US3572549A

US3572549A - Container-dispensing apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3572549A
Application number: US763663A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles H Willsey; Francis W Majors
Original assignee: Seymour Foods Inc
Current assignee: Seymour Foods Inc
Priority date: 1968-09-30
Filing date: 1968-09-30
Publication date: 1971-03-30
Anticipated expiration: 1988-03-30
Also published as: DE1928782A1; BE734202A; NL6908660A; SE352303B; JPS5027799B1; FR2019145A1; ES368101A1

Abstract

An apparatus for dispensing article-receiving containers, specifically, open cartons or filler flats for packing eggs, which apparatus is characterized by a magazine for supporting a stack of the containers arranged on their edges and a means at the end of the stack which may be operated to withdraw successive endmost containers, one by one, and deposit the same with the open side uppermost on a horizontally disposed conveyor or other support for advance to a packing station or the like, the device being mounted on a swinging frame and including gripper fingers which are operated to grip the endmost container when the frame is swung to engage the stack end and to release the container when the frame is swung down to a position where the container is in a generally horizontal plane. In one form of the apparatus the gripper fingers may be rendered inoperative and the apparatus adapted to dispense containers which do not need to be pulled from the stack.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventors Charles H. Willsey Topeka; Francis W. Majors, Ozawkie, Kilns.- {211 App]. No. 763,663 [22] Filed Sept. 30, 1968 [45] Patented Mar. 30, 1971 [73] Assignee Seymour Foods, Inc.

Topeka, Kans. Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 497,242, Oct. 18, 1965, now Patent No. 2,461,45

[54] CONTAINER-DISPENSING APPARATUS 13 Claims, 30 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 221/226, 214/8.5, 221/251, 221/262 [51] Int. Cl B65h 3/26 [50] Field ofSearch 221/262, 236, 210, 226, 221 223, 164; 214/8.5 (C), 8.5, 8.5 (A); l98/(lnquired); 271/62 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,101,851 8/1963 Heide etal 214/815X 3,130,967 4/1964 LeBrelle 271/62 3,180,522 4/1965 Marasso 214/8.5X

3,403,816 10/1968 Verrinder et al. 2 l 4/8.5X

3,407,965 10/1968 Kuhlman 221/210 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,060,340 3/1967 Great Britain 214/8.5C

Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-David A. Scherbel Attorney-Greist, Lockwood, Greenawalt & Dewey ABSTRACT: An apparatus for dispensing article-receiving containers, specifically, open cartons or filler flats for packing eggs, which apparatus is characterized by a magazine for supporting a stack of the containers arranged on their edges and a means at the end of the stack which may be operated to withdraw successive endmost containers, one by one, and deposit the same with the open side uppermost on a horizontally disposed conveyor or other support for advance to a packing station or the like, the device being mounted on a swinging frame and including gripper fingers which are operated to grip the endmost container when the frame is swung to engage the stack end and to release the container when the frame is swung down to a position where the container is in a generally horizontal plane. In one form of the apparatus the gripper fingers may be rendered inoperative and the apparatus adapted to dispense containers which do not need to be pulled from the stack.

Patented March 30, 1971 3,572,549

9 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR CHARLES H. WILLS Y ATT'YS.

Patentcl March 30, 1971 3,572,549

9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented March 30, 1971 3,572,549

9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented March 30, 1971 9 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Patented March 30, 1971 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented March 30, 1971 3,572,549

9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented March 30, 1971 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 Patented March 30, 1971 3,572,549

9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented March 30, 1971 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 CONTAINER-DISPENSING APPARATUS This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 497,242 filed Oct. 18, 1965, now US. Pat. No. 3,461,459.

This invention relates to apparatus for dispensing containers and is more particularly concerned with improvements in a dispensing apparatus for containers which are suitable for packing eggs or similar products.

It is a general object of the invention to provide in an article-handling apparatus a dispenser for feeding, one by one, packing containers, such as eg cartons or filler flats, from a magazine in which a stack of thecontainers is arranged with the containers standing on one of their edges, and depositing the containers on a generally horizontal surface for subsequent advance to a packing station or the like.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a dispensing apparatus for containers which are arranged in a nested stack which apparatus comprises a magazine for receiving a stack of the containers on the edge with a means for advancing the stack as the containers are removed, one by one, from the forward end and a device for gripping successive endmost containers and withdrawing the same by a forward end and a device for gripping successive endmost containers and withdrawing the same by a. forward and then downward movement to position the container generally horizontal for deposit on a conveyor, or the like, for forwarding to a packing station or other processing equipment.

Another object of the invention is; to provide an apparatus for dispensing open containers, for a magazine in which the containers are supplied in stacked relation, with a stack advancing means, and a device for withdrawing successive endmost containers from the stack and for withdrawing successive endmost containers from the stack and for depositing the same, one by one, on a conveyor or the like, wherein, the magazine and the device for withdrawing the containers from the stack are readily adjustable to accommodate different types of containers, such as, for example, open cartons which are adapted to receive a dozen eggs, or filler flats which are adapted to receive three dozen eggs.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for dispensing product-receiving containers, for example, egg cartons and filler flats, which apparatus is adapted to be adjusted to handle containers formed of molded pulp or plastic which tend to stick together when stacked or chipboard containers which will readily separate'when freed at the end of a stack thereof.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the containerdispensing apparatus which is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation, with portions broken away or omitted, of a container-dispensing apparatus which incorporates therein the principal features of the invention, the illustrated apparatus being designed to feed cartons or filler flats to a conveyor which is part of an egg-packing machine;

FIG. 2 is an elevation of the opposite side of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with portions broken away or omitted;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, to a larger scale and with portions broken away;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal, vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial plan view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 6-6 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a cross section taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a cross section taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a cross section taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 10, 10A, 10B and 10C are fragmentary plan views showing successive positions of the container-dispensing head and associated members in withdrawing the leading container from a stack in the container supply magazine;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view taken on the line 11-11 of FIG. 1, to an enlarged scale;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, longitudinal, vertical section taken on the line 12-12 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary, longitudinal, vertical section taken on the line 13-13 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 14 is a side elevation, with portions broken away or omitted, of a modified form of the container dispensing apparatus;

FIG. 13 is an end elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 14, to a larger scale;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 16-16 of FIG. 15, to a smaller scale; 7

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 17-17 of FIG. 15, to a larger scale;

FIGS. 18, 13A, 18B and 18C are fragmentary sectional views, taken on the line 18-18 of FIG. 14, showing successive positions of the dispensing head and associated members in withdrawing the leading container from a stack of nested containers in the supply magazine;

FIG. 19 is a partial end elevation taken on the plane indicated at 19-19 in FIG. id, to a larger scale;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 20-20 of FIG. 14, to a larger scale;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary view taken on the line 21-21 of FIG. 20; and

FIGS. 22, 22A and 22B are fragmentary sectional views, taken on the line 22-22 of FIG. 14, showing successive positions of the dispensing head and associated members in withdrawing the leading carton from a stack of chipboard cartons in the supply magazine.

