US3651614A

US3651614A - Packaging of bottles, jars and other articles

Info

Publication number: US3651614A
Application number: US872531A
Authority: US
Inventors: Henry Morgan Corderoy
Original assignee: ACI Operations Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Visy Glass Operations Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1968-10-31
Filing date: 1969-10-30
Publication date: 1972-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 1989-03-28
Also published as: FR2022026A1; GB1290545A; DE1954553A1; BE741013A; DE6942143U; CA919080A; JPS4924876B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for packing bottles or the like in cartons. It provides a speedy and economical manner of packing and results in such saving of material compared to the hitherto used methods. Bottles or the like are arranged in columns and rows in open containers and partition strips are inserted therebetween. The strips are discharged from a magazine and are gathered by a finger which transfers the strip to a position horizontally above the container and disposed vertically above the space between adjacent rows of bottles. A plunger drops and collects the strip from the finger and presses it into the said space between adjacent rows of bottles. The container is then moved to a subsequent station for similar operation but wherein the partition strip is inserted at right angles to said firstmentioned strip. The action of inserting the secondmentioned strip forces said firstmentioned strip downwardly between the bottles.

Description

United States Patent Corderoy [4 1 Mar. 28, 197 2 154 PACKAGING 0F BOTTLES, JARS AND 678,647 7/1901 061m ..217/22 OTHER ARTICLES 3,350,836 11/1967 Dillon et a1. ..53/ 128 X [72] Inventor: Henry Morgan Corderoy, Gladesville, FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS New Auwala 1,439,253 4/1966 France .53/157 [73] Assignee: A.C.l. Operations Pty. Limited, Melbou ne Victoria Australia Primary Examiner-Robert An0rney-Ryder, McAuiay & Hefter [22] Filed: Oct. 30, 1969 211 App]. No.: 872,531 [571 ABSTRACT The present invention relates to an improved method and ap- [30] Foreign Application Priority Dam paratus'for packing bottles or the like in cartons. it provides a speedy and economical manner of packing and results in such Oct. 31, 1968 Australia ..45656/68 saving of material compared to the hitherto used methods. Jan. 13, 1969 Australia ..48994/69 Bottles or the like are arranged in columns and rows in open containers and partition strips are inserted therebetween. The [52] U.S. Cl ..53/26, 53/35, 53/157, Strips are discharged fr m a g n n are g r by 21 217/22, 217/30 finger which transfers the strip to a position horizontally above 511 1m. 01. ..B65b 35/00, B651: 61/00 the container and disposed vertically above the space between 53] w f Search 3 3 14, 3 5 1 57 adjacent rows of bottles. A plunger drops and collects the strip 93/37 R, 38; 206/65 R, 65 C, 65 C; 217/22, 30 from the finger and presses it into the said space between adjacent rows of bottles. The container is then moved to a sub- 56] References Cited sequent station for similar operation but wherein the partition strip is inserted at right angles to said firstmentioned strip. The UNITED STATES PATENTS action of inserting the secondmentioned strip forces said firstmentioned strip downwardly between the bottles. 192,956 7/1877 Vorster ..217/22 498,567 5/1893 Parrish et a1 ..217 22/ 16 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Patented March 28, 1972 3,651,614

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented March 28, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 PACKAGING OF BOTTLES, JARS AND OTHER ARTICLES This invention relates to the packaging in cartons, boxes or other containers of bottles, jars and other articles which in order to reduce the risk of breakage or other damage, require to be packed relatively tightly and separated by partitions or other suitable cushioning means.

For this purpose, it is usual to provide the carton, box or the like with a cellular insert comprising partition or wall members arranged at right angles to form individual compartments for the articles. Such cellular inserts generally comprise strips of paperboard or the like, formed at the requisite spacings with slots which extend one half of the width of the strips in order that they may be interfitted as a preformed collapsible insert unit.

