US2958267A - Container making mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Nov. l, 1960 E. K. woLFF ErAL 2,958,267

CONTAINER MAKING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 6. 1957 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 v HEL/wur VOLT/WER BY Kam Ne/Me/E/e A TTORNEVJ NOV- l, 1960 E. K. woLFF ET AL CONTAINER MAKING MECHANISM 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 6, 1957 F DAK @www m O MTM N N m .ma W WK N ,r n m 7 A w/ w N @FHL Nov. 1, 1960 E.. K. woLFF ETAL CONTAINER MAKING NEcHANIsN 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 6. 1957 Nov. 1, 1960 E. K. woLFF ETAL CONTAINER MAKING MECHANISM 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 6. 1957 INVENTORS EDI/WN K. WOLFF HEL/W07 I/LTMER KURT NE/ME/E A TTOK/VEV Nov. 1, 1960 E. K. woLFF ETAL CONTAINER MAKING MECHANISM 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 6, 1957 ENTORS NOV 1, 1960 E. K. woLFF ErAL 2,958,267

CONTAINER MAKING MECHANISM Filed sept. s, 1957 9 sheets-sheet 6 INVENTORS EDW/N K. WOLFF HELMUT VOLT/WEP KURT NEI ME /E Nov. 1, 1960 E. K. lwoLFF ErAL 2,958,267

CONTAINER MAKING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 6. 1957 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 i\ I m L a INVENTORS 50W/N K14/aff HELMUT MUA/15k f BY Kum" NE/ME/ER Nov. 1, 1960 E. K. woLFF Erm 2,958,267

CONTAINER MAKING NECHANISM med sept. 6. 1957 9 sheets-sheet a Wmv` ATTOA/EKS Nov. l, 1960 E. K, woLFF ETAL 2,958,267

CONTAINER MAKING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 6, 1957 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 limited States `Patent CONTAINER MAKING MECHANISM Edwin K. Wolff, Stockholm, and Helmut Voltmer, Park Ridge, N l and Kurt Neimeier, Chicago, Ill.

Filed Sept. `6, 1957, Ser. No. 682,475

`65 Claims. (Cl. 9354) This invention relates to mechanism for applying wrappers, covers, labels or the like, generically termed wrappers, to container structures in the manufacture of containers such as set-up boxes or their equivalent, book casings, phonograph albums, and the like, and has for its primary object the provision of an improved mechanism of the indicated type capable of operating automatically to give fast dependable service with a minimum of care and with the use of unskilled operators.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved transfer mechanism for automatically carrying container structures in timed sequence with feeding and forming means and in such manner that there is no likelihood of the structures being crushed or damaged in the transfer thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved transfer mechanism capable of delivering a container structure to a stripping means with the open end of the container in a controlled flared open condition to facilitate the action of the stripping means.

'A further object of the invention is to provide an irnproved transfer mechanism for moving associated container and wrapper elements from a transfer station to a wrapping machine while exercising positive control over both the associated container and wrapper elements and without the necessity of engaging the adhesive material on the wrapper.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved transfer mechanism for moving unadhered associated container and wrapper elements from a transfer station to a wrapping machine while exercising positive control over such unadhered associated container and wrapper elements.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved transfer mechanism which will feed a container and wrapper assembly from a transfer station to a wrapping machine while simultaneously ejecting a nished assembly from the latter, and which will move into position to feed a succeeding container and wrapper assembly while such succeeding assembly is advancing to the transfer station.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved transfer mechanism for moving a container and wrapper assembly from a transfer station to a wrapping machine and which is so constructed and arranged with relation to such machine that the form-block structure of the latter and the devices associated with such structure are readily accessible for adjustment, repair and replacement.

Other specific objects of the invention as well as the Patented Nov. 1, 1960 advantages and features of novelty thereof will appear from the following description and will be pointed out in the claims. The description should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l shows in plain view a box wrapping system ernbodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational View of the mechanisms located at the night hand end of the box wrapping system shown in Fig. 1 and constructed and arranged in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2 and shows in top plan view box assemblies being fed to a transfer station with one assembly in position to be transferred from the conveyor to the wrapping machine;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 4 4 of Fig. 2 and shows in enlarged detail the devices which enable the transfer mechanism to control the operation of the gluer which applies an adhesive coating to the wrappers of the box assemblies and feeds such wrappers to the conveyor, the conveyor for advancing the wrappers to the box registering station and for advancing the assemblies to the transfer station, and the wrapping machine for finishing the box;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view looking along the line 5 5 of Fig. 4 and showing the trigger mechanism which is actuated to control the gluer;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 6 6 of Fig. 2 and illustrates the construction of the conveyor at the transfer station and the construction and arrangement of the mechanism for controlling the movements of the transfer means located above the conveyor;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 7 7 of Fig. 6` and illustrates the manner in which the transfer means located both above and below the upper run of the conveyor is connected to the main actuating cam for such mechanisms;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of one of the devices constituting the transfer means located below the upper run of the conveyor, the device shown being that located on the right hand side, as viewed in Fig. 3 of the drawings;

Fig. 9 is a side elevational View, looking along the line 9 9 of the slide mechanism shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 10-10 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 1l is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 11-11 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a side elevational view illustrating the manner in which a box assembly is carried by the transfer mechanisrn from the conveyor to the form block of the wrapper machine and showing a previously completed box positioned on such form block;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 and illustrates the manner in which the box assembly is positioned on the wrapper form block and the previously completed box is moved from such block to a discharge ramp by the transfer mechanism;

Fig. 14 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a modified form of transfer means for transferring an unadhered box and wrapper assembly from the conveyor to v the form block of the wrapping machine, the View indi- Fig. 14 and showing the relation of the parts as such mechanism is nearing the form block of the Wrapping machine;

Fig. 16 is a perspective View illustrating a form of phonograph album which may be made with the mechanism of this invention;

IFig. 17 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a modified form of transfer means for transferring an album assembly to the wrapping machine; and

Fig. 18 is a top plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 17.

In a machine of the type with which the present invention is concerned, the wrappers a of the box or container structures are usually fed in a successive fashion under the control of the operator, to a glueing machine A which applies an adhesive coating to a box engaging faces thereof and delivers such wrappers, coated face uppermost, to a conveyor B. The boxes b to which the wrappers a are to be applied in making such structures, may be initially brought into cooperative relation with each other and the glueing machine A, either by being automatically fed into such cooperative relation by suitable known mechanism such as described and shown in the US. Fleischer et al. Patent No. 2,075,605, issued March 30, 1937, or by being manually co-related. Also, the boxes b may oe manually registered on the wrappers as the latter successively arrive at a position opposite an operator stationed at stool D as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. During the travel of the wrappers a from the glueing machine A to and past the operators stool D, suction is applied to the under surfaces thereof through the conveyor belt B to hold them ilat and in predetermined positions onthe conveyor. The wrappers a from the glue machine A are intermittently stepped along or advanced by conveyor B in timed relation with the wrapping machine C for completing the application of the wrappers on the boxes. After a wrapper arrives at a position opposite the operator at stool D, a preformed or stayed box b is registered thereon while the conveyor is at rest, the adhesive material on the wrapper securing the bottom of the box to such wrapper to form an assembly of the container structure. A supply of boxes may be stacked Within easy reach of the operator on a supply table. Also stayed boxes may be delivered to the operator directly from the staying machine by means of a separate conveyor in timed relation with conveyor B. Thus, as indicated in Fig. l, the stayed boxes may be fed to the operator by a conveyor I which may be embodied in a box stayer J in the manner described and shown in copending application U.S. Serial No. 655,214 led by George W. von Hofe et al. April 26, 1957. Following the formation of the assembly of the container structure comprising the partially applied wrapper a and the box b, such assembly is stepped along by conveyor B to a succeeding station at which a tamper E descends while the conveyor is at rest, the tamper engages the upper edges of the box b and through such engagement presses the box down uniformly upon the wrapper to assure a smooth uniform adherence of the wrapper to the bottom of the box. Following this tamping operation, the container structure on the next step-by-step movement of the conveyor B, passes between channeling members F. When the adhesively Acoated wrappers a are fed to the conveyor B by the glueing machine A, they are positioned approximately along the center line of such conveyor. The suction applied through the conveyor B tends to hold the wrappers in that position as they are intermittently stepped along to the assembly station where boxes are applied to the wrappers to form the assembly units of the container structures. In the event a container structure may have become misaligned during the registration of a box on a Wrapper at station D, the channeling members F are constructed and arranged to realign the container structure in advance of its arrival at the transfer station, at which place the container structure is transferred from conveyor B to the wrapping machine C. Thus, the channeling members F assure proper position of the container structure upon its. delivery t theA ransf station. On the arrival of a container structure at the transfer station, the leading end of the box b thereof comes into engagement with stop means G which insures that the container structure has been fully advanced to the transfer station, in position to be properly engaged by the assembly transfer mechanism H. During the next dwell period of the conveyor B, the transfer mechanism H is actuated under the control of the operator to shift the assembly of the container structure transversely across the conveyor B and to deposit it on the lower part of a form block in the Wrapping machine C. While the transfer mechanism is in an advanced dwell position the upper half of ithe form block moves into the box of the container structure and then the form block as a whole moves down inside the machine C, taking the assembly of the container structure with it, at which time the side and end panels of the wrapper a are applied to the corresponding sides of the box b by fthe wrapping tools of such machine in a manner well known in the art to complete the container structure.

