US3309968A

US3309968A - Packaging machine

Info

Publication number: US3309968A
Application number: US408877A
Authority: US
Inventors: John W Scully
Original assignee: Pneumatic Scale Corp
Current assignee: Pneumatic Scale Corp
Priority date: 1964-11-04
Filing date: 1964-11-04
Publication date: 1967-03-21
Anticipated expiration: 1984-03-21

Description

March 21, WW

J. W. SCULLY PACKAGING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 4, 1964 ATTOF/VE Y March 21, 1967 .J. w. SCULLY PACKAGING MACHINE 4 Sheecg-Sheet 5 Filed No'v.

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INVENTOR.

John W. .Scu/ly BY l1? P ATTORNEY m 3 Hum/m mm United States Patent Ofiice 3,399,968 Patented Mar. 21, 1967 3,309,968 PACKAGING MACHINE John W. Scully, Raynham, Mass, assignor t Pneumatic Scale Corporation, Limited, Quincy, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Filed Nov. 4, 1%4, Ser. No. 408,877 28 Claims. (Cl. 93-441) This invention relates to a packaging machine, and more particularly to a machine for producing lined cartons.

The invention has for an object to provide a novel and improved packaging machine of the character specified having novel control means adapted to discontinue the feed of lining material and carton blanks when the supply of lined cartons exceeds a demand therefor by a subsequent machine in packaging line while permitting the machine to continue in operation, thereby enabling the machine to complete production of the lined cartons started through the machine whereby to clear the machine and to avoid stopping the machine with partially formed lined cartons therein.

With this general object in view and such others as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the packaging machine and in the various structures, arrang ments and combinations of parts hereinafter described and particularly defined in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a packaging machine for producing lined cartons embodying the present control means;

FIG. 2 is an electrical diagram forming a part of the present control means;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of a control panel to be referred to;

FIG. 4 is a more or less diagrammatic side elevation of the packaging machine showing the carton blank transfer mechanism and also showing the discharge conveyer;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the lining material feed to be described, as viewed from the right hand side of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a similar view as seen from the left hand side in FIG. 1.

In general, the present invention contemplates novel control means for a packaging machine for producing lined cartons. The present invention is shown as embodied in a carton forming machine adapted to form a lined carton upon a forming block and which may comprise a machine of the general type illustrated and described in the United States patent to Vergobbi, No. 2,364,406, issued Dec. 5, 1944. Such prior container forming machines are provided with a plurality of radially extended forming blocks arranged to be intermittently moved to present the forming blocks successively to the various lining and carton forming stations of the machine.

In the operation of such prior machines a lining sheet is first folded about a forming block to form a tube, the overlapping portions of the sheet being secured together to form a side seam for the liner. At a succeeding station of operation portions of the lining sheet extending beyond the end of the forming block are folded over the block to form the bottom of the liner. At subsequent stations, a prescored lining blank is wrapped about the lining and block in a similar manner and the bottom closure completed, and then the lined carton is stripped from the forming block ready to be filled and top sealed. In practice, selected portions of the lining sheet and carton blank are provided with adhesively coated areas for securing the overlapping portions of the side and bottom fold seams.

The lined cartons stripped from successive forming blocks are turned upright on a conveyer and delivered to a succeeding machine, such as a weighing and filling machine, in a line of packaging machines. Prior to the present invention, in the event that a surplus of lined cartons accumulated on the delivery conveyer for any reason, provision was made for stopping the carton forming machine until such surplus cartons were advanced on the conveyer so as to prevent jamming of the cartons on the conveyer.

One of the problems encountered when the canton forming machine is brought to rest at such times is that the adhesive applied to the lining sheets and carton blanks in the process of being formed is liable to dry and harden so that upon subsequent starting of the machine imperfect seals will be formed in those cartons produced from the partially formed materials in the machine when it was at rest. As a result, such lined cartons have to be discarded. Also, if the adhesive applying rolls are not continuously rotated, the adhesive will tend to dry thereon, requiring cleaning of the rolls.

In accordance with the present invention, novel control mechanism is provided for detecting a surplus of lined cartons in the delivery conveyer and for discontinuing the transfer of carton blanks from a supply thereof into the machine and also for discontinuing the feed of lining material into the machine while permitting the machine to continue in operation without producing lined cartons. As a result, the lined cartons in the process of being formed will be completed and stripped from the forming blocks to be delivered to the conveyer, sufiicient space being provided on the conveyer to accept the lined cartons completed after the carton blank transfer and lining material feed is discontinued. Thus, the present control means enables the machine to continue in operation without producing cartons or linings except to complete those already started through the machine. Also, the adhesive applying devices are continued in operation in a condition such as to prevent the application of adhesive so as to maintain the adhesive in a fluid condition and to prevent hardening of the adhesive.

The present control means further includes means for starting and stopping the feed of carton blanks and lining sheets independently of the detecting means on the delivery conveyer. Thus, the machine may be started in operation at the beginning of a production run without producing cartons so that the adhesive applying devices are enabled to spread the adhesive film evenly over the rolls before the carton blank-s and lining sheets are fed into the machine. As a result, when the carton blanks and lining material are subsequently fed into the machine, the firs-t lined cartons produced are provided with adequate adhesive coated areas to produce efiicient seals. Likewise, if it is desired to stop the machine for any reason at any time during the production of lined cartons, the independent control may be actuated to discontinue the feed of carton blanks and lining material and permit completion of the lined cartons in the process of being produced to clear the machine before stopping the machine.