Referring first to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, there is illustrated a container-dispensing apparatus which is particularly designed for incorporation in an egg-packing machine, wherein the eggs are delivered to the machine, one by one, from an infeed conveyor and arranged in predetermined, spaced relation, on a single line endless traveling egg-supporting conveyor, with the individual eggs each having the long axis generally horizontal and the small end of each egg pointing in the same direction. The egg conveyor advances the eggs to a transfer station where successive groups of the eggs. of a predetermined number, are removed from the egg conveyor by a transfer device and deposited in a cellular carton, or a filler flat, which is supplied by the container-dispensing apparatus from a supply magazine and advanced on a traveling conveyor to the transfer station. The container-dispensing apparatus includes a supply magazine for accommodating a stack of the containers and a dispensing head which is adapted to handle either cellular egg cartons or pocketed filler flats, both of which are of well-known construction.

The egg cartons C or filler flats are supplied from the magazine 13 (FIGS. 1 to 8) which is mounted at one end of the supporting frame 33 of the machine. The magazine 18 comprises a bottom supporting plate 32 (FIGS. 3 and 3) on which a stack of the cartons or filler' flats are supported on edge and in nested relation. The bottom plate 32 extends between upright, oppositely disposed, parallel bottom side frame plates 33 and 33' (FIG. 8) above which magazine-forming top side frames are disposed in upright parallel planes which cooperate with the bottom plate 32 to hold the supply of containers C in stack formation. These upright top side frames comprise longitudinally spaced, vertically extending po

members

34, 3d and 35, 35' arranged in paired relation at the rearward and forward ends of the magazine 18 and connected by longitudinally extending, narrow side frame bars 36, 36'. The

forward posts

35, 33, which are adjustably mounted by bolt and slot connections on the vertical side frame members, are extended upwardly and carry pairs of vertically spaced spring plate members 37 and associated gripping and feeding devices or assemblies 33 which cooperate with the container dispensing head 20 in feeding successive end containers from the forward end of the stack. The spring plate members 37 and the associated container gripping and feeding devices 311 are of identical construction and are arranged in vertically spaced, paired relation on each side of the magazine. The receptacles or containers in the stack are advanced toward the dispensing head or container-feeding device 20 by elongate, stack-supporting bars or shoe-forming members 40 and 40' (FIGS. 1

and 5) which are disposed in longitudinally extending

recesses

41 and 41 in the bottom plate 32, the

recesses

41 and 41 being rectangular in cross section and having a depth suffrcient to permit a four-motion movement of the shoe members 40 and 40'. The latter are mounted at their opposite ends on eccentrics 42 and 42' by means of upstanding angle brackets 43 and 43'. The eccentrics 42 and 42' are carried on longitudinally spaced cross-shafts 44 and 45, both of which are journaled in the

side frame plates

33 and 33. The stack-forwarding shoes or bars 40 and 40' are given a four-motion movement by rotation of the eccentrics 42 and 42', the top surface of the bars being slightly above the surface of the floor-forming bottom member 32 during forward motion of the same and being slightly below the top surface of the member 32 during rearward motion thereof so as to slightly lift the stack of containers and give it a forward movement at intervals. The two

cross-shafts

44 and 45 are connected for simultaneous rotation by longitudinally extending chain 46 which engages

sprockets

47 and 48 fixed on the shafts 44 and 4S, respectively. The shafl 44 is connected to a main power shaft 30 by chain 51 which engages sprocket 52 fixed on the drive shaft 30 and sprocket 53 which is connected by a slip clutch 54 with the shaft 44 so as to insure that there is only one way rotation of the shaft 44. The shaft 44 is extended at the one end and provided with a notched disc 55 adapted to be engaged by a dog 56 controlled by a solenoid indicated at 56 serving to lock the shaft 44 against rotation when engaged in the notch in the disc 55. At the other end of the shaft 44 a lever arm 57 is mounted which is pivotally connected at 58 with the end of a pitman 60 for operating the container dispensing device 20.

A pressure applying pusher assembly 65 (FIGS. 2, 4, 5 and 7) is mounted on the magazine 18 for engaging the trailing end of the stack of containers. The stack pusher 65 comprises a cross plate 66 of generally channel-shaped section with its opposite ends connected to

slides

67, 67 each having a guideway forming groove 68, 68' on the outer face thereof and seated in sliding relation on the longitudinally extending

side frame members

36 and 36. The cross plate 66 carries a pair of laterally spaced, vertically disposed,

parallel rods

70 and 70 which extend in sliding relation through vertically aligned apertures in the rearwardly extending top and bottom flanges of the plate 66. The rods 70 and 70' carry on their bottom ends friction pad members 71' and 71' which engage on the top surfaces of the shoe forming bars 40 and 40' and which are urged against the same by compression springs 72 and 72' extending between the tops of the

pads

71 and 71 and the bottom faces of the bottom flange of plate 66. The compression in the springs 72 and 72' and the height of the pads or feet 71 and 71' is adjusted so that the four-motion movement of the stack-forwarding shoes 40 and 40' imparts a forward movement to the pusher assembly 65 sufficient to apply substantially constant pressure on the trailing end of the stack of containers so as to keep the stack moving forward. The pusher assembly 65 also tends to square up the front of the stack. However, the magazine may be provided with spring fingers (not shown) at the bottom of the front portion of the stack for this purpose. The stack is, of course, moved forward so as to maintain the leading container in the stack in a predetermined position for removal therefrom by the dispensing device 20 which deposite each successive container on the conveyor table 16 in front of the stack for forwarding by the conveyor 17.

