US3763537A

US3763537A - Apparatus and method for controlling a machine for assembling cell-type carton fillers

Info

Publication number: US3763537A
Application number: US00258981A
Authority: US
Inventors: F Difrank
Original assignee: Owens Illinois Inc
Current assignee: OI Glass Inc
Priority date: 1972-06-02
Filing date: 1972-06-02
Publication date: 1973-10-09
Anticipated expiration: 1990-10-09

Abstract

Apparatus for improving the efficiency of a corrugated partition assembly machine. In a typical corrugated partition assembly machine, longitudinal partition strips are carried by a conveyor to an assembly station where transverse partition strips are inserted in slots in the longitudinal strips to form a cell-type partition assembly. The present invention utilizes a selectively engageable multiple speed drive system to drive the conveyor at the proper speed for assembly when there are longitudinal strips present at the assembly station and at a much faster speed between sets of longitudinal partition strips. The speed at which the conveyor is driven is controlled by a photoelectric cell or a limit switch which senses the presence of the longitudinal partition strips and allows selection of the proper drive speed for assembly or for the feed cycle between assembly cycles. This cycle effectively compresses the space between successive sets of longitudinal strips, thus leading to higher efficiencies. In addition, the setup time when changing from one length of longitudinal strip to another is eliminated, since the spacing between guides for the longitudinal strips can remain constant, any gaps between sets of longitudinal strips being compensated for by the cycling of the multiple speed drive system.

Description

United States Patent 191 DiFrank APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING CELL-TYPE CARTON FILLERS [75] Inventor: Frank J. DiFrank, Toledo, Ohio [73] Assignee: Owens-Illinois, lnc., Toledo, Ohio [22] Filed: June 2, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 258,981

Primary ExaminerThomas H. Eager Attorney-Steve M. McLary et al.

[57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for improving the efficiency of a corrugated partition assembly machine. In a typical corrugated partition assembly machine, longitudinal partition strips are carried by a conveyor to an assembly station where transverse partition strips are inserted in slots in the longitudinal strips to form a cell-type partition assembly. The present invention utilizes a selectively engageable multiple speed drive system to drive the conveyor at the proper speed for assembly when there are longitudinal strips present at the assembly station and at a much faster speed between sets of longitudinal partition strips. The speed at which the conveyor is driven is controlled by a photoelectric cell or a limit switch which senses the presence of the longitudinal partition strips and allows selection of the proper drive speed for assembly or for the feed cycle between assembly cycles. This cycle effectively compresses the space between successive sets of longitudinal strips, thus leading to higher efficiencies. In addition, the setup time when changing from one length of longitudinal strip to another is eliminated, since the spacing between guides for the longitudinal strips can remain constant, any gaps between sets of longitudinal strips being compensated for by the cycling of the multiple speed drive system.

9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PAIENTEUDCI '9 ma sum 1 UF '9;

PAIENTEU ucr 3 I975 SHEET 3 BF 3 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING CELL-TYPE CARTON FILLERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention generally relates to machines for assembling cell-type fillers for cartons. More particularly, this invention relates to machines for assembling celltype carton fillers of the type utilizing an endless moving conveyor to feed longitudinal partition strips to an assembly station. Most specifically, this invention relates to apparatus for controlling the speed of the conveyor in the previously described machine to maximize efficiency of such machines.