Referring now to the drawings, in general, 10 represents diagrammatically a carton forming machine provided with a plurality of radial-1y extended forming blocks 12 about which the lined cartons are formed. The horizontally extended forming blocks are intermittently rotated to the various operating stations, herein identified by the letters A to H. In general, in the operation of the machine, a sheet of lining material 14 advanced into position under a forming block 12 is wrapped about the block, and the overlapping marginal edges of the lining sheet-are adhesively secured to provide a side seam, thus forming a tube having portions thereof extended beyond the end of the block.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the lining sheets 14 are formed from a continuous web 16 of lining material with drawn from a supply roll 18. During the production of cartons the web 16 is continuously withdrawn from the supply roll and is arranged to be advanced by

feed rolls

20, 22 through separable driving connections from the machine including a pawl and ratchet clutch, indicated generally at 24, which is adapted to be disengaged to discontinue the feed of lining material as effected by the present control means to be hereinafter described. In practice, adhesive is applied to selected areas of the web 16, as indicated at 26 and 28, by adhesive applying mechanism indicated generally at 30 for sealing the subsequently formed side seam and bottom closure. In practice, the forming blocks 12 may be heated, and the adhesive applied to the lining sheets may comprise a hot melt quick-drying adhesive so that when the overlapping portions of the lining sheet are subjected to heat and pressure, the adhesive will be reactivated to produce a sealed seam.

The web of lining material 16 withdrawn from the supply roll is arranged to be intermittently advanced one sheet length each cycle of operation by gear and rack mechanism indicated generally at 32 and which includes an electric clutch 34, see FIG. 1, adapted to be deenergized by the present control mechanism when the absence of a carton blank is detected so as to prevent advance of a length of lining material upon operation of the gear and rack mechanism. The intermittently operated gear and rack mechanism 32 is arranged to rotate a feed roll 36 which cooperates with presser rolls 38 to advance successive lengths of the withdrawn web into operative position to a cutter, indicated generally at 40, for severing successive lengths of the lining material. At this time the lining sheet is disposed in a position beneath the forming block at station A to be wrapped about the block and to be provided with a side seam to form a tube having portions extended beyond the block. This operation is' performed by known means which includes a side seam presser, not shown, to set the seam, reference being made to the Vergobbi Patent No. 2,364,406, above referred to. The forming block 12 is then moved to station B where the extended portions of the tube are folded against the bottom of the block by known means, not shown, to form an end closure, the overlapping portions of the end closure being adhesively secured together.

The forming block 12 with its lining formed thereon is now moved to station C where a prescored carton blank 42 is wrapped about the lining and the block and provided with an overlapping side seam to form a tube, the end closing flaps of the prescored carton extending beyond the end of the block to be folded against the end of the block and adhesively secured together at a subsequent station. As herein diagrammatically illustrated, successive carton blanks 42 are transferred from a stack 44 thereof into the bight of a pair of feed rolls 46, 48 by suction means comprising a suction manifold 50 connected to a source of suction and having a plurality of suction elements 52 extended therefrom. The suction manifold is mounted to move with parallel link mechanism indicated generally at 54 and is cam operated to be moved each cycle of operation to present the suction elements into engagement with the uppermost blank in the stack 44 to pick up the blank and present the leading edge thereof into the feed rolls 46, 48. The feed rolls 46, 48 are arranged to advance successive prescored carton blanks in spaced relation onto a continuously moving intake conveyer 56 arranged to position successive leading blanks into operative relation beneath successive forming blocks to be wrapped about the lining previously formed thereon. During the continuous advance of the carton blanks on the conveyer 56, selected areas of the blanks, as indicated at 58, are provided with adhesive for the side seam and the bottom closure by adhesive applying mechanism indicated generally at 60.

After the carton blank is wrapped about the lining and provided with a side seam, the presser member is again brought against the side seam to set the seal, and the block is then moved to station D where the end closure flaps are folded into overlapping relation by known means, not shown. At stations E and F pressure is applied to the bottom closure to set the adhesive seal, and at station G the completed lined carton is removed from the forming block by cam operated stripping mechanism indicated generally at 62. Provision is made for tipping the stripped carton into an upright position and discharging the same onto a discharge conveyer 64 leading to a subsequent machine in the line, such as a weighing and filling machine, not shown. As herein shown, the stripped carton is received on a short conveyer 66 in a horizontal position, and as it is advanced the carton passes over the end of the conveyer 66 and is tipped over to fall upright between suitable guides onto the discharge conveyer 64 disposed below the conveyer 66 to be advanced in spaced relation to succeeding stripped cartons. Station H comprises an idle station.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6 for a more detailed description of the lining feed, the web of lining material 16 withdrawn from the supply roll 18 by the

feed rolls

20, 22 extends over a backup roll 68 arranged to press the web against an adhesive applying roll 70 forming a part of the adhesive applying mechanism 30. The backup roll 68 is eccentrically mounted and is adapted to be rocked out of pressing engagement with the applying roll 70 when the feed of lining material is discontinued, as will be hereinafter described. The adhesive applying roll 70 is provided with segmental portions arranged to apply the adhesive in strips at the selected

areas

26, 28 of successive predetermined lengths of the web to be subsequently severed into individual sheets. The web then passes over a curved chill plate 72 to dry the hot melt adhesive, over a guide roll 74 and under a guide roll 76. From the roll 76 the web engages a guide roll 78 carried by an arm 80 extending from the pivotally mounted presser roll arm 82 and then passes between the intermittently operated feed rolls 36, 38.

The continuously operated feed rolls 20, 22 are arranged to feed the Web continuously at a rate such as to provide successive lengths to be intermittently advanced into operative position under the forming block 12 and severed by the cutter 40. As shown in FIG. 6, the feed roll 22 is mounted on a shaft 84, and the separable drive connection 24 includes a one-tooth ratchet 86 secured to the shaft 84 and a pawl carrier disk 88 loose on the shaft and provided with a spring pressed pawl 90 for cooperation with the ratchet. The pawl carrier disk is provided with a sprocket formed integrally therewith and is arranged to be rotated by a chain and sprocket drive 92 from the main driving mechanism of the machine. A pawl stop 94 forming a part of the control mechanism is arranged to be extended into the path of the pawl 90 to disengage the same from its ratchet when it is desired to discontinue the feed of lining material. In order to stop the feed roll 22 at a predetermined point to maintain the cyclical relationship, the other end of the shaft 84, see FIG. 5, is provided with a notched disk 96 arranged to cooperate with a roll 98 carried by a pivotally mounted arm 100 and also forming a part of the control mechanism to be described. Web take-up mechanism indicated generally at 102 is provided to maintain the web under tension during successive intermittent advancing movements of the web and includes a take-up roll 104 carried by a spring loaded arm 186 pivotally mounted at 108. The adhesive applying roll 70 is arranged to be rotated at the same peripheral speed as the feed roll 22 by a chain and sprocket drive which also passes over an idler sprocket 112, as shown.

