US3685401A

US3685401A - Machine for creating divider structures such as are used as internal partitions within a box

Info

Publication number: US3685401A
Application number: US68616A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles L Peters
Original assignee: Box Innards Inc
Current assignee: Box Innards Inc
Priority date: 1970-09-01
Filing date: 1970-09-01
Publication date: 1972-08-22
Anticipated expiration: 1989-08-22
Also published as: CA949369A

Abstract

A machine for creating divider structures such as are used as internal partitions within a box employing slotted interlocked partition strips can be constructed utilizing transfer means for individually receiving first strips to extend in one direction in the divider structure, for holding these strips and for conveying them to a location where they are held separate and parallel and where periodically a group of the strips can be removed from the transfer means. In such a machine advancing means are used for periodically receiving such a group of first strips and for advancing the group away from the transfer means while holding them parallel to and spaced from one another in positions in which the slots in the first strips in such a group are in aligned rows. The machine employs inserting means which inserts second strips traverse to the first strips in each of the rows in such a group as such a group is advanced by the advancing means. In the disclosed structure the strips employed are created from continuous lengths of material during machine operation.

Description

United States Patent Peters 151 3,685,401 [451 Aug. 22, 1972 [54] MACHINE FOR CREATING DIVIDER STRUCTURES SUCH AS ARE USED AS INTERNAL PARTITIONS WITHIN A BOX [72] Inventor: Charles L. Peters, Anaheim, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Box Innards, Inc., Anaheim, Calif.

[22] Filed: Sept. 1, 1970 [21 Appl. No.: 68,616

[52] US. Cl. ..93/37 R, 93/38 [51] Int. Cl. ..B3lb l/00 [58] Field of Search ..93/37 R, 38

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,290,816 l/19l9 Weis et a1. ..93/38 3,374,716 3/1968 Lawrie et al. ..93/37 R 2,493,243 l/ 1950 Godwin ..93/37 R Primary Examiner-Bernard Stickney Attorney-Edward D. OBrian [57] ABSTRACT A machine for creating divider structures such as are used as internal partitions within a box employing slotted interlocked partition strips can be constructed utilizing transfer means for individually receiving first strips to extend in one direction in the divider structure, for holding these strips and for conveying them to a location where they are held separate and parallel and where periodically a group of the strips can be removed from the transfer means. In such a machine advancing means are used for periodically receiving such a group of first strips and for advancing the group away from the transfer means while holding them parallel to and spaced from one another in positions in which the slots in the first strips in such a group are in aligned rows. The machine employs inserting means which inserts second strips traverse to the first strips in each of the rows in such a group as such a group is advanced by the advancing means. In the disclosed structure the strips employed are created from continuous lengths of material during machine operation.

26 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures MACHINE FOR CREATING DIVIDER STRUCTURES SUCH AS ARE USED AS INTERNAL PARTITIONS WITHIN A BOX CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Charles L. Peters US. patent application entitled Intermittent Drive Structure, filed Sept. 1, I970, Ser. No. 68617.

Charles L. Peters US. patent application entitled Paper Trimmer, filed Mar. 4, 1971 Ser. No. 121,047.

The entire disclosures of both of these applications are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As used herein the term divider structure is used to designate an assembly of slotted partition strips interlocked by means of portions of the strips fitting within other of the strips. Such divider structures are most commonly used within boxes or cases employed in the shipment of bottles or the like to prevent such things from being damaged during shipment. Such divider structures may, however, be employed for other purposes.

As utilized such divider structures employ two different groups of strips which extend at right angles to one another. Such divider structures may be collapsed so that the strips within them extend generally in the same direction. Because of their functions these strips may be referred to as partition strips. In this specification the term first partition strip" is utilized in order to designate all of the partition strips which extend in one direction in a divider structure as such a structure is used and the term second partition strip is utilized to designate those partition strips which extend transverse to the first partition strips in such a divider structure as the structure is employed. Generally such first and second strips are different from one another, but in some cases, for example, when a divider structure is to be used with a square box or case such first and second partition strips may be identical.

Economics is a matter of critical importance to the manufacture of divider structures as indicated in the preceding discussion. This will be apparent from a consideration of the fact that such divider structures are essentially disposable items although on occasion they may be reused. Generally speaking such divider structures are employed by those who pack bottles or similar containers solely to prevent such items from being damaged. Such firms obviously do not wish to spend more money than is absolutely necessary for a divider structure which is to be thrown away.

This problem of economics in the manufacture of divider structures is a primary significance with respect to the development of the present invention. In the past divider structures have normally been manufactured utilizing a series of separate operations. These separate operations have included the separate formation of the partition strips and the separate assembly of these partition strips. Such procedures are considered economically disadvantageous because they transferring separate pieces of equipment for each of the separate operations and because they require labor to be spent in transferring partition strips from one machine to another.

Known past equipment for manufacturing divider structures is also considered to be disadvantageous for another type of reason pertaining to machine performance. Prior known equipment for assembling divider structures is considered to be disadvantageous because such equipment tends to break down at relatively frequent intervals, particularly when efforts are made to run such equipment at comparatively high speeds. In effect the inherent structure of such prior equipment limits the speed at which it can be operated. From an economic point of view any machine for as sembling divider structures should operate as rapidly as possible. This is particularly important if for one reason or another divider structures are urgently needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved machine for creating divider structures. More specifically an objective of the present invention is to provide a machine for this purpose which overcomes limitations and disadvantages of prior machines and procedures for creating divider structures. It will be realized that these generalized objectives of the invention are all significantly related to economic considerations.

An objective of the invention is also to provide a new and improved machine for creating divider structures which can be operated rapidly for comparatively long periods. Another objective is to provide a machine of the type described which requires what may be regarded as a minimum of servicing problems, even when it is operated rapidly. A related objective of the present invention is to provide a machine for creating divider divider structures that may be easily and conveniently adjusted to make different divider structures as required by commercial considerations. These objectives are also related to what may be regarded as economic considerations.

A machine in accordance with this invention for creating divider structures must employ at least: a transfer means for individually receiving first partition strips, for holding these strips and transporting them to a location where periodically a group of these strips can be simultaneously released from the transfer means; advancing means for receiving such a group of strips and for transporting them in positions in which the slots in them are in aligned rows; and inserting means for inserting second strips into each of such rows as a group of the first strips are moved by the advancing means.

