US3309840A

US3309840A - Packaging machine

Info

Publication number: US3309840A
Application number: US363761A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bilaisis Viktoras
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-04-30
Filing date: 1964-04-30
Publication date: 1967-03-21
Anticipated expiration: 1984-03-21

Description

March 21, 1967 v. BILAISIS PACKAGING MACHINE Filed April 50, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet l w/rraans B/LA m5 1N VEN TOR.

March 21, 1967 v. BlLAlSlS 4 PACKAGING MACHINE Filed April 30, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 M INVENTOR.

web 2E1, 196? v. BILAlSiS PACKAGING MACHINE 4 Sheets$heet Filed April 30, 1964 INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,309,840 PACKAGING MACHINE Viktoras Bilaisis, 7355 S. Sacramento Blvd., Chicago, Ill. 60629 Filed Apr. 30, 1964, Ser. No. 363,761 32 Claims. (Cl. 53243) This invention relates generally to packaging machinery, and more particularly to an improved machine for packing books of safety matches into small paper boxes called caddies, the caddies normally holding two rows of books of matches and the books of each row being alternately reversely positioned with respect to each other.

Prior to my invention, the books of matches were for the most part packed into caddies by hand, since no satisfactory machine existed which was not relatively complicated and expensive.

An object of my invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive, and improved packaging machine for packing books of safety matches into containers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine for packing books of safety matches into caddies, the caddies to be used being telescoped into one another and stacked in the machine in an inverted postion, being fed one at a time in an inverted position from the bottom of the stack for the packing operation, and being inverted into an upright position after the packing operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine for packing books of safety matches into caddies, the caddies to be used being telescoped into ane another and stacked in the machine in an inverted position, and the machine including vertically reciprocable gripping means for pulling the bottom caddy downwardly from the stack into a position for receiving upwardly fed books of safety matches, and means for varying the pressure with which the gripping means grip the opposite end portions of the caddy from a relatively high pressure exerted by the gripping means when the caddy is being pulled from the stack to a relatively low pressure exerted by the gripping means when the caddy is in match book receiving position, the relatively low pressure enabling the upwardly fed books of safety matches to readily strip the caddy from the gripping means.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a machine for packing books of safety matches into caddies, the caddies to be used being telescoped into one another and stacked in the machine in an inverted position, and the machine including vertically movable gripping means for pulling the bottom caddy downwardly from the stack into a position for receiving upwardly fed books of safety matches, and means for bending the opposite end portions of the bottom caddy in the stack inwardly for gripping by the gripping means, whereby one and only one caddy at a time is gripped by the gripping means even though the caddies may be telescoped into one another by varying amounts and cocked slightly from each other.

A still further object of the invention is to provide -a machine for packing books of safety matches into caddies, the caddies to be used being telescoped into one another and stacked in the machine in an inverted position, and the machine including vertically movable gripping means for pulling the bottom caddy downwardly from the stack into a position for receiving upwardly fed books of safety matches, and clamping means for clamping the stack of 3,309,840 Patented Mar. 21, 1967 caddies to prevent upward movement of the bottom caddy into an improper position for gripping by said gripping means, the clamping means being releasable to release the stack of caddies after the bottom caddy has been pulled downwardly therefrom and allow the stack of caddies to fall so that the next caddy assumes a proper position for gripping by said gripping means.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent when the following description is considered along with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a packaging machine constructed in accordance with my invention, certain portions being omitted or broken away for clarity;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the machine of FIG. 1 as viewed from the left in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 33 of FIG. 1, the left-hand portion of FIG. 3 showing the carriage in a raised posit-ion just short of its extreme upper position and the caddy at the bottom of the stack in the magazine about to be gripped by the gripper-s, and the right-hand portion of FIG. 3 showing the carriage in a lowered position just short of its extreme lower position and'a caddy removed from the stack and gripped by the grippers;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of one of the separating fingers of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along the line 55 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along the line 66 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a biasing arm for the outer grippers.

A packaging machine constructed in accordance with my invent-ion includes a stationary frame supported on a suitable base (not shown). An inlet trough 20 for receiving rows of books of safety matches from a conveyor (not shown) is secured to a pair of

side portions

22 and 23 of the frame. A portion 24 of the frame supports an actuator 26 for a vertically reciprocable table 28 having a pair of guide rods 30 respectively disposed on opposite sides of the actuator 26, each guide rod 30 being vertically reciprocable in a pair of bearings 32 secured to the portion 24 of the frame.

A portion 34 of the frame supports an actuator 36 for a vertically reciprocable carriage 38 having a pair of guide rods 40 respectively disposed on oppositesides of the actuator 36, each guide rod 40 being vertically reciprocable in a pair of bearings 42.secured to the portion 34 of the frame.

A portion 44 0f the frame is secured to the

side portions

22 and 23 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. The portion 44 supports an actuator 46 for a horizontally reciprocable pusher 48 having a pair of guide rods 50 respectively disposed above and on opposite sides of the actuator 46, each guide rod 50 being horizontally reciprocable in the portion 44 of the frame, and the ends of the guide rods 50 opposite the pusher 48 having a cam member 52 mounted thereon. For clarity, in FIG. 1 the portion 44 and the parts it supports are shown spaced outwardly of their true positions.

Aportion 54 of'the frame supports an actuator 56 for a horizontally reciprocable generally U-shaped pusher 58 the leg portions of which straddle the actuator 56 and support a cam member 60 adjacent their free ends and above the actuator 56. Beyond the actuator 56, the portion 54 is twisted somewhat as a propeller, as can be seen in the end view thereof shown in FIG. 2.

As will be understood, the

actuators

26, 36, 46, and 56 each include a cylinder, a piston, and a piston rod extending through one of the closed ends of the cylinder. The actuators may be hydraulically operated, and controlled by solenoid-operated four-way control valves and limit switches, but preferably they are pneumatically operated, and controlled -by pneumatically-operated fourway control valves and bleeder valves. The actuators, four-way control valves, and bleeder valves are readily available as standard equipment and need not be further described herein. The four-way control valves and the pneumatic circuitry per se form no part of the invention and need not be shown.

The frame includes a pair of

side portions

62 and 63 supported respectively by the

portions

22 and 23. The portion 34 is secured between the

side portions

62 and 63. A pair of inwardly projecting

support members

64 and 65 are mounted respectively on the

side portions

62 and 63 for supporting a stack of inverted caddies. The

support members

64 and 65 may be formed integrally respectively with the

side portions

62 and 63 if desired. A pair of guide members 66 and 67 are secured respectively to the opposite ends of the

side portions

62 and 63 from the portion 34 and cooperate with the portion 34 in guiding the upper end portion of a stack of caddies (not shown) supported on the

support members

64 and 65.

A generally arcuately curved sheet member 68 is secured to the top edges of the

side portions

22 and 23 on the end portions thereof opposite the inlet trough 20. Cooperating with the sheet member 68 to form a curved chute are three pairs of

guide rails

70, 71, and 72 secured to a pair of suitable braces 73. The curved chute thus formed receives inverted caddies filled with books of safety matches from the table 28 in the raised position thereof and delivers them upright to the frame portion 54 where for a purpose to be later described they strike a trip member 74 (FIGS. 2 and 6) rigidly secured to a shaft 75 pivotally mounted adjacent opposite ends in a pair .of bearings 76 supported on the frame portion 54.

The carriage 38 includes a back portion 38a connected to the actuator 36 and guide rods 40, a pair of side portions 38b and 380 extending parallel to and spaced outwardly respectively from the

frame side portions

62 and 63, and a pair of front portions 38d and 38e extending inwardly respectively toward the

side portions

62 and 63 from the opposite ends of the side portions 38b and 380 from the back portion 38a.

A pair .of

shafts

78 and 79 are supported in the carriage 38 respectively between and parallel to carriage portion 38b and frame portion 62 and between and parallel to frame portion 63 and carriage portion 380. The shafts are supported adjacent one end respectively in the carriage portions 38d and 38c and adjacent the other end in the carriage portion 38a. A plurality of collars 80 are secured to each of the

shafts

78 and 79 to maintain proper spacing of other parts mounted thereon and described hereinafter.

Each of the

shafts

79 and 80 has an inner gripper 82 and a pair of outer grippers 84 pivotally mounted thereon and cooperable with each other to grip an end of a caddy. Each inner gripper 82 includes a pair of spaced depending arm portions 82a pivotally mounted adjacent one end on their respective shaft and having a pair of integral inwardly extending support portions 82b respectively adjacent their free ends. The inner end portions of the support portions 82b of each inner gripper 82 are connected by a gripper plate 820 secured thereto in any suitable manner.

Each outer gripper 84 is mounted generally centrally thereof so as to include an upwardly extending arm portion 84a and a downwardly extending arm portion 84b. Each arm portion 84a is recessed to receive a compression spring 85 for a purpose hereinafter described. Each arm portion 84b has an integral inwardly extending support portion 84c adjacent its free end, and the inner end portion .of each support portion 840 is provided with a gripper tooth 84d formed integrally therewith and cooperable with the respective gripper plate 820 mounted on the same shaft to grip an end of a caddy.