The gear and rack mechanism 32 comprises a conventional device wherein the gear 114 is engaged with the shaft on the downstroke only of the rack 116 to effect intermittent advance of the lining material. The electric clutch 34 when energized is arrangedto permit rotation of the feed roll '36 with the gear 114, and when deenergized, the electric clutch permits rotation of the gear 114 without rotating the feed roll.

From the description thus far it will be seen that the lining material is continuously withdrawn from the supply roll at a controlled rate, and the withdrawn web is provided with adhesive and then intermittently advanced into operative relation to the forming block and severed to provide a lining sheet which is subsequently wrapped around the forming block and sealed to provide a side seam at station A. Upon folding and sealing the extended portions of the lining to provide a bottom closure at station B, the forming block is moved to station C where a carton blank 42 advanced into operative position to the forming block is Wrapped about the lining on the block and provided with a sealed side seam. The bottom flaps are folded and sealed at station D; pressure is applied to the bottom closure at stations E and F; and the lined carton is stripped from the forming block at station G, successive lined cartons stripped from the forming blocks being tipped upright and deposited on the discharge conveyer 64.

In accordance with one feature of the present invention, provision is made for controlling the operation of the carton forming machine to automatically discontinue the production of lined cartons when a surplus thereof is detected on the discharge conveyer 64 while permitting the machine to continue in operation, and for again starting the production of lined cartons after the surplus cartons on the conveyer have been advanced beyond the detecting means. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention this is accomplished by first discontinuing the feed of carton blanks and thereafter discontinuing the feed of lining sheets, the continued operation of the machine serving to complete the lined cartons already started through the machine. The detecting means is disposed along the discharge conveyer at a point such as to provide sufficient space between the receiving end of the delivery conveyer and the detecting means, as indicated, to accept those few cartons completed after discontinuing the feed of the carton forming materials. The adhesive applying devices are also rendered inoperative While permitting continuous rotation of the applying rolls to maintain the adhesive in fluid form to prevent drying thereof.

As illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 1, the detecting mechanism includes a photoelectric scanner device comprising a light source 118 and an electric eye 120 associated with the conveyer 64 in a manner such that successive spaced cartons delivered to the conveyer will intercept the light beam. The photoelectric device is connected in a circuit with a time delay relay 122 (PB), as shown in FIG. 2, adjusted so as to permit passage of successive single spaced cartons without activating the relay. However, when a surplus of cartons is accumulated on the continuously moving conveyer they will be brought into contiguous engagement so that the light beam will be cutoff for a sufiicient period of time to trigger the relay. When this occurs, provision is made for discontinuing the vacuum to the suction manifold 50 and thus prevent the pickup and transfer of carton blanks from the stack into the machine. As herein shown, the suction manifold is connected by a flexible tube 124 to a vacuum line 126 which may be connected to a vacuum pump, not shown. The vacuum line 126 is provided with a normally closed vacuum valve 128 arranged to be piloted to an open position by connections from a compressed air line 130. The compressed air line 130 is connected to a main supply line 132 which may be connected to any usual or preferred source of compressed air and which is provided with a conventional filter 134, air regulator 136 and air gauge 138 to regulate the pressure. The compressed air line 130 is provided with a cam operated valve 140 and a solenoid operated pilot valve 142 (SV1) which is included in the relay circuit for cooperation with the vacuum valve 128. In operation, the cam operated valve 140 is opened for a predetermined length of time each cycle of operation to permit air to pass through the normally open pilot valve 142 so as to maintain the vacuum valve 128 open during the pickup and transfer of a carton blank 42 from the stack 44 to the carton blank feed rolls 46, 48. As herein shown, the valve 140 is provided with a stem 144 engaged by a pivoted arm 146 having a roller 148 cooperating with a cam 150. The cam 150 is fast on a vertical shaft 152 connected by bevel gears 154 to the main driving mechanism of the machine. The upper end of the shaft 152 is connected by bevel gears 156 to an adhesive applying roll 158 forming a part of the adhesive applying mechanism 60.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the circuit further includes a microswitch 160 (S1) arranged to be closed when the suction manifold reaches the top of its carton blank transfer stroke to present the leading edge of the blank between the feed rolls 46, 48 so that upon release of the suction the transferred carton blank will be advanced into the machine. The switch 160 is disposed below the parallel linkage 54 and is arranged to be closed by an extension 162 therefrom when the linkage is at the top of its transfer stroke, as shown in FIG. 4. In this manner the release of the suction is timed so that a carton blank Will not be dropped midway in its transfer movement. Thus, in operation, when the relay 122 is energized and the switch 160 is closed, a circuit to the normally open solenoid valve 142 is completed to cut off the compressed air feed and permit the normally closed vacuum valve 128 to close, thus preventing the transfer of a succeeding carton blank into the machine.

