US3388527A - Case filling machine - Google Patents

Description

l.. vADAs 3,388,527

CASE FILLING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 18, 1968 Filed June 28, 1965 ATTORNEY June 18, 1968 VADAS CASE FILLING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jun@ 28, 1965 |NvENroR LESLIE VADAS iw f4-w ATTORNEY June 18, 1968 l.. vADAs 3,388,527

CASE FILLING MACHINE Filed June 28, 1965 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 il Si". 128 g. f): zoe a l 52 j" """50 64*- 't 34 f 28 4o 3B 20a r 8O H2 82 3e 4 UQ 8 S o 2g e se '7 78 n l sa 6,8(1 o 2. 88 La 98 Se B2 5a 6a 24 ,22 34 se vo 18o :se @190 66 "V8/1f l 2292 2O 5o 24 64 52 LEIlYlEENI/ns Ii lf3-q Y /M /MMWJ- ATTORNEY June 18, 1968 L. vADAs 3,388,527

CASE FILLING MACHINE Filed June 28, 1965 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 SZ-FIELE.

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cAsE FILLING MACHINE Filed June 28. 1965 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 BOO F'IE|' 11 INVENTOR LESLIE VADAS BYMWJW ATTORNEY L. VADAS June 18, 1968 CASE FILLING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed June 28, 1965 wm vw.

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vmN ON @NN wwN wmN O lNVENTOR LESLIE VDS BY MA1-4 W4 ATTORNEY @Hlm-nhl United States Patent O M 3,388,527 CASE FILLING MACHINE Leslie Varias, Los Gatos, Calif., assignor to FMC Corporation, San Jose, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Filed .lune 28, 1965, Ser. No. 467,602 II Claims. (Cl. 53-247) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE Cases are end-filled by transversely pushing articles into a U-shaped carrier while on its side, turning the carrier 90, and pushing articles out through the end of the carrier, with the lower wall of the carrier vbeing upwardly inclined. The carrier loading pusher acts perpendicularly to the opposed wall of the carrier U, when the latter is on its side.

The present invention pertains to machines for loading containers into cartons or cases. More specifically, this invention provides mechanism for converting a casing machine, of the type which normally loads an assembled group of containers into paperboard cases having open top fiaps, into a machine which loads the groups of containers into paperboard cases having open end flaps.

Open-end cases have proved to be significantly less expensive than open-top cases. As a consequence, some of the casing machines now being manufactured are adapted to handle the less costly open-end cases. However, many valuable and still serviceable open-top types of casing machines are presently in use which, if converted to handle open-end cases, could significantly reduce the cost of the product both to the packer and the ultimate consumer.

The case filling machine of the present invention is adapted to receive a charge of containers from an opentop type of casing machine, reorient the charge, and load the charge into an open-end case. An example of an opentop type of casing machine, which is representative of the machines adapted to be converted by the case filling machine of the present invention, is disclosed in the Kerr Patent No. 2,650,009.

An object of the present invention is to provide a machine adapted to convert an open-top case type of casing machine into a machine capable of handling open-end cases.

Another object of this invention is to provide a selfpowered openend casing machine arranged to cooperate as an attachment with an open-top casing machine in filling containers into open-end cases.

A further object is to provide an inexpensive and relatively simple open-end casing machine.

Another object is to provide a casing machine adapted to receive a rectangular charge of containers, to turn the charge sidewise 90 degrees, and to thrust the charge endwise into an open end case.

Another object is to provide an open-end casing ma chine ad-apted to cooperate with an open-top casing machine with a minimum of electrical, hydraulic, or mechanical connections to the latter casing machine.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE l is a schematic perspective from the side of the casing machine of the present invention, with the parts positioned to receive an assembled case load of containers and begin an operating cycle.

FIGURE 1A is a fragmentary perspective of a pusher mechanism for transferring a case load of containers into an empty case.

FIGURE 2 is an overhead schematic perspective 0f Patented June 18, 1968 the machine shown in FIGURE 1, and in the same operating position.

FIGURE 2A is a fragmentary, enlarged schematic perspective, the view being taken looking in the direction indicated by the arrow 2A on FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 2B is a fragmentary section taken along the lines 2B2B on FIGURE l.