Each of the carriage portions 38b and 380 has secured thereto a pair of depending spring support housings 86 in alignment with the respective arm portions 82a of inner grippers 82. Each housing 86 contains a compression spring 87 having an end portion anchored to its respective arm portion 82a in any suitable manner. For example, each spring 87 may surround a pin (not hown) mounted on the respective arm portion 82a. The arm portions 82a and therefore the gripper plates 820 are biased inwardly by the springs 87.

One of the problems which has been solved by the packaging machine of my invention relates to the pressure with which the gripper teeth 84d and gripper plates 82c grip the ends of a caddy. The gripping pressure must be sufficiently high to hold a caddy tightly as the carriage 38 is lowered in order that a caddy may be pulled loose from the stack of inverted caddies, and yet the gripping pressure must be low enough to enable a caddy to be stripped from the grippers as the books of safety matches are raised thereinto by the table 28. I have discovered that no single value of gripping pressure fulfills both of these requirements, and therefore I have provided means by which the gripping pressure is varied and which I will now descrbe.

Each of the

shafts

78 and 79 is provided with an upwardly extending biasing arm 90 pivotally mounted between the respective pair of outer grippers 84 and best shown in FIG. 7. Each arm 90 includes a pair of transversely extending portions 91 respectively having a pair of outwardly facing recesses 92 therein aligned with the respective springs 85 for receiving end portions of the respective springs 85 contained in the arm portions 84a of the outer grippers 84. Each arm 90 also carrie a rollertype cam follower 93 rotatably mounted on a pin 94.

Each of the

frame side portions

62 and 63 has a cam 95 mounted thereon for engagement by the respective cam follower 93. When the carriage 38 is at the top of its stroke, the cam followers 93 will be engaged with the thicker portions of the cams 95 and the springs 85 will exert maximum pressure on the arm portions 84a to force the gripper teeth 84d against the gripper plates 82c with maximum pressure for pulling a caddy from the stack. When the carriage 38 is at the bottom of its stroke, the cam followers 93 will be engaged with the thinner portions of the cams 95 and the springs 85 will exert maximum pressure on the arm portions 84a to force the gripper teeth 84d against the gripper plates 820 with minimum pressure to enable a caddy to be readily stripped from the grippers. Another problem which has been solved by the packaging machine of my invention relates to the gripping of one and only one caddy at a time when they overlapor are telescoped into each other by varying amounts, such as when one caddy is cocked relative to another and the amount of overlap varies at opposite ends of the caddies. To solve this problem, I have provided means for bending the opposite end portions of the caddy at the bottom of the stack inwardly and away from the end portions of the caddy immediately above or second from the bottom of the stack, so that the grippers may readily grip the end portions only of the caddy at the bottom of the stack. Thus, each of the

frame side portions

62 and 63 has a pair of arms 96 pivotally mounted thereon adjacent their upper ends and disposed respectively between the arm portions 82a of the inner gripper 82 and the arm portions 84b of the outer grippers 84. Each arm 96 is provided on one side with apin 97 which acts as a cam follower and is biased outwardly against an inner surface of a respective arm portion 82a by a compression spring 98 contained within the arm 96 and seated at one end against one of the

frame side portions

62 and 63. Each arm 96 is also provided with a finger 99 pivotally mounted adjacent the lower end of the arm on a pin 100 as best shown in FIG. 4 and biased upwardly into engagement with an end portion of the bottom caddy in the stack by a tension spring 102 secured at one end to the arm 96 and at the other end to the finger 99. As the arms 96 are pivoted outwardly, surfaces 103 of the fingers 99 will engage the edge of an end portion of the bottom caddy, and as the arms 96 are pivoted back inwardly, surfaces 104 of the fingers 99 will bend the respective end portion of the bottom caddy inwardly, as shown at the left side of FIG. 3, so that it may be readily and separately gripped by the respective gripper plate 82c and gripper teeth 84d.

Each of the arm portions 82a of the inner grippers 82 is provided with a cam follower 106 for cooperation with a respective cam 108, as best shown at the right in FIG. 3, two of the cams 108 being secured to each of the

frame side portions

62 and 63. The springs 87 maintain the cam followers 106 in engagement with the respective cams 108.

A pair of flat elongated cam plates 110 are pivotal- 1y mounted respectively on the

frame side portions

62 and 63 between the respective pairs of arm portions 84b to effect movement of the outer grippers 34 with respect to the inner gripper 82, each arm portion 8412 being provided with a pin 112 which acts as a cam follower in cooperation with one of the cam plates. Each cam plate 110 is secured adjacent its upper end centrally thereof to an arm 113 which is pivotally mounted on one of the

side portions

62 and 63, the arms 113 being narrower than the cam plates to allow the followers 112 to pass over the upper edges of the respective cam plates without interference with the arms 113. Further. each cam plate is provided adjacent its lower end with an opposed pair of slots 114 to allow the respective followers 112 to pass through the cam plate adjacent its lower end. The lower end portion of each cam plate is centrally apertured to receive a screw 116 (FIG. 3), a pair of the screws 116 being threaded respectively into the

frame side portions

22 and 23. Each screw 116 has a sleeve or spacer 117 and a compression spring 118 mounted thereon, the spring 118 normally biasing the lower end portion of the respective cam plate 110 against the respective spacer 117 as shown at the left in FIG. 3.

When the carriage 38 is lowered, the cams 108 force the inner grippers 82 outwardly, which in turn force the outer grippers 84 outwardly. At the sametime, the followers 112 on the arm portions 84b force the cam plates 110 outwardly (FIG. 3, right). When the followers 112 reach the slots 114 as the carriage 38 completes its downward stroke, the cam plates 110 are snapped by the springs 118 against the spacers 117 and past the followers 112 to locate the cam plates inwardly of the followers 112. When the carriage 38 undergoes its upward stroke, the cams 108 allow the inner grippers 82 to pivot inwardly under the influence of the springs 87, but the cam plates 110 and followers 112 maintain the outer grippers 84 in their outerpositions (FIG. 3, left). The gripper teeth 84d thus become separated from the gripper plates 82c so that the end portions of the bottom caddy, as located by the surfaces 104 on the fingers 99, may be respectively received therebetween. When the carriage 38 completes its upward stroke, the followers 112 clear the upper edges of the cam plates 110 and allow the outer grippers 84 to be snapped inwardly under the influence of the springs 85 to clamp the end portions of the bottom caddy respectively between the gripper teeth 84d and the gripper plates 82c.

When the carriage 38 is in its lower position and the

grippers

82 and 84 are holding a caddy in position to receive books of safety matches, the table 28 is raised to push the books of safety matches into the caddy and to strip the caddy from the grippers. Should one end of the caddy be released before the other, the caddy might tilt and books of matches might be spilled. For this reason, a pair of one-way stop members 120 are pivotally mounted respectively on the lower portions of the

caddy support members

64 and 65, the stop member on the support member 64 being omitted in FIG. 3 for clarity. The stop members 120 are biased by torsion springs (not shown) to a position in which they prevent excessive upward movement of a caddy upon its being stripped from the grippers, but upon downward movement of a caddy, the stop members 120 are pivoted out of the way by the caddy.

When the stack of caddies becomes relatively small as they are used, their weight acting to hold the bottom caddy against the fingers 99 also becomes relatively small, and the bottom caddy might possibly rise so that its end portions become disengage-d from the surfaces 104 on the fingers and resume their original shape so as not to be in proper position for gripping by the

grippers

82 and 84. To prevent such an occurrence, a vertically disposed clamping bar 122 is provided to clamp the lower end of the stack of caddies against the frame portion 34 and prevent their upward movement. The clamping pressure must be released, however, to allow the remaining caddies to fall down after the bottom one has been removed by the grippers. Therefore, a cam 124 is provided on the carriage side portion 380 adjacent the front portion 38c. The clamping bar 122 is rigidly mounted on the free end portion of an arm 125 keyed adjacent its other end to the lower end of a shaft 126 rotatably supported in a bearing 128 secured to the guide member 67. An arm 129 is keyed adjacent one end to the upper end of the shaft 126 and carries ,a cam follower 130 .on its free end for co-. operation with the cam 124. As the carriage 38 is'raised, the cam 124 pushes the follower 130 outwardly to pivot the arm 129, shaft 126, and arm 125, and press the clamping bar 122 against the. stack of caddies to maintain the bottom caddy in proper position for gripping. As the carriage 38 is lowered, the bottom caddy is removed from the stack and the cam 124 releases the clamping pressure and allows the remaining caddies in the stack to fall against the

support members

64 and 65.