The conveyor B in the machine illustrated in the drawings is constructed substantially similarly to the suction type conveyor described and shown in the Fleischer et al. U.S. Patent No. 2,075,605 and like the latter comprises a supporting frame 10 of suitable type and dimensions and on which a suction box or chamber 11 is provided in any suitable manner. The suction box is preferably of elongated form and is provided with a flat, perforated upper wall 12. Any conventional means may be utilized for developing suction in the suction box 11, as for instance a blower 13, the suction side of which is in communication. with the interior of the suction box through piping 14, as is shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing. The blower 13 at its outlet side is provided with upright piping 15 to fthe discharge end of which is connected a nozzle 16 arranged to discharge the air under pressure against the underside of the wrapper of an assembly as the assembly is being shifted from the conveyor onto the assembly supporting members of the transfer mechanism H, as will hereinafter be more fully explained. The blower 1-3 is operatively driven in any well known manner, as by means of an electric motor 17 mounted upon a suitable bed supported by the base 51 on which is mounted the transfer mechanism H. The conveyor B further includes a traveling support pervious to suction for carrying the wrappers a and the box assemblies constituted of such wrappers and the boxes b from stations A and D, respectively, to the transfer station H. The support is illustrated in the form of an endless belt provided with perforations 20, the arrangement being such that the upper run 21 of said belt passes over and is in contact with the perforated upper Wall 12 of the suction box 11 (note Fig. 6). Accordingly, during operative periods of the machine, the suction developed in the suction box 11 will be effective at the carrying surface of the support, or in other words, through the perforations 2.0 of the upper run 21 of the conveyor belt as it travels over the perforated Wall 12. ln the instant machine, the suction producing means, as exemplied by the blower 13 and its associated elements, is designed to develop only a relatively light suction at the carrylng surface of the traveling support or upper run 21 of the conveyor belt. The suction is preferably sufficient to maintain the wrappers a in flattened condition and to hold the same on the upper run 21 of the belt so as to cause such wrappers to move therewith, but insuflicient to materially interfere with the slidable shifting of the box assemblies during the transfer thereof to the wrapping machine C. As previously mentioned, the conveyor B is intermittently advanced, making one step for each cycle of the wrapping machine C, and its operation is also synchronized with the operation of the gluer A in a manner well known in the art. As the gluer A may be of any known construction suitable for the purposes of the box wrapping system disclosed and as the details of constructionof such a` gluer astiene? specifically form no par-t of the instant invention, it is un necessary to describe the same in detail.

The operation of the gluer A and conveyor B is initiated by the operator depressing a pedal 25 located at the box registering station D and secured to a revolvably supported shaft 26 extending longitudinally below the conveyor (compare Figs. 1 and 2). Also provided on shaft 26 is an arm 27 which is located adjacently to the frame of the transfer mechanism H (note Fig. 4) and which is connected in any suitable fashion to mechanism controlling the operation of the gluer and conveyor. As shown in Fig. 4, arm 27 may be connected by a cable 22 to one arm of a trigger or lever 23 mounted for pivotal movement about a vertical axis on `a stationary part of the wrapping machine C. The other arm of lever 23 is connected by a cable 24 to the gluer control mechanism in a manner well understood in the art, the arrangement being such that when pedal 25 is depressed, arrn 27, cord 22, lever 23, cord 24 and the control mechanism will be actuated to start the gluer and conveyor. The operator maintains pedal 25 depressed until the gluer A has deposited a sufficient number of glued wrappers a on the conveyor to enable the latter in its step-by-step feed to advance the rst of such succession of wrappers to station D. On such occurrence, the operator releases pedal 25 and depresses pedal 28 on a revolvably supported shaft 29 located adjacent to and disposed in parallel relation with shaft 26, the two such shafts being substantially coextensive. Provided on shaft 29 adjacently to arm 27 is an arm 30 which is directly connected to in any suitable fashion and which controls a cone shaped clutch 31 mounted on a shaft 32 embodied in the wrapping machine C. As is shown in Fig. 4, such connection may take the form of a cable 37 which is connected at one end to the top of arm 27 and which is connected at its other end to the top of an arm 38 mounted on shaft 32. The construction and operation of the wrapping machine may be of any usual and well known type, but preferably it includes a high speed clutch controlled input shaft, such as shaft 32. In the known type of wrapping machine illustrated, shaft 32 is connected through a free pulley 33 and belt 34 4to the motor (not shown) for driving such machine and is connected through suitable gearing (not shown) to the vertically disposed cam shaft 35 of the wrapping machine. Thus when pedal 28 is depressed, clutch 31 will be actuated to drivingly connect pulley 33 to shaft 32 and thereby enable the wrapping machine motor to drive cam shaft 35. The operations of the gluer A and the conveyor B are synchronized with and controlled by the operation of the wrapping machine C in a manner which shall hereinafter become more clear. Thus, even though the operator has released the gluer control pedal 25, by his depressing the pedal 28 to start the wrapping machine C, the latter will take over the control of the gluer A and conveyor B and all units will be caused to operate automatically through one complete cycle. Suitable known mechanism will then come into operation to bring the wrapper C, gluer A and conveyor B to a stop. By maintaining the pedal 23 in a depressed condition, however, so that the driving relation of clutch 31 and pulley 33 is maintained, the gluer A, conveyor B and wrapper C will recycle Awithout interruption in an automatic fashion to feed successive wrappers a and to complete the box assemblies that are successively fed to the-Wrapper C. Shaft 26 is further provided with an emergency stop pedal 36 which is connected to cable 24 at a place between lever 23 and the gluer control Vmechanism and which if pressed rearwardly will actuate suchcable to stop the gluer A and consequently the conveyor B at any point in their cycle. In his operation of pedal 36, the operator Will initially or simultaneously release pedal 28 causing the immediate stoppage of the Wrapper C at any point in its cycle. The actuating mechanisms are prefer- 6 ably biased to stop'positions by the use of springs, such as the'spring 40 shown connected to lever 23 and to a stationary part of the wrapper.

