US3171550A - Chute structure for case moving mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Mam]! 2, 1965 A. J. GAJDOSTIK ETAL 3,

CHUTE S'I'RUCfl-URE FOR CASE MOVING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 16. 1961 INVENTO ANTHONY J. GAJDOS'fi K RICHARD N. KLAESER BY WARREN J. KUESTER MA?! ATTORNEY March 1965 A. .1. GAJDOSTIK ETAL 3, ,5

CHUTE STRUCTURE FOR CASE MOVING MECHANISM Filed March 16. 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS ANTHONY J. GAJDOSTIK RICHARD N. KLAESER WARREN J. KUESTER 12 ATTORNEY March 1965 A. J. GAJDOSTIK ETAL 3,171,550

CHUTE STRUCTURE FOR CASE MOVING MECHANISM Filed March 16. 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 I p 9 I62 I? 9L |6| 3332 r, 32 I6] '1 36 47 4935 4 i ?i 53 37 I 36 I l I so 46 r 45 5| 52 35 4O 39 34 I8 44 I9 56 30 l3 l9 J K I H LL\\\\\\\ 4| 1 INVENTORS ANTHONY J. GAJDOSTIK RICHARD N. KLAESER BY WARREN a. KUESTER max ATTORNEY March 1965 A. J. GAJDOSTIK ETAL 3, 7

CHUTE STRUCTURE FOR CASE MOVING MECHANISM Filed March 16. 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I35 RICHARD N.KLAESER I [2 BY WARREN J. KUESTER ATTORNEY March 2, 1965 A. J. GAJDOSTIK ETAL 3,171,550

CHUTE STRUCTURE FOR CASE MOVING MECHANISM Filed March 16. 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 409 I09 7 l2 l2 F|G.l4

INVENTORF ANTHONYJGAIDOSTIK l I05 BY QBRICHARD N. KLAESER I07 WARRHV J. KUESTER ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,171,550 CHUTE STRUCTURE FOR CASE MOVING MECHANISM Anthony J. Gajdostik and Richard N. Klaeser, Kiel, and

Warren J. Kuester, Sheboygan, Wis., assignors to H. G.

Weber and Company, Inc., Kiel, Wis.

Filed Mar. 16, 1961, Ser. No. 96,265 3 Claims. (Cl. 2146) This invention relates to machinery for case packing commercial products and more particularly to a new and improved chute and discharge conveyor structure for automatic case erecting and packing mechanisms.

After automatic case erecting and packing operations the cases are firmly gripped while the case flap adhesives set. In order to provide this control over the packed cases while they are in the packing structure some form of package gripping and temporary storage mechanism must be used.

In accordance with the invention claimed a new and improved case erecting and packing machine is provided utilizing a new and improved elevator mechanism. This new elevator mechanism comprises a vertically arranged compression chute which may be provided with at least one pivotally mounted side wall. One or more movable finger structures are arranged to protrude into the chute for controlling the cases and deflect or move sufliciently upon movement of the cases against them in one direction to cause the case to pass the finger structure in the chute. Means are provided for sequentially moving the cases into the chute beyond the finger structure where upon the cases are supported by the finger structure upon retraction of the case moving means. Each of the cases actuated by the moving means moves the preceding case in the chutea predetermined distance. The side wall is displaceable to expand the width of the chute upon movement of the cases therethrough and means are provided for adjusting the width of the chute, if desired, to accommodate cases of different sizes.

It is, therefore, one object of this invention to provide a new and improved automatic case erecting and packing machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved temporary storage and case flap control mechanism for automatic case erecting and packing machines.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved elevator mechanism for case packing machines which is jam proof.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved mechanism in which the closed flaps of the packed case are firmly grasped during movement in a compression elevator chute which is jam proof.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved elevator mechanism for a case packing machine in which the sides of a chute are displaceable against the action of gravity to eliminate jamming.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved elevator mechanism which is adjustable to handle cases of different sizes.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an elevator employing new and improved finger mechanisms which permit movement of the cases in one direction and restrict their movement in another direction.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be come apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the erection and packing machine showing the product loading conveyor and embodying the various features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the unseen side of the structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view of the illustrations shown in FIG. 2 showing the suction device in dotted lines in two of its extreme positions;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. 3 taken along the line 4-4;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view of the suction cup actuating means shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. 3 taken along the line 6-6 and showing the trailing flap closing mechanism;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view partially in section of the trailing flap and bottom flap closing mechanism;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial view of the case leading flap closing mechanism and the gluing nozzles;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial view of the elevator chute, delivery conveyor and control mechanism therefor shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 10 is a partial left end view of the elevator chute and control mechanism shown in FIG. 9 illustrating in more detail the case supporting resilient finger structure and the displaceable chute walls;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged partial view of the mounting arrangement of one of the displaceable chute walls;