When the table 28 is raised to push two rows of books of safety matches into a caddy, it is possible that some of the books of matches may be out of alignment. To insure that the books of matches are properly aligned before they reach a caddy, a pair of centeringvanes 132 (FIGS. 1 and 5) is provided. The centering vanes 132 are rigidly mounted respectively on a pair of shafts 133 rotatably supported adjacent opposite ends in the

frame side portions

22 and 23. The centering vanes are normally maintained respectively in proper position by a pair of biasing springs (not shown) which bias a pair of dogs 134 (FIG. 2) respectively secured to the outer end portions of shafts 133 toward engagement respectively with a pair of stops 136 secured to the frame side portion 22.

A number of bleeder valves are provided to control the operation of the machine. Thus, a bleeder valve 140 (FIG. 5) is secured to the frame side portion 23 and is operable by a dog 141 rigidly secured to a shaft 142 rotatably mounted adjacent opposite ends in the

frame side portions

22 and 23. A trip member 144 is rigidly secured to the shaft 142 for operation by a row of books of safety matches fed to the table 28 from the inlet trough 20.

A bleeder valve 146 is secured to the frame portion 24 for operation by the table 28. A bleeder valve 148 (FIGS. 2 and 6) is secured to a bracket 149 supported by the frame portion 54 and is operable by a dog 150 keyed to the shaft 75.

A bleeder valve 152 (FIG. 1) is secured to a bracket 153 supported by the frame portion 44 and is operable by the cam member 52. For clarity, the bleeder valve 152 and bracket 153 are omitted in FIG. 2. A bleeder valve 154 (FIGS. 1, 2, and 6) is secured to a bracket 155 supported by the frame portion 24 and is operable by the cam member 60.

Operation Assuming that a caddy has been pulled down from the stack by the

grippers

82 and 84 into a position for receiving books of safety matches and that rows of books of safety matches are being fed into the machine from the inlet trough 20, when two rows of books of safety matches are on the table 28 and are forced far enough to the right as viewed in FIG. 5, the trip member 144 is operated to turn the shaft 142 counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 5. The dog 141 is thus pivoted to operate the bleeder valve 140. Operation of the bleeder valve 140 causes shifting of a four-way control valve (not shown) for the actuator 26, and the actuator 26 raises the table 28 to push the two rows of books of safety matches through the centering vanes 132 and into the inverted caddy held by the

grippers

82 and 84. It will be noted that raising of the table 28 also cuts off the flow of books of safety matches from the inlet trough 20. Further upward movement of the table 28 strips the inverted caddy containing the books of safety matches from the grippers, the stop members 120 preventing the caddy from rising so high as to spill the books of safety matches, and a portion of the table 28 operates the bleeder valve 146 to shift a four-way control valve (not shown) for the actuator 46. The pusher 48 is then actuated by the actuator 46 to push the inverted caddy containing the books of safety matches off the raised table 28 down the curved chute formed by the curved sheet member 68 and the guide rails 70, 71, and 72.

As the inverted caddy is pushed off the raised table 28, the cam member 52 operates the bleeder valve 152, which causes shifting of three four-way control valves (not shown) for the

actuators

26, 36, and 46, respectively. Then the actuator 26 lowers the table 28 into position to receive two more rows of books of safety matches, the actuator 36 raises the carriage 38, and the actuator 46 returns the pusher 48.

As the carriage 38 is raised, the cams 108 allow the cam followers 106 and the inner grippers 82 to pivot inwardly under the influence of the springs 87, while the cam plates 110 and cam follower pins 112 retain the outer grippers 84 in their outer position, although the force of the springs 85 tending to pivot the outer grippers 84 inwardly is increased by the earns 95 and biasing arms 90. Also as the carriage is raised, the cam 124 thereon forces the cam follower 130 outwardly to pivot the arm 129, shaft 126, and arm 125 and thereby clamp the stack of inverted caddies against the frame portion 34 by the clamp 122. Futher, as the inner grippers 82 pivot inwardly, the cam follower pins 97 and arms 96 are pivoted inwardly to force the opposite end portions of the bottom caddy inwardly by the surfaces 104 on the fingers 99, thereby placing the opposite end portions of the bottom caddy in proper position to be gripped. When the carriage 38 completes its upward stroke, the cam followers 112 clear the upper edges of the cam plates 110 and allow the outer grippers 84 to be snapped inwardly under the influence of the springs 85 to clamp the end portions of the bottom caddy respectively between the gripper teeth 84d and the gripper plates 820.

The inverted caddy containing the books of safety matches lands in an essentially upright position at the bottom of the chute formed by the curved sheet member 68 and the guide rails 70, 71, and 72 and strikes the trip member 74 to operate the bleeder valve 148. Operation of the bleeder valve 148 causes shifting of a four-way control valve (not shown) for the actuator 56. The pusher 58 is then actuated by the actuator 56 to push the filled caddy along the portion 54 of the frame out of the way of the next succeeding filled caddy. The filled caddies are eventually pushed off the portion 54 of the machine to an outlet trough or conveyor (not shown). As the pusher 58 completes its forward stroke, the cam member operates the bleeder valve 154, which causes shifting of two four-way control valves (not shown) for the

actuators

36 and 56, respectively. The actuator 56 then returns the pusher 58, and the actuator 36 lowers the carriage 38 to pull the bottom caddy from the stack into a position to receive the next two rows of books of matches fed upwardly by the table 28.

As the carriage 38 is lowered, the

grippers

82 and 84 pull the inwardly bent opposite end portions of the gripped caddy downwardly past the

support members

64 and 65, the fingers 99 and the stop members 120 being pivoted out of the way, but returning to their normal positions after the caddy has passed. Upon further lowering of the carriage 38, the cams 108 pivot the cam followers 106, inner grippers 82, and outer grippers 84 outwradly to restore the inwardly bent opposite end portions of the gripped caddy to their normal position, while the cams allow the biasing arms 90 to pivot inwardly to decrease the clamping pressure between the gripper plates 82c and the gripper teeth 84d, so that the gripped caddy may later be readily stripped from the gripprs by rows of books of safety matches fed upwardly by the table 28. Also, while the carriage 38 is being lowered, the cam 124 releases the clamping pressure exerted on the stack of caddies in the machine by the clamping bar 122, so that the stack of caddies may fall to place the next caddy in engagement with the

support members

64 and 65, and the pivoting of the inner grippers 82 outwardly allows the arms 96 to pivot outwardly to place the surfaces 104 on the finger 99 in proper position to force the opposite end portions of the next caddy inwardly. The cam follower pins 112 on the outer grippers 84 pivot the cam plates outwardly as the carriage 38 is lowered. When the carriage 38 completes its downward stroke, the pins 112 align with the slots 114 and the plates 110 are forced inwardly of the pins 112 by the springs 118 so as to be in position to retain the outer grippers 84 in their outer position during the next upward stroke of the carriage 38.

It will be seen that I have provided a simple, inexpensive, and improved packaging machine for packing rows of books of safety matches into caddies, the caddies to be used being telescoped into one another and stacked in the machine in an inverted position, being fed one at a time in an inverted position from the bottom of the stack for the packing operation, and being inverted into an upright position after the packing operation, and the machine including vertically reciprocable gripping means for pulling the bottom caddy downwardly from the stack into a position for receiving upwardly fed books of safety matches, pressure varying means for varying the pressure with which the gripping means grip the opposite end portions of a caddy from a relatively high pressure exerted by the gripping means when the caddy is being pulled from the stack to a relatively low pressure exerted by the gripping means when the caddy is in match book receiving position so that upwardly fed books of safety matches may readily strip the caddy from the gripping means, bending means for bending the opposite end portions of the bottom caddy in the stack inwardly for gripping by the gripping means whereby one and only one caddy at a time is gripped by the gripping means even though the caddies may be telescoped into one another by varying amounts and cocked slightly from each other, and clamping means for clamping the stack of caddies to prevent upward movement of the bottom caddy into an improper position in which the bending means is inoperative to properly position the opposite end portions of the bottom caddy for gripping by the gripping means.

Various modifications may be made in the structure shown and described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. While the invention has been described as particularly useful for packaging books of r 9 safety matches, other articles arranged in orderly rows may be packaged by a machine constructed in accordance with the invention.

I claim:

1. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and for packing articles therein, said machine comprising (a) a pair of spaced, vertically reciprocable, openable and closable gripping means each including a pair of gripping portions openable to receive therebetween and closable to grip therebetween a respective one of a pair of opposite end portions of a bottom container in a stack of inverted nested containers, said gripping means being lowerable from an upper position to move said bottom container downwardly from said stack and dispose said container in an inverted position for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto, and

(b) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally receiving articles fed thereto in a lower position thereof, said table being raisable from said lower position to push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted container held by said gripping means to fill said inverted container with said articles and to push said articles farther to strip said filled inverted container from said gripping means and dispose said filled inverted container on said table in an upper position of said table.

2. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and for packing articles therein, said machine comprising (a) a pair of spaced, vertically reciprocable, openable and closable gripping means each including a pair of gripping portions openable to receive therebetween and closable to grip therebetween a respective one of a pair of opposite end portions of a bottom container in a stack of inverted nested containers, said gripping means being lowerable from an upper position to move said bottom container downwardly from said stack and dispose said container in an inverted position for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto,

(b) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally receiving articles fed thereto in a lower position thereof, said table being raisable from said lower position to push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted container held by said gripping means to fill said inverted container with said articles and to push said articles farther to strip said filled inverted container from said gripping means and dispose said filled inverted container on said table in an upper position of said table, and

(c) horizontally reciprocable pusher means for pushing said filled inverted container off said table in said upper position thereof.

3. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and for packing articles therein, said machine comprising (a) a pair of spaced, vertically reciprocable, openable and closable gripping means each including a pair of gripping portions openable to receive therebetween and closable to grip therebetween a respective one of a pair of opposite end portions of a bottom container in a stack of inverted nested containers, said gripping means being lowerable from an upper position to move said bottom container downwardly from said stack and dispose said container in an inverted position for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto, r

(b) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally receiving articles fed thereto in a lower position thereof, said table being raisable from said lower 1G position to push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted container held by said gripping means to fill said inverted container with said articles and to push said articles farther to strip said filled inverted container from said gripping means and dispose said filled inverted container on said table in an upper position of said table,

(c) horizontally reciprocable pusher means for pushing said filled inverted container off said table in said upper position thereof, and

(d) chute means for receiving said filled inverted container from said table and delivering said filled container in a generally upright position.

4. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and for packing articles therein, said machine comprising (a) a pair of spaced, vertically reciprocable, openable and closable gripping means each including a pair of gripping portions openable to receive therebetween and closable to grip therebetween a respective one of a pair of opposite end, portions of a bottom container in a stack of inverted nested containers, said gripping means being lowerable from an upper position to move said bottom container downwardly from said stack and dispose said container in an inverted position for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto,

(b) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally receiving articles fed thereto in a lower position thereof, said table being raisable from said lower position to push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted container held by said gripping means to fill said inverted container with said articles and to push said articles farther to strip said filled inverted container from said gripping means and dispose said filled inverted container on said table in an upper position of said table,

(c) horizontally reciprocable first pusher means for pushing said filled inverted container off said table in said upper position thereof,

(d) chute means for receiving said filled inverted container from said table and delivering said filled container in a generally upright position,

(e) platform means for receiving said'filled upright container from said chute means, and

(f) horizontally reciprocable second pusher means for pushing said filled upright container along said platform means.

5. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and for packing articles therein, said machine comprising (a) a pair of spaced, horizontally reciprocable bending means respectively movable horizontally inwardly to respectively bend the opposite end portions of a bottom container in a stack of inverted nested containers inwardly and away from the opposite end portions of a next succeeding container in said stack,

(b) a pair of spaced vertically and horizontally reciprocable, openable and closable gripping means each including a pair of gripping portions openable to receive therebetween and closable to grip therebetween a respective one of said inwardly bent opposite end portions of said bottom container, said gripping means being lowerable from an upper position to move said bottorn container downwardly from said stack and dispose said container in an inverted position for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto, said gripping means also being movable horizontally outwardly to bend said inwardly bent opposite end portions of said inverted container back outwardly to the normal position thereof,

(c) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally receiving articles fed thereto in a lower position thereof, said table being raisable from said lower position to push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted 12 of, said table being raisable from said lower position to push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted container held by said gripping means to fill said inverted container with said articles and to push said container held by said gripping means to fill said articles farther to strip said filled inverted container inverted container with said articles and to push said from said gripping means and dispose said filled inarticles farther to strip said filled inverted container verted container on said table in an upper position of from said gripping means and dispose said filled said table, and

inverted container on said table in an upper position (d) horizontally reciprocable pusher means for pushof said table, and ing said filled inverted container off said table in said upper position thereof.

(d) horizontally reciprocable pusher means for pushing said filled inverted container ofi sa-id table in sa d 8. A. packaging machine for feeding containers one at a upper position thereof. time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested con- 6. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at tainers and for packing articles therein, said machine coma time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested con- 15 prising tainers and for packing articles therein, said machine (a) a pair of spaced, horizontally reciprocable bendcomprising ing means respectively movable horizontally inwardly (a) a pair of spaced, vertically reciprocable, openable to respectively bend the opposite end portions of a and closable gripping means each including a pair of, said table being raisable from said lower position to push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted container held by said gripping means to fill said inverted container with said articles and to push said bottom container in a stack of inverted nested con- Of pp Portions Openable to receive ther tw n tainers inwardly and away from the opposite end porand closable to grip therebetween a respective one tions of a next succeeding container in said stack, of a pair of opposite end portions of a bottom con- (b) a pair of spaced, vertically and horizontally retainer in a stack of inverted nested containers, said ciprocable, openable and closable gripping means gripping means being lowerable from an upper posieach including a pair of gripping portions openable tion to move said bottom container downwardly from to receive therebetween and closable to grip theresaid stack and dispose said container in an inverted between a respective one of said inwardly bent opposition for receiving articles fed upwardly thereposite end portions of said bottom container, said into, gripping means being lowerable from an upper posi- (b) gripping pressure varying means for varying the tion to move said bottom container downwardly from pressure with which said gripping means respecsaid stack and dispose said container in an inverted tively grip said opposite end portions of said inverted position for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto, container from a relatively high pressure exerted by said gripping means also being movable horizontally said gripping means when said inverted container is outwardly to bend said inwardly bent opposite end being pulled from said stack to a relatively low presportions of said inverted container back outwardly sure exerted by said gripping means when said in- 39 to the normal position thereof, verted container is in said position for receiving arti- (c) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally recles fed upwardly thereinto, ceiving articles fed thereto in a lower position thereof, (c) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally resaid table being raisable from said lower position to ceiving articles fed thereto in a lower position there- 40 push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted container held by said gripping means to fill said inverted container with said articles and to push said articles farther to strip said filled inverted container from said gripping means and dispose said filled inverted container on said table in an upper position of said table,

(d) horizontally reciprocable pusher means for pushing said filled inverted container off said table in said upper position thereof, and

(e) chute means for receiving said filled inverted container from said table and delivering said filled container in a generally upright position.

9. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and for packing articles therein, said machine articles farther to strip said filled inverted container from said gripping means and dispose said filled inverted container on said table in an upper position of said table, and (d) horizontally reciprocable pusher means for pushing said filled inverted container off said table in said upper position thereof. 7. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and for packing articles therein, said machine comprising (a) a pair of spaced, vertically reciprocable, openable 5O compflslng and closable gripping means each including a pair of 8 P of P F vertlcally feclProcable, openfible gripping portions openable to receive therebetween f closable PP means each lllfiludmg a P Of and closable to grip therebetween a respective one PP POItIOHSOPeHabIB to r c ive therebetween f a i f Opposite end pol-tions of a bottom and closable to grip therebetween a respective one of tainer in a stack of inverted nested containers, said f P of PPP end POIUOHS of i rX} IiIHII IeI' gripping means being lowerable f an upper Posiin a stack of inverted nested containers, sa1d gr pping tion to move said bottom container downwardly means belng lowefable-ffom an pp POSIUOII to from said stack and dispose said container in an move Said bottom Container downwardly from i inverted position for receiving articles fed upwardly stack and dispose said container in an inverted posithereinto, 69 tion for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto, (b) clamping means for clamping said stack of in- (b) gripping pressure varying means for varying the verted nested containers to prevent movement of pressure with which said gripping means respectively said bottom container into an improper position for grip said opposite end portions of said inverted congripping by said gripping means, said clamping means 70 tainer from a relatively high pressure exerted by said being releasable to release said stack of containers gripping means when said inverted container is being after said bottom container has been pulled downpulled from said stack to a relatively low pressure wardly therefrom, exerted by said gripping means when said inverted (c) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally recontainer is in said position for receiving articles fed ceiving articles fed thereto in a lower position there- 7 upwardly thereinto,

13 (c) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally receiving articles fed thereto in a lower position thereof, said table being raisable from said lower position to push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted i4 zontally outwardly to bend said inwardly bent opposite end portions of said inverted container back outwardly to the normal position thereof, gripping pressure varying means for varying the container held by said gripping means to fi'll said in- 5 pressure with which said gripping means respectively verted container with said articles and to push said grip said opposite end portions of said inverted conarticles farther to strip said filled inverted container tainer from a relatively high pressure exerted by said from said gripping means and dispose said filled ingripping means when said inverted container is beverted container on said table in an upper position ing pulled from said stack to a relatively low pressure of said table, exerted by said gripping means when said inverted (d) horizontally reciprocable pusher means for pushcontainer is in said position for receiving articles ing said filled inverted container off said table in said fed upwardly thereinto, upper position thereof, and (d) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally re- (e) chute means for receiving said filled inverted conceiving articles fed thereto in a lower position theretainer from said table and delivering said filled conof, said table being raisable from said lower position tainer in a generally upright position. 10. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at to push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted container held by said gripping means to fill said inverted container with said articles and to push said articles farther to strip said filled inverted container from said gripping means and dispose said filled inverted container on said table in an upper position of said table, and

(e) horizontally reciprocable pusher means for pushing said filled inverted container ofi said table in said upper position thereof.

12. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and for packing articles therein, said machine comprising a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and for packing articles therein, said machine comprising (a) a pair of spaced, vertically reciprocable, openable and closable gripping means each including a pair of gripping portions openable to receive therebetween and closable to grip therebetween a respective one of a pair of opposite end portions of a bottom container in a stack of inverted nested containers, said gripping means being lowerable from an upper position to move said bottom container downwardly from said stack and dispose said container in an inverted position for receiving articles fed up- (a) a pair of spaced, horizontally reciprocable bendwardly thereinto, ing means respectively movable horizon-tally in- (b) clamping means for clamping said stack of inwardly to respectively bend the opposite end portions verted nested containers to prevent movement of said of a bottom container in a stack of inverted nested bottom container into an improper position for gripcontainers inwardly and away from the opposite end ping by said gripping means, said clamping means portions of a next succeeding container in said stack, being releasable to release said stack of containers a P ir Of sp c vertically an horizontally reafter said bottom container has been pulled downciprocable, openable and closable gripping means wardly therefrom, each including a pair of gripping portions openable (c) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally reto receive therebetween and closable to grip thereceiving articles fed thereto in a lower position therebetween a respective one of said inwardly bent oppoof, said table being raisable from said lower position site end portions of said bottom container, said gripto push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted ping means being lowerable from an upper position container held by said gripping means to fill said into move said bottom container downwardly from verted container with said articles and to push said said stack and dispose said container in an inverted articles farther to strip said filled inverted container position for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto, from said gripping means and dispose said filled insaid gripping means also being movable horizontally verted container on said table in an upper position outwardly bend Said inwardly bent Opposite end of said table, portions of said inverted container back outwardly (d) horizontally reciprocable pusher means for push- 0 th n rmal position thereof, ing said filled inverted container otf said table in said p g means for ping S id ck Of inupper position thereof, and verted nested containers to prevent movement of (e) chute means for receiving said filled inverted con- Said tt m contain r into an improper position for tainer from said table and delivering said filled cong pp y Said pp g means, Said mp ng 1 11 tainer in a generally upright ositio being releasable to release said stack of containers 11, A a kaging a hine for feeding ontainer one after said bottom container has been pulled downat a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested wardly therefrom, containers and for packing articles therein, said machine a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally recomprising ceiving articles fed thereto in a lower position there- (a) a pair of s aced, horizontally reciprocable bending of, said table being raisable from said lower position means respectively movable horizontally inwardly to 0 p i l s there n upwardly into said inverted respectively bend the opposite end portions of a botcontainer held by said gripping means to fill said intom container in a stack of inverted nested containers v rt n iner with said articles and to push said inwardly and away from the opposite end portions articles farther to strip said filled inverted container of a next succeeding container in said stack, f m sa d gripping means and dispose said filled in- (b) a pair of a ed, vertically and horizontally verted container on said table in an upper position of ciprocable, openable and closable gripping means said table, and each including a pair of gri ing ortion openable (e) horizontally reciprocable pusher means for pushto receiv therebetween and losable to gri th ing said filled inverted container 01f said table in said between a respective one of said inwardly bent oppoupper position thereof. site end portions of said bottom container, said grip- 13. A pack-aging machine for feeding containers one at a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and for packing articles therein, said machine comprising (a) a pair of spaced, vertically reciprocable, openable and closable gripping means each including a pair of ping means being lowerable from an upper position to move said bottom container downwardly from said stack and dispose said container in an inverted position for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto, said gripping means also being movable horigripping portions openable to receive therebetween and closable to grip therebetween a respective one of a pair of opposite end portions of a bottom container in a stack of inverted nested containers, said is verted container held by said gripping means to fill said inverted container with said articles and to push said articles farther to strip said filled inverted container from said gripping means and dispose said gripping means being lowerable from an upper posifilled inverted container on said table in an upper tion to move said bottom container downwardly position of said table, from said stack and dispose said container in an in- (e) horizontally reciprocable pusher means for pushver ted position for receiving articles fed upwardly ing said filled inverted container off said table in said thereinto, upper position thereof, and (b) gripping pressure varying means for varying the (f) chute means for receiving said filled inverted con- PTeSShre With Which Said pp means respectively tainer from said table and delivering said filled congrip said opposite end portions of said inverted container in a generally upright position. tainer from a relatively high pressure exerted by said A packaging machine for feeding containers one pp means When Said inverted Container is at a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested ihg Pulled from Said Stack to a relatively low P 15 containers and for packing articles therein, said machine sure exerted by said gripping means when said incomprising verted container is in said position for receiving a i f spaced, horizontally reciprocable bendarticles fed upwardly thereinto, ing means respectively movable horizontally inp g means for Clamping Said stack of wardly to respectively bend the opposite end portions verted nested containers to prevent movement of aid of a bottom container in a stack of inverted nested bottom Container into all p p Position for pcontainers inwardly and away from the opposite end P y Said pp g means, Said Clamping means portions of a next succeeding container in said stack, being releasable to release said stack of containers (b) a pair of spaced, vertically and horizontally re after said bottom container has been pulled dOWl'ii rocable, penable and closable gripping means wardly therefrom, each including a pair of gripping portions openable a Vertically reciprocable table for horizontally to receive therebetween and closable to grip thereceiving articles fed thereto in a lower position therebetween a respective one f i inwardly bent OPPO- said table being raisable from Said lower position site end portions of said bottom container, said griptO push articles thereon upwardly lIltO said inverted ing means being lowerable from an upper position container hel l y Said gripping means to fill Said to move said bottom container downwardly from inverted container with said articles and to push said said Stack and disposa i container i an i d articles farther to strip said filled inverted container position f r receiving articles f d upwardly therefrom Said pp means and dispose Said filled into, said gripping means also being movable horiverted COn i 011 Said table in an pp Position zontally outwardly to bend said inwardly bent oppo- Of Said table, and site end portions of said inverted container back out- (e) horizontally reciprocable pusher means for pushwardly to the normal i i thergof,

ing said filled inverted container off said table in said clamping means fo l i Said Stack of i pp Position thereotverted nested containers to prevent movement of said A Packaging machine for feeding containers one bottom container into an improper position for gripdt a time from the bottom Of a StaCk Of ll'lVEI'tCd IlBSl'fid 40 ing by said gripping means aid clamping means Containers and for Packing articles therein Said machine being releasable to release said stack of containers compiisihg after said bottom container has been pulled down- (a) a pair of spaced, horizontally reciprocable benddl therefrom,

ihg means respectively movable horizontally inwardly (d) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally reto respectively bend the pp end Portions of a ceiving articles fed thereto in a lower position therebottom container in a stack of inverted nested conf id bl b i raisablg from id lower iti miners inwardly and 21Way from the pp end to push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted portions of a next succeeding container in said stack, container h by said i i means to fill said a P of Spaced, Vertically and horizontally verted container with said articles and to push said oipioeahle, opehable and closable pp means articles farther to strip said filled inverted container eaeh including a P of pp Portions oPehable from said gripping means and dispose said filled intO r i therebetween and closable to p thefeverted container on said table in an upper position between a respective one of said inwardly bent opof id table, Posite end Portions of Said bottom Container, Said (6) horizontally reciprocable pusher means for pushe pp means heihg loweiahle from an PP P ing said filled inverted container olT said table in said tion to move said bottom container downwardly er o ition thereof, a d from said stack and dispose said C nta n r i all (f) chute means for receiving said filled inverted conihvei'ted Position for receiving articles fed upwardly tainer from said table and delivering said filled conthereinto, said gripping means also being movable tainer in a generally upright i i horizontally outwardly to bend said lhwaidly bent 16. A packaging machine for feeding containers one opposite end Poltlons of Said lllverted contamer back at a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested outwardly to the normal Posmon threof, containers and for packing articles therein, said machine (c) gripping pressure varying means for varying the comprising prflssur? with which Said gripping respectively (a) a pair of spaced, vertically reciprocable, openable i sald opposite P 0.1110118 of Sald Inverted P and closable gripping means each including a pair tainer from a relatively high pressure exerted by said f 0 0 b1 t th gripping means when said inverted container is being 0 anppm por ions opepa e 0 rec We pulled from said stack to a relatively low pressure hetween and clqsable to g therebetween a respec' exerted by said gripping means when said inverted live one a l of opposite 9 Portlons of a botcontainer is in said position for receiving articles fed i contafner l Stack of "l nested upwardly thereinto, tamers, said gripping means being lowerable from (d) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally rean pp Position to move Said bottom Contalner ceiving articles fed thereto in a lower position theredownwardly from said stack and dispose said conof, said table being raisable from said lower positainer in an inverted position for receiving articles U011 to push art e es thereon upwardly into said in- 7 fed upwardly thereinto,