The high speed input shaft 32 in the wrapping machine C is drivingly connected by a chain and sprocket connection which is designated generally in Fig. 4 of the drawings by the numeral 41, to a high speed shaft 42 provided in the transfer mechanism H. Shaft 42 is rotatably supported on the side frame members of such transfer mechanism at the rear thereof and is disposed in substantial parallelism with shaft 32. Located forwardly of shaft 32 on such side frame members and disposed in substantial parallelism therewith, is a third shaft 43 which also forms part of the transfer mechanism H and which is driven by shaft 42 through spur gears 44 and 45. Spur gear 44 is provided on shaft 42 and is substantially smaller than spur gear 45 on the shaft 43 so that the latter shaft is rotated at a substantially lower rate of speed than shaft 42. Mounted on one end of shaft 43 (note Figs. 2 and 4) is a cam 46 the peripheral cam surface of which is engaged by a cam roller carried by a vertically disposed arm 47 rotatably supported at its lower end by a shaft member 48 for pivotal movement about the axis of such shaft. Shaft member 48 is supported at its ends by the side frame member 49 of the transfer mechanism H and by a bearing bracket 5@ mounted on the base 51 `of such mechanism. The cam roller on arm 47 is maintained in engagement with cam 46 by a spring 52 connected to the upper end of arm 47 and to a fixed pin secured to side frame member 49. The upper end of arm 47 is also suitably coupled -to one end of a flexible shaft 55, the other end of the latter of which is secured to and carries the tamping plate 56 of the tamper E.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the tamper plate 56 is a ilat plate of any suitable, perferably light Weighted, rigid material and is disposed in spaced, substantially parallel relation to and above the upper run 21 of the conveyor belt. The plate 56 is substantially greater in area than the horizontal area of the largest box in a particular range of box sizes to be completed by the wrapper C and is located above the region at which a box assembly will dwell after taking its rst step in the feed thereof from stat-ion D. The cam 46 is so formed that during a period of dwell of a box assembly beneath plate 56, arm 47 will pivot rearwardly under the influence of its associated spring to cause the flexible shaft 55 to advance plate 56 downwardly into engagement with the upper edges of the box b of the assembly whereupon such plate will yieldably press the box iirmly against the wrapper a of such assembly. Following such momentary pressing action of the plate 56, the arm 47 will be pivoted forwardly by cam 46 against the tension of its associated spring to retract shaft 55 and thereby raise the plate 56 away from the box assembly so that the latter will be free to rnove forwardly on the next step-by-step movement of the conveyor belt. The end of shaft 55 connected to plate 56 is guided in its `reciprocating movements by a vertically disposed sleeve 57 that is secured in any suitable manner Ito the outer free end of a bracket arm 58 extending transversely forwardly above the upper run 2l of the conveyor. The rear end of arm 58 is secured to the upper end of a vertically disposed bracket member 59 having in the lower part thereof an elongated slot 60 lwhich forms part of the means adjustably mounting such member on a block 6l and enabling such member to be adjusted in a vertical direction relative to such block and to the conveyor. The block 61 is slidably supported by a horizontally disposed guide 62 secured to the rear longitudinal edge of the conveyor frame l0. It will thus be seen that the arm 58 and consequently plate 56 may be adjusted vertically and horizontally relative to the upper run 21 o-f the conveyor belt to take care of variations in the places of dwell of the box assemblies and in the sizes of the boxes of such assemblies and in the pressure which is to be exerted by such plate on the box of an assembly. In order to exert more positive control lon the reciprocating movements of the plate 56 and to assure a uniform pressure thereof on the upper edges of a box in an assembly, there is provided on such plate an upwardly extending substantially vertical guide member (not shown) which passes through a guide opening formed in the bracket arm 58 between sleeve 57 and bracket member 59.

Mounted on shaft 43 adjacent to earn 46 is a cam 65, the peripheral cam surface of which is engaged by a cam roller carried by a vertically disposed arm 66 which is also rotatably supported at its lower end by the shaft member 48 for pivotal movement about the axis of such shaft. The cam roller on arm 66 is maintained in engagement with cam 65 by a spring 67 connected to the upper end of such arm and to the fixed pin to which the spring of arm 47 is also connected. The upper end of arm 66 is also connected in any suitable manner, as by a cable 68, to the same element 23 to which arm 27 is connected in the mechanism for controlling the operation of the gluer and conveyor. The cam 65 is designed to pivot arm 66 forwardly against the tension of the latters associated spring for a limited period during each cycle of the transfer mechanism H to cause such element in the control mechanism to be actuated to operate the gluer and conveyor for another cycle. Immediately following the actuation of such control element, the cam 65 permits the arm 66 to be returned to normal position by its associated spring. It will thus be seen that the control mechanism for the gluer and conveyor is operable either ythrough the pedal 25, or by the cam 65 through operation of pedal 28. The cam 65 is designed to cause the gluer A to furnish a glued wrapper a to the conveyor B and to cause the conveyor to make one step for each cycle of the Wrapping machine C, such step being taken while the form block of the wrapping machine is dwelling in its lower or advanced position. As previously mentioned, if the pedal 28 is not held depressed by the operator, cam 65 will cease its rotational movement automatically at the end of one cycle of operation of the Wrapping machine, while if the pedal 2S is held depressed to recycle the wrapping machine C, cam 65 will continue to rotate, thus causing the cycles of the gluer A and conveyor B to repeat automatically.

The channeling members F are positioned beyond the tamper E and are located so that a box assembly will pass therethrough in its step-by-step feed from station E to the transfer station H. There are two members F extending inwardly from the side edges of the conveyor and they comprise aligning members '7G which are adjustably supported horizontally above the surface of the upper run 21 of the conveyor belt and between which the box structures of the box assemblies pass in the step-by-step movement of the conveyor. The aligning members 70` are equally spaced from the center line of the conveyor, and are disposed to converge in the direction of feed of the conveyor with the advanced ends thereof spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the width of the box structure of the particular assembly being finished. The members 70 are also raised with relation to the run 2l of conveyor so as to permit the wrapper of the assembly to pass thereunder without obstruction and to cause the advanced ends thereof to engage the side walls of a box structure at points slightly above the glued surface of such wrapper. The rear end of each aligning member 7i) is `connected to the inner end `of a bar 71 extending at right angles to the conveyor mn 21. Each bar 71 is adjustably secured in a holder 72 formed on the upper end of a bracket 73 which is mounted on a side of the supporting frame 10 of the conveyor B, the construction being such that each holder 72 holds the bar 7l extending therethrough spaced adjacently above the conveyor belt. Each bar 71 may be adjusted separately transversely of the belt by lloosening the wing nut 74 associated with its S holder '72 and shifting such bar lengthwise in such holder 72.

The stop means G at the transfer station comprises a stop member 75 which extends transversely over the surface of the upper run 2l of the conveyor bent so that the leading end of the box of each assembly comes into engagement therewith in `the advancement of such assembly to such station and so that each assembly is brought to a halt thereby in predetermined position with respect to the transverse center line of the form block `of the wrapping machine C. The stop member 75 extends in spaced relation to the conveyor belt so as not to come into engagement with the wrappers of the assemblies and is constituted of an angle member whose narrower vertically disposed side is in opposed relation to the feed of the conveyor and thereby forms the stop against which the boxes of the assemblies corne to rest. The Wider, horizontally disposed side of the stop member is secured at its forward end in any suitable manner, such as by bolts, to the shorter transverse end of a right angle member 76. The body portion of member 76 extends lengthwise of the conveyor and is adjustably mounted on the `front longitudinal edge of the latter. The underside of such body portion has formed therein a longitudinally extending groove 77 in which is received a longitudinal rib 78 provided on a base 79 that is secured to the frame l0 of the conveyor above the nozzle 16 of the compressed air system. The menrber 76 is adjustably secured in position on the base 79 by wing nuts 80 which are connected to bolts suitably located on such base and extending through a longitudinally extending slot in the body portion of member 76.

