US3866298A

US3866298A - Assembly apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3866298A
Application number: US429846A
Authority: US
Inventors: Herman P Nowak
Original assignee: Gillette Co LLC
Current assignee: Gillette Co LLC
Priority date: 1974-01-02
Filing date: 1974-01-02
Publication date: 1975-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 1992-02-18

Abstract

Apparatus to progressively assemble components into a razor of the type adapted to carry a replaceable blade cartridge. The components include a base structure having a back member and a blade cartridge mount carried at one end of the back member, a spring for releasably engaging a blade cartridge, and a handle. The base structures are loaded and clamped one at a time onto support nests at a first station. At successive stations the back member is stamped to form auxiliary holding detents; a spring is loaded onto the base structure and held in a partially flexed position adjacent the cartridge mount; the base structure and spring are aligned within the nest; a handle is loaded to a position partially overlying the base structure, and then pushed longitudinally into full vertical alignment with the base structure; the handle is pressed down to interlock with the base structure and clamp the spring in place, thereby completing the razor; and the razor is disengaged from the nest. At the discharge station a blank cartridge is mounted on the razor before it is moved to a collection point.

Description

United States Patent Nowak Feb. 18, 1975 ASSEMBLY APPARATUS [57] ABSTRACT [75] Inventor: Herman P. Nowak, Danvers, Mass. Apparatus to progressively assemble Components into a razor of the type adapted to carry a replaceable [73] Asslgnee: The Glneue Company Boston blade cartridge. The components include a base struc- Mass ture having a back member and a blade cartridge [22] Filed: Jan. 2,1974 mount carried at one end of the back member, a

spring for releasably engaging a blade cartridge, and a lzll Appl' 429846 handle. The base structures are loaded and clamped one at a time onto support nests at a first station. At

52 CL 29 20 29 203 B, 29 20 5 successive stations the back member is stamped to 29 225 form auxiliary holding detents; a spring is loaded onto [51] rm. Cl 823p 19/04 the base slwewre and held in e perelelly flexed peel- [58] Field of Search 29/208 R, 208 B, 208 F, IiOrl adjacent the Cartridge mount; the base Structure 29/203 E, 200 J, 225 235 21 D 211 R and spring are aligned within the nest; a handle is loaded to a position partially overlying the base struc- [5 References Cited ture, and then pushed longitudinally into full vertical UNITED STATES PATENTS alignment with the base structure; the handle is pressed down to interlock with the base structure and $55353; clamp the spring in place, thereby completing the ra- 317831493 1 1974 Dawidowica:IIZIIIIIIIBS/2l1 R x and the razor is disengaged from the nest At the Primary ExaminerThomas H. Eager discharge station a blank cartridge is mounted on the razor before it is moved to a collection point.

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SHEET 12UF12 ASSEMBLY APPARATUS SUMMARY OF INVENTION This invention pertains to assembly apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus for assembling a razor of the replaceable-cartridge type.

In recent years a type of razor has become popular that employs a replaceable blade unit or cartridge,

. rather than a replaceable razor blade. The cartridge may be of the tandem blade variety, with a pair of blade edges arranged successively for improved shaving. When the blade edges become worn after repeated use, the blade unit is discarded.

A popluar form of this razor has a cartridge mount over which a cartridge can be slid from one end into place. A resilient latch is carried on the razor adjacent to the cartridge mount and mates with a recess in the cartridge to secure the cartridge in the correct position on the razor handle. Installation of a replacement cartridge disengages the previous cartridge from the spring latch and slides it off the cartridge mount.

A razor of this type is advantageously constructed from two principal components: a base structure having an elongated back member and a cartridge mount carried at one end thereof, and an-elongated grip or handle member that includes an elongated recess into which the back member is inserted to provide a comfortable grip for the razor. In a particular embodiment the razor also includes a spring member that functions as the resilient latch and the grip holds the spring in flexed position against the base structure. Several criteria arise for the assembly of these components into a finished product. The components must be properly aligned with respect to one another as they are assembled. A particular problem occurs in embodiments employing a separate spring as improper alignment can make it difficult or impossible to mount a cartridge, or may cause the cartridge to accidentally slip during shaving. Since a considerable market exists for the razor, it is also important that a large quantity of components be assembled efficiently and accurately. In addition, the components must be securely held in place within the overall assembly. As the engagement between the handle and base structure provides the primary holding force, these pieces should be firmly joined together, but without damaging either one.

ln view of the above-stated considerations, it is an object of the present invention to provide novel and improved apparatus for assembling a replaceablecartridge type razor.

Another object is the provision of novel and improved apparatus to reliably assemble such a razor with is components securely joined in accurate mutual alignment.

A further object is the provision of noveland improved apparatus for repeatedly and efficiently manufacturing a large volume of such razors.

Another object is the provision of novel and improved apparatus for firmly joining the various components of such a razor without damage.

In the accomplishment of these and other objects, the razor assembly apparatus of the invention provides a series of stations at which various steps are performed in the manufacture of a finished razor from components that include a base structure with an elongated back member and a blade cartridge mount carried transversely at one end of the back member, and a handle adapted to overlie the back member. A plurality of nests support the components during transit between stations, the nests having means for clamping the components in place. The stations successively load the base structures one at a time onto the nests, mount handles in overlying vertical alignment with the base structures, press the handles down into interlocking engagement with the underlying base structures, and discharge the assembled razors from their nests. The nests are preferably mounted on a turntable for progressive movement between stations.

In a particular embodiment, each of the stations has particular features for handling the razor components. At the base structure loading station a pivotable balance rail mechanism is provided to receive and releas: ably support a base structure. A jaw assembly for releasably clamping a supported base structure is mounted on the pivot shaft. The shaft is pivotable to move the jaw assembly between the balance rail and a nest positioned at the station, the jaws being controlled by the cam and cam follower means to clamp a supported base structure and to release same at a nest for loading thereon.

A spring loading station includes a spring support platform and means for reciprocating the platform between a spring receiving position and a position adjacent the cartridge mount of a loaded base structure. Springs are delivered to the platform through a supply chute, the springs being fed down the chute and held on the platform by vacuum. A spring engaging member, carried on a pivotable carriage, holds the spring against the base structure while the platform is reciprocated back to the spring receiving position, thereby stripping the spring from the platform. The station also includes a pusher carried on a four-bar linkage and means for moving the linkage so that the pusher flexes the spring to a position of containment on the base structure. Stop means on the linkage coordinate the pusher and spring engaging member by limiting pivoting of the carriage to an amount proportional to the pusher movement.

At an alignment station, first and second floating heads are mounted to align, respectively, the spring with the loaded back member and the back member with the nest.