The basic concept of assembling cell-type fillers for cartons by inserting, one at a time, a series of transverse partition strips in a moving plurality of longitudinal partition strips is well known in the art. For example, such a machine is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,754,731. Such machines are in widespread commercial use, but suffer from an excessively long setup time when changing from one length of longtudinal partition strip to another. The longitudinal strips are commonly aligned by a series of spacer bars mounted on a moving conveyor which presents the longitudinal partitions at the assembly point. The speed of the conveyor is limited by the speed at which the transverse partitions may be inserted. Thus, the gap between sets of longitudinal partitions must be kept to a minimum to achieve maximum productivity. This is presently achieved by moving the spacer bars on the conveyor to present the minimum gap for each length of longitudinal partition. However, it may be appreciated that this'can be a very time consuming operation, thus making it not only difficult but also expensive to change from one partition size to another. Nevertheless, the demands of modern commerce require frequent size changes to meet the demands of various customers for such cell-type fillers. I have devised an apparatus which will allow the spacer bars to remain in a fixed location, but which will still minimize the gap between successive sets of longitudinal partitions, thus leading to maximum efficiency, as well as flexibility of such machines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is an improvement in machines for assembling longitudinal and transverse partition strips to produce a cell-type filler for cartons. In machines of thetype in question, an endless conveyor moves sets of longitudinal partitions to an assembly station. The improved features of the present invention include a selectively engageable multiple speed drive means connected to the conveyor for driving the conveyor at the speed required for proper assembly of the longitudinal and transverse partitions during the assembly process and for driving the conveyor at a higher speed when no longitudinal partitions are in position for assembly; and control means connected to the selectively engageable multiple speed drive means for controlling the driven speed of the conveyor in response to the passage of the sets of longitudinal partitions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 2 is a plan view, partially cut away, of one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention in schematic form;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, in schematic form, of the apparatus of the present invention shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a plan view, partially cut away, of another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention in schematic form; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, in schematic form, of the apparatus of the present invention shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows an assembly apparatus, indicated generally by the numeral 10, whose efficiency may be im proved by the apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 1 is included to illustrate the apparatus controlled by the present invention and for orientation with respect to the schematic representation of the present invention, which will be discussed later. The apparatus 10 includes a frame 12, formed by a pair of vertical sup port columns 14 and a horizontal connecting crossbeam 16. A conveyor 18, supported by a frame 19, is provided to pass between the columns 14 of the frame 12 in a left to right direction. The conveyor 18 is preferably of the endless belt type, in which an endless fabric belt is trained over rollers, one of which is powered. However, the conveyor 18 could by a chain type conveyor as well. A plurality of longitudinal paper guides 20 are positioned above the conveyor 18 and fastened to the frame 12 by a suitable suspension member 21. A

plurality of longitudinal paperboard partitions or panels 22 (only one of which is visible in FIG. 1) having slots or notches 24 formed therein are advanced on the conveyor 18 through the guides 20 with the notches 24 directed upwardly. A plurality of transverse paperboard partitions or panels 26 having downwardly directed notches formed therein are mounted on an incline table 28. The incline table is attached to the frame 12 by suitable means not shown. A transverse angle plate 30 is positioned'to urge the stack of transverse partitions 26 toward the frame 112 under the action of a cable 32 which is connected at its other end to a counterweight (not shown).

A knocker bar mechanism, generally indicated by the numeral 34, includes a frame 36 which is slideably attached within channels 25 on the columns 14 of the frame 112. The knocker bar mechanism 34 includes a flat plate or knocker bar 38 which is attached to a connecting beam 42. The beam 42 is attached to a connecting rod 44 which, in turn, is fixed to a piston (not shown) mounted within an air cylinder 46. The air cylinder 46 is generally supported by the frame portion 36 and the knocker bar 38 reciprocates relative to the frame 36 and the air cylinder 46. The knocker bar 38 is positioned to reciprocate up and down adjacent to the rear edge of the paper guides 20. The vertical position of the knocker bar 38 is adjustable by means of a threaded rod 35 and a wheel 37. The rotation of the wheel 37 and the threaded rod 35 causes a cylinder mounting plate 31 to move up or down on mounting posts 33, thereby raising or lowering the knocker bar 38.

