US3783752A

US3783752A - Carton opening device

Info

Publication number: US3783752A
Application number: US00251765A
Authority: US
Inventors: M Langen; J Langen
Original assignee: HJ Langen and Sons Ltd
Current assignee: HJ Langen and Sons Ltd
Priority date: 1972-05-09
Filing date: 1972-05-09
Publication date: 1974-01-08
Anticipated expiration: 1991-01-08
Also published as: CA986004A

Abstract

Improvements in carton loading machines and, in particular, the carton manipulating mechanisms used for opening knocked down cartons. The improvements include a transfer mechanism mounted on a chain so as to be movable in one direction only from a carton loading station to a carton opening station to transfer a carton therebetween. A carton storage means is also provided which includes primary and secondary drive wheels for urging a leading carton to a predetermined pick-off position. The secondary drive wheels are preferably provided at the upper and lower edges of the cartons in the storage means. A suitable detection device is also provided for detecting the presence or absence of a carton at the pick-off position. The detecting means serves to activate the secondary drive means when the absence of a carton is detected. A carton dispenser is also provided for separating the leading carton from a stack of cartons to facilitate its transfer by providing carton engaging means for engaging an outwardly directed face of the of the outermost carton at at least one predetermined location and actuator means for moving the carton engaging means between an inner position and an outer position and stop means for limiting the extent of withdrawal of a predetermined portion of the carton during movement of the carton engaging means from the first position to the second position. The present invention also provides a further improvement in the carton device for use in opening knocked down cartons. The improved opening device includes an opening mechanism which is mounted for rotation about a fixed axis in one direction only.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Langen et al.

[ Jan.8,1974

[ CARTON OPENING DEVICE [75] Inventors: Marinus J. M. Langen; Jacobus J. Langen, both of Rexdale, Ontario, Canada [73] Assignee: H. J. Langen & Sons Ltd; Rexdale,

Ontario, Canada 221 Filed: May 9,1972

21 Appl. No.: 251,765

Primary Examiner-Andrew R. Juhasz Assistant Examiner-James F. Coan AttorneyRoy Harold Saffrey et al.

[57] ABSTRACT Improvements in carton loading machines and, in particular, the carton manipulating mechanisms used for opening knocked down cartons. The improvements include a transfer mechanism mounted on a chain so as to be movable in one direction only from a carton loading station to a carton opening station to transfer a carton therebetween. A carton storage means is also provided which includes primary and secondary drive wheels for urging a leading carton to a predetermined pick-off position. The secondary drive wheels are preferably provided at the upper and lower edges of the cartons in the storage means. A suitable detection device is also provided for detecting the presence or absence of a carton at the pick-off position. The detecting means serves to activate the secondary drive means when the absence of a carton is detected. A carton dispenser is also provided for separating the leading carton from a stack of cartons to facilitate its transfer by providing carton engaging means for engaging an outwardly directed face of the of the outermost carton at at least one predetermined location and actuator means for moving the carton engaging 'means betweenan inner position and an outer position and stop means for limiting the extent of withdrawal of a predetermined portion of the carton during movement of the carton engaging means from the first position to the second position. The present invention also 28 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures c. v g /16 11 124 10a "136 126 .iiitiit PATENTEDJAH 8 i974 sum 2 BF 3 PATENTEDJAN 8 I974 SHEEI 30$ 3 CARTON OPENING DEVICE FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to improvements in carton loading machines, and in particular, the carton manipulating mechanisms used for opening knocked down cartons.

PRIOR ART In the known carton loading machines, it is known to store a plurality of knocked down cartons in a carton storage station, to transfer the cartons from the carton storage station to an opening station, to open the cartons in the opening station, and deposit the cartons in an open configuration on a loading conveyor. It has been found that the limiting factor in the speed of operation of a carton loading machine is the time required to transfer a knocked down carton from the carton storage station to the carton opening station. Generally this transfer is achieved by means of a reciprocating mechanism which engages the leading knocked down carton of the stack of cartons in the storage station and slides it into the opening station. The reciprocating mechanism must move a distance which isabout equal to about twice the length of height of the carton, in order to move a carton into the opening and then return to engage a further carton, this reciprocating movement is time consuming, and therefore costly. Furthermore, in many devices of this type the transfer operation is divided into two stages of longitudinal movement of the carton relative to a stack of cartons and this further increases the time required in order to effect the transfer.

Difficulty has also been experienced in providing an efficient carton feeder mechanism in the carton storage station which will accurately position the outermost carton in a pick-off position for the transfer mechanism. Failure to accurately position the outermost carton of the stack of cartons can result in repeated misses in the transfer of cartons to the opening station. This further reduces the efficiency of operation of the carton opening device.

The apparatus used to open the carton in a carton loading machine is frequently quite complex, requiring careful guiding of the walls of the carton in predetermined arcuate curves during the opening operation. This type of opening action requires some substantial mass of supporting equipment to be moved in rather exotic paths requiring complex cam mechanism and levers to achieve the-required movement. Again, these complex mechanisms add considerably to the cost of the apparatus and are subject to considerable wear resulting from their movement in use.