FIG. 12 is a partial right end view of the structure shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged partial view of the case elevating and resilient finger structures showing the fingers in a plurality of case engaging positions;

FIG. 14 is a top view of the resilient finger and elevator platform structures; and

FIG. 15 is a side view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 14.

Referring more particularly to the drawings by characters of reference, FIGS. '1, 2, and 3 illustrate the carton or case erection and packing machine 11 comprising a frame 12 defining a predetermined path over a working surface 13 for the cases from the case hopper 14 through the case erection area 15, case packing area 16 and case discharge area 17. Collapsed cartons or cases 18 are stacked in hopper 14 and are picked otf of the bottom of the stack one at a time by case pick-off fingers 19 actuated in a reciprocating manner by a shuttle mechanism 20.

The shuttle mechanism is illustrated as a fluid motor 22 actuable in one direction by fluid under pressure and which may be returned by a spring biasing means to its original position. The fluid under pressure will be assumed herein to be compressed air supplied from a suitable compressor (not shown) through a pipe 23. Although the shuttle mechanism is herein shown as a fluid motor an electric motor with suitable reversing means or hand operated linkage may also be used. Fluid motor 22 comprises a cylinder 24, piston 25 and piston rod 26. An orifice in cylinder 24 is connected to pipe 23. Suitable valve means (not shown) connects pipe 23 alternately to the source of fluid under pressure and atmosphere for rapid reversal action.

The fluid motor is provided to reciprocate a shuttle table 27 along a track 28. Shuttle table 27 utilizes a pair of shuttle fingers 19 for pushing the bottom collapsed case off of the stack of cases toward the case erection area 15.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 the shuttle fingers .19 are pivotally mounted on one each end of the shuttle table 27 and are biased oounterclockwisc so as to engage the lowermost collapsed case in hopper 14 during movement of the shuttle table 27 as it moves left to right as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. When the shuttle table reciprocates back to its left extreme position shown in FIG. 2 it moves back under the case hopper 14, biasing fingers 19 clockwise by rubbing on the lowermost case in hopper 14.

As the shuttle table moves from left to right as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 with fingers 19 pushing the collapsed case 18 along surface 13 into the case erection area 15, a pair of pivotally mounted suction cups 30 attach themselves to the back panelo fthe collapsed case. The suction cups 30 are so mounted that they rotate while hanging on to theback panel of the box while the bottom panel of the carton is moving along its predetermined path on surface 13. The suction cups are each attached to a hollow stem 31 connected at its free end through a coupling 32 to a'vacuurn line 33. Stems 31 are arranged to extend loosely througha shaft 34 which is pivotally mounted in bearings 35 of bracket arms '36. Bracket arms 36 are fixedly attached to frame -12. A spring 37 is mounted on each of stem-s 31 between a collar 38 mounted on each of the stems '31 and shaft 34 so that the suction cups may rotate at variable radii. A collar 39 mounted on stems- 31 on the side of stems 31 adjacent suction cups 30 restrict the travel of cups. 30 in the direction toward shaft 34. A torsion spring 40' mounted on shaft 34 biases the suction cups to the dotted left hand position shown in FIG. 3 after shaft 34 and suction cups 30 have-been rotatedcounterclockwise to the right hand dotted position shown in FIG. 3.

