US2941339A - Case packing machine and method - Google Patents

Case packing machine and method Download PDF

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US2941339A
US2941339A US487407A US48740755A US2941339A US 2941339 A US2941339 A US 2941339A US 487407 A US487407 A US 487407A US 48740755 A US48740755 A US 48740755A US 2941339 A US2941339 A US 2941339A
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case
switch
articles
packages
elevator
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Salwasser Melvin
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
    • B65B35/30—Arranging and feeding articles in groups
    • B65B35/50—Stacking one article, or group of articles, upon another before packaging
    • B65B35/52—Stacking one article, or group of articles, upon another before packaging building-up the stack from the bottom

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  • This invention relates to a method and apparatus for packing a plurality of articles of substantially uniform .size and-shape, such as cartons, boxes, bags, and the like,
  • Another object of this invention is the provision of apparatus for carrying out the above method.
  • Still another object of this invention is the provision of a method for arranging a number of articles of .substantially uniform size and shape in a case lot comprising a plurality of stacks, each stack comprising a plurality of tiers, and each tier comprising a plurality of articles.
  • Yet another object ofthis invention is .a provision of -a case packing machine .which is relatively simplein construction but capable of rapidly and efliciently performing 'its intended operation. 1 I
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective .view of :the machine of this invention
  • Fig. 2. is a top plan view of the machineofFig. '1;
  • Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view takensubstantially along line 3-3 ofFig. 2; 1
  • Fig. 4 is a side elevational-view of the machine of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. *5 is a semi-schematic view ofselected mechanism of the machine of Fig. 1, before actuationofthe side ram, showing the control circuit, the packages being shown in dot-dash lines;
  • FIG. :6 is an enlarged .view of aportion Gfa-mechanism. of Fig. 5 showing the packages-in-solid-lines;
  • Fig.7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 after.actuation;of the side ram; 3
  • Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional'view, similar'toFig. 3, of a portion of a modified form ofmachine, takensubstantially along line 88 of Fig. 9; v
  • Fig. 9 is an enlarged top plan view, similar to Fig. 4, of a portion of the modified form of themachine'of 'Fig. 8;
  • Fig. 10 is a semi-schematic view of-selected mechanism of, the machine of Fig. 8, showing the controlcircuit,fthe packages being shown in dot-dash lines;
  • Fig. ll is an enlarged perspective view of the-sequence relay of the circuit of Fig. 10;
  • Figs. 12 through 17 are schematic views illustrating steps of the method of this invention. i
  • the method of this invention contemplate movingasline of packages or articles 1 (Fig. :12) of substantially uniform size and shape in a line 2 along agenerally'horizontal path of travel.
  • Apredetermined-nuinber of said articles, constituting a row .3, are-elevated out of said line to form a tier 4 of articles 1 (Fig. 13-).
  • Successive tiers 4 are elevated one under the other to-form -a stack 5 of said tiers (Fig. 14).
  • 'Stack 5 is then moved 'laterallyof line 2, and after a succession of the previously described steps a case lot.6 (Fig. 16) is formed of-a plurality of stacks '5.
  • case lot-6 Upon formation of case lot-6, said case lot is inserted into case or shipping container 7*(Fig. 17) which is then removed to be .closedand transported.
  • the machine of this invention generally comprises means for performing these:various steps #of this method.
  • the machine includes-a ,gencrally'hori- 2, 3) for moving said stacks laterally of conveyor for forming case lot 6 and inserting said case lots into cases 7.
  • a case chair 13 and takeoff conveyor 14 (Figs. 1, 2, 4) are provided for transporting the filled ,case from the machinetq. i
  • themachine of Figs. '1 through 4 comprises a generally .rectangular housing 16 supported on adjustable legs 17.
  • Said housing contains the major control fand'power. equipment, such as. motor 18. (Fig.3) and forms a base for thegreater portion of. the structure of the machine;
  • Extending from one side of housing 16 is input conveyor-10 which includes a. belt 19, having a generally horizontal upper run, supported betweenpulleys 20, 21.-1Pulley:j2,0.,is supported at the outer endof a horizontally extending frame 22, theother end of which is secured to frame .16, and which is supported at its outer end by pedestal 23.
  • Pulley 21' is supported for rotation on housing 16 and 'is driven by motor 18 through sprocket and chain drive 241 (Fig.
  • Articles or packages 1 are adapted to. be moved in a line by conveyor 10 .and;two'pair of guide rails 25, '26 (Figs. 3, 4) extend along either :side'ofsaidjconveyor for'the purpose of maintaining said articles in .apredetermined orientation.
  • Elevator 11 comprises an elongated generallyrhorizontal table 29 (Figs. 2, 3) having a bar 30'extending downwardly therefrom. Said bar is mounted in vertical guides 31 so as to. be reciprocable therein. .A double acting hydraulic cylinder 32 is mounted between bar3tl and the frame of housing 16 providing for such reciprocation.
  • Table 29 may be formed of a single plate but preferably, toredu'ce friction, comprises an elongated,
  • a plate 36 At the end of frame 33 remote from con .veyor 10, a plate 36,.having'its upper surface coplanar with the tops ofvrollers 34, mayextend between flanges 35 for providing a friction braking surface for packages traveling along said rollers.
  • I Guide rails 25 extend along elevator table 29 'toa verticalstop member 37 which is provided extending upwardly from said tableadjacent plate 36.
  • a line of articles traveling on the upper run of belt 19 is pushed across plate 27, onto table 29, and is stopped by member :37.
  • member :37 For the purpose of this description the number of articles brought to rest on table 29 is denominated a row.
  • a side plate 38 Fig. 3
  • This plate upon lifting of table 29, serves to hold the end of the line of articles or packages on conveyor. 10 from forward motion until return of table 29 to a position coplanar with the upper run of belt 19.
  • both guide rails 25 extend the length of table 29, but the lower one of guide rails 26 also extends .to stop member 37. Hence the articles, pushed by belt 19, are accurately guided onto table 19.
  • an elongated friction rail 39 is positioned adjacent and parallel to upper guide r ai1 25. .Rail139.is yieldably urged toward the articles on table 29 by springs 28 (Figs. 5, 6, 7), and the-end thereof adjacent conveyor 10 may be bent outwardly from the line of articles to avoid catching said articles on said end.
  • Said side ram comprises a generally vertically extending plate 40 having a supporting bar 41 extending therefrom in a direction transversely of elevator table 29.
  • Bar 41 is mounted for reciprocation in guide 42 which is secured atop housing 16 by brackets 43.
  • Hydraulic cylinder 44 is moun under guide 42 and has its piston rod pivotally connected to ear 45 on bar 41 for reciprocating said bar and attached plate 40 in response to actuation of cylinder 44.
  • Elevator 11 lifts successive rows of packages to form tiers 4, as previously explained, along the face of plate 40 of side ram 12. As each successive row is lifted it is held in position adjacent the face of side ram 12 and above table 29 of elevator 11 by an elongated carton dog 46 (Figs. 3, 5) which extends under the lower edge of plate 40. In this position the row becomes a tier. Dog 46 is supported at the end of a pair of bars 47 which are pivotally connected to the rear or inoperative face of plate 12. A tension spring 48 acting between plate 40 and an extension on bar 47 tends to urge the leading edge 49 of carton dog 46 to a position forwardly of the operative surface of plate 40 (Fig. 5). A cam surface 50 is provided adjacent the leading edge of dog-46 so The bottom or closed end of carton 7 is supported in the right angle.
  • guide member 52 positioned along the opposite edge of the stack andextending-vertically from the top of the line of packages to the top of plate 40, serves to guide the adjacent edge of said stacks:
  • the bottom end of member 52 may be bent slightly outwardly of said stack as shown in Fig; 3 so as toassure the correct positioning of the tiers as the same are raised by elevator 29.
  • case lot may be assembled of 'a plurality of such stacks before insertion into the case
  • a carton tube generally designated 55 (Figs. 1, 2, 4), is supported in line with the direction of reciprocation of side ram 12.
  • .Said tube comprises a rectangular, centrally open frame 56 (Figs. 1, 2, 3 4) supported, in a plane generally parallel to but spaced from plate 40, on housing 16 by braces 57.
  • a thin plate is cantilevered from each sidemember of frame 56 to form an open ended box having the top 58, bottom 59, and
  • Case 7 is adapted to he slipped over the outer open end of carton tube 55 so that stacks urged through said carton tube by side ram 12 will be pushed into said case.
  • Said case chair comprises a bottom plate (Fig. 4) and a side plate'66 (Fig. 2) adjoining each other at a generally Bottom plate 65-is centrally recess as at 67 to form a generally U-shaped plate, for a purpose to be. described.
  • brackets 68 Swingably secured to one edge of plate 65 by brackets 68 are a pair of fingers 69 (Fig. 2) for holding the bottom flaps-70 (Fig. 1) of case 7 closed and for yieldably urging said case onto tube 55. Said fingers are urged away from plate 65 and toward case 7 by a pair of tension springs 71 (Figsfl 1, 2), which. are secured atone end to levers 72 which may be formed integrally with brackets 68.
  • Case chair 13 is supported at the end of bars 74 which extend from bottom plate 66 and are secured to pivot shaft 75 (Figs. 1, supported for rotation in bracket .76.
  • Crank arm 77 is secured at one end to shaft 75 and has its remote end pivotally secured to piston rod 78 of hydraulic cylinder '79.
  • Bottom plate 65 of case chair 13 is cut away at a recess .67 so as to embrace the end or" .belt 80 when lowered onto said belt to be substantially coplanar therewith.
