adjacent the associated transfer lever,

54 so as to be engaged by the containers closer to the; central leading edges thereof. Disposed forwardly of eachsensing arm S is a stop screw 163 (Figs. 3 and 5). that'is adjustably received by a fixed bracket 164. The brackets 164 are mounted on the partitioning plates 75. The stop screws 163 are positioned so as to be engaged by the concave portions of the sensing arms S.

Containers, such as containers A in Fig. 5, are ad-. vanced in files on the ramps 73 with adjacent containers in a file in abutting relation. The leading containers in the files ofcontainers engage the sensing arms S, causing 5. the sensing arms to be moved forwardly about their pivot axes. When the sensing arms S engage the stop screws 163, a predetermined number of containers are in proper position on the ramps 73 and are ready to be raised by the lifting levers 54. By setting the stop screws 163 to control the maximum forward movement of the sensing arms S, adjustments can be made to accommodate dilferent tier patterns when containers of a different size are supplied for packing.

Carried by the lower surfaces of alternate angle bars 76 adjacent the sensing arms 161a161d, inclusive, are air valves Ulla-170d, respectively (Figs. 4 and 6), which will be referred to as air valves V. There is one of said air valves V for each ramp 73. At the lower portion of each sensing arm S is adjustably mounted, as by a setscrew 173, a valve control bar 171 that is arranged to engage the lower end of a valve stem 174 of the air valve associated therewith (Figs. 3 and to control the opening and closing of the valve. A leaf spring 172, which is mounted on the bracket 164, is provided for each sensing arm S to urge its associated sensing arm in a rearward direction to cause the control bar 171 to close the air valve V associated therewith. When a predetermined number of containers are properly positioned on the ramp 73 (Fig. 5), the sensing arm S associated with the ramp is moved forwardly into engagement with the stop screw 163 associated therewith. As a consequence, the contact bar 171 mounted on the engaged sensing arm S disengages the valve V associated therewith to permit the valve to open.

Containers, having a diameter different than the diameter of the containers shown in Fig. 5, may be handled in this machine. The space occupied by a predetermined number of containers on the ramp will vary according to their diameter. However, in all instances it is desi able that the last container on the ramp be disposed with its trailing end at the free end of the associated lifting finger 55 so that the next will be out of the path of upward movement of the finger. Accordingly, the stop screw 163 and the contact bar 171 may be adjusted so that the movement of the sensing arm S is stopped at a predetermined position and so that, in all cases, the associated air valve will be released when the movement of the sensing arm is stopped.

Referring to Fig. 6, the air valves 170zz-170d, inclusive, are serially connected in a pneumatic system which includes a conduit 180 connecting the inlet of valve 170a with a suitable source of air under pressure, not shown. The outlet of valve 170s communicates with the inlet of valve 1791') through a tube 181 and the outlet of valve 17Gb communicates with the inlet of valve 170a through a tube 182. The outlet of valve 170a in turn is connected to the inlet of valve 170d through a conduit 183. Communicating with the outlet of valve 170d through a conduit 184 is a suitable air cylinder 185 having the piston rod thereof connected to one end of a contact lever 186 (Figs. 4 and 6). The contact lever 186 is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on the hereinbefore mentioned side wall 72 adjacent thereto by suitable means, such as a pivot pin 187, and the other end of the contact lever 186 is arranged to control the actuation of an electrical switch, such as micro-switch 188, that is carried by the wall 72 adjacent thereto in a position remote from the ramps 73. When air under pressure is admitted to the cylinder 185 through the valves 170a 170d, inclusive, the piston rod actuates the lever 186 to cause the switch 188 to close the contacts thereof and, when the piston rod of cylinder 185 is retracted, the lever 186 moves away from the actuator of the switch 188 permitting the contacts of the switch to open. It is to be observed, therefore, that if any one of the ramps 73 is not properly filled with containers, the switch 188 will remain open. Thus, by providing a valve for each ramp and by connecting the valves in series with an air cylinder, the electrical switch 188 is closed only when all the 6 ramps 73 have thereon a predetermined number of properly positioned containers and, hence, a tier of containers having a predetermined pattern is properly positioned for lifting by the transfer levers 54.

The energizing circuit for the clutch control solenoid 152 includes the electrical switch 188 connected in series with the solenoid 152 (Fig. 6). A manually operable switch 190 in the form of a pedal is connected in series with the switch 188 and a suitable source of electrical power, not shown, is connected in series with the solenoid 152 and the switch 190 over conductors 191 and 192. When the switch 188 isv closed by the presence of a predetermined number of containers on the receiving ramps 73 and an operator has closed the switch 190, the sole noid 152' is energized to release the clutch 143 to rotate the transfer levers 54 and to actuate the loading shoes 114 and 115. Shunted across the switch 190 is a switch 195 which is adapted to automatically prepare the energizing circuit for the solenoid 152 for alternate transfer cycles. The operation of the switch 195 is controlled by a cam 196 that is mounted on the actuator shaft 136 for rotation therewith. When an actuating arm 193 of the switch 195 engages the flat portion 194 of the cam 196, the contacts of the shunt switch 195 are closed and, when the actuating arm 193 engages the circular portion 197 of the cam 196, the contacts of the switch 195 are opened.