17 (b) gripping pressure varying means for varying the pressure with which said gripping means respectively grip said opposite end portions of said inverted container from a relatively high pressure exerted by 18 of, said table being raisable from said lower position to push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted container held by said gripping means to fill said inverted container with said articles and to push said said gripping means when said inverted container is articles farther to strip said filled inverted container being pulled from said stack to a relatively low presfrom said gripping means and dispose said filled sure exerted by said gripping means when said ininverted container on said table in an upper position vertedcontainer is in said position for receiving artiof said table, and

cles fed upwardly thereinto, (f) horizontally reciprocable pusher means for push- (c) clamping means for clamping said stack of l ing said filled inverted container off said table in said verted nested containers to prevent movement of said upper position thereof.

bottom container into an improper position for gripping by said gripping means, said clamping means being releasable to release said stack of containers after said bottom container has been pulled downwardly therefrom,

(d) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally receiving articles fed thereto in a lower position thereof, said table being raisable from said lower position (a) a pair of spaced, horizontally reciprocable bending means respectively movable horizontally inwardly to respectively bend the opposite end portions of a bottom container in a stack of inverted to push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted nested containers inwardly and away from the oppocontainer held by said gripping means to fill said site end portions of a next succeeding container in inverted container with said articles and to push said stack, said articles farther to strip said filled inverted con- (b) a pair of spaced, vertically and horizontally reciptainer from said gripping means and dispose said rocable, openable and closable gripping means each filled inverted container on said table in an upper including a pair of gripping portions openable to position of said table, receive therebetween and closable to grip there- (e) horizontally reciprocable pusher means for pushbetween a respective one of said inwardly bent oppoing said filled inverted container off said table in site end portions of said bottom container, said gripsaid upper position thereof, and ping means being lowerable from an upper position (f) chute means for receiving said filled inverted conto move said bottom container downwardly from tainer from said table and delivering said filled container in a generally upright position. 17. A packaging machine for feeding containers one said stack and dispose said container in an inverted position for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto, said gripping means also being movable horiat a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and for packing articles therein, said machine comprising zontally outwardly to bend said inwardly bent opposite end portions of said inverted container back outwardly to the normal position thereof,

(a) a pair of spaced, horizontally reciprocable bending means respectively movable horizontally inwardly to respectively bend the opposite end por- (c) gripping pressure varying means for varying the pressure with which said gripping means respectively grip said opposite end portions of said inverted contions of a bottom container in a stack of inverted tainer from a relatively high pressure exerted by nested containers inwardly and away from the opposaid gripping means when said inverted container is site end portions of a next succeeding container in being pulled from said stack to a relatively low said stack, pressure exerted by said gripping means when said (b) a pair of spaced, vertically and horizontally recipinverted container is in said position for receiving rocable, openable and closable gripping means each articles fed upwardly thereinto, including a pair of gripping portions openable to (d) clamping means for clamping said stack of inreceive therebetween and closable to grip thereverted nested containers to prevent movement of said between a respective one of said inwardly bent oppobottom container into an improper position for gripsite end portions of said bottom container, said gripping by said gripping means, said clamping means ping means being lowerable from an upper position being releasable to release said stack of containers to move said bottom container downwardly from said after said bottom container has been pulled downstack and dispose said container in an inverted posiwardly therefrom, tion for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto, (e) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally resaid gripping means also being movable horizontally ceiving articles fed thereto in a lower position thereoutwardly to bend said inwardly bent opposite end of, said table being raisable from said lower position portions of said inverted container back outwardly to push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted to the normal position thereof, container held by said gripping means to fill said (0) gripping pressure varying means for varying the inverted container with said articles and to push said pressure with which said gripping means respectively articles farther to strip said filled inverted container grip said opposite end portions of said inverted con- 0 from said gripping means and dispose said filled intainer from a relatively high pressure exerted by said verted container on said table in an upper position gripping means when said inverted container is being of said table, pulled from said stack to a relatively low pressure (f) horizontally reciprocable pusher means for pushexerted by said gripping means when said inverted ing said filled inverted container off said table in said containeris in said position for receiving articles pper positi n th reof, and

(g) chute means for receiving said filled inverted container from said table and delivering said filled container in a generally upright position.

19. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and for packing articles therein, said machine comprising (a) a pair of spaced, horizontally reciprocable bending means respectively movable horizontally inwardly to respectively bend the opposite end portions of a bot- 1 9 tom container in a stack of inverted nested containers inwardly and away from the opposite end portions of a next succeeding container in said stack,

(b) a pair of spaced, vertically and horizontally tainer from said table and delivering said filled container in a generally upright position,

(i) platform means for receiving said filled upright container from said chute means, and

reciprocable, openable and closable gripping means (g) horizontally reciprocable second pusher means for each including a pair of gripping portions openable pushing said filled upright container along said platto receive therebetween and closable to grip thereform means.

between a respective one of said inwardly bent oppo- 21. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at site end portions of said bottom container, said a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested congripping means being lowerable from an upper posi- 10 tainers and for packing articles therein, said machine tion to move said bottom container downwardly from comprising said stack and dispose said container in an inverted (a) a pair of spaced, vertically reciprocable, openable position for receiving articles fed upwardly thereand closable gripping means each including a pair of into, said gripping means also being movable horigripping portions openable to receive therebetween zontally outwardly to bend said inwardly bent oppoand closable to grip therebetween a respective site end portions of said inverted container back outone of a pair of opposite end portions of a wardly to the normal position thereof, bottom container in a stack of inverted nested con- (c) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally retainers, said gripping means being lowerable from an ceiving articles fed thereto in a lower position thereof, upper position to move said bottom container downsaid table being raisable from said lower position to wardly from said stack and dispose said container in push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted conan inverted position for receiving articles fed uptainer held by said gripping means to fill said inverted wardly thereinto, container with said articles and to push said articles (b) clamping means for clamping said stack of inverted farther to strip said filled inverted container from said nested containers to prevent movement of said botgripping means and dispose said filled inverted contom container into an improper position for gripping tainer on said table in an upper position of said table, by said gripping means, said clamping means being (d) horizontally reciprocable first pusher means for releaseable to release said stack of containers after pushing said filled inverted container off said table in said bottom container has been pulled downwardly said upper position thereof, therefrom,

(e) chute means for receiving said filled inverted con- (c) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally retainer from said table and delivering said filled conceiving articles fed thereto in a lower position thereof, tainer in a generally upright position, said table being raisable from said lower position to (f) platform means for receiving said filled upright push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted concontainer from said chute means, and tainer held by said gripping means to fill said inverted (g) horizontally reciprocable second pusher means for container with said articles and to push said articles pushing said filled upright container along said platfarther to strip said filled inverted container from said form means. gripping means and dispose said filled inverted con- 20. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at tainer on said table in an upper position of said table,

a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested con- (d) horizontally reciprocable first pusher means for tainers and for packing articles therein, said machine 40 pushing said filled inverted container off said table in comprising said upper position thereof,

(a) a pair of spaced, vertically reciprocable, openable (e) chute means for receiving said filled inverted conand closable gripping means each including a pair of tainer from said table and delivering said filled congripping portions openable to receive therebetween tainer in a generally upright position, and closable to grip therebetween a respective one of (f) platform means for receiving said filled upright cona pair of opposite end portions of a bottom container from said chute means, and tainer in a stack of inverted nested containers, said (g) horizontally reciprocable second pusher means for gripping means being lowerable from an upper posipushing said filled upright container along said plattion to move said bottom container downwardly from form means. said stack and dispose said container in an inverted 5O 22. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at position for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto, a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested con- (b) gripping pressure Varying me f arying th tainers and for packing articles therein, said machine pressure with which said gripping means respectively Comprising grip said opposite end portions of said inverted cona P of p horizontally faciprflcable bending tainer from a relatively high pressure exerted by said means f p y m0Vab1e ]101'iZ0I1ta11Y inwardly to gripping means when said inverted container is being respectlvely befld the oppofilte end Portions of pulled from Said Stack to a relatively low pressure tom container in a stack of inverted nested containers exerted by said gripping means when said inverted inwardly and w from.the 9 end pomons of container is in said position for receiving articles fed next .succeedmg contanier m sald q upwardly therein), I t a pair of spaced, vertically and horizontally re- (c) a vertically reciprocable tab e for horizontally reclproqable Ppenable and closable gnppmg means each including a pair of gripping portions openable ce ving articles fed thereto in a lower position ther f, to receive therebetween and closable to grip theresaid table being raisable from said lower position to between a respective one of said inwardly bent oppo push artlcles thereon upwardly into said inverted con- Site end portions of Said bottom container, Said tainer held by said gripping means to fill said inverted ri i means b i l bl fro an upper icontainer with said articles and to push said articles tio to mov id b tt container d dl f o farther to strip said filled inverted container from said stack and dispose said container in an inverted said gripping means and dispose said filled inverted position for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto container on said table in an upper position of said said gripping means also being movable horizontally table,