T he transfer mechanism H is associated with the stop means G and comprises means located above the conveyor belt and including mechanism which grips the front wall of a box structure in an assembly and then advances the assembly transversely across the conveyor and towards the form in the wrapping machine C. The transfer mechanism H further comprises means located in major part below the upper run 2i of the conveyor and includes mechanism which engages the bottom unglued surface of the wrapper a beneath the rear wall of the box structure and which coacts with the upper means to carry the assembly from the side of the conveyor into proper position relative to the form of the wrapping machine C. These upper and lower transfer means advance rearwardly in synchronism toward the wrapping machine C in the initial positions of their strokes to accomplish the above mentioned purposes and then retract variably toward their normal forward positions, as will hereinafter appear more clear. The reciprocating movements of both the upper and lower transfer means are produced basically by a barrel cam located within the frame of the transfer mechanism and mounted upon the shaft 43. The barrel cam is provided with two cam slots 436 and 87, slot 36 being utilized to actuate the upper transfer means and slot 87 being utilized to actuate the lower transfer means. The two cam slots are substantially similar in design except in the respect that cam slot 37 will cause the assembly supporting members of the lower transfer means to pull out from the path of the upper part of the form in the wrapping machine during the descent of the latter and while the upper transfer means is in a dwell position at the end of its advancing stroke, as will hereinafter be more fully explained. In view of this and the fact that the cam rollers for such slots are maintained in corresponding positions therein the upper and lower transfer means will be caused to be operated by the barrel cam S5 in complete synchronism. The cam roller engaging the cam slot 86 is provided at the outer end of an arm 88 secured to the lower end of a vertically disposed shaft 89 which is rotatably supported by suitable bearings 9d on the frame of the transfer mechanism H. Connected to the upper end of vertical shaft 89 is an arm 91, lthe outer end of which is connected by an adjustable link 92 to a carriage 93 slidably mounted on a pair of parallel guide rails 94 extending transversely across the upper run 21 of the conveyor belt adjacently beyond the transfer station. The rails 94 are supported at their ends by bracket members 110, 110 mounted on a crossbeam 111 supported by the front and rear frame members 112 of the transfer mechanism H. Provided on the carriage 93 are a pair of spaced guides 100 designed to slidably receive the vertically disposed side guide rods 101 of a vertically movable block 102. Each side guide rod is connected to the block 102 by an upper holder 103 and a lower holder 104, such holders being formed so that the ends of each guide rod are securely seated therein to prevent movement of the rod relative to the block 102. Extending upwardly from the upper end of block 102 is a fixed arm 105 carrying a cam roller 106 arranged to ride on a horizontally disposed track 107 extending transversely of the The track 107 is supported at its ends by a pair of arms 108, 108 which are secured to a transverse horizontally disposed shaft 109 mounted for oscillatable movement on the frame members 110, 110. Forming part of arm 108 and extending beyond shaft 109 is an arm 115 which is connected at its outer end to the upper end of a vertically disposed connecting rod 116 (note Figs. 2 and 3). The lower end of rod 116 is provided with a cam member 117 which engages a cam slot in a cam 118 located within the housing of the transfer mechanism H and mounted on shaft 43 adjacently to the barrel cam 85.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that the carriage 93 and consequently the block 102 are reciprocated on the transverse rails 94 through a fixed stroke by the connecting rod 92, arm 91, vertical shaft 89, arm 88 and slot 86 of the barrel cam 85. The block 102 is therefore under the control of the cam '85 at all times and one cycle of reciprocable movement is imparted thereto by such cam during each cycle of operation of the transfer mechanism H. The arrangement of the parts are such that the block 102 is advanced `across the conveyor toward the wrapping machine C when the conveyor is in dwell position and is retracted while the conveyor is making its next step-by-step movement to advance a succeeding box assembly to the transfer station. After each advance movement of the block 102 and after each retracting movement thereof, the block is raised and lowered, respectively, through the arm 105, roller 106, track 107, arms 108, S', arm 115, connecting rod 116 and cam 118. During each cycle of operation of the transfer mechanism H, the block 102 will start from a raised, retracted position and will be lowered vertically to enable gripping means carried thereby to grip the front wall of the box in an assembly. After the box has been so gripped, the block 102 advances in such lowered position transversely of the conveyor towards the wrapping machine to move the gripping means and the assembly toward the form of the wrapper which completes the adhesion of the wrapper to the box. After the assembly has been stripped from the gripping means carried by the block 102, the latter will then be raised vertically to a height which will enable such gripping means to pass freely over the next succeeding assembly moving toward the transfer station. The block 102 then retracts in a horizontal path parallel to the top run 21 of the conveyor to its initial starting position, thus completing the cycle of operation that such block 102 makes during each cycle of operation of the transfer mechanism.

Slidably mounted on the block 102 is a side flanged bracket member 120 provided with a vertically disposed slot through which extends a bolt 121 provided with a nut to secure the bracket member in a vertically adjusted position relative to block 102. The vertical bracket member 120 is provided at its lower end with a horizontal foot 122 which extends away from the block 102 and in opposed relation to the direction of feed of the conveyor. The foot 1 ,22 supports in depending relationY an elongated bracket member 123 which extends tansversely to and is disposed in parallel spaced relation above the upper run 21 of the conveyor. The member 123 thus supported in offset relation to the bracket member 120, is secured for lengthwise adjustment thereon by a bolt 124 which extends through a longitudinal slot provided in such member 123 and through an opening in the foot 122. As a result of this arrangement, the bracket member 123 may be adjusted vertically relative to the block 102 and to the upper run 21 of the conveyor, and may be adjusted horizontally relative to such conveyor run and the block 102 in a direction transverse to the direction of feed of the conveyor. Secured to the rear end of member 123 is an angle bar 125 which extends transversely of such member and is disposed above the upper run 21 of the conveyor in substantial parallelism with the longitudinal axis thereof (note Figs. 2, 6 and 7). The central portion only of the horizontal ange of bar 125 is connected to the member 123 so that the ends of such bar project outwardly from the sides of member 123. Each projecting portion of bar 125 has slidably mounted on the rear surface of the vertical -ange thereof one or more blocks 126. Each of the blocks 126 is secured in an adjusted position on bar 125 by a bolt which extends through the block and a longitudinally extending vertically disposed slot provided in the vertical ange of such bar portion. Each of the bolts adjustably connecting a block 126 to the bar 125 extends through the upper end of and supports a gripping member 127 having a lower vertically disposed gripping portion offset rearwardly from the upper portion thereof.

The rear end of the bracket member 123 is provided with a pair of upstanding, spaced bearing supports 130 which support the ends of a shaft 131 upon which is rotatably mounted the hub of a lever having an upwardly extending arm 132 and a downwardly extending arm 133. 'I'he arm 133 of the said lever is connected to the central portion of a transverse angle bar 134 which extends in substantial parallelism to transverse bar 125 and like the latter is provided on its projecting ends of its vertical flange with a pair of longitudinally extending slotted grooves forming guide ways for one or more blocks 135 which are adjustably connected to such ends by bolts. Mounted on each of the blocks 135 is a block-like gripping member 136 which has a vertical length substantially the same as the ofrset lower portion of the gripping member 127 and the rear face of which is in engagement with the front face of such offset portion when the bar 134 is in its fully advanced position. The bar 134 in its fully advanced position is disposed in spaced parallel relation below the transverse bar 125. The bar 134 is normally 1 biased to this advanced position by a spring 137 in Fig. 6

and which is connected at one end to a pin provided on lever arm 132 at a point spaced from the axis of shaft 131 and connected at its other end to a post provided on member 123 in the region of the foot 122. In order to adjust the advanced position of the transverse bar 134 and thereby to adjust the degree of grip of a pair of members 127, 1136 on a box structure under the inlluence of spring 137, lever arm 132 is provided with an adjustable stop 138 which comes into engagement with member 123. The stop 138 may be in the form of a bolt which is in threaded engagement with an ear provided on lever arm 132 and which engages the top surface of member 123, the bolt being maintained in adjusted position by a nut which is screwed into tight engagement with said ear. The upper free end of lever arm 132 is provided with a cam roller 139 which engages the upper vertical portion of a cam surface 140 on a vertical member 141 during the return movement of block 102 in a raised position. OnV engagement with such cam surface portion during the last portion of the retracting movement of blockV 102, the roller rides up on the same causing the lever arm 132 to be pivoted upwardly and rearwardly against the tension of spring 137 to open the pairs of gripping members 127, 136. When the block 102 moves vertically downward inthe initial part of its cycle, the cam rol-ler 139 rides .down an inclined portion of the cam surface 14d which permits the lever 132 to progressively pivot downwardly and forwardly under the tension of spring 137, thereby progressively moving the gripping members 136 towards the gripping members 127. When the cam roller 139 reaches the lower vertical portion of the cam surface 141i, the members 127, 136 will have firmly gripped the front wall of the box structure of an assembly located at the transfer station under the tension of spring 137, as is shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. The vertical member 141 is constructed and mounted for vertical adjustment on an arm 142 supported by a transverse bracket member 144 secured at its forward end to frame 110. Mounted on arm 1d adjacently to the vertical member 141 is a vertical scale 143 graduated to show inches and fractions of inches and coacting with an index element on member 141 to enable ready adjustment of such member to take care of boxes of varying heights in the assemblies fed by the conveyor to the transfer station. The arm 142 .is mounted on bracket member 144 for adjustment in a horizontal direction transversely of the conveyor to enable the vertical member 141 to be adjusted for different widths of boxes in the assemblies fed by the conveyor.