FIGURE 2C is a fragmentary vertical section taken along lines 2C-2C on FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective similar to FIGURE l and illustrates a subsequent operational position.

FIGURE 4 is an overhead schematic perspective of the machine in the operating position shown in FIGURE 3.

FIGURES 5 and 6 are schematic perspectives similar to FIGURES 3 and 4, respectively; both figures illustrate the final step in one operational cycle.

FIGURES 7-10, inclusive, are schematic perspectives illustrating the respective operational steps of receiving, reorienting, aligning and transferring a case load of containers from a casing machine into an open end case.

FIGURE l1 is a schematic perspective of a modified embodiment of the invention wherein a multiple case load receiving and transferring turret is provided.

FIGURES 12 and 13 are, respectively, a schematic side elevation and a schematic plan illustrating the multiple turret of FIGURE ll in conjunction with a casing machine and a case holding mechanism. A pusher mechanism for thrusting the assembled load of containers into an empty case has been omitted from FIGURE l2.

FIGURE 14 is a schematic diagram of the air operated power and control circuit of the case filling machine.

Briefly, the case filling machine 20 (FIGS. l, 2 and 7) includes an upright frame structure 22 having a lower enclosure 24 which contains a motor-driven compressor, not shown, that supplies air under pressure to various air cylinders and air valves that power the machine through each operating cycle. An assembled case filling load or charge 26 (FIG. 7) of containers C is delivered to the case filling machine 2t) from a casing machine PC (FIG. l2), which may be of the type previously identified, and which is herein-after referred to as the primary caser. Delivery means of the primary caser for positioning the charge 26 may include, for example, a fixed, slotted support plate 28 (FIG. 7), a charge delivery mechanism 30 which deposits the charge upon the support plate, and a pusher mechanism 32 which subsequently pushes the charge off the plate into the case filling machine 20.

The case filling machine 20 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is provided with a pivotally mounted bin 34 which is arranged to be swung upright from its FIGURE 7 loading position to its FIGURE 9 discharging position after the pusher mechanism 32 pushes the container charge 26 into the bin. When the bin is in its FIGURE 9 up or discharging position, it lies between a ram-driven pusher grid 36 and an empty end-open case C1. The case C1 is manually positioned onto a loading funnel 3S (FIG. 3) and is supported by a case support arm 4t) which automatically swings upward into supporting position after the case is positioned on the funnel. The following operational movements, plus others later described, are then -automatically and sequentially effected: the pusher grid 36 forces the charge of containers from the bin 34 into the case, the case support arm 40 is lowered for removal of the filled case, the pusher grid 36 is retracted, and the bin 34 returns to its initial position for another operating cycle.

Before proceeding with a detailed description of the structural parts of the invention, attention is called t0 the fact that the charge 26 (FIG. 7) of containers C, discharged from the primary caser over the discharge plate 28, are moved along a horizontal path X which is diagonally related to the axis Y of a horizontal pivot shaft 42 that supports the bin 34, and that the bin is provided with an end or bottom wall 44 which lies initially in a vertical plane that is perpendicular to the path X. These structural features, as will later become clear, contribute importantly to the compactness and high speed efficiency of the case filling machine 2G.

More specifically, and with reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, the frame 22 includes spaced left and right side Walls 50 and 52, which respectively support bearings 54, only one 'bearing being shown, that rotatably mount the pivot shaft 42 :for the bin 34. Locked on the shaft 42 between the side walls is a sleeve 56 which is an integral part of a plurality of angle brackets 58 that are welded to the Wall 44 and to an adjacent wall 6() of the bin 34. Means for pivoting the bin 34 from its load receiving position (FIGS. 1 and 2) to its upright discharging position (FIGS. 3 and 4) include a lever 62 (FIGS. 1 and 7) which is pivotally connected at one end to the piston rod of an air cylinder or ram 64 that is mounted upon the base enclosure 24 and, at the other end, is secured to the sleeve 56. In its upright position the bin 34 abuts a fixed bumper 35 (FIG. 2) and, in its load receiving position, the bin is stopped by a similar bumper, not illustrated. The control for the air cylinder 64 includes a mechanically operated throttle valve 66 and a similar throttle valve 67 (FIG. 2B) that are both controlled by a cam 68 on one end of the pivot shaft 42. The valves 66 and 67 throttle the air supply to the air cylinder 64 as its piston rod approaches each limit of its stroke so that the bin 34 is smoothly accelerated and decelerated. These and other valves in the cycle control mechanism will be later described in conjunction with the schematic control diagram shown in FIGURE 14.