Preferably a machine in accordance with this invention includes a number of features not indicated by the preceding paragraph. Preferably such a machine includes what are designated herein as supply and providing means for creating the first and second partition strips from continuous or substantially continuous lengths of material at the transfer means and at the inserting means, respectively. Preferably a structure in accordance with this invention also includes what is designated herein as a mvoing means for moving or transfering a group of strips from the transfer means to the advancing means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further details of this invention as well as the manner in which it achieves the aforegoing and various related herein as a first slotted partition strip used in such a structure;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of what is termed herein as a second slotted partition strip" used in such a structure;

FIG. 5 is a partial front elevational view of the machine shown in Fig. FIG. primarily showing the advancing means and inserting means employed in this machine;

FIG. 6 is a partial side elevational view of the machine shown in FIG. 1 primarily showing the transfer means and the moving means employed in this machine;

FIG. 7 is a detailed diagrammatic showing an individual holder as employed in the transfer means of the illustrated machine and the operation of the moving means employed in this machine;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken at line 88 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a detailed enlarged fragmentary view corresponding to a part of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a partial top plan view taken in the direction ofthe line 10l0 in Fig. 8;

FIG. '11 is an enlarged, partial sectional view corresponding to a view taken at line 1ll1 of FIG. 8 showing part of the inserting means employed with the invention and a part of what are referred to herein as providing means as employed with a machine of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a partial sectional view taken at line l2 l2 ofFIG. l0; and

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view taken at line l3--l3 of Fig. 12. v

The accompanying drawings are primarily intended to illustrate the essential features or principals of a presently preferred embodiment of a machine in accordance with this invention. In the interest of brevity various auxiliary structures of a conventional mechanical nature such as common motor, drive shaft, belt, chain belt, cam and other drive means used to power the illustrated machine are only partially illustrated to a limited degree in the drawings and are not separately described herein. Such conventional power or drive means are of types commonly and conventionally utilized in powering and operating relatively complex pieces of mechanical equipment. It is considered that no useful function would be achieved by completely illustrating and describing them in detail herein.

From a careful consideration of the drawings and of the remainder of this specification it will be apparent that the illustrated machine is not the present invention per se, but instead is a specific piece of equipment utilizing the intangible features or principles of the invention. Those skilled in the field of the mechanical design of assembly equipment will realize that these features or principles embodied within the illustrated machine can be embodied within somewhat different appearing equipment through the use or exercise of routine mechanical design skill.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the drawings there is shown a machine 10 for creating divider structures such as a divider structure 12 shown in FIG. 2 of the' drawings. This divider struc' ture 12 includes first partition strips 14 and second partition strips 16 as shown in FIG. 3 and 4 of the drawings, respectively. These partition strips 14 and I6 include slots 18 extending part way across their widths so that they may be assembled in an interlocked manner by portions of the first strips 14 fitting within the slots 18 in the second strips 16 and by portions of the second strips 16 fitting within the slots 18 in the first strips 14.

In the divider structure 12 different numbers of the partition strips l4 and 16 may be used depending upon the construction and adjustment of the machine 10. The

strips

14 and 16 will normally be cardboard, but if desired they may be formed of other related materials such as a flat expanded cardboard like polystyrene composition. I

When viewed from left to right in FIG. 1 the machine incorporates what may be regarded or termed as a supply means 20 for use in creating individual of the first partition strips 14 from a continuous or substantially continuous length 22 of a material to be used in creating these first partition strips 14. Normally this length 22 will come off of a conventional roll 24.

Next looking from left to right in FIG. 1 the machine 10 includes what may be regarded or termed as a transfer means 26 for receiving individual of the first partition strips 14, for holding such strips and for transporting them to where a group of such strips can be removed from the trasnfer means by what are described herein as a moving means" 28. Such moving means 28 are not specifically indicated in FIG. 1 of the drawings but are indicated in FIGS. 6 and 7. They are located generally between the transfer means 26 and what may be termed or described herein as advancing means 30. 1

These advancing means 30 receive groups of the first partition strips 14 from the transfer means 26 through the operation of the moving means 28 and conveying such strips to beneath what may be described or termed herein as an inserting means 32. At such inserting means 32 the second partition strips 16 are inserted in rows of slots 18 of the first partition strips 14 so as to form an interlocked type structure as described.

At the right of FIG. 1 there are shown what are termed herein as a providing means 34 for creating individual. of the second partition strips 16 from another length 36 of material such as that used in the supply means 20. Normally such a length 36 is supplied off of a roll 38 similar to the roll 24. The providing means 34 is substantially the same as the supply means 20. In order to avoid confusion it is termed herein as a providing means instead of being also termed a supply means.

Both the supply means 20 and the providing means 34 include conventional power feed rollers 40 which engage the

lengths

22 and 36 in order to form downwardly extending expanses 42 from the

lengths

22 and 36. These expanses 42 are employed so as to make certain that subsequent mechanisms can easily pull the

lengths

22 and 36. Conventional photocell mechanisms 44 are provided to sense the presence of the expanses 42 and to govern the operation of the feed rollers 40 to make sure that the expanses 42 are always present. These photocell mechanisms 44 and their coupling to the feed rollers 40 so as to govern the operation of the feed rollers 40 is conventional and is not described herein.

As the

lengths

22 and 36 are conveyed in the forward direction by the feed rollers 40 these

lengths

22 and 36 are preferably drawn past trimmers 46 which trim the

lengths

22 and 36 to a desired width corresponding to the lengths of the first and second partition strips 14 and 16, respectively. The trimmers 46 used with the present invention are preferably constructed as set forth in the co-pending Charles L. Peters US. patent application entitled Paper Trimmer, filed Mar. 4, I971, Ser. No. I21 ,047. Since the operation of a trimmer structure as set forth in this copending application is not important to the overall operation of the machine the precise trimmer structure set forth in this co-pending application is not described in detail herein and the disclosure of this co-pending application is incorporated herein by reference.

If desired other known trimmer structures than the precise structure shown in the co-pending application may be utilized with the machine 10. When such other trimmer structures are used they are preferably located so as to engage the

lengths

22 and 36 after such lengths have passed the expanses 42. In theory no trimmer such as the trimmer 46 is required with the machine 10 if the

lengths

22 and 36 are of the required widths corresponding to the lengths of the first and second partition strips 14 and 16.

In the supply means and the providing means 34 the

lengths

22 and 36 pass through conventional slotting structures 48 after going through the expanses 42. Each of these slotting structures 48 includes a fixed or immobile lower die 50 and a co-acting movable upper die 52. These dies 50 and 52 are constructed so as to place in the

lengths

22 and 36 the slots 18 for the first and second partition strips 14 and 16. Chutes such as the chute 54 indicated in FIG. 5 of the drawings may be provided under both of the lower dies 50 employed for the purpose of conveying off to one side material removed from the first and second partition strips 14 and 16 in forming the slots 18 by movement of the upper dies 52 used in the slotting structures 48.