  • actuation of hydraulic cylinder 79 lowers chair '13 tobelt 80 where said belt contacts the bottom of said case to move it from case chair 13.
  • Guide rails 88 may be placed along either side of belt 80 and parallel thereto to prevent travel of case described structure of Figs. 1 through 4. It isto be noted that an electric power source -91 is provided for the control circuit of Fig. 5 and the control solenoids 92, 94
  • each hydraulic cylinder 32, 44 and '79, respectively, are grounded thereto.
  • Cylinders 32, 44, and 79 are of a conventional type .in which the advance and retard strokes of the piston are controlled by .a slide valve operating at the command of such solenoids.
  • Each said cylinder is also provided with a source of hydraulic power (not shown) which may be controlledmanual'ly by a valve'93 (Fig. 4).
  • packages or articles 1 are movedrin a line onto table 29 of elevator 11 by conveyor 10.
  • a row of said articles is in place on said table the end of said row contacts the blade of a conventional micro switch '95 (Figs.
  • switch $5 is pushed to the active position completing the circuit between power source-91 and the advance side of solenoid 92*.
  • cylinder-32 lifts elevator 1-1 to elevate the row 3 (Fig. 12) of articles on table .29 to a position A (Fig. 5), where such row be- -comes thebottom tier 4 held .by carton. dog 46 andsupporting member 51.
  • Bar 30 of the elevator 11 hasthe lower .endot switch actuator bar 96 (Fig. 5) attached'thereto, which-actuator barhas a curved upper end 97 and an intermediate hump 98.
  • Switch 100 is in position tobe actuated by hump 98 at the-Upper position of elevator .11 (see dot:dash line position, Fig. 5) and said switch then completes thecircuit between power source 91 and the retard side of solenoid 92 (denoted by opposite arrow 1').
  • said cylinder 32 has elevated the row. of articles to position A, said cylinder returns elevator .1110 the bottom of its stroke (shown in Figs. 3, 5) as controlled by switch 100 and the retard side ofsolenoid 192.
  • switch 95 has returned to the inactive position to be activated by the second row of articles to be pushed onto table 29 by conveyor 10.
  • the tier at position C contacts the blade of a micro switch101 moving such switch from the dotted line position (Fig. .5), in which it completed the power circuit totlie advance side of solenoid 92., to the solid lineposition in which such power circuit is interrupted.
  • .cylinder- 32 ' is held inoperative while a complete stack:5 is in the. position adjacent plate 40 shown in Fig. v5 (positiQnC).
  • This" movement .of switch 101 also closes the circuit between power source 91 and the advance side a of solenoid 94 :of cylinder 44 thereby actuating side ram 12 to push ,theadjacent stack 5' (at position C) to position D at-the.,errtry to the carton tube 55.
  • the end of this stroke of side Jam 12 is shown in Fig. 7, which together with-Fig. .6 shows the detailed operation of supporting :member 51 r Said. member comprises a generally vertically disposed, clongated-plate 103, generally parallel to table .29, the'upperportion of which is curved in a direction .to ward sideram 12 to provide an inclined cam surface ,104extending partly into the upward path of .the row .01? articles being lifted by elevator 11.
  • lower .edgeof plate 103 is secured to a horizontal shafit 105 (Figs. 4, .6, 7) which has its ends journalled in bearings 106 mountedpn .frame 56, so that plate 103 may be swung aout ofthe way by the upward movement of said rowof articles.
  • LA lever 107 also secured to shaft 105' for .swingingtherewith, has its end remote from said shaft connectedtolrigid arm 108 by tension spring 109.
  • abutting adjustment screw 117 may be rprovide d on .arrnfl108 and lever 107, respectively, to limit .theamountof. swing of plate 103 in this direction.
  • lug 114 affords a transition plate to support 'It is actress "of pack-ages.
  • the adjustability of member 51, provided by screws 110 and 117, and of carton dog 46, provided by an adjustment screw 118 (Fig. 6), enables the machine to be easily set for articles of different dimension.
  • switch 123 controls the retard side r of solenoid 94 of cylinder 44 and is placed to be closed by switch' bar 121 (dotted line position in Fig. at the outer end of the stroke of side ram 12 (Fig. 7). Upon closing switch 123 completes the connection between power source 91 and the retard side of solenoid 94 to return side ram 12 to the position of Fig. 5.
  • switch124 It is also impossible for side ram 12 to be extended while elevator 11 is in its upper position (as at the upper end of the stroke that elevates the last tier in a stack) because of switch124.
  • This switch normally closed, is also interposed in the power circuit of the advance side of solenoid 94 and is broken by contact with theupper end 97 of swich actuator 96 during the upper end of the stroke of lift cylinder 32. Once retraction of cylinder 32 and elevator 11 begins, switch 124 closes and the advance side of solenoid 94 is energized.
  • Switch 125 is in the power circuit of the advance side of solenoid 94 to provide an additional safety factor. Switch 125 is normaly open to interrupt such power circuit and is closed by bar 74 of the case chair lifting mechanism (Fig. 5). Hence, case chair 13 must be in its upper, case supporting position (shown in Fig. 5 in solid lines) before the advance stroke of side ram 12 can take place;
  • bottom plate 65 of said case chair is spaced from the bottom of case 7 by an amount less than the thickness of a stack 5 and fingers 69 are extended to hold bottom flaps 70 closed and case 7 in place on tube'55.
  • Side plate 66 of chair 13 is slotted to pass the actuating lever of a switch 129, for a purpose to be described.
  • case 7 closes switch 129 in the circuit between power source 91 and the retard side i of solenoid 99 thereby causing cylinder 79 to lower case chair 13 and place filled case 7 on belt of takeoif conveyor 14. This ends one series of case-filling steps.
  • side ram 12 in its last above described stroke pushes the stacks at E and F out of cartontube 55" and into case 7. Said stacks are herein referred to as a case lot, and after such stroke of ram 12, the stacks at C and D (Fig. 5) are in position in the carton tube (Fig. 7) to be inserted into and carried away b'y'the next case upon the next two strokes of side rain 12.
  • Figs. 8 through 10 the machine of this invention may be modified as shown in Figs. 8 through 10.
  • Figs. 8 through 10 'l he modification of Figs. 8 to 1() incorporates the basic structure of the previously described machine and such structure, including input conveyor 10, elevator 11, side ram 12, case chair 13, takeofi conveyor 14, and housing 16 and their component parts, is similarly referenced and operates in a similar manner.
  • carton tube 130 (Figs. 8, 9).
  • Such tube has a rectangular, vertically disposed, centrally open frame 131, supported by brackets 57 on housing 16, and a bottom plate 132 (Figs. 9, 10) cantilevered from frame 131 and supported by bracket 133, as in the machine of Figs. 4, 5.
  • a pair of similar, vertically disposed side plates 134 are each secured at one edge, adjacent side ram 12, to a vertically elongated bar 135.
  • Each said bar is mounted to frame 131 by a pair of bolts 136 fitting in loose holes in the vertical side members of said frame and each said bolt is surrounded by a helical spring 137 abutting bar and said frame.
  • This mounting not only allows side plates 134 to spring toward and away from each other but allows for limited swinging of said plates generally about the axis of the side members of frame
  • a pair of leaf springs 138 are also secured to said side members of said frame and extend convergently in a direction opposite from side ram 12 along plates 134 to urge the end of the plates opposite bars 135 toward each other (Fig. 9).
  • Both bottom plate 132 and side plates 134 are provided with flared lips 139 adjacent side ram 12 for guiding the stack of packages, pushe bysaid side ram, into carton tube 130.
  • Eachassem'bly 141 comprises an elongated plate 142, mounted on frame 131 in the same manner as side plates 134 by bolts 143 and springs 144, and having a flared lip 145 (Fig. 10).
  • a leaf spring 146 secured to said frame, similarly urges theremote end of each plate 142 toward bottom plate 132.
  • a bent finger 147 extends from the entrance end of each plate 142.
  • Said finger is mounted for swinging about a horizontal rod 148 (Figs. 8, 9, l) and is provided'wit'h an eccentric lever-149 connected by tension spring 150 to frame 131 for urging the remote end 151 of finger 147 downwardly.
  • end 151 is pushed to the horizontal by a stack of packages (as at E, Fig. '10) it is substantially.coplanar with plate 142.
  • An adjustable'stop 152 (Fig. may be provided to abut lever 149 for limiting the downward movement of finger 147.
  • plate 154 is substantially even with and adjacent to bottom plate 132 of carton tube 131) and is formed with a lip 156 to guide the stacks of packages into thepentrance of said tube.
  • Plate 154 is formed with a plurality of apertures 157 (Fig. 8), one for each vertical column of packages, for receiving therethrough one of the ends of 'a plurality of caiton dogs 158.
  • Each said dog is secured'at its other e nd'to a rotatable shaft 159 and isprovided with a coil spring 160 urging said one end of'said dog through said aperture and under the edge of each package of the tier raised to position B (Fig. 10) by elevator 11. It
  • top of the tier at B is substantially even with bottom plate 132 of tube 130.
  • each carton dog is an arched, yieldable pad 161 which is'pivotally mounted at one end of a lever 162.
  • Each said lever isswingably mounted intermediate its ends to a shaft 163 and has its opposite end connected by a tension spring 164 (Fig. 10) to a portion of housing 16.
  • Pads 161 are mounted adjacent the packages in the tier at position B and are urged against said packages by'spring 164.