The container-dispensing device or head assembly 20 (FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 5, 9 and is supported on vertically disposed,

parallel side plates

73 and 74 mounted on the outside faces of the main frame 35 at the forward end of the magazine 18 and the trailing end of the container or packaging conveyor table 16. The assembly 20 is adapted to withdraw from the magazine 18 and deposit on the end of the conveyor table 16 successive containers in the end of the supply stack which is supported in the magazine 18. The assembly 20 is so constructed that it will withdraw the leading carton from a stack of cartons or the leading filler flat from a stack of filler flats and deposit the carton or filler flat, as the case may be, on the conveyor table 16. The assembly 20 comprises a supporting frame structure 75 (FIGS. 4, 5, 9 and 10) which includes a main crossbar 76 having one end extended through an L- shaped cam slot 77 (FIGS. 2 and 4) in the side plate 74 and its other end extended through a T-shaped cam slot 78 (FIG. I) in the side plate 73. The bar 76 also extends at its ends through open-ended slots 80 and 81 in the outer ends of

arms

82 and 83 which are pivotally mounted at 84 and 85 to the

support plates

73 and 74, respectively, so that swinging movement of the

arms

82 and 83 will move the dispensing assembly 20 in a path determined by the cam slots 77 and 78. The cam slot 77 corresponds to a portion of the cam slot 78 so that there is uniform movement of the ends of the cross frame rod 76. The one arm 82 has a bracket 86 which is pivotally connected at 87 to the end of the pitman 60 so that movement of the assembly 20 is controlled by rotation of the cross-shaft 44. The cross rod 76 has adjustably mounted thereon by means of thumb screw 83 (FIG. 5) and slot 89 a rectangular center plate 90 which is disposed so that when the assembly 20 is in position for gripping a container at the end of the stack, the center plate 90 is in a generally vertical position and the top and bottom flanges 91 and 92 (FIG. 4) extends in the direction of the stack. A pair of pivot pins 93 and 94 (FIG. 9) extend in parallel relation through vertically aligned apertures in the outer corners of the top and bottom flanges 91 and 92 and provide pivot supports for four arm assemblies 95 which are of identical construction and which are mounted in an identical manner on the pivot pins 93 and 94. Each arm assembly 95 comprises a plate member 96 of the configuration shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 with a reinforcing or stiffening flange 97, as shown, which gives the main body of the arm in cross section, a T configuration. The arm assemblies 95 are disposed in paired relation at the top and bottom margins of the supporting plate 90 and inside the flanges 91 and 92 as shown in FIG. 10. A tension spring 98 is connected between the inner ends of the flanges 97 of each pair of arms 95 and urges the same toward each other and into container-gripping position. The plate 96 is provided at its free ends with a curved slot 100 opening inwardly in the direction of longitudinal center of the machine. The slot 100 is formed between a curved forward edge portion 101 of the plate 96 at the end of the arm and a small plate 102 having an inner portion overlying part of the curved edge portion 101, the plate 102 being in a plane transverse of the plane of the plate 96. The plate 102 which forms a hooklike member on the end of the arm 95 is of generally triangular shape as shown in FIG. 5 and is spaced from the curved edge portion 101 of plate 96 so as to provide slot 100 with somewhat greater width than the thickness of the material at the side edge or rim of the container C.

The container-dispensing head 20 is moved by mechanism heretofore described so as to engage the ends of the arms 95 with successive end containers in the dispensing end of the stack and to withdraw each successive end container from the stack and deposit the same on the conveyor table 16 for advance by the conveyor 17 to a container packing or loading station. As the head 20 is moved toward the end of the stack for gripping and withdrawing a container, the arm assemblies 95 on opposite sides are spread apart or opened so as to engage the ends of the arms with the side margins of the end container, the ends of the plates 96 being guided by engagement with the end plate members 103 (FIG. 5) of the stack-holding devices or assemblies 38. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the assemblies 38 are of like construction and each end plate member 103 of each assembly 38 comprises a straight striplike portion 104, disposed in generally vertical position, and, in the stack-gripping or holding position of FIG. 5, generally parallel with the longitudinal center of the magazine 18. A vertical pivot 105 connects the one end of the straight portion 104 with the end of a link bar 106 which has its other end pivoted at 107 to the end of a horizontally disposed slide bar member 108 (FIGS. 4, 5 and 7) which is mounted in free sliding relation in a guideway 110 formed on the outside face of the associated upright side frame post 35 or 35'. The straight portion 104 terminates at the end adjacent the stack in an outwardly directed flange forming member 111 which engages the inner face of the associated flat spring member 37 adjacent the free end thereof, the latter being secured at its trailing end on the vertical support post 35 or 35' and being adapted to urge the trailing end of the plate member 1113 in the direction of the containers in the stack so as to normally position an inwardly extending flange or spade member 112 on the other side of the plate portion 104 into containerrestraining or holding position where it is in engagement with the marginal edge of a leading container stack. The end of the plate member 1113 which extends forwardly of the stack end, as viewed in F16. 5, is bent outwardly to provide a diagonal portion 113 with a bent terminal end 114 which engages in sliding relation with the inside faceof the adjacent

vertical plate member

73 or 74.

When the dispensing head 26 is moved toward the stack of containers the free ends of the arms 95 engage first with the diagonal portions 113 of the assemblies 33 and the anns of each pair thereof are forced inwardly, toward each other. As the arms 95 are advanced toward the stack the ends of the plates 96 slide along the inside faces of the plate portions 113 and 164 and as the movement continues, plate members 103 are pivoted about the free end portions 114 in an outward direction which moves the spade member'112 to a position to release the stack of containers (FIG. A) with the curved end edges 101 on the arms 95 engaging the margins of the end container in the stack. Further advance of the head unit 20 toward the stack forces the plate members 1113 to swing outwardly a sufficient distance to permit the end members 102 on the arms 95 to clear the edges of the leading or endmost container in the stack whereupon advance of the head 21) is stopped and the ends of the arms 95 are forced inwardly toward the stack by pressure of the flat spring plate members 37 to seat marginal edge portions of the foremost container in the slots 1111 behind the hook forming plates 102 (FIG. 10B) and position the container for withdrawal from the stack upon retraction of the head 20. As the head 20 moves away from the stack, the arms 95 are retracted and the plate members 1113 swing inwardly to position the spade members 112 for engagement with the next succeeding container in the stack, the stack being moved forward by properly timed operation of the stack forwarding or feeding members 40 and 40' through rotation of the shaft 44.