(d) horizontally reciprocable first pusher means for pushing said filled inverted container off said table in said upper position thereof,

(e) chute means for receiving said filled inverted conoutwardly to bend said inwardly bent opposite end portions of said inverted container back outwardly to the normal position thereof,

(0) gripping pressure varying means for varying the pressure with which said gripping means respectively 21 grip said opposite end portions of said inverted container from a relatively high pressure exerted by said gripping means when said inverted container is being pulled from said stack to a relatively low pressure g) platform means for receiving said filled upright container from said chute means, and

(h) horizontally reciprocable second pusher means for pushing said filled upright container along said platexerted by said gripping means when said inverted form means. container is in said position for receiving articles fed 24- A packaging m in fOr feeding C n iners O upwardly thereinto, at a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested (d) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally recontainers and for packing articles therein, said machine ceiving articles fed thereto in a lower position thereof, comprising said table being raisable from said lower position to (a) a pair of spaced, vertically reciprocable, openable push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted and closable gripping means each including a pair container held by said gripping means to fill said inof gripping portions openable to receive therebeverted container with said articles and to push said tween and closable to grip therebetween a respective articles father to strip said filled inverted container one of a pair of opposite end portions of a bottom from said gripping means and dispose said filled container in a stack of inverted nested containers, inverted container on said table in an upper position said gripping means being lowerable from an upper of said table, position to move said bottom container downwardly (e) horizontally reciprocable first pusher means for from said stack and dispose said container in an pushing said filled inverted container 01f said table in inverted position for receiving articles fed upwardly said upper position thereof, thereinto,

(f) chute means for receiving said filled inverted con- (b) gripping pressure varying means for varying the tainer from said table and delivering said filled conpressure'with which said gripping means respectively tainer in a generally upright position, grip said opposite end portions of said inverted con- (g) platform means for receiving said filled upright tainer from a relatively high pressure exerted by said container from said chute means, and gripping means when said inverted container is being (h) horizontally reciprocable second pusher means for pushing said filled'upright container along said platform means. I

23. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at pulled from said stack to a relatively low pressure exerted by said gripping means when said inverted container is in said position for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto,

a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and for packing articles therein, said machine comprising (0) clamping means for clamping said stack of inverted nested containers to prevent movement of said bottom container into an improper position for grip- (a) a pair of spaced, horizontally reciprocable bending means respectively movable horizontally inwardly to respectively bend the opposite end portions of a bottom container in a stack of inverted nested containers inwardly and away from the opposite end portions of a next succeeding container in said stack,

(b) a pair of spaced vertically and horizontally reciprocable, openable and closable gripping means each including a pair of gripping portions openable to receive therebetween and closable to grip therebetween a respective one of said inwardly bent opposite end portions of said bottom container, said gripping means being lowerable from an upper posiping by said gripping means, said clamping means being releasable to release said stack of containers after said bottom container has been pulled downwardly therefrom,

(d) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally receiving articles fed thereto in a lower position thereof, said table being raisable from said lower position to push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted container held by said gripping means to fill said inverted container with said articles and to push said articles farther to strip said filled inverted container from said gripping means and dispose said filled inverted container on said table in an upper position ti-on to move said bottom container downwardly from f id t bl said stack and dispose said container in an inverted (e) horizontally reciprocable first pusher means for Position for receiving articles fed p y thereinto, pushing said filled inverted container off said table in said gripping means also being movable horizontally id upper iti th f,

outwardly to bend Said inwardly bent pp end (f) chute means for receiving said filled inverted conportions of said inverted container back outwardly to the normal position thereof,

(c) clamping means for clamping said stack of inverted nested containers to prevent movement of said bottom container into an improper position for gripping by said gripping means, said clamping means being releasable to release said stack of containers after said bottom container has been pulled downwardly therefrom,

(d) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally receiving articles fed thereto in a lower position thereof, said table being raisable from said lower position to push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted container held by said gripping means to fill said inverted container with said articles and to push said tainer from said table and delivering said filled container in a generally upright position,

(g) platform means for receiving said filled upright container from said chute means, and

(h) horizontally reciprocable second pusher means for pushing said filled upright container along said platform means.

25. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and for packing articles therein, said machine comprising (a) a pair of spaced, horizontally reciprocable bending means respectively movable horizontally inwardly to respectively bend the opposite end portions of a bottom container in a stack of inverted nested conarticles father to strip said filled inverted container 63 tainers inwardly and away f the opposite end pop from Said pp means and dispose Said fined tions of a next succeeding container in said stack, inv d Container 011 d table in an pp Position (b) a pair of spaced, vertically and horizontally recipof said table, rocable, openable and closable gripping means each (e) horizontally reciprocable first pusher means for including a pair of gripping portions openable to repushing said filled inverted Container OiT S i table i ceive therebetween and closable to grip therebetween said upper position thereof, a respective one of said inwardly bent opposite end (f) chute means for receiving said filled inverted conportions of said bottom container, said gripping tainer from said table and delivering said filled conmeans being lowerable from an upper position to tainer in a generally upright position, move said bot-tom container downwardly from said stack and dispose said container in an inverted posiverted container on said table in an upper position of tion for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto, said table. said gripping means also being movable horizontally 27. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at outwardly to bend said inwardly bent opposite end a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested conportions of said inverted container back outwardly to tainers and for packing articles therein, said machine comthe normal position thereof, prising (c) gripping pressure varying means for varying the (a) a pair of spaced, vertically reciprocable, openable pressure with which said gripping means respectively grip said opposite end portions of said inverted conand closable gripping means each including a pair of gripping portions openable to receive therebetween and closable to grip therebetween a respective tainer from a relatively high pressure exerted by said gripping means when said inverted container is being one of a pair of opposite end portions of a bottom pulled from said stack to a relatively low pressure container in a stack of inverted nested containers, exerted by said gripping means when said inverted said gripping means being lowerable from an upper container is in said position for receiving articles fed position to move said bottom container downwardly upwardly thereinto, from said stack and dispose said container in an in- (d) clamping means for clamping said stack of inverted verted position for receiving articles fed upwardly nested containers to prevent movement of said botthereinto, tom container into an improper position for gripping (b) gripping pressure varying means for varying the by said gripping means, said clamping means being pressure with which said gripping means respecreleasable to release said stack of containers after tively grip said opposite end portions of said inverted said bottom container has been pulled downwardly container from a relatively high pressure exerted therefrom, by said gripping means when said inverted container (e) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally reis being pulled from said stack to a relatively low ceiving articles fed thereto ina lower position thereof, pressure exerted by said gripping means when said said table being raisable from said lower position to inverted container is in said position for receiving push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted articles fed upwardly thereinto, and container held by said gripping means to fill said (c) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally reinverted container with said articles and to push said ceiving articles fed thereto in a lower position therearticles farther to strip said filled inverted container of, said table being raisable from said lower posifrom said gripping means d dispose id fill d i tion to push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted container on said table in an upper position of verted container held by said gripping means to fill said table, said inverted container with said articles and to push (f) horizontally reciprocable first pusher means for said articles farther to strip said filled inverted conpushing said filled inverted container off said table tainer from said gripping means and dispose said in said upper position thereof, filled inverted container on said table in an upper (g) chute means for receiving said filled inverted conposition of said table.

28. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and for packing articles therein, said machine comprising (a) a pair of spaced, vertically reciprocable, openable tainer from said table and delivering said filled container in a generally upright position,

(h) platform means for receiving said filled upright container from said chute means, and

(i) horizontally reciprocable second pusher means for pushing said filled upright container along said platform means.

26. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested and closable gripping means each including a pair of gripping portions openable to receive therebetween and closable to grip therebetween a respective one of a pair of opposite end portions of a bottom container containers and for packing articles therein, said machine 49 in a stack of inverted nested Containers, Said PP comprising means being lowerable from an upper position to (a) a pair of a d, horizontally reciprocable bending move said bottom container downwardly from said means respectively movable horizontally inwardly to St ck and dispose said container in an inverted posirespectively bend the opposite end portions of a bot- 50 tion for receiving articles fed p y thefeinto, torn container inastack of inverted nested containers clamping means for Clamping Said stack of inwardly d away f o th opposite d ortions verted nested containers to prevent movement of said of a next succeeding container in said stack, bottom container into an p p Position for P' (b) a pair of spaced, vertically and horizontally recip- P y Said g pp g means, Said p ng means rocable, openable d 1 bl i i means h being releasable to release said stack of containers including a pair of gripping portions openable to reafter said bottom container has been pulled downceive therebetween and closable to grip therebetween wardly therefrom, and a respective one of said inwardly bent opposite end (0) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally reportions of aid bottom ontai id gripping ceiving articles fed thereto in a lower position theremeans being lowerable fro an upper iti t of, said table being raisable from said lower position move said bottom o tain d dl f id to push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted stack and dispose said container in an inverted posi- Container held by Said pp means to fill Said tion for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto, said verted Container With Said articles and to P Said gripping means also being movable horizontally ntarticles farther to strip said filled inverted container wardly to bend said inwardly bent opposite end porfrom Said pp means and dispose Said filled i tions of said inverted container back outwardly to the normal position thereof, and

verted container on said table in an upper position of said table.