  • Said pad may be urged to swing in one direction by a spring 165 connected between one edge of said pad and an extension 166 on lever 162 and an adjustable stop 167 is provided to limit 'Pads 161 tend to restrain the tier of packages at position'B in the slightly inclined shown in Fig. 10 against plate 154. This causes the next higher tier (at position C) to be slightly tilted toward plate of side ram l-2 with its upper edge resting against such plate.
  • the uppermost tier at D is supported by the tier at C in a substantially vertical position adjacent plate 40.
  • a row from the line of packages is moved onto table 29 by conveyor 10 to contact and close switch 95 (Figs'.'8, 10) in a 1G manner similar to the machine of Fig. 5.
  • switch 95 Figs'.'8, 10
  • switch 122 With the rest of the machine empty switch 101 is in the dotted position, switch 122 is closed, and switch therefore activates the advance stroke of lift cylinder 32.
  • relay 170 includes a conventional armature 171 having a downwardly depending finger 172 adapted to engage a 9-point ratchet wheel 173, secured to a rotatably mounted shaft 174. Armature 171 is also provided with a stop element 175, adapted to contact ratchet wheel 173 to limit the rotation thereof.
  • the side ram ofthe modified machine of Fig. 10 is adapted to make two short strokes and one long stroke in succession.
  • relay 170 should be in its original status shown in Fig. 11 and described above.
  • the small, opposite side elevational views at Y and Z in Fig. 10 also illustrate the condition of the points as does the small and elevational view at X.
  • switch '124 This latter switch is normally closed upon retarding cylinder 32, as previously explained,
  • Thismodified machine is provided with two retard switches .1238 and 123L for the short and long strokes, respectively, of side'ram 12.
  • Switch 123$ is so placed to be closed by switch 'bar121 upon the stack of packagcsat D reaching position E.
  • closing of switch 1238 completes the circuit from power source 91, through said switch, and through points 1772, (now closed) :to theretard'side KOf solenoid 94, thereby retractingside ram- 12.
  • elevator 11 is prevented'from being lifted by cylin- -der 32---'due;1to open: switch :122.
  • switch 179 is open and when armature 171 is pulled downwardly by coil 169 said switch closes.
  • This switch is in a bypass circuit from coil 169 through switch 122 to power source 91.
  • switch 179 closes, completing the power circuit to coil 169 until completion of the relay cycle opens switch 179.
  • FIG. 12 shows the first step in the method of loading a row 3 of articles '1 on the elevator from the line 2 of said articles on conveyor 10. Row 3 is elevated to form tier 4 (Fig. 13) and this second step is repeated until a predetermined number of tiers 4 have been elevated to form stack 5 (Fig. 14). Stack 5 is then moved laterally of line 2, as seen in Fig. 15, and the steps of Figs. 13 and 15 successively repeated until a case lot 6 of a plurality of stacks 5 are formed (Fig. 16). In the last step, said case lot is inserted in case 7.
  • I claim? 1 In a method for packing a generally rectangular case with articles of substantially uniform size and shape,- the steps of: moving saidarticles in a line along a generally horizontal path of travel, successively verticallyelevating rows of a predetermined number of said articles from said line to form a stack of a predetermined number of generally vertically aligned tiers in a plane including said line, and successively moving said stacks laterally of said path to form a case lot of aplurality of said stacks for insertion into said case, and applying a yieldable restraining force to at least two sides of said lot during said lateral movement.
  • a method for packing a generally rectangular case with articles of substantially umform size and shape the steps of: moving said articles in a line along a generally horizontal path of travel, successively vertically elevating rows of a predetermined number of said articles from said line to form a stack of a predetermined number of generally vertically aligned tiers, supporting the lowermost of said tiers between successive elevations, each of said tiers supporting the-tier thereabove inclining at least one of said tiers in said stack from the vertical, supporting said stack on the downwardly directed inclined side during such inclination, and successively moving a portion of said stack laterally of said path to form a 'case lot of a plurality of said portions of said stacks for insertion into said case.
  • a method of packing a generally rectangular case with articles of substantially uniform size and shape the steps of: moving said articlesin a line along a generally horizontal path of travel, successively vertically elevating rows of a predetermined number of said articles from said line to form a stack of a predetermined number of generally vertically aligned tiers, supporting the lowermost of said tiers between successive elevations,each of said tiers supporting the tier thereabove, including at least one of said tiers in said stack supporting said stack on the downwardly directed inclined side during such inclination, successively moving a portion of said stack laterally of said path to form a case lot of a plurality of said portions of stacks, and pushing said case lot into said case by the formation of the next case lot.
  • a machine for packing articles of substantially uniform size and shape in a generally rectangular case comprising: elevator means, feeder means for movinga row of a predetermined number of said articles into position to be acted upon by said elevator means, said elevator means being successively operable for elevating a predetermined number of said rows, one under the other, to form a stack of generally vertically aligned tiers in the plane of operation of said elevator means, holding means for supporting said tiers between successive elevations, and pusher means for successively moving said stacks laterally of said tiers to form a case lot of said stacks and for inserting said case lot into a case, and yieldable restraining means on at least two sides of said case lot for preventing toppling of said stacks prior. to insertion into said case.
  • a conveyor for moving articles of uniform shape and size in a line along a horizontal path of travel in one direction, an elevator positioned in alignment with said conveyor for receiving a predetermined number of such articles thereon in a horizontally extending row, means for displacing said elevator out of alignment with said conveyor for-positioning said row in a tier in a generally vertical plane including said line and spaced vertically from said path, means for automatically holding said tier in said spaced position when said elevator is retracted to said position in alignment with said conveyor, said elevator being successively operable for positioning successive rows to form a stack of a plurality of said tiers in said plane, a generally rectangular, open ended tube spaced horizontally from said plane and in line with said stack, pusher means, reciprocable laterally of said vertical plane, for successively inserting said stacks into one end of said tube and consolidating said stacks therein to form a case lot of a plurality of said stacks, the other end of said tube being adapted to be inserted in the open
  • a conveyor for moving articles of uniform shape and size in a line along a horizontal path of travel in one direction, an elevator positioned in alignment with said conveyor for receiving a predetermined number of such articles thereon in a horizontally extending row, means for displacing said elevator out of alignment with said conveyor for positioning said row in a tier spaced vertically from said path, means for automatically holding said tier in said spaced position, when said elevator is retracted to said position in alignment with said conveyor, said elevator being successively operable for positioning successive rows to form a stack of a plurality of said tiers in a generally vertical plane, means for slightly tilting at least one of said tiers, and means for supporting said stack on the downwardly directed inclined side of said tilted tier.
  • a machine for packing articles of substantially uniform size and shape in a generally rectangular case comprising: elevator means, feeder means for moving a row of a predetermined number of said articles into position to be acted upon by said elevator means, said elevator means being successively operable for elevating a predetermined number of said rows, one under the other, to form a stack of generally vertically aligned tiers, and pusher means for successively moving said stacks laterally of said tiers to form a case lot of said stacks and for inserting said case lot into a case, and interlocking control means initiated by said articles for controlling the successive operations of said elevator means and said pusher means and for preventing interference therebetween, said control means including a sequence relay for determining the sequence of operation of said pusher means.
  • a machine for packing articles of substantially uniform size and shape in a generally rectangular case comprising: a generally horizontally extending feeder conveyor for moving a plurality of said articles in a line in one direction, elevator means elongated in said one direction and aligned with said conveyor for receiving an elongated row of a predetermined number of said articles from said conveyor, said elevator means being successively vertically operable for elevating a predetermined number of said rows one under the other to form a stack of generally vertically aligned rows in the plane of operation of said elevator means, holding means disposed above and longitudinally of said elevator means for receiving each said row from said elevator means and for supporting the same along the opposed longitudinal edges thereof, and pusher means successively operable transversely of said elevator means and disposed thereabove for successively shifting said stacks transversely of said rows to form a case lot of a plurality of said stacks.

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Description

e CASE PACKING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed Feb. 10, 1955 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 M N. a
INVENTOR. MELVIN SALWASSER A T TORNEYS June 21, 1960 Filed Feb. 10, 1955 M. SALWASSER CASE PACKING MACHINE AND METHOD 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. MELVIN SALWASSER ATTORNEYS June 21, 1960 Filed Feb. 10, 1955 M. SALWASSER CASE PACKING MACHINE AND METHOD 1O Sheets-Sheet 3 Mia/m4 A T TORNEVS June 21, 1960 M. SALWASSER 2,941,339
CASE PACKING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed Feb. 10, 1955 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. MEL V/N SAL WASSER A T TORNEVS 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 M. SALWASSER CASE PACKING MACHINE AND METHOD June 21, 1960 Filed Feb. 10, 1955 INVENTOR. MELV/N SALMSSER M M4; m
ATTORNEYS M. SALWASSER CASE! PACKING MACHINE AND METHOD June 21, 1960 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Feb. 10, 1955 INVENTOR. MELVIN $4LW4SSER A 7'TORNEVS CASE PACKING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed Feb. 10, 1955 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 IN V EN TOR.
- MELVIN sALMssER' ATTORNEKS June 21, 1960 M. SALWASSER 2,941,339
CASE PACKING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed Feb. 10, 1955 l0 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR. MEL V/N SALWASSER BY v 4 4, M QWw-C ATTORNEYS June 21, 1960 M. SALWASSER 2,941,339
CASE PACKING MACHINE AND METHOD i Filed Feb. 10, 1955 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR. MELVIN SALWASSER M m wan:
ATTORNEYS June 21, 1960 M. sALwAssER CASE PACKING :MACHINE AND METHOD l0 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Feb. 10, 1955 INVENTOR. MEL V/N SALWASSER BY 7 44, M 97/:
A T TORNEVS packages.