The container-engaging flanges or spade members 112 move against the rim of the next container in the stack and prevent the same from following the leading container to which it may cling because of the nesting of the containers. The arms 95 engage in back of the margin of the endmost container in the stack and pull the container forwardly out of the stack (FIG. 111C). As the retracting or forward movement of the head 20 continues, the whole head assembly 20 is turned downwardly about the axis of the main crossbar 76 so as to swing the container which is held in the slots 100 downwardly through a 90 arc to a position where it overlies the trailing end of the conveyor table 20 (FIG. 9). To turn the head assembly 2.0 through the 90 arc while it is moving forwardly and away from the forward end of the container stack the main crossbar 76 is provided at one end adjacent the side support plate 73 with a short, radially extending arm 115 (FIG. 1) which is fixed thereon and which has a cam roller 116 operative in the upper portion 117 of the T-shaped slot 78. The arm 115 also has a cam-forming finger extension 113 which engages a cam member 121) mounted on the plate 73 as the head 211 is moved away from the end of the stack so as to guide the cam roller 116 into the cam slot portion 117 which turns the rod 76 about its axis. Subsequent movement of the head unit 213 is downwardly towards the conveyor table 16 to a position to deposit the container thereon. The cam roller 116 travels during this movement in the vertically disposed portion of the T-shaped slot 77. The container is released from the head unit 26 by pressure on the ends of the arms 95 which occurs through engagement of the ends thereof with abutment forming plates 121 and 121' on the side edges of the table 16. The arms of each pair thereof are opened or spread apart so as to release the container as the head un'it21l reaches the end of its downward movement. The plates 121 and 121 are provided with outwardly and upwardly curved fingers 122 and 122' (FIG. 9) at the ends thereof for centering the containers on the table for pickup by the conveyor 17.

The operation of the conveyor 17 is controlled so as to advance the containers to the packing station (not shown) in proper times relation and in proper position for deposit therein of the eggs by the transfer device (not shown). The conveyor 17 (FIG. 3) comprises a chain 1311 supported at one end on a sprocket 131 on the main drive shaft 30. The upper run of the conveyor 17 is carried in alongitudinally extending, upwardly opening recess 134 in the center of the table 16 and the chain is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced pusher members 135. The sprocket 131 has mounted on its one face in circumferentially spaced relation a group of live pins (FIGS. 2, 9 and 12) which extend'parallel to the axis of the drive shaft 30 and which are spaced apart approximately 52 Two pins 136 at one end of the group are longer than the remaining three pins 137. The spacing of the pins in the group is uniform and is such that rotation of the sprocket a distance corresponding to the distance between any two pins within the group advances the chain anamount equal to the spacing between the two rows of egg-receiving cells in a carton or between the rows of egg-receiving pockets in a filler flat. The circumferential spacing between the two endmost pins 136 and 137 in the group is such that rotation of the sprocket 131 a corresponding amount advances successive filler flats, with the proper spacing, to the transfer or loading station while the circumferential spacing between the longer pins 136 in the direction away from each other is such that rotation of the sprocket 131 a corresponding amount advances successive cartons in properly spaced relation. The sprocket 131 is combined with a slip clutch 133 on the shaft 30 so that it may be held against rotation thereon while the shaft 30 continues to rotate. A cooperating holding mechanism for engaging the pins 136 and 137 comprises a plate 139 mounted on a rockshaft 140 extending between the main frame side plates 33 and 33' and having on its free end a' bracket 141 with a slot 142 in the outer end thereof for accommodating a pin 143 carried on the free end of one arm of a bellcrank 144 which is pivoted at 145 on the bracket plate 141 and has a pivotal connection 146 at the end of its other arm 'with the end of a manual pull rod 147 which extends diagonally beneath the table 16. The pull rod 147 has a handle on the free end and enables the pin 143 to be swung back and forward in the slot 143, as shown in FIG. 11, and the bracket plate 139 is swung by rotation of the rock shaft 140 to operative position, the pin 143 will project into the path of the two longer pins 136 only on the side face of the sprocket 131. This provides for operation of conveyor 17 to handle cartons. When the pin 143 is moved to the other end of the slot 142 it is in the path of all five pins 136 and 137 and the conveyor 17 will be operated to handle filler flats. The rockshaft 1.40 has a lifting arm 150 (FIG. 13) at its one end which extends in a parallel plane along the inner face of the circular plate 29 on the power shaft 31) and has a cam-forming bottom edge 151 which rests on a pin 152 projecting from the inside face of the plate member 29 so that rotation of the plate member 29 rocks the shaft 140 to move the control pin 143 into and out of position to engage with the pins 136 and 137 on the sprocket 131 and thereby control the rotation of the sprocket 131 and the advance of the conveyor 17. A pitman rod is pivotally connected to the opposite or outside face of the plate 29 so that the operation of other elements of the packing machine and the conveyor 17 are properly synchronized to advance successive containers to the packing or container-loading station and position the same in the proper location for deposit of eggs in the containers.

The power shaft 30 is driven by a motor 155 (FIGS. 1 and 7) suitably mounted on the main frame 35 and having a drive sprocket 156 which is connected by chain 157 with sprocket 158 on the power shaft 30. A bevel pinion 160 (FIGS. 2 and 9) on the power shaft 30 engages with a bevel pinion 161 on a longitudinal shaft 180 which drives the packing machine mechanisms. The pinion 161 is connected to the shaft 180 by a clutch 162 which is controlled by a solenoid 163 under the control of an article-actuated device (not shown) at the article infeed end of the packing machine.

The dispensing head 20 and the mechanism for feeding the cartons or filler flats from the supply magazine 18 is operated by the cross-shaft 44 and rotation of the cross-shaft 44 is controlled by solenoid 56'. The solenoid 56' is actuated by suitable switches (not shown) depending upon which type of packing receptacle is being supplied which switches are connected into a special control circuit for the packing machine (not shown) through a manually operated selector switch. (not shown) The electrical circuit includes a transistorized power supply and control unit with suitable manually operated disconnect switch and electrical components for operating the various solenoids in proper timed relation.

In using the machine, a supply of either open cartons or filler flats, whichever is desired, is placed in the magazine 18, in stacked and nested relation and on the edge opposite the hinge in the case of cartons, with the open face toward the dispensing head 20. The position of plate 90 on the dispensing head 20 is adjusted on the crossbar 76 so that the leading packing receptacle or container in the stack is substantially centered when grasped by arms 95. The

posts

35 and 35 are adjusted so that the guide assemblies 38 are at the proper height for cooperation with gripper arms 95 on the head 20. The pull rod 147 is operated, if required, to set the control pin 143 for proper indexing of conveyor 17 and the selector switch is operated to provide for control of the dispensing head 20 and associated mechanism according to whether cartons are being packed or filler flats are being packed. The power is then turned on to operate the motor 155.

When it is desired to pack filler flats in place of cartons or vice versa, the operation of the machine is stopped momentarily while a nested stack of the desired containers is substituted in the magazine 18, the head 20 and cooperating guide assemblies 38 are adjusted, the pull rod is operated to reset the control pin 143 and the selector switch is operated to activate the proper control switch for dispensing the containers as required. The machine is then ready to resume operation with a very small time lapse required for the change over from one type packing container to the other.