As best shown in FIGURE 2, an air operated gate cylinder 70 is carried by the bin 34 and is connected at 72 to one of the brackets 58. The piston rod of cylinder 70 is pivoted at 74 to an arm 76 that has an end portion journalled on a shaft '78. Shaft 78 extends across the bin 34 and is mounted in two bearings 80 (FIG. 4), one of which is mounted on the bin wall 60, and the other of which is secured to an opposite bin wall 82. The inner side wall portion of the arm 76 is welded to a gate arm 86 that swings, when the bin 34 is upright, as in FIG. 3, in a plane that is outside the bin wall 60 and moves between the lowered position in which its free end rests on a stop 88 that is secured to the wall 60, and the elevated position shown in FIGURES and 6. When elevated, movement of the gate arm 86 is limited by the extension of the piston rod of the air cylinder 70. Gate arm 86 has a counterpart arm 99 mounted on the other end of the shaft 78, and the free ends of both arms carry a bin gate 92. When the gate 92 .is in its lowered position, it closes the discharge end of the bin 34 and cooperates with an opposite, perforate end wall 94 of the bin to define, in conjunction with the bottom wall 44 and the side walls 60 and 82, a rectangular chamber having one open long side and a length and width slightly larger than the corresponding dimensions of the assembled case load 26 (FIG. 7) of containers C. When the gate 92 is raised by the air cylinder 70, the container charge 26 can be propelled through the open end of the bin by the pusher grid 36, provided that an empty case C1 is positioned on the loading funnel 38 to receive the charge.

Apertures 96 (FIGS. 7-10) in the bin wall 94 correspond to and are slightly larger than, the pusher grid 36 so that the grid is movable through the plane of the wall when the bin 34 is upright. The grid 36 is secured to the piston rod of an air cylinder 93 and includes three upright bars each of which coincides with a vertical plane through the longitudinal centerline of one row of a double tier charge of containers C (FIG. 9) when the ybin 34 is upright and the containers lie between the gate 92 and the wall 94. The pusher cylinder 98 is mounted on an Outrigger support 99 (FIG. l) of the frame 22 and is arranged to propel the pusher grid 36 through the bin 34 until the leading surface of the grid lies beyond lthe plane which at other times is occupied by the gate 92. The cylinder 98 then retracts the pusher grid to its initial position. During such movement of the pusher grid 36, the entire case loading charge 26 of containers C is propelled through the loading funnel 38 into the empty case C1 (FIG. 10) that is supported on the case support arm 40 and has its open-end disposed over the funnel.

The case support arm 4G (FIG. 2C) includes a rectangular plate having a right angle extension plate 112. The members 110 and 112 are adapted to respectively engage a longitudinal Wall and the closed end or bottom wall of the case C1 (FIG. 10) when the arm 40 swings upward into a case supporting position subsequent to the manual positioning of the empty case C1 on the loading funnel 3S. The plates 11) and 112 are secured to an L-shaped central rib 114 which is connected to an inner end plate 116. Plate 116 is welded to a sleeve 117 that is keyed on a rotatable shaft 118. Shaft 118 is journalled in two bearings 120 that are bolted to pedestals 121 on the outside surface of the frame wall 50. A sprocket 122 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is secured to the shaft 118 and a length of roller chain 124 is trained over the sprocket and is secured to the sprocket by an anchor link at 126. The other end of the chain 124 is pivoted to the piston rod 128 of an air lcylinder 130 which is mounted beneath the sprocket and is attached to the frame Wall 50.

The air cylinder 130 (FIG. 3), when energized to retract its piston rod, turns the shaft 118 clockwise by means of the chain 124. Behind the sprocket 122, a cam plate 132 is secured to the shaft 118. The camming edge of the cam plate is engaged by a follower arm 134 of an adjacent pilot air valve 136 which indirectly controls the pusher cylinder 9'6 and initiates a propelling movement for the pusher grid 36 when the case C1 is properly supported by the case support arm 40.