It will be understood from the foregoing that while the carriage `93 and block 1112 have fixed strokes in the reciprocating movements thereof on the rails 94, adjustments of the gripping members 127, 136 relative to block 102 may be made to vary their path of operation to conform to differences in the heights and widths of box structures in the assemblies fed by the conveyor to the transfer station. `Further adjustments of the cam actuating member 141 are then made to take care of the differences in the operations of such gripping members necessitated by such differences in the heights and widths of the box structures. In connection with such adjustments, it will be noted that in making adjustments for wider boxes, the place of grip of the gripping members 127, 136 will take place further and fur-ther forwardly of the longitudinal centerline of the conveyor belt which is at a fixed distance from the parallel centerline of the form block in the wrapping machine C. Thus, the stroke of the gripping members while of fixed length, is shifted transversely of the conveyor for varying widths of boxes to cause the centerlines of such different width boxes to all match up with the centerline of the wrapper form block. As has been previously mentioned, the carriage 93 and consequently block 102 and the gripping members 127, 136, are retracted over the conveyor while Ithe upper run 21 thereof is advancing the next box structure b and wrapper a to the transfer station. During the end portion of such retracting stroke, the cam roller 139 will come into engagement with the cam surface on the vertical member 141 and such cam members will cause the lever arm 132 to pivot rearwardly against the tension of spring 137 This movement of arm 132 will cause lever arm 133 to move forwardly and upwardly, thereby retracting the transverse bar 134 on arm 133 and moving the gripping members 1136 forwardly away from their gripping relation with the gripping members 127. The upper transfer means is thus poised above the box assembly being fed to the transfer station, ready to move down into gripping relation therewith. After the box assembly has come to a dwell position at the transfer station and while the block 102 is moved vertically downwardly prior to the commencement of its advancing stroke, the gripping members 127 enter the box structure of the assembly adjacent to the front wall thereof and the spaced gripping members 136 move downwardly over the front surface of such front wall. At the same time, the cam surface 140 permits the gripping members 136 to move progressively to a closed position under the tension of spring 137. By the time the f upper transfer means has completed its downward movement the gripping members 136 will be fully closed so that the front wall of the box structure will be gripped by the pairs of members 127, 136 under the tension of spring 137. On the next advancing stroke of the block 102, the thus gripped box assembly will be shifted transversely rearwardly across the upper surface of the conveyor run 21 toward the rear longitudinal edge of such run which is adjacent to the wrapping machine C. While the Wrapper a of the assembly is being so shifted and still is in engagement with the upper surface of the conveyor run 21, the vacuum exerted through the perforations 20 thereof will hold the wrapper ilat against such upper surface and will overcome any tendency of the advanced edge portions of the wrapper to curl under during such shifting of the assembly. When the leading edge portions of the wrapper -move beyond the rear edge of the conveyor run, the air pressure discharged from nozzle 16 will dow onto the underside of the portions of the wrapper leaving the conveyor and will float the wrapper oif the conveyor and onto a pair of spaced blocks 155 which form part of the lower transfer means and which at that time are in an at-rest position at the edge of the conveyor, in position to slidably receive the wrapper assembly. The top assembly supporting edges of the blocks 155 incline upwardly and rearwardly from below the conveyor run and during the transfer of the box assembly from the conveyor to such blocks the positive air pressure from nozzle 16 prevents the advancing edge portions of the wrapper from folding under upon such inclined receiving edges of the blocks. As soon as the assembly has moved to a position on the blocks 155 where the rear wall of the box structure will be supported by the same, the blocks are advanced in synchronism with the gripping members 127, 136, as will hereinafter become more clear. The places at which the box struct-ure of the assembly is finally supported on the inclined edges of such blocks 155 are slightly lower than the upper surface of the conveyor run 21. Thus, in coming to such places of final support, the rear of the box droops so that the rear wall thereof is slightly lower than the gripped front wall thereof (note Fig. 12 of the drawings). This drooping of the rear of the box causes the open end thereof to become ared; the conguration of the blocks 155 determining the amount of droop of the box and consequently the degree of are to which the box is opened. The blocks 155 and the gripping members 127, 136 therefore will fully support the box assembly in its passage to the form block of the wrapping machine C with the box structure of such assembly in a controlled, fiared open position. As will hereinafter become more clear, the flared condition of the box facilitates the entry into the box of the upper half of the form in the wrapping machine and enables such form to move downwardly in the box structure readily `and with substantially no resistance. The blocks 155 and the gripping members 127, 136 carry the assembly to the lower half 151) of the wrapper form block which is in a raised dwell position, the upper half 151 of such form block at that time being spaced above such block `half 151i and the associated stripper rods 152 being in a raised position relative to block half 150. When the supported rear edge of the box structure in the assembly is moved into position over block 150, the lower transfer means is actuated by barrel cam to cause the blocks 155 to increase their speed of movement during this latter portion of their advancing stroke and thereby to pull out from under such assembly and to move to a place rearwardly Vbeyond such block half. The rear of the assembly is thus deposited upon the upper surface of the block half and the upper transfer means continues its advancing stroke to position the assembly upon the block half 154) so that their centerlines coincide. In the fully advanced position of the upper transfer means the gripping members 127 thereof will be positioned at the front edge of the form block half 150 (note Fig. 13 of the drawings). It will be noted that during the shifting of the assembly across the upper surface of the block half 150, the box will still be in a controlled flared open position so that the upper half 151 of the form can readily move downwardly into the ared open end of the box and strip the box structure from the gripping members 127, 136. -During such downward movement of the form half 150, the front edge thereof will be guided into the box structure by the spring grippers 127. It will be noted further, that throughout the transfer of the box assembly from the conveyor to the form block, the wrapper a is at all times maintained against the bottom of the box structure b. Thus, in the shifting movement of the box assembly on the upper conveyor run 21 the wrapper is held against the box bottom by a wiping motion which makes for a uniform smooth adhesion of the wrapper to the box. This adhesive connection is maintained while the assembly is being floated to the inclined supporting edges of the blocks 155, as is shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. During the travel of the box to the form block of the wrapping machine, as is shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings, the blocks 155 lock the paper in position on the box. On the lower form block half .150, the wrapper is again held against the bottom by the upper surface of such block as the assembly is shifted thereover following the pull-out of the blocks 155 (note Fig. 13). Following the removal of the box structure from the grippers 127, 136, the block 102 will be raised vertically and then retracted to bring such gripping members to an elevated position over the next box assembly which is being advanced to the transfer station by the conveyor at the same time such gripping members are being retracted.

As has been indicated previously, the reciprocating movements of the lower transfer means, of which the blocks 155 form a part, are also produced by the barrel cam 85 on shaft 43. The cam slot 87 of such cam is engaged by a cam roller provided on the outer end of an arm 160 similar to and arranged in parallel relation with the associated arm l88 controlled by cam slot 86. Referring now to Figs. 2, 3 and 7 of the drawings, it will be seen that the arm 160 is connected to the bottom end of a vertically disposed shaft 161 arranged adjacently to and in parallel relation with the vertical shaft 89 to which arm 88 is attached. Shaft 161 is rotatably supported by a bearing bracket 162 secured to the frame of the transfer mechanism. Above the bearing bracket 162 there is connected to shaft 161 an arm 163 which is connected by a link 164 to an arm 165 secured to a vertically disposed stub shaft 166. Bearing brackets 167 mounted on the frame part 49 of the transfer mechanism rotatably support shaft 166. Fixedly secured to shaft 166 above arm 165 is an elongated arm 168, the outer end of which is connected by an adjustable connecting rod 169 to the central portion of a substantially U-shaped cross yoke 170. The central portion of yoke 170 is slidably mounted at its sides on guide rods 171 extending transversely of the conveyor and supported at their ends by a front horizontal bar 172 carried by the frame member 112 of the transfer mechanism and by a horizontal bar 173 provided on the front side of the conveyor frame. The two ends of the cross yoke 170 are clamped in any suitable fashion -to the front ends of a pair of rods 176 to enable such cross yoke during its reciprocating movements on guide rod 171, to impart longitudinal reciprocal movement to said rods 176. The rods 176 form part of otherwise independent, similarly constructed mechanisms for reciprocating the assembly transfer blocks 155 and in view of the similarity of the parts of such two mechanisms, a description of one of the same will suffice for both. Before entering into such description, it might be said generally that the two reciprocating mechanisms are arranged in spaced parallel relation on opposite sides of the guide rods 171 and are disposed transversely of the conveyor at the transfer station. The front ends of such mechanisms are mounted on the supporting bar 172 and extend rearwardly from such bar through the frame of the conbushing.