The solenoid air valve 142, as indicated in FIG. 2, comprises a momentary impulse type of valve having two coils, one coil 164 being energized to hold the valve open .during normal production through a circuit having normally closed contacts 168 (PE), and a second coil 166 which is arranged in a circuit having normally open contacts (PB) which is arranged to be energized when the normally open contacts are closed and the normally closed contacts are opened to cut off the passage of air through valve 142 and permit closing of the normally closed vacuum valve 128. Thus, in operation, when the photoelectric relay 122 (PE) is activated, the normally closed contacts 168 (PE) are opened to deenergize the coil 164 and the normally open contacts 170 (PE) are closed. Subsequently, when the switch 160 is momentarily closed by the transfer mechanism at the end of its transfer stroke, the coil 166 will be energized to effect closing of air valve 142 to discontinue piloting of air to the vacuum valve 128 and permit closing of the latter. The valve 142 will remain closed upon opening of the switch 160 when the transfer mechanism is moved to its carton pickup position, and since the suction to the manifold has been cut off, a carton blank Will not be transferred during this cycle of operation. Conversely, when the surplus lined cartons on the delivery conveyer are advanced beyond the photoelectric device, the relay 122 will be activated to open the normally open contacts 170 and permit closing of the normally closed contacts 168. As a result, the coil 166 will be deenergized and the coil 164 will be energized to again effect opening of the air valve 142 to pilot the compressed air to the vacuum valve 128 to open the same when the cam operated valve 140 in air line 130 is opened for a predetermined time each cycle of operation.

From the description thus far, it will be seen that the transfer of carton blanks is discontinued when a surplus of cartons is detected on the delivery conveyer 64 while the machine continues in operation to produce lining blanks and to advance the previously transferred carton blanks along the intake conveyer 56 to continue to produce lined cartons to complete the cartons started through the machine. It will also be observed that the adhesive applying mechanism 60 continues in operation to provide adhesive coated areas 58 on the blanks until the last carton blanks transferred pass through the adhesive applying mechanism. At this time a presser roll 172 normally pressing the carton blank up against the applying roll 158 is arranged to be lowered through known means, not shown. When carton blanks are subsequently fed, the presser roll 172 is again raised into operative position to cooperate with the applying roll.

Provision is made for detecting the absence of a carton blank at a predetermined point along the continuously moving intake conveyer 56 and for discontinuing the feed of the lining material when such absence is detected. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the detecting means includes a pivotally mounted finger 174 arranged in the path of an oncoming carton blank 42. As herein shown, the detecting finger 174 is operatively connected to a shaft 176 having a switch arm 178 arranged to cooperate with a switch 180 (S2). The switch 180 comprises a two-way switch having an upper contact 182 and lower contact 184 as shown in FIG. 2. The switch is arranged to close a circuit through contact 182 when the machine is in normal production which will maintain a relay 186 (CR) energized. The relay 186 is arranged to close normally open contacts 188 (CR) to energize the electric clutch 34 (CL) on shaft 190 to which the gear 114 of the intermittent gear and rack feed mechanism 32 is connected. The end of the detecting finger 174 is held in its up position to close the circuit through contact 182 when a carton blank is present on the intake conveyer 56. Since the carton blanks are advanced on the conveyer 56 in spaced relation, rovision is made for holding the finger up between the spaced portions during normal operation. As herein shown, when a carton blank passes beyond the finger 174, an elongated horizontally disposed rail 192 is arranged to be elevated each cycle of operation to hold the finger up so as to maintain the contact 182 closed until a succeeding carton blank is advanced to hold the finger up in contact closing position.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the rail 192 is supported at one end by an arm 194 loosely mounted on a stationary shaft 196 and is supported at its other end by one arm 198 of a two-arm lever pivotally mounted at 200. The pivot 200 is carried by an arm 202 clamped to the stationary shaft 196. The second arm 204 of the two-armed lever is provided with a cam roll 206 cooperating with a cam 208 fast on a cam shaft 210. The clamped arm 202 may be adjusted to change the position of the pivot 200. Thus, in operation, the horizontal rail 192 is rocked upwardly each cycle of operation to hold the finger up between the spaced cartons to maintain the contact 182 closed during normal operation. It will be understood that the horizontal rail will be rocked to its down position when a carton blank is advanced to the detecting finger 174 so that if a carton blank is absent the finger will be free to rock down into an opening provided in a blank supporting plate 212.

When the absence of a carton blank on the conveyer 56 is thus detected the switch 180 will be rocked downwardly to open the circuit through contact 182 and close the circuit through contact 184. Opening of the circuit through contact 182 will deenergize the relay 186 to open the circuit at contacts 188 so as to deenergize the electric clutch 34 and discontinue the intermittent feed of successive lengths of lining material. Closing of the circuit through contact 184 will energize the solenoid SV2 of a normally closed air valve 214 to open the same.

The air valve 214 is connected in a compressed air line 216 leading from the main supply line 132, as shown in FIG. 1, and forms a part of a pneumatically operated control arranged to: lock the cam operated rail 192 in its lowered position so as to maintain the switch 180 closed through contact 184 until carton blanks are again transferred to the conveyor 56 to rock the finger 174 upwardly;

disengage the pawl and ratchet drive connection 24 to the continuous lining feed and withdrawing rolls; bring the shaft 84 to rest in a predetermined cyclical position; and render inoperative the adhesive applying mechanism for the lining material.

As herein illustrated, the pawl stop 94 pivotally mounted at 220 is connected to the piston 222 of a double acting air cylinder 224. The double acting air cylinder is connected to a regulated compressed air line 226 leading from the main supply line 132, one end of the cylinder being connected to a line 228 leading from the line 226 and having a normally closed pilot valve i230, and the other end of the cylinder being connected to a line 232 lead-ing from the line 226 and having a normally open pilot valve 234. The

pilot valves

230, 234 are connected by a separate compressed air line 236 which is connected by a pilot line 238 leading to the normally closed solenoid valve 214. When the valve 214 is in its normally closed position the piston 222 is forced outwardly to rock the pawl stop 94 out of the path of the pawl as shown. Conversely, when the valve 214 is opened upon closing of the circuit through contact 184, the compressed air is permitted to pass through

pilot lines

228, 232 to open the normally closed pilot valve 230 and close the normally open pilot valve 234, thus permitting the piston 222 to be moved inwardly to rock the pawl stop 94 into the path of the pawl to disengage the driving connection and discontinue the withdrawal of lining material from the supply roll.

