US3107588A

US3107588A - Machine for setting up cartons

Info

Publication number: US3107588A
Application number: US51312A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harry R Lobdell; Raymond G Zenick
Original assignee: CAL CROWN CORP
Current assignee: CAL CROWN CORP
Priority date: 1960-08-23
Filing date: 1960-08-23
Publication date: 1963-10-22
Anticipated expiration: 1980-10-22
Also published as: GB959409A

Abstract

959,409. Setting up cartons. CAL-CROWN CORPORATION. Aug. 4, 1961 [Aug. 23, 1960], No. 28453/61. Heading B8C. A machine for setting up knocked down cartons of the type shown in Fig. 4, and for closing the side and end flaps thereof, comprises a frame structure on which first carton engaging means are movable in a path extending from a carton engaging point to a carton discharging point, and operative to propel a knocked down carton to a discharge point, second carton engaging means being movable along said path in synchonism with said first engaging means and co-operating therewith while traversing said path to transform the engaged carton from the knocked down condition into the erected, set-up condition, and end panel manipulating means operative after the carton has been set up to fold the end panel across the end of the carton as the carton approaches the discharge point. Knocked down cartons are fed singly from a magazine 9 at the back of the machine by a conveyer mechanism comprising a pair of endless chains 51, 53 driven in contact with correspondingly spaced supporting plates 42, 43, each one of the latter carrying inner and outer cam plates 55, 56 extending lengthwise of the supporting plates and closely adjacent them. The rear posts 66 of the magazine are attached to the side plate assemblies 42, 43 and carry studs 70 which support the stack of cartons; the front of the magazine consists of laterally adjustable posts 79 on an adjustable transverse member 80, and the latter supports brushes 93 which hold the cartons on the chains during their passage from the magazine. Each carton is removed from the latter by a pair of pick-up lugs 100, one on each chain, and pivotally supported at 101. A hook portion 99 of each lug engages the lowermost carton and feeds it forwardly. Pairs of stop members 105 are also pivotally mounted on the chains and correspond in number to the pairs of pick-up lugs. The members 105 pivot at 104 on the chains and, on reaching cam.portions 108 on the inner cam plates 55 are pivoted upwardly and ride along those plates as shown in Fig. 11. Similarly when the pick-up lugs reach those cam portions they are turned about their pivots whereby a carton is forced into an opened condition between the members 100, 105. At this position adjustable side flap plows 112 of suitably shaped rod form secured to the sides of the plate assemblies 42, 43 bend the leading side flaps inwardly and hold them in position until the end panel F is moved to overlie them. Pairs of tucker members 115, Fig. 11, for the trailing side flaps,- are pivoted to the same pivot pins as the lugs 100 but on the outside of the chains, and engage the cam faces 119 of cam plates 56 whereby they are pivoted anti-clockwise to endfold and hold the trailing side flaps in position until held by the end panels. For the purpose of closing the end panels are provided stationary tuck plows 125 and tuck breakers 129 of suitably shaped rod form, and adjustably attached to the side plate assemblies 42, 43. The tuck breakers have parts 137 extending along and just inwardly of the score lines S, Fig. 4, of the cartons, whereas the tuck plows have corresponding parts just outside those scorelines so that as the cartons are carried along the tuck portion F is bent in the manner shown in Fig. 15. On reaching a zone III, Fig. 11, the cam plates 56 are shaped with a vertical edge 140 and space 140<SP>1</SP>, and the side flap tuckers 115 fall into that space. Guide plates 144 adjustably carried by horizontal rods 147 strike those tuckers and ensures their disengagement from the carton; those plates also have tongues 145 which ensure the proper seating of the cartons on the chains. The end panels F are then folded into closed positions about the score lines 5<SP>1</SP> by end closing plates 152 pivotally mounted on the chains. The plates pivot about axes parallel to the chains and normally hang downwardly, but are pivoted upwardly to engage and urge the end panels inwardly. This pivoting is provided by cam surfaces 121 on the cam plates 56 which bring the closing plates to positions slightly below horizontal, and at this point the plates 152 engage suitably shaped plows 156 of rod form adjustably supported on the plate assemblies 42, 43, which brings them into a vertical position. The under faces 163 of the guides 144 are curved to provide a tuck guide, Fig. 18. On reaching the zone VI, Fig. 6, the stops 105 and then the lugs 100 pivot into a clearance 164 provided by the cam surface and the carton is carried along by the plates 152 until it is discharged from the machine. In order to accommodate different lengths of carton the transverse parallel spacing of the chains and their supporting plates is adjustable, and for this purpose the chain supporting plates 42, 43 are attached to collars 44, 45, Fig. 7, which threadably engage right and left hand threads on transverse tubular members 30, 31; the latter are rotated simultaneously manually by a chain and sprocket drive. During the return runs of the chains the side flap tuckers 115 are reorientated by plates 169 causing them to be swung outwardly so that they return to a depending position. The plates 152, during their return run, encounter rods 170 causing their inversion, and they are held in this position by retainer plates 171 and bristles 172 of a brush 173. In a modification, for closing one end of a carton only, instead of flap unfolding means on one of the plate and chain assemblies, that chain carries stops which are slidable vertically thereon and are engaged by a cam surface at the appropriate position so as to be moved over the open end of a carton to hold it in position whilst the end flaps at the opposite end are folded.

Description

H. R. LOBDELL ETAL MACHINE FOR SETTING UP CARTONS Oct. 22, "1963 H M m g Z m Z M Z {w W Filed Aug. 25. 1960 Zyflgg waded-241E 9 Oct. 22, 1963 H. R. LOBDELL ETAL MACHINE FOR SETTING UP CARTONS Filed Aug. 23. 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 AQN bmq w Oct. 22, 1963 H. R. LOBDELL ETAL 3,107,583

MACHINE FOR SETTING UP CARTONS Filed Aug. 23. 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 llll VIII VII/I llllllll I.

Oct. 22, 1963 H. R. LOBDELL ETAL 3,

MACHINE FOR SETTING UP CARTONS 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 23. 1960 Oct. 22, 1963 H. R. LOBDELL ETAL 3,107,588

MACHINE FOR SETTING UP CARTONS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 25. 1960 Oct. 22, 1963 H. R. LOBDELL ETAL 3,107,588

MACHINE FOR SETTING u CARTONS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 23. 1960 fgymarzdifezz'c United States Patent 3,107,588 MACHINE FOR SETTING UP CARTONS Harry R. Lobdell, Gardenia, and Raymond G. Zenick, Gieudaie, Calif., assignors to Cal-Crown Corporation, Gardena, Calif, a corporation of California Filed Aug. 23, 1960, Ser. No. 51,312 23 Claims. (CI. 9353) This invention relates to the art of packaging articles and commodities and more particularly to an improved machine for opening and setting up rectangular cartons from the collapsed or knocked down form in which they are supplied to the user and especially those cartons having at least one end closure formed by a pair of side flaps formed as extensions of opposite sides of the cartons (generally referred to as Panels) and an end panel formed as an extension of a panel of the carton disposed between the side flaps and having an end or tuck portion which is inserted or tucked in adjacent and parallel to the side of the carton opposite that from which the end panel extends. If the carton is to be filled from an end, only one end is closed on the machine incident to the setting up of the carton before the filling operation is accomplished. If however, the filling of the carton is achieved through an opening or openings other than an end, both ends may be closed as an incident to setting up the carton.

An object of the present invention is to provide a machine for automatically setting up and closing at least one end of knocked down cartons incident to removing them at a time from a supply carried in a hopper or a magazine on the machine and in which machine, the means for effecting the setting up of the carton and closing at least one end thereof by unfolding the members forming the end closure is achieved by devices moving with the carton whereby relative movement between the carton and the setting up devices is eliminated with consequent reduction of the possibility of scratched, marked, torn or otherwise mutilated cartons.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine for setting up cartons which is characterized by simple, sturdy construction, which may be employed for setting up cartons and closing either one or both ends thereof and which is readily adjustable for different sizes of cartons.