A modified form of the container-dispensing apparatus is illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 22 which may be employed for feeding cellular cartons, either molded or chipboard, or filler flats to a packing machine or a packing line. In the apparatus as shown the egg cartons or filler flats are delivered from a stack, one by one, and deposited in a chute which may lead to a conveyor or other work area or the containers may be deposited on a conveyor for a packer or the like. Also, the illustrated apparatus may be provided with manually operated controls enabling a user to feed the containers from the stack, as desired, or automatic dispensing of successive containers may be provided for.

The apparatus is mounted on an upright supporting frame 200 (FIGS. 14 and and includes a stack-supporting mechanism 201 and a stripping head 202 at the leading end thereof which is mounted for swinging reciprocatory movement between upright side frame plates 203 and 203', the latter being connected at the top and bottom by

crossmembers

204 and 205 and forming therewith a rigid top subframe. The stack support mechanism or magazine 201 which extends in upwardly inclined relation from the bottom of the top subframe comprises a bottom plate 206 mounted between upstanding side plates 207 and 207' which is notched at the leading or bottom end at 208 and 208' to accommodate a pair of feed rollers 210, 210', the latter formed of rubber or similar material and being axially spaced on a shaft 211 journaled in bearings 212 and 212 (FIG. 19). The shaft 211 is driven by chain 213 connecting a sprocket 214 on the shaft 211 and the sprocket 215 on the output shaft of a drive motor 216. The cartons or filler flats are supported on their side edges, with the molded types being in nested relation and the chipboard cartons having their flaplike cover members extending in a plane normal to the plane of the body thereof and lying against the bottom 206 of the chute in overlapped relation. The cartons or filler flats move downwardly in the inclined chute forming the magazine 201, by gravity, to a retractible holdback or stop mechanism which will be hereinafter described. When chipboard canons are being dispensed, the successive cartons are moved out of the chute or magazine 201 by feed rollers 210, 210', upon retraction of the holdback mechanism. When molded cartons or tiller flats are being dispensed successive cartons or filler flats are withdrawn from the stack end by the stripping head 202, which operates to move the holdback means to a position to release the endmost carton or filler flat and to permit the head 202 to grab the same and pull it free of the stack end. A removable cover plate, indicated at 217 in FIG. 14, is provided to cover

feed rollers

210, 210 when the apparatus is employed to dispense the molded-type containers.

The stripping head 202 is carried on a supporting frame 220 (FIGS. 14 and 15) which is mounted between the side frame plates 203 and 203' on axially aligned pivots 221 and 221' and comprises vertically extending side frame members 222, 222' and top and bottom

cross frame members

223 and 224, the former constituting a pivot bar on which the head 202 is carried for swinging movement relative to the frame 220. The frame 220 is swung on the pivots 221 and 221' by operation of the connecting rod 225 which has its lower end pivoted at 226 to a small bracket arm 227 extending from the frame side member 222 and is connected at its upper end to an eccentric 228 mounted on the end of the drive shaft 231 so as to provide for reciprocation of the connecting rod 225. The drive shaft 231 is mounted in suitable bearing members on the top frame member 204 and is driven by motor 232. Motor 232 is suitably mounted on the top cross frame member 204 with a coupling 233 connecting the power output shaft to a single-revolution clutch 234 on the shaft 231. The motor 232 and clutch 234 may have suitable controls (not shown) to provide for manual actuation or repeated cycling so as to operate the power shaft 231 for swinging the frame 220 and the head 202 for dispensing a single container or successive containers, as desired.

The container-dispensing device or head assembly 202 (FIGS. 14, 15 and 18) which is carried on the top crossmember 223 of the swinging frame 220 comprises a bracketforming support which includes a base plate 260 secured on the center of the crossbar 223 with parallel, laterally spaced side edge flanges or plates 261, 261' which in the position shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 are in depending relation and connected at corresponding ends by

cross pins

262 and 262 on which there are pivotally mounted in paired relation laterally spaced container-grabbing arms 263. The grabber arms 263 are of identical construction and extend in opposite directions from opposite ends of the bracket support 260, each being mounted adjacent the associated side flange 261 or 261' on the pivot-forming

262 or 262. The grabber arms 263 of each pair at each side of the support plate 260 are connected by a relatively long tension spring 264 so as to normally urge the outer ends of the two arms 263 toward each other. Each grabber arm 263 is limited in its movement in the direction of the opposite one of each pair thereof by a stop member 265 which is positioned to be engaged by the edge portion of the tail end of the arm 263. Each arm 263 is limited in its move ment in the opposite direction about its pivot 262 or 262' by engagement of its top edge, as viewed in FIG. 15, with the end edge of the support plate 260. The arms 263 may be moved to an inoperative position and the springs 264 positioned over the opposite edge portions or margins of the plate 260 (FIG.

22) to hold the arms 263 in a spread-apart or open position when the apparatus is used to dispense chipboard cartons as hereinafter described. Each grabber arm 263 has the configuration shown, which is generally L-shaped, with a curved edge at 266 which extends beneath the end of a small hook-forming plate 267 fastened on the free end thereof in a plane normal to that of the body of the arm 263 and providing a slot 268 which opens at the end of the curved edge 266. Each one of the arms 263 carries adjacent its outermost edge a pin 270 projecting normal to the plane of the body of the arm for controlling the movement of the arm as it approaches the end of the stack in the chute 201, in a manner hereinafter described. A guide bar 2'71 extends upwardly from one end of the pivot bar 223 and slides in a guide-forming eye 272 which is mounted for rotation about the axis of its stem portion in a fixed cylindrical bracket 273 extending from theframe plate 203'. The guide bar 271 is arranged so as to turn the head 202 through a predetermined angle, about the axis of the supporting bar 223, as the frame 220 is swung between the container-dropping position (FIG. 13) and a container-gripping position (FIG. 18) where the head is in a plane at the end of the feed chute or magazine 201 which is generally parallel with the plane of the end container in the stack therein.

Mechanism is provided at the lower or discharge end of the feed chute 201 for holding back the remainder of a nested stack of containers, when the gripper arms 263 engage the leading or end container in the stack and the head 202 is retracted to pull the same away from the remainder of the containers in the stack so as to denest and free the endmost container for movement away from the stack. There is also mounted at the lower end of the-feed chute 201 a mechanism for holding back the chipboard containers, when they are being dispensed, which is operated byswinging movement of the frame 220 to release the lower endmost container for advance out of the chute 201 by the feed rollers 210, 210'.