CASE PACKING MACHINE AND METHOD Melvin Salwasser, P.O. Box 101, Reedley, Calif.
Filed Feb. 10, 1955, Ser. No. 487,407
,8 .Claims. (Cl. 53-26) This invention relates to a method and apparatus for packing a plurality of articles of substantially uniform .size and-shape, such as cartons, boxes, bags, and the like,
in a case or shipping container.
In packaging most soft goods,it is common to put up such goods in packages of a size suitable for use by the retail consumer. "These packages are usually small enough to=be held in one hand, and are reasonably regular in configuration. For the purposes of shipment to the retailer and display by him, these small packages are normally packed in predetermined multiples in a case or shipping container. The case may contain a dozen, or
perhaps two dozen small packages, andit is conventionally tailored to fit such a predetermined number of Assembling the packages into multiples and inserting consuming job, and therefore, known apparatus has been used to perform this task. Such apparatus is ordinarily complicated and expensive to operate and service, or performs only part of the task.
Many known methods and machines are capable'of forming multiples in one or two of the principal orthogonal directions but not in all three of such directions.
With such methods and machines it is possible to arrange only a single layer of small packages for insertion intoa case.
Furthermore, most of the known machines are capable of assemblingonly packages which have a rigid, regular shape such as cartons and boxes. Some products, such as sugar and flour, are packed in paper bags which tend to becomerounded due to the hydraulic effect of the loose material. Others, such as frozen food products, tend to bulge their containers by expanding upon freezing. These types of articles or packages, although substantially uniform in size and shape, are not capable of supporting themselves in vertically stacked relationship, because of their slight irregularities. Therefore, known case packing machines usually fail to adequately operate thereon.
By the method and machine of this invention, it is possible to readily assemble and insert in to a case a number of small packages arranged in layers, each layer containing multiples of such packages in two directions.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a novel method for assembling a predetermined number of articles into a predetermined arrangement for insertion into a case.
Another object of this invention is the provision of apparatus for carrying out the above method.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a method of packing cases which is fast and relatively easy to perform.
Still another object of this invention is the provision of a method for arranging a number of articles of .substantially uniform size and shape in a case lot comprising a plurality of stacks, each stack comprising a plurality of tiers, and each tier comprising a plurality of articles.
them into the container by hand is a tedious and time It is a further object of this invention to provide a machine for automatically arranging a plurality of articles of substantially uniform size and shape into tiers, stacks of a plurality of said tiers, and a case lotof a plurality of said stacks, and for inserting saidcase lot into a case.
It is still a further object of this invention toprovide a machine for assembling packages in a predetermined stacked relationship and for inserting such assembly into a case regardless of whether the sides of the packages are bulged. 1
Yet another object ofthis invention is .a provision of -a case packing machine .which is relatively simplein construction but capable of rapidly and efliciently performing 'its intended operation. 1 I
Still another object of this invention is the=provisionof a casepacking machine having safetycontrols to prevent .interferring operations from occurring.
Itis another object of this invention to provide a machine for assembling a multiples of packages and inserting such multiples into a case, which machine may be easily and :readily modified for operation with vartying sizes of packages and cases. i e
Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
.Fig. 1 is a perspective .view of :the machine of this invention;
Fig. 2. is a top plan view of the machineofFig. '1;
Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view takensubstantially along line 3-3 ofFig. 2; 1
Fig. 4 is a side elevational-view of the machine of Fig. 1;
Fig. *5 is a semi-schematic view ofselected mechanism of the machine of Fig. 1, before actuationofthe side ram, showing the control circuit, the packages being shown in dot-dash lines;
.Fig. :6 is an enlarged .view of aportion Gfa-mechanism. of Fig. 5 showing the packages-in-solid-lines;
Fig.7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 after.actuation;of the side ram; 3
Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional'view, similar'toFig. 3, of a portion of a modified form ofmachine, takensubstantially along line 88 of Fig. 9; v
Fig. 9 is an enlarged top plan view, similar to Fig. 4, of a portion of the modified form of themachine'of 'Fig. 8;
Fig. 10 is a semi-schematic view of-selected mechanism of, the machine of Fig. 8, showing the controlcircuit,fthe packages being shown in dot-dash lines;
Fig. llis an enlarged perspective view of the-sequence relay of the circuit of Fig. 10; and,
Figs. 12 through 17 are schematic views illustrating steps of the method of this invention. i
In general the method of this invention contemplate movingasline of packages or articles 1 (Fig. :12) of substantially uniform size and shape in a line 2 along agenerally'horizontal path of travel. Apredetermined-nuinber of said articles, constituting a row .3, are-elevated out of said line to form a tier 4 of articles 1 (Fig. 13-). Successive tiers 4 are elevated one under the other to-form -a stack 5 of said tiers (Fig. 14). 'Stack 5 is then moved 'laterallyof line 2, and after a succession of the previously described steps a case lot.6 (Fig. 16) is formed of-a plurality of stacks '5. Upon formation of case lot-6, said case lot is inserted into case or shipping container 7*(Fig. 17) which is then removed to be .closedand transported.
Therefore, the machine of this invention generally comprises means for performing these:various steps #of this method. The machine includes-a ,gencrally'hori- 2, 3) for moving said stacks laterally of conveyor for forming case lot 6 and inserting said case lots into cases 7. A case chair 13 and takeoff conveyor 14 (Figs. 1, 2, 4) are provided for transporting the filled ,case from the machinetq. i
in detail, themachine of Figs. '1 through 4, comprises a generally .rectangular housing 16 supported on adjustable legs 17. Said housing contains the major control fand'power. equipment, such as. motor 18. (Fig.3) and forms a base for thegreater portion of. the structure of the machine; Extending from one side of housing 16 is input conveyor-10 which includes a. belt 19, having a generally horizontal upper run, supported betweenpulleys 20, 21.-1Pulley:j2,0.,is supported at the outer endof a horizontally extending frame 22, theother end of which is secured to frame .16, and which is supported at its outer end by pedestal 23. Pulley 21'is supported for rotation on housing 16 and 'is driven by motor 18 through sprocket and chain drive 241 (Fig. 3). Articles or packages 1 are adapted to. be moved in a line by conveyor 10 .and;two'pair of guide rails 25, '26 (Figs. 3, 4) extend along either :side'ofsaidjconveyor for'the purpose of maintaining said articles in .apredetermined orientation.
Extending from the .upper run of belt 19 at the end adjacent housing 16 is a short plate 27, rigidly secured to said housing. The top of elevator 11 is coplanar with said plate which'acts to transfer the packages from belt 19 onto said elevator.
Elevator 11 comprises an elongated generallyrhorizontal table 29 (Figs. 2, 3) having a bar 30'extending downwardly therefrom. Said bar is mounted in vertical guides 31 so as to. be reciprocable therein. .A double acting hydraulic cylinder 32 is mounted between bar3tl and the frame of housing 16 providing for such reciprocation. Table 29 may be formed of a single plate but preferably, toredu'ce friction, comprises an elongated,
generally u-shaped frame 33 havinga plurality of staggered rollers 34 mounted between the upstanding flanges '35 thereof. At the end of frame 33 remote from con .veyor 10, a plate 36,.having'its upper surface coplanar with the tops ofvrollers 34, mayextend between flanges 35 for providing a friction braking surface for packages traveling along said rollers.
I Guide rails 25 extend along elevator table 29 'toa verticalstop member 37 which is provided extending upwardly from said tableadjacent plate 36. A line of articles traveling on the upper run of belt 19 is pushed across plate 27, onto table 29, and is stopped by member :37. For the purpose of this description the number of articles brought to rest on table 29 is denominated a row. Depending from the edge of elevator table 29 adjacent conveyor 10 is a side plate 38 (Fig. 3). This plate, upon lifting of table 29, serves to hold the end of the line of articles or packages on conveyor. 10 from forward motion until return of table 29 to a position coplanar with the upper run of belt 19. Not onlydo both guide rails 25 extend the length of table 29, but the lower one of guide rails 26 also extends .to stop member 37. Hence the articles, pushed by belt 19, are accurately guided onto table 19. To aid in stopping the row of articles on said table, an elongated friction rail 39 is positioned adjacent and parallel to upper guide r ai1 25. .Rail139.is yieldably urged toward the articles on table 29 by springs 28 (Figs. 5, 6, 7), and the-end thereof adjacent conveyor 10 may be bent outwardly from the line of articles to avoid catching said articles on said end. Spaced upwardly from one elongated side of elevator table 29 by an amount somewhat greater than the height of an article on said table, is side ram 12. Said side ram comprises a generally vertically extending plate 40 having a supporting bar 41 extending therefrom in a direction transversely of elevator table 29. Bar 41 is mounted for reciprocation in guide 42 which is secured atop housing 16 by brackets 43. Hydraulic cylinder 44 is moun under guide 42 and has its piston rod pivotally connected to ear 45 on bar 41 for reciprocating said bar and attached plate 40 in response to actuation of cylinder 44.