As well known to those versed in the art, the knocker bar 38 is reciprocated to insert transverse partitions 26 into the slots 24 of the advancing longitudinal partitions 22. The reciprocation of the knocker bar 38 is controlled by a trip lever mechanism generally designated as 48. This mechanism and its control functions are well known to those versed in the art. The trip lever mechanism 48 comprises a horizontal flat plate support bracket 50 attached to the conveyor frame 19, vertically extending bearing plates 52 attached to the support bracket 50, a drive shaft 54 rotatably mounted in the bearing plates 52, a valve trip lever 56 which is fixed to the drive shaft 54 and rotates therewith, a lever bar 58 which is pivotally connected to the drive shaft 54 by projecting pivot arms 59, a series of trip levers 60 which may be slid along the length of the lever bar 58 to various positions and then locked in the position selected, and an operating valve 62 which serves to control the cycling of the air cylinder 46. The longitudinal partitions are aligned with their trialing edges in contact with a flight bar 64 which is attached to the surface of and moves with the conveyor 18. In the assembly of any particular cell-type structure by this apparatus 12, the number of trip levers 60 will be equal to the number of longitudinal partition slots 24, and the position of the trip levers 60 along the lever bar 58 will be such as to place the trip levers 60 in transverse alignment with the longitudinal partition notches 24 as the longitudinal partitions 22 pass under the knocker bar 38. A roller (not shown) attached to the lower portion of each trip lever 60 normally rolls along the top of the conveyor 18. However, when the flight bar approaches any trip lever 60, the roller is forced up by the flight bar 64. This motion, in turn, pivots the lever bar 58 and pivot arm 59, in turn, causing the drive shaft 54 to pivot, which thereby pivots the valve trip lever 56. The pivoting movement of the valve trip lever 56 depresses a button on the upper portion of the operating valve 62, thereby opening the operating valve 62 and allowing the knocker bar 38 to reciprocate and insert a transverse partition 26 into the notches 24 of the longitudinal partitions 22. It may thus be appreciated that one transverse partition 26 will be inserted into each set of upwardly directed notches 24 in the longitudinal partitions 22 as the longitudinal partitions 22 are moved by the conveyor 18 under the knocker bar 38.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the present invention in a schematic form. For ease of orientation, parts corresponding to those described in junction with FIG. 1 are given the same reference numeral as in FIG. 1 on FIGS. 2 and 3. In the prior art, the drive train for the conveyor 18 was from a motor 100 through an adjustable speed drive 102 to a drive pulley 104 mounted on a rotatably mounted drive shaft 106, on which was mounted a main drive roll 108 for the conveyor 18. The adjustable speed drive 102 may be of the conventional type in which the pitch diameter ofa sheave is adjusted to provide a varying output speed from the adjustable drive 102. FIG. 2 clearly illustrates the drive train of the present invention which retains parts of the conventional drive train but rearranges these parts and, in addition, adds new features to better control the speed of the conveyor 18. The drive motor 100 may be seen to have an extending, rotating shaft 101. The shaft 101 carries an idler pulley 110, which drives the adjustable speed drive 102 through a drive member 114. The adjustable speed drive 102 is mounted on a jack shaft 112 near one end of the shaft 112. Mounted on the opposite end of the jack shaft 112 is an output pulley 116. The output pulley 116 is connected to and drives the drive pulley 104 through a drive member 118. In the embodiment shown, the drive pulley 104 powers the drive shaft 106 through a one-way clutch 120 of the overrunning sprag type. The shaft 101 in addition carries an air operated clutch unit 122. The clutch 122 may be selectively engaged to drive a secondary drive pulley 124 through a drive member 126. The secondary drive pulley 124 powers the drive shaft 106 through a second one-way clutch 128 of the overrunning sprag type. The clutch unit 122 is a commercially available component such as a Model 1311-48 manufactured by the Tol-O- Matic Company, 246 Tenth Ave. So., Minneapolis, Minn. 55415. In addition, the clutch unit 122 may be combined clutch-brake unit if it is required to slow the driving influence to the drive shaft 106 after the clutch is disengaged. Thus, it may be seen from FIG. 2 that there are two drive paths available for the drive shaft 106. The functioning and interrelation of the two drive paths for the drive shaft 106 will be explained after considering the reasons requiring two drive paths for the drive shaft 106.