The case support arm 40 is automatically raised, as presently described, when the operator places the case C1 (FIG. 2C) on the loading funnel 38, the positioning of the case on the funnel causing a pilot air valve 137 to be actuated by a lever 13S. The lever 138 is pivoted at 139 to the plate 116 which is integral with the rib 114, and a spring 141 urges the lever 138 toward the rib. When the case support arm 40 is in its lowered position, the free end of the lever 138 extends upward through. a slot 39 in the loading funnel 3S, and lies in the path of the lowermost end flap F1 of the case. Accordingly, placement of the case onto the loading funnel causes the flap F1 to pivot the lever 138 and thus actuate the pilot valve 137 to energize the air cylinder 130 and raise the case support arm 4t) into supporting engagement with the case.

Associated with the pusher cylinder 98 (FIG. 2A) is a trailing arm that has one end secured to the pusher grid 36 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and lying above the pusher cylinder 98. The other end portion of the trailing arm 140 is connected to a bracket 142 (FIG. 2A) that carries a pair of lateral guide rollers 144 which respectively engage the upper and lower surfaces of a fixed guide rod 146 that is mounted on the Outrigger support 99 beside the pusher cylinder 9S. The bracket 142 also carries a support roller 154 which rolls upon the upper surface of the air cylinder 98 to support the trailing arm 140. Thus mounted, the pusher grid 36 is restrained from any substantial movement other than reciprocating movement along a linear path.

A camming block 156 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is secured to one side surface of the trailing arm 140, near its outer end, and is provided with an upper camming surface 15S which is adapted to engage and lift the actuating arm 162 of a pilot air valve 164 when the pusher grid 36 reaches its forward limit of stroke.

At the rearward limit of the stroke of the pusher grid, j

support arm 40, and the pusher cylinder 98. Valve 174 indirectly controls the bin cylinder 64 and the bin gate cylinder 70.

Other air valves and their actuating mechanisms include a pilot air valve 189 (FIGS. 5 and 6) which is mounted upon an upright strap 182 and is actuated by a tab portion of an arm 184 that projects laterally from the arm 76 associated with the bin gate arm 86, said actuation being effected when the gate 92 is raised. Valve 180 controls the propelling movement of the pusher grid 36. When the gate 92 (FIGS. 3 and 4) is in its lowered position and the bin 34 is upright, the arm 184 contacts the actuator 188 of a pilot air valve 190. The valve 190 is mounted upon a strap 192 secured to the right side wall 52, and controls the bin oscillator air cylinder 64. As shown in FIGURES 2 and 4, the side wall 56 has a pilot air valve 196 mounted thereon with its actuator 198 in position to be actuated by the bin wall 60 when the bin is in its upright, discharge position. Valve 196 initiates lifting movement of the bin gate 92. When the bin 34 is in its FIGURE 2 down or load-receiving position, a tab 269 which projects from the edge of the perforate end wall 94 strikes the actuating arm 202 of an electrical switch 264. The switch 204 is connected in the electrical control circuit, not shown, for the primary caser PC.

Switch 264 (FIG. 7) comprises an interlock control which governs actuation of the pusher mechanism 32 of the primary caser PC so that the container charge 26 is only ejected when the bin 34 is ready to receive the same. When the switch 264 closes, and other operating conditions obtain, one loading cycle is automatically effected in the manner presently described, whereby the container charge 26 is transferred from the primary caser PC into the case filling machine 20, and is reoriented and loaded into the end open case C1.

In the down or load-receiving position of the bin 34, (FIGS. l and 2) the bottom wall 44 of the bin 34 actuates a pilot air valve 206 that is mounted on the left frame wall 50. Valve 206 must be actuated before an operational cycle can begin.