Both of these upper dies 52 are reciprocated with respect to their associated lower dies 50 as indicated in FIG. 5 of the drawings. Here it shows that in a slotting structure 48 the upper die 52 is mounted for reciprocation on pins 56 which extend from the lower die 52. Such reciprocation may be caused by rotation of a drive shaft 58 causing rotation of a crank arm 60 so as to move up and down a drive rod 62 pivotally connected to this crank arm 60. The drive rod 62 may be pivotally mounted upon the frame 66 of the machine 10 beneath the lower die 50. With this described structure a small link 68 is pivotally connected to the upper die 52 of a slotting structure 48 and to the rocker arm 64 so as to move the rocker arm up and down, reciprocating the upper die 52.

Such reciprocation is coordinated with the rotation of indexing feed rollers 70 employed in both the supply means 20 and the providing means 34. These feed rolls 70 are located opposite conventionally spring biased holding rolls 72 so that the

lengths

22 and 36 are held against the feed rolls 70 in such a manner as to be precisely advanced whenever the feed rolls 70 are rotated.

In the machine I0 the feed rolls 70 are precisely rotated identical amounts at precise time intervals through the operation of intermittent drive structures 74. Such structures are used in a wide variety of applications where ever it is desired to repeatedly advance or rotate a shaft a precise amount at periodic intervals. It is preferred that the intermittent drive structures 74 employed with the present invention be constructed as shown and described in the co-pending Charles L. Peters US. patent application entitled Intermittent Drive Structure, filed Sept. 1, 1970, Ser. No. 68,617. Since various different drive structures can be employed as the structures 74 the precise construction of intermittent drive structures as shown in this co-pending Peters application is not shown in the drawings nor described herein, and the entire disclosure of this copending application is incorporated herein by reference.

When intermittent drive structures 74 as shown in this co-pending application are used they are operated by synchronized shafts 76 and utilize crank arms 78 which are pivotally connected to drive and control

arms

80 and 82. These shafts 76 are carefully synchronized with the shafts 58 so that the slotted

lengths

22 and 36 advanced by the drive structures 74 will always be advanced with the slots 18 created in lengths in the same relative positions with respect to the drive structures 74. Such synchronization of the

shafts

58 and 76 are in accordance with conventional mechanical practice, and hence in the interest of brevity are not explained herein.

In the supply means 20 the length 22 passes from the feed roll 70 to a cutter 84 which is somewhat different from a cutter 86 used with the providing means 34. As shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings the cutter 84 includes a fixed, lower squared off edge 88 mounted on the frame 66 along which a conventional blade holder 92 which in turn is mounted for reciprocation in a conventional manner upon the frame 667 Such reciprocation is coordinated with the operation of the associated feed rolls 70 and such coordination may be caused in the same manner in which the slotting structures 42 are actuated.

For this purpose a link 94 may be connected to the holder 92 so as to transmit motion from a small rocker arm 96 pivotally mounted by a pivot 98 on the frame 66. This rocker arm 96 may be reciprocated by a drive rod 100 which is moved up and down in the same manner as the previously described drive rod 62. Such motion of the drive rod 100 is of course synchronized by conventional mechanical means which are used to supply the power to a shaft (not shown) which drives it through a crank arm (not shown) corresponding to the crank arm 60.

The relationship of the transfer means 26 to the supply means is quite important with respect to the present invention. This transfer means 26 includes two large sprockets 102 mounted upon a shaft 104 which is carried by bearings 106 secured to the frame 66. It also includes two small sprockets 108 carried by another shaft 110 which is mounted to the frame 66 by means of corresponding bearings 106. The transfer means 26 includes two roller belts 112, each of which is carried by one of the large sprockets 102 and one of the small sprockets 108.

These belts 112 carry at periodic intervals holders 114. Each of the holders 114 includes an extending support 1 16 secured to each of the belts 112. In each of the holders 114 two aligned plate-

like structures

118 and 120 are supported in face to face relationship by the supports 116 so as to extend between the belts l 12. Securing pins 122 (FIG. 7) extend through these

platelike structures

118 and 120 so as to hold them together. Small coil springs 124 are located around the pins 122 so as to resiliently bias the plate-

like structures

118 and 1 120 towards one another. Conventional heads 126 are located on the pins 122 in order to hold them in place and in order to hold the springs 124 in place.

If desired these plate-like structures 1 l8 and 120 can be channels having facing flat sides. These plate-

like structures

118 and 120 preferably include diverging outer lips 128 which face away from the belts 112. These lips 128 are quite important to to the transfer means 26 receiving the length 22 from the supply means 20.

During the use of the transfer means 26 individual holders 114 are advanced through the use of a conventional ratchet drive including a ratchet wheel 130 mounted upon the shaft 110, a ratchet arm 132 also mounted upon this shaft 110, and a conventional locking dog 134 mounted upon the arm 132 so as to engage individual teeth on the ratchet wheel 130 each time a drive rod 136 attached to the arm 132 is reciprocated.

When a holder 114 is opposite the cutter 84 during one cycle or interval of the operation of the machine 10 such a holder 114 will be in a position to receive the length 22 when the associated feed roll 70 will propel or advance the length 22 to such time as this length 22 is guided by the lips 128 between the plate-

like structures

118 and 120 in this particular holder 114. The

amount to which this associated feed roll 70 advances the length 22 during its operation is coordinated with the height desired for a first partition strip 14 so that an amount of the length 22 is inserted in a holder 114 past I the cutter 84 corresponding to the height of a first partition strip 14.

After such an amount of material has been fed to a holder 114 the cutter 84 is operated so as to sever this amount of the length 22, creating a complete first partition strip 14. In order to avoid a pile-up of the length 22 the feed roll 70 associated with the cutter 84 should not advance the length 22 as the cutter 84 is being operated. This synchronization is accomplished by the synchronization of drive shafts in a conventional manner as previously indicated.

The drive for the drive rod 136 is also synchronized in the same manner so as to actuate the ratchet 130 to turn the principal structure of the transfer means 26 just so far that one holder 114 is opposite the cutter 84 so as to receive the end of the length 22 when the cutter 84 is opened and the associated feed roll is operated. Such synchronization may be accomplished by driving the drive rod 136 in the same manner as the drive rod 62 using a crank arm corresponding to the crank arm 60 and a drive shaft corresponding to the drive shaft 58.