From the left hand dotted position shown in FIG; 3 the suction cups are driven counterclockwise to the ver- .tical full line positionshown by a lever and cam mechanism getting its action from the shuttle mechanism 20. From the vertical full line position 'the suction cups disengage from the lever and cam mechanism and cling to and are rotated counterclockwise to their dotted horizontal position shown in FIG. 3 by the action of the movement of the collapsed cases. The lever and cam mechanism comprises a lever arm 40 pivotally mounted at one end on a shaft 41, fixedly attached to frame 12. A cam follower 42 is mounted on shaft 41 and rotates therewith upon rotation of lever arm 40. Cam follower 42 engages with a cam surface 43 mounted on the shuttle table 27. Thefree end of lever arm 40 is .pivotally'connected to one end of a connecting rod 44. Rod 44 is pivotally connected to a shaft 45 which is fixedly secured to a crank arm 46. Crank arm 46 is connected to a hollow sleeve 47 which is rotatably mountedon a shaft 7 48 fixedly secured to frame 12. Sleeve 47 is rotatable with crank arm 46. At the free end of sleeve "47 is adjustably mounted 'a hub 49 which has a rod 50 protruding therefrom. Sleeve 47, hub, 49 and rod 50 when rotated clockwise asshown in FIG. 4 engage a rod 51 of a slide 52.. Slide 52 is arranged in a slotted housing 53 as shown'in FIG. 10. Housing 53 is fixedly mounted on the end of shaft 34 causing shaft 34 to rotate counterclockwise with it a predetermined distance.

Upon further counterclockwise movement of stem 31 and suction cups under the motive force of the moving collapsed cases 18, stems 31 and cups 30'move away from any driving force or retarding drag of its original motivating force, i.e., the lever arm 40 and cam arrangement 43. The reason that the suction cups are arranged to run away from their original starting mechanism is to reduce the mass of, linkage associated with the suction cups since the case'alone which is now opening must do the balance of the job of pivoting'the suction cups and their respective stems, springs and common 13 of the packing machine the suotion cups 30 engage and adhere to the trailing back panel 56 of the collapsed carton or case 18. Further, during this forward movement of the collapsed case the edges of the lower end closure flaps 57 pass under the guiding member 58, one mounted at each side of the working surface 13, so that the suction cups can rotate back panel v56 of the case to the vertical position shown. The case at this point in its travelthrough the packing machineis erected.

In order to guide the lower end closure flaps 57 of case 18 into the. gu'idingmembers-58, flap separators come into play while the collapsed case is traveling from the hopper 14 to the case erection area 15. Two flap separators 59 are provided mountedon a common shaft 60 one at each end thereof so thatthey can engage. the end flaps of the case's. Shaft 60 is rotated by a cam arm ,61. which rides over a cam-surface v62'on the shuttle mechanism20. V Flap separators 59 areso arranged that they ride ontop of the flaps only while the case is being pushed into the. case opening position; The timing. of the'flap separating mechanism is such that flap separators 59 ride on top of thefirst flap o'n each end of the passing case, which is the upper closure flaps 63, 63'. As the flap separators -59 ride on top of the upperclosure flaps 63, 63' they are camnied so that they press down onto and separate the endclosure flaps. In so doing they catch the trailing flaps 64, 64' to assist in opening the caseas well as to depress the underneath or bottom closure flaps 57, 57' so that they get "caught beneath the flap hold down guiding members 58 (note FIG. 7).

At this :point the case is erected and all of the closure flaps at both ends of the case are open. The case is then in the case packing area 16 ready to be loaded with containers .66 filled with any suitable produce, such as, for

7 cases 18. A loading rarnfor fluid motor 72 is provided pivot shaft tothe horizontal dotted position shown in FIG. .3.

When the suction cups have set up the case they still hang on to the case until the case has been loaded with the product and the trailing end closure flaps of the case have been closed by a flap closing bar 55. After this has been accomplished the vacuum is reduced in the suction cups and the suction cups 30 and stems 31 under the influence of the torsion spring 40' on shaft 34 swings clockwise (as shown inFIG. 3) back into their left dotted position to receive the next collapsed case.

During the forward movement of the collapsed case along its predetermined path over the working surface for loading the containers into the case comprising a cylinder 73, piston (not shown), piston rod "74, and ram 75.

If more than one tier of containers 66 are to be pushed into the erected cases 18, the fluid motor 69 and, more particularly, piston rod 74 elevates containers 66 into a position high enough to be caught and suspended by a plurality of resilient finger clamps 76 mounted on frame 1'2 above the next tier of containers 66 coming in from the infeed conveyor 67. Fluid motor 69 again goes into action to push up the bottom tier of containers against the top tier of containers to make anaccumulated load of containers 66 to be rammed into the erected case by the ram of fluid motor 72.