With the foregoing objects in view, together with such additional objects and advantages which may subsequently appear, the invention resides in the parts and in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts described, by way of example, in the following specification of certainly presently preferred embodiments of the invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings which form a part of said specification and in which drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a machine for setting up cartons in which the present invention is embodied, a portion of the base being broken away to show the power means,

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of the machine as viewed from the right hand end of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged scale, top plan view of the machine showing a carton entering the end closing devices and another carton being drawn from the hopper or magazine preparatory to being presented to the end closing devices,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a set up carton in which both ends have been closed on the machine, the carton having openings in a side thereof in which the merchandise is afterwards inserted,

FIG. 5 is a greatly enlarged, partial, side elevational view of the carton manipulating means as viewed on the line 55 of FIG. 3; the view extending from the hopper 3,107,588 Patented Oct. 22, 1963 2 or magazine on FIG. 3,

FIG. 6 is a continuation of the side elevational view of the machine shown in FIG. 5 and extending from the said line XX to the discharge end of the machine,

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, transverse sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 3,

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, top plan, sectional view of the right hand supporting plate and the parts fixed to or carried thereby, the view being taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 5,

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of details of the supply hopper or magazine, the view being take-n on the line 9-9 of FIG. 3,

FIG. 10 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 1010 of FIG. 5,

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, enlarged scale, sectional view taken on the line 1111 of FIG. 3,

FIG. 12 is an enlarged scale, fragmentary, sectional view taken on the line 12-12 of FIG. 3 showing the initial engagement by the carton manipulating means of the machine with a carton,

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary, the line 13-43 of FIG. 5,

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken on the line 1414 of FIG. 3 relating particularly to details of the width adjustment of the machine,

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken on the line 15'15 of FIG. 5 showing details of the carton flap manipulating means,

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary, top plan view showing the initial engagement of the closing flap of a carton with the flap manipulating instrumentalities of the machine,

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary, side elevational view showing the position of the flap manipulating components at the completion of the in-folding of the side flap at the trailing edge of the carton,

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken on the line 18-48 of FIG. 6 showing the in-foldin-g of the end panel and tuck of a carton,

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a so-called reverse tuck carton, the type employed where only one end is to be closed incident to the setting up of the carton, the carton being shown as set up but before the end thereof has been closed,

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary, transverse, sectional view taken on the line 20-20- of FIG. 3 and showing the machine arranged for closing one end only of a carton such as shown in FIG. 19, and

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of a carton abutment means employed at the side of the machine opposite the flap manipulating means when the machine is arranged to set up one end only of reverse tuck cartons.

Referring to the drawings, the illustrated embodiment of the invention includes a hollow, generally rectangular base 1 preferably formed from sheet metal and preferably, also, mounted on casters 2 and housing a laterally extending bracket 3 which is freely hingedly mounted at one edge thereof and on which a driving motor 4 is mounted. The motor includes a speed reduction component 5 having a driving pulley 6 connected by' a belt 7 to the drive pulley 8 of the machine which is located substantially directly above the drive pulley 6, whereby the weight of the motor unit on the hinged bracket serves to maintain belt tension.

For convenience in description of the machine, the end thereof at which the hopper or magazine 9 forcartons is located will be referred to as the back, the opposite end as the front, and the sides of the machine will be designated as right and left as viewed from the front of the machine. The top of the base is formed by the upper sectional view taken on end of the machine to about the line XX edges of the rear and front ends and 11 and by the upper edges of the sides 12 and 13, said sides at the plane of the upper edges of the ends extending laterally toward each other for a short distance in horizontal runs 14 and 15 and thence extending downwardly in spaced, parallel relation in runs 16 and 17 which at their distal ends terminate in horizontal, re-bent portions 18 and 19 forming grooves in which the lower edges of the

horizontal side members

20 and 21 of the machine frame are received; said side members extending in spaced, parallel horizontal relation with the upper edges thereof disposed above the plane of the runs 14 and 15. Screws 22 serve to secure the side member 20 to the run 16 and screws 23 similarily secure the side member 21 to the run 17.

A cylindrical bar 24 extends between the

frame side members

20 and 21 slightly rearwardly of the front ends thereof at about the mid-height thereof and is secured to the side members by

screws

25 and 26 extending through the respective side members and threadedly engaging the ends of said bar. A similar cylindrical bar 27 extends between the side members slightly forwardly of the rear ends thereof and in substantially the same horizontal plane as the bar 24 and is similarly secured to the side members by

screws

28 and 29. The bars 24 and 27 are of the same length and thus serve to maintain the parallel relationship between the

side members

20 and 21. Additionally, the bar 24 serves as a bearing for a tubular adjusting screw threaded member 30 journaled thereon, said tubular member being sufiiciently long to freely rotate on the bar 24 without excessive end play. The bar 27 serves as a bearing support for a second tubular adjusting screw member 31 which is identical to the member 31). At the ends thereof, adjacent the frame side member 21 the adjusting member 30 carries a sprocket 32 having a hub secured to the tubular member 30 by a set screw 33 and the corresponding end of the tubular member 31 carries an identical sprocket 34 which is provided with a hub secured to the tubular member 31 by a set screw 35. A sprocket chain 36 is trained over the

sprockets

32 and 34 and the upper run thereof is trained under a sprocket 37 carried by a shaft38 journaled in and extending through the said frame member 21 and said shaft, exteriorly of the member 21, is provided with a hand crank 39. From the right hand ends thereof to about their mid-length the members-30 and 31 are provided with identical left hand threads as at 40 and from the left hand ends thereof toward their mid-lengths they are provided with similar right hand threads as at 41. The drive of the tubular members through the connecting chain and driving sprocket is such that they are both rotated simultaneously and in the same direction by the hand crank 39 and the said oppositely threaded ends thereof engage supporting means for the carton manipulating devices to be described and the said threaded ends effect adjustment of such means laterally to accommodate different lengths of cartons.

To understand the construction and operation of the machine, the nature of the cartons upon which the machine operates will first be described. FIG. 4 shows a carton C in which both ends have been closed by the machine while the carton is empty, the carton having openings 0 in one side thereof through which the contents are inserted. Each end of the carton is provided with side flaps E formed as extension of edges of the cartons and the end panel F formed as an extension of one side of the carton and including a tuck portion T bendable about a score line S and adapted to be inserted in the side of the carton opposite the side from which the end panel extends and in closing the side flaps E, E. FIG. 19 shows a carton having the same type of flaps but illustrates the form of such cartons known as reverse tuck cartons, due to the fact that Whereas in cartons such as shown in FIG. 4 the end panels F are formed as extensions of the same side, in reverse tuck cartons these end panels are formed as extensions of opposite sides of the carton. bodiment of the invention,

than the end panels and the carton manipulating devices are shaped accordingly, it will be appreciated that the sizes of these components vary with cartons in which the sides and edges are of different dimensions than the one illustrated.

The carton end manipulating devices are carried by right and left hand supporting plates 42 and 43 which are disposed in horizontal laterally spaced, parallel relation inside of and parallel to the

side members

20 and 21. The plate 42 is provided with a pair of internally threaded collars 44 fixed thereto and engaging the threads 40 of the adjusting members 30 and 31, while the plate 43 is similarly provided with corresponding collars 45, 45 fixed thereto and engaging the oppositely threaded portions 41 of the tubular members 30 and 31 whereby, upon rotation of the tubular members 30 and 31, the plates 42 and 43 and components mounted thereon will be moved either toward or away from each other while maintaining their parallel relationship.