The container holdback mechanism 275 (FIGS. 14, 15 and 38) which is provided for use when the apparatus is employed to dispense molded cartons or molded filler flats, comprises two sets of upper and

lower holdback devices

276, 277 and 276', 277' arranged in vertically spaced relation on supporting bracket assemblies 278, 278' at each side of the feed chute 201, with each of the devices on one side of the apparatus being aligned transversely of the apparatus with a corresponding device on the opposite side thereof, the lowermost hold back devices 277 277 being employed when molded cartons are dispensed and all four devices being employed when filler flats are being dispensed. The bracket assemblies 278, 278' are identical, except for being rights and lofts and likewise the four holdback devices which are mounted thereon are identical except for being rights and lefts. Only one bracket assembly 278 and the uppermost holdback device 276 will be described in detail.

The supporting bracket assembly 278 comprises a base plate 279 (H0. 17) which is bolted or otherwise secured to the inside face of the upright frame plate 203, with an inwardly extending vertical plate member 280 and vertically spaced angle members mounted thereon so as to provide shelflike support forming

parallel flanges

281 and 282 extending inwardly in planes generally parallel with the inclinedfloor 206 of the chute 201 for supporting the

holdback devices

276 and 277. The holdback device 276 comprises a generally rectangular plate member 283 (FIG. 18)'mounted on the upper shelf 281 by a pivot and slot connection 284 with an associated torsion spring 285 for urging the plate member in a direction about the pivot 284 to bring the inner edge 286 of the free end thereof into engagement with the side or end edges of the containers as shown in FIG. 18. A finger-forming lug 287 is mounted on the bottom face of the plate member 283 with a free endthereof extending a sufficient distance outboard of the plate edge 286 to project into the path of the containers in the stack and form a stop therefor when the plate member 283 is in the position shown in FIGS. 18, 18B and 18C. A hooklike angle member 288 extends from the plate member 283 with its free leg positioned outside of the outer edge of the shelf 282 so as to limit the inward movement of the plate member 283. The plate member 283 is cut away at the trailing portion of its inner margin to provide a cam slot 289 in which the cam roller or pin 270 is adapted to engage when the head 202 is swung into container-grabbing position at the discharge end of the chute or magazine 201. Upon initial engagement of the cam member 270 in the cam slot 289 the arm 263 swings outwardly about the pivot 262 and forces the plate member 283 outwardly and in the direction of the stack of containers (FIG. 18A), against the pull of the spring 264, withdrawing the stop lug 287 from its stack-holding position and freeing the endmost container in the stack. As the head 202 reverses its movement the edge of the endmost container engages in the slot 268 in the grabber arm 263 as shown in FIG. 18B and the stop lug 287 swings back into stack-holding position as shown in FIG. 18C. The springs 264 urge the grabber arms 263 of each pair thereof toward each other so that they grip the endmost container as the frame 220 swings to the position shown in FIG. 15 where the arm 263 are spread apart to release the container by engagement of the ends thereof with the release bars 290 and 290' which are mounted on the inside of the frame plates 203 and 203' and extend in the path of the arms 263 a sufiicient distance to engage the ends thereof and swing the same upwardly about their pivots 262 against the action of the springs 266.

The holdback mechanism which is operative when the apparatus of FIGS. 14 to 22B is employed for dispensing chipboard cartons is shown in FIGS. 20 to-22B. It comprises two stop devices 300 and 300', mounted-in lateral alignment on the inside faces of the support plates 203 and 203', which are of identical construction, except for being rights and lefts. Since the two devices are identical in structure, only one thereof will be described, it being understood that the other device at the opposite side of the machine is constructed and operated in the same manner. The holdback device 300 (FIGS. 20 to 22) comprises a generally U-shaped support bracket 301, secured by one leg thereof on the frame plate 203, and a stop rod 302 which has its one end connected by pivot 303 to the free end of the longer arm of a bellcrank 304 which is pivotally mounted at 305 on a flange 306 extending inwardly of the side plate 203 on the bracket 301. The shorter arm 307 of the bellcrank 304 carries a threaded bolt 308 which is supported in an upstanding flange portion 310 with the head of the bolt extending in the path of the side bar 222 of the frame 220 so as to be engaged thereby when the frame 220 is swung towards the chute 201. The stop rod 302 slides in a guide slot 311 in the inner leg of the bracket 301 and is provided with an adjustable stop collar 312 for limiting the move ment of the rod 302 in a direction to project the end thereof in the path of the cartons, indicated at C, when they are stacked in the chute 201. A tension spring 313 is mounted so as to urge the stop rod 302 into operating position, with the free end extending inwardly of the inner face of the bracket 301. A latch plate 314 having a finger piece 315 is pivoted at 316 on the bracket 301 so that when the bellcrank 304 is swung to a position to withdraw the stop rod 302 the latch plate 314 may be pivoted into a position to hold or latch the rod 302 in a nonoperating or retracted position. This is employed when other than chipboard cartons are being dispensed. When the stop rod 302 is in extended position the free end will project into the path of the chipboard containers and hold the same against advance out of the end of the chute 20l. When the bolt 308 is engaged by swinging movement of the frame 222 and forced in the direction of the chute 201 the stop rod 302 is withdrawn so that the end container in the chute is free to be advanced by operation of the

rollers

210 and 210 which extend in the slots 208 and 208' and frictionally engage the trailing cover flap of the endmost container. When the apparatus 'is dispensing chipboard cartons the

side frame members

222 and 222 of the grabber head 201 operate the holdback devices 300 and 300' to release the cartons for advance by feed rollers 210 and 210' and the grabber arms 263 are held in an inoperative position by the springs 264 as shown in FIGS. 22 to 228.

We claim:

1. In a packaging machine, means forming a magazine including a bottom support plate and upstanding side frame members adapted to receive a stack of open packaging containers in nested relation and disposed on the side edges thereof so that the leading container may be separated from the stack and fed through the end of the magazine, side frame members extending forwardly at opposite sides of said magazine-forming means and having guide slots therein with forward and downwardly directed portions, a containerdispensing device having end portions mounted in said guide slots for swingable and slidable movement between a container-gripping position at the end of the magazine and a contamer-depositing position forwardly thereof, said dispensing device having a plurality of pivotally mounted gripper arms thereon, camming mechanism mounted on the magazineforming means for swinging the gripper arms into engaging relation with margins of the leading container in a stack when the dispensing device is moved to container-gripping position, pivoted stop means on said magazine means for normally holding the stack of containers against discharge through said magazine end, which stop means is disposed in the path of said gripper arms so as to be swung to a position to release the endmost container when the gripper arms are moved to containergripping position, and cam means at said container-depositing position for moving said gripper arms to release the container when the dispensing device is moved to container-depositing position.