Elevator 11 lifts successive rows of packages to form tiers 4, as previously explained, along the face of plate 40 of side ram 12. As each successive row is lifted it is held in position adjacent the face of side ram 12 and above table 29 of elevator 11 by an elongated carton dog 46 (Figs. 3, 5) which extends under the lower edge of plate 40. In this position the row becomes a tier. Dog 46 is supported at the end of a pair of bars 47 which are pivotally connected to the rear or inoperative face of plate 12. A tension spring 48 acting between plate 40 and an extension on bar 47 tends to urge the leading edge 49 of carton dog 46 to a position forwardly of the operative surface of plate 40 (Fig. 5). A cam surface 50 is provided adjacent the leading edge of dog-46 so The bottom or closed end of carton 7 is supported in the right angle.
that said dog will be cammed 'to aposition flush with plate. 40 bythe row of articles upon elevation of said row. It'is obvious that after the row (now a tier) of articles has been elevated past dog 46, said dog will snap under the lower edge of said tier to support the same. Another supporting member 51, to be later described, is provided at the edge of the tier of articles opposite plate 40 for a similar purpose. 2 Stop member 37 extends vertically throughout the height of plate 40 and therefore provides a guide for the edge of 'a' stack of tiers of packages. Likewise guide member 52 positioned along the opposite edge of the stack andextending-vertically from the top of the line of packages to the top of plate 40, serves to guide the adjacent edge of said stacks: The bottom end of member 52may be bent slightly outwardly of said stack as shown in Fig; 3 so as toassure the correct positioning of the tiers as the same are raised by elevator 29.
' In order that the case lot may be assembled of 'a plurality of such stacks before insertion into the case, and
.to aid in such insertion, a carton tube, generally designated 55 (Figs. 1, 2, 4), is supported in line with the direction of reciprocation of side ram 12. .Said tube comprises a rectangular, centrally open frame 56 (Figs. 1, 2, 3 4) supported, in a plane generally parallel to but spaced from plate 40, on housing 16 by braces 57. A thin plate is cantilevered from each sidemember of frame 56 to form an open ended box having the top 58, bottom 59, and
carton tube. The converging side and top plates of said carton tube are slightly flexed apart by insertion of a stack therein so as to apply a restraining force to the sides of the stack in the end of the tube remote from side ram 12. p
- Case 7 is adapted to he slipped over the outer open end of carton tube 55 so that stacks urged through said carton tube by side ram 12 will be pushed into said case.
position shown in Fig. 5 by case chair 13. Said case chair comprises a bottom plate (Fig. 4) and a side plate'66 (Fig. 2) adjoining each other at a generally Bottom plate 65-is centrally recess as at 67 to form a generally U-shaped plate, for a purpose to be. described.
Swingably secured to one edge of plate 65 by brackets 68 are a pair of fingers 69 (Fig. 2) for holding the bottom flaps-70 (Fig. 1) of case 7 closed and for yieldably urging said case onto tube 55. Said fingers are urged away from plate 65 and toward case 7 by a pair of tension springs 71 (Figsfl 1, 2), which. are secured atone end to levers 72 which may be formed integrally with brackets 68.
Case chair 13 is supported at the end of bars 74 which extend from bottom plate 66 and are secured to pivot shaft 75 (Figs. 1, supported for rotation in bracket .76. Crank arm 77 is secured at one end to shaft 75 and has its remote end pivotally secured to piston rod 78 of hydraulic cylinder '79.
In this manner reciprocation of piston rod '78 causes case chair 13 to rotate about shaft 75- from a position shown in solid lines in Fig. 5, where plate 66 is generally horizontal, to the dot-dash line position, where plate 66 is generally vertical. Takeoff conveyor 14 comprising a belt 80, having a generally horizontal upper run, mounted between pulleys 81, 82, is placed beneath case chair 13 in a position to receive cases 7 therefrom. Pulley 81 maybe driven from motor 18 byuniversal shaft SS (Fig. 2) and may be provided with takeup pulleys 84 (Figs. 1, 4). Pulleys 31,82. are journalled for rotation on frame 85 which may be supported above the floor on pedestal 86. Said frame also mounts a plurality. of rollers 87 which extend under theupper run of belt'fii).
Bottom plate 65 of case chair 13 is cut away at a recess .67 so as to embrace the end or" .belt 80 when lowered onto said belt to be substantially coplanar therewith. In thisjmanner, when case 7 has been filled, actuation of hydraulic cylinder 79 lowers chair '13 tobelt 80 where said belt contacts the bottom of said case to move it from case chair 13. Guide rails 88 may be placed along either side of belt 80 and parallel thereto to prevent travel of case described structure of Figs. 1 through 4. It isto be noted that an electric power source -91 is provided for the control circuit of Fig. 5 and the control solenoids 92, 94
'an'd99 of each hydraulic cylinder 32, 44 and '79, respectively, are grounded thereto. Cylinders 32, 44, and 79 are of a conventional type .in which the advance and retard strokes of the piston are controlled by .a slide valve operating at the command of such solenoids. Each said cylinder is also provided with a source of hydraulic power (not shown) which may be controlledmanual'ly by a valve'93 (Fig. 4).
As previously explained, starting with the machine empty, packages or articles 1 are movedrin a line onto table 29 of elevator 11 by conveyor 10. When a row of said articles is in place on said table the end of said row contacts the blade of a conventional micro switch '95 (Figs.
3, 5). Switch 95-controls the advance stroke (denoted -by thearrow :1) of lift cylinder 32 and is normally springurged to the inactive position. Upon contact by the row of articles on table 2.9 switch $5 is pushed to the active position completing the circuit between power source-91 and the advance side of solenoid 92*. Hence cylinder-32 lifts elevator 1-1 to elevate the row 3 (Fig. 12) of articles on table .29 to a position A (Fig. 5), where such row be- -comes thebottom tier 4 held .by carton. dog 46 andsupporting member 51.
Bar 30 of the elevator 11hasthe lower .endot switch actuator bar 96 (Fig. 5) attached'thereto, which-actuator barhas a curved upper end 97 and an intermediate hump 98. Switch 100 is in position tobe actuated by hump 98 at the-Upper position of elevator .11 (see dot:dash line position, Fig. 5) and said switch then completes thecircuit between power source 91 and the retard side of solenoid 92 (denoted by opposite arrow 1'). In this manner, when cylinder 32 has elevated the row. of articles to position A, said cylinder returns elevator .1110 the bottom of its stroke (shown in Figs. 3, 5) as controlled by switch 100 and the retard side ofsolenoid 192. In the meantime, of course, switch 95 has returned to the inactive position to be activated by the second row of articles to be pushed onto table 29 by conveyor 10.
The above described operation of lifting-a row of articles 1 to form a tier 4 adjacent the face of plate 40- of-side ram :the stack-being ,inserted into carton tube 55. "obvious that .lJPQILzIfiIIflOtiQIl ofsideram 12, .both member "51 and :canton dog 46 will snap .:back:to' the posi- ;tion .shown"intFigssS,r16, ready .to receive another-tier "'6 v12 is themrepeated. Uponthe secondelevating step, the row .on table v29:1ifts the tier at position A to position (B .(Fig .5) and-itself occupies position A. On the third such step tiers at A and B are lifted to position B and C, respectively, and thethird row becomes a tier at A, thus forming a stack 5 of a plurality of such tiers.
The machine thus far described is foruse with regular boxes or articles having fiat sides so that each tier 4- balances its' adjacent tier without necessity for supporting the sidesofthe stack.
At this po-intthe tier at position C contacts the blade of a micro switch101 moving such switch from the dotted line position (Fig. .5), in which it completed the power circuit totlie advance side of solenoid 92., to the solid lineposition in which such power circuit is interrupted. Hence, .cylinder- 32 'is held inoperative while a complete stack:5 is in the. position adjacent plate 40 shown in Fig. v5 (positiQnC).
This" movement .of switch 101 also closes the circuit between power source 91 and the advance side a of solenoid 94 :of cylinder 44 thereby actuating side ram 12 to push ,theadjacent stack 5' (at position C) to position D at-the.,errtry to the carton tube 55. The end of this stroke of side Jam 12 is shown in Fig. 7, which together with-Fig. .6 shows the detailed operation of supporting :member 51 r Said. member comprises a generally vertically disposed, clongated-plate 103, generally parallel to table .29, the'upperportion of which is curved in a direction .to ward sideram 12 to provide an inclined cam surface ,104extending partly into the upward path of .the row .01? articles being lifted by elevator 11. The
lower .edgeof plate 103 is secured to a horizontal shafit 105 (Figs. 4, .6, 7) Which has its ends journalled in bearings 106 mountedpn .frame 56, so that plate 103 may be swung aout ofthe way by the upward movement of said rowof articles. LA lever 107, also secured to shaft 105' for .swingingtherewith, has its end remote from said shaft connectedtolrigid arm 108 by tension spring 109.
Said springtherefore urges cam surface 104 at plate103 into the .vertical path of the .row .of articles as shown in wFig.-6and.an jadjustable stop 110' is provided on arm 108 v.abuttiQgQIeVeI.107 (for limiting such swinging of plate103.v V
At its upper edge plate 103 is bent back from side ram :12 toprovide .a generally horizontal ledge 11:1 .for
.ably urgedgtothe vertical, against theedge. of ledge .111 ,asastop. (Fig. .6 ),..by torsion spring 115.. (Fig. 14) which surroundsjs'tub shaft 113 and is secured at either end to =an outboard collar.on said shafit and to plate 103. .As .sideram -12 .beginsto move the stack at C into the entrance ofithecarton tube(position D, Fig. 6) lug 114i pushed to ;a, generally horizontal position by the tier of articles at A, against the-force of spring 115. As -such movement ,of the stack at C continues the ,loweredge of plate 40 of said side ram slides over lug 1:14am ,ithenholds the same in the generally horizontal .position against .lipg62 of bottom plate 59 at the end .of the .s=tr oke..of'side ram 12 (Fig. 7). At the same .timepartbn dog 46rcontaots cam surface 104- of plate 103 adjacent ledge 111 and swings said plate about the v axis .of.,shaft 105, against the force of spring 109.