A further problem which is encountered in removing a carton from a stack of cartons in a storage station is in providing a mechanism which will accurately dispense the outermost carton into a position in which it can be engaged by the transfer mechanism so as to be end of the storage station and secondary drive means for urging at least a leading carton to a predetermined pick-off position.

The present invention also overcomes the difficulties which have been experienced with respect to the provision of a carton dispenser for separating the leading carton of a stack of cartons from the stack of cartons to facilitate its transfer by providing carton engaging means for engaging an outwardly directed face of the outermost carton at at least one predetermined location, actuator means for moving said carton engaging means between an inner position and an outer position, and stop means for limiting the extent of withdrawal of a predetermined portion of the carton during movement of the carton engaging means from the first position to the second position.

The present invention provides a still further improvement in the carton opening device for use in opening knocked down cartons. The improved opening device includes an opening mechanism which is mounted for rotation about a fixed axis in one direction only.

SUMMARY According to an embodiment of the present invention there is provided, in a carton loading machine having a knock down carton storage station and a carton opening station the improvement of transfer means movable in one direction only from the carton storage station to the carton opening station to transfer a carton therebetween.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention the drive means for accurately positioning the leading carton in a storage station included a primary drive for urging this stock of cartons towards the discharge end of the storage station and a secondary drive means for urging at least a leading carton to a predetermined pick-off position.

According to a still further embodiment of the present invention I provide carton dispenser which includes carton engaging means for engaging an outwardly directed face of the outermost carton at least one predetermined location, actuator means for moving said carton engaging means between an inner position and an outer position and stop means for limiting the extent of withdrawal of a predetermined position of the carton during movement of the carton engaging means from the first position to the second position.

A further embodiment of the present invention is the provision of a carton opening mechanism which is mounted for rotation about a fixed axis in one direction only.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention will be more clearly understood with reference to the drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned pictorial view of a portion of a carton loading machine illustrating a number of embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detailed view of a carton dispenser mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a partially sectioned top view in the direction of the arrow 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a pictorial side view illustrating a first stage in the transfer and opening of a carton;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing a second stage in the opening of a carton; and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing a third stage in the opening of a carton.

With reference to the drawings, the reference numeral l0 refers generally to a portion of a machine such as a carton loading machine. The reference numeral 12 refers generally to a carton storage and feeder device. The reference numeral 14 refers generally to a dispenser mechanism for dispensing a carton from the storage device. The reference numeral 16 refers generally to a carton transfer device for transferring a carton from the carton station to the carton opening station. The reference numeral 18 refers generally to the carton opening device, and the reference numeral 20 refers generally to the conveyor for conveying open cartons to a loading station.

The base of the storage station is formed by means of a pair of longitudinally extending support straps 22 (only one shown) which are suitably supported by the frame of the loading machine in a generally horizontal plane. The side walls of the storage station are defined by a pair of longitudinally extending side wall straps 24 (FIG. 3) which extend rearwardly from end plates 26. The end plates 26 are mounted on support frame members 28 in a position defining the open forward end of the storage station. A pair of flexible rubber fingers 30 are mounted on brackets 32 so as to project into the path of travel of the cartons moving through the discharge end of the storage station so as to prevent the direct discharge of stacked cartons therethrough. The fingers 30 are sufficiently flexible to be moved out of their overlying position when forced to do so by a knocked down carton which is forcibly drawn through the discharge through the discharge opening.

A plurality of knocked down cartons generally identified by the reference numeral 34 are located in a face to face stacked relationship within the storage station. The entire stack of cartons rests on a pair of longitudinally extending chains 36 (only one shown) which are mounted on sprockets 38 at opposite ends of the storage station. The sprocket 38 shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings is rotatable driven by shaft 40 which has a ratchet lever 42 projecting radially outwardly from its outer end. The outer end of the ratchet lever arm 42 is connected to the drive shaft 44 by hydraulic cylinder 46. When the hydraulic cylinder is activated, the drive shaft 44 is caused to reciprocate and the ratchet lever is operable to cause the sprocket 38 to rotate clockwise as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. Rotation of the sprocket 38 in this direction causes the chain 36 to advance towards the discharge opening and thereby causes the stacked cartons to advance bodily towards the discharge opening.

Difficulty has long been experienced in accurately positioning the foremost carton of a stack of cartons in a predetermined pick-off position. While it is possible to use the chain advancing mechanism described above to achieve reasonably accurate positioning of the forward cartons, it has been found that a more reliable form of positioning apparatus is desirable and this is provided in the present application by means of resilient roller 48. The lower roller 48 is mounted on and rotatably driven by the shaft 40 by means of the ratchet and hydraulic cylinder previously described. The upper roller 48 is mounted on the shaft 40a and driven by the ratchet lever 42a which is connected to connecting rod 44a of reciprocating hydraulic cylinder 46a. The hydraulic cylinder 46a is pivotally mounted at its inner end of a support frame element 47a. The rollers 48 extend into the path of travel of the stack of cartons in the storage means in the area adjacent the discharge end of the storage means so as to act on the transverse edges of the leading cartons. One of the problems involved in using a conventional pusher mechanism acting on the last carton in the stack is that, for example, the lower transverse edge of the leading cartons may be positioned against a suitable stop while the upper portion of the leading carton is spaced a substantial distance rearwardly of the leading edge. This misalignment can cause considerable difficulty in attempting to position the carton in a pick-off position suitable for engaging the transfer mechanism. The provision of upper and lower rollers permits the accurate location of the cartons in a predetermined pick-off position. The presence of a carton in the required pick-off position is detected by suitable detecting means as will be described hereinafter. It is the detecting means which activates or deactivates the