Any such drive shaft used in conjunction with the drive rod 136 is of course synchronized so that the belts 112 are periodically advanced one increment corresponding to the distance between the holders 114 after the cutter 84 has been operated, while this cutter 84 is being opened before the associated feed roll 70 again moves the length 22. More simply stated the transfer means 26 does not move while a holder 114 receives the end of the length 22 and does not move while such an end isb'eing severed by the cutter 84. Similarly the associated feed roll 70 is not rotated as the cutter 84 is being operated and as the transfer means 26 is being advanced so as to place successive of the holders 114 in position to' receive the end of the length 22.

From a consideration of FIG. 6 it will be seen that as the transfer means 26 is operated during the use of the machine 10 that a row of the holders 114 will be located along a flat length of the belts 112 so that individual of the holders 114 are parallel to one another in what constitutes a row. Such holders will be supporting first partition strips 14 placed within them as described in the preceding, and these strips will be.

resiliently held by them so as to be extending from them. During an interval when the transfer means is not being used or actuatedi.e. when the extremity of the length 22 is being moved into a 'holder 1l4-the severed first partition strips 14 held by the holders 1 14 at the bottom of the transfer means 26 are in a position to be moved by the moving means 28 to the advancing means 30. i

The moving means 28 includes a movable frame 138 capable of being reciprocated on guides 140 on the frame 66 generally towards the transfer means 26. This frame 138 carries a plurality of pairs of resilient drive rollers 142. The drive rollers 142 of each of these pairs are adapted to be rotated in opposite directions as shown in FIG. 7 so that as the frame 138 is moved upwardly the first partition strips 14 held by holders 114 at the bottom of the transfer means 26 will be engaged by them so as to be pulled out of these holders and so as to be propelled downwardly.

As they are moved in this manner they will be guided and further propelled by other drive rollers 144 mounted directly upon the frame 66. These rollers 144 are rotated in the same manner as the rollers 142. .To accomplish such rotation conventional chain belt drives 146 connect all of the rollers 142 and all of the rollers 144 and the rotation of all of these rollers is synchronized by means of a flexible type shaft 148 extending between the two

chain drives

142 and 144. A conventional means (not shown to avoid obsecuring the drawings) is used to power the chain drive 146 associated with the drive rollers 144. This power is of course transmitted as described to the other chain drive 146.

The first partition strips 14 pulled away from the holders l 14 of the transfer means 26 in this manner are in effect pulled downwardly by the drive rollers 144 against inverted sloping walls 150 which serve to further guide them through openings 152 between these walls 150 into upwardly opening tracks 154 forming a part of the advancing means 30. Preferably the spacing of the rollers 144 and the walls 150 and the tracks 154 is such that there is no reasonable chance of the first partition strips 14 becoming cocked or otherwise tilted as they are moved by the moving means 28. Hence, with this structure the moving means 28 transfers a group of the first partition strips 14 so that they are vertically located in a row parallel to one another.

Such a group of the first partition strips 14 is propelled along the length of the advancing means 30 through the use of a bar 156. There are a plurality of these bars 156 so that a plurality of such groups of first partition strips 14 can be handled simultaneously. These bars 156 ride on supports 158 along the top of the advancing means 30 and they ride along similar supports 160 towards the bottom of the advancing means 30. They are prohibited from sidewise movement off of these

supports

158 and 160 by contact with the frame 66 of the machine 10. At the end of the advancing means 30 beneath the transfer means 26 these bars 156 ride up from the bottom supports 160 to the top supports 158 in curved channels 162. Similar channels 164 are located at the end of the advancing means 30 remote from the transfer means 26.

The method of propelling the individual bars 156 in the advancing means 30 is considered important to the present invention. The advancing means 30 includes a plurality of pairs of sprockets 166 mounted on the frame 66 for the purpose of mounting two roller chains 168 parallel to one another generally between the

supports

158 and 160. It will be noted from an examination of FIG. of the drawings that the sprockets 166 are arranged so that remote from the transfer means 26 and adjacent the providing means 34 the-chains 168 are spaced from and below the supports 158. With this structure, small projections 170 on the chains 168 can engage the bars 156 so as to propel them along the support bars 158 and 160 in those areas where the chains 168 are not deliberately spaced from these support bars 158.

The chains 168 are identically formed and include identical numbers of projections 170 so that during their operation the bars 156 will at all times be pushed by the projections 170 along the length of the advancing means 30. The chains 168 are of course operated at the same speed through the use of conventional drive means and such speed is coordinated or synchronized by conventional drive means (not shown) so as to place a bar 156 in a position to push a group of the first partition strips 14 received in the tracks 154 through the operation of the moving means 28 each time such a group of strips is placed in these tracks 154.

Because of the fact that the chains 168 do not extend the length of the supports 158 conveying wheels 172 are provided adjacent the ends of the supports 158 in order that small lugs 174 on these wheels 172 will engage the bars 156 and move them through the channels 164 in synchronism with the movement of the chains 168. These wheels 172 are located adjacent to the extremities of each of the chains 168 and are coordinated so as to move with the chains 168 through the use of conventional drive means (not shown) connected to them.

The bars 156 are moved in the area where the chains 168 are spaced from the supports 158 by means of either of two sets of drive rods. The first of these sets consists of outer drive rods 176 and inner of these sets consist of inner drive rods 178. These drive

rods

176 and 178 are adapted to be reciprocated in bearings 180 through the use of two identically formed but differently proportioned reciprocating drives 182.

Each of these drives 182 includes a conventionally powered crank wheel 184 which pivotally carries a drive rod 186. Each drive rod 186 is connected to a crank arm 188 extending ofi of a rocker shaft 190. Each rocker shaft 190 includes or carries a push shaft 192 which is pivotally connected to a link 194. The links 194 employed are connected to the

drive rods

176 and 178 so as to reciprocate these

drive rods

176 and 178 upon the crank wheel 184 being turned. The rates of rotation of these crank wheels 184 are synchronized with respect to the dimensions of the reciprocating drives 182 so that individual groups of the first partition strips 14 are propelled together in a manner as hereinafter described coordinated with the manner in which they are propelled through the use of the chains 168.