In the operation of the case loading machine 20,'the' multi-file conveyor '10 advances containers onto the container' receiving ramps 73 while the transfer levers 54 are not in motion. When the ramp 73 associated with the air valve 17% has a predetermined number of containers thereon, the sensing arm 161a engages its associated stop screw 163 and air under pressure flows through the valve 17% to the inlet of valve 17%. In a similar manner apredetermined number of containers on the ramp 73 associated with the valve 17Gb causes the sensing arm 1615 to be-urged forward its maximum distance. As a conse quence thereof, air flows through the valve 17% to the inlet of valve 170a. A predetermined number of containers on the ramp associated with the valve 170a results in. the opening of valve 170a in a manner previously described with the result that air flows to the inlet of valve 17nd. When the valve 170.42 is opened in the manner above described air flows into the cylinder 185- causing the micro-switch 188 to close. Whenever the case load ing machine is at rest, one set of transfer fingers 55' of the lifting levers 54 is disposed intermediate the angle bars 76 that form the ramps 73. The other two sets of transfer levers are displaced therefrom by 120. The actuator arms and 101 at this time are in their ex treme rearward position with the loading shoes 114 and 115 raised above the loading chute 38.

The operator closes the switch 190 momentarily which is effective to energize the clutch release solenoid 152. This results in the clutch dog 148 releasing the clutch 43, thus enabling the output end of the clutch 143 to make one complete revolution. There'upon, the main drive shaft 44 and the crank shaft 136 rotate in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1. The transmission rate is so proportioned that for every complete revolution of the clutch 143, the crank shaft 136 makes one-half of a revolution and the shaft 44 makes one-third of a revolution. As the discs 134 and 135, mounted on the shaft 136, rotate 180", the links 132 and 133 push the actuator arms 109 and 101 from the extreme rearward position to the extreme forward position. As' the upper ends of the actuator arms 109 and 101 swing forwardly, the loading shoes 114 and 115 are positioned into the loading chute 30 at the rearward portion thereof. Then, the plate 108 is moved forwardly causing the loading shoes 114 and 115 to move forwardly so that the pusher faces 116 thereof will move any containers on the case loading chute.30 forwardly.

While the crank shaft 136 rotates 180, the main operating shaft 44 revolves causing the set of transfer V 7 leyers 54'stationed at the ramp 73 with the fingers '55 thereof'horizontal to advance to the case loading chute 30 with the fingerst'5 thereof projecting vertically between the floor bars 89 of the chute 30. In this manner, a tier of containers having a predetermined pattern is transferred from the ramps 73 to the loading chute 30.

.During the initial phase of the transfer movement above-described, the ramps 73 do not have any containers thereon. Consequently, the leaf springs 172 urge the sensing arms S rearwardly with the result that the valves V are once again closed. Therefore, the flow of air to thecylinder 185 is cut off and the micro-switch 188 is opened by the retraction of the cylinder piston. Thereupon, the clutch control solenoid 152 is deenergized and the clutch dog is urged by the spring 154 into position to engage the shoulder of the clutch 143 when the clutch 143 rotates a complete revolution. At the completion of the first revolution of theclutch, the shaft 136 has been rotated 180 and the actuating arm 193 of the shunt switch is in engagement with the circular surface 197 of the earn 196. Thus, the contacts of the shunt'switch 195 are closed and. the clutch release When the sensing arms 16'1a-161d, inclusive, are

moved to their forwardmost positions, by the presence of a predetermined number of newly arrived containers, the V valves 170a-170d, inclusive, are opened and theswitch 188 is actuated to complete the operating circuit for the clutch control solenoid 152. At this time, the clutch 143 initiates the second transfer cycle. During the second transfer cycle, the transfer devices 54 advance 120? and chute so that, while the chute is charged with the proper.

number of container tiers, the loading shoes 114 and 115 are conditioned for renewed operation.

' After the clutch 143 has performed its second revolution'and effected the above'operations, the cam 196 on the actuator shaft 136 has the fiat portion 194th ereof in engagement with the actuating arm 193 of the shunt switch 195. Therefore, to initiate the third transfer cycle, the operator isrequired to actuate the pedal switch 190. Hence, the casing machine is at a standstill with two tiers of containers in the loading chute 30. The operator may now slip the open end of a'case or crate over the conveying end of the loading chute 30 and depress the pedal switch "190 anew. of containers has advanced on the receiving ramps 73, the depression of the pedal switch 190 initiates another two revolution cycle of the clutch "143 during which the loading shoes are first dropped behind the two tiers of containers in the loading chute and then move forward into the chute to push the tiers of containers into the case and eject both the case and the containers onto a suitable conveyor (not shown), while the transfer levers 54 receive a third tier of containers from the receiving ramps 73 onto loading chute 30 rearwardly of the advancing loading shoes. As the clutch 143 performs a second revolution, the loading shoes rise again above the loading chute and return to their original position, while the transfer levers 54 deposit a fourth tier of containers onto the loading chute. Whereupon, the case loading machine 20 stops and the operator must again press the pedal switch to eject the two container tiers from the load In case the proper number 7 8 t ingchute and place two additional tiers onto the loading chute.