The packing operation then involves manually placing the several bottles in a carton and then opening out and placing a cellular insert therein so that each bottle is contained within an individual compartment. Mechanical packing does not appear to be used and would be difficult due to the fact that each article should be a firm fit in its individual compartment or cell.

Thus, this usual packing procedure is both relatively slow and relatively expensive and it is one object of this invention to provide a carton or other like package of bottles or other articles, and which comprises improved partition means.

A further object is to provide an improved method of separating bottles or other articles in a carton or the like while still another object is to provide apparatus for carrying'out the said method.

Accordingly, the invention provides the method of packing bottles or other similarly formed articles in a carton or other container comprising arranging the articles in the container in a plurality of columns and rows and substantially in contact, inserting a partition strip downwardly between the articles in each adjacent pair of columns or rows subsequently inserting a partition strip downwardly between the articles disposed in each adjacent pair of rows or columns as the case may be, whereby such partition strip or strips is or are disposed at right angles to the firstmentioned partition strip or strips, and if desired, inserting a further partition strip downwardly between the articles in each adjacent pair of columns or rows so that each of said lastmentioned strips is disposed above and parallel to one of said firstmentioned strips.

Thus, according to this invention, the bottles or other articles are inserted in the container before the partition strips and this procedure enables them to be inserted readily by mechanical means. Also, after the first partition strip or strips have been inserted between the upper portions of the articles, the subsequent insertion of a further strip or strips at right angles thereto, forces the first mentioned strip or strips further downwardly.

The invention is especially applicable to the packing of bottles, jars or other articles which are reduced in size at their upper ends and are formed with curved or sloping shoulders which serve to guide the partition strips into the narrow spaces between the lower and larger portions of the articles.

Preferably, there are three successive levels or layers of the said partition strips.

In order to secure the series of partition strips against vertical movement during transport or handling, an additional or locking strip is preferably inserted loosely above the uppermost level or layer of partition strips and so that the upper edges of the locking strip is engaged by the closing flaps of the carton or other cover means of the container.

The invention further provides apparatus for inserting partition strips into an open container in which a plurality of bottles or other articles are arranged in columns and rows comprising, a magazine of partition strips, means for removing the partition strips one at a time from the magazine and for locating each strip in turn substantially horizontally above the con tainer and substantially in the vertical plane disposed midway between two adjacent columns or rows of the articles therein,

and means operable to move the strip downwardly whereby it is inserted between said columns or rows of articles.

Preferably, a plurality of such partition strip inserting units is arranged at required spacings above an intermittently movable conveyor by means of which the containers are successively moved to an stopped at a plurality of stations at each of which one or more of the said partition strips is inserted and the assembly comprises at least two such spaced units arranged mutually at right angles when viewed in plan whereby one such unit inserts at least one strip between two adjacent columns of the articles, while the other unit inserts at least one strip between adjacent rows of the articles.

More particularly, each strip inserting mechanism or unit preferably comprises a finger or the like which is pivotable about a horizontal axis thereby to move gripping means on said finger into horizontal register with a discharge opening in the bottom of an associated magazine in which partition strips are arranged horizontally, the one on top of the other, means for discharging the lowermost strip in the magazine and delivering it to said gripping means in register therewith, means operable to impart a partial rotation to the finger or the like whereby the said partition strip thereon moves arcuately downwardly until it is suspended horizontally above a container disposed therebelow and means operable to move the suspended strip downwardly whereby it is pressed into the space between the two adjacent columns or rows of the articles in the container.

The said gripping means on the finger or the like, preferably comprises a spring clip or the like while the means for moving the suspended strip downwardly preferably comprises a vertically movable pressing member arranged above the suspended strip. The said pressing member is preferably arranged vertically above the space between four of the said articles, arranged two in each column and row, in order that it may enter this space to some extent as hereinafter more fully described.