The handle mounting means comprises a series of stations, a first station to load a handle to a position partially overlying and longitudinally offset from a base structure, a second station to move the handle longitudinally to a position of vertical alignment with the base structure and spring, and a third station to push the handle into locking engagement with the base structure.

The razor discharge station includes a razor discharge track and a cartridge transfer mechanism. The cartridge is moved from a first cartridge receiving position to a second position for reception of an assembled razor, and then a third position aligned with the razor discharge track. A jaw assembly transfers an assembled razor from a nest to a release position aligned with the second cartridge position. The razor is driven from the release position into mounting engagement with a cartridge held by the cartridge transfer mechanism, and then onto the discharge track, after the cartridge transfer mechanism is moved from its second to its third position to align the razor with the discharge track.

The support nests include a clamping mechanism comprising a bar slidably carried below a base structure support surface, a clamp surface at the opposite end of the nest from cartridge mount support means, and spring means acting upon the bar and urging the clamp surface toward the cartridge mount to securely clamp the razor components on the nest. Means actuable upon the bar to release the nest clamp, for insertion and removal of razor components, are provided at the base structure loading, handle pressing, and discharge stations.

Other objects, features and advantages will occur to one skilled in the art from the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, taken together with the attached drawing thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the overall layout of a machine embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of razor components suitable for assembly by the present invention;

FIGS. 3a-3d are views of razor components at selected stages of assembly, respectively, showing the position of a spring loaded on a base structure, the initial position of a handle aligned on the base structure, the blade cartridge and the razoras finally assembled, and a view taken along line 3d--3d of FIG. 30;

FIGS. 4a-4c illustrate the progressive positioning of a handle on a spring and base structure in the formation of an assembled razor;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a razor support nest suitable for use in the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of apparatus at the station for loading base structures onto support nests;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a base structure clamping mechanism used in the station of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of apparatus at the station for notching a base structure in preparation for mounting a handle thereon;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of apparatus at the station for loading a spring onto a base structure;

FIG. 10 is a view taken along line l010 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a spring support platformand associated elements employed in the apparatus of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of apparatus for aligning a'base structure and spring on a nest;

FIG. 13 is a view taken along lines 13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of handle orienting apparatus in a first position;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the orienting apparatus in a second position;

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic top view of portions of the handle orienting system;

FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of apparatus for loading a handle onto a base structure;

FIG. 18 is a view of portions of the handle loading apparatus taken along lines l8l8 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a side elevation view of apparatus for moving a loaded handle into vertical alignment with an underlying base structure;

FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of apparatus for I pressing a handle down to interlock with an underlying base structure; and

FIGS. 21 and 22are, respectively, side and front elevation views of razor discharge apparatus that includes a cartridge mounting capability.

DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1 the machine there shown embodying the present invention is arranged for repeatedly, accurately, and securely assembling the components of a replaceable cartridge type razor into a finished razor product. Typical razor components that are presented to various portions of the machine are shown in FIG. 2 and include a base structure 10 having an elongated back member 12 and a cartridge mount 14 carried transversely at one end of the back member 12; a flat spring member 16 carried in flexed position on the base structure 10 adjacent the junction of back member 12 and cartridge mount 14; and a handle 18 that has an elongated recess 20 which is adapted to receive the back'member 12 in interlocking relation and to hold the spring 16 in place.

The back member 12 is an elongated metal channel member of generally u-shaped cross section having a back portion 22 that connects spaced parallel side walls 24. The channel member is bent at one end to provide an upward turned or offset portion 26 that includes projections 28. Shallow indentations 30 are formed in the forward portions of side walls 24 adjacent the offset portion 26 which receives the leg portion 32 of spring 16. The cartridge mount 14 includes a base portion 34 that has apertures 36 through which projections 28 extend and are crimped to secure the cartridge mount 14 to the back member 12. The cartridge mount further has outwardly turned flange or

rail portions

38, 40 which extend the length of mount 14 for sliding reception of a blade unit.

Spring 16 is of generally T-shaped configuration and includes a central portion 42 having a projection 44 that is adapted to mate with a cooperating recess in a blade cartridge to restrict sliding movement of the cartridge along the

rails

38, 40 when positioned on the cartridge mount; a pair of outwardly extending and somewhat downturned flexible side arms 46; and leg portion 32.

Handle 18 is formed from a suitable material such as high impact polystyrene and includes an elongated recess 20 shaped to receive the back member 12. Recess 20 is defined by a pair of side walls 48 and a base portion 50. An elongated ridge-like projection 52 extends substantially the length of the recess 20 and is spaced from the side walls 48. Along the length of each space between side wall 48 and projection 50 are formed a series of stops 54 on which surfaces 56 of the side walls 24 seat when back member 12 is inserted in recess 20. Each side wall of back member 12 also includes a series of inwardly extending projections or teeth 58 which engage and bite into ridge 52 when the handle 18 and back member 12 are assembled to provide a strong interlock between those components.

The sequence in which the above-described razor components are assembled by the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is illustrated in FIGS. 3a-3d. The base member 10 is positioned in the nest resting on back portion 22. Spring 16 is first positioned (as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 3a) with its side arms 46 abutting the cartridge mount 14 next to flange 38 and its leg portion 32 resting on surfaces 56 behind indentations 30. Spring 16 is then flexed downwardly so that the lower end of leg portion 32 is seated in indentation 30 (FIG. 3a). Handle 18 is next loaded onto back member 12 and slid forward along the back member until spring 16 is pushed substantially flat against the offset portions 26 of side walls 24 as shown in FIG. 3b. At this point, the handle 18 is not fully interlocked with the base structure as the rear of the handle is elevated with ridge 52 above projections 58. The handle 18 is pressed down against the back member 12, forcing the back member side walls 24 into the grooves between ridge 52 and side walls 48 so that surfaces 56 seat on stops 54 and projections 58 bite into ridge 52 as shown in FIGS. 3c and 3d. In this position, spring 16 is held securely in place by the locking action of handle 18 with the central portion 42 held slightly away from the wall portion 58 of the cartridge mount 14 by side arms 46. A blade cartridge 60 (or a blank cartridge) can now be slid onto

flanges

38, 40 of the cartridge mount 14, flexing spring portion 42 back towards cartridge wall 58 until projection 44 mates with a centering recess 62 in cartridge flange (FIG. 3c). The cartridge 60 is thus held securely in place for shaving, but can be removed by transverse sliding action to discard the used blade unit and replace that blade unit with a fresh blade unit.