At the end of a previous operational cycle, a pilot air valve 222 (FIGS. 7 and 14), which may be supported by a bracket fixed to either the primary casing machine or to the fixed frame of the case filling machine 20, was actuated by the pusher mechanism 32 of the primary caser PC as the pusher mechanism returned to its FIGURE 7 start position. When the valve 222 is thus actuated, pressurized pilot air flows from an air supply line 224 (FIG. 14), into a line 226, through valve 222, and into a line 227 which supplies the pilot pressure to a control air valve V1. Control valve V1 has a line 229 connected to the upper end of the bin actuating cylinder 64 through the throttle valve 66. Throttle valve 66 (FIG. 2B) and the similar throttle valve 67 operated by the cam 68, each include an actuator 69 which, at the bin loading and unloading positions respectively shown in FIGURES 7 and l0, actuates the associated valve to throttle the air supply. Between these bin positions the air is supplied at the normal rate due to the configuration of the cam 66.

The bin cylinder 64 thus receives air at an increasing rate, as the cylinder begins to rotate the bin 34, so as to provide shock-free acceleration of the bin. In similar manner, the valve 66 throttles the air supply as the bin approaches its upright FIGURE 9 position so that the bin 34 is smoothly decelerated.

Further operations in the loading cycle are dependent upon other conditions next described. An empty case C1 (FIGl l0) is manually placed on the loading funnel 38 whereby the lower case flap F1 (FIG. 2C) actuates the pilot air valve 137. Valve 137 thus transmits pilot air pressure from the supply line 224 (FIG. 14) and a line 236, through a line 232 to a pilot operated control air valve V2 to shift its valve core from the position shown in FIGURE 14. Air under pressure is thus transferred from a line 235 into a line 236 and into the upper end of the lowerator air cylinder 130. The rod 128` is pushed down, the shaft 118 is rotated clockwise, and the case support arm 40 is moved into its upper, case supporting position. As the arm 40 reaches its up position, the pilot air valve 136 is actuated by the cam 132 (FIG. 4). The pilot valve 136 receives pilot pressure air from the supply line 224 through a line 239 and -directs it through a line 246 to a pilot operated air control air valve V3 thereby shifting the valve to supply air from a line 243 through a line 244 to one port of a pilot operated control air valve V4. It is to be noted that valve V4 is at this time in a dow-blocking position and cannot transfer the air from the line 244 without further control steps having been completed.

Returning now to an operational step which occurred with the bin 34 (FIGS. 7 and 14) in its down, or loadreceiving position, it will be recalled that the pilot air valve 206 was actuated. When this actuation occurred, air was transferred Ifrom the air supply line 224, through rlines 235 and 248, the valve 206 and a line 250, to a pilot operated control air valve V5, This action shifts the core of valve V5 and opens a path through the valve V5 between -a line 254 that is connected to the pilot valve 196 and a line 256. With the bin 34 in down position, however, the pilot valve 196 is closed and the line 254 is thus isolated from bot-h the air supply line 224 and the line 235 that supplies air to the pilot valve 196. When the bin 34 moves to its upright, discharge position as noted in a previously described step, the pilot valve 196 is actuated, and pilot air pressure from the line 235 passes through the valve 196, line 254, control valve V5, the line 256 and into a pilot operated control air Valve V6. This switches the control valve V6 and places its pressure line 26) into communication with a line 262 that is connected to the gate cylinder 76. The gate 92 is thus moved to its FIG- URE 5 and 6 up position, and the pilot valve 180 is actuated. Valve 136 is connected by a line 264 to the line 256 which is at this time supplying pilot pressure for the control val-ve V6. A line 266 connects the pilot valve to the control valve V4. Thus, with the gate 92 in a raised position, the control valve V4 is shifted by means of air through the pilot valve 18) and line 266, and air from the line 244 passes through the valve V4, into a line 268, and into the base end ofthe pusher cylinder 98. The pusher grid 36, accordingly, is propelled through the bin 34, and the case filling charge 26 (FIG. l0) is pushed into the awaiting empty case C1. It is thus noted that raising of the gate 92 causes the pusher grid to expel the container charge from` the bin 34, and that the case support arrn 4f) must be in raised position.