The invention further provides a package assembly comprising a container of generally rectangular form neatly accommodating a plurality of similar articles, e.g. bottles, arranged in at least two columns and at least two rows with narrow spaces therebetween, a lower partition member consisting of a strip of sheet material arranged on edge between, and laterally supported solely by, each adjacent pair of columns or rows of said articles, an upper partition member consisting of a strip of sheet material arranged on edge between, and laterally supported solely by each adjacent pair of rows or columns of said articles as the case may be, whereby each upper partition member is disposed at right angles to each lower partition member, and wherein each upper partition member or each lower partition member, or both, is or are shaped so that the level of the uppermost portion of each upper member is disposed above the level of the lowermost portion of each lower member, whereby throughout such overlapping levels, each of said articles is separated from each contiguous article by one of said partition members.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, one preferred form of apparatus in accordance therewith is hereinafter more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carton containing bottles separated by partition strips in accordance with the invention,

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the assembly of partition strips and bottles,

FIG 3 is a view in side elevation of the assembly of bottles and partition strips, and taken along line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view in side elevation of mechanism for inserting the partition strips.

FIGS. 1 to 3 are views of a carton 10 or other rectangular container in which a plurality of bottles 12 have been arranged in columns and rows in the usual way, the terms columns" and rows being used solely to distinguish lines of bottles arranged at right angles and not as implying that a column contains more bottles than a row as in the case of a square container, a column and a row would have equal numbers of bottles therein.

After the bottles have been inserted in the container, a rectangular partition strip 14 formed of paperboard or other suitable material, is inserted downwardly between each adjacent pair of rows of the bottles whereby they extend transversely with respect to the carton. These strips are not necessarily pushed downwardly to the bottom of the carton at this time, though they are preferably inserted so that their upper edges do not project much if at all above the shoulders of the bottles.

It is to be observed that the strips do not necessarily extend the full width of the carton and in fact they are preferably shorter by a little less than the radius of the bottles in order to facilitate their insertion.

After the strips 14 have been thus inserted, an additional partition strip 16 is inserted downwardly between each adjacent pair of columns of the bottles. These partition strips 16 thus extend longitudinally with respect to the carton and at right angles to the strips 14.

The insertion of the strips 16 thus causes the strips 14 to be pushed further downwards between the bottles.

Subsequently, further transverse partition strips 18 are inserted, one between each adjacent pair of rows so that each strip 18 is arranged vertically above a strip 14. During the insertion of the strips 18 the

strips

14 and 16 are pushed further downwards until the former are disposed in contact with, or close to, the bottom of the carton.

Finally a rectangular locking strip 20 which may be formed of similar material is preferably placed loosely above the strips 18 and centrally of the container in order that when the carton flaps (not shown) are subsequently folded down and secured, these locking strips will hold down the assembly of

partition strips

14, 16 and 18. See FIG. 3.

In this Figure, the locking strip 20 is shown disposed at right angles to the strips 18 and parallel to the strips 16. It has been found that one such locking strip 20 extending across the strips 18, midway between the ends of the latter, is adequate to provide the desired holddown action.

The several layers of partition strips may be formed mechanically for which purpose the cartons with the bottles previously inserted therein, are preferably moved in succession by an intermittent conveyor whereby they are arrested in turn below a series of stations at each of which one or more of the partition strips is inserted.

FIG. 4 shows diagrammatically one form of mechanism which may be arranged at one such station for the insertion of two parallel partition strips simultaneously for example the two end strips 16, the strips 14 having been inserted at the previous station.

For this purpose, the mechanism comprises two vertical magazines 26 each of which contains a plurality of strips 16 lying horizontally one on top of the other and an intermittently movable horizontal plunger 28 operated in timed relation with the conveyor, is arranged to discharge each strip 16 in turn from the bottom of each magazine through a discharge opening 29 in the inner side of the latter.