FIGS. 4a-4c more fully illustrate the mounting of a handle 18 on the base structure 10. As indicated in FIG. 4a, the handle 18 is initially positioned at the end of the base structure 10 (which is secured in a nest 70) and then pushed longitudinally with side walls 48 of handle 18 straddling side walls 24 of back member 12. The handle 18 is then further advanced so that the upper end 64 of top wall 50 contacts and clamps spring 16 against flange 38 of the cartridge mount 14 and surfaces 66 of the upturned portion 26 of the back member 12 (FIG. 4b). In the final step, the handle 18 is pressed down into interlocking engagement with the back member 12 (as shown in FIG. 40) to form a complete razor assembly 68.

Referring again to FIG. 1 for the general layout of an assembly machine constructed in accordance with the invention, that assembly machine includes a series of support nests 70 equidistantly disposed in a circular pattern on the upper surface of turntable 72. Drive mechanism (not shown) is provided to synchronously rotate turntable 72 and drive apparatus at the several work stations described hereinafter, the turntable being stepped to sequentially position each nest at each station. Apparatus at station 100 loads a razor base structure 10 onto the nest 70 positioned at that station, the base structures being stored in feeder bowl 102 and transferred along chute 104 to balance rail 106 for push feeding by air cylinder apparatus 108 to the loading apparatus at station 100. The next station 180 is an inspection station and includes a light source 182 and a photosensor 184 that detect the positioning of a base structure in the nest 70. If a base structure is not sensed, the drive is stopped. The next station 200 includes apparatus for forming notches in side walls 24 of back member 12. Sensing apparatus at station 280 detects positioning of a base structure in the nest. Apparatus for loading springs 16 is provided at station 300. Springs 16 are transferred from feeder bowl 302 along chute 304 to the loading apparatus at station 300, which apparatus positions a spring on the base structure as shown in FIG. 3a. A low voltage detector at station 300 senses the spring. Alignment apparatus is provided at station 400 which properly locates the base structure 10 and the spring 16 relative to the nest 70, and a low voltage detector again senses the spring at station 480. A handle 18 is fed to the nest at station 500. Handle orientation apparatus adjacent station 500 includes a handle supply chute 502, a handle orientation mechanism 504, and a transfer mechanism 506 which feeds the oriented handles 18 to a transfer rail 508. A handle pusher mechanism is positioned at station 600; handle detector mechanism that includes vertically aligned light source and photocell is positioned at station 680 for checking that a handle 18 has been inserted onto the nest and the spring is again sensed. Handle press mechanism is disposed at station 700. The press mechanism forces the handle l8 down into interlocking engagement with the back member 12 as shown in FIGS. 30 and 4c, completing the razor structure 68.

Stations

780 and 790 are not used, and discharge apparatus is positioned at station 800. This discharge apparatus removes an assembled razor 68 from the nest and positions the razor to receive a blank cartridge that is fed from bin 802 along guide chute 806; and, after mounting the blank cartridge, transfers the assembled device along track 808 to chute 810 and conveyor 812. Sensors at station 800 check the presence of a blank cartridge and the mounting pressure. A horizontal swinging gate structure is positioned at station 880 to check for proper removal of an assembled razor from the nest 70 by the apparatus at discharge station 800. Where a spring is not sensed, handle loading is inhibited and the base structure remains in the nest for the next assembly sequence.

The remaining drawings show particular aspects of the apparatus described in general above. Features of the support nest 70 for securely clamping a base structure during assembly of the razor are shown in FIG. 5. The design of the nest is, of course, a function of the particular shapes of the components to be assembled, the nest shown herein being suitable for the particular components illustrated in FIG. 2. The nest includes a rectangular base or body portion 74, the upper surface 76 of which provides a support surface for the base structure 10. At the forward end of support surface 76 is inclined positioning surface 78 that receives the offset portion 26 of the back member. Above surface 78 are lips 80 that define a recess and side walls 82 that provide lateral support and guiding for the cartridge mount 14. A slide bar 84 is received in a channel formed longitudinally through the body portion 74 of the nest. Flange 86 at the rear end of the body 74 carries a projection 88 that has a clamp surface 90 and three inclined guide surfaces 92. A second flange 94 is carried at the other end of slide bar 84 and compression spring 96 act between flange 94 and nest body 74 to urge clamp surface 90 towards nest body 74. The nest is opened by engaging flange 94 and moving the slide bar through the nest 70, compressing spring 96.

Details of apparatus at the base loading station 100 are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Base structures 10 are serially fed along rail structure 106 by pusher 108 to balance rail structure 110 which supports the base structure by means of flange 38 and positions the cartridge mount against aligning projection 112. The balance rail structure 110 is mounted for pivoting movement on shaft 114 and is biased in the counterclockwise direction by spring 116. A pneumatic actuator 118 acts against spring 116 to pivot rail 110 away from aligning projection 112 to release a base structure 10 after that base structure has been gripped by a transfer assembly.

The transfer assembly is mounted for pivoting movement on shaft 122 and includes plate 124 that carries jaw members 126 mounted on shafts 128 that pass through'bearing block 130 and are connected to actuator elements 132. Spring 134 tends to rotate the rear ends of the actuators away from one another and close jaws 126. A cam follower 136 is carried on the opposite end of each actuator. Interposed between cam followers 136 is a camming plate 138 that has a cam track having

high points

140, 142 where clamp jaws 126 are spaced apart and a recess 144 where the clamp jaws 126 are permitted to be urged toward one another by spring 134. Cam plate 138 is rotatable independently of jaw structure 124 by lever 146; and push rod 148 rotates the jaw structure about the axis of shaft 122.

In operation, jaw assembly 120 is initially positioned by the drive system in a generally vertical position slightly counterclockwise of the position shown in FIG. 6 with cam followers 136 on cam portions 140 so that jaws 126 are held apart. In this position, a base structure is fed. onto balance rail 110 and held in position against projection 112. The jaw assembly 120 is then rotated clockwise to the position shown in FIG. 6 and cam plate. 138 is rotated counterclockwise to allow jaws 126 to close and clamp a base structure. The balance rail structure 110 is then released, jaw assembly 120 is rotated clockwise to the dotted line position, and cam plate 138 is operated to open the jaws and release the base structure 10 so that the back member 12 is positioned on the nest support surface 76. During this transfer slide bar 84 of the nest is held open by pusher 150, while the base structure 10 is being loaded, the pusher 150 thereafter being retracted to allow slide bar 84 to clamp the base structure 10 in place.