When the pusher grid 36 is in its above described forward position, the pilot valve 164 (FIGS. 5 and 14) is actuated. Pilot valve 164 has a line 270 connected to the air pressure supply line 224, and a line 272 connected to the -control valve V2 that is associated with the case support arm 40. Branch lines 273 and 275 of the line 272 communicate with the control valve V5 and V4. Accordingly, the cores of control valves V2, V5 and V4 are simultaneously shifted when the pilot valve 164 is actuated at the end of the forward stroke of the pusher grid 36. The control valve V2 is thus returned to the position shown in FIGURE 14 and the case support arm cylinder 139 is energized, to lower the case support arm 40, through a line 276 which interconnects the control valve V2 and the air cylinder 130, while the formerly operative line 236 is vented to atmosphere through the control valve V2. Meanwhile, the control valve V4 transfers air under pressure from the air supply line 224 to a line 2S() that is connected to the forward end of the pusher cylinder 98, and the pusher grid 36 retracts while the line 268 is vented to atmosphere through the control valve V4.

As soon as the pusher grid 36 attains its fully retracted position, the pilot valve 174 is actuated, thus transmitting air pressure from the line 226 through a line 282, through the control valve V5, and into a line 284. Line 284 connects to the control valve V6 and supplies pilot pressure to shift the valve and place the line 260 in a communication with a line 285 that is connected to the upper end of the gate cylinder 70. Gate 92 is thereby lowered, and when fully lowered, actuates the pilot valve 190. Pilot valve 190 has a line 286 which is connected to the abovementioned line 284 whereby the valve 190 in its last described condition transmits pilot air pressure to aline 288 that is in turn connected to the control valve V1 for the bin cylinder 64. Air is thus transmitted from a line 289, through the valve V1, through the throttle valve 67, and via a line 290 into the lower end of the air cylinder 64 so that the bin 34 returns to its down, or loading position in readiness to receive, reorient and discharge the next assembled case load of containers. At this point yone operational cycle has been completed, and the next cycle will immediately begin when the primary caser 'PC delivers another container charge and again actuates pilot valve 222.

It will be apparent that the bin 34, provided that certain minor dimensional and structural changes are made, can be moved in one direction in a circular path as well as oscillated. Accordingly, the present invention contemplates a bin turret assembly 300, shown in FIGURES 11-13 which provides four separate bins 34a, 34h, 34C and 34d. The four bins are in cruciform array about a pivot shaft 42a and are simultaneously advanced 90 degrees in one direction, whereby one bin can be loaded while the adjacent bin is unloaded.

As in the case of the bin assembly 34, the axis Y of the shaft 42a is diagonally related to the horizontal path X of the container charge 26. Also, the floor 302 of each bin is spaced farther from the shaft 42a near the loading funnel 38a than it is spaced from the shaft at a point near retracted pusher grid 36a. Thus, the bin 34a, which is in receiving position in FGURE l1, has its oor 302 parallel to the leading ends of the cans C in the case loading charge 26, and the charge is supported by one wall -of 4the bin when the charge pusher mechanism 32 of the primary caser PC delivers the charge into the aligned bin. A 90 degree movement of the shaft 42a is then effected, whereby the bin 34a moves to the discharge position shown for the bin 34h in FIGURE l2, and the bin 34d moves into the receiving position just vacated by the bin 34a. The four-bin turret 36) is thus twice as fast in operation as the single bin form of the invention and is especially useful where a higher output of -Illed cases is required.

While two embodiments of the present invention are herein shown and described, it will be apparent that the particular details set forth are capable of modification and variation without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that the invention is limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Having thus described the invention, that which is believed to be new and for which protection by Letters Patent is desired, is:

1. A machine for iilling a case with a charge of articles comprising a support for a charge of articles, an open sided, generally \U-shaped article carrier having open opposite ends; means mounting said carrier for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis between a charge receiving station wherein the U is on its side, opening toward said support, and a discharge station wherein the U is upright; means for positioning a case at said discharge stations with the case opening toward one open end of said carrier, charging means at said charge receiving station for pushing articles from said support into said carrier, discharge means for pushing articles from said carrier into the case, and means for moving said carrier between said stations; the bottom of the U which forms the bottom wall of the carrier when the latter is at said discharge station being inclined upwardly relative to said pivot axis in the discharge direction of the discharge pusher, whereupon the bottom of the U is skew to the pivot axis when the carrier is at said receiving station, said charging means having a path of motion which is perpendicular to the bottom of the U when the carrier is at said receiving station, for squarely charging the carn'er with the articles.