In order to bring the driven feed roll to rest in a predetermined cyclical position after the pawl 90 has been disengaged from its ratchet, the roller 98, see FIG. 5, carried by the pivotally mounted arm is arranged to be forced into engagement with a cutout 240 formed in the disk 96 fast on the feed roll shaft 84. This is accomplished pneumatically by an air piston 242 connected in a line 244 leading from an air line 246 which is in turn connected to the air line 226. A normally closed pilot valve 248 is connected in the line 244 between the air piston 242 and the line 246 as shown. A pilot line 250 extends from a normally closed pilot valve 252 to the pilot valve 248. The pilot valve 252 is connected in the line 238 leading from the solenoid valve 214 so that in operation when the solenoid valve 214 is opened upon detection of the absence of a carton blank on the conveyer 56 the air pressure will open the pilot valve 252 to permit air to pass through the pilot line 250 to the pilot valve 248, thus permitting the air piston 242 to be extended into engagement with the arm 100 and press the roll 98 into the cutout 240.

In order to lock the cam operated rail 192 in its lowered position when the solenoid operated valve 214 is opened in response to detection of an absent carton blank, an air piston 254 mounted on the stationary arm 202 is arranged to be extended into engagement with a stop 256 carried by the arm 198. The arm 198 is spring urged to rock the rail upwardly and to hold the cam roll 206' against its cam 208. The air piston 254 is connected in a pilot line 258 leading from the line 250. Thus, when the valve 214 is opened to effect opening of normally closed pilot valve 252, air is released through

lines

250, 258 to extend the air piston 254 into engagement with the stop 256 so as to limit the upward movement of the rail 192.

As herein shown, the web adhesive applying mechanism 30 includes applying roll segments 70 and a backup roll 68, the backup roll 68 being eccentrically mounted as described. In order to prevent operation of the web adhesive applying mechanism when the absence of a carton blank is detected, provision is made for separating the backup roll 68 from the adhesive applying roll 70 while permitting continuous rotation of the applying roll segments. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, the eccentrically mounted backup roll 68 is arranged to be rocked out of a cooperative relation to the applying roll by a double acting air cylinder 260 having a piston 262 connected to an arm 264 fast on an eccentric rocker shaft 266 on which the backup roll is rotated. One end of the cylinder is connected by a line 268 to the air line 246, and the other end of the cylinder is connected by a line 270 to the air line 246. The line 268 is provided with a normally open pilot valve 272, and the line 270' is provided with a normally closed pilot valve 274. The

pilot valves

272, 274 are connected by a line 276 which is connected to a pilot line 278 leading from the line 250. Thus, in operation, when the solenoid valve 214 is opened to effect opening of the pilot valve 252, the compressed air will close the normally open pilot valve 272 and open the normally closed pilot valve 274 to extend the piston 262 and effect rocking of the backup roll 68 out of cooperative relation to the applying roll. The air lines 268, 270' are provided with fiow control valves 280 between the cylinder 260 and the

pilot valves

272, 274 so as to restrict the exhaust from each end of the piston to delay action until the lining feed stops or starts.

From the description thus far, it will be seen that the carton forming machine is controlled so as to discontinue the feed of carton blanks 42 when .a surplus of lined cartons is detected on the discharge conveyer 64 and to discontinue the feed of lining material '16 when the absence of carton blanks is detected on the intake conveyer 56 while permitting the machine to continue in operation to complete those lined cartons which have been started through the machine. Conversely, when the lined cartons on the discharge conveyer 64 are advanced beyond the detecting means 118, 120, the relay 122 (PB) will be activated to open the circuit through normally open contacts 170 (PE) and to permit closing of the normally closed contacts 168 (PE), thus holding the solenoid operated valve 142 in its open position to again initiate the transfer of carton blanks onto the intake conveyer. Thereafter, when the detecting finger 174 is lifted by the leading edge of an oncoming carton blank, the switch 180 will be moved to close the circuit through contact 182, thereby again energizing relay 186 to close contacts 188 in the electric clutch circuit to start intermittent feed of the paper. The movement of switch 180 to engage contact 182 also opens the circuit through contact 1184 to deenergize the solenoid of valve 214 and permits the same to return to its normally closed position. Thus, the pawl stop 94 is withdrawn from the path of the spring pressed pawl 90 to permit the same to engage its ratchet 86 to again initiate continuous withdrawal of lining material; the air piston 242 is withdrawn to permit the roll 98 to rock out of its notch 240; the backup roll 68 is rocked back into operative position to the adhesive applying mechanism 30; and the air piston 254 is withdrawn to permit the rail 192 to be rocked upwardly to its full extent during subsequent cycles of operation. The machine will thus again operate to produce lined cartons.

In practice, the feed of the lining material and the feed of the carton blanks are so related that a carton will always be provided with a lining, and when the last carton blank on the conveyer 56 is wrapped around a lining blank the succeeding forming block will be free of a lining so that when the lined cartons are stripped from the forming blocks after discontinuing the feed of carton and lining forming material, the forming blocks will be free of both linings and cartons. Likewise, when production is again started, a lining sheet will have been wrapped about a forming block and moved to station C by the time a carton blank 42 transferred from the stack 44 onto the conveyer 56 arrives under the forming block to be wrapped around the lining.

Provision is made for controlling the machine to discontinue the transfer of carton blanks and lining material independently of the photoelectric detecting

device

118, 120. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, by turning a rotary selector switch 282 (SS1) from its automatic position to its idle position, the circuit is discontinued through

contacts

284, 286 and is established through

contacts

288, 298, thus by-passing the relay contacts 168,

170, the circuit being continued through switch to energize solenoid 166 of the solenoid valve 142 when switch 160 is closed. As above described, this will close solenoid valve 142 to cut off the piloting of air to vacuum valve 128 and permit closing of the same to discontinue the transfer of carton blanks to the conveyer 56. As a result, the switch will be moved to open the circuit through contact 182 to deenergize electric clutch 34 and will close the circuit through contact 184 to energize the solenoid SV2 of the normally closed solenoid valve 214 to open the same upon detectiton of the absence of carton blanks on the conveyer. Opening of valve 214 to open the same upon detection of the abforming material 16 from the supply roll 18; render inoperative the web adhesive applying device 30; and lock the rail 192 in its lowered position, as described, while permitting the machine to continue its cyclical or idle operation. Rotation of selective switch 282 to its automatic position will return the machine to its normal condition for producing lined cartons under the control of the

photoelectric device

118, 120. This feature of controlling the machine independently of the photoelectric device is of advantage when the machine is started at the beginning of a production run to permit the machine to be cycled at its normal speed without feeding lining material or carton blanks to enable the adhesive applying devices to spread a uniform film of adhesive over the applying rolls so that when the rotary switch 282 is turned to automatic position to start the feed of carton blanks and lining material, the latter will be provided with uniformly coated adhesive areas. Selective switch 282 may also be used to discontinue the feed of carton blanks and lining material at any time during production to clear the machine prior to bringing the machine to rest.