Such propulsion is achieved by small ratchet like lugs 196 being secured to both the

rods

176 and 178 in such a manner as to be capable of engaging the rods 186 when the

rods

176 and 178 are being moved in the reverse direction towards the transfer means 26. Each of the lugs 196 includes a housing 198 adapted to be secured to a

rod

176 and 178. Each of these housings 198 includes a linear cavity 200 within which there extends what'may be termed a pawl 202. These pawls 202 are spring loaded within the cavities 200 by springs 204 so as to be capable of being pushed into the cavities 200 by thin sloping surfaces 206 contacting the bars 156. During such contact reverse movement of the bars 156 is prevented by means of what may be termed spring loaded brakes 208 comprising brake shoes 210 held by springs 212 on the frame 66 so as to bias the bars 156 against the supports 158. If desired other equivalents means 196 permitting the lugs 196 to override the bars 156 without the bars 156 being moved in a backwards direction can be employed.

During the entire time that a bar 156 is moved along the top of the advancing means 30 when the machine 10 is in operation, such a bar 156 will push a group of the first partition strips 14 together as a unit as such a group is received from the moving means 28 through the operation of the chains 168. Sagging of the chains 168 such that projections 170 would disengage a bar 156 is prevented by runners 213 supporting the chains 168. It will be apparent that the tracks 154 extend the length of the advancing means 30. Since these tracks 154 are not adequate to support a group of first partition strips 14 vertically so that they will not cock other upper tracks 214 are located directly above them so as to extend from adjacent to the transfer means 26 to adjacent to the right-hand end of the advancing means 30 as these means are viewed in FIGS. 1 and 5. These upper tracks 214 are adapted to receive the upper ends of each group of the first partition strips 14 as such groups are initially moved by the advancing means 30 so that all the partition strips 14 of such a group are held vertically spaced apart and parallel to one another. By virtue of the fact that all of such first partition strips 14 are identically formed as described they will have identical slots 18 facing these upper tracks 214, and these slots 18 will be held in rows since all of the first partition strips 14 within a group will be moved simultaneously by a bar 156.

The purpose of such movement of the first partition strips 14 is to place these slots 18 in these strips in positions where the slotted end of the length 36 may be inserted within all of the slots 18 in a row in a group of the first partition strips 14. This is accomplished by what has been indicated in the preceding as an insertion means 32. Such insertion means 32 essentially consists of a guide 216 extending vertically adjacent to the ends of the

tracks

214 and 154. As the length 36 passes the intermittent drive structure 74 associated with the providing means 34 this length will be pushed by this drive structure 74 through the guides 216 downwardly. into a row of the slots 18 in the first partition strips 14 to a distance corresponding to the height of a second partition strip 16.

When the end of the length 36 has been inserted in this manner, a second partition strip 16 will be severed from the length 36 through the movement of a cutting knife 218 mounted for reciprocation on a holder 220 on the frame 66. This holder 220 is adapted to be reciprocated through the use of an arm 222 operatively and pivotally connected to the control arm 82 so as to move in synchronism with the operation of the drive structure 74. It will be realized that thisconstitutes a conventional mechanically synchronized structure. The knife 218 operates against a fixed blade 224 attached to the frame 66 on the other side of the guide 216 from the knife 218.

In order to achieve the assembly of a divider structure 12 in which a complete series of the second partition strips 16 are used the rate of movement of a group of the first partition strips 14 as such a group is being pushed by a bar 156 must be carefully coordinated. With the machine as such a group is initially received by the lugs 196 on the outer drive rods 176 such a group will be propelled to a position where the initial slots 18 of the partition strips 14 of such a group are located directly beneath the inserting means 32 and then the rods 176 will reverse their direction of motion so as to leave such a group in a steady position until such time as the end of the length 36 is inserted and a second partition strip 16 is severed from this length.

At this point, the lugs 196 on the inner drive rods 178 will push such a group of first partition strips 14 and then will leave such a group immobile because of reversal of the inner drive rods 178 until the second slots 18 of the group of first partition strips 14 receive a second partition strips 16. The inner drive rods 178 will then move in forward direction until the next row of slots 18 in the group of first partition strips 14 are innerlocked by a second partition strip 16.

This will continue until all of the second partition strips 16 employed in a divider structure are inserted in place. Then as a final movement the outer driven rods 178 will, through the operation of the lugs 196 push a completed divider structure 12 onto a conventional belt conveyor 226 where such a divider structure may be retrieved for packaging and use. At the same time the rods 178 will advance another group of the partition strips 14 If desired a conventional spring hold down 228 may be mounted on the frame 66 so as to prevent cocking of the created structure 12 as it moves on the conveyor 226.

From a careful consideration of the above it will be apparent that the outer and

inner drive rods

176 and 178 reciprocate at different rates and different amounts. The rates at which a group of the first partition strips 14 can be moved by the moving means 28 from the transfer means 26 to the advancing means 30 and the rate at which the insertion means 32 and the providing means 34 can operate. With the structure shown and described there is'a fairly large spacing as they are propelled by the chains 168. As such a group is pushed first by the operation of the outer driven rods 176 and then the inner driven rods 178 this spacing decreases so that the insertion means 32 and the providing means 34 operate substantially.continually. This is accomplished by conventional mechanical synchronization as described in this specification.

An apparatus such as the machine 10 can easily be modified to make different divider structures corresponding to the divider structures 12 by modifications of the dies 50 and 52 of the slotting structures 48 and by the use of various numbers of pairs of rollers on the moving means 28. To provide for different spacing of the first partition strips 14 the

tracks

154 and 214 can be made adjustable and bendable so as to not go into an exactly linear path between the ends of the advancing means 30. A number of other modifications of a similar character may be made in the machine 10.

This machine 10 is considered unique inasmuch as it provides for the rapid production of divider structures such as the structure 12 at comparatively low cost. A machine such as the machine 10 will operate effectively with what is regarded as comparatively little maintenance. Various parts of this machine such as the transfer means 26 can of course be employed for other purposes than the purpose for which such means is used in the machine 10. The various parts described, however, cooperate in this machine 10 in what is considered to be a unique, advantageous manner.