2. The machine -of claim 1, wherein that side wall of the 4U which forms the bottom of the carrier when the latter is at said receiving station, is substantially parallel to said pivot axis.

3. The machine of claim 2, wherein said pivot axis is substantially at the junction of the bottom of the U and the other side wall of the U.

4. A case 'filling machine comprising a container car-- rier having open opposite ends and being pivotal about a horizontal axis from a case load receiving position to a case load discharge position, said carrier including a substantially vertical planar wall initially engaged with the adjacent surfaces of the leading containers in said case load and an initially horizontal planar wall supporting said case load, means providing a substantially horizontal pivot axis for said carrier, said axis being angularly otiset from the general plane of said initially vertical wall, power means for moving said carrier about said pivot axis from said case load receiving position to said case load discharge position whereby said initially vertical wall inclines upwardly and supports the case load, means for positioning an empty case in alignment with one open end of said container carrier at said case load discharge p'osition for receiving the assembled case load of containers, and pusher means adjacent the opposite open end of said carrier and operable to discharge the case load of containers from the carrier into the empty case.

6. In a case loading machine a carrier adapted to move an assembled case load of containers from a receiving station to a discharge station comprising a substantially horizontal pivot shaft, and four planar walls mounted on said shaft in cruciform array and non-parallel relation with said shaft, the distal end of each of said walls being axed to an associated wall extending normal thereto, said associated walls extending in a common direction circumferentially of said pivot shaft.

6. In a case lling machine, a container carrier adapted to move an assembled case load of containers from a receiving station to a discharge station comprising a sub-` stantially horizontal rotatable pivot shaft, four planar walls mounted on said shaft in cruciform array and in non-parallel relation with said shaft, the distal end of each of said walls being axed to an associated wall extending normal thereto, said associated walls extending in a common direction circumferentially of said pivot shaft, and power means for rotating said pivot shaft in 90 increments of movement.

7. In a case filling machine, a carrier comprising a substantially horizontal rotatable pivot shaft, means for rotating said shaft, and a plurality of generally trough-like bins equally spaced about said shaft, each of said bins having a planar inner wall, adjacent said shaft, each inner wall having one end portion which is closely spaced from said shaft and having an opposite end portion which is further spaced from said shaft than said one end portion whereby said inner wall of each bin is inclined when the bin is superposed above the shaft.

`8. In .a ycase .iilling machine, a container carrier comprising spaced apart upper and lower walls, an upright Wall interconnecting said upper and lower walls and adapted to be engaged by the corresponding surface of an assembled case load of containers, means defining a horizontal pivot axis for said bin adjacent said upright wall, said axis being non-parallel to said wall, and power means for moving said bin about said pivot axis to an upright position substantially 90 degrees from its former position whereby the initially upright Awall supports the containers and the general plane of said wall inclines along said pivot axis.

.9. In a case filling machine, a container carrier comprising a first wall for supporting an .assembled case load assasar o containers at a load receiving station, a second wall perpendicular to said Vfirst Wall and lying adjacent one side of said case load, said Walls being mounted for simultaneous movement about a pivot taxis which lies in a substantially horizontal plane and is angularly related to the -plane of said second Wall, and power means for moving said bin about said axis to a position where said second Wall inclines upwardly and supports said case load of containers.

10. yIn a case filling machine, a carrier adapted to receive a case load of containers advanced along a predetermined path to a receiving station and simultaneously reorient and transfer the load to a discharge station comprising .rst and second load engaging walls respectively abutting the bottom and leading ends of the load at said receiving station, means defining a common axis of rotation for said first and second Walls, said axis being substantially horizontal and non-perpendicular to said predetermined path, and means for rotating said carrier about said axis into a position wherein said second load engaging wall supports the load and thereby lies in an inclined plane.

`ill. A case tilling machine according to claim 4 in which each of said means includes an air cylinder for effecting the stated function, and in which said air cylinders are controlled by associated air valves interconnected so as to be automatically energized in sequence.

References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,678,151 5/1954 Geisler 53-62 2,732,984 l/1956 Dans 3-61 3,045,407 7/1962 Stevens 53-258 3,139,714 7/1964 Hall 53-159 WlLLlAM W. DYER, JR., Primary Examiner.

'R. ALVEY, Assistant Examiner.

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