The nest with the loaded base structure 10 is next in dexed to station 180 where the base structure in the nest is photoelectrically detected; and if a base structure is detected then indexed to station 200. Details of the apparatus at that station may be seen with reference to FIG. 8. That apparatus includes channel structure 210 mounted above the nest 70 that includes a lower limiting surface 212 adapted to contact nest surface 76 in a movement limiting action; and two

chisel point tools

214, 216 that place notches in surfaces 56 of walls 24 of the back member 12, displacing some metal outwardly. Spring biased member 218 contacts the cartridge mount 14 during the downward stroke of the punch to insure its proper seating. Thrust plate 200 is positioned below turntable 72 in alignment with structure 210 to provide support during the notch forming operation. The actuator linkage includes spring loaded shaft 222 that is guided for vertical movement in member 224 and connected to toggle linkage that includes

links

226 and 228. Link 228 is secured to actuator arm 230 mounted for rotation about shaft 232 under the influence of connecting rod 234. Rotation of drive arm 230 in the counterclockwise direction drives the toggle links 226, 228 over center in the notching action.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-11 for details of the spring loading station, a shaped spring support platform 310 is positioned at the base of chute 304 and arranged to support a stack 312 of spring elements 16. A port 314 in platform 310 is connected to source 316 of reduced pressure by tube 318. Platform 310 and slice bar 320 are horizontally reciprocable as a unit as controlled by crank 322 mounted for pivoting movement on shaft 324 that is connected to the system drive and connected to the support-slice unit by pin 326. Forward movement of slice bar 320 slices the lower spring 16 from stack 312 and feeds it forward against cartridge mount 14 of the base structure 10 secured in nest 70. Also positioned at station 300 is a spring clamping and flexing mechanism that is driven by push rod 334 through four-bar linkage 330 mounted on support 332. Stop structure 336 limits the movement of the four-bar linkage 330. Carried at the lower end of bar 338 is flexing finger 340. Coupled to bar 338 is carriage 344 which is mounted for pivoting movement on shaft 346 and biased downwardly into engagement with roll 342 on bar 338 by spring 348. Carriage 340 has spaced fingers 350 disposed on either side of flexing finger 340 as indicated in FIG. 10.

In operation, as a spring 16 is sliced from stack 312 by bar 320 and fed onto back member 12, push rod 334 is driven downwardly so that fingers 350 engage arms 46 of the spring and hold it in position beneath flange 38 (the dotted line position shown in FIG. 30). Spring 348 maintains fingers 350 under biasing force as rod 334 continues to move downward, driving flexing finger 340 downward to contact spring 16 (roll 342 moving away from the projection of carriage 344) and tinger 340 flexes the depending leg 32 of spring 16 downward to a position of containment with the end of leg 32 seated in notch 30 of the back member (as shown in solid lines in FIG. 3a). The direction of motion of push rod 334 is then reversed, raising finger 340 and 30- when roll 342 engages carriage 344 similarly raising clamp fingers 350 to lift the mechanism away from the nest at the end of a spring loading sequence. Finger 340 is connected to a low voltage detection circuit which senses the presence of spring 16.

Details of apparatus at the alignment station 400 are shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. That apparatus includes a pair of

arms

410, 412 pivotally mounted onsupport 414 by

pins

416, 418, respectively, and connected by link 420. Arm 410 isconnected to push rod 422 by crank 424 and spring 426 is connected to arm 412 to exert a forward biasing force on the arm assembly.

Each

arm

410, 412 carries a floating head 430 that has guide slot 432 defined by plates, each of which has a tapered leading edge 436 as indicated in FIG. 13.

In operation, movement of

arms

410, 412, as coordinated by link 420, aligns the spring 16 relative to the back 12 by engagement of lead surfaces 436 of the forward arm 412 first with the back and then with the spring and then aligns the razor back 12 in the nest by engagement of surfaces 94 with lead surfaces 436 of the trailing arm 410 and then with back member 12.

Details of the handle orienting mechanism 504 may be seen with reference to FIGS. 14-16. That mechanism includes a cylindrical housing that has a cover plate 510 with an entrance aperture 502a at feed station 502 and a discharge aperture 5060 at transfer station 506 (FIG. 15). Disposed within the housing are four orienting mechanisms mounted on dial 512 that is indexed past the loading, orienting and

discharge stations

502, 504 and 506. Each orienting mechanism includes a cylindrical receptacle 514 mounted for rotation on dial 512 by bearing 516. Integral with receptacle 514 is a lock plate 518 which has a set of four notches 520 (FIG. 16) in its periphery. Four sensor elements 522 are pivotally mounted on cylinder 514 at equal intervals about its periphery. Each sensor 522 includes an inwardly directed projection 524 at its upper end, and an outwardly directed projection 526 at its lower end that includes an inclined cam surface 528. Garter spring 530 biases the upper ends of sensors inwardly so that projections 524 abut one another. Collar 532 is biased upwardly by springs 534 and includes slots 536 into which lower projections extend as indicated in FIG. 14.

Garter spring 530 normally biases the upper ends of the sensors 522 inwardly. At the load station 502, cam 538 forces collar 532 downwardly, the upper walls of slots 536 pivoting the lower ends of the sensors inwardly to the position shown in FIG. 14 so that projections 524 open, allowing a handle 18 to be introduced. As the dial 512 is indexed from the load station 502 to the orienting station 504, cam 538 releases collar 532 and springs 534 force that collar up and garter spring 530 tends to rotate the upper ends of the sensors inwardly. Three of the sensors 522 are limited in rotation due to the walls of the handle, but the upper projection 524a of the fourth sensor enters slot 20 as indicated in FIG. 15.

With reference to FIG. 16, stationary cam 540 opens the latch 542 at the orienting station, permitting housing 514 to rotate freely on'bearings 516. At the orienting station there is a polyurethane drive belt 544 trained between driven pulley 546 and idler pulley 548, pulley 548 being mounted on arm 550 that is biased by spring 552 into engagement with the periphery of lock plate 518. Belt 544 drives the released plate 518 in rotation until the projecting latchflnger 526a is engaged by fixed stop dog 554, stopping rotation of housing 514 and establishing an orientation of the handle 18. As dial 512 indexes toward discharge station 506, lock dog 542 is released by cam 540 and enters the aligned notch 520, preventing further rotation of lock plate 518. Drive belt 544 maintains the projecting latch jaw finger 526 against stop dog 554 as dial 512 rotates until lock plate 518 is latched and then belt 544 slips.

At the discharge station 506, the collar 532 is depressed, moving projection 524a outward (not shown in FIG. 15) and a push rod 556 (indicated in FIG. 15) pushed the oriented handle out of the receptacle 514 into clamp jaws from which the oriented handle 18 is transferred to rail 508.