Each thus ejected partition strip is received with an accommodating slot 30 formed in the outer end of a horizontally disposed arm or finger 32, one side of this slot 30 being formed by a retaining spring 33 so that the strip is firmly frictionally retained to the finger. Each finger 32 is partially rotatively mounted about a fixed horizontal axis 31 and is arranged approximately midway between the opposite ends of the partition strip 16.

After receiving and gripping the partition strip 16, the finger is turned through an angle of 90 until it projects vertically downwards with the suspended partition strip disposed vertically above the space between two adjacent rows of bottles. An arcuate guide (not shown) may be provided to ensure that the strip 16 does not fall from the finger during this downward movement.

When the strip 16 is suspended vertically midway between the two corresponding rows of bottles as shown in FIG. 4, it is disposed immediately below a slotted vertically movable discharge member 36 secured by an arm 37 to a vertically reciprocable spindle 38 mounted in suitable bearings, not shown, and as illustrated in the drawings, the discharge member 36 for the other finger is similarly connected to the vertically reciprocable spindle.

Suitable means not shown are provided for moving this spindle 38 downwardly at the appropriate time preferably at greater than gravitational speed and at least equal thereto, whereby each slotted discharge member 36 pushes the respective partition strip 14 downwardly from the respective spring clip on the depending finger and into the space between the respective rows of bottles 12. Each of the said slotted discharge members 36 is disposed in vertical alignment with the space between four adjacent bottles and is of such a size that it is capable of entering this space to some extent as it approaches the limit of its downward movement. Thus, each strip 16 is pushed below the shoulders of the bottles on each side thereof.

During the downward movement of the slotted discharge members 36, the finger 32 is returned to its initial horizontal position by means of a switch, a cam, or a combination of both whereupon a further partition strip 16 is discharged from each magazine and into the accommodating slot 30 in the finger which is then in register with the discharge opening in the corresponding magazine.

The carton assembly shown in the drawings is formed at five stations. Referring to FIG. 1 strips 1 and 2 are inserted at station 1;

strips

3 and 4 are inserted at station 2, strip 5 is inserted at station 3;

strips

6 and 7 are inserted at station 4; and strip 8 is inserted at station 5. Each station operates in the same set sequence, the action being initiated by a carton stop 40 (see FIG. 4), and proceeding by the triggering of a series of switches.

When a carton 10 arrives at its station it is arrested by the stop 40 and trips a switch (not shown) to set the following cycle in motion. Finger 32 is in its vertically depending position shown in full lines in FIG. 4, holding the strip 16. The slotted discharge member 36 is plunged downwardly forcing the strip 16 from the finger and guiding it between bottles 12. The finger 32 then returns to its horizontal strip receiving position shown in broken outline. The plunger 28 engages the lowermost strip in the magazine 26 and pushes it into the slot 30 in the finger and the discharge member 36 is returned to its uppermost position. The finger is then moved to its vertically depending position ready for the next operation, the carton stop 40 is retracted and the conveyor 41 set in motion to move the carton 10 to the next station.

The conveyor 41 is formed from two belts separated one from the other by an in-between gap and the cartons 10 rest on the said belts. The belts are driven by a single drive roller which in turn is driven by a three-phase electric motor through a chain and sprocket drive.

The carton stops 40 operate on a time cycle governed by a cam. A stop is provided at each station and all stops are operated simultaneously off a lever 39 driven by a cam (not shown). A safety measure is included in the stop system whereby the stop 40 will remain in an upright or 'stop position preventing the carton from moving in case of any malfunction of the partition inserting mechanism. A mechanism, not shown, is provided at the start of the machine to separate any boxes running together without the appropriate space between them.

The partition strips 14 and 18 are preferably, though not necessarily, half the width of the strip 16.

It has been found by the present invention that the insertion of the strips in cartons already containing bottles utilizing the method and apparatus according to the present invention results in considerable savings in strip material, strips being provided only where required as opposed to the hitherto common method of substantially completely encasing each bottle by a cell of partitioning material.