The drive pulley 8 is mounted on the horizontal drive shaft 46 which is journaled in bearings 47 and 48 carried, respectively, by the

frame members

20 and 21 with the pulley 8 being disposed adjacent to the bearing 47. The forward ends of the plates 42 and 43 are cut away to form clearances for

identical sprocket wheels

49 and 50 mounted on the shaft 46 and disposed in the planes of the respective plates 42 and 43. The sprocket wheel 49 engages a pin and roller type link chain 51 having an upper run extending parallel to and riding on the upper edge of the plate 42 from the rear end thereof to the sprocket, the links of the chain extending below the opposite sides of the top edge of the plate to prevent sidewise movement of the chain and the rollers mounted on the hinge pins of the chain riding on the upper edge of the plate 42. The lower run of the chain 51 extends rearwardly in similar close adjacency to the lower edge of the plate 42 and the rear end of the plate 42 is rounded at 52 about a radius generated about a center disposed in the longitudinal center line of the plate to provide a surface for the rear end of the chain to ride over between said upper and lower runs, said rounded end thus taking the place of another sprocket with resultant simplification of the machine. The plate 43 similarly supports a chain 53 having corresponding upper and lower runs and said chain being similarly trained about the correspondingly curved rear end ofthe plate 43 at 54. The direction of travel of the top runs of the chains 51 and S3 is from right to left as viewed in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6 and the horizontal top runs thereof (see FIGS. 3 and 5) extend under the magazine 9.

Since the means for closing the left hand carton end is the same as that for closing the right hand end and since the parts therefor are either identical or are mirror images of the right hand parts, in the ensuing detailed description of the form of the machine for closing both ends of a carton, identical and mirror image parts will be given the same numbers irrespective of whether-the portion of the machine shown in the drawings is of the right or left hand side.

The plate 42 carries an inner cam plate 55 disposed in spaced, parallel relation and an outer cam plate 56 similarly disposed in spaced, parallel relation; said cam plates being spaced from the side plate 42 at the forward ends by spacer washers 57 and the assembly being secured together at said forward end by a bolt 58 extending therethrough and through the washers 57 and threadedly engaging the holder 59 of the side flap plow 60 to which detailed reference will later be made. A bolt 61 disposed forwardly of the adjusting member 31 extends through the side plate 42 and the

cam plates

55 and 56 and interposed spacing washers 62 and 63 as well as through the forward ends of the inner and outer support-. ing plates 64 and 65 for the magazine rear post 66 and also through spacing washers 67 and 68 interposed between the cam plates and the magazine post supporting plates; the end of said bolt being engaged by a nut 69 as best shown in FIG. 8. I

The bottom of the stack of cartons held in the hopper or magazine 9 is maintained at the horizontal plane of the top surface of the upper runs of the chains 51 and 53 (see FIG. 5) by the horizontally forwardly extending distal ends 70, 70 of a pair of studs which rearwardly of the stack of cartons extend downwardly and thence laterally outwardly to the right and left and each terminates in a threaded portion 71 which extends through the lower rear ends of the magazine post supporting plates 64 and 65, the

cam plates

55 and 56, the respective side plates 42 and 43, and the spacing washers 72 between all of the plates, said threaded portions being provided with a nut 73 engaging the inner plate 64 and another nut 74 engaging the outer plate 65. Thus the rear ends of the above described plate assembly is held in assembly by the means for forming the magazine bottom and this bottom forming means also is one of the means which mounts the magazine rear posts on the plate assembly.

Each magazine rear post 66 is secured between the upwardly extending arms of the supporting plates 64 and 65 associated therewith by upper and lower rivets 75 and the post extends from a point above the upper run of the chain associated therewith to the top of the magazine. Being thus mounted, these rear posts are adjustable laterally as the assemblies on which they are mounted are adjusted toward and away from each other. Each rear post carries a vertically extending edge guide 76 carried by upper and lower arms 77 which extend first rearwardly and thence horizontally laterally toward the outer face of the post to slidingly engage holes in the posts in which these arms are secured by thumb screws 78 in adjusted position to accommodate different lengths of the knocked down or collapsed cartons.

The front edge of the magazine comprises

vertical posts

79, 79 mounted forwardly opposite the

post

66, 66 on a horizontal bridging member 80; said bridging member (see FIG. 1) comprising a length of angle iron with the vertical leg thereof depending from the rear edge of the horizontal leg and said vertical leg (see FIG. 9) having a transversely extending slot 81 extending across it. The lower ends of each of the posts 79 at the front face thereof is provided with a forwardly projecting ledge portion 82 engageable with the top surface of the bridging member and also is provided with a forwardly extending stud 83 which extends through the slot 81 and a sleeve 84 and is engaged by a thumb nut 85 securing the post in the desired lateral position on the bridging member. The

frame members

20 and 21 are provided with one each of a pair of vertically extending brackets 86, the upper ends of which support the ends of the bridging member 80. The vertical leg of the bridging member 80 is disposed adjacent the rear face of the brackets 86 and is provided with vertical slots 87 through which screws 88 extend for threaded engagement with the rear faces of the brackets. The horizontal leg of the bridging member overlies the upper end of the brackets and at each end thereof carries a jack screw 89 threaded therein for vertical adjustment of the bridging member relative to the brackets; the said jack screws being secured in an adjusting position by lock nuts 90. Laterally inwardly of the

posts

79, 79 the bridging member is provided with a pair of depending brackets 91, 91 secured to the underside of the horizontal leg thereof by screws 92, said brackets each carrying a brush 93 having depending bristles disposed a distance above the plane of the upper surface of the top runs of the chain which is slightly less than the thickness of a collapsed carton, wherefor the brush bristles hold the cartons downwardly on the chain with a light yielding pressure. The

brackets

86, 86 are each provided with a shoulder portion 94 which rests on the top edge of the frame member on which the bracket is mounted and each bracket is provided with an outwardly extending stud 95 which extends through a horizontal slot 96 in the frame member and is engaged by a thumb nut 97 to secure the bracket in adjusted position longitudinally of the frame member whereby the bridging member and front post carried thereby is adjusted toward or away from the fixed position of the rear post to accommodate different widths of collapsed cartons. The lateral adjustment of the post 79 is made to accommodate or match the lateral adjustment of the carton end manipulating instrumentalities and the jack screws 89 serve to adjust the bridging member vertically to achieve the proper pressure on the cartons by the brushes 93. Preferably, but not necessarily, the

posts

79, 79 carry the opposite sides of retarding member 98 having a rearwardly and downwardly slightly sloping face terminating a predetermined distance above the top runs of the chains to momentarily reduce the width of the space between the front and rear posts of the magazine effective, as shown in FIG. 1, to keep a predetermined number of cartons less than a full magazine load bearing on the magazine bottom forming members so that friction incident to moving a carton from the underside of the magazine is reduced to a practical minimum value.

The means for moving the carton through the machine comprises certain element mounted on and moving with the chains and caused to move on their respective mount ings by engagement with stationary cam surfaces engaged by such elements incident to their travel with the chain. Additionally, there are certain stationary elements which are engaged by portions of the carton closing flaps incident to the manipulation thereof by other portions of the machine. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, there are 8 sets of carton manipulating elements on each chain. In other words, each complete excursion of the chains will cause 8 cartons to be processed by the machine. However, it will later be apparent that the number of such sets can be varied dependent upon the width of the carton and other factors. FIG. 12 shows the initial engagement of the carton handling instrumentalities with a carton, FIG. 5 shows a carton being moved out of the magazine and a second carton moving through the end closing means, FIG. 11 shows two cartons in intermediate positions, one carton being at a position between the two cartons shown in FIG. 5 and another carton which has progressed farther than the carton at the left of FIG. 5; and FIG. 6 shows a carton which has all but completely progressed through the closing means. In the description of these carton manipulating devices of the machine, all of these differ,- ent positions will be treated as though they are that of a single carton moving through the machine in positions progressively designated as zones 1, II, III, IV, V and VI in FIGS. 12, 5, 11, 5, 5, and 6 respectively.