Details of further apparatus at the handle loading station 500 may be seen with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. After the handles 18 have been aligned by the orienting mechanism 504, they are fed along rail 508. The handles are normally supported on wall'560 which cooperates with rail 508. At the end of wall 560 is a gate latch structure 562 that is biased by spring 564 towards rail 508. Cooperating with this feed mechanism is transfer apparatus 566 that includes juxtaposed

jaw members

568, 570 mounted for rotation about shaft 572. A quadrant plate 574 on which jaw 568 is mounted, also controls the feeding of handles 18 into the transfer station. Jaw 568 is controlled by arm 576 while jaw 570 is connected to arm 578. These control

arms

576 and 578 are connected to actuator rod 580 by a lost motion linkage plate 582 that includes flange 584 that engages roller 586 carried by arm 576 and a slot 588 which receives pin 590 connected to arm 578. Pin 590 is biased downwardly by spring 592. Spring 594 connected between

jaws

568 and 570 biases the jaws toward one another into clamping position, and stop 596 limits the permitted counterclockwise rotation of jaw 570.

In operation, rod 580 is initially in a down position with arm 578 against stop 596 (providing accurate positioning of jaw 570 in alignment with handle support 560). The lost motion connection allows pin 590 to rise in slot 588, compressing spring 592 and flange 584 acts against arm 576, rotating jaw 568 and gate plate 574 further counterclockwise to open the jaws and allow a handle 18 to be fed into the space between the jaws, gate 562 forcing the handle against rail 508 to prevent it from sliding downwardly. As push rod 580 is raised, spring 584 drives clamp jaw 568 towards jaw 570 clamping the handle 18 between those jaws. When pin 590 bottoms in slot 588, that pin drives arm 578 and jaw 570 positively in the clockwise direction. Jaw 568 follows under the biasing influence of spring 594 and rotates gate plate 574 into interposed position, preventing feeding of the next handle to transfer position. The handle 18 clamped between

jaws

568 and 570 is carried out of the spring loaded latch 562 down through a positioning structure (not shown) into alignment with nest guide surfaces 92. While the handle remains clamped, a pusher mechanism 598 feeds the handle from the

clamp jaws

568, 570 onto the back member 12 as guided by lead surfaces 92 to the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 19 fully out of the clamp jaws. The pusher 598 is then retracted and rod 580 is driven downwardly, returning the transfer jaw structure to the position shown in FIG. 17 in preparation for feeding the next handle.

Referring now to FIG. 19, which shows details of the apparatus at station 600, at which a handle 18, partially loaded at station 500, is advanced along back member 12 so that its leading end 64 forces spring 16 against the side walls of offset portion 26 as indicated in FIG. 3b, and as indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 19. That apparatus includes a ram 602 that is slidably received in support 604. The ram includes a stub shaft 606 which extends through slot 608 and are engaged by drive arm 610 for driving the ram 602 in a reciprocating movement. A spring loaded pusher head 612, carried in cavity 614 at the forward end of ram 602, provides the actual driving contact with the handle 18 when the ram is moved forward. Spring 616, lodged between the base of cavity 614 and pusher head 612 absorbs some of the drive force of the ram, thereby insuring seating of the handle surface 64 against the spring 16 while preventing application of excessive force to the razor components. The ram surfaces includes inclined surface 620 that acts to restrain the rear end of the handle 18 from moving upward as it is pushed along back member 12.

The apparatus at the handle press station, as shown in FIG. 20, includes a press head 710 secured for pivoting movement to reciprocable arm 712 by pin 714. Arm is guided by frame member 716 and has stub shaft 718 that is engaged by link 720. An auxiliary pusher mechanism includes a head 722 that is reciprocated by pneumatic cylinder 724. The press head includes lip portions 730 that are adapted to contact nest surface 76 on either side of the handle and a pressing surface 732 that engages the surface 50 of the handle. Also at station 700 is a pusher 734 that acts on flange 94 to open clamp surface and a thrust plate 736 that is aligned with a press head 710 and absorbs impact of the pressing action.

In operation, auxiliary pusher 722 is actuated to engage the rear end of handle 18 and exert a holding force while am 720 is rotated clockwise to move the presshead 710 down towards the nest 70. After lips 730 contact with the nest, the press head is rotated about pin 714 as arm 712 continues its downward stroke and surface 732 rocks the handle downwardly, forcing ridge 52 past projections 58 and securely locking the handle on the back member 12. At the end of the press stroke, member 734 is retracted so that the clamp flange 90 secures the handle and base assembly in the nest.

Details of apparatus at the discharge station 800 may be seen with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22. The apparatus at that station includes a pusher 810 which has an auxiliary projection 812 and acts to move clamp bar 84 rearwardly to open the nest and at the same time to shift the razor assembly 68 rearwardly so that it clears lips 80. A transfer jaw mechanism 820 includes transfer jaws 822 that are spring loaded in the closed direction and mounted on shafts 824 which are connected to actuator links 826. An air operated mechanism 828 operates on links 826 to open jaws 822. The jaw assembly is mounted on arm 830 that in turn is mounted for pivoting movement on shaft 832 and connected by arm 834 to push rod 836. The clamp transfer structure jaws 822 engage razor 68 as shown in FIG. 21 and then are pivoted up in counterclockwise direction so that the cartridge mount is positioned against projection 840 of guide rail 842. A spring loaded clamp member 844 pivotally mounted on arm 846 is rocked by movement of rod 848 into position to secure the razor 68 on the transfer rail 842. The jaws 822 of transfer mechanism 820 are then opened and that mechanism is then rotated further counterclockwise to clear the razor handle supported on rail 842.

Adjacent the transfer station is a blank cartridge pickup station. A blank cartridge is fed from supply 804 along chute 806 to pickup arm 860 at station 862. The pickup arm is rotatable between a first position at station 862 in which it receives a cartridge blank from chute 806, a second position 864 in alignment with transfer rail 842 as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 and a third position in alignment with discharge track 808. A detector at station 862 senses the pickup of a cartridge by arm 860.

Arm 846 is mounted on shaft 850 which is transversely movable by crank arm 852 that carries fork 854 connected to shaft extension 856. A spring 858 and pneumatic coupling 864 are disposed between shaft 850 and extension 856. A detector 866 is also connected between shaft 850 and extension 856. After pickup arm 860 aligns the cartridge with rail 840, arm 852 is rotated clockwise to move shaft 850 and clamp 844 laterally.