t 14. veyor beneath the top run 21 thereof and into the wrapping machine C to a point beyond the form block thereof. VAs will be seen in Figs. 2, 3, 8 and 9 of the drawings, each of the aforesaid mechanisms or units includes an angle bar 177, the horizontally disposed flange of which is mounted at its forward end of the supporting bar 172 and which is supported intermediate its length by the frame of the conveyor. The rear end portion of bar 177 projects in unsupported relation from the rear longitudinal edge of the conveyor into the wrapping machine C and extends substantially beyond the form block of the latter (note Figs. 3 and 8). The horizontal ange of the angle bar 177 is provided with a longitudinal slot 178 which extends from a point spaced from the front end of bar 177 to the rear end of such bar. The slot 178 is engaged by a guide shoe 179 which is slidably mounted on lthe horizontal flange of bar 177 and which is adjustably secured to the forward half of rod 176 (note also Fig. l1). The shoe 179 is preferably secured to that part of lrod 176 which projects forwardly from beyond the front edge of the conveyor in the retracted condition of such rod. Loosely mounted on the rear portion of rod 176 which projects beyond the rear edge of the conveyor, is a bushing 180 in Fig. lO and provided with a guide shoe 181 which extends down into the slot 178 in bar 177. Spacedforwardly from the bushing 180 and adjustably secured to rod 176 is a collar 182 which functions as an actuating member in the forward strokes of rod 176 to advance the bushing 180 through a bumper 183 that is slidably mounted on rod 176 between such collar and The bumper member 183 is cylindrically shaped and is preferably constituted of a suitable resilient plastic material, such as synthetic rubber, capable of cushioning the blow on bushing 180 when such member is advanced by collar 182 and yet having suicient rigidity to function as a driving member. A spring 184 is connected at one end to the bushing 180 and is connected at its other end to shoe 179. Thus the spring 184 tends to maintain the bushing 180, bumper 183, collar -182 and rod 176 together as a unitary reciprocating means. The movements of bushing 188 with rod 176, however, are limited by a stop 192 which, is fixed with relation to bushing 180 and which comes into engagement with a bracket 190 when the rod 176 is sufficiently withdrawn. It will thus be understood when rod 176 is withdrawn by the cross yoke from an advanced position, the bushing 180, bumper 183, collar 182 and rod 176 will be withdrawn as a unit because of spring 184 until stop 192 comes into engagement with the bracket i190' which is located adjacent to the rear longitudinal edge of the conveyor B (note Fig. 3). O11 such engagement, bushing will halt its retracting movement while rod 176 and collar 182 will continue to retract and thereby cause increase in the stress in spring 184. As a result of the increased space between bushing 180 and collar 182 the bumper 183 will be in loose condition on rod 176. When therod 176 is next advanced by the cross yoke 170, the collar 182 will pick up the loose bumper 183 and cause the rear end thereof to come into engagement with the bushing 180, such parts being then advanced as a unit beyond the bracket 190. Integrally formed on bushing 180 is an upper bushing 188 on which the stop 192 is mounted. The bushing 188 is mounted for slidable movement on a stationary guide bar rod 189 which is supported at its ends by an ear 191 provided on the rear end of the vertical flange of the angle bar 177 and by the bracket which is also mounted upon such bar flange. The bushing 188 carries a bar 193 which extends at right angles to the guide rod 189 and the rod 176 and is substantially parallel with the center line of the conveyor. That end of bar 193 which is disposed in opposed relation of the bar 193 of the other reciprocating unit has mounted thereon one of the guide blocks 155. The movements of the bar 193 with bushing 188 are guided by a rod 194 the forward end of which is connected to one end of a rod 195 adjustably secured on the bracket 190.

It will be understood from the foregoing that simultaneously with the advancement of the previously described box gripping members the two rods 176 of the lower tnansfer means wil-1 be simultaneously advanced by the yoke 170 and the mechanism which connects such yoke to the barrel cam S5. During the initial portion of the forward movement of the rods 176, the stops 192 will be maintained by the springs 184 against the brackets 190 so that the bushings 180 will remain stationary adjacent to the rear side edge of the conveyor. In this position of the bushings 130, the assembly supporting blocks 155 which are `of triangular shape, will have their apexes disposed under the rear edge of the upper run 21 of the conveyor belt and the inclined supporting edges thereof adjacent to such rear edge, in position to receive a box assembly advanced by the gripping members of the upper transfer means. When the rods 176 have advanced to positions where the collars 182 thereof are just causing the bumpers 163 to come into engagement with the bushings ltf, to cause the latter and consequently the blocks 155 to advance beyond the rear edge of the conveyor, the box gripping members will have already advanced the wrapper a of the box assembly upon the inclined edges of the blocks 155 and the rear wall of the -box b thereof is just riding off the conveyor into engagement with such inclined edges of the blocks 155. The blocks 155 and the gripping members will then advance simultaneously and together will support the box assembly in its travel from the conveyor to the form block in the wrapping machine.

As a result of this coaction of the parts of the lower transfer units, the collars 122 thereof m-ay be utilized to adjust the time of advancement of the blocks 155 in the advancing strokes of the rods 176 for boxes of different widths. Thus, for wider boxes, the collars 152 would be moved to positions toward the front ends of rods 176. When such adjustments are made in the positions of the collars 182, it may be then necessary to adjust the positions of the guides 179 on rods 176 to place the springs 184 under the tensions required for a proper operation of the apparatus. As previously mentioned the support of the blocks 155 will be such that the rear wall of the box structure will be slightly lower than the gripped front wall thereof so that the box structure will be in -a controlled flared condition as it is being carried toward the form block of the wrapping machine to `facilitate the entry of the upper part 151 of such block. As has been previously indicated also, the gripping members halt their advancing movement at the forward edge of the lower half 150 of the form block, while the blocks 155 travel across the upper surface of such lower half 150 of the form block. The paths of movement of the blocks 155 relative to the form block :are located outside the paths of movement of the stripping pins 152 associated with such block. In the final portion of their advancing stroke the blocks 155 move beyond the 'form block to positions in rear thereof to permit the upper block half 151 to enter into the flared box structure to `strip it from the top grippers and then to force the box assembly, together with the lower half 150 of the form block, downwardly into the field of operation of mechanism for applying the sides of the wrapper a to the sides of the box b of the assembly. While the form block is in its downward position, the yoke 170 commences its return stroke to withdraw the rods 176 and consequently the guides 179 and collars 182. As the guides 179 retract, the springs 18d holding the bushings 180 and bumpers 183 in engagement with collars 182, withdraw the same, thereby causing the withdrawal of bushings 188 and blocks 155, the latter moving forwardly over the top of the form block of the wrapping machine. The bushings and blocks 155 will be so retracted with the rods 176 until the stops 192 on bushings 183 come into engagement with the associated brackets 190, at which time the retracting movement of the bushings 130 and 18,8, and the blocks 155 will be halted, while the rods 176 continue their return stroke. At this halted position of the blocks 155, the forwardly projecting -apexes thereof will be advanced beneath the run 21 of the conveyor and the inclined supporting edges thereof will be again located adjacently to the rear edge of the conveyor, in position to receive a succeeding box assembly.

It will be noted in Figs. 3, 6, 8, l2 and 13 of the drawings, that each of the assembly supporting blocks 155 has mounted on the inner side thereof an ejector member 197 arranged to engage a previously finished box assembly located on the lower form half and to eject the same rearwardly from such form half as the blocks are advancing a succeeding box assembly to the form block to the wrapping machine (compare Figs. l2 and 13). Each of the ejector members 197 are disposed on its associated block 155 at right angles to the longitudinal center `line of the conveyor and are mounted on such block for adjustment in the direction of its length. The rear end of each ejector 197 projects rearwardly beyond its associated block 155 and is bent at right angles to the body portion thereof to provide a box engaging portion 198 spaced from the rear of its associated block 155 so that such portion will engage a finished box on the form block 150 well in advance of the succeeding assembly being carried to the form block by the block 155. As the succeeding assembly is being carried to form block 150, the ejectors 197 will push the previously finished box off such form block and onto a discharge ramp 199 from which it may be removed in any suitable manner.

While the machine has been hereinabove described in relation to wrapper-box structure assemblies in which the wrappers are coated on one side with a layer of suitable adhesive, it is believed evident that it may be efficiently utilized in the performance of other operations such as, for example, the manufacture of what is known in the trade as loose wrap set-ups in which the sides of the wrappers a" therefore are provided with lines of glue 205 along their outer edges, as shown in Figs. 14 and 15 of the drawings. A machine for the manufacture of boxes of this type would include a conveyor constructed in the manner of conveyor B and provided at the transfer station thereof with upper and lower transfer means such as has been described above to move the box assemblies to the wrapping machine. Accordingly, in the modification shown in Figs. 14 and 15 of the drawings, those parts thereof which correspond to parts of the previously described machine have been given the same reference characters. The transfer mechanism of the modification differs from the mechanism previously described only in the respect that the bar 125 which supports the gripping members 127 has mounted thereon a tubing 206 which extends longitudinally of such bar and which is provided adjacent to the sides of the support member 123 with entry ports' 207 to each of which one end of a rubber tubing 208 is attached. The tubes 208 are connected to a suitable source of vacuum which is controlled by valving means of any suitable type properly actuated in timed relation so that suction is provided in the tubing 206 during the transfer of a box assembly from the conveyor B to the wrapping machine C. Communicating with tubing 206 are a plurality of pipes 209 formed to extend rearwardly over the box structure b' of an assembly and then downwardly to spaced positions adjacent to the rear side of the wrapper between the box structure and the line of adhesive 205 on the outer edge of such Wrapper side. Carried at the lower ends of the pipes 209 are vacuum cups 210 which are pressed into engagement wlth the rear side of the wrapper when the gripping members 127, 136 are lowered to come into gripping relation with the front wall of the box structure. It will thus be seen that while the wrapper a' is not adhesively attached to the box structure b', these two box parts are transferred as a unit along the upper surface 21 of conveyor B by the grippers 127, 136 and the vacuum members 210 as the box assembly isinitially moved to the blocks 155 in its transfer to the wrapping machine. In this embodiment of the machine it is preferable that the blocks 155' have an upper edge substantially parallel with the lower edge thereof as shown in Fig. 14 of the drawings', to permit of a more positive gripping of the rear ap of the wrapper a therebetween. In all other respects, the blocks 155 are similar to the blocks 155 and function in the same manner as the latter. During the transfer of a box assembly by the grippers 127, 136, the blocks 155' and the vacuum members 210, the latter will move past the form block 150 to a position in rear of the latter when the box assembly is deposited on such form block. The pipes 209 on which such members 210 are sufficiently bowed in shape (note Fig. 15) to enable the upper form block to move downwardly therebetween Without interference to strip the box assembly from the grippers 127, 136. Suction may be provided on the pipes 209 until such stripping action takes' place.