'Astop 1'161and an, abutting adjustment screw 117 may be rprovide d on .arrnfl108 and lever 107, respectively, to limit .theamountof. swing of plate 103 in this direction.
Hence lug 114 affords a transition plate to support 'It is actress "of pack-ages. The adjustability of member 51, provided by screws 110 and 117, and of carton dog 46, provided by an adjustment screw 118 (Fig. 6), enables the machine to be easily set for articles of different dimension.
Returning to Fig. 5, it will benoted that once the stack at C is moved away from the position shown by "side ram 12, switch'101 will return to its dotted line position. To prevent operation of lift cylinder 32 at this time, reciprocable supporting bar 41 of side ram 12 is provided with a switch bar 121 which, upon reciprocation of bar 41, trips either of two switches 122, 123 at opposite ends of the stroke of the side ram. Switch 122 is interposed in the aforementioned power circuit of the advance side of solenoid 92 and is closed only when side ram 12'is in the retracted position. Once cylinder 44 drives side ram 12 to the left in Fig. 5, switch 122 breaks the power circuit to the advance side of solenoid 92 of the elevator cylinder.
' Normally open, switch 123 controls the retard side r of solenoid 94 of cylinder 44 and is placed to be closed by switch' bar 121 (dotted line position in Fig. at the outer end of the stroke of side ram 12 (Fig. 7). Upon closing switch 123 completes the connection between power source 91 and the retard side of solenoid 94 to return side ram 12 to the position of Fig. 5.
It is also impossible for side ram 12 to be extended while elevator 11 is in its upper position (as at the upper end of the stroke that elevates the last tier in a stack) because of switch124. This switch, normally closed, is also interposed in the power circuit of the advance side of solenoid 94 and is broken by contact with theupper end 97 of swich actuator 96 during the upper end of the stroke of lift cylinder 32. Once retraction of cylinder 32 and elevator 11 begins, switch 124 closes and the advance side of solenoid 94 is energized.
One other switch 125 is in the power circuit of the advance side of solenoid 94 to provide an additional safety factor. Switch 125 is normaly open to interrupt such power circuit and is closed by bar 74 of the case chair lifting mechanism (Fig. 5). Hence, case chair 13 must be in its upper, case supporting position (shown in Fig. 5 in solid lines) before the advance stroke of side ram 12 can take place;
As previously explained, the open end of case 7 is slipped over carton tube 55. In this position (Fig. 5) an open, top flap 126, guided by bracket 61, strikes the blade of a micro switch 127 which is in the power circuit of the advance side a of solenoid 99 of chair cylinder 79. lowered position (shown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 5), it will be noted that a cutout switch 128, also in such power circuit, may be placed to be closed (dotdash line position of switch blade) by said chair. Therefore, with case 7 in place on tube 55 and with chair 13 in the lowered position, the circuit between power source 91 and side a of solenoid 99 is completed toextend piston rod 78 of cylinder 79 and lift case chair 13 to a position supporting and backing up case 7.
As shown in Fig. 5, bottom plate 65 of said case chair is spaced from the bottom of case 7 by an amount less than the thickness of a stack 5 and fingers 69 are extended to hold bottom flaps 70 closed and case 7 in place on tube'55.' Side plate 66 of chair 13 is slotted to pass the actuating lever of a switch 129, for a purpose to be described.
The steps thus far described of successively elevating rows of packages to form stacks of a plurality of tiers and successively moving said stacks laterally of elevator table 29 are repeated until stacks are assembled at positions C, D, E, and F (Fig. 5). Upon the next stroke of side ram 12, the stack at C is first consolidated wit=h the others which are then pushed to the left until -'thestack at F reaches the bottom of case 7; then said case is urged away from carton tube 55 toward'bottom Assuming that case chair 13 is in the 8 plate 65 of chair 13. As said side ram approaches the outer end of its advance stroke this movement of case 7 causes switch 127 tobe opened, providing a second break in the power circuit to'the advance side of solenoid 99. I
At the same time case 7 closes switch 129 in the circuit between power source 91 and the retard side i of solenoid 99 thereby causing cylinder 79 to lower case chair 13 and place filled case 7 on belt of takeoif conveyor 14. This ends one series of case-filling steps.
It will be noted that side ram 12 in its last above described stroke pushes the stacks at E and F out of cartontube 55" and into case 7. Said stacks are herein referred to as a case lot, and after such stroke of ram 12, the stacks at C and D (Fig. 5) are in position in the carton tube (Fig. 7) to be inserted into and carried away b'y'the next case upon the next two strokes of side rain 12.
articles having substantially flat sides enabling them to support themselves in vertically stacked relationship. In
order to process rounded or bulged packages or bags,
such as those containing frozen foods, flour, sugar, and the like, the machine of this invention may be modified as shown in Figs. 8 through 10. 'l he modification of Figs. 8 to 1() incorporates the basic structure of the previously described machine and such structure, including input conveyor 10, elevator 11, side ram 12, case chair 13, takeofi conveyor 14, and housing 16 and their component parts, is similarly referenced and operates in a similar manner.
Since the packages for which this machine is intended may be easily tipped over, such pakages are adapted to be oriented with a long dimension in the direction of travel of conveyor 10. Table 29 of elevator 11 may as well be a single plate in this case.
One important difference in the modified machine lies in carton tube 130 (Figs. 8, 9). Such tube has a rectangular, vertically disposed, centrally open frame 131, supported by brackets 57 on housing 16, and a bottom plate 132 (Figs. 9, 10) cantilevered from frame 131 and supported by bracket 133, as in the machine of Figs. 4, 5. A pair of similar, vertically disposed side plates 134 are each secured at one edge, adjacent side ram 12, to a vertically elongated bar 135. Each said bar is mounted to frame 131 by a pair of bolts 136 fitting in loose holes in the vertical side members of said frame and each said bolt is surrounded by a helical spring 137 abutting bar and said frame. This mounting not only allows side plates 134 to spring toward and away from each other but allows for limited swinging of said plates generally about the axis of the side members of frame A pair of leaf springs 138 are also secured to said side members of said frame and extend convergently in a direction opposite from side ram 12 along plates 134 to urge the end of the plates opposite bars 135 toward each other (Fig. 9). Both bottom plate 132 and side plates 134 are provided with flared lips 139 adjacent side ram 12 for guiding the stack of packages, pushe bysaid side ram, into carton tube 130.
Normally the packages being assembled by this modified machine are oriented with their shortest dimension parallel to the direction of travel through carton tube. The stacks of such pakages and each column therein must be individually restrained by the carton tube be- Eachassem'bly 141 comprises an elongated plate 142, mounted on frame 131 in the same manner as side plates 134 by bolts 143 and springs 144, and having a flared lip 145 (Fig. 10). A leaf spring 146, secured to said frame, similarly urges theremote end of each plate 142 toward bottom plate 132.
In addition, to assist in restraining the first stack of packages entering the carton tube and to facilitate such entrance a bent finger 147 extends from the entrance end of each plate 142. Said finger is mounted for swinging about a horizontal rod 148 (Figs. 8, 9, l) and is provided'wit'h an eccentric lever-149 connected by tension spring 150 to frame 131 for urging the remote end 151 of finger 147 downwardly. When end 151 is pushed to the horizontal by a stack of packages (as at E, Fig. '10) it is substantially.coplanar with plate 142. An adjustable'stop 152 (Fig. may be provided to abut lever 149 for limiting the downward movement of finger 147.
Another important difference in this modified machine exists in the mechanism for supporting the packages between successive elevations by elevator 11. Since the packages on which the modified machine operates may have bulged sides, said packages and tiers thereof will not be capable of supporting themselves in stacked redaiion ship as in Fig. 5, position C. Hence, as the row of packages is lifted by elevator 11 (from position A, Fig. 10) it is tilted slightly toward side ram 12 by a horizontally elongated fixed plate 154. Plate 154 may be slightly bent along a horizontal line at two places intermediate its lower and upper edges so that its upper portion is slightly inclined to the direction of travel of elevator 11. Said plate ispreferably of light gage spring steel and is secured at its lower edge to a guide rod 155 which is mounted on housing 16 opposite table 29 from guide rails and intermediate the pair thereof. The
upper edge of plate 154 is substantially even with and adjacent to bottom plate 132 of carton tube 131) and is formed with a lip 156 to guide the stacks of packages into thepentrance of said tube.
Plate 154 is formed with a plurality of apertures 157 (Fig. 8), one for each vertical column of packages, for receiving therethrough one of the ends of 'a plurality of caiton dogs 158. Each said dog is secured'at its other e nd'to a rotatable shaft 159 and isprovided with a coil spring 160 urging said one end of'said dog through said aperture and under the edge of each package of the tier raised to position B (Fig. 10) by elevator 11. It
will be noted that the top of the tier at B is substantially even with bottom plate 132 of tube 130.