Detector 866 is enabled at the beginning of the stroke and if excessive resistance is encountered (sensed by the movement of extension 856 towards shaft 850) a stop motion is actuated. After

flanges

38, 40 are partially inserted into the cartridge coupling slots, the detector 866 is bypassed and air pressure is applied to cylinder 864 to bypass spring 862. During the movement of the razor along transfer track 842 into the blank cartridge, the end surface 870 of the discharge track 808 provides a stop to prevent the cartridge blank from sliding out of jaws 868. When the razor 68 is fully inserted into the cartridge, the cartridge support arm 860 is pivoted from its second position aligned with the transfer rail 842 to its third position aligned with discharge track 808 so that shaft 850 and arm 852 are enabled to continue transverse driving of the razor and deposit of that assembly on the discharge track 808. At that point clamp fingers 844 are pivoted upwardly to release the razor and permit the transfer shaft 850 to return to its initial transverse position.

The operation of the assembly apparatus will be summarized by tracing the progress of a single support nest 70. It will be understood that at any given time, a plurality of nests will hold razor components at various stages of assembly. A base structure 10 is initially transferred fromstorage 102 along feed rail 104 to transfer rail 106, and then the base structure is moved along that rail by pusher 108 and fed to transfer station 100.

At that station, as shown in FIG. 6, a tranfer jaw assembly grips base structure 10 and pivots about shaft 122 to deposit that base structure on nest 70. Pusher arm opens the nest and then releases bar 84 so that clamp surface 90 engages the end of back member 12, securing the base structure in the nest. The transfer jaw assembly 120 is pivoted back to its initial position and the nest is then rotated to inspection station in an indexing operation.

The turntable 72 next indexes the nest to station 200 wherenotches are placed in the side walls of the back member and then indexed past sensor station 280 to the spring loading station 300 where a spring 16 is sliced from chute 304 onto the base structure 10 and latched in place by action of flexing finger 340 so that it is firmly held on the base structure between flange 38 and the lip of indentation 30 as shown in FIG. 3a.

The nest is then indexed through station 380 to alignment station 400 where floating heads 430 align base structure 10 and the spring 16 properly. After alignment, the nest is indexed through spring sensor station 480 to handle loadingstation 500 where a handle 18, after being properly oriented by orienting apparatus 504, is transferred to the nest 70 by the combined operation of transfer jaw mechanism 566 and pusher 598. After the handle is loaded to an initial position at station 500, the turntable 72 is indexed to station 600 where the handle is forced axially fully onto the base member; the presence of the handle and spring is detected at station 680; and the handle is presseddown into firm latched engagement with the back member at station 700.

The nest 70 is next indexed to the discharge station 800, where pusher arm 810 releases the nest clamp 86 and attached finger 812 pushes the razor 68 out of the cartridge mount support jaws 80 as the transfer jaw mechanism 820 is pivoted down. The razor is grasped by the transfer jaws 822 and lifted off the nest 70 and transferred to the transfer rail 840 where transfer bracket 844 is positioned in supporting engagement with the razor. Concurrently the blank cartridge transfer arm 860 has pivoted from the load position 862 to a position aligned with rail 840. Shaft 850 is driven laterally to mount the cartridge on the razor 68 and then the cartridge razor assembly is shifted laterally by arm 860 to permit shaft 850 to slide the cartidge razor as sembly from arm 860 to track 808. The nest is then indexed through check station 880 and back to station 100.

While a particular embodiment of the invention and modifl cations thereof has been shown and described, still other modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and therefore it is not intended that the invention be limited to the disclosed embodiment or to details thereof and departures may be made therefrom within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for assembling a razor of the type having a base structure that includes a back member and a blade cartridge mount carried transversely at one end of said back member, and a handle adapted to overlie said back member, said handle and back member having mutually interlockable engagement means, comprising:

a plurality of nests, each of said nests having a back member support surface, cartridge mount support means, and means for clamping a base structure,

a station to load base structures one at a time onto said nests,

means to mount a handle in overlying vertical alignment with a loaded base structure,

a station to press a mounted handle downwardly into interlocking engagement with an underlying base structure,

a discharge station including means to disengage an assembled razor from a nest, and

means for moving said nests progressively from said base structure loading station, to said handle mounting means, to said pressing station, to said discharge station.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, said nest moving means comprising a turntable, said stations and handle mounting means being arranged around the periphery thereof, and said nests being mounted on the turntable in alignment with said stations and handle mounting means.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, said base structure loading station comprising means to releasably support a base structure, a jaw assembly adapted to clamp the back member of a supported base structure, said jaw assembly being pivotable between said support means and a nest positioned at'said station, cam follower means controlling the-clamping of said jaw assembly, and cam means engaging said cam follower means to clamp said jaw assembly during pivoting thereof from said support means to said nest, said cam and cam follower means further adapted to open said jaw assembly at said nest to release a clamped base structure for loading onto said nest.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, said releasable base structure support means comprising a pivotable balance rail having an upper surface supportive of a base structure cartridge mount, said balance rail being pivotable in response to clamping and pivoting of a supported base structure by said jaw assembly to release said base structure from said support surface, and spring means for returning said rail to an initial position after a base structure is released.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, and further including a feed' rail aligned with said pivotable balance rail for supplying base structures thereto, and blocking means pivotable with said jaw assembly to block the supply of base structures to said pivotable balance rail when said jaw assembly is pivoted from said balance railto a nest.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, said blocking means comprising a rigid plate mounted on a pivot shaft. said jaw assembly being mounted to said plate for pivoting therewith about said shaft, and including means to pivot said plate about said shaft through a pivot range sufficient to enable clamping ofa supported base structure and releasing thereof onto a nest by said jaw assembly.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, and further including a spring loading station comprising a reciprocable spring support platform, means for feeding a spring onto said platform, means for reciprocating said platform between a first position for receiving a spring and a second position adjacent to the cartridge mount of a loaded base structure, and a spring engaging member adapted to hold a spring against said base structure when said platform is reciprocated from said second position back to said first position.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, for use with base structures having a shaped spring receiving area of lesser width than said spring and adapted to contain a spring therein in a flexed position, said spring engaging member adapted to hold a spring in a position overlying said spring receiving area, said spring loading station further including a pusher structure, and means for moving said pusher structure against a spring held by said spring engaging means to urge the spring toa flexed position of containment within said spring receiving area.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, and further including a pivotable carriage carrying said spring engaging member, spring means acting on said carriage to pivot said spring engaging means toward said spring, and stop means carried by said pusher structure to coordinate pivoting of said carriage with the axial movement of said pusher structure toward said spring.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, and further including suction means for holding a spring on said, platform during reciprocal movement thereof.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, for use with a spring having a center leg adapted to overlie the back member of said base structure and a pair of side arms adapted to abut said cartridge mount lateral to said center 'leg, said spring engaging member comprising a pair of fingers moveable against the side arms of a loaded spring, and including means for moving said fingers to press said spring side arms against said cartridge mount when said platform is in its second position, said fingers acting to pivot said spring leg downwardly to said back member when said platform is reciprocated back to its first position.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, and further including a spring loading station, and an aligning station between saidspring loading station and said handle mounting means for aligning a loaded base structure and spring in a nest, said aligning station comprising a first floating guide head adapted to align therebetween said spring and the portion of the base structure back member adjacent to the cartridge mount, a second' floating guide head adapted to align therebetween the portion of the back member opposite the cartridge mount with said nest, and means for moving said floating heads longitudinally along said base structure.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, said first and second floating heads being mounted respectively on first and second arms, said arms being pivotable in a longitudinal direction with respect to said base structure for alignment thereof between said floating heads. connecting linkage coordinating the pivoting of said arms, and means for pivoting one of said arms and thereby imparting a pivoting motion to the other of said arms through said connecting linkage.