It will be understood that the above described control mechanism also serves as a safety device to prevent the feed of a lining sheet for one or more cycles of operation in the event that one or more carton blanks fail to be transferred onto the conveyer 56 due to some malfunction of the transfer mechanism. Thus, when the detecting finger 174 is rocked downwardly by reason of a missing carton blank, the feed of lining material will be automatically discontinued as described.

As above described, the feed of the lining material and the advance of the carton blanks is synchronized so that a lining will be provided on the forming block for each carton blank positioned to be wrapped around the block, thus insuring against cartons without linings or linings without cartons when the machine is in production. However, provision is made in the present control mechanism for running linings alone without feeding carton blanks and for feeding cartons alone without feeding lining material for testing purposes after assembly of the machine in the factory or after setting up the machine in the field. As illustrated in FIG. 2, if it is desired to run linings only, a rotary selector switch 292 (SS2) is turned from its automatic position to its linings only position. This will disengage the circuit at

contacts

293, 294 to prevent energizing solenoid 164 of valve 142 and will close the circuit at contacts 296, 298 to continue the circuit through switch 160 and solenoid 166 to hold the valve 142 closed, thus cutting off the vacuum to discontinue the transfer of carton blanks as described. Switch 292 (SS2) will also close the circuit at

contacts

300, 302 to energize relay 186 (CR) to maintain the electric clutch 34 energized and will open the circuit at

contacts

304, 306 to render inoperative the switch 180 to prevent opening of normally closed solenoid valve 214. Thus, the machine may be operated to produce linings only. In order to return the circuit to normal operation, selector switch 292 must be turned to automatic position. The above procedure may be followed with the switch 282 in either automatic or idle position since the circuit to solenoid 164 will be opened in any event by opening of the circuit at

contacts

293, 294. However, in practice, if the ma chine is in production, it is necessary to first turn selector 1 I switch 282 to idle position to clear the machine of lined cartons whereupon the machine is stopped. Thereafter, the selector switch 292 is turned to its linings only position, as described, before again starting the machine. To resume normal productiton, both

switches

282 and 292 must be turned to automatic position.

In order to run the machine to produce cartons only, if the machine is in production, selector switch 282 (SS1) is first turned to idle position to clear the machine of lined cartons. The machine is then stopped, and the selector switch 282 is returned to automatic position. The presser rolls 38, see FIG. 5, are then manually moved away from the intermittent feed roll 36 to prevent intermittent advance of lining material reagrdless of operation of the gear and rack mechanism 32. A toggle switch 3% may then be closed to energize solenoid air valve 214 to disengage the continuous lining feed connections 24 so that when carton blanks are advanced to lift the finger 174 and close contact 182 of switch 180, lining material will not be fed. In other words, solenoid valve 214 will be maintained in its open position to prevent the feed of lining material while permitting carton blanks to be advanced and wrapped about the forming block without linings. To resume normal production, the above procedure is reversed.

It will be understood that the practice of running linings only or cantons only is merely for testing purposes to assure proper alignment and fitting of the parts during assembly of the machine and that the machine should be jogged or turned over by hand when following this procedure. Also, when running cartons alone, the adhesive applying device for the carton blanks must be rendered inoperative. It will be observed that the toggle switch 308 may also be used to separate the lining adhesive applying roll from the backup roll so as to facilitate the initial threading of lining material through the feeding mechanism.

From the above description it will be seen that the present packaging machine for producing lined cartons is provided With novel control means arranged to discontinue the production of lined cartons when a surplus thereof is detected on the delivery conveyer so as to prevent jamming of the cartons on the conveyer between the present machine and a subsequent machine, such as a filling machine, in the line while permitting the machine to continue cycling at its normal rate of speed in readiness to again produce lined cartons when the surplus lined cartons are advanced beyond the detecting means. It will also be observed that the machine may be controlled in a similar manner independently of the detecting means by turning a switch 282 to idle position. In practice, it is preferred to run the carton forming machine slightly faster than the filling machine so as; to assure an adequate supply of lined cartons to such machine. Thus, in operation, the carton forming machine will discontinue production of lined cartons periodically upon detection of a surplus on the delivery conveyer and then resume production automatically when such surplus is advanced on the conveyer beyond the detecting means. It will also be observed that if at any time during production the transfer mechanism fails to pick up and transfer a carton blank from the stack onto the intake conveyer, such missing carton blank will be detected by switch 180 to render the lining feed mechanism inoperative so that a lining sheet will not be provided for such missing blank. In other words, the forming block which comes to rest at station C during the cycle in which a missing carton blank would normally be positioned under the forming block will be free of a lining.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a packaging machine of the character described, in combination, means for producing lined cartons including means for feeding lining material into the machine to be formed into lining bags, means for feeding carton blanks into the machine to be wrapped about the lining bags to provide lined cartons, and means under the control of the operator for discontinuing the feed of carton blanks and lining material while permitting the machine to cycle without producing lined cartons.

2. In a packaging machine of the character described, in combination, means for producing lined cartons including means for feeding lining material into the machine to be formed into lining bags, means for feeding carton blanks into the machine to be wrapped about the lining bags to provide lined cartons, and means under the control of the operator for discontinuing the feed of carton blanks and lining material while permitting the machine to cycle without producing lined cartons, said control means arranged to be actuated to start the feed of carton blanks and lining material to produce lined cartons during the cycling of the machine.