The mechanism is arranged and adjusted to permit the rapid insertion of strips at each station, each carton remaining at each station for approximately 2 1% seconds. As described hereinbefore, the partition strips are pushed out of the fingers and down between the rows or columns of bottles at a speed at least equal to and preferably greater than gravitational speed thus ensuring that the strips do not twist out of the vertical plane and permitting accurate placement between said rows or columns.

The invention therefore provides a method and apparatus which greatly facilitates packing of bottles and other fragile articles in cartons or other containers as it avoids the use of the preformed cellular partition members commonly used for this purpose. This enables the bottles or jars to be inserted mechanically into the carton and the subsequently inserted partition strips together form, in situ, a cellular assembly as best shown in FIG. 1 which provides effective protection for the bottles and in fact permits of them being more tightly packed than is the case when preformed cellular partitions are used.

Moreover, the amount of paperboard or other like material used for the purpose of the present invention, is significantly less than that used in preformed cellular inserts used for the same purpose, while also the expense of preforming the same is obviated.

lclaim:

l. A method of packing bottles or other similarly formed articles in a carton or other container comprising the steps of arranging the articles in the carton in a plurality of columns and rows and substantially contiguous with one another, removing at least one first partition strip from a magazine aligning partition strip holding means and said one first partition strip in a first position between the articles in an adjacent pair of columns or rows whereby the distance between the uppermost contiguous portion of said articles and the lowermost portion of said first partition strip is greater than the vertical dimension of the strip when in said first position, moving the first partition strip toward the articles through said distance at a speed at least equal to the strips gravitational speed while maintaining the proper vertical oreintation of said first partition strip and inserting the first partition strip between the articles, removing at least one second partition strip from a magazine aligning second partition strip holding means and at least one second partition strip in a second position between the articles in an adjacent pair of rows or columns whereby the distance between the uppermost contiguous portion of said articles and the lowermost portion of said second partition strip is greater than the vertical dimension of the strip when in said second position, moving the second partition strip toward the articles-through said distance at a speed at least equal to the strips gravitational speed while maintaining the proper vertical oreintation of said second partition strip and inserting the second partition strip between the articles, the second partition strip being disposed at right angles to the first partition strip.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that after said first partition strip has been inserted between the upper portions of adjacent articles, the subsequent insertion of a further strip at right angles thereto forces the first partition strip further downwardly.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein a locking strip is inserted loosely above said further strip and at right angles thereto midway between the ends of the latter, said locking strip being engaged by the cover means of the container.

4. A method as defined in claim 1 including the steps of inserting a third partition strip between the articles, the third partition strip being disposed above and parallel to the first partition strip.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first partition strip is inserted between the upper portions of adjacent articles and the subsequent insertion of the second partition strip forces the first partition strip downwardly relative to the articles.

6. A method of packing bottles or other similarly formed articles in a carton or other container including the steps of arranging the articles in the carton in a plurality of columns and rows and substantially in contact with one another, delivering the carton to a first station, providing at least one finger with a first partition strip from a magazine containing a supply of such strips, forcing the first partition strip downwardly out of the finger at a speed at least equal to gravitational speed for placement of the first partition strip between the upper portions of adjacent articles in each adjacent pair of columns or rows, moving the carton to a second station, providing at least one finger with a second partition strip from a magazine containing a supply of such strips, forcing the second partition strip downwardly out of the finger at a speed at least equal to gravitational speed for placement between the upper portions of adjacent articles in each adjacent pair of rows or columns, the second partition strips being disposed at right angles to the first partition strips, insertion of the second partition strips forcing the first partition strips downwardly between the article a distance substantially equal to the width of the second partition strips, moving the carton to subsequent stations, inserting third partition strips between the articles in each adjacent pair of columns or rows so that the third partition strips are disposed above and parallel to the first partition strips, the insertion of the third partition strips causing the first and second partition strips to be forced downwardly further between the articles.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6 including the step of loosely inserting a locking strip above the third partition strips and at right angles thereto midway between the ends of the third partition strips, the locking strip being adapted to being engaged by carton cover means.