As the load of containers 66 is .movedinto the erected case 18, a loading cycle cam 77 (shown in FIG. 6) on a shuttle structure 78 associated with ram 75 hits a roller 79 which operates the trailing flap closing bar 55. Roller 79 is rotatably mounted onone end of a crankarm 80 of a crank .81. Crank arm 82 of crank 81 is fixedly connected to the free end of crank arm 80 and both arms are rotatably mounted at their common connection on a shaft 83 attached to frame 12.. The free end of crank arm 82 is connected through a rod 84 to a crank arm 85 which is pivotally mounted on a rotatable shaft 86. Shaft 86 has fixedly attached thereto the trailing closure flap bar 55. As cam 77 hits roller 79, bar 55 is rotated to close the trailing closure flap 6410f case 18 and bar 55 is held closedby a latch 87 mounted on shaft 87'. Latch v87 is provided to keep the load of containers from i being pushed right through the case.

roller 89 operating a closing bar 89' for closing trailing flap 64 on the loading end of the case. Roller 89 is mounted on one end of a crank arm, 90 which is fixedly mounted at its other end on a shaft 91. Shaft 91 has fixedly attached thereto the closing bar 89. Closing bar 89 is held in its closed position by a latch 92. Latches 87 and 92 for the trailing flaps 64 and 64, respectively, are released by the erection of a following case. The operation of the flap separators 59 releases latch 92 which hits stop 93 provided on a connecting rod 94 fastened at one end to latch 87, thereby releasing latch 87. Latch 92 is connected to shaft 60 through a connecting rod 95. At this point in the case closing sequence the trailing flaps 64, 64' are closed and the leading closure flaps 96, 96, the upper closure flaps 63, 63' and the bottom closure flaps 5'7, 57' of the case remain open.

The loaded case now travels forward along its predetermined path. The flap closing bars 55 and 89' being quite long retain the trailing flaps 64, 6d at each end of the case closed even though the case moves. As the case moves forward under the actuating effects of the shuttle table 27, the leading closure flaps 96, 96' at each end of the case engage bars 9'7 (one of which is shown in FIG. 8) and these bars close the flaps. At this point the case has its trailing flaps 64, 64 and its leading flaps 96, 96' closed. The only closure flaps which are still open are the upper closure flaps 63, 63 and the lower flaps 5'7, 57. At this point glue may be sprayed or spotted on the outside of the trailing and leadin closure flaps 64, 64 and 96, 96, respectively. This is accomplished by means of glue spray guns 99 which may spray two or four spots of glue on each end of the case. The spray guns are iocatexi above and below the flaps closing bars 55 and 89'. It is intended to be within the scope of this invention to utilize any other form of fastening means for the case flaps. In some applications the case flaps may have some form of adhesive surface which may be moistened or heated at this point in the packing cycle to accomplish the sealing effect and this disclosure is intended to cover those applications.

The loaded case with the closed trailing and leading flaps with glue on the outside thereof now advances toward the case discharge area 17. As the case advances to this position flap closing plows 101 and 102 arranged at each end of the case plow the upper closure flaps 63, 63' and the lower closure flaps '7, 57' closed against the glued surfaces of the trailing and leading flaps 64, 64' and 96, 96. The case is now completely closed and glued with the containers inside.

The loaded sealed cases may be removed from the packing machine in any desirable manner. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 9 of the drawings the loaded cases are lifted by an elevator fluid operated motor 103 into a chute 104. As the case is elevated upward a predetermined distance the bottom of the case is caught and supported by a plurality of displaceable fingers such as rotatably mounted finger structures 105 shown in FIGS. 13 through 15. Finger structures 105, as shown in FIG. 14, each comprise a serrated arcuate member 106 pivotally mounted on a shaft 107 on frame 12 and each arranged to extend along and through opposite sides of chute 104 into the interior thereof. The pivotally mounted ends of the serrated members 106 are each provided with an ex tension arm 108 which is biased by a suitable means such as a spring 109 to rotate the free ends of members 106 inwardly of chute 104. At each free end of member 106 is arranged a bumper 110 for engaging with the side walls 111 and 112 of chute 104 to limit the inward movement of members 106. If desired, members 106 may be fixedly mounted on the side walls of the chute, as shown in FIG. 13 and formed out of suitable resilient material so that they will flex sufliciently to cause case 18 to pass thereby under the influence of motor 103 and return to their inactive position Without the action of springs 109. Fingers 105 rotate or flex sufliciently to permit the case to be pushed beyond them and then as the case is released by the piston rod 103' of the elevator fluid motor 103 the case settles down on the fingers and are supported thereby. As more loaded cases are lifted into the chute the bottom case pushes the upper cases until finally chute 104 is completely loaded. When a case reaches the top of chute 104 it contacts a limit switch (not shown) which opens a valve connected with the source of air under pressure which energizes fluid motor 113. Fluid motor 113 through its piston rod 115 transfers the case across to the flight delivery conveyor 116 and into position 117. The transferring across is timed with the flight conveyor.