3. In a packaging machine of the character described, in combination, means for producing lined cartons including means for feeding lining material into the machine to be formed into ilining bags, means for "feeding carton blanks into the machine to be wrapped about the lining bags to pnovide lined cartons, means under the control of the operator for discontinuing the feed of carton blanks, means for detecting the absence of a carton blank, and means responsive to said detecting means for automatically discontinuing the feed of lining material while permitting the machine to cycle without producing lined cartons.

4. In a packing machine of the character described, in combination, means for producing lined cartons including means 'for feeding lining material into the machine to be formed into lining bags, means for feeding carton blanks into the machine to be wrapped about the lining bags to provide lined cartons, means under the control of the operator for discontinuing the feed of carton blanks, means for detecting the absence of a carton blank, and means responsive to said detecting means for automatically discontinuing the feed of lining material while permitting the machine to cycle without producing lined cartons, said control means arranged to be actuated to start the feed of carton blanks, and to automatically start the feed of lining material when carton blanks are present whereby to start the production of lined cartons.

5. In a packaging machine of the character described, in combination, means for producing lined cartons including means for feeding lining material into the machine to be formed into lining bags, means for feeding carton blanks into themachine to be wrapped about the lining bags to provide lined cartons, a discharge conveyer onto which the lined cartons are deposited to provide a supply thereof, control rneans including means for detecting a surplus of line-d cartons in said supply, and means responsive to said detecting means for discontinuing the feed of carton blanks and lining material while permitting the machine to cycle Without producing cartons, those cartons in the process of being produced being completed during the continuous cycling of the machine.

6. In a packaging machine of the character described, in combination, means for producing lined cartons including means for feeding lining material into the machine to be formed into lining bags, means for feeding carton blanks into the machine to be wrapped about the lining bags to provide lined cartons, a discharge conveyer onto which the lined cartons are deposited to provide a supply thereof, control means including means for detecting a surplus of lined cartons in said supply, and means responsive to said detecting means for discontinuing the feed of carton blanks and lining material while permitting the machine to cycle without producing cartons, those cartons in the process of being produced being completed during the continuous cycling of the machine, said control means arranged to again initiate the feed of carton 13 blanks and lining material when said surplus is reduced to a normal supply.

7. In a packaging machine of the character described, in combination, means for producing lined cartons including means for feeding lining material into the machine to be formed into lining bags, means for feeding carton blanks into the machine to be wrapped about the lining bags to produce lined cartons, means for applying adhesive to selected areas of said blanks and said lining material, a discharge conveyer onto which the lined cartons are deposited to provide a supply thereof, control means including means for detecting a surplus of lined cartons on said discharge conveyer, and means responsive to said detecting means when a surplus is detected for discontinuing the feed of carton blanks and lining material and for rendering inoperative said adhesive applying means while permitting the machine including the adhesive applying means to cycle without producing lined cartons, those lined cartons in the process of being produced being completed during the continuous cycling of the machine to clear the machine of uncompleted linings and cartons.

8. In a packaging machine of the character described, in combination, means for producing lined cartons including means for feeding lining material into the machine to be formed into lining bags, means for feeding carton blanks into the machine to be wrapped about the lining bags to produce lined cartons, means for applying adhesive to selected areas of said blanks and said lining material, a discharge conveyer onto which the lined cartons are deposited to provide a supply thereof, control means including means for detecting a surplus of lined cartons on said discharge conveyer, and means responsive to said detecting means when a surplus is detected for discontinuing the feed of carton blanks and lining material and for rendering inoperative said adhesive applying means while permitting the machine including the adhesive applying means to cycle without producing lined cartons, those lined cartons in the process of being produced being completed during the continuous cycling of the machine to clear the machine of uncompleted linings and cartons, said control means arranged to again initiate the feed of carton blanks and lining material and to render said adhesive applying means operative.

when the surplus of lined cartons on the discharge conveyer pass beyond the detecting means.

9. In a packaging machine, in combination, a plurality of intermittently moving forming blocks about which a lining sheet and a carton blank are successively wrapped to produce lined cartons, a discharge conveyer onto which the lined cartons removed from successive blocks are deposited to provide a supply thereof, means for feeding lining material into operative position to be wrapped about successive blocks, means for feeding carton blanks into operative position to be wrapped about the linings on successive blocks, control means including means for detecting a surplus of lined cartons in said supply, means responsive thereto for discontinuing the feed of carton blanks into the machine, means for detecting the absence of a carton blank, and means responsive to the absence of a carton blank for discontinuing the feed of lining material while permitting the machine to continue in operation without producing cartons, those cartons in the process of being produced being completed during the continuous operation of the machine.

10. In a packaging machine, in combination, a plurality of intermittently moving forming blocks about which a lining sheet and a carton blank are successively wrapped to produce lined cartons, a discharge conveyer onto which the lined cartons removed from successive blocks are deposited to provide a supply thereof, means for feeding lining material into operative position to be wrapped about successive blocks, means for feeding carton blanks into operative position to be wrapped about the linings on successive blocks including a continuously moving intake conveyer, and means for transferring successive blanks from a stack thereof in spaced relation onto said intake conveyer, control means including means for detecting a surplus of lined cartons on said discharge conveyer, means responsive thereto for discontinuing the transfer of carton blanks onto said intake conveyer, means for detecting the absence of a carton blank on said intake conveyer, and means responsive to the absence of a carton blank for discontinuing the feed of lining material while permitting the machine to continue in operation without producing lined cartons, those cantons in the process of being produced being completed during the continuous operation of the machine to clear the machine of uncompleted cartons and linings.

11. A packaging machine as defined in claim 10 wherein the control means is arranged to again initiate the feed of carton blanks when the surplus of lined cartons pass beyond the detecting means, and to automatically start the feed of lining material when the carton blanks are present on said intake conveyer whereby to again start the production of lined cartons.