Assuming that a supply of collapsed or knocked down cartons is in the magazine and that the machine is running, the operation upon a carton will be described starting with FIG- 12 which shows at zone I the hook 99 of the pickup lug 16f engaging the lowermost of the cartons in the stack. The said pickup lug is preferably formed of rigid plastic material of substantial thickness, is roughly of right angle triangle configuration as viewed in side elevation, is pivotally mounted at 101 on one of the hinge pins of the chains and is disposed in the vertical plane containing the inner cam member 55. At the time of initial en gagement with a carton, the pickup lug is positioned with the end of the carton engaging edge 102 from which the hook 99 projects trailing the pivotal attachment to the chain. A pin 103 protruding laterally from the hook portion of the pickup lug engages the top surface of the chain to hold the edge 102 parallel with the top surface of the chain. A corresponding pickup lug is, of course, carried by the other chain in mirror image relationship to snovgsse the one above described. As the chains move forward, the pickup lugs move the engaged carton out from beneath the pile or stack in the magazine and beneath the brushes 93 as shown at zone If at the right hand side of FIG. 5.

Also pivotally mounted on a erosspin of the chain forwardly of the carton as at 104 and also above the cam member 55 is a stop member 105 which is preferably similarly formed of rigid plastic material and which during the excursion thereof beneath the cartons in the hopper is below the top surface of the chains, the extent of such movement being limited by engagement of a chain pin rearwardly of the one on which the stop member is mounted with the then upper end of an arcuate slot 106 in the stop member. The stop member is also of generally right angle triangular configuration as viewed in side elevation and at about the time the forward end of the carton emerges from beneath the brushes 93, the depending corner 167 of the stop member engages the upwardly and forwardly sloping cam face 103 of the cam member 55 and is gradually lifted up until the stop member rides on the horizontal cam surface 199 of the cam member 55 which extends in parallel relation to the direction of travel of the chain and in so doing, the rear face of the stop member presents a vertical stop surface 110 at the leading edge of the carton as shown at the left hand side of the portion of FIG. 11 which is also designated as zone III.

Also, as shown in the side zone III, the continued forward movement of the chain and carton causes the heel 111 of the pickup lug 100 to engage the cam face 108 and this engagement causes the pickup lug to swing in a counter-clockwise direction on its pivotal mounting on the chain until it assumes a vertical position facing the stop member 105 as shown at zone 1V in FIG. 5. Incident to this swinging movement of the pickup lug, it will be noted that the hook 99 thereof remains hooked over the corner of the carton. The pickup lug and stop member are so proportioned and the mountings thereof on the chain are such that when they are thus raised by successive engagement with the cam face 103 they are spaced apart the width of the open carton and the length of the carton engaging edge 102 is the same as the height or thickness of the carton as it lies on the chains. The knocked down carton must, of course, be placed in the magazine so that this action of the pickup lug and stop member will move the carton sides relative to each other to effect the setting up of the carton. In other words, the portion of the carton constituting the side thereof that will be the leading edge of the carton as it progresses through the machine must be on the top surface of the knocked down carton. As best shown at the right hand side of FIG. 11, this swinging action of the pickup lug causes the carton to ride up at the trailing end thereof and to remain in engagement with the hook 99 of the pickup lug and consequently, this pivotal action of the pickup lug applies a force diagonally across the carton which facilitates the movement of the carton into its set up or rectangular form which is shown at the left hand side of FIG. 11.

It will be noted in FIG. 3 that the flap components of the carton initially extend laterally outwardly beyond the outer edges of the chains. Just about as the carton is thus fully set up into its rectangular configuration, the

,side flap E at the forward or leading edge of the carton engages the side flap plow 112 constituting a substantially horizontal wire or rod extending generally parallel to the path of travel of the carton and disposed slightly outwardly of the carton end and at about the midheighth of the carton, said plow being preferably formed integrally with the shank 60 thereof to which reference has previously been made. The shank 60 is vertically and rotatably adjustably secured in a bore extending axially of the holder 59 by a set screw 112a and is disposed in a vertical plane outwardly beyond the end of the opened end panel F of the carton and thence extends upwardly in said plane to a point above the horizontal plane containing the upper surface of the carton as it lies on the chains. The rod thence continues in a horizontal run rearwardly and diagonally inwardly to a vertical plane parallelto the carton path of travel containing the horizontal, carton flap engaging portion 112b and thence downwardly in a run 113 to said flap engaging portion; said plow serving to bend the leading side flap in toward the carton end and to hold it in that position during the further travel of the carton until, beyond the distal end 114 of the plow, the end panel F is moved to overlie the side flap and thus secure it as will later be described in detail. Additionally, upon reference to FIG. 8, it will be noted that the holder 59 may be rotatively adjusted about its own'axial line to properly align the carton flap engaging portion of the plow by loosening the bolt 58, turning the holder 59 to the desired position and again tightening the bolt 58.

Freely pivotally mounted on the same cross or pivot pin of the chain as the pickup lug but at the outside of the chain, is the tucker 115 for the side flap of the trailing side of the carton, said tucker being formed of rigid plastic material and of modified dumbbell configuration in side elevation; the chain pin engaging the lobe 116 of said tucker and the path of said tucker being disposed above the cam member 56. During the passage of the carton through zones I and II, this tucker is hanging downwardly in the clearance space 117 formed by cutting away the top face of the cam 56, but as the pickup lug 100 engages the cam face 188 on the cam 56 the lobe 118 of the tucker engages an upwardly and forwardly sloping cam face 119 on the cam member 56 causing the tucker to be swung in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed from the right hand side of the machine and thus causing the lobe 120 thereof which is at the same end as the lobe 116, to swing across the adjacent end of the carton and thus to enfold the side flap E at the trailing side of the carton and to hold it in that position until it is secured by the completion of the carton enclosure by the end panel and tuck portion thereof in the manner to be presently described. The cam face 119 terminates in a horizontal cam surface 121 on the cam member 56 on Which'the tucker then rides holding the side flap at the trailing side across the end of the carton during the traverse of the carton through zone IV, the opposite or leading side flap being continued to be held correspondingly bent to closed position by the plow element 112.