ratus for sensing the completion of each tier of cans, makes it possible to arrange all parts of the electrical system of the machine including the control switch 188 thereof, in locations'where their' operating eificiency is not apt to be impaired by moisture dripping from the cans as they are assembled upon the ramp 73, or by foreign objects, dirt or the like propelled along the supply conveyor by the cans approaching the ramp 73. 'It is apparent, therefore, that the transfer mechanism control device of the present invention makes for more eflicient operation of the case loading machine 20 by eliminating a hazard that has caused frequent interruption of operation of case loaders triggered by known types of control devices. r

It will be understood. that modifications and variations of the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein may be resorted vto without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. A case loading machine comprising a plurality of ramps, each of said ramps being adapted to receive a file ofcontainers, a case loading chute spaced from said receiving ramps, a transfer mechanism arranged to be operated for transferring containers from said ramps to said, case loading chute, container sensing means for each of saidramps and arranged to be actuated by the leading container disposed on the associated ramp when a predetermined number of containers are positioned on the ramp, a valve for each of said sensing means arranged to be opened in response to the actuation of its associated sensing means, conduit means connecting said valves in series for establishing a flow of air through said valves when all of said valves are'open, and power means operatively connected to said transfer mechanism and responsive to the flow of air through said valves for operating said transfer mechanism to transfer containers from said ramps to said loading chute.

2. A case loading machine comprising a plurality of ramps, each of said ramps being adapted to receive a file of containers, a case loading chute spaced from said receiving ramps, a transfer mechanism arranged to be operated for transferring containers from said ramps to said case loading chute, a container sensing arm for each of said ramps and arranged to be actuated by the leading container disposed on'the associated ramp when a predetermined number of containers are positioned on said ramp, a valve for each of said sensing arms arranged to be opened in response to the actuation of its associated sensing arm, conduit means connecting said valves in series for establishing a flow of air through said valves when all of said valves are open, a pneumatic cylinder arranged to beactuated in response to the flow of air through said valves, and power means operatively connected to said transfer mechanism an'd'responsive to the actuation of said cylinder for operating said transfer mechanism to transfer containers from said ramps to said loading chute. f

3. A case loading machine comprising a plurality of ramps, each of said ramps being adapted to receive a file of containers advancing toward the forward end thereof, a case loading chute spaced from said receiving ramps, a transfer mechanism arranged to be operated for transferring containers from said ramps to said case loading chute, a' container sensing arm for each of said ramps arm when a predetermined-number ofcontainers are received by its associated ramp, a valve associated with The use of pneumatic, rather than electrical, appaeach of said sensing arms, valve actuator means carried by each of said sensing arms operative when the associated sensing arm is moved forwardly to engage its associated stop member for opening the valve associated therewith, conduit means connecting said valves in series for establishing a flow of air through said valves when all of said valves are open, power means responsive to the fiow of air through said valves for operating said transfer mechanism to transfer containers from said ramps to said loading chute, and biasing means connected to each of said sensing arms for urging the sensing arm rearwardly for closing the associated valve when the containers are transferred from its associated ramp.

4. A case loading machine comprising means defining a container receiving station, a case loading chute spaced from said receiving station, a transfer mechanism arranged to be actuated for transferring containers from said receiving station to said case loading chute, electrical means for actuating said transfer mechanism, a control circuit for energizing said electrical means and including a control switch mounted on the case loading machine in a location remote from the container receiving station, a pneumatic sensing member mounted on the case loading machine adjacent the receiving station in a position wherein it is responsive to containers delivered to said receiving station, and means defining a pneumatic circuit operably connecting the control switch to said pneumatic sensing member for energizing said electrical means to actuate the transfer mechanism.

5. A case loading machine comprising a multi-lane container receiving station, a case loading chute spaced from said receiving station, a transfer mechanism arranged to be actuated for transferring containers from said receiving station to said case loading chute, electrical means for actuating said transfer mechanism, a plurality of pneumatic sensing members mounted on the case loading machine adjacent the receiving station in positions for each sensing member to be responsive to the delivery of a predetermined number of containers to one of the lanes of said receiving station, and means defining a pneumatic circuit serially connecting all of said sensing members and said control switch for energizing said electrical means to actuate said transfer mechanism when all of the sensing members respond to the container delivery.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,599,220 Bergmann June 3, 1952 2,650,009 Kerr et a1. Aug. 25, 1953 2,741,357 Surico Apr. 10, 1956

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