I claim:

1. A machine for creating a divider structure in which a group of first slotted partition strips is interlocked with a group of second slotted partition strips by portions of the strips fitting within slots in other of the strips, which machine comprises:

transfer means for individually receiving the first strips at a first location, for holding the first strips received by it separate from one another and for conveying the first strips held by it to a second location where the first strips are held by it separate and parallel to one another and where periodically a group of the first strips can be simultaneously removed from it,

advancing means for periodically receiving a group of first strips from the transfer means and for advancing each group of first strips received by it away from the transfer means while holding the strips in such group parallel to and spaced from one another in positions in which the slots in the first strips in such group are in aligned rows, a portion of said advancing means being located adjacent to said second location, and

inserting means located above another portion of the advancing means for inserting a second strip into each of said rows in each such group of first strips advanced by said advancing means so that the slots in each inserted second strip fits over a portion of each of the first strips in such group and so that each inserted second strip extends through a row of slots in the first strips in each of such group.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1 including:

supply means for creating individual of the first partition strips from a substantially continuous length of material and for supplying individual of the first strips to the transfer means at the first location as the individual of said strips are created, the supply means being located adjacent to said first location of said transfer means.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein:

the supply means includes,

means for propelling the continuous length towards the transfer means,

means for slotting the length as it is propelled so as to create the slots in the first partition strips, and

means for severing the length into individual of said first strips as the extremity of the length is received by the transfer means.

4. A machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

the transfer means includes,

a plurality of holders, each of said holders being capable of holding a first partition strip supplied to the transfer means, and

means for progressing the holders in an endless path between the first and second locations.

5. A machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein:

each of the holders is capable of resiliently holding a first partition strip.

6. A machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein:

the means for progressing comprises endless belt means and wherein,

said holders are supported by the belt means so as to extend parallel to one another and are spaced from one another.

7. A machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein:

the transfer means also includes,

intermittent drive means for intermittently driving the means for progressing so that each of the ho]- ders is held at the first location and so that a series of the holders is held at the second location at periodic intervals during the operation of the transfer means.

8. A machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein:

each of the holders is capable of resiliently holding a first partition strip,

the means for progressing comprises endless belt means and wherein,

said holders are supported by the belt means so as to extend parallel to one another and are spaced from one another,

the transfer means also includes,

intermittent drive means for intermittently driving the means for progressing so that each of the holders is held at the first location and so that a series of the holders is held at the second location at periodic intervals during the operation of the transfer means.

9. A machine as claimed in claim 1 including:

moving means for simultaneously moving a group of the first strips from the transfer means at the second location and for conveying all of the removed strips together to the advancing means.

10. A machine as claimed in claim 9 wherein:

the moving means includes,

engaging rollers mounted so as to be capable of being moved so as to engage the first strips of a group held at the second location of the transfer means,

and I means for rotating said engaging rollers so as to cause the engaging rollers to propel the first strips engaged by them from the transfer means to the advancing means.

11. A machine as claimed in claim 10 wherein:

the moving means also includes,

conveying rollers for assisting strips removed from the second location of the transfer means by the engaging rollers towards the advancing means, and

guide means for deflecting strips passing between said engaging rollers and the conveying rollers towards the advancing means.

12. A machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

the advancing means includes,

a separate track means for each of the strips of a group of strips to be received by the advancing means,

a push bar for engaging and pushing each group of first strips received by the advancing means along the length of the tracking means,

and propelling means for advancing the push bar along the track means.

13. A machine as claimed in claim 12 wherein:

the propelling means comprises,

chain drive means for pushing a plurality of the push bars along a part of the length of the advancing means, and

indexing bar means for pushing the push bars intermittently along the remainder of the length of said advancing means adjacent to said inserting means.

14. A machine as claimed in claim 13 wherein:

the indexing bar means comprises,

reciprocal rods ratchet means on the rods for periodically advancing a push bar being advanced by the indexing bar means, and

holding means for engaging a push bar being advanced by the indexing bar means during one direction of reciprocation of the rods.

15. A machine as claimed in claim 1 including:

providing means for creating individual of the second partition strips from a substantially continuous length of material and for providing individual of the second strips to the inserting means as the individual of said second strips are created, the providing means being located adjacent to said inserting means.

16. A machine as claimed in claim 15 wherein:

the providing means includes,

other means for propelling the continuous length of material towards the transfer means,

other means for slotting the continuous length as it is propelled so as to create the slots in the second partition strip, and

other means for severing the length into individual of the second strips as the extremity of the length is received by the inserting means and is inserted into a row of slots in a group of the first strips.

17. A machine as claimed in claim 1 including:

supply means for creating individual of the first partition strips from a substantially continuous length of material and forisupplying individual of the first strips to the transfer means at the first location as the individual of said strips are created, the supply means being located adjacent to said first location of said transfer means,

providing means for creating individual of the second partition strips from a substantially continuous length of material and for providing individual of the second strips to the inserting'means as the individual of said second strips are created, the providing means being located adjacent to said inserting means,

and wherein: Y

the transfer means includes,

means for progressing the holders in an endless path between the first and second locations,

moving means for simultaneously moving a group of the first strips from the transfer means at the second location and for conveying all of the removed strips together to the advancing means,

the advancing means includes,

a push bar for engaging and pushing each group of first strips received by the advancing means along the length of the track means,

and propelling means for advancing the push bar along the track means.

18. A machine as claimed in claim 17 wherein:

both said supply means and said providing means each include,

means for propelling a continuous length, means for slotting the length propelled byit so as to create the slots in said partition strips and means for severing the length propelled by it into individual partition strips,

the means for propelling of the supply means serving to propel the length thereby towards the transfer means,

the means for propelling of the providing means serving to propel the length propelled thereby towards the inserting means and a group of first strips held by the advancing means,

the means for severing of the supply means serving to sever the extremity of the length propelled by the supply means as this extremity of the length is received by the transfer means,

the means for severing of the providing means serving to sever the extremity of the length propelled by the providing means as this extremity is inserted into a row of slots in a group of the first strips.

19. A machine as claimed in claim 17 wherein:

each of the holders .is capable of resiliently holding a first partition strip, the indexing bar means comprises,

20. A machine as claimed in claim 17 including:

the means for progressing comprises endless belt means and wherein,

the transfer means also includes,

intermittent drive means for intermittently driving the means for progressing so that each of the holders is held at the first location and so that a series of the holders is held at the second location at periodic intervals during the operation of the transfer means,

the moving means includes,

engaging rollers mounted so as to be capable of being moved so'as to engage the first strips of a group held at the second location of the transfer means, and

means for rotating said engaging rollers so as to cause the engaging rollers to propel the first strips engaged by them from the transfer means to the advancing means, the moving means also includes, conveying rollers for assisting strips removed from the second location of the transfer means by the engaging rollers towards the advancing means, and

guide means for deflecting strips passing between said engaging rollers and the conveying rollers towards the advancing means,

the propelling means comprises,

chain drive means for pushing a plurality of the push bars along a part of the length of the advancing means, and indexing bar means for pushing the push bars intermittently along the remainder of the length of said advancing means adjacent to said inserting means,

moving means for moving a plurality of articles held by a series of said holder means at said second location.