Claims

1. Apparatus for assembling a razor of the type having a base structure that includes a back member and a blade cartridge mount carried transversely at one end of said back member, and a handle adapted to overlie said back member, said handle and back member having mutually interlockable engagement means, comprising: a plurality of nests, each of said nests having a back member support surface, cartridge mount support means, and means for clamping a base structure, a station to load base structures one at a time onto said nests, means to mount a handle in overlying vertical alignment with a loaded base structure, A station to press a mounted handle downwardly into interlocking engagement with an underlying base structure, a discharge station including means to disengage an assembled razor from a nest, and means for moving said nests progressively from said base structure loading station, to said handle mounting means, to said pressing station, to said discharge station.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, said base structure loading station comprising means to releasably support a base structure, a jaw assembly adapted to clamp the back member of a supported base structure, said jaw assembly being pivotable between said support means and a nest positioned at said station, cam follower means controlling the clamping of said jaw assembly, and cam means engaging said cam follower means to clamp said jaw assembly during pivoting thereof from said support means to said nest, said cam and cam follower means further adapted to open said jaw assembly at said nest to release a clamped base structure for loading onto said nest.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, and further including a feed rail aligned with said pivotable balance rail for supplying base structures thereto, and blocking means pivotable with said jaw assembly to block the supply of base structures to said pivotable balance rail when said jaw assembly is pivoted from said balance rail to a nest.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, said blocking means comprising a rigid plate mounted on a pivot shaft, said jaw assembly being mounted to said plate for pivoting therewith about said shaft, and including means to pivot said plate about said shaft through a pivot range sufficient to enable clamping of a supported base structure and releasing thereof onto a nest by said jaw assembly.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, for use with base structures having a shaped spring receiving area of lesser width than said spring and adapted to contain a spring therein in a flexed position, said spring engaging member adapted to hold a spring in a position overlying said spring receiving area, said spring loading station further including a pusher structure, and means for moving said pusher structure against a spring held by said spring engaging means to urge the spring to a flexed position of containment within said spring receiving area.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, and further including suction means for holding a spring on said platform during reciprocal movement thereof.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, for use with a spring having a center leg adapted to overlie the back member of said base structure and a pair of side arms adapted to abut said cartridge mount lateral to said center leg, said spring engaging member comprising a pair of fingers moveable against the side arms of a loaded spring, and including means for moving said fingers to press said spring side arms against said cartridge mount when said platform is in its second position, said fingers acting to pivot said spring leg downwardly to said back member when said platform is reciprocated back to its first position.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, and further including a spring loading station, and an aligning station between said spring loading station and said handle mounting means for aligning a loaded base structure and spring in a nest, said aligning station comprising a first floating guide head adapted to align therebetween said spring and the portion of the base structure back member adjacent to the cartridge mount, a second floating guide head adapted to align therebetween the portion of the back member opposite the cartridge mount with said nest, and means for moving said floating heads longitudinally along said base structure.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, said first and second floating heads being mounted respectively on first and second arms, said arms being pivotable in a longitudinal direction with respect to said base structure for alignment thereof between said floating heads, connecting linkage coordinating the pivoting of said arms, and means for pivoting one of said arms and thereby imparting a pivoting motion to the other of said arms through said connecting linkage.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, said handle mounting means comprising a first station to load a handle to a position partially overlying a loaded base structure and longitudinally offset therefrom, and a second station to move said handle longitudinally to a position of vertical alignment with said base structure and spring.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, said handle loading station comprising means to support a handle in a pre-loading position, means to feed a handle onto said handle support means, transfer mechanism for moving a handle from said handle support means to a loading site with said handle longitudinally aligned with said base structure, and a loading mechanism to push said handle from said loading site longitudinally along said base structure to said partially overlying position.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, said transfer mechanism including a pair of pivot arms carrying respectively a pair of jaws, a pivot actuator engaging said jaw pivot arms and moveable in a stroke to pivot said jaws successively from an initial position to a handle clamping position and thence to said loading site, said actuator including a lost motion linkage to open said jaws during an intermediate portion of said stroke prior to clamping of a handle by said jaws, said actuator adapted to pivot said jaws to said loading site during the remainder of said stroke.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, said handle feed means comprising a rail, said handle support means comprising a structure having a handle support surface substantially coplanar with and adjacent to said rail for receiving handles therefrom, said transfer mechanism comprising a plate moveable in a path adjacent to said rail, said plate being shaped to block handles on said rail from moving toward said handle support means during movement thereof, and stop means preventing the reception of more than one handle at a time onto said handle support means from said rail.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, said second station comprising a ram moveable along an axis substantially parallel to a loaded back member, a pusher head carried at the forward end of said ram to urge said handle longitudinally along said base structure when said ram is moved thereagainst, spring means between said ram and pusher head to absorb some of the ram forCe from said pusher head, and a downward sloped surface at the forward end of said ram above said pusher head to limit upward movement of said handle.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, said press station including a reciprocable arm, a press head pivotally carried by said arm about a horizontal pivot axis to press said handle into interlocking engagement with said base structure, said press head including structure preventing dislodgment of the portion of said handle adjacent to said cartridge mount when the handle is pressed by said press head.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, said discharge station comprising a razor discharge track, a cartridge feed means, a cartridge transfer mechanism adapted to pick up a cartridge at said feed means, means to move said cartridge transfer mechanism between a first position at said feed means, a second position for reception of an assembled razor, and a third position aligned with said discharge track, a razor transfer assembly adapted to transfer an assembled razor from a nest, a release position aligned with said second cartridge position, and release said razor at said release position, and means to drive a razor released by said razor transfer assembly successively into mounting engagement with a cartridge in said cartridge transfer mechanism, and thence onto said discharge track, said cartridge transfer mechanism being adapted to move from said second to said third position after engagement of a gripped cartridge by said razor, and thereby align said razor with said discharge track for movement there onto.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, said drive means comprising a razor support member movable into engagement with a razor released by said razor transfer assembly, said support member including fingers to support the razor cartridge mount, means to drive said support member in transverse direction and to maintain said support member in driving alignment with said razor.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, including a bracket pivotally mounting said support member, a shaft carrying said bracket, means to pivot said bracket on said shaft to move said support member out of the way of a razor carried by said transfer assembly to said razor release position, and said drive means includes means to drive said shaft in an axial direction.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, said discharge track including a surface adjacent the second cartridge transfer position, said surface providing a stop preventing movement of a cartridge out of said cartridge transfer mechanism during mounting thereof by a razor.