hydraulic cylinders

46 and 46a as required. The outer ends of the straps 22 extend downwardly as shown at 23 in FIG. 1, and a flexible finger is held in a position bearing against the downwardly directed portion 23 by an angularly inclined guide plate 52 and a support bar 54 which is bolted to a bracket 56 which projects outwardly from the plates 26. The guide plate 52 is disposed outwardly from the pick-off position and serves as a guide for the carton being transferred to the opening station.

From the aforegoing, it will be apparent that an important feature of the present invention is the provision of an improved carton storage means which includes a primary drive achieved by means of sprockets 38 and chain 36 for advancing the body of the stack of the cartons towards the discharge end and a secondary drive including flexible rollers 46 for selectively driving the leading cartons towards the discharge end. This secondary drive assists in ensuring that the leading carton may be positioned in the required pick-off position.

The frame of the carton loading machine includes the transverse beam member 60 from which the dispenser mechanism 14 is suspended. With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, it will be seen that the dispenser mechanism includes a face plate 62 which is bolted to the beam 60 through slotted passages 64 by means of bolts 66. A vertical support column 68 is mounted in a spaced relationship with respect to the face plate 62 by means of transverse support bars 70. The support column 68 is positioned centrally of the width of the discharge opening of the storage means and sufficiently close to the open end of the storage means to act as a stop for limiting the extent of withdrawal of a central portion of the outermost carton in a direction normal to the plane of the outwardly directed face of the carton. This feature is clearly illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings. A pair of arms 74 are pivotably mounted on the pivot pin 72 to pivot in a direction towards and away from the face plate 62. Vertical support arms 76 are mounted on the arms 74 by means of brackets 78 and extend downwardly to a position outwardly overlying the discharge end of the storage station. A pair of suction cups 78 are mounted on the vertical support arms 76 in a position directly opposite the discharge end of the carton storage station and each of the suction cups 78 is slidably supported in the support column 76 by means of support conduits 80 and springs 82 serve to maintain the suction cups in their forward position. The suction cups 78 are connected to a suitable vacuum source by conduits 84. A pair of latch members 86 are pivotably mounted on the vertical support columns 76 by means of pivot pins 89. The latch members 86 are free to pivot upwardly from the horizontally disposed position illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings and are restrained against upward pivoting by means of a tension spring 88. The extent to which the latch may pivot downwardly is limited by a stop 90 formed on the support 76. The forward end of each latch plate 76 is formed with an inwardly and downwardly curved surface 92 which serves to elevate the latch member when the curved surface strikes an obstacle in its path such as the edge of a carton. The latch members 86 also have a downwardly directed catch face 94 spaced inwardly from the forward end thereof.

The carton dispenser is activated by means of a hydraulic cylinder 96 which is mounted on a suitable support block 98 which is secured to and extends rearwardly from the face plate 62. The hydraulic cylinder has a reciprocating connecting rod 100 which is connected at its inner end to lever arms 102 by means of a pivot pin 104. The outer ends of the arms 102 are pivotably connected to lugs 106 which are formed on the inner face of the arms 74.

As previously indicated, the present invention provides means for detecting the presence of a carton in the required pick-off position. The detecting means in the illustrated embodiment may be seen with reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings and consists of

microswitches

108 and 110 which are mounted on the vertical column 68 and have actuator

fingers

112 and 114 projecting through the vertical column 68 extending outwardly from the inner face of the column 68 in a direction towards the discharge end of the storage station. As previously indicated, the inner face of the vertical column 68 is substantially aligned with the discharge end of the storage station so that the

fingers

112 and 114 project into the required pick-off position of the outermost carton. Two microswitches are used in preference to one switch in order to ensure that both the top and bottom panels of the outer face of the knocked down carton are accurately positioned. The microswitch 110 serves to activate the lower roller 48 if the lower panel of the outermost carton is not properly positioned in the pick-off position and the upper microswitch 108 serves to activate the upper roller 48 if the upper panel of the carton is not in the required knocked down position. The operation of the dispenser mechanism is controlled by the

microswitches

108 and 110 in that the dispenser mechanism will not operate until both microswitches provide a signal indicating that a carton is correctly located in the pick-off position.

When a carton is located in the required pick-off position, the hydraulic cylinder 96 is activated to cause the arms 74 to pivot from their outwardly disposed position illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 to an inward position in which the suction cups engage the outer faces of the carton which is to be dispensed. The spring loaded suction cups permit the arms 76 to move sufficiently close to the carton which is to be dispensed to apply substantial pressure to the suction cups. When the suction cups are in this required position, a vacuum is applied so that the cups firmly engage the outer face of the knocked and the arms 76 return to the position shown in FIGS. I

2 and 3 of the drawings. As the arms 76 return, theoutermost carton is withdrawn, the fingers 30 which retained the outermost carton are deflected and the latch 86 drops down into the position shown in FIG. 2 wherein the catch face 94 is disposed outwardly from the carton which is being dispensed. Movement of the central portion of the carton is prevented as previously described by the central support column 86. In the outer position shown in broken lines in FIGS. 2 and 3, the carton has been dispensed from the storage station and a gap is provided between the ends of the dispensed carton and the next carton in the storage station. The transfer mechanism fits into this gap in order to effect transfer of the carton from the storage station to the opening station as will be described below.