8. A method of packing bottles or other similarly formed articles in a carton or other container comprising the steps of arranging the articles in the carton in a plurality of columns and rows and substantially in contact with one another, delivering the carton to a first station, providing partition strip holding partition strips downwardly at a speed at least equal to gravitational speed for placement between the upper portion of adjacent articles in each adjacent pair of columns or rows, moving the carton to a second station, providing partition strip holding means with a plurality of second partition strips and forcing the second partition strips downwardly at a speed at least equal to gravitational speed for placement between the upper portions of adjacent articles in each adjacent pair of rows or columns, the second partition strips being disposed at right angles to the first partition strips, the insertion of the second partition strips forcing the first partition strips downwardly between the articles a distance substantially equal to the width of the second partition strips, moving the carton to subsequent stations, inserting at least one third partition strip between the articles in an adjacent pair of columns or rows, the insertion of the third partition strip causing the first and second partition strips to be forced downwardly further between the articles.

9. Apparatus for inserting partition strips into an open container in which a plurality of bottles or other articles are arranged contiguously in columns and rows comprising, a carton support, a magazine of partition strips, means for removing the partition strips one at a time from the magazine and for locating each strip in turn in a first position substantially horizontally above the container and substantially in the vertical plane disposed midway between two adjacent columns or rows of the articles therein, said means being spaced from the carton support so that the distance between the uppermost contiguous portion of said bottles and the lowermost portion of said strip is greater than the vertical dimension of the strip when in said first position, and means operable to move the strip downwardly through said distance at a speed at least equal to its gravitational speed whereby the strip is maintained substantially in said vertical plane and inserted between said columns or rows of articles.

10. Apparatus for inserting partition strips in an open container in which a plurality of bottles or other articles are arranged in columns and rows comprising a plurality of strip inserting mechanisms as claimed in claim 5 and further comprising movable conveyor means for successively moving the containers to and stopping them at a plurality of stations at each of which one or more of the said partition strips is inserted, the assembly comprising at least two such spaced mechanisms arranged mutually at right angles when viewed in plan whereby one such mechanism insert at least one strip between two adjacent columns of the articles, while the other mechanism inserts at least one strip between two adjacent rows of the articles,

11. Apparatus for inserting partition strips into an open container in which a plurality of bottles or other articles are arranged in columns and rows comprising, a magazine of partition strips having a discharge opening in the bottom thereof, a finger adapted to receive the partition strips one at a time from the magazine, said finger being pivotable about a horizontal axis to move the finger into horizontal register with the discharge opening in the bottom of the magazine for receiving the lowermost strip in the magazine, means operable to impart rotation to the finger whereby it and the partition strip thereon move arcuately downwardly until the strip is suspended horizontally above the container and substantially in the vertical plane disposed midway between two adjacent columns or rows of the articles therein, means operable to move the strip downwardly whereby it is pressed into the space between two adjacent columns or rows of the articles in the container.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the partition strips are arranged in the magazine horizontally, the one on top of the other; plunger means adapted to push the lowermost strip from said magazine into a recess in an associated finger, said finger being pivotable about a horizontal axis through an angle of 90 from a horizontal strip receiving position to a vertical strip discharge position, wherein said strip is suspended horizontally above the container, pressing means arranged above the suspended strip and operable to move vertically downwardly to remove said strip from the finger and press it into the space between two adjacent columns or rows of the articles in the container.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said finger comprises a spring clip for holding said partition strip in fric tional engagement therewith.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 further comprising movable conveyor means for successively moving the containers to and stopping them at a plurality of stations at each of which one or move of the said partition strips is inserted, at least two spaced fingers arranged mutually at right angles when viewed in plane whereby one finger aligns at least one strip for insertion between two adjacent columns of the articles while the other finger aligns at least one other strip for insertion between two adjacent rows of the articles.