I Opposite each carton dog is an arched, yieldable pad 161 which is'pivotally mounted at one end of a lever 162. Each said lever isswingably mounted intermediate its ends to a shaft 163 and has its opposite end connected by a tension spring 164 (Fig. 10) to a portion of housing 16. Pads 161 are mounted adjacent the packages in the tier at position B and are urged against said packages by'spring 164. Said pad may be urged to swing in one direction by a spring 165 connected between one edge of said pad and an extension 166 on lever 162 and an adjustable stop 167 is provided to limit 'Pads 161 tend to restrain the tier of packages at position'B in the slightly inclined shown in Fig. 10 against plate 154. This causes the next higher tier (at position C) to be slightly tilted toward plate of side ram l-2 with its upper edge resting against such plate. The uppermost tier at D is supported by the tier at C in a substantially vertical position adjacent plate 40.
In operation, referring to Fig. 10, a row from the line of packages is moved onto table 29 by conveyor 10 to contact and close switch 95 (Figs'.'8, 10) in a 1G manner similar to the machine of Fig. 5. With the rest of the machine empty switch 101 is in the dotted position, switch 122 is closed, and switch therefore activates the advance stroke of lift cylinder 32.
The row "of packages at A is lifted by elevator 11 to become a tier position B which tier is held there by dogs 158. Similarly, closing of switch 104) by hump 598 of actuator bar 36 retracts elevator 11. This elevating step is successively performed by the machine until tiers have been lifted to positions D, C, and B, as previously described.
At this point the upper tier of packages at D flips switch 101 to the solid line position to complete the circuit from power source 91 to the advance solenoid 99a of cylinder 44 and to the coil 169 of a sequence relay 170. One end of coil 169 is grounded. in addition to said-coil, relay 170 (Fig. 11) includes a conventional armature 171 having a downwardly depending finger 172 adapted to engage a 9-point ratchet wheel 173, secured to a rotatably mounted shaft 174. Armature 171 is also provided with a stop element 175, adapted to contact ratchet wheel 173 to limit the rotation thereof.
Each time coil 1 69 is energized, armature 171 is attracted thereto, engaging finger 172 with ratchet wheel 173 to index shaft 174 one-ninth of a revolution. At its outboard ends shaft 174 is provided with three-lobe breaker wheels 17oz, 176 the lobes of each of which are adapted to break spring closed points 177;, 177 respectively; Wheels 17oz, 176 are setto 'perfor three successive functions.
From theposition shown in Fig. 11 in which points 177 are closed and points -177z are open, upon each successive energization of the relay; first, both points are closed, second, points 1773 are opened and points 17% vclose,and third, -the points return to their original position,i.e.177y closed, 177z open. These three successi-ve functions .are'related to the operation of the machine as will be subsequently shown. 7
in contrast to the machine of 'Fig. 5, in which side ram '12 makes successive strokes of equal length, the side ram ofthe modified machine of Fig. 10 is adapted to make two short strokes and one long stroke in succession. As the machine is filled to the extent'described with tiers of packages in a stack at D only, relay 170 should be in its original status shown in Fig. 11 and described above. The small, opposite side elevational views at Y and Z in Fig. 10 also illustrate the condition of the points as does the small and elevational view at X.
The circuit from power source 91 through switch 122 (previously described as closed by switch bar 121 when side ram 12 is in the retracted position) and through switch 101 (closed by the stack at D) may be traced to switch '124. This latter switch is normally closed upon retarding cylinder 32, as previously explained,
' which completes the-power circuit to points 1773/. Since said points are closed, current flows therethrough to coil 169 of relay 170 and to the advance side a of solenoid 94 0f cylinder 44. Side ram 12 is therefore actuated to the;left in Fig. 10 and shaft 174 of relay 171) is indexed one ninth revolution, closing both points 177y and 1771.
Thismodified machine is provided with two retard switches .1238 and 123L for the short and long strokes, respectively, of side'ram 12. Switch 123$ is so placed to be closed by switch 'bar121 upon the stack of packagcsat D reaching position E. At this point, closing of switch 1238 completes the circuit from power source 91, through said switch, and through points 1772, (now closed) :to theretard'side KOf solenoid 94, thereby retractingside ram- 12. During operation of side ram 12. elevator 11 is prevented'from being lifted by cylin- -der 32---'due;1to open: switch :122.
After side ram 12 has completed its first short stroke, elevator 11 and again actuated to lift two more tiers of packages from positions A and B to formthe second stack at positions C and D. Side ram 12 then makes a second short stroke, moving the stack at D to E and the stack at E to F (Big At the beginning of this second short stroke relay 170 is energized to rotate shaft 174 and open points 177 To prevent this opening of points177y from cutting the power to coil 169 before shaft 174 corripletes its full one-ninth turn, a micro switch 179 is mounted to be actuated by the movement of armature 171 When armature 171 is in its upper, spring held position (see X, Fig. 10) switch 179 is open and when armature 171 is pulled downwardly by coil 169 said switch closes. This switch is in a bypass circuit from coil 169 through switch 122 to power source 91. Hence, when armature 171 starts its downward movement to break points 177y, switch 179 closes, completing the power circuit to coil 169 until completion of the relay cycle opens switch 179.
After the third stack of packages is formed by elevator 11 at position D,-side ram 12 is ready for its third and long stroke. Since points 177y are open the current from power source 91 must flow through switch 122, switch 101, switch 124, and switch 125 to coil 169 and advance solenoid 94a. Switch 125 is normally open and is closed by bar 74 when case chair 13 is in it'supper position. However, when the machine is initially being filled with packages, case chair 13 is down and it is necessary to hold switch 125 closed by hand for the first long stroke of side ram 12.
When this long stroke of the side ram: is initiated relay 170 is actuated, indexing shaft 174 to breakpoints 1772 and close points 17731 (the condition shown in X, Y, and Z of Fig. 10 and Fig. 11. It will be noted that breaking points 177; inactivates switch 1238 which will be bypassed by switch bar 1211. Instead, side ram 12 will travel the full stroke of cylinder 44 until. the retard side of solenoid 94 is energized by bar 121 contacting and closing switch '123L. This long stroke first consolidates the stack at D with E and F stacks to form a case lot and then pushes said lot to the position indicated at G, H and I in Fig. 10.
Subsequently, the steps of assembling stacks at D and moving said stacks to E and F are automatically repeated during the second cycle of the machine. At the end of the second short stroke of ram 12 in this second cycle it is necessary to place case 7 on carton tube'130. Top flap 1% of said case closes switch 127, as previously described, actuating the advance side A of solenoid 99 to cause cylinder 79 to raise chair 13 from the dot-dash line position to the upper, solid line position of Fig. 10. This lifting of chair 13 closes switch 125 and the long stroke of ram 12 may take place.
Such long stroke pushes the stacks at 6,11, and 1 into case 7, and the case is pushed out to contact and close switch 129 for activating retard solenoid 99r. Chair 13 then lowers the filled case to belt 80 of takeoif conveyor 14. At the same time the second lot of packages at D, E, and F have been pushed to G, H and I.
As the filled case is lowered to conveyor 14 another empty case is placed on tube 130 and stacks of packages continue to be assembled at positions D, E and F. Three stacks of packages remain in the tube continually at positions G, H and I and the described steps automatically performed in the correct sequence. i It will be noted that both of the modifications of the machine of this invention may be easily adjusted and/or altered slightly for handling packages and cases of different dimensions. In fact one modification can be converted to the other by replacing only a few parts.
The novel method which the machine performs is diagramatically illustrated inFigs. 12 through 17. It is .obvious that such method can as well be performed by mechanism, other than that specifically described, or by hand. Fig. 12 shows the first step in the method of loading a row 3 of articles '1 on the elevator from the line 2 of said articles on conveyor 10. Row 3 is elevated to form tier 4 (Fig. 13) and this second step is repeated until a predetermined number of tiers 4 have been elevated to form stack 5 (Fig. 14). Stack 5 is then moved laterally of line 2, as seen in Fig. 15, and the steps of Figs. 13 and 15 successively repeated until a case lot 6 of a plurality of stacks 5 are formed (Fig. 16). In the last step, said case lot is inserted in case 7.
Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is obvious that modifications could be made therein'fwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.-
I claim? 1. In a method for packing a generally rectangular case with articles of substantially uniform size and shape,- the steps of: moving saidarticles in a line along a generally horizontal path of travel, successively verticallyelevating rows of a predetermined number of said articles from said line to form a stack of a predetermined number of generally vertically aligned tiers in a plane including said line, and successively moving said stacks laterally of said path to form a case lot of aplurality of said stacks for insertion into said case, and applying a yieldable restraining force to at least two sides of said lot during said lateral movement.
2. In a method for packing a generally rectangular case with articles of substantially umform size and shape, the steps of: moving said articles in a line along a generally horizontal path of travel, successively vertically elevating rows of a predetermined number of said articles from said line to form a stack of a predetermined number of generally vertically aligned tiers, supporting the lowermost of said tiers between successive elevations, each of said tiers supporting the-tier thereabove inclining at least one of said tiers in said stack from the vertical, supporting said stack on the downwardly directed inclined side during such inclination, and successively moving a portion of said stack laterally of said path to form a 'case lot of a plurality of said portions of said stacks for insertion into said case. I
3. In a method of packing a generally rectangular case with articles of substantially uniform size and shape, the steps of: moving said articlesin a line along a generally horizontal path of travel, successively vertically elevating rows of a predetermined number of said articles from said line to form a stack of a predetermined number of generally vertically aligned tiers, supporting the lowermost of said tiers between successive elevations,each of said tiers supporting the tier thereabove, including at least one of said tiers in said stack supporting said stack on the downwardly directed inclined side during such inclination, successively moving a portion of said stack laterally of said path to form a case lot of a plurality of said portions of stacks, and pushing said case lot into said case by the formation of the next case lot.