The transfer mechanism includes a face plate which is supported in a generally vertical position by means of a pair of frame supports 122. A pair of drive shafts 124 are rotatably driven and joumalled in the face plate 120. A pair of sprockets 126 are keyed to the upper shaft 124 and a pair of sprockets 128 are keyed to the lower drive shaft 124 to be driven thereby. A pair of chains 130 extend around the

sprockets

126 and 128 and are driven thereby. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, six sets of transfer elements 132 are mounted at longitudinally spaced intervals on the chains. Each set of transfer elements consists of a suction cup member 134 and a catch member 135. The suction cup member consists of a transverse support bar 136 and a pair of suction cups 138. The transverse support bar 136 is rigidly secured with respect to the links of both chains 130 so as to move with the chains. The catch member consists of a horizontal support bar 140 and a pair of U-shaped catch brackets 142 which project outwardly from the support bar 140. The support bar 136 is located in advance of the support bar 140 in the direction of movement of the transfer members. A vacuum distributor 144 is mounted on the face plate 120 and is provided with a sprocket 146 which is driven by sprocket 148 carried on drive shaft 150. The distributor 140 has six conduits extending therefrom to connect each of the vacuum cups to a vacuum generator. The speed of rotation of the drive shaft 150 is directly related to the speed of rotation of the

sprockets

126 and 128 so that vacuum is applied to the various suction cups when they are located in a predetermined position in their path of travel as required in use. As shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the catch 142 will extend over the upper transverse edge of the knocked down cartons when the suction cups 134 are positioned in a face to face relationship with respect to the carton which is to be transferred from the dispenser position to the opening station. When the vacuum cups are in the position shown in FIG. 1, the vacuum distributor 144 is timed to connect the vacuum cup to a vacuum generator to cause the cup to firmly engage the face of the carton so that during further movement of the transfer sets, the carton will be moved out of the dispenser position towards the carton opening position. The use of a sprocket driven chain for supporting the transfer sets has considerable advantage in that it ensures a positive drive of the transfer sets and enables the timing of the vacuum distributor to be accurately established. There is also considerable advantage in using this continuously rotating chain support system in the transfer mechanism over the previously known reciprocating structure in that the chain transfer mechanism may be run at high speed without the braking and acceleration difficulties previously associated with the reciprocating mechanisms.

It will be noted that the inwardly directed portion of the chains extending between the

sprockets

126 and 128 are supported by guide rails 150 which are mounted on the face plate 120 by means of support pins 152 so as to underlie the chains during their passage between the sprockets and the working portion of their travel.

The movement of the cartons in a straight line during their transfer from the storage station to the opening station has the advantage that the initial path of travel of the carton moving into the opening station is also in a straight line so that the path of travel of the wall which is secured by the suction cups 134 is in a straight line during the initial stages of its entry into the opening station. As a result, it is possible to employ a simple mechanism to effect the required opening of the carton. The opening mechanism 18 consists of a sleeve 160 which is rotatably driven by a shaft 162 which is journalled in a frame (not shown). Two pairs of arms 164 project radially from diagonally opposite sides of the sleeve 160. The cross-bar member 166 is pivotally mounted at the outer ends of the arms 164 by means of a pivot pin 168 which passes through a bracket 170 which extends rearwardly from the plates 166. A pair of suction cups 182 are mounted on each support plate 166 and are connected to a vacuum generator by means of conduits 184, sleeve coupling 186 and conduit 188. The outer ends of the arms 164 are formed with a curved surface 190 to permit limited pivoting of the plates 166 in an anti-clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 of the drawings. A tension spring 192 serves to retain the plates 166 in a normal position in which the suction cups are radially aligned with the arms 164. A tongue member 200 is secured to each of the plates 166 and projects outwardly therefrom in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the opening device. The tongue member 200 is spaced radially inwardly from the cups 182 and serves to prevent a knocked down carton from returning to its original knocked down configuration after the suction force has been removed from the suction cups.