Mounted on the outer face of the cam member 56 by means of a threaded stud 122 and disposed below the starting point of the cam face 119, is a holder 123 having a vertical bore therein in which the shank portion 124 of the tuck plow 125 is secured by a set screw 126; said tuck plow comprising a metal rod which extends (see FIGS. 3 and 5) in a run 127 diagonally upwardly, outwardly and forwardly to the plane of the under side of the carton and thence continues in a run 128 extending parallel to said plane to a point slightly rearwardly of the termination of the cam face 121. The function of the tuck plow is to bend or break the outer end or tuck of the end panel F about the score line S therein. This is accomplished in cooperation with the tuck breaker. 129 comprising a rod having a vertically disposed end 130 secured in a holder 131, said holder having a horizontal cylindrical shank 132 secured for lateral horizontal and rot-ative adjustment in a bracket 133 by a thumb screw 134. The bracket 133 is mounted on the frame side member in a vertical transversely extending plane at about the rear end of the run 128 of the tuck plow. From the lower end of the vertical portion 130, the tuck breaker thence extends laterally inwardly in a run 135 to a longitudinal vertical plane just inwardly of the line of travel of the score line S on the carton end panel; thence down- I w-ardly in a run 136 to the horizontal plane of the upper surface of the extended closing fiap and thence in a run 13'] toward the front of the machine parallel to said last named planes. It will be noted in FIG. 5 that the run 128 of the tuck plow is below and parallel to the rearportion of the run 137 of the tuck breaker and it will be noted in FIG. that the tuck plow is just Outside of the score line S of the end panel F while the tuck breaker run 137 is just inside of the score line. As the carton advanced by the chains, the leading edge of the extended end panel engages the vertically spaced tuck plow and tuck breaker at about the mid-point of zone III and continues through these elements until it encounters the short upwardly and forwardly inclined run 138 of the tuck plow which causes the distal or tuck end of the panel to bend or break at the score line S thereof as the panel traverses this inclined run, this bending action being best shown in FIG. 15. Thus, by the time the carton has traversed zone IV, the tuck portion of the end panel Will have been broken preparatory to inserting it into the end of the carton. The tuck plow continues horizontally forwardly from the forward end of the run 138 in a run 139 which extends through zone V and terminates at about the beginning of zone VI. At the forward end of zone III, the cam surface 109 terminates in an abrupt end defined by a vertical wall edge 140 of the cam member 55 providing clearance space 140 for the side flap tucker 115. As this side flap tucker moves forwardly away from the plane of the cam wall edge 140, it may be held in its flap infolding position by the frictional engagement of the flap against the lobe 118 thereof. To insure the disengagement of this tucker from the side flap as the end panel is about to be folded over the side flap, the tucker is provided with a lobe 141 which presents a forwardly facing diagonally downwardly extending edge surface 142 and which encounters the transverse rear edge 143 of the top guide plate 144 and is positively disengaged from the carton whereupon it drops into the clearance space 140 which extends from the said wall edge 140 to the forward end of the machine. The guide plate 144 overlies the portion of the path of travel of the carton end in which the end panel is manipulated through a portion of zone IV, as well as zones V and VI. This guide plate at its rearward end includes an upwardly and rearwardly inclined tongue portion 145 extending rearwardly from the inner side of the edge 143 thereof which is adapted to insure the proper position of the cartons on the chain by holding or pushing down any cartons which may not have been seated on the chains incident to the initial opening motion by the stop member 105 and the pickup lug 100. The plate 144 is mounted at its outer edge on the top face of a horizontal bar 146 which at its outer face carries two outwardly extending

horizontal rods

147, 147 which are slidingly received in bores in

brackets

148, 148 and secured in adjusted position therein by

thumb screws

149, 149. The brackets 148 are vertically adjustably secured by screws 150 extending through vertical slots 151 in the frame side members and 21. This vertical and lateral adjustment of the top plate and parts carried thereby permits the adaptation of the top plate to different sizes of cartons.

The end panel, after the end thereof has been broken by the tuck plow and tuck breaker, is folded upwardly about the score line S at the junction of the panel with the carton body with the tuck end thereof being tucked in against the inner face of the upper side of the carbon. The means for this folding action comprises a pair of

end closing plates

152, 152 disposed substantially centrally of the carton end, each plate being mounted on a pivot pin 153 carried by and extending between two adjacent chain hinge pins at the outer face of the chain whereby the end closing plates are mounted for swinging movement about an axis parallel to the chain link through which the said pair of hinge pins extends. By means presently to be described, these end closing plates are positioned so as to hang downwardly from the upper run of the chain.

The cam member 56 at a point rearwardly of the clearance 140 carries a horizontal threaded stud 154 on which is mounted a cylindrical holder 154 having a diagonally rearwardly and downwardly extending bore therethrough in which the shank end 155 of the end closing plate plow 19 156 is secured by a set screw 157. The holder also secures a second set screw 158 operable to engage the side of the cam plate to prevent the holder from turning from its adjusted position about the axis of the stud 154.

As best shown in FIG. 15, the advancing plates 152 engage the cam surfaces 121 and are swung outwardly to slightly less than a horizontal position. The shank portion of the end closure plate plow at the engagement by the holder 154 is sufficiently close to the cam plate 56 so that the bevelled leading edges 159 of the plates 152, as positioned by the cam surface 121, will engage the upwardly and forwardly diagonally extending shank and, as the plates are moved therealong by the chain, the plates will be swung on their pivots 153 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 15, the said shank portion in addition to its upward and forward diagonal direction also being inclined slightly outwardly to engage the backs of the plates 152 nearer to their outer or free ends. The shank portion .155 of the plow 156 extends into a horizontal run 160 disposed parallel to the cam plate 56 and at a level at which the end closure plates riding thereon are disposed at an angle somewhat less than horizontal and consequently out of engagement with the underside of the then horizontal extending end panel while the tuck end of said panel is being broken by the tuck plow and tuck breaker, whereby the plates are positioned for quick engagement with the end panel as soon as the end thereof is thus broken. A short distance after the leading side of the carton has moved beyond the distant end 13 9 of the tuck plow and enters zone VI, the leading end closing plate 152 encounters the upwardly forwardly and inwardly diagonally extending distal end 161 of the plow 156 and is moved from the position occupied while traversing the run 160 into engagement with the end panel and thence into vertical position moving the panel flap into :closed position over the side flaps E with the tuck end thereof tucked under the upper side Wall of the carton, said action of the leading end closing plate being followed by corresponding action of the trailing end closing plate as it traverses the said run 161. In this connection it may be mentioned that the pair of end closing plates 152 is thus employed because of the length of the illustrated carton parallel to the chains. In the case of a very short carton it is possible that :only a single end closing plate would be required, while for cartons of still greater length in this dimension three or more of such plates might be desirable.

The lower face of the bar 146 carries a tuck guide 162 comprising a metal plate extending parallel to the path of travel of the cart-on and having a curved under face 163 generated about the path of movement of the end panel after it has been broken as it is moved by the end closing plates; said lower face of said plate terminating adjacent to the edge of the inner face of the upper side of the carton whereby the tuck end of the end panel is accurately inserted into the cart-on end by the action of the end .olosing plates already described. In zone VI at about the time the leading one of the end closing plates engages the run 16 1, the carton stop reaches the terminal end of the cam surface 109' and is allowed to drop' into the clearance 164 formed by the termination of said cam surface 109, the pickup lugs 10% serving to continue to engage and move the carton forward until they too reach the end of the cam surface 109 and begin to drop away from the carton which is now firictionally gripped by the end closing plates tuitil it is discharged from the machine and onto the receiving plate 165 which is mounted on the front end of the machine below the plane of the lower side of the cartons and between the chains. The successive cartons being delivered by the chains push each other off of the plate 165 into whatever receiving means may have been provided.

Thus it will be appreciated that except for the end folding of the leading side flaps and the breaking of the tuck portion of the end panel, all of the carton end manipulating instrumentalities as well as the means for setting up or opening the carton from its collapsed position move with the chains on which the carton is carried whereby frictional engagement and relative movement between the carton and stationary instrumentalities with the attendant possibility of tearing or *deleteriously marking the cartons is eliminated. In this connection, it will be noted that the only portions of the cartons which are thus frictionally contacted during the operation of the machine are those which incident to closing the end of the carton by the machine are concealed by other potrions of the carton. Thus, even if the frictional engagement did make a mark on the engaged surface of the carton, that portion is out of sight when the carton is set up.

FIGS. 20 and 21 show the modification of the machine where only one end of a carton is to be closed incident to setting up the cart-on as for example the type of carton shown in FIG. 19. The carton end infolding means is dispensed with at the side of the carton which is to remain open. In FIG. 20 this is shown as being at the left hand side of the machine but it will be appreciated that it could be the right and side instead. In this modification all of the carton flap manipulating devices are removed including those carried by the cam plate. The cam plate 56 is replaced by a cam plate 56' having an upwardly and forwardly sloping cam edge 166 at about the same location as the cam 119 of the cam plate 56 which it replaces. The cam plate 56' then continues in a horizontal cam surface 167 that extends substantially to a point below the point of disengagement of the end closing plates with the forward or distal end of the end closing plate plow 156 or, in other words, at the end of zone VI.