I11 order to support cases 18 over as much of their bottom areas as possible during their elevation by motor 103, a supporting plate 119 and a serrated bearing plate 120 are fastened to the end of a piston rod 103' of motor 103. The serrations of bearing plate 120 are arranged to fit into the grooves of the serrated members 106 of the finger structures 105 so that the bearing plate may move through the finger structure 105, thereby elevating cases 18 to a point above the finger structure (as shown in FIG. 13). Cases 18 deflect finger structures 105 upon passage thereby but the bearing plate 120 moves through the finger structures without substantially disturbing them. In this manner a bearing plate may be used which is substantially of the same cross sectional area as the cross sectional area of the bottom of the cases.

FIGS. 9 through 13 illustrate details of the case chute 104 and delivery conveyor 116. As noted from these figures one or more opposed side walls 111 and 112 of chute 104 may be displaceably mounted so that they may give if necessary upon passage of cases 18 through chute 104. Side walls 111 and 112 are each loosely mounted on a pair of spacedly arranged lever arms 124 and 125 which in turn are pivotally mounted on wall supporting members 126 and 127. Side Wall-s 111 and 112 in any pivotal position remain parallel to each other. In order to limit the downward movement of side walls 111 and 112 suitable adjusting screws 128 (shown in FIG. 11) may be used or any other peg or stop. Side walls 111 and 112 act against gravity and if any case is out of alignment or if a snug compression fit is desired in the chute one or both of the side walls 111 and 112 may be displaced slightly upwardly and outwardly of the axis of chute 104 to enlarge the cross section of chute 104. This action eliminates too snug a fit or binding of the cases in the chute. As noted from the drawings finger structures 105 are fixedly attached to side walls 111 and 112.

It is intended to be within the scope of this invention to utilize one or both of the displaceable side walls 111 and 112. If only one wall is displaceable then the other wall will be eliminated. For example, if wall 112 is elim nated then the supporting member 127 becomes the side wall for engaging the side wall of case 18.

During the passage of cases through the chute 104 the closure flaps of the cases are kept closed by the pressure of the finger structures 105 and the displaceable side walls 111 and 112. This action provides additional time for setting up of the glue.

When the cases are transferred into position 117 on the flight delivery conveyor 116 a timing switch (not shown) is triggered and the conveyor 116 lowers the case a predetermined distance. The delivery conveyor 116 comprises a plurality of pairs of spaced flight bars 130 which form a plurality of shelves or pockets on the conveyor each arranged to receive and hold a case. As the conveyor sequentially stops in position 117 a different pair of flight bars 130 on the endless conveyor 116 are ready to receive a case in a manner known in the art. The flight bars 130 with the loaded cases in position continuously lower the loaded cases until they arrive atposition 131 where the loaded sealed cases drop onto a discharge conveyor 131'. The actuation of the flight bars and the delivery conveyor 116 may occur through a suitable elec- 7 trically driven chain drive means 160 shown, or in any other suitable manner well known in the art. 'The portion of the machine structure disclosed comprising compression chute 104 and flight delivery conveyr or 116 may be adjustably varied in size to handle cases mounted in bearings 139 on uprights 140 and 141 of frame 12. A pair of shafts 143 and 144 are mounted on and arranged to extend between uprights 137, 138

' and 140 and 141, respectively, of frame 12 in bearings 145 and 146. Shafts 143 and 144'are rotatably mounted and provided with left handvthreads 147 at one common end and right hand threads 148 at their other common end. The wall supporting members 126 and 127 of chute 104 have fixed-1y attached thereto nuts 150 and 151, respectively, which are threadedly'mounted on shaft 143, and the supporting members 152 and 153 of the flight delivery conveyor 116 have fixedly attached thereto nuts 154 and 155, respectively, which are threadedly mounted on shaft 144.