The method of operation of the carton opening machine will be more clearly understood with reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings. In FIG. 4, it will be seen that the arms of the opening device rotate in a clockwise direction about a fixed axis of rotation which coincides with the axis of the shaft 162. The axis of rotation of the opening arms does not move relative to the frame of the machine so that the only significant forces which act on the frame of the machine result from the rotation of the arms. These arms can be statically balanced without difficulty in order to reduce the loads applied to the frame resulting from the rotation of the opening device and thereby reduce the wear and servicing required in order to maintain the apparatus in operation. As shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, the speed of rotation of the opening device is timed so as to position the vacuum cups 182 of the opener in alignment with the vacuum cups 138 of the transfer mechanism as the carton passes to the opening station. It will be noted that the vacuum cups 182 and the vacuum cups 138 are positioned so as to engage a pair of adjacent side walls of the carton rather than walls which are oppositely disposed when the carton is opened. When the suction cups 182 are in the position shown in FIG. 5, a vacuum is applied and these cups firmly engage the wall of the carton which is to be opened. Further movement of the opening device and transfer device causes suction cups 182 to move away from the suction cups 138, thereby causing the carton to open to the configuration shown in FIG. 6. In the position shown in FIG. 6, the importance of the pivot mounting of the suction cups 182 is clearly illustrated. Furthermore, the importance of the provision of the curved portion is also clearly shown. It will be understood that if the cup 182 was not permitted to pivot about the pivot pin 168 over the curved portion 190 of the arms 164, the forward end of the suction cup will tend to lift off of the carton, thereby breaking the seal with the vacuum cup. This minor adjustment in flexibility permits the opening apparatus to be simplified to the extent that it has been simplified in the present invention in that it employs a simple arm rotating about the fixed axis of rotation rather than the complex lever arm systems which move in an arcuate path under the influence of control cams or the like. It will be seen that when the suction cup 138 is in the position shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings, the vacuum pressure applied may be relieved to release suction cup 138. The U-shaped catch members 136 will prevent the carton from returning to its knocked down configuration and will continue to force the outer wall of the carton downwardly towards the open position. After the carton is drawn out of engagement with the catch 136, the tongue member 200 is located in a position overlying the upper wall of the carton and serves to prevent the carton from returning to its knocked down configuration. Furthermore, the upper wall of the carton passes under guide rails 204 which form part of the conveyor assemby used to transmit the opened carton to a carton loading station or the like. The opened carton is positioned between arms 206 which are mounted on continuous chains 208 which form the conveyor for conveying the opened cartons to the loading station. The arms 206 further serve to prevent the carton from returning to its knocked down configuration and when the carton is positioned on the conveyor, the vacuum applied to the suction cups 182 is released and the carton moves away from the opening station on the conveyor 20. It will be understood that this opening process is repeated by means of the second suction cup arm on the next carton which enters the opening station.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the present invention provides a relatively simple apparatus for storing, dispensing, transferring and opening knocked down cartons for use in a carton loading machine or the like.

According to the method of operation of the apparatus of the present invention, a knocked down carton is carefully located in a suitable pick-off position by providing means for advancing both of the transverse edges of the foremost carton into the required pick-off position. The carton is then dispensed or released from the discharge end of the storage means by means of a dispenser apparatus which moves towards and away from the open end of the storage station so as to move the oppositely disposed side edges of the foremost carton out of engagement with the retainer fingers of the storage station so as to be positioned in the plane of movement of the transfer mechanism.

The transfer device is movable in one direction only from the carton storage station to the carton opening station and includes a plurality of sets of transfer devices which are uniformly spaced on a continuous supporting chain. This mechanism is capable of operating at high speeds without the disruptive forces required to accelerate and decelerate a reciprocating mechanism. The carton opening mechanism is also sufficiently well balanced to operate at relatively high continuous rotational speeds without difficulty. The carton opening mechanism, being mounted for rotation about a fixed axis, does not require the same complex lever arm and cam mechanisms previously required to achieve the opening function. These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

,The cartons to be opened in the apparatus of the present invention preferably consist of two pairs of hingedly connected walls arranged in a face to face relationship on opposite sides of two knocked down fold lines.

In the known carton opening machines for opening beer cartons and the like, the maximum speed of operation has been eighty cartons per minute and I have found that by using the mechanism of the present invention it is possible to open and discharge about 240 cartons per minute onto the loading conveyor. It will be seen that this represents a substantial increase in the operating speed of this type of machine and I attribute this increase to the various improvements described above and, in particular, the improved storage means which ensures that a carton is correctly positioned for discharge, the improved dispenser means which ensures that the carton is properly positioned prior to transfer, the improved transfer mechanism is run continuously from the storage station to the opening station, and the improved opening mechanism which rotates about a fixed axis of rotation.

The Embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed as defined as follows:

1. In a carton loading machine having a knock down carton storage station, an open carton receiving station, a carton opening station disposed between the carton storage station and the open carton receiving station, the improvement of transfer means movable in one direction only from the carton storage station to the carton opening station to transfer a carton therebetween, said transfer means including carton engaging means mounted on an endless conveyor for movement in the direction of movement of the conveyor, said carton engaging means including catch means for engaging an edge of a carton to be transferred and panel engaging suction cup means positioned in advance of its associated catch means for engaging a panel of the carton to be opened.

2. A carton opening machine as claimed in claim 1 including six sets of carton engaging elements uniformly spaced about said conveyor means.

3. A carton opening machine as claimed in claim 2 including rotary suction distributor means connected to each of said suction cups so as to cyclically apply a suction to said cups as required.

4. A carton opening machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said suction cup means is disposed closely ad- 5 jacent said edge engaging catch means so as to engage a panel which has one edge in contact with said catch means.

5. A carton opening machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein said catch means comprises an inverted U- shaped bracket extending transversely of the direction of movement of the conveyor means.