In place of the end flap tucker and end closing plates carried by the chain, the chain carries back stop members 168 which are mounted for sliding vertical movement on adjacent pairs of chain hinge pins as best shown in FIG. 21. These back stop members are moved up across the end face of the opened up carton by engagement with the sloping cam surface 166 and maintains engagement with the end of the carton until the infolding of the flaps and closing of the opposite end is achieved, the final closing being accomplished by the final engagement of the end closing plates with the end closing plate plow at the other side of the machine. When this is accomplished, the back stop members 168 are allowed to drop back into a position in which their upper edges are substantially at the outer or top level of the chain. While the back stop members 168 are here shown as a pair, if cartons of lesser width were involved, it is possible that only a single back stop member might be required and it will also be appreciatedthat if the carton were wider than that illustrated one or more additional backstop members might be required to properly oppose the closing forces exerted by the end closing plates and other means operating on the end of the car-ton to be closed. 7

There remains to be described the repositioning of certain of the elements carried by the chain in preparation for engagement with a carton. The first of these elements to be re-positioned is the side flap tucker 115 which'as above described has been allowed to drop down below the chain to clear the flap engaging lobe thereof from the end of the carton. As the chain traverses the sprocket by which it is actuated, the lobe 118 thereof engages a retainer element 169 carried by the under edge of the cam plate 56 at the forward end thereof (see FIG. 6) and as the chain goes around the sprocket, this engagement with the retainer 169 causes the tucker element 115 to be swung outwardly so that it returns to its course around the chain in a depending position from the lower run of the chain. Since it is freely hung from the chain pin, as it returns around the rounded end of the supporting plate at the rear of the machine it swings back into depending position from the top run of the plane of the chain until it engages the engaging function.

It is necessary to manipulate the end closing plates 152 along the lower run of the chain so that they extend upwardly from the lower run so that, as they make their excursion around the rear end of the chain supporting plate, they maintain this position and are returned to the upper run of the chain in a depending position. As these end plates go around the sprocket at the front end of the machine they swing outwardly and hang from the lower run of the chain in a depending position until they en counter the forward end of the rod 17 0 constituting the end plate inverting means, said rod extending upwardly and rearwardly and, as shown in FIG. 5, being mounted on the side plate 42. The thus inverted end closing plates are received by a retainer plate 171 depending from the lower edge of the outer magazine supporting plate cam face 119 for its next flap and are retained pointing inwardly from the chain and,

as the chain passes around the rounded end of the supporting plate 42, they are further retained in this position by the bristles 172 of a brush 173 carried by a bracket 174 fixed to the rear end 10 of the machine casing. By this means, the end closing plates are returned to the upper run of the chain in a position depending therefrom for their eventual engagement with the end closing plate plow 156.

While in the foregoing specification there has been described a presently preferred embodiment of the invention including certain specifically described modifications, it will be appreciated that such disclosure has been by way of example and that other modifications may come within the scope of the invention. For example, while the double end closing means are shown operating simultaneously on the opposite ends of the carton, it is possible that in some forms of the invention the means for closing one end of the carton may be that already described and that similar means can be employed for closing the other end of the carton after the carton has been filled and is passing along the same length of chain by means operating after the first end has been .thus closed. Regardless of how the end closing means and carton set up means may be arranged, the invention here sought to be protected is primarily that of the means for manipulating the carton ends and for setting up the carton which, as above described, are for the most part moving with the carton as it traverses the zones of operation thereof through the machine. Accordingly, the invention is not to be deemed to be limited to the exact details of construction thus disclosed by way of example and it will be understood that the invention includes as well all such changes and modifications in the parts, and in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as shall come within the purview of the appended claims.

We claim:

' 1. A machine for setting up knocked down cartons of the type having at least one end thereof closed by an end panel formed as an extension of one side of the carton and folded across the end of the set up carton; said machine comprising in combination, a frame structure, devices including carton engaging means movable on said frame structure in a path extending from a carton engaging point to a carton discharging point and operative to engage a knocked down carton at said carton engaging point and propel it along said path to said carton discharging point, other devices including other carton engaging means movable along said path in synchronism with said first named carton engaging means and cooperating therewith to transform the engaged carton from the knocked down condition into the erected, set up condition while traversing said path, end panel manipulating means including at least one end panel engaging member movable along said path in synchronism with said carton engaging means, and devices engaged by said end panel enversing said path, end

13 gaging member incident to its traverse of said path and operative, after the carton has been set up by said carton engaging means, to effect an additional movement by said member with resultant folding of the end panel engaged thereby across the carton end.

2. A machine for setting up knocked down cartons of the type having at least one end thereof closed by an end panel formed as an extension of one side of the carton and folded across the end of the set up carton; said machine comprising in combination, a frame structure, a magazine for holding a stack of knocked down cartons mounted on said frame structure, devices including carton engaging means movable on said structure in a path extending from a carton engaging point beneath said magazine to a carton discharging point and operative to engage the lowermost carton in the stack in said magazine and propel it along said path to said carton discharging point, other devices including other carton engaging means movable along said path in synchronism with said first named carton engaging means and cooperating therewith to transform the engaged carton from the knocked down condition into the erected, set up condition While trapanel manipulating means including at least one end panel engaging member movable along said path in synchronism with said carton engaging means, and devices engaged by said end panel engaging member incident to its traverse of said path and operative, after the carton has been set up by said carton engaging means, to effect an additional movement by said member with resultant folding of the end panel engaged thereby across the carton end.

3. A machine for setting up knocked down cartons of the type having at least one end thereof closed by an end panel formed as an extension of one side of the carton and folded across the end of the set up canton; said machine comprising in combination, a frame structure, devices including carton engaging means movable on said frame structure in a path extending from a carton engaging point to a carton discharging point and operative to engage a knocked down carton at said carton engaging point and propel it along said path to said carton discharging point, other devices including other carton engaging means movable along said path in synchronism with said first named carton engaging means and cooperating therewith to transform the engaged carton from the knocked down condition into the erected, set up condition while traversing said path, end panel manipulating means including at least one end panel engaging member movable along said path in synchronism with said carton engaging means and operative after the car-ton has been set up by said carton engaging means, to fold the end panel engaged thereby across the carton end, and stop means movable along said path in synchronism with said end panel engaging member and engaging the opposite end of the carton to resist the endwise thrust on the carton incident to the folding of the end panel against the carton end by said end panel manipulating means.

4. A machine for setting up knocked down cartons of the type having both ends thereof closed by end panels formed as oppositely extending portions of one of the sides of the carton and folded across the ends of the set up carton; said machine comprising in combination, a frame structure, devices including carton engaging means movable on said frame structure in a path ex tending from a carton engaging point to a carton discharging point and operative to engage a knocked down carton at said carton engaging point and propel it along said path, other devices including other carton engaging means movable along said path in synchronism with said first named carton engaging means and cooperating therewith to transform the carton from the knocked down condition to the erected, set up condition while traversing said path, and end panel engaging devices including at least one end panel engaging member en- 14 gageable with each end panel of the canton and movable along said path in synchronism with said carton engaging means and operative, after the carton has been set up, to fold both end panels across the respective carton ends.

5. A machine for setting up knocked down cartons of the type having both ends thereof closed by end panels formed as oppositely extending portions of one of the sides of the carton and folded across the carton ends; said machine including in combination, a frame structure, a magazine for holding a stack of knocked down cartons mounted on said frame structure, devices including carton engaging means movable on said frame structure in a path extending from a carton engaging point beneath said magazine to a carton discharging point and operative to engage the lowermost carton in the stack in said magazine and propel it along said path, other devices including other carton engaging means movable along said path in synchronisrn with said first named carton engaging means and cooperating therewith to transform the carton from the knocked down condition to the erected, set up condition while traversing said path, and end panel engaging devices each including at least one end panel engaging member; each of said end panel engaging devices engaging one each of the end panels of the canton and movable along said path in synchronism with said carton engaging means and being operative, after the carton has been set up, to fold both end panels across the respective carton ends.