21. A machine as claimed in claim 20 wherein:

said moving means include a plurality of rotating rollers, said rollers being mounted adjacent to said second location so as to be'movable towards and away from articles in said holder means at said second location, and

means for moving said rollers so that they contact articles held by said holder means at said second location in order to move such articles out of engagement with the holder means holding them.

22. In a machine for creating a divider structure in which a group of first slotted partition strips is interlocked with a group of second slotted partition strips by portions of the strips fitting within slots in the other of said strips, said machine having a transfer means, the improvement which comprises:

said transfer means including:

a plurality of holders each of said holders being capable of holding a first partition strip supplied to the transfer means,

endless belt means for progressing said holders in an endless path between a first location where individual of said holders are capable of receiving individual first partition strips to a second location where the strips received by successive of said holders are held separate and parallel to one another,

intermittent drive means for intermittently driving said belt means so that at periodic intervals each of said holders is held at said first location and a series of said holders is held at said second location, and

roller moving means for simultaneously engaging and conveying a group of said strips together from said holder at said second location and for conveying all of the removed strips together to another part of said machine, said moving means being spaced from said belt means and said holders.

23. A machine as claimed in claim 22 wherein:

the moving means includes, I

engaging rollers mounted so as to be capable of being moved so as to engage the strips of a group held at the second locationof the transfer means, and

means for rotating said engaging rollers so as to cause the engaging rollers to propel the strips engaged by them from said holders.

24. A machine as claimed in claim 23 wherein:

the moving means also includes,

' conveying rollers for assisting strips removed from the second location of the transfer means by the engaging rollers towards the advancing means, and guide means for deflecting strips passing between said engaging rollers and the conveying rollers toward the advancing means. 25. In a machine for creating a divider structure in which a first group of slotted partitions is interlocked with a group of second slotted partitions by portions of the strips fitting within slots in other of'the strips, the improvement which comprises:

an advancing means serving to periodically receive a group of first strips and to advance each group of first strips received by it while holding said strips in such group parallel to and spaced from one another in positions in which the slots in the strips of such groups are in aligned rows.

said advancing means including,

a separate track means for each of the strips of the group of strips to be received by the advancing means,

push bars for engaging and pushing eachgroup of strips received by the advancing means along the length of said track means,

propelling means for advancing said push bars along the track means,

said propelling means including drive means for periodically pushing successive push bars along and part of the length of said advancing means, and

indexing bar means for pushing the push bars intermittently along the remainder of the length of said advancing means.

26. A machine as claimed in claim 25 wherein:

the indexing bar means comprises,

mg UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 ,685 ,40] Dated August 22 1 972 Inventor(s) Char] es L Peters It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

' v I I Column 1 line 64, "transferring" should be "require-- Column 3, line 19, "Fig." should be cancelled and after "FIG. the number I should be inserted Signed. and sealed this 13th day of February 1973..

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M. FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

Claims

1. A machine for creating a divider structure in which a group of first slotted partition strips is interlocked with a group of second slotted partition strips by portions of the strips fitting within slots in other of the strips, which machine comprises: transfer means for individually receiving the first strips at a first location, for holding the first strips received by it separate from one another and for conveying the first strips held by it to a second location where the first strips are held by it separate and parallel to one another and where periodically a group of the first strips can be simultaneously removed from it, advancing means for periodically receiving a group of first strips from the transfer means and for advancing each group of first strips received by it away from the transfer means while holding the strips in such group parallel to and spaced from one another in positions in which the slots in the first strips in such group are in aligned rows, a portion of said advancing means being located adjacent to said second location, and inserting means located above another portion of the advancing means for inserting a second strip into each of said rows in each such group of first strips advanced by said advancing means so that the slots in each inserted second strip fits over a portion of each of the first strips in such group and so that each inserted second strip extends through a row of slots in the first strips in each of such group.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1 including: supply means for creating individual of the first partition strips from a substantially continuous length of material and for supplying individual of the first strips to the transfer means at the first location as the individual of said strips are created, the supply means being located adjacent to said first location of said transfer means.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein: the supply means includes, means for propelling the continuous length towards the transfer means, means for slotting the length as it is propelled so as to create the slots in the first partition strips, and means for severing the length into individual of said first strips as the extremity of the length is received by the transfer means.

4. A machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein: the transfer means includes, a plurality of holders, each of said holders being capable of holding a first partition strip supplied to the transfer means, and means for progressing the holders in an endless path between the first and second locations.

5. A machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein: each of the holders is capable of resiliently holding a first partition strip.

6. A machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein: the means for progressing comprises endless belt means and wherein, said holders are supported by the belt means so as to extend parallel to one another and are spaced from one another.

7. A machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein: the transfer means also includes, intermittent drive means for intermittently driving the means for progressing so that each of the holders is held at the first location and so that a series of the holders is held at the second location at periodic intervals during the operation of the transfer means.

8. A machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein: each of the holders is capable of resiliently holding a first partition strip, the means for progressing comprises endless belt means and wherein, said holders are supported by the belt means so as to extend parallel to one another and are spaced from one another, the transfer means also includes, intermittent drive means for iNtermittently driving the means for progressing so that each of the holders is held at the first location and so that a series of the holders is held at the second location at periodic intervals during the operation of the transfer means.

9. A machine as claimed in claim 1 including: moving means for simultaneously moving a group of the first strips from the transfer means at the second location and for conveying all of the removed strips together to the advancing means.

10. A machine as claimed in claim 9 wherein: the moving means includes, engaging rollers mounted so as to be capable of being moved so as to engage the first strips of a group held at the second location of the transfer means, and means for rotating said engaging rollers so as to cause the engaging rollers to propel the first strips engaged by them from the transfer means to the advancing means.

11. A machine as claimed in claim 10 wherein: the moving means also includes, conveying rollers for assisting strips removed from the second location of the transfer means by the engaging rollers towards the advancing means, and guide means for deflecting strips passing between said engaging rollers and the conveying rollers towards the advancing means.

12. A machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein: the advancing means includes, a separate track means for each of the strips of a group of strips to be received by the advancing means, a push bar for engaging and pushing each group of first strips received by the advancing means along the length of the tracking means, and propelling means for advancing the push bar along the track means.

13. A machine as claimed in claim 12 wherein: the propelling means comprises, chain drive means for pushing a plurality of the push bars along a part of the length of the advancing means, and indexing bar means for pushing the push bars intermittently along the remainder of the length of said advancing means adjacent to said inserting means.