Shaft 143 hasfixedly attached thereto at one end thereof a sprocket 156 and crank 157; A chain drive connects sprocket 156 to a sprocket 1S9 fixedly mounted on shaft 144, as shown in the drawings. By rotating crank 157 and shaft 143, sprocket 159 and shaft 144 rotate at a like speed causing wall supporting members 126 and 127 and supporting members 152 and 153 to be slidably moved toward or away from each other ,in accordance with the direction'of rotation of crank 157 thereby-increasing or decreasing the depth of thechute and flight delivery conveyor a like amount. In this manner the chute and conveyor can be varied in size to more closely fit a large range of case sizes.

Thus, a new and improved case erecting and packing machine is provided which sequentially picks off one col lapsed case at a time from a hopper 14 and pushes it into the case erection area 15 where the case 18 is opened by means of suction cups '30 in combination with bottom closure flap guiding means 58, A support stop 161 (shown in FIG. 3) is adjustably arranged and clamped on a rod 162 for supporting the top of the case during an erection operation. Stop 161 may be moved to suitably position cases of different sizes. Upon erection of the case a fluid motor 69 stacks the filled containers 66 in tiers and a fluid motor 72 forces the filled containers into the erected case. Fluid motor 72 upon actuation of a shuttle moves a trailing flap closing means for closing the end of the case oppo site the loading end. The trailing flap closing bar 55 is latch closed until the case is filled with containers.

Upon withdrawal of the loading ram 75 of fluid motor 72 the trailing flap closing bar 89' is actuated to close the trailing closure flap 64'. The closing bar latches 87 and 92 are then released by the flap separators 59 as the loaded case moves forward along a predetermined path. The forward movement of the loaded case causes bars 97 to close the leading closure flaps 96, 96. Glue is then applied to the closed trailing and leading flaps. Further movement of the loaded case causes closing plows 191 and 102 to close the upper and lower closure flaps, thus completely closingand sealing the case. The loaded case is then moved vertically through a chute.

As the cases are elevated into the chute under the influence of the piston rod of fluid motor 103 they rotate finger structures 105 outwardly of chute 104 and the serrated bearing plate 120 in passing through and by the finger structures 105 interleave with serrated members 106. In this manner cases of a cross sectional size substantially equal to the cross sectional size of the chute may pass thereby on bearing plate 120, After the case has been elevated above the finger structures it is released by the withdrawal of piston rod 103" and bearing plate 120 causing the cases to settle back on the finger structures 105. As the next case is sequentially elevated in the same manner it pushes the preceding case off of the finger structure and downstream in the chute. This continues to occur until a case reaches the top of the chute where the pushing element of motor 113 pushes it onto the flight delivery conveyor 116. Conveyor 116 moves in steps and finally deposits the case onto the discharge conveyor 131. If cases of a different size are to be packed the compression chute 104 and the flight delivery conveyor '116 can be changed in size to fit the new case size.

The new and improved automatic case erecting and packing machine is relatively small in size and can erect, load and discharge at least twenty-five cases a minute. The cases formed of cardboard or any other suitable material are completely controlled atall timesduring opening and positioning cycles thereby assuring squared set up and positive positioning every time. As the case is being opened and positioned, the filled c'ontainers to be packaged are automatically accumulated into a predetermined pattern and elevated to multi-tiers, if required. The packing machine has'a positive interlocking arrangement throughout all of its operations. The packing machine is a completely enclosed, self-contained system. It is arranged for simplicity and efficient operations.

Although air under pressure has been used'to actuate the various fluid motors, oil or any other suitable fluid under pressure may also be used. It is also intended to be within the scope of this disclosure to utilize one or more electric motors in place of one or all of the fluid motors disclosed. 7

Although but one embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein'without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims,

What is claimed is:

1. A case moving mechanism comprising in combination a frame, said frame defininga pair of parallelly arranged chutes, one of said chutes being arranged for receiving cases atone end thereof and discharging cases at the other end into the other of said chutes, said one of said chutes being provided with displaceable side walls, a movable finger structure arranged to protrude into said one of said chutes for supporting the cases, said finger structure arranged'to defiect sufliciently upon movement of the cases against it in one direction to allow cases to pass, means for elevating the cases beyond said finger structure in saidone direction, each of the .cases after passing said finger structure in said one direction settling down on said finger structure and being supported thereby upon retraction of said elevating means, each of .said cases elevating a preceding case a given distance, said walls being rotated individually a predetermined distance against gravity to expand the width of said one of said chutes upon movementof the cases therethrough, means for moving the cases that passed through said one of said chutes into the other of said chutes, and means common to both .of said chutes for adjusting the width of said chutes. to accommodate cases of different sizes.