12. A packaging machine as defined in claim 10 wherein the transfer means includes suction elements movable to pick up successive blanks from the stack and to deliver them to said intake conveyer, and wherein the control means includes means for cutting oif the suction to said elements when a surplus of lined cartons is detected on said intake conveyer.

13. A packaging machine as defined in claim 10 wherein the transfer means includes suction elements connected in a vacuum line and movable to pick up successive blanks from the stack and to deliver the same to said intake conveyer, said control means including a normally closed pilot operated valve in said vacuum line, and a pilot valve in a compressed air line cooperating with said pilot operated valve to maintain the same open, said pilot valve being responsive to said surplus detecting means to permit closing of said pilot operated valve to discontinue the suction to said transfer means.

14. A packaging machine as defined in claim 10 wherein the transfer means includes suction elements connected in a vacuum line and movable to pick up successive blanks from the stack and to deliver the same to said intake conveyer, said control means including a normally closed pilot operated vacuum valve in said vacuum line, an electrical circuit having a solenoid operated pilot valve cooperating with said vacuum valve and connected in a compressed air line, said surplus detecting means comprising a photoelectric scanner device in said circuit arranged to close said solenoid operated valve to permit closing of said vacuum valve whereby to discontinue the suction to said transfer means.

15. A packaging machine as defined in claim 10 wherein the means for detecting the absence of a carton blank on said intake conveyer includes a pivotally mounted finger arranged in the path of said carton blanks, an electrical circuit including a switch arranged to be actuated when said finger is rocked in the absence of a carton blank, pneumatically operated control means for starting and stopping said lining feed including a normally closed solenoid operated valve in said circuit arranged to be opened to effect stopping of said lining feed when said carton blank detecting switch is actuated.

16. A packaging machine as defined in claim 10 wherein the lining feed includes means for continuously withdrawing lining material from a supply roll thereof, means for intermittently advancing predetermined lengths of said withdrawn material into operative position to be severed and wrapped about a forming block, disengageable drive connections to said continuous withdrawing means, and pneumatically operated control means for cooperation with said drive connections arranged to dis engage the same upon detection of the absence of a blank on said intake conveyer.

17. A packaging machine as defined in claim 16 where- 15 in the control means includes means for positively stopping said continuous withdrawing means in a predetermined cyclical position when said drive connections are disengaged.

18. A packaging machine as defined in claim 16 wherein the intermittent advancing means includes a normally energized electric clutch arranged to be deenergized upon detection of the absence of a carton blank on said intake conveyer.

19. A packaging machine as defined in claim 16 which includes an adhesive applying roll and a cooperating presser roll, and pneumatically operated means for moving the presser roll out of cooperating relation to said applying roll upon detection of the absence of a carton blank on said intake conveyer.

20. A packaging machine as defined in claim wherein the control means includes means for discontinuing the feed of carton blanks and lining material independently of said detecting means.

21. A packaging machine as defined in claim 10 wherein the forming blocks are radially arranged and are intermittently rotated to successive operating stations, said lining material being fed and wrapped about the block at one station of operation, and the carton blanks being fed and wrapped about the lining and the block at a subsequent station of operation, the number of carton blanks transferred to said intake conveyer at said subsequent station prior to detection of an absent carton blank coinciding with the number of linings wrapped about successive blocks at said first station whereby each carton is provided with a lining to complete the lined cartons in the machine after discontinuance of the lining feed and the carton blank transfer.

22. A packaging machine as defined in claim 10 wherein the means for feeding lining material includes means for continuously withdrawing lining material from a supply thereof and means for intermittently advancing .predetermined lengths of the withdrawn material into operative position to be severed and wrapped about a forming block, each of said continuous and intermittent feeding means having disengageable driving elements arranged to be disengaged upon detection of the absence of a carton blank.

23. A packaging machine as defined in claim 10 wherein the transfer means includes suction elements connected in a vacuum line and movable to pick up successive blanks from the stack and to deliver the same to said intake conveyer. said vacuum line having a normally closed pilot operated valve, a normally open solenoid operated pilot valve arranged in a compressed air line and arranged to pilot air to open said normally closed vacuum valve, said compressed air line having a cam operated valve arranged to release compressed air to open the vacuum valve for a predetermined time each cycle to perform the transfer operation, said surplus detecting means including a photoelectric scanning device having a relay in circuit with said solenoid operated pilot valve arranged to close said pilot valve to permit closing of the vacuum valve to discontinue the transfer operation when a surplus is detected, and a switch in said circuit arranged to be closed at the delivery end of the transfer stroke to complete the circuit to the solenoid operated valve.

24. A packaging machine as defined in claim 23 wherein the lined cartons are deposited on the discharge conveyer in spaced relation, and wherein the relay is arranged to permit cartons to pass singly, surplus cartons being brought into contiguous relation to effect triggering of the relay.

25. A packaging machine as defined in claim 10 wherein the means for detecting the absence of a carton blank on said intake conveyer includes a pivotally mounted finger arranged in the path of said carton blanks whereby the finger is rocked upwardly, an electrical circuit including a switch actuated by said finger, pneumatically operated control means for starting and stopping the lining feed including a normally closed solenoid operated valve in said circuit, said solenoid being energized to open the valve and stop the lining feed when the switch is actuated by downward rocking of the finger in the absence of a carton blank, and means for normally holding said finger in its upwardly rocked position to continue the feed of lining material when the finger is above the space between adjacent spaced carton blanks.

26. A packaging machine as defined in claim 25 wherein the control means includes means for locking the finger holding means in its inoperative position when a carton blank is absent.

27. A packaging machine as defined in claim 10 wherein the control means includes means for rendering inoperative said carton blank feeding means while permitting the feed of lining material to continue.

28. A packaging machine as defined in claim 10 wherein the control means includes means for rendering inoperative said lining feed while permitting the feed of carton blanks to continue.

No references cited.

WILLIAM W. DYER, JR., Primary Examiner. JAMES M. MEISTER, Examiner.