As a further illustration of the exibility of the machine of this invention, attention is directed to the type of phonograph album illustrated in Fig. 16 of the drawings. As shown, this album is composed of a rectangularly-shaped piece of cardboard which is bent at its center to provide two sections 215, 216 forming the side walls of the container structure a" and between which is received the phonograph record that is to be inserted into the album. The entire outer surface of section or wall 215 is adhered to the body 217 of a wrapper b having a conguration in the blank as shown in Fig. 18 of Iche drawings. Attached to the body portion of the wrapper are side flap portions 218, 218 which are adhered to the front surfaces of the side edge portions of wall 216. The album is completed by a bottom flap 219 which is connected to the body 217 of the wrapper and which is adhered to the front surface of the bottom edge portion of wall 216. The adjacent ends of the flaps 218, 218 and 219 are secured in overlapping relation in the manner shown in Fig. 16 of the drawings. In making containers having the construction of this album, the machine of this invention may be constructed in the manner indicated in Figs. 14 and 15 of the drawings, or may be further modied to eliminate the supporting bars 125 and 134 with the box supporting parts carried thereby and associated mechanisms, since such parts would not be utilized in connection with such containers. -With the elimination of such parts, the vacuum members 210 remaining on the bracket member 123 would constitute the sole container supporting means above the conveyor, as is indicated in Figs. 17 and 18 of the drawings. As the parts illustrated in these two figures are substantially similar to corresponding parts shown in Figs. 14 and 15, similar reference numerals have been applied to similar parts in all such figures. It will be understood from the previous descriptions of the machine, that the album structure a" and the wrapper b constituting the album assembly, upon arriving at the transfer station in the condition shown in Figs. 17 and 18, will be shiftedk to the side edge of the conveyor B at which 'are resting the blocks 155 in position to receive the album assembly. This operation is readily accomplished by the vacuum members 210 alone because -the wall 215 of the album structure a in each assembly is adhered to the wrapper b thereof, and the walls 215 and 216 of the structure a are substantially rigid, the album assembly during this operation being shifted in a side wise fashion on the conveyor run 21 and not lifted therefrom. Preferably the transfer mechanisms are adjusted to substantially center the album structure on the top edges of the blocks 155 before the vacuum members 210 and the blocks 155 move in unison toward the form block of the wrapping machine so that such structure is securely held therebetween during such transfer thereof. It is preferred that almost simultaneously with the increase in speed of movement of the blocks 155 during the final portion of their advancing stroke and when such blocks are pulling out from under the album assembly, the vacuum in members 210 be cutV out to permit the assembly to be deposited on the block half 150 of the wrapping machine. The camway 86 of the barrel cam may also be modified to give the vacuum members 210 a stroke motion more suitable to the transfer of this type of container. lt shall of course be necessary that the container forming parts of the wrapping machine be modified in a manner understood by those skilled in the art to accomplish the wrapping of this type of container.

It will be understood that various other changes in the specic forms of the invention shown and described may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a container making system, means including a conveyor for feeding box and wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfer mechanism for moving said elements from said transfer station to another station, said transfer mechanism comprising means for gripping a wall portion of a box element above the bottom surface thereof, and means for supporting the box element at its bottom at a place spaced from the gripped portion thereof and cooperating with said gripping means to hold the box element in a controlled given position when both said means are coacting to support said box element in its movement from said conveyor to said other station.

2. In a container making system, means including a conveyor for feeding box and wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfer mechanism for moving said elements from said transfer station to another station, said transfer mechanism comprising means for gripping a Wall portion of a box element above the bottom thereof so that the weight of the depending box element causes the open end thereof to be in a flared condition, and means for supporting the box element at its bottom at a place spaced from the gripped portion thereof, said gripping and supporting means being constructed and arranged to hold a box element with the open end thereof in a controlled flared open condition when both said means are coacting to support said box element in its movement from said conveyor to said other station.

3. In a container making system, means including a conveyor for feeding box and wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfer mechanism for moving said elements from said transfer station to another station, said transfer mechanism comprising gripping means engageable with one upright wall of the box element and by its engagement with such one wall carrying the box element in depending relation and means for supporting the box element at a bottom edge thereof and cooperating with said gripping means to hold the box element in a controlled given position when both said means are coacting to support said box element in its movement from said conveyor to said other station.

4. In a container making system, means including a conveyor for feeding box and wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfer mechanism for moving said elements from said transfer station to another station, said transfer mechanism comprising gripping means located above said conveyor and engageable with a portion of elements delivered to said transfer station to carry the same in depending relation, means above the upper run of said conveyor for reciprocating said gripping means transversely of the conveyor, means for supporting delivered elements, said gripping and supporting means being separately mounted for relative movement and means below the upper run of said conveyor for reciprocating said supporting means transversely of the conveyor and through a different range of movement than said gripping means.

5. In a container making system, means including a conveyor for feeding box and Wrapperl elements to a transfer station, transfer mechanism for moving said ele- 19 ments from said transfer station to another station, said transfer mechanism comprising means for gripping a Wall portion on one sideA of a box element to carry the same in depending relation, and means positionable beneath the box element for supporting theV bottom of the same at a place spaced from the gripped side Wall portion thereof and cooperating with said gripping means to hold the box element in a controlled given position when both said means are coacting to support said box element in its movement from said conveyor to said other station.

6. In a `container making system, means including a conveyor for feeding box and wrapper elements to a transfer station,V transfer mechanism for moving said elements from said transfer station to anc'ntherv station, said transfer mechanism comprising means for gripping a portion of elements delivered to said transfer station located above said conveyor, means above the upper run of said conveyor for actuating said gripping means, means positionable beneath delivered elements for supportingl the same, said gripping and supporting means being separably mounted for relative movement, means below the upper run of said conveyor for actuating said supporting means through a different range of movement than said gripping means, and means for operating said actuating means for said gripping and supporting means in timed relation.

7. In a container making system, means including a conveyor for feeding box and Wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfer mechanism for moving said elements from said transfer station to another station, said transfer mechanism comprising means for gripping a portion of elements delivered to said transfer station located above said conveyor, means above the upper run of said conveyor for actuating said gripping means, said actuating means including a member reciprocably movable transversely of said conveyor, means positionable beneath delivered elements for supporting the same, said gripping and supporting means being separably mounted for relative movement, means below the upper run of said conveyor for actuating said supporting means throgli a different range of movement than said gripping means, said lower actuating means including a member reciprocably movable transversely of said conveyor, and means for reciprocating said upper and lower actuating members in synchronism for at least a portion of each cycle ofreciprocal movement thereof.

8. In a container making system, means including a conveyor for feeding box and wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfer mechanism for moving said elements f'rornsaid transfer station to another station, said transfer mechanism comprising means for gripping a portion of elements delivered'to saidl transfer station, a first means for actuating said gripping means, said first actuating means including a member reciprocably movable transversely of said conveyor, means vfor supporting delivered elements, said gripping andsupporting means being separably mountedrfor relative movement, a second means-for actuating 'said supporting means through a different range of movement than said gripping means, said second actuating means including a member reciprocably movable transversely of said conveyor, and means for causing said first` and'second actuating members to advance in synchronism while said gripping and supporting means are coacting in the transfer of the elements and for causing said second actuating member to move at a greater velocity than the first actuating member during the final portion of its advancing stroke.