It may be seen in FIG. 3 that a plurality of flight bars 64 are spaced at even intervals around the conveyor 18 and move with the conveyor 18. As previously pointed out, the flight bars 64 are used to align a plurality of sets of longitudinal panels 22 to allow the insertion of transverse panels 26 into upwardly directed slots 24 in the longitudinal panels 22. In the operation of the prior art, it was necessary to move the flight bars 64 if the length of a longitudinal panel 22 being used was changed. This change was necessary because the conveyor 18 is limited in its maximum operational speed to allow accurate insertion of the transverse panels 26 into the notches 24. It was usually not possible to fully utilize the entire circumference of the conveyor 18, thus leaving a gap between sets of longitudinal partitions 22. In addition, the setup time required to change all the flight bars 64 was appreciable. In the present invention, the flight bars 64 are all left set in a position which will accept the longest possible longitudinal partition 22. In this configuration, there will usually be a gap between sets of longitudinal partitions 22 such as seen in FIG. 2. However, the present invention allows the conveyor 18 to run faster when no longitudinal partitions 22 are in the assembly position, thus effectively compressing the aforementioned gap.

As discussed before, transverse partitions 26 are inserted by the knocker bar 38 one at a time into the notches 24 in the longitudinal partitions 22. The knocker bar 38 is carried by the connecting beam 42 attached to the connecting rod 44, which is driven by the air cylinder 46. The control of the reciprocation of the knocker bar 38 has previously been discussed in conjunction with FIG. 1. When the transverse partitions 26 are being inserted into the longitudinal partitions 22, the drive shaft 106 is driven through the adjustable speed drive 102 at a fixed speed. This is the conventional drive train of the prior art. The adjustable speed feature is required because the speed of the conveyor 18 must be tailored to the height of the longitudinal partitions 22 above the surface of the conveyor 18. That is, the taller longitudinal panels 22 require a longer time under the assembly point to allow insertion of a corresponding transverse panel 26 than does a shorter longitudinal partition 22. Thus, to change from one height of longitudinal partition 22 to another requires adjustment of the speed of the adjustable speed drive 102 and of the stroke of the knocker bar 38. During the period of assembly, the clutch unit 122 is deactivated, and there is no driving influence on the drive shaft 106 from the secondary drive pulley 124. The motor 100 may be a constant speed motor operating at a speed actually higher than that allowed for proper assembly of longitudinal panels 22 and transverse panels 26. However, the adjustable speed drive 102 allows the speed of the drive shaft 106 to be slowed to a rate such that the conveyor 18 is driven at the proper speed for assembly. The sprag-type clutch 120 ensures that the drive through the djustable speed drive 102 to the drive shaft 106 will be positive in nature.