(c) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally re- A Packaging machine for feeding Containers 0116 at ceiving articlgs fed thereto in a lower position therea time from th bottom Of 3. stack Of inverted nested COH- of, said table being raisable from said lower position tainers and for P g articles therein, said machine to push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted p i i g container held by said gripping means to fill said (a) a pair of spaced, horizontally reciprocable bendinverted container with said articles and to push said ing means respectively movable horizontally inarticles farther to strip said filled inverted container wardly to respectively bend the opposite end portions from said gripping means and dispose said filled in- 7 of a bottom container in a stack of inverted nested verted container on said table in an upper position of said table. 31. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and for packing articles therein, said machine comprising (a) a pair of spaced, vertically reciprocable, openable and closable gripping means each including a pair of gripping portions openable to receive therebetween to move said bottom container downwardly from and closable to grip therebetween a respective one said stack and dispose said container in an inverted of a pair of opposite end portions of a bottom conposition for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto, tainer in a stack of inverted nested containers, said said gripping means also being movable horizontally gripping means ing lowerable from an upper posioutwardly to bend said inwardly bent opposite end '[iOIl to move said bottom container downwardly from portions of said inverted container back outwardly said stack and dispose said Container in an inv rted to h normal iti th of, position for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto,

(c) gripping pressure varying means for varying the g pp g Pfsssure Varying means for Varying the pressure with which said gripping means respectively P with Which said g pp means respectively grip said opposite end portions of said inverted con- P said pp end Portions of said inverted tainer from a relatively high pressure exerted by said tamer f a relatively high pressure exerted y s id gripping means when said inverted container is being pp g means When said inverted container is being pulled from said stack to a relatively low pressure Pulled from said stack to a relatively low Pressure exerted by said gripping means when said inverted eXel'ted y said pp means When i inver ed container is in said position for receiving articles fed container is in said Position receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto, and upwardly thsl'siflto,

(d) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally re- Clampmg meansifof clamping said stack f inceiving articles fed thereto in a lower position therevefted Ilssted containsfs Prevent movement of of, said table being raisable from said lower position l lifottom container into an p p Position for to push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted pP g y said pp means, said Clamping container h l by id i i means to fill id means being releasable to release said stack of coninverted container i h said articles and to Push tainers after said bottom container has been pulled said articles farther to strip said filled inverted condownwardly therefrom, and tamer fr said gripping means and dispose id (d) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally refill d inverted container on said table in an upper cerving articles fed thereto in a lower position thereposition of said table of, said table being raisable from said lower position 30. A packaging machine for feeding containers one at to push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted container held by said gripping means to fill said inverted container with said articles and to push said articles farther to strip said filled inverted container from said gripping means and dispose said filled a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and for packing articles therein, said machine comprising (a) a pair of spaced, horizontally reciprocable bending means respectively movable horizontally inwardly to respectively bend the opposite end portions of a bottom container in a stack of inverted nested coninverted container on said table in an upper position of said table.

32. A packaging machine for feeding containers one tainers inwardly and away from the opposite end portions of a next succeeding container in said stack, (b) a pair of spaced vertically and horizontally recipat a time from the bottom of a stack of inverted nested containers and for packing articles therein, said machine comprising rocable, openable and closable gripping means each including a pair of gripping portions openable to re-.

ceive therebetween and closable to grip therebetween (a? a pair of spaced, horizontally reciprocable bendrng means respectively movable horizontally inwardly to respectively bend the opopsite end pora respective one of said inwardly bent 0 posite end portions of said bottom container, said gripiping means 22 25 2 12522?s a Stacl; of Inverted being lowerable from an upp r position to move said d l W r y an away the .01). bottom container downwardly from said stack and P051 i en portions of a next succeedmg container dispose said container in an inverted position for re- Sal ceiving articles fed upwardly thereinto, said gripping a pan 0 Spaced Vertically and l reclp' means also being movable horizontally outwardly to openakfle and l s gnPPing means each bend said inwardly bent opposite end portions of mchjldmg a pan of gnPPmg Portions Openabls to said inverted container back outwardly to the normal cell/Q therebetween and closable g ip mem eposifion thereof, tween a respective one of said inwardly bent opposite (c) clamping means for clamping said stack of inverted Portions of said 'bOttOIIl ntainer, said gripping nested containers to prevent movement of said botmeans F lowerable from an pp r P iKi II to tom container into an improper Position for gripping move said bottom container downwardly from said by said gripping means, said clamping means being stack and dispose said container in an inverted posireleasable to release said stack of containers after for receiving articles fsd p y r nto, said said bottom container has been pulled downwardly PP means also being movable h riZ nt'ally outflmrefmm, and wardly to bend said inwardly bent opposite end por- (d) a vertically reciprocable table for horizontally retiOnS Of id inv rt d Container back outwardly to ceiving articles fed thereto in a lower position thereth normal position thereof, of, said table being raisable from said lower position (C) gripping pressure varying means for varying the to push articles thereon upwardly into said inverted pressure with which said gripping means respectively container held by said gripping means to fill said ingrip said opposite end portions of said inverted converted container with said articles and to push said tainer from a relatively high pressure exerted by said articles farther to strip said filled inverted container gripping means when said inverted container is from said gripping means and dispose said filled in- 7 being pulled from said stack to a relatively low pres- 27 sure exerted by said gripping means when said inverted container is in said position for receiving articles fed upwardly thereinto,

(d) clamping means for clamping said stack of inverted nested containers to prevent movement of said bottom container into an improper position for gripping by said gripipng means, said clamping means being releasable to release said stack of containers after said bottom container has been pulled downwardly therefrom, and

(e) a vertically reciproc'able table for horizontally receiving articles fed thereto in a lower position thereof, said table being raisable from said lower position to push articles thereon upwardly into said 28 fill s'aid inverted container with said articles and to push said articles farther to strip said filled inverted container from said gripping means and dispose said filled inverted containers on said table in an upper position of said table.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,453,767 5/1923 Reese et a1 53243 XR 2,917,882 12/1959 Buck. 2,976,659 3/1961 Flanagan et al. 53237 FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner.

inverted container held by said gripping means to 15 P. H. POI-IL, R. J. ALVEY, Assistant Examiners.

Claims

1. A PACKAGING MACHINE FOR FEEDING CONTAINERS ONE AT A TIME FROM THE BOTTOM OF A STACK OF INVERTED NESTED CONTAINERS AND FOR PACKING ARTICLES THEREIN, SAID MACHINE COMPRISING (A) A PAIR OF SPACED, VERTICALLY RECIPROCABLE, OPENABLE AND CLOSABLE GRIPPING MEANS EACH INCLUDING A PAIR OF GRIPPING PORTIONS OPENABLE TO RECEIVE THEREBETWEEN AND CLOSABLE TO GRIP THEREBETWEEN A RESPECTIVE ONE OF A PAIR OF OPPOSITE END PORTIONS OF A BOTTOM CONTAINER IN A STACK OF INVERTED NESTED CONTAINERS, SAID GRIPPING MEANS BEING LOWERABLE FROM AN UPPER POSITION TO MOVE SAID BOTTOM CONTAINER DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID STACK AND DISPOSE SAID CONTAINER IN AN INVERTED POSITION FOR RECEIVING ARTICLES FED UPWARDLY THEREINTO, AND (B) A VERTICALLY RECIPROCABLE TABLE FOR HORIZONTALLY RECEIVING ARTICLES FED THERETO IN A LOWER POSITION THEREOF, SAID TABLE BEING RAISABLE FROM SAID LOWER POSITION TO PUSH ARTICLES THEREON UPWARDLY INTO SAID INVERTED CONTAINER HELD BY SAID GRIPPING MEANS TO FILL SAID INVERTED CONTAINER WITH SAID ARTICLES AND TO PUSH SAID ARTICLES FARTHER TO STRIP SAID FILLED INVERTED CONTAINER FROM SAID GRIPPING MEANS AND DISPOSE SAID FILLED INVERTED CONTAINER ON SAID TABLE IN AN UPPER POSITION OF SAID TABLE.