14. A machine as claimed in claim 13 wherein: the indexing bar means comprises, reciprocal rods ratchet means on the rods for periodically advancing a push bar being advanced by the indexing bar means, and holding means for engaging a push bar being advanced by the indexing bar means during one direction of reciprocation of the rods.

15. A machine as claimed in claim 1 including: providing means for creating individual of the second partition strips from a substantially continuous length of material and for providing individual of the second strips to the inserting means as the individual of said second strips are created, the providing means being located adjacent to said inserting means.

16. A machine as claimed in claim 15 wherein: the providing means includes, other means for propelling the continuous length of material towards the transfer means, other means for slotting the continuous length as it is propelled so as to create the slots in the second partition strip, and other means for severing the length into individual of the second strips as the extremity of the length is received by the inserting means and is inserted into a row of slots in a group of the first strips.

17. A machine as claimed in claim 1 including: supply means for creating individual of the first partition strips from a substantially continuous length of material and for supplying individual of the first strips to the transfer means at the first location as the individual of said strips are created, the supply means being located adjacent to said first location of said transfer means, providing means for creating individual of the second partition strips from a substantially continuous length of material and for providing individual of the second strips to the inserting means as the individual of said second strips are created, the providing means being located adjacent to said inserting means, and wherein: the traNsfer means includes, a plurality of holders, each of said holders being capable of holding a first partition strip supplied to the transfer means, and means for progressing the holders in an endless path between the first and second locations, moving means for simultaneously moving a group of the first strips from the transfer means at the second location and for conveying all of the removed strips together to the advancing means, the advancing means includes, a separate track means for each of the strips of a group of strips to be received by the advancing means, a push bar for engaging and pushing each group of first strips received by the advancing means along the length of the track means, and propelling means for advancing the push bar along the track means.

18. A machine as claimed in claim 17 wherein: both said supply means and said providing means each include, means for propelling a continuous length, means for slotting the length propelled by it so as to create the slots in said partition strips and means for severing the length propelled by it into individual partition strips, the means for propelling of the supply means serving to propel the length thereby towards the transfer means, the means for propelling of the providing means serving to propel the length propelled thereby towards the inserting means and a group of first strips held by the advancing means, the means for severing of the supply means serving to sever the extremity of the length propelled by the supply means as this extremity of the length is received by the transfer means, the means for severing of the providing means serving to sever the extremity of the length propelled by the providing means as this extremity is inserted into a row of slots in a group of the first strips.

19. A machine as claimed in claim 17 wherein: each of the holders is capable of resiliently holding a first partition strip, the indexing bar means comprises, reciprocal rods ratchet means on the rods for periodically advancing a push bar being advanced by the indexing bar means, and holding means for engaging a push bar being advanced by the indexing bar means during one direction of reciprocation of the rods.

20. A machine as claimed in claim 17 including: the means for progressing comprises endless belt means and wherein, said holders are supported by the belt means so as to extend parallel to one another and are spaced from one another, the transfer means also includes, intermittent drive means for intermittently driving the means for progressing so that each of the holders is held at the first location and so that a series of the holders is held at the second location at periodic intervals during the operation of the transfer means, the moving means includes, engaging rollers mounted so as to be capable of being moved so as to engage the first strips of a group held at the second location of the transfer means, and means for rotating said engaging rollers so as to cause the engaging rollers to propel the first strips engaged by them from the transfer means to the advancing means, the moving means also includes, conveying rollers for assisting strips removed from the second location of the transfer means by the engaging rollers towards the advancing means, and guide means for deflecting strips passing between said engaging rollers and the conveying rollers towards the advancing means, the propelling means comprises, chain drive means for pushing a plurality of the push bars along a part of the length of the advancing means, and indexing bar means for pushing the push bars intermittently along the remainder of the length of said advancing means adjacent to said inserting means, moving means for moving a plurality of articles held by a series of said holder means at said second location.

21. A machine as claimed in claim 20 wherein: said moVing means include a plurality of rotating rollers, said rollers being mounted adjacent to said second location so as to be movable towards and away from articles in said holder means at said second location, and means for moving said rollers so that they contact articles held by said holder means at said second location in order to move such articles out of engagement with the holder means holding them.

22. In a machine for creating a divider structure in which a group of first slotted partition strips is interlocked with a group of second slotted partition strips by portions of the strips fitting within slots in the other of said strips, said machine having a transfer means, the improvement which comprises: said transfer means including: a plurality of holders each of said holders being capable of holding a first partition strip supplied to the transfer means, endless belt means for progressing said holders in an endless path between a first location where individual of said holders are capable of receiving individual first partition strips to a second location where the strips received by successive of said holders are held separate and parallel to one another, intermittent drive means for intermittently driving said belt means so that at periodic intervals each of said holders is held at said first location and a series of said holders is held at said second location, and roller moving means for simultaneously engaging and conveying a group of said strips together from said holder at said second location and for conveying all of the removed strips together to another part of said machine, said moving means being spaced from said belt means and said holders.

23. A machine as claimed in claim 22 wherein: the moving means includes, engaging rollers mounted so as to be capable of being moved so as to engage the strips of a group held at the second location of the transfer means, and means for rotating said engaging rollers so as to cause the engaging rollers to propel the strips engaged by them from said holders.

24. A machine as claimed in claim 23 wherein: the moving means also includes, conveying rollers for assisting strips removed from the second location of the transfer means by the engaging rollers towards the advancing means, and guide means for deflecting strips passing between said engaging rollers and the conveying rollers toward the advancing means.

25. In a machine for creating a divider structure in which a first group of slotted partitions is interlocked with a group of second slotted partitions by portions of the strips fitting within slots in other of the strips, the improvement which comprises: an advancing means serving to periodically receive a group of first strips and to advance each group of first strips received by it while holding said strips in such group parallel to and spaced from one another in positions in which the slots in the strips of such groups are in aligned rows. said advancing means including, a separate track means for each of the strips of the group of strips to be received by the advancing means, push bars for engaging and pushing each group of strips received by the advancing means along the length of said track means, propelling means for advancing said push bars along the track means, said propelling means including drive means for periodically pushing successive push bars along and part of the length of said advancing means, and indexing bar means for pushing the push bars intermittently along the remainder of the length of said advancing means.

26. A machine as claimed in claim 25 wherein: the indexing bar means comprises, reciprocal rods ratchet means on the rods for periodically advancing a push bar being advanced by the indexing bar means, and holding means for engaging a push bar being advanced by the indexing bar means during one direction of reciprocation of the rods.