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein the pressing means includes partition strip receiving means incapable of supporting a partition strip in a suspended position above the container.

16. Apparatus for inserting partition strips into an open container in which a plurality of bottles or other articles are arranged contiguously in columns and rows comprising, a carton support, a magazine of partition strips, means for removing the partition strips one at a time from the magazine and for locating each strip in turn in a first position substantially horizontally above the container and substantially in the vertical plane disposed midway between two adjacent columns or rows of the articles therein, said means being spaced from the carton support so that the distance between the uppermost contiguous portion of said bottles and the lowermost portion of said strip is greater than the vertical dimension of the strip when in said first position, and partition strip guide means incapable of supporting the partition strips against the force of gravity and operable to move the strip vertically downwardly through said distance at a speed at least equal to its gravitational speed while maintaining the strip substantially in said vertical plane whereby the strip is inserted between said columns or rows of articles.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE CERTEFICATE or CORRECTION Patent No. 3 65] 6] 4 Dated March 28, 1.972

I en fls) Henry Morgan Corderoy It: is certified that error appears in the aboveidentified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 6- change "an" to "and" Column 6, line 35 after "holding" insert the following:

-- means with a plurality of first partition strips, forcing the first Column 8, line 8 change "move" to "more" Signed and sealed this Zb th day of October 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARQPLFLETCHERJR. I ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM PO-1 (10-69) uscoMM-Dc 60376-P69 1? US. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: (969 O-366334

Claims

1. A method of packing bottles or other similarly formed articles in a carton or other container comprising the steps of arranging the articles in the carton in a plurality of columns and rows and substantially contiguous with one another, removing at least one first partition strip from a magazine aligning partition strip holding means and said one first partition strip in a first position between the articles in an adjacent pair of columns or rows whereby the distance between the uppermost contiguous portion of said articles and the lowermost portion of said first partition strip is greater than the vertical dimension of the strip when in said first position, moving the first partition strip toward the articles through said distance at a speed at least equal to the strip''s gravitational speed while maintaining the proper vertical oreintation of said first partition strip and inserting the first partition strip between the articles, removing at least one second partition strip from a magazine aligning second partition strip holding means and at least one second partition strip in a second position between the articles in an adjacent pair of rows or columns whereby the distance between the uppermost contiguous portion of said articles and the lowermost portion of said second partition strip is greater than the vertical dimension of the strip when in said second position, moving the second partition strip toward the articles through said distance at a speed at least equal to the strip''s gravitational speed while maintaining the proper vertical oreintation of said second partition strip and inserting the second partition strip between the articles, the second partition strip being disposed at right angles to the first partition strip.

10. Apparatus for inserting partition strips in an open container in which a plurality of bottles or other articles are arranged in columns and rows comprising a plurality of strip inserting mechanisms as claimed in claim 5 and further comprising movable conveyor means for successively moving the containers to and stopping them at a plurality of stations at each of which one or more of the said partition strips is inserted, the assembly comprising at least two such spaced mechanisms arranged mutually at right angles when viewed in plan whereby one such mechanism insert at least one strip between two adjacent columns of the articles, while the other mechanism inserts at least one strip between two adjacent rows of the articles.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the partition strips are arranged in the magazine horizontally, the one on top of the other; plunger means adapted to push the lowermost strip from said magazine into a recess in an associated finger, said finger being pivotable about a horizontal axis through an angle of 90* from a horizontal strip receiving position to a vertical strip discharge position, wherein said strip is suspended horizontally above the container, pressing means arranged above the suspended strip and operable to move vertically downwardly to remove said strip from the finger and press it into the space between two adjacent columns or rows of the articles in the container.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said finger comprises a spring clip for holding said partition strip in frictional engagement therewith.