6. A carton storage means for use in a carton storage station of a carton loading machine as claimed in claim 1 for opening knocked down cartons having a pair of oppositely disposed side edges and a pair of oppositely disposed transverse edges, said carton storage means comprising,

a. storage means for storing a plurality of knocked down cartons in a face to face stacked relationship,

b. said storage means having a discharge opening adjacent one edge thereof and retainer means for preventing the direct discharge of cartons through said discharge opening,

c. primary drive means for urging a stack of cartons towards said discharge, and

d. secondary drive means for urging at least a leading carton to a predetermined pick-off position, said secondary drive means including resilient roller means disposed above and below the path of travel of cartons through the storage station, said roller means being positioned adjacent said discharge end of said storage means and extending into the path of travel of the stacked cartons.

7. A carton opening machine for use in opening knock down cartons of the type which include four hingedly connected side walls arranged two on either side of the knocked down fold lines, one pair of walls being outwardly directed and the other pair of walls being inwardly directed, as claimed in claim 6, further including, first detector means for detecting the presence or absence of one or said outwardly directed side walls of a leading carton and second detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the other of said outwardly directed side walls, said first detecting means being operative to activate one of said resilient roller means and the second detector means being operative to activate the other of said roller means as required in order to position the foremost carton at said pick-off position.

8. A carton opening machine as claimed in claim 7 wherein said first and second detecting means comprises microswitch means operative in the electrical drive circuit of said secondary drive means.

9. In a carton loading machine having a knock down carton storage station, an open carton receiving station, a carton opening station disposed between the carton storage station and the open carton receiving station, the improvement of transfer means movable in one direction only from the carton storage station to the carton opening station to transfer a carton therebetween, and a carton dispenser for at least partially removing a carton from a stack of knocked down cartons arranged in a face to face relationship, each carton having a pair of oppositely disposed side edges and a pair of oppositely disposed transverse edges, an outwardly directed face and an inwardly directed face, the dispenser comprising, carton engaging means for engaging an outwardly directed face of an outermost carton and at least one predetermined location, actuator means for moving said carton engaging means between an inner position to engage the face of the outermost carton and an outer position to withdraw portions of the carton engaged thereby away from the next carton to provide a gap therebetween and stop means for limiting the extent of withdrawal of a predetermined portion of the carton engaged by said carton engaging means, said stop means being located centrally of the carton between the side edges thereof and said carton engaging means engages portions of a carton disposed between the stop means and each side edge of the carton, said carton engaging means including a frame and suction cups mounted on the frame to reciprocate relative to said frame between a first forward position and a second retracted position and latch means for retaining a carton in the second position after it is moved to the second position by the reciprocating movement of the suction cups.

10. A carton opening machine as claimed in claim 9 wherein said carton engaging means comprises a frame, a pair of arms pivotably mounted at their inner ends on said frame to pivot about an axis which is disposed centrally of the width of the storage station, adjacent the pick-off position of a carton, and in a plane which is parallel to the side edges of the cartons, said arms extending from opposite sides of said frame, the support arm extending longitudinally from each of said arms to a position overlying the discharge end of the carton storage means, a pair of reciprocating suction cup means mounted on each of said support arms and spaced longitudinally thereof, said suction cup means being adapted to reciprocate relative to said support arms in a direction towards and away from the open end of the carton storage station, latch means mounted to pivot on each of said support arms between the first elevated position to permit a carton to be drawn inwardly thereof towards said support arms and a second lowered position in which a portion of the latch is located outwardly of a carton to retain portions of a carton against movement away from said support arms, and means for urging said latch means towards said second position.

11. In a carton loading machine having a knock down carton storage station, an open carton receiving station, a carton opening station disposed between the carton storage station and the open carton receiving station, the improvement of transfer means movable in one direction only from the carton storage station to the carton opening station to transfer a carton therebetween, and a carton opening device for opening knocked down cartons having two pair of side walls centrally connected along knocked down hinge lines and including a first and a second wall panel disposed on opposite sides of said hinge line and means for engaging said first panel and means for engaging said second panel to move said second panel in an arc to open the carton and deposit it in an open configuration in a suitable receiver, said means for engaging said second wall panel being mounted for rotation about a fixed axis in one direction only, said means for engaging said second wall comprising suction cup means mounted on an arm which extends radially outwardly from said fixed axis.

12. A carton opening device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said means for engaging said second wall comprises at least two arms extending radially outwardly from said fixed axis, each of said arms having suction cup means mounted thereon for engaging a face of a carton in use.

13. A carton opening device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said suction cup means is pivotally mounted on said radially extending arm to pivot about an axis parallel to said fixed axis to permit said suction cup to be aligned with a carton face which is disposed in a plane slightly removed from the planes which are tangential to the suction cup means as it rotates about said fixed axis.

14. A carton opening device as claimed in claim 13 including spring means for biasing said pivotally mounted cup means in the direction of rotation of the cup means about said fixed axis.

15. A carton opening device as claimed in claim 14 including lug means disposed between said tangentially therefrom in a direction opposite to the direction of rotatin of the suction cup means to mechanically prevent the face of the carton engaged by the suction cups from returning to its knocked down configuration after release of the suction cups.