The operation of the clutch 122 is controlled by a photoelectric cell 130. The photoelectric cell 130 is mounted on the frame 19 (not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) opposite a light source 132 also mounted on the frame 19. The photoelectric cell 130 and the light source 132 are positioned such that when a set of longitudinal partitions 22 has had the last transverse partition 26 inserted into the notches 24, light from the light source 132 will shine on the photoelectric cell 130. It should be appreciated that the combination of the photoelectric cell 130 and the light source 132 serve as a means for detecting the passage of the longitudinal partitions 22 by a particular location. This function could equally well be served by a different device such as a limit switch. Through a logic relay 134 connected to the photocell 130 by electrical wiring 136, the photocell 130 will control the operation of a solenoid valve 138 connected to the logic relay 134 by suitable electric wiring 139. The solenoid valve 138 is connected to a source of air under pressure 140 by an inlet line 141. The output of the solenoid valve 138 is connected to the clutch unit 122 by an outlet line 142. The solenoid valve 138 is of the normally closed type such that air does not flow through the pipeline 142 to the clutch unit 122 so long as the solenoid valve 138 is turned off. The photocell 130 will cause the logic relay 134 to turn the solenoid valve 138 on at the time the last transverse panel 26 has been inserted, thereby allowing air to pass through the pipeline 142 to the clutch unit 122, thereby engaging the clutch unit 122. This will cause the clutch unit 122 to drive the drive shaft 106 through the drive sprocket 124 and the secondary sprag clutch 128. FIG. 2 clearly illustrates that the drive train at this point is directly from the motor 100, thus causing the drive shaft 106 to rotate at a speed much faster than that permitted by the drive passing through the adjustable speed drive 102 as previously described. With the secondary sprag clutch 128 now in driving engagement, the sprag clutch 120 will simply be allowed to slip on the drive shaft 106, since it is being driven at a slower speed through the adjustable speed drive 102. The net result of this new drive train is that the speed of the conveyor 18 will be increased and will be much higher than the speed permissible for proper insertion of the transverse panels 26. This increase in speed of the conveyor 18 in effect shortens the gap between successive sets of longitudinal partitions 22 and allows the flight bars 64 to remain in a fixed position regardless of how short in length the longitudinal partitions 22 may be. It can be seen that the use of the photocell 130 makes the system self-regulating in that the motor 100 will drive the conveyor 18 at a high rate of speed only so long as is required by a particular length of longitudinal partitions 22. When a following set of longitudinal partitions 22 moves in front of the light source 132, the photoelectric cell 130 no longer receives light from the light source 132, and, through the logic relay 134, turns the solenoid valve 130 off, thereby ceasing the flow of air through the pipeline 142 to the clutch unit 122. This thereby disengages the clutch unit 122 from the motor drive shaft and thereby ceases driving the drive shaft 106. At this point, the drive train through the adjustable speed drive 102 will drive the conveyor 18. This drive will again be through the sprag clutch engaging the drive shaft 106, and the conveyor 18 will be driven at the speed required to properly insert the transverse partitions 26 into the notches 24 in the longitudinal partitions 22.

The dual drive train illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 has proven to be workable and useful. However, under some circumstances, space limitations require the entire drive train to be on one side of the machine. Thus, a second drive train is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The basic speed control function provided by the drive train shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is identical with that performed by the apparatus shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Thus, only the detailed points of distinction of FIGS. 4 and 5 will be discussed. The main drive motor 100 still powers the adjustable speed drive 102 through the output shaft 101. Likewise, the main drive roll 100 remains fixed to the rotatably mounted drive shaft 106. However, an air operated clutch unit 146 is mounted on the outboard end of the shaft 106. The clutch 146 may be a Model I31 l-48 manufactured by the Tol-O-Matic Company, 246 Tenth Ave. S., Minneapolis, Minn. 55415. A drive pulley 147 is mounted on a drive hub 148 of the clutch 146. A drive member 149 drivingly connects the pulley 147 and the adjustable speed drive 102. The operation of the clutch 146 is such that so long as the clutch 146 is energized by pressurized air, the hub 148 (and consequently the pulley 147) will be in driving engagement with theshaft 106. Therefore, assuming the motor 100 to be operating, energizing the clutch 146 will cause the shaft 106 to be driven at the speed set by the adjustable speed drive 102. A second drive motor 150 is set to operate at a constant speed faster than the maximum speed allowable for proper assembly. The speed of the motor 150 corresponds with the actual speed of the motor 100 described in conjunction with FIGS. 2 and 3. An output shaft 151 of the motor 150 has a second air operated clutch 152 mounted on it. The clutch 152 may be identical to the previously described clutch 146. An output hub 154 of the clutch 152 has a drive pulley 155 mounted on it. Yet another drive pulley 156 is mounted on the shaft 106 inboard of the clutch 146 and intermediate the clutch 146 and the roll 108. A drive member 157 connects the pulleys 155 and 156. So long as the clutch 152 is energized, the pulley 155 will drive the pulley 156 and consequently the roll 108 at the speed of the motor 150.