4. A machine for packing articles of substantially uniform size and shape in a generally rectangular case comprising: elevator means, feeder means for movinga row of a predetermined number of said articles into position to be acted upon by said elevator means, said elevator means being successively operable for elevating a predetermined number of said rows, one under the other, to form a stack of generally vertically aligned tiers in the plane of operation of said elevator means, holding means for supporting said tiers between successive elevations, and pusher means for successively moving said stacks laterally of said tiers to form a case lot of said stacks and for inserting said case lot into a case, and yieldable restraining means on at least two sides of said case lot for preventing toppling of said stacks prior. to insertion into said case.
5. In a case filling apparatus, a conveyor for moving articles of uniform shape and size in a line along a horizontal path of travel in one direction, an elevator positioned in alignment with said conveyor for receiving a predetermined number of such articles thereon in a horizontally extending row, means for displacing said elevator out of alignment with said conveyor for-positioning said row in a tier in a generally vertical plane including said line and spaced vertically from said path, means for automatically holding said tier in said spaced position when said elevator is retracted to said position in alignment with said conveyor, said elevator being successively operable for positioning successive rows to form a stack of a plurality of said tiers in said plane, a generally rectangular, open ended tube spaced horizontally from said plane and in line with said stack, pusher means, reciprocable laterally of said vertical plane, for successively inserting said stacks into one end of said tube and consolidating said stacks therein to form a case lot of a plurality of said stacks, the other end of said tube being adapted to be inserted in the open end of a case to be filled, case supporting means mounted for swinging movement between a position supporting the closed end of the case on said tube and a position supporting such case in upright condition and depositing the same on a take ofi conveyor and including yieldable means yieldably engaging the closed end of such case, further reciproeations of said pusher means urging said case lot through said tube and into said case and case outwardly of the end of said tube and against the yieldability of said yieldable means, and means responsive to said outward movement of said case for initiating said swinging movement.
6. In a case filling apparatus, a conveyor for moving articles of uniform shape and size in a line along a horizontal path of travel in one direction, an elevator positioned in alignment with said conveyor for receiving a predetermined number of such articles thereon in a horizontally extending row, means for displacing said elevator out of alignment with said conveyor for positioning said row in a tier spaced vertically from said path, means for automatically holding said tier in said spaced position, when said elevator is retracted to said position in alignment with said conveyor, said elevator being successively operable for positioning successive rows to form a stack of a plurality of said tiers in a generally vertical plane, means for slightly tilting at least one of said tiers, and means for supporting said stack on the downwardly directed inclined side of said tilted tier.
7. A machine for packing articles of substantially uniform size and shape in a generally rectangular case comprising: elevator means, feeder means for moving a row of a predetermined number of said articles into position to be acted upon by said elevator means, said elevator means being successively operable for elevating a predetermined number of said rows, one under the other, to form a stack of generally vertically aligned tiers, and pusher means for successively moving said stacks laterally of said tiers to form a case lot of said stacks and for inserting said case lot into a case, and interlocking control means initiated by said articles for controlling the successive operations of said elevator means and said pusher means and for preventing interference therebetween, said control means including a sequence relay for determining the sequence of operation of said pusher means.
8. A machine for packing articles of substantially uniform size and shape in a generally rectangular case comprising: a generally horizontally extending feeder conveyor for moving a plurality of said articles in a line in one direction, elevator means elongated in said one direction and aligned with said conveyor for receiving an elongated row of a predetermined number of said articles from said conveyor, said elevator means being successively vertically operable for elevating a predetermined number of said rows one under the other to form a stack of generally vertically aligned rows in the plane of operation of said elevator means, holding means disposed above and longitudinally of said elevator means for receiving each said row from said elevator means and for supporting the same along the opposed longitudinal edges thereof, and pusher means successively operable transversely of said elevator means and disposed thereabove for successively shifting said stacks transversely of said rows to form a case lot of a plurality of said stacks.
References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,467,019 Tzibides Sept. 4, 1923 1,803,123 Mudd Apr. 28, 1931 1,839,925 McKaig Jan. 5, 1932 2,047,272 Kimball et al. July 14, 1936 2,051,190 Van Buren Aug. 18, 1936 2,291,645 Nordquist Aug. 4, 1942 2,498,071 Dalziel et a1. Feb. 21, 1950 2,549,004 Pomeroy et a]. Apr. 17, 1951 2,613,021 Bowes Oct. 7, 1952 2,633,280 Davies Mar. 31, 1953 2,648,181 Dalton Aug. 11, 1953 2,678,151 Geisler May 11, 1954 2,681,171 Brown et a1. June 15, 1954 2,732,984 Dans Ian. 31, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 345,516 Great Britain Mar. 26, 1931
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US3002326A (en) * 1959-02-09 1961-10-03 Champion Paper & Fibre Co A carton forming and handling apparatus
US3013369A (en) * 1957-04-29 1961-12-19 Royal Container Co Machine for stacking and accumulating stacks of collapsed cartons
US3016664A (en) * 1960-04-28 1962-01-16 Fmc Corp Control system for case loading machine
US3069828A (en) * 1961-01-09 1962-12-25 Christine Nielsen Machine for positioning large cartons
US3136105A (en) * 1963-03-06 1964-06-09 Sheppard Machinery Inc Apparatus for packing metal containers in cases
US3165871A (en) * 1961-01-12 1965-01-19 Chisholm Ryder Company Of Penn Carton packing machine
US3323283A (en) * 1964-06-15 1967-06-06 Emhart Corp Apparatus for handling cases being loaded
US3346939A (en) * 1963-02-14 1967-10-17 Reynolds Metals Co Apparatus for placing separator cells around bottles and the like and for packaging such bottles
US3410052A (en) * 1966-02-17 1968-11-12 Bartelt Engineering Co Inc Machine for handling articles and containers
US3584432A (en) * 1968-05-13 1971-06-15 Carl H Mayer Jr Packaging machine
US3837140A (en) * 1973-06-29 1974-09-24 O Golantsev Stacking machine
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JPS5273159U (en) * 1975-11-26 1977-06-01
US4750317A (en) * 1987-05-11 1988-06-14 General Foods Inc. Case packing apparatus
US4802808A (en) * 1986-07-30 1989-02-07 Maschinenbau Gabler Gmbh Stacking apparatus for deep-drawn articles of plastics of plastics material
US4829749A (en) * 1985-12-28 1989-05-16 Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. Tire handling system
US6397567B1 (en) * 1998-08-21 2002-06-04 Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co) Process and apparatus for producing (large) packs
US20040187447A1 (en) * 2003-03-28 2004-09-30 Byrd Charles Dale Automatic case packaging system
US20060070353A1 (en) * 2004-10-01 2006-04-06 Aaldert Christiaan Van Dam Device for filling a carton
US20220227512A1 (en) * 2019-05-17 2022-07-21 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Packaging machine for packaging products in cartons and method for this
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US3013369A (en) * 1957-04-29 1961-12-19 Royal Container Co Machine for stacking and accumulating stacks of collapsed cartons
US3002326A (en) * 1959-02-09 1961-10-03 Champion Paper & Fibre Co A carton forming and handling apparatus
US3016664A (en) * 1960-04-28 1962-01-16 Fmc Corp Control system for case loading machine
US3069828A (en) * 1961-01-09 1962-12-25 Christine Nielsen Machine for positioning large cartons
US3165871A (en) * 1961-01-12 1965-01-19 Chisholm Ryder Company Of Penn Carton packing machine
US3346939A (en) * 1963-02-14 1967-10-17 Reynolds Metals Co Apparatus for placing separator cells around bottles and the like and for packaging such bottles
US3136105A (en) * 1963-03-06 1964-06-09 Sheppard Machinery Inc Apparatus for packing metal containers in cases
US3323283A (en) * 1964-06-15 1967-06-06 Emhart Corp Apparatus for handling cases being loaded
US3410052A (en) * 1966-02-17 1968-11-12 Bartelt Engineering Co Inc Machine for handling articles and containers
US3584432A (en) * 1968-05-13 1971-06-15 Carl H Mayer Jr Packaging machine
US3837140A (en) * 1973-06-29 1974-09-24 O Golantsev Stacking machine
JPS5096156U (en) * 1973-12-28 1975-08-12
JPS5273159U (en) * 1975-11-26 1977-06-01
US4829749A (en) * 1985-12-28 1989-05-16 Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. Tire handling system
US4802808A (en) * 1986-07-30 1989-02-07 Maschinenbau Gabler Gmbh Stacking apparatus for deep-drawn articles of plastics of plastics material
US4750317A (en) * 1987-05-11 1988-06-14 General Foods Inc. Case packing apparatus
US6397567B1 (en) * 1998-08-21 2002-06-04 Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co) Process and apparatus for producing (large) packs
US20040187447A1 (en) * 2003-03-28 2004-09-30 Byrd Charles Dale Automatic case packaging system
US6952911B2 (en) * 2003-03-28 2005-10-11 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Automatic case packaging system
US20060070353A1 (en) * 2004-10-01 2006-04-06 Aaldert Christiaan Van Dam Device for filling a carton
US7096650B2 (en) * 2004-10-01 2006-08-29 Blueprint Holding B.V. Device for filling a carton
US20220227512A1 (en) * 2019-05-17 2022-07-21 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Packaging machine for packaging products in cartons and method for this
US11912450B2 (en) * 2019-05-17 2024-02-27 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Packaging machine for packaging products in cartons and method for this
US11851218B1 (en) * 2019-09-23 2023-12-26 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Material handling apparatus

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