16. A carton storage station of a carton loading machine for opening knocked down cartons having a pair of oppositely disposed side edges and a pair of oppositely disposed transverse edges, said carton storage means comprising,

0. primary drive means for urging a stack of cartons towards said discharge, and

d. secondary drive means for urging at least a leading carton to a predetermined pick-ofi position, said secondary drive means including resilient roller means disposed above and below the path of travel of cartons through the storage station, said roller means being positioned adjacent said discharge end of said storage means and extending into the path of travel of the stacked cartons.

17. A carton opening machine as claimed in claim 16 including detecting means for detecting the presence of absence of a carton at said pick-off position, said detecting means being operative to activate said secondary drive means when the absence of a carton from said pick-off position is detected and to deactivate said secondary drive means when the presence of a carton at said pick-off position is detected.

18. A carton opening machine for use in opening knock down carton of the type which include four hingedly connected side walls arranged two on either side of the knocked down fold lines, one pair of walls being outwardly directed and the other pair of walls being inwardly directed, as claimed in claim 16, further including, first detector means for detecting the presence or absence of one or said outwardly directed side walls of a leading carton and second detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the other of said outwardly directed side walls, said first detecting means being operative to activate one of said resilient roller means and the second detector means being operative to activate the other of said roller means as required in order to position the foremost carton at said pick-off position.

19. A carton opening machine as claimed in claim 18 wherein said first and second detecting meanscomprises microswitch means operative in the electrical drive circuit of said secondary drive means.

20. A carton opening device for use in a carton opening machine for opening knocked down cartons having two pair of side walls centrally connected along knocked down hinge lines and including a first and a second wall panel disposed on opposite sides of said hinge line and means for engaging said first panel and means for engaging said second panel to move said second panel in an arc to open the carton and deposit it in an open configration in a suitable receiver, the improvement wherein said means for engaging said second wall panel is mounted for rotation about a fixed axis in one direction only, said means for engaging said second wall comprising suction cup means mounted on an arm which extends radially outwardly from said fixed axis.

21. A carton opening device as claimed in claim 20 wherein said means for engaging said second wall comprises at least two arms extending radially outwardly from said fixed axis, each of said arms having suction cup means mounted thereon for engaging a face of a carton.

22. A carton opening device as claimed in claim 20 wherein said suction cup means is pivotally mounted on said radially extending arm to pivot about an axis parallel to said fixed axis to permit said suction cup to be aligned with a carton face which is disposed in a plane slightly removed from the planes which are tangential to the suction cup means as it rotates about said fixed axis.

23. A carton opening device as claimed in claim 22 including spring means for biasing said pivotally mounted cup means in the direction of rotation of the cup means about said fixed axis.

24. A carton opening device as claimed in claim 23 including lug means disposed between said suction cup means and said fixed axis and extending substantially tangentially therefrom in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the suction cup means to mechanically prevent the face of the carton engaged by the suction cups from returning to its knocked down configuration after release of the suction cups.

25. A carton dispenser for use in a carton opening machine for at least partially removing a carton from a stack of knocked down cartons arranged in a face to face relationship, each carton having a pair of oppositely disposed side edges and a pair of oppositely disposed transverse edges, an outwardly directed face and an inwardly directed face, the dispenser comprising, carton engaging means for engaging an outwardly directed face of an outermost carton and at least one predetermined location, the actuator means for moving said carton engaging means between an inner position to engage the face of the outermost carton and an outer position to withdraw portions of the carton engaged thereby away from the next carton to provide a gap therebetween and stop means for limiting the extent of withdrawal of a predetermined portion of the carton engaged by said carton engaging means, said stop means being located centrally of the carton between the side edges thereof and said carton engaging means engages portions of a carton disposed between stop means and each side edge of the carton, said carton engaging means including a frame and suction cups mounted on the frame to reciprocate relative to said frame between a first forward position and a second retracted position and latch means for retaining a carton in the second position after it is moved to the second position by the reciprocating movement of the suction cups.

26. A carton dispenser for use in a carton opening machine for at least partially removing a carton from a stack of knocked down cartons arranged in a face to face relationship, each carton having a pair of oppositely disposed side edges and a pair of oppositely disposed transverse edges, an outwardly directed face and an inwardly directed face, the dispenser comprising, carton engaging means for engaging an outwardly directed face of an outermost carton and at least one predetermined location, the actuator means for moving said carton engaging means between an inner position to engage the face of the outermost carton and an outer position to withdraw portions of the carton engaged thereby away from the next carton to provide a gap therebetween and stop means for limiting the extent of withdrawal of a predetermined portion of the carton engaged by said carton engaging means, said stop means being located centrally of the carton between the side edges thereof and said carton engaging means engages portions of a carton disposed between the stop means and each side edge of the carton, said carton engaging means comprising a frame, a pair of arms pivotably mounted at their inner ends on said frame to pivot about an axis which is disposed centrally of the width of the storage station, adjacent the pick-off position of a carton, and in a plane which is parallel to the side edges of the cartons, said arms extending from opposite sides of said frame, the support arm extending longitudinally from each of said arms to a position overlying the discharge end of the carton storage means, a pair of reciprocating suction cup means mounted on each of said support arms and spaced longitudinally thereof, said suction cup means being adapted to reciprocate relative to said support arms in a direction towards and away from the open end of the carton storage station, latch means mounted to pivot on each of said support arms between the first elevated position to permit a carton to be drawn inwardly thereof towards said support arms and a second lowered position in which a portion of the latch is located outwardly of a carton to retain portions of a carton against movement away from said support arms, and means for urging said latch means towards said second position.