2. A case moving mechanism comprising in combination a frame, said frame defining a pair of parallelly arranged chutes, one of said chutes being arranged for receiving .cases at one end thereof and discharging cases at the other end into the other of said chutes, said one of said chutes being provided with displaceable side walls, a movable finger structure arranged .to protude into said one of said chutes for supporting the cases, said finger structure arranged to deflect sufficiently upon movement of the cases against it in one direction to allow cases to pass, means for elevating the cases beyond said finger structure in said one direction, each of the casesafter passing said finger structure in said one direction settling down on said finger structure and being supported thereby upon retrac movement of the cases therethrough, means for moving 5 the cases that passed through said one of said chutes into the other of said chutes, and means common to both of said chutes for simultaneously adjusting the width of Said chutes to accommodate cases of diiferent sizes.

3. A case moving mechanism comprising in combina- 1 tion a frame, said frame defining a pair of parallelly arranged chutes, one of said chutes being provided with displaceable side walls, a movable finger structure arranged to protrude into said one of said chutes for supporting the cases, said finger structure comprising a serrated member arranged to deflect sufiiciently upon movement of the cases against it in one direction to allow the cases to pass, means for elevating the cases beyond said serrated member in said one direction, said means comprising a serrated bearing plate for supporting and elevating the cases beyond said serrated member, the serrations of said bearing plate interleaving with the serrations of said member so that said bearing plate may pass through and past said member, each of the cases after passing said finger structure in said one direction settling down on said finger structure and being supported thereby upon retraction of said elevating means, each of the cases elevating a preceding case a given distance, said side Walls being rotated individually a predetermined distance against gravity to expand the Width of said chute upon movement of the cases therethrough, said side walls frictionally gripping the cases upon withdrawal of said elevating means, and means common to both of said chutes for simultaneously adjusting the width of said chutes to accommodate cases of different sizes.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/58 Campbell 214-62 2,904,941 9/59 Midnight 2146.2 2,937,482 5/60 Lazott et a1. 214-6.2

FOREIGN PATENTS 822,378 10/59 Great Britain.

HUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner. ERNEST A. FALLER, JR., Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A CASE MOVING MECHANISM COMPRISING IN COMBINATION A FRAME, SAID FRAME DEFINING A PAIR OF PARALLELLY ARRANGED CHUTES, ONE OF SAID CHUTES BEING ARRANGED FOR RECEIVING CASES AT ONE END THEREOF AND DISCHARGING CASES AT THE OTHER END INTO THE OTHER OF SAID CHUTES, SAID ONE OF SAID CHUTES BEING PROVIDED WITH DISPLACEABLE SIDE WALLS, A MOVABLE FINGER STRUCTURE ARRANGED TO PROTRUDE INTO SAID ONE OF SAID CHUTES FOR SUPPORTING THE CASES, SAID FINGER STRUCTURE ARRANGED TO DEFLECT SUFFICIENTLY UPON MOVEMENT OF THE CASES AGAINST IT IN ONE DIRECTION TO ALLOW CASES TO PASS, MEANS FOR ELEVATING THE CASES BEYOND SAID FINGER STRUCTURE IN SAID ONE DIRECTION, EACH OF SAID CASES AFTER PASSING SAID FINGER STRUCTURE IN SAID ONE DIRECTION SETTLING DOWN ON SAID FINGER STRUCTURE AND BEING SUPPORTED THEREBY UPON RETRACTION OF SAID ELEVATING MEANS, EACH OF SAID CASES ELEVATING A PRECEDING CASE A GIVEN DISTANCE, SAID WALLS BEING ROTATED INDIVIDUALLY A PREDETERMINED DISTANCE AGAINST GRAVITY TO EXPAND THE WIDTH OF SAID ONE OF SAID CHUTES UPON MOVEMENG OF THE CASES THERETHROUGH, MEANS FOR MOVING THE CASES THAT PASSED THROUGH SAID ONE OF SAID CHUTES INTO THE OTHER OF SAID CHUTES, AND MEANS COMMON TO BOTH OF SAID CHUTES FOR ADJUSTING THE WIDTH OF SAID CHUTES TO ACCOMMODATE CASES OF DIFFERENT SIZES.

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