9. In a container making system, means including a conveyor for feeding box and Wrapper elements to a transferstation, transfer mechanism for moving said elements from said transfer station to another station, said transfer mechanism comprising means for gripping a portion of A'elements `delivered to said transfer station, a rst means for actuating-said gripping means, said first actuatingemeans including a member reciprocably movable transversely of said conveyor, means for supporting delivered elements, said gripping and supporting means being separably mounted for relative movement, a second means for actuating said supporting means through a different range of movement than said gripping means, said second actuating means including a member reciprocably movable transversely of said conveyor, means for reciprocating said first actuating member through a fixed stroke, and means for reciprocating said second actuating member through a variable stroke dependent upon the size of the elements being handled by the supporting means lassociated therewith. 4

10. In a container making system, means including a conveyor for delivering box and Wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfer mechanism for moving such elements from said transfer station to another station, said transfer mechanism comprising carrying means for gripping a portion of the box elements to carry the same in depending relation, and carrying means engageable with a plane surface of the wrapper elements at a place spaced forwardly of the gripped portion of the box elements in the direction of transfer of such elements as such elements are moved off the conveyor towards such other station so that said Wrapper engageable carrying means forms an uninterrupted support extension beyond the conveyor, said gripping carrying means being movable relative to said wrapper engageable 'carrying means until the latter is engaged by a wrapper.

11. In a container making system, means including a conveyor for delivering box and wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfer mechanism for moving such elements from said transfer station to another station, said transfer mechanism comprising means for gripping a portion of the box elements to carry the same in depending relation, means positionable beneath the wrapper for supporting the box and Wrapper elements at a place spaced forwardly of the gripped portion of the box elements in direction of transfer of such elements as such elements are moved off the conveyor towards su'ch other station so that said wrapper engageable carrying means forms an uninterrupted support extension beyond the conveyor, and means for moving said gripping and supporting means in timed relation initially to move said gripping carrying means relative to said wrapper engageable carrying means until the latter is engaged by a wrapper and then to move both carrying means in synchronism.

12. In a container making system, means including a conveyor for delivering box and wrapper elements to a registered position at a transfer station, transfer mechanism for moving such elements from said registered position at said transfer station to another station, said transfer mechanism comprising means for gripping a wall portion of a box'elernent located at said registered position to carry the same in depending relation Ifrom said position to said other station, suction controlled means for engaging at said registered position a plane surface of a Wrapper element at a place on the latter spaced forwardly of the gripped Wall portion of the box element in the direction of transfer of such elements and `for supporting said wrapper-element in depending relation by suction during the transfer thereof from said registered position to said other station, and vmeans for moving said gripping and suction means in synchronism from positions over said conveyor toward said other station.

13. In acontainer making system, means including a conveyor for feeding box and wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfer mechanism for moving said elements registered atsaid transfer station to another station, said transfer 'mechanism comprising means located above said conveyor-for gripping a portionof elements delivered to said transfer station, means for supporting delivered elements -located'between said 'grippingmeans and said 'other station, said grippingand'supporting means being separably; mounted` for relative movement` and said supporting means being located in YspacedY relation to elements1 registered at said transfer station and in the path of movement of such elements to said other station, means operable to move said gripping means parallelly with the upper run of the conveyor to shift elements under the control of said gripping means toward said other station and into supported relation on said supporting means, and means operable to move said supporting means in synchronism with said gripping means following the deposit of such controlled elements thereon.

14. In a container making system, means including a conveyor for delivering box and wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfer mechanism for moving such elements from said transfer station to another station and operable to shift a wrapper element on the upper run of said conveyor towards a side edge thereof for movement therebeyond, means associated with said conveyor for developing suction at the carrying surface of such upper run suicient to hold the Wrapper element at thereagainst during such shifting movement of the wrapper element, and means for applying positive air pressure beyond said upper run to the underside of the wrapper element as it moves beyond the side edge of said upper run, said suction and positive air pressure being applied to the wrapper element simultaneously during the transfer thereof from said conveyor.

15. In a container making system, means including a conveyor for delivering box and wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfer mechanism `for moving such elements from said transfer station to another station and operable to shift a wrapper element on the upper run of said conveyor towards a side edge thereof for movement therebeyond, said transfer mechanism including a movable wrapper element supporting member positioned 4adjacent to such side edge of the upper conveyor run in the path of movement of a shifting wrapper element, means associated with said conveyor for developing suction at the carrying surface of such upper run suicient to hold the wrapper element flat thereagainst during such shifting movement of the wrapper element, and means for progressively applying positive air pressure beyond said upper run to the underside of the wrapper element as it moves beyond the side edge of said upper run to facilitate the movement of the wrapper element into supported relation on said supporting member, said suction and positive air pressure being applied to the Wrapper element simultaneously during the transfer thereof from said conveyor.

16. In a container making system, means including a conveyor for delivering box and wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfer mechanism for moving such elements from said transfer station to another station and operable to shift a Wrapper element on the upper run of said conveyor toward a side edge thereof for movement therebeyond, said transfer mechanism including a movable wrapper element supporting member positioned adjacent to and extending beneath such side edge of the upper conveyor run in the path of movement of a shifting wrapper element and having a wrapper element receiving surface extending from beneath the conveyor and beyond such side thereof to provide an uninterrupted Wrapper element support extension for the conveyor, means for shifting a wrapper on said conveyor towards said supporting member while the latter is waiting in such position at the side edge of the conveyor, means for facilitating the movement of a wrapper element into supported relation on the receiving surface of said supporting element and means for moving said supporting member 4and shifting means simultaneously to enable the same to Acoact to carry a wrapper element from the conveyor to said other station.

17. In a container making system, means including a conveyor for feeding box and wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfer mechanism for moving such elements from said transfer station to another station and operable to shift a wrapper element on the upper run of said conveyor toward a side edge thereof for movement therebeyond, said transfer mechanism including a movable wrapper element supporting member' positioned adjacent to such side edge of the upper conveyor run in the path of movement of a shifting wrapper element and having a wrapper element receiving surface adapted to= support a shifted wrapper element, and extending without interruption from the conveyor so as to provide an. uninterrupted wrapper element support extension for the conveyor means for moving a Wrapper element on the conveyor towards said supporting member while the latter is waiting in such position at the side of the conveyor, and means for moving said member towards said other station in coaction with said moving means as soon as the wrapper element is received thereby.

18. In a container making system, means including a conveyor for feeding box and wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfer mechanism for moving said elements from said transfer station to another station and operable to shift a wrapper element on the upper run of said conveyor toward a side edge thereof for movement therebeyond, said transfer mechanism including a movable wrapper element supporting member positioned adjacent to such side edge of the upper conveyor run in the path of movement of a shifting wrapper element and having a receiving surface adapted to support a wrapper element shifted thereon and extending without interruption from the conveyor so as to provide an uninterrupted wrapper element support extension for the conveyor means for moving a wrapper element on the conveyor towards said supporting member while the latter is waiting in such position at the side of the conveyor, means for moving said member towards said other station in coaction with said moving means as soon as a wrapper element is received thereby, and an ejector member mounted on said member and located in a leading position thereon to enable it to eject a container formed from associated box and wrapper elements previously fed to said other station before the wrapper element supported by said member is delivered thereto.

19. In a container making machine, means including a conveyor for feeding box and wrapper elements to a transfer station, box covering mechanism comprising vertically reciprocable form block structure, transfer mechanism for moving said elements from said transfer station to said form block structure and including a supporting member adapted to support associated box and wrapper elements and normally positioned at a side edge of the conveyor so that it forms an uninterrupted support extension of the conveyor, means for shifting associated box and wrapper elements from said transfer station onto the supporting member waiting at said position and toward said box covering mechanism, means supporting said member for movement in coaction with said shifting means along a path that transverses the path of movement of said form block structure to bring associated box and wrapper elements into registry with such structure, said supporting means being constructed and arranged to enable said member to move through its path without interference with said form block structure, and means for actuating said supporting means in timed relation to said form block structure so that said member in its forward stroke transverses the path of said form block structure to a position therebeyond and returns through such path without interference with said form block structure.

20. In a container making system, means including a conveyor for feeding box and wrapper elements to a transfer station, transfer mechanism for moving said elements from said transfer station to another station comprising movable supporting means normally positioned at a side of the conveyor to provide an uninterrupted support extension for said conveyor, gripping means engageable with a portion of a delivered element to carry the same to said supporting means awaiting at the side of the conveyor and to said other station, a slide bar extending horizontally, transversely over the upper

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