27. In a carton loading machine having a knock down carton storage station, an open carton receiving station, a carton opening station disposed between the carton storage station and the open carton receiving station, the improvement of an endless transfer conveyor having a portion of its length extending from the carton storage station to the carton opening station and movable from the storage station to the opening station to transfer a carton therebetween, carton engaging means mounted on said endless transfer conveyor for movement in the direction of movement of the conveyor, said carton engaging means including edge engaging means for engaging an edge of a carton to be transferred and panel engaging suction cup means positioned in advance of its associated edge engaging means for engaging a panel of the carton to be opened.

the carton and deposit it in an open configuration in a suitable receiver, the improvement wherein said means for engaging said second wall panel comprises suction cup means mounted on an arm which extends radially outwardly and is mounted for rotation about a fixed axis in one direction only.

Claims

4. A carton opening machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said suction cup means is disposed closely adjacent said edge engaging catch means so as to engage a panel which has one edge in contact with said catch means.

5. A carton opening machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein said catch means comprises an inverted U-shaped bracket extending transversely of the direction of movement of the conveyor means.

6. A carton storage means for use in a carton storage station of a carton loading machine as claimed in claim 1 for opening knocked down cartons having a pair of oppositely disposed side edges and a pair of oppositely disposed transverse edges, said carton storage means comprising, a. storage means for storing a plurality of knocked down cartons in a face to face stacked relationship, b. said storage means having a discharge opening adjacent one edge thereof and retainer means for preventing the direct discharge of cartons through said discharge opening, c. primary drive means for urging a stack of cartons towards said discharge, and d. secondary drive means for urging at least a leading carton to a predetermined pick-off position, said secondary drive means including resilient roller means disposed above and below the path of travel of cartons through the storage station, said roller means being positioned adjacent said discharge end of said storage means and extending into the path of travel of the stacked cartons.

16. A carton storage station of a carton loading machine for opening knocked down cartons having a pair of oppositely disposed side edges and a pair of oppositely disposed transverse edges, said carton storage means comprising, a. storage means for storing a plurality of knocked down cartons in a face to face stacked relationship, b. said storage means having a discharge opening adjacent one edge thereof and retainer means for preventing the direct discharge of cartons through said discharge opening, c. primary drive means for urging a stack of cartons towards said discharge, and d. secondary drive means for urging at least a leading carton to a predetermined pick-off position, said secondary drive means including resilient roller means disposed above and below the path of travel of cartons through the storage station, said roller means being positioned adjacent said discharge end of said storage means and extending into the path of travel of the stacked cartons.

19. A carton opening machine as claimed in claim 18 wherein said first and second detecting means comprises microswitch means operative in the electrical drive circuit of said secondary drive means.

26. A carton dispenser for use in a carton opening machine for at least partially removing a carton from a stack of knocked down cartons arranged in a face to face relationship, each carton having a pair of oppositely disposed side edges and a pair of oppositely disposed transverse edges, an outwardly directed face and an inwardly directed face, the dispenser comprising, carton engaging means for engaging an outwardly directed face of an outermost carton and at least one predetermined location, the actuator means for moving said carton engaging means between an inner position to engage the face of the outermost carton and an outer position to withdraw portions of the carton engaged thereby away from the next carton to provide a gap therebetween and stop means for limiting the extent of withdrawal of a predetermined portion of the carton engaged by said carton engaging means, said stop means being located centrally of the carton between the side edges thereof and said carton engaging means engages portions of a carton disposed between the stop means and each side edge of the carton, said carton engaging means comprising a frame, a pair of arms pivotably mounted at their inner Nds on said frame to pivot about an axis which is disposed centrally of the width of the storage station, adjacent the pick-off position of a carton, and in a plane which is parallel to the side edges of the cartons, said arms extending from opposite sides of said frame, the support arm extending longitudinally from each of said arms to a position overlying the discharge end of the carton storage means, a pair of reciprocating suction cup means mounted on each of said support arms and spaced longitudinally thereof, said suction cup means being adapted to reciprocate relative to said support arms in a direction towards and away from the open end of the carton storage station, latch means mounted to pivot on each of said support arms between the first elevated position to permit a carton to be drawn inwardly thereof towards said support arms and a second lowered position in which a portion of the latch is located outwardly of a carton to retain portions of a carton against movement away from said support arms, and means for urging said latch means towards said second position.

28. A carton opening device for use in a carton opening machine as claimed in claim 27 for opening knocked down cartons having two pair of side walls centrally connected along knocked down hinge lines and including a first and a second wall panel disposed on opposite sides of said hinge line and means for engaging said first panel and means for engaging said second panel to move said second panel in an arc to open the carton and deposit it in an open configuration in a suitable receiver, the improvement wherein said means for engaging said second wall panel comprises suction cup means mounted on an arm which extends radially outwardly and is mounted for rotation about a fixed axis in one direction only.