6. A machine for setting up knocked down cartons of the type having at least one end thereof closed by an end panel for-med as an extension of one side of the carton and folded across the end of the set up carton; said machine comprising in combination, a frame structure, devices including canton engaging means movable on said frame structure in a path extending from a carton engaging point to a carton discharging point and operative to engage a knocked down carton at said carton engaging point and propel it along said path to said carton discharging point, other devices including other carton engaging means movable along said path in synchronism with said first named carton engaging means, stationary cam means on said frame structure positioned for engagement by both of said carton engaging devices incident to movement thereof along said path and operative by engagement with said devices to cause said devices to transform the engaged carton from the knocked down condition into the erected, set up condition while traversing said path and to continue to hold the carton in the said set up condition until it is discharged from the machine, end panel manipulating means including at least one end panel engaging member movable along said path in synchronism with said carton engaging means, and devices operative after the carton has been set up by said car-ton engaging means, to actuate said end panel engaging means to fold the end panel engaged thereby across the carton end.

7. A machine for setting up knocked down cartons of the type having both ends thereof closed by end panels formed as oppositely extending portions of one of the sides of the carton and folded across the ends of the set up carton; said machine comprising in com bination, a frame structure, devices including carton engaging means movable on said frame structure in a path extending from a carton engaging point to a carton discharging point and operative to engage a knocked down carton at said carton engaging point and propel it along said path, other devices including other carton engaging means movable along said path in synchronism with said first named carton engaging means, stationary cam means on said frame structure positioned for engagement by both of said carton engaging devices incident to movement thereof along said path and operative by engagement with said devices to cause said devices totransform the carton from the knocked down condition to and operative the erected, set up condition while traversing said path, and end panel engaging devices each including at least one end panel engaging member engageable with the respective end panel of the carton and movable along said path in sychronism with said carton engaging means and operative, after the carton has been set up, to fold both end panels across the respective carton ends.

8. A machine for setting up knocked down cartons of the type having at least one end thereof closed by an end panel formed as an extension of one side of the carton and folded across the end of the set up carton; said machine comprising in combination, a frame structure, devices including carton engaging mean-s movable on said frame structure in a path extending from a carton engaging point to a carton discharging point and operatve to engage a knocked down carton at said carton engaging point and propel it along said path to said carton discharging point, other devices including other carton engaging means movable along said path in synchronism with said first named carton engaging means and cooperating therewith to transform the eugaged carton from the knocked down condition into the erected, set up condition while traversing said path and to continue to hold the canton in the said set up condition until it is discharged from the machine, and panel manipulating means including at least one end panel engaging member movable along said path in synchrouism with said carton engaging means, and devices operative after the carton has been set up by said carton engaging means, to actuate said end panel engaging means to fold the end panel engaged thereby across the carton end, and manually operable means forming a part of said frame structure for varying the width of said frame structure to accommodate different lengths of car-tons.

9. A machine for setting up knocked down cartons of the type having at least one end thereof closed by an end panel formed as an extension of one side of the carton and folded across the end of the set up carton; said machine comprising in combination, a frame structure, a magazine for holding a stack of knocked down cartons mounted on said frame structure, devices including canton engaging means movable on said structure in a path extending from a carton engaging point beneath said magazine to a carton discharging point and operative to engage the lowermost carton in the stack in said magazine and propel it along said path to said carton discharging point, other devices including other carton engaging means movable along said path in synchronism with said first named carton engaging means and cooperating therewith both to transform the engaged carton from the knocked down condition into the erected, set up condition while traversing said path and to continue to hold the carton in the said set up condition until it is discharged from the machine, and manually operable means forming a part of said frame structure for varying the width of said frame structure to accommodate different lengths of cartons.

10. A machine for setting up knocked down cartons of the type having at least one end thereof closed by an end panel formed as an extension of one side of the carton and folded across the carton end; said machine comprising in combination, a frame structure, unidirectionally moving devices carried by said frame structure for transporting a carton over said frame structure along a path extending from a carton engaging point to a carton discharging point including a pair of endless chains extending generally horizontally in laterally spaced relation to each other and driven in synchronism with each other by a pair of sprockets carried by a driving shaft and with the top runs of said chains being disposed in said path, a first carton engaging means comprising a pair of pickup lug members mounted one each on each of said chains and disposed laterally opposite each other to engage a carton at spaced points and propel it along said path, other carton engaging devices including a pair of carton stop members mounted one each on each of said chains and disposed in front of said pickup lugs, said stop members and said pickuplugs operating incident to the transport of a carton thereby both to transform it from its knocked down condition to its erected, set up condition and to continue to hold the carton in said set up condition until it is discharged from the machine, and end panel manipulating means including at least one end panel engaging member movable along said path in synchronism means and operative after the carton has been set up by said carton engaging means, to fold the end panel engaged thereby across the carton end.

11. A machine for setting up cartons as claimed in claim 10 including manually operable means for varying the distance between said chains to accommodate dilferent sizes of cartons.

12. A machine for setting up cartons as claimed in claim 10 in which said top runs of said chains are supported by the upper edges of frame members lougitudi nally coextensive with said runs and in which stationary cam members mounted on said frame members actuate said pickup lugs and said stop members to effect setting up of a carton engaged by said pickup lugs and stop members and thereafter holding the carton in said set up condition.

13. In a machine for setting up knocked down cartons of the type having at least one end closed by a pair of side flaps overlain by an end panel formed as an. extension of a side panel of the carton and having a distal end adapted to be tucked within the side panel opposite the panel from which the end panel extends; said machine comprising a frame structure, devices including carton engaging means movable on said frame structure in a path extending from a carton engaging point to a carton discharging point and operative to engage a knocked down carton at said carton engaging point and propel it along said path to said carton discharging point, other devices including other carton engaging means movable along said path in synchronism with said first named carton engaging means and cooperating therewith both to transform the carton from its knocked down form into the erected, set up condition while traversing said path and thereafter to hold the carton in the said set up condition until it is discharged from the machine, a statiouary plow means for infolding the side flap at the leading side of the carton, a side iiap tucking means for intucking the side flap at the trailing side of the carton mounted for movement along said path with the carton, end panel manipulating means including stationary means for breaking the tuck end of the end panel, end panel engaging means mounted for movement along said path with the carton, stationary plow end panel engaging means operative to cause said end panel engaging means to bend the end panel across the carton end overlying the side flaps, and guide means for the end panel tuck end positioned to cause said end to be inserted under the side panel of the carton opposite the side from which the end panel extends.

14. A machine for setting up cartons as claimedin claim 13 in which said frame structure includes stationary cam means engaged by said devices for setting up the carton and said trailing side flap tucking means incident to movement thereof along said path effectiveto impart'operative movements to the said devices and side flap tucking means engaging said cam means.

15. A machine for setting up cartons as claimed in claim 13 in which said frame structure includes a pair of laterally spaced frame members, and in which said carton transporting means comprises a pair of chains disposed in side by side parallel relation to each other and engaging a pair of sprockets mounted on a driving shaft, the upper runs of said chains riding on the upper edges of said frame members, and in which said carton eng g g devices, said trailing side flap tucker and said end with said carton engaging 7 means engaging said panel engaging means are hingedly mounted on said chains for independent hinging movement while being moved therewith along said path.

16. A machine for setting up cartons as claimed in claim in which said frame structure includes rotatable, exteriorly threaded cross members threadedly engaging said frame members adjacent each end thereof, and manual means for simultaneously rotating said cross members with resultant adjustment of said frame members toward and away from each other to accommodate different sizes of cartons.