The photocell 130 and light source 132 combination still function to detect the presence of longitudinal partitions 22. When a partition 22 is in position for assembly, the photocell 130 transmits a signal to a logic control unit 150 through suitable wiring 159. The logic control unit 158 controls a four-way solenoid valve 160. The solenoid valve 160 receives air under pressure from a source of air pressure 161 through a pipeline 162. The solenoid valve 160 has two

alternative output pipes

163 and 164. The pipe 163 is connected to the clutch 146, and the pipe 164 is connected to the clutch 152. Only one of the

pipes

163 or 164 is pressurized at a time, thus making only one of the

clutches

146 or 152 energized at any time. When the photocell 130 senses the presence of a partition 22 in the assembly zone, the control unit 158 directs the solenoid valve 160 to pass air to the clutch 146. This energizes the clutch 146 and causes the shaft 106 to be driven at the proper assembly speed set by the adjustable speed drive 102. When the partition 22 leaves the assembly zone, the photocell 130 again signals the control unit 158. The control unit 158 then causes the solenoid valve 160 to shift the flow of air from the pipe 163 to the pipe 164, thereby deenergizing the clutch 146 and energizing the clutch 152. This causes the shaft 106 to be driven directly through the motor 150 at a speed higher than that normally allowable for proper assembly. During this time, the motor 100 continues to run, but since the hub 148 is not engaged to the shaft 106, there is no driving influence. Likewise, during the assembly period when the clutch 146 is in driving engagement, the hub 154 is not connected to the motor shaft 151 and is free to turn at whatever speed the shaft 106 is driven. The cycle of driving through first the clutch 146 and then the clutch 152 is repeated as the sets of partitions 22 pass by the assembly station. Once again, the system is self regulating for any length of partition 22 since the photocell 130 senses the distance between sets of partitions 22 and signals for control of the cycling of the

clutches

146 and 152 accordingly.

What I claim is:

1. In a machine for assembling longitudinal and transverse paperboard partitions to produce a cell-type filler for a carton, wherein sets of longitudinal partitions are transported to an assembly station by an endless conveyor having a drive shaft, the improvement which comprises: selectively engageable multiple speed drive means connected to said conveyor for driving said conveyor at the speed required for proper assembly of said longitudinal and transverse partitions during the assembly process and for driving said conveyor at a higher speed when no longitudinal partitions are in position for assembly; and control means connected to said selectively engageable multiple speed drive means for controlling the drive speed of said conveyor in response to the passage of said sets of longitudinal partitions.

2. In a machine for assembling longitudinal and transverse paperboard partitions to produce a cell-type filler for a carton, wherein said sets of longitudinal partitions are transported to an assembly station by an endless conveyor having a drive shaft, the improvement which comprises: assembly drive means connected to said conveyor for driving said conveyor at the speed required for proper assembly of said longitudinal and transverse partitions; selectively engageable power means for overriding the driving effect of said assembly drive means and driving said conveyor at a speed greater than the speed required for proper assembly; and control means connected to said selectively engageable power means for engaging and disengaging said selectively engageable means in response to the passage of said sets of longitudinal partitions.

3. The improvement of claim 2, wherein said assembly drive means comprises, in combination: a driven motor operating at a speed higher than the maximum allowable speed for proper assembly of said partitions; an adjustable speed drive connected to said motor; and a drive pulley connected to said adjustable speed drive,

and to said conveyor drive shaft through a one-way clutch.

4. The improvement of claim 3, wherein said selectively engageable power means comprises, in combination: a pneumatically operated clutch unit driven by said motor; and a secondary drive pulley drivingly connected to said clutch unit, and to said conveyor drive shaft through a second one-way clutch.

5. The improvement of claim 4, wherein said control means comprises, in combination: a photoelectric cell and a light source mounted adjacent said conveyor such that said longitudinal strips must pass between said photoelectric cell and said light source; a logic relay connected to said photocell; and a solenoid valve, connected to said logic relay, having an inlet line connected to a source of air under pressure and an outlet line connected to said clutch unit.