2. In a packaging machine, a magazine formed by a bottom support member and upstanding side frame members and adapted to receive a stack of open packaging containers in nested relation and disposed on the side edges thereof so that the leading container may be separated from the stack and discharged laterally out of the magazine, side frame plates extending forwardly of the discharge end of the magazine, a container-dispensing device swingably mounted between said side frame plates for movement between a generally vertical container-gripping position at the end of the stack and a generally horizontal container depositing position forwardly thereof, said dispensing device comprising a frame with a crossmember having a pair of container-engaging arms pivotally mounted thereon, means for resiliently urging the free ends of said arms toward each other, guide mechanism on said frame plates for guiding the arms into gripping relation with the leading container in a stack when the dispensing device is moved to said container-gripping position and means at the bottom of said side frame plates disposed in the path of said arms for spreading the arms to release the container when the dispensing device is moved to container-depositing position.

3. In a packaging machine as set forth in claim 2, and said container-engaging arms having hooklike gripper formations at their free ends, said guide mechanism being swingably mounted for guiding the free ends of the gripper arms into gripping relation with the leading container in a stack when the dispensing device is moved to container-gripping position, said guide mechanism having stop means thereon for normally engaging the containers at the end of the stack and limiting the forward movement of the stack which stop means is swung to stack-releasing position by movement of said gripper anns into engagement with the leading container in the stack so as to release said leading container for withdrawal thereof by said arms.

4. Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, retractable stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to engage the end container and to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, means comprising a swingable frame mounted between said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine, said frame having cam means for retracting said stack-holding means so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, said frame having a crossmember with a pair of arms pivoted thereon which have hooklike free ends disposed to engage over the side edges of the leading container in the stack, means to normally urge the free ends of said arms into container-engaging relation, and cam means at the discharge end of said magazine for guiding said hooklike arm ends into container edge-engaging relation.

5. Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, means mounted between said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, and said supply magazine having side frame members, movably mounted raillike members disposed beneath the stack and means for moving the same in an endless path so as to lift the stack and urge it forward, said stop means comprising springpressed stop members at the forward end of the stack for limiting the forward movement of the stack, and a device for restraining the stack against retractive movement comprising a vertically disposed frame mounted in sliding relation at up posite ends on the magazine side frame members and frictionally restrained against retractive movement while free to move forwardly against the trailing side of the receptacle stack, and said device having depending spring-pressed pins frictionally engaging said raillike members whereby said device is moved forwardly with the stack by said raillike members.

6. Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, means mounted between said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, sand said magazine having upright side frame members, movably mounted raillike members in said magazine beneath the stack, means for moving said raillike members in an endless path in the direction of the leading end of the stack so as to lift the stack and urge it forward, and a device for restraining the stack against retractive movement comprising a vertically disposed frame having a sliding connection at opposite ends with the magazine side frame members and frictionally restrained against retractive movement while free to move forwardly against the trailing side of the stack, and means for moving said device in the direction of the stack so as to apply pressure to the trailing side of the stack and to urge it forwardly against said stop means.

7. Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, and means mounted between said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holding means so as to release the end most container for withdrawal from the magazine, and said magazine having a bottom and side frame members and an open forward discharge end, raillike stack supporting members mounted in said magazine bottom for vertical and horizontal movement in the direction of said forward end so as to lift the stack and move it forward, said means for operating said stack-holding means constituting a dispensing device having grippers for engaging the endmost container in the stack, means for operating said dispensing device so as to swing the same in a generally L-shaped path and for engaging the grippers with the leading container in the forward end of the stack and for withdrawing said leading container from the stack and feeding it forward and downwardly therefrom, and said stackholding means normally limiting the forward movement of the stack resulting from the operation of said raillike supporting members.

8. Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, means mounted between said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, and a longitudinal extending stack-advancing member mounted in the bottom of said magazine, means for operating said stack-advancing member so as to urge the stack of containers forwardly in said magazine, said stack-holding means comprising movable stop members normally positioned for limiting the forward movement of the stack, means for restraining the stack against retractive movement, said means for operating said stack-holding means comprising a dispensing device for withdrawing the leading container from the stack including a frame having a crossbar extending between said upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a support plate adjustably mounted on said crossbar, pairs of pivotally mounted, vertically spaced arm members on said support plate, said arm members extending toward said supporting frame members and having hooklike formations on the free ends thereof for grasping opposite sideedges of the endmost container in the stack, said supporting frame members having generally L-shaped cam slots, said crossbar having its ends seated in said cam slots, and means for moving said crossbar to bring said arm members into engagement with said stop members and thereby move said stop members to an inoperative position so as to release the endmost container in the stack for engagement by said hooklike formations.

9 Apparatus for dispensing traylikearticle-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members,- a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent'said supporting frame members, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine'means mounted between said supporting frame members. for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, and a longitudinally extending stack-advancing member mounted in the bottom of said magazine, means for moving said stack-advancing member in an endless path so asto intermittently lift the stack of containers and advance the same, said stack-holding means including movable stop members normally spring pressed into a position for limiting the forward movement of the stack, means for holding the stack against retractive movement, and said means for operating said stack-holding means com risin a frame havin con 'nerin thergon, s aid arms having hook l i ke fgh 'r t tio tls t i ri th e fi' ends thereof for grasping opposite edges of the endmost container in the stack, means for moving said frame and said arms in a path to bring said arms into engagement with said stop members and to move said stop members to an inoperative position so as to release the endmost container in the stack, said arms being arranged in pairs and the arms of each pair thereof being spring urged toward each other so as to engage the hooklike end formations with opposite edges of the leading container in the stack whenv moved to a predetermined position in the stack when moved to a predetermined position at the leading end of the stack.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9, and said arms having means for holding each pair thereof in a spread-apart, inoperative position.

11. Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, means mounted between said supporting frame members 'for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, and said means for operating said stack-holding means constituting a dispensing device for withdrawing the leading container from the stack comprising a cross frame having opposite ends sup ported in said laterally spaced supporting frame members, said supporting members having generally L-shaped cam slots for receiving cam rollers at opposite ends of said dispensing cross frame, said dispensing device having receptacle-gripping arms pivoted at one end thereof on said cross frame, said arms having hooklike fonnations on the free ends for grasping opposite edges of the endmost container in the stack, means for swinging said dispensing frame in a path determined by said cam slots, and means to rotate a portion of said dispensing frame to bring the ends of said arms into engagement with said stackholding means and thereby move said stack-holding means to a position which releases the endmost container in the stack for engagement by said hook formatiom 12. Apparatus as recited in claim 11, and said stack-holding means being resiliently urged toward the stack so as to force the ends of the gripping arms into gripping engagement with the edges of the endmost container.