17. A machine for setting up cartons as claimed in claim 15 in which each of said chains is similarly equipped for closure of both ends of a carton while traversing said path.

18. A machine for setting up knocked down cartons of the type having at least one end thereof closed by an end panel and including a tuck end formed as an extension of one side of the carton and folded across the end of the set up carton; said machine comprising in combination, a frame structure, devices including carton engaging means movable on said frame structure in a path extending from a carton engaging point to a carton discharging point and operative to engage a knocked down carton at said carton engaging point and propel it along said path to said carton discharging point, other devices including other carton engaging means movable along said path in synchronism with said first named car-ton engaging means and cooperating therewith to transform the engaged carton from the knocked down condition into the erected, set up condition while traversing said path and thereafter to hold the carton in the said set up condition until it is discharged from the machine, and end panel manipulating means including at least one end panel engaging member movable along said path in synchronism With said carton engaging means and operative after the carton has been set up by said carton engaging means, to fold the end panel engaged thereby across the carton end and insert the tuck end thereof beneath the opposite side panel of the carton.

19. A machine for setting up knocked down cartons of the type having at least one end thereof closed by an end panel and including a tuck end formed as an extension of one side of the carton and folded across the end of the set up carton; said machine comprising in combination, a frame structure, devices including carton engaging means movable on said frame structure in a path extending from a car-ton engaging point to a carton discharging point and operative to engage a knocked down carton at said carton engaging point and propel it along said path to said carton discharging point, other devices including other carton engaging means movable along said path in synchronism with said first named carton engaging eans and cooperating therewith to transform the engaged cmton from the knocked down condition into the erected, set up condition while tranversing said path, end panel manipulating means including at least one end panel engaging member movable along said path in synchronism with said carton engaging means and operative after the carton has been set up by said carton engaging means, to fold the end panel engaged thereby across the carton end, and stop means movable along said path in synchronism With said end panel engaging member and engaging the opposite end of the carton to resist the endwise thrust on the carton incident to the folding of the end panel against the carton end and insert the tuck end thereof beneath the opposite side panel of the carton.

20. A machine for setting up and subsequently closing at least one end of knocked down cartons of the type having at least one end thereof closed by an integrally formed end panel means folded across the end of the set up carton; said machine comprising in combination, a frame structure, devices including firstycarton engaging means movable on said frame structure in a path extending from a carton engaging point to a carton discharging point and operative to engage a knocked down carton at path and operative by engagement with said means to cause said first and opposing carton engaging means to transform the engaged carton from the' knocked down condition into the erected, set up condition while traversing said path and to continue to hold the carton in said set up condition until it is discharged from the machine at said carton discharge point.

21. A machine for setting up and subsequently closing at least one end of knocked down cartons of the type having at least one end thereof closed by an integrally formed end panel means folded across the end of the set up carton; said machine comprising in combination, a frame structure, devices including first carton engaging means movable on said frame structure in a path extending from a carton engaging point to a carton discharging point and operative to engage a knocked down carton at said engaging point and propel it along said path to said carton discharging point, other devices including opposing carton engaging means movable along said path in synchronism with said first named carton engaging means, stationary cam means on said frame structure positioned for engagement by said first and opposing carton engaging means incident to movement thereof along said path and operative by engagement with said means to cause said first and opposing carton engaging means to transform the engaged carton from the knocked down condition into the erected, set up condition while traversing said path and to continue to hold the carton in said set up condition until it is discharged from the machine at said carton discharge point, and devices operating on the set up carton as it is held and moved by said first and opposing carton engaging means effective to manipulate the end panel means to close the carton end.

22. A machine for setting up and closing knocked down cartons of the type having both ends thereof closed by integrally formed end panel means folded across the respective ends of the carton; said machine comprising in combination a frame structure, devices including first carton engaging means movable on said frame structure in a path extending from a carton engaging point to a carton discharging point and operative to engage a knocked down carton at said carton engaging point and propel it along said path, other devices including opposing carton engaging means movable along said path in synchronism with said first carton engaging means, and stationary cam means on said frame structure positioned for engagement by both said carton engaing means and said opposing means incident to movement thereof along said path and operative by engagement with said first carton engaging means and said opposing means to cause said first and opposing carton engaging means to transform the carton from the knocked down condition to the erected, set up condition 'while traversing said path and to continue to hold the carton in the said set up condition unit it is discharged from the machine at said carton discharge point.

23. A machine for setting up and subsequently closing at least one end of knocked down cartons of the type having at least one end thereof closed by an integrally formed end panel means folded across the end of the set up carton; said machine comprising in combination, a frame structure, devices including first carton engaging means movable on said frame structure in a path extending from a carton engaging point to a carton discharging point and operative to engage a knocked down carton at said engaging point and propel it along said path to said carton discharging point, other devices including opposing carton 19 engaging means movable along said path in synchronism with said first named carton engaging means, stationary cam means on said frame structure positioned for engagement by said first and opposing carton engaging means incident to movement thereof along said path and operative by engagement with said means to cause said first and opposing carton engaging means to transform the engaged carton from the knocked down condition into the erected, set up condition while traversing said path and to continue to hold the carton in said set up condition until it is discharged from the machine at said canton discharge point, and separate devices operating on the set up carton as it is held and moved along said path r t 20 V by said first and opposing engaging means efiective to separately manipulate said end panel means to close both ends of the carton.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,125,430 Die-tman Aug. 2, 1938 2,429,536 Von Sydow Oct. 21, 1947 2,660,012 Boyce et a1 Nov. 24, 1953 2,935,918 Goss May 10, 1960 3,030,869 Galloway Apr. 24, 1962 3,058,271 McGihon Oct. 16, 1962

Claims

1. A MACHINE FOR SETTING UP KNOCKED DOWN CARTONS OF THE TYPE HAVING AT LEAST ONE END THEREOF CLOSED BY AN END PANEL FORMED AS AN EXTENSION OF ONE SIDE OF THE CARTON AND FOLDED ACROSS THE END OF THE SET UP CARTON; SAID MACHINE COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, A FRAME STRUCTURE, DEVICES INCLUDING CARTON ENGAGING MEANS MOVABLE ON SAID FRAME STRUCTURE IN A PATH EXTENDING FROM A CARTON ENGAGING POINT TO A CARTON DISCHARGING POINT AND OPERATIVE TO ENGAGE A KNOCKED DOWN CARTON AT SAID CARTON ENGAGING POINT AND PROPEL IT ALONG SAID PATH TO SAID CARTON DISCHARGING POINT, OTHER DEVICES INCLUDING OTHER CATRON ENGAGING MEANS MOVBLE ALONG SAID PATH IN SYNCHRONISM WITH SAID FIRST NAMED CARTON ENGAGING MEANS AND COOPERATING THEREWITH TO TRANSFORM THE ENGAGED CARTON FROM THE KNOCKED DOWN CONDITION INTO THE ERECTED, SET UP CONDITION WHILE TRAVERSING SAID PATH, END PANEL MANIPULATING MEANS INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE END PANEL ENGAGING MEMBER MOVABLE ALONG SAID PATH IN SYNCHRONISM WITH SAID CARTON ENGAGING MEANS, AND DEVICES ENGAGED BY SAID END PANEL ENGAGING MEANS INCIDENT TO ITS TRAVERSE OF SAID PATH AND OPERATIVE, AFTER THE CARTON HAS BEEN SET UP BY SAID CARTON ENGAGING MEANS, TO EFFECT AN ADDITIONAL MOVEMENT BY SAID MEMBER WITH RESULTANT FOLDING OF THE END PANEL ENGAGED THEREBY ACROSS THE CARTON END.