6. The improvement of claim 1, wherein said selectively engageable multiple speed drive means includes: a first drive motor, said first drive motor operating at a speed greater than the maximum allowable speed for proper assembly of said partitions; an adjustable speed drive connected to said motor; a first pneumatically operated clutch, having a driving hub, mounted on said conveyor drive shaft; and a first drive pulley mounted on said driving hub of said clutch for driving said conveyor drive shaft, said first drive pulley being drivingly connected to said adjustable speed drive.

7. The improvement of claim 6, wherein said selectively engageable multiple speed drive means includes: a second drive motor, said second drive motor operat ing at a speed greater than the maximum allowable speed for proper assembly of said partitions; a second pneumatically operated clutch driven by said second drive motor; a second drive pulley driven by the output of said second clutch; and a third drive pulley mounted on said conveyor drive shaft and drivingly connected to said second drive pulley.

8. The improvement of claim 7, wherein said control means comprises, in combination: a photoelectric cell and a light source mounted adjacent said conveyor such that said longitudinal strips must pass between said photoelectric cell and said light source; a four-way solenoid valve having an inlet line connected to a source of air under pressure and two individually controllable outlet lines, one of said outlet lines being connected to said first clutch and the other of said outlet lines being connected to said second clutch; and a logic control unit connected to said photoelectric cell and said four-way solenoid valve, said logic control unit being responsive to signals from said photoelectric cell to control said solenoid valve such that said first clutch is connected to said source of air when a partition is in front of said photoelectric cell and said second clutch is connected to said source of air when no partition is in front of said photoelectric cell.

9. A method for controlling the speed of travel of longitudinal partitions in a machine for assembling longitudinal and transverse paperboard partitions to produce a cell-type filler for cartons, wherein sets of longitudinal partitions are transported to an assembly station by an endless conveyor, comprising the steps of:

A. driving said conveyor at a speed higher than the maximum speed allowed for proper assembly;

B. decreasing the drive speed of said conveyor to a proper assembly speed in response to the approach 9 10 of a set of longitudinal partitions to said assembly filler leaves the assembly station; and Station; D. re eatin ste s A B and C in res onse to the s- C. increasing the drive speed of said conveyor to said p g p pa speed higher than the maximum speed allowed for Sage of sets of longltudmal Pal-muons proper assembly as a completed cell-type carton 5

Claims

3. The improvement of claim 2, wherein said assembly drive means comprises, in combination: a drive motor operating at a speed higher than the maximum allowable speed for proper assembly of said partitions; an adjustable speed drive connected to said motor; and a drive pulley connected to said adjustable speed drive, and to said conveyor drive shaft through a one-way clutch.

7. The improvement of claim 6, wherein said selectively engageable multiple speed drive means includes: a second drive motor, said second drive motor operating at a speed greater than the maximum allowable spEed for proper assembly of said partitions; a second pneumatically operated clutch driven by said second drive motor; a second drive pulley driven by the output of said second clutch; and a third drive pulley mounted on said conveyor drive shaft and drivingly connected to said second drive pulley.

9. A method for controlling the speed of travel of longitudinal partitions in a machine for assembling longitudinal and transverse paperboard partitions to produce a cell-type filler for cartons, wherein sets of longitudinal partitions are transported to an assembly station by an endless conveyor, comprising the steps of: A. driving said conveyor at a speed higher than the maximum speed allowed for proper assembly; B. decreasing the drive speed of said conveyor to a proper assembly speed in response to the approach of a set of longitudinal partitions to said assembly station; C. increasing the drive speed of said conveyor to said speed higher than the maximum speed allowed for proper assembly as a completed cell-type carton filler leaves the assembly station; and D. repeating steps A, B and C in response to the passage of sets of longitudinal partitions.