13. Apparatus for dispensingtraylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, means mounted between said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, and said stack-holding means comprising spring-pressed pins slidably mounted in supporting brackets with their free ends normally extending into the path of the end portions of containers disposed in said magazine, and said pins being retractable out of said path by said means for operating said stack-holding means.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. :5 :5"9 Dated March 30 1971 Charles H. willsey and Francis W. Majors Inventor(s) It is certified that error appears in the above-identified pater and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, lines 22 and 23, delete "and withdrawing the same by a forward end and a. device for gripping successive endmost containers" Column 1,

lines

32 and 33, delete "and for withdrawi1 successive endmost containers from the stack" Column 2, line 59, cancel "p0" and insert post forming Column 3, line 61, "deposits" should be deposits Column 12, line 52, "sand" should be 7 and Column l t, line 15, delete "in the stack when moved to a predetermined position" Signed and sealed this 28th day of September 1971 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attestlng Off cer Acting Commissioner of Pat

Claims

1. In a packaging machine, means forming a magazine including a bottom support plate and upstanding side frame members adapted to receive a stack of open packaging containers in nested relation and disposed on the side edges thereof so that the leading container may be separated from the stack and fed through the end of the magazine, side frame members extending forwardly at opposite sides of said magazine-forming means and having guide slots therein with forward and downwardly directed portions, a container-dispensing device having end portions mounted in said guide slots for swingable and slidable movement between a container-gripping position at the end of the magazine and a container-depositing position forwardly thereof, said dispensing device having a plurality of pivotally mounted gripper arms thereon, camming mechanism mounted on the magazine-forming means for swinging the gripper arms into engaging relation with margins of the leading container in a stack when the dispensing device is moved to container-gripping position, pivoted stop means on said magazine means for normally holding the stack of containers against discharge through said magazine end, which stop means is disposed in the path of said gripper arms so as to be swung to a position to release the endmost container when the gripper arms are moved to container-gripping position, and cam means at said container-depositing position for moving said gripper arms to release the container when the dispensing device is moved to container-depositing position.

3. In a packaging machine as set forth in claim 2, and said container-engaging arms having hooklike gripper formations at their free ends, said guide mechanism being swingably mounted for guiding the free ends of the gripper arms into gripping relation with the leading container in a stack when the dispensing device is moved to container-gripping position, said guide mechanism having stop means thereon for normally engaging the containers at the end of the stack and limiting the forward movement of the stack which stop means is swung to stack-releasing position by movement of said gripper arms into engagement with the leading container in the stack so as to release said leading container for withdrawal thereof by said arms.

5. Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, means mounted between said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, and said supply magazine having side frame members, movably mounted raillike members disposed beneath the stack and means for moving the same in an endless path so as to lift the stack and urge it forward, said stop means comprising spring-pressed stop members at the forward end of the stack for limiting the forward movement of the stack, and a device for restraining the stack against retractive movement comprising a vertically disposed frame mounted in sliding relation at opposite ends on the magazine side frame members and frictionally restrained against retractive movement while free to move forwardly against the trailing side of the receptacle stack, and said device having depending spring-pressed pins frictionally engaging said raillike members whereby said device is moved forwardly with the stack by said raillike members.

7. Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, and means mounted between said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, and said magazine having a bottom and side frame members and an open forward discharge end, raillike stack supporting members mounted in said magazine bottom for vertical and horizontal movement in the direction of said forward end so as to lift the stack and move it forward, said means for operating said stack-holding means constituting a dispensing device having grippers for engaging the endmost container in the stack, means for operating said dispensing device so as to swing the same in a generally L-shaped path and for engaging the grippers with the leading container in the forward end of the stack and for withdrawing said leading container from the stack and feeding it forward and downwardly therefrom, and said stack-holding means normally limiting the forward movement of the stack resulting from the operation of said raillike supporting members.

8. Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, means mounted between said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, and a longitudinal extending stack-advancing member mounted in the bottom of said magazine, means for operating said stack-advancing member so as to urge the stack of containers forwardly in said magazine, said stack-holding means comprising movable stop members normally positioned for limiting the forward movement of the stack, means for restraining the stack against retractive movement, said means for operating said stack-holding means comprising a dispensing device for withdrawing the leading container from the stack including a frame having a crossbar extending between said upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a support plate adjustably mounted on said crossbar, pairs of pivotally mounted, vertically spaced arm members on said support plate, said arm members extending toward said supporting frame members and having hooklike formations on the free ends thereof for grasping opposite side edges of the endmost container in the stack, said supporting frame members having generally L-shaped cam slots, said crossbar having its ends seated in said cam slots, and means for moving said crossbar to bring said arm mEmbers into engagement with said stop members and thereby move said stop members to an inoperative position so as to release the endmost container in the stack for engagement by said hooklike formations. 9 Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine means mounted between said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, and a longitudinally extending stack-advancing member mounted in the bottom of said magazine, means for moving said stack-advancing member in an endless path so as to intermittently lift the stack of containers and advance the same, said stack-holding means including movable stop members normally spring pressed into a position for limiting the forward movement of the stack, means for holding the stack against retractive movement, and said means for operating said stack-holding means comprising a frame having container-gripping arms pivoted thereon, said arms having hooklike formations on the free ends thereof for grasping opposite edges of the endmost container in the stack, means for moving said frame and said arms in a path to bring said arms into engagement with said stop members and to move said stop members to an inoperative position so as to release the endmost container in the stack, said arms being arranged in pairs and the arms of each pair thereof being spring urged toward each other so as to engage the hooklike end formations with opposite edges of the leading container in the stack when moved to a predetermined position in the stack when moved to a predetermined position at the leading end of the stack.

11. Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, means mounted between said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, and said means for operating said stack-holding means constituting a dispensing device for withdrawing the leading container from the stack comprising a cross frame having opposite ends supported in said laterally spaced supporting frame members, said supporting members having generally L-shaped cam slots for receiving cam rollers at opposite ends of said dispensing cross frame, said dispensing device having receptacle-gripping arms pivoted at one end thereof on said cross frame, said arms having hooklike formations on the free ends for grasping opposite edges of the endmost container in the stack, means for swinging said dispensing frame in a path determined by said cam slots, and means to rotate a portion of said dispensing frame to bring the ends of said arms into engagement with said stack-holding means and thereby move said stack-holding means to a position which releases the endmost container in the stack for engagement by said hook formation.

12. Apparatus as recited in claim 11, and said stack-holding means being resiliently urged toward the stack so as to force the ends of the gripping arms Into gripping engagement with the edges of the endmost container.

13. Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, means mounted between said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, and said stack-holding means comprising spring-pressed pins slidably mounted in supporting brackets with their free ends normally extending into the path of the end portions of containers disposed in said magazine, and said pins being retractable out of said path by said means for operating said stack-holding means.