24. The apparatus of claim 20, and further including means to sense the force exerted by said razor drive means upon said razor.

25. The apparatus of claim 1, said nest clamping means comprising a bar carried by said nest below said base structure support surface, a clamp surface on the portion of said bar at the opposite end of said back member support surface from said cartridge mount support means, spring means acting upon said bar to urge said clamp surface toward said cartridge mount for clamping razor apparatus on said nest, said base structure loading, handle pressing, and discharge stations including means acting upon said bar to move said clamp surface away from said cartridge mount support means respectively during loading of a base structure onto said nest, pressing of a mounted handle downwardly into interlocking engagement with an underlying base structure on said nest, and disengagement of an interlocked base structure and handle from said nest.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, for use in the assembly of a razor having a handle with a pair of downwardly depending side walls and a substantially open bottom, said nest further including guide structure shaped to guide longitudinal motion of a handle during mounting thereof onto a base structure supported by said nest.

27. Apparatus for assembling a razor of the type having a base structure that includes a back member and a cartridge mount carried at one end of said back membeR, spring means for releasably engaging a blade cartridge, and a clamp securing said spring means to said base structure, comprising: a nest to carry a base structure, means for loading a base structure onto said nest, means for loading a spring means onto a loaded base structure, and means for mounting a spring securing clamp to said base structure, said mounting means including means for loading a spring clamp onto the back member of said base structure, means for moving said clamp longitudinally along said back member to a position adjacent said spring means, and means for securing a positioned clamp to said back member with said spring means secured therebetween in position to impart a flexural engaging force to a blade cartridge thereafter mounted on said cartridge mount.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, including means for cyclically moving said nest between said base structure loading means, said spring loading means, and said clamp mounting means.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, said nest being mounted on a turntable adapted to rotate through said base structure loading means, said spring loading means, and said clamp mounting means.

30. The apparatus of claim 28, and further including means between said clamp mounting means and said base structure loading means to discharge an assembled razor from said nest.

31. The apparatus of claim 27, said clamp comprising a handle adapted to overlie said back member, said handle and back member having mutually interlockable engagement means, said clamp mounting means comprising the combination of means for loading a handle to a position partially overlying said back member, means for moving a loaded handle longitudinally along said back member to a position overlying a portion of said spring means, and press means adapted to drive a handle so positioned downwardly into interlocking engagement with said back member.

32. A nest for carrying components of a razor during assembly thereof, said components including a base structure that includes a back member and a blade cartridge mount carried transversely at one end of said back member, and a handle adapted to overlie said back member and being mutually interlockable therewith, comprising: a main body portion, the upper surface thereof forming a back member support, a cartridge mount support jaw carried at one side of said body portion above said upper surface, and clamping means comprising a bar slideably carried below said back member support surface, a clamp surface on the portion of said bar at the opposite end of said base structure support surface from said cartridge mount support jaw, and spring means acting upon said bar to urge said clamp surface toward said cartridge mount for clamping razor components in said nest.

33. Apparatus for loading into a nest a razor base structure of the type having a back member and a blade cartridge mount carried transversely at one end of said back member, comprising means to releasably support a base structure, a jaw assembly adapted to clamp the back member thereof, said jaw assembly being pivotable between said support means and a nest, cam follower means controlling the clamping of said jaw assembly, and cam means engaging said cam follower means to close said jaw assembly during pivoting thereof from said support means to said nest, said cam and cam follower means further adapted to open said jaw assembly at said nest to release a base structure for loading onto said nest.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, said releasable base structure support means comprising a support member having an upper surface supportive of a base structure cartridge mount, said support member being movable in response to movement of a supported base structure by said jaw assembly to release said base structure, and spring means for returning said support member to an initial position after a base structure is released.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, and further including a feed rail aligned with said support member fOr supplying base structures thereto, and blocking means pivotable with said jaw assembly to block the supply of base structures to said support member when said jaw assembly is pivoted from said feed rail to a nest.

36. Apparatus for loading a spring onto a razor base structure of the type having a back member and a blade cartridge mount carried transversely at one end of said back member, said base structure being held in a support nest, comprising: a reciprocable spring support platform, means for feeding a spring onto said platform, means for reciprocating said platform between a first position for receiving a spring and a second position adjacent to the cartridge mount of a base structure, and a spring engaging member adapted to hold a spring against said base structure when said platform is reciprocated from said second position back to said first position.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, for use with base structures having a shaped spring receiving area adapted to contain a spring therein in a flexed position, said spring engaging member adapted to hold a spring in a position overlying said spring receiving area, said spring loading station further including a pusher element, and means for moving said pusher element against a spring held by said spring engaging means to urge the spring to a flexed position of containment within said spring receiving area.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, and further including a pivotable carriage carrying said spring engaging member, spring means acting on said carriage to pivot said spring engaging means toward said spring, and stop means carried by said pusher structure to coordinate pivoting of said carriage with the axial movement of said pusher structure toward said spring.

39. The apparatus of claim 36, and further including suction means for holding a spring on said platform during reciprocal movement thereof.

40. The apparatus of claim 36, for use with a spring having a center leg adapted to overlie the back member of said base structure and a pair of side arms adapted to abut said cartridge mount lateral to said center leg, said spring engaging member comprising a pair of fingers moveable against the side arms of a loaded spring, and including means for moving said fingers to press said spring side arms against said cartridge mount when said platform is in its second position, said fingers acting to pivot said spring leg downwardly to said back member when said platform is reciprocated back to its first position.

41. Apparatus for loading a handle in overlying vertical alignment on partially assembled razor components, said components comprising a base structure of the type having a back member and a blade cartridge mount carried transversely at one end of said back member, and a spring carried by said base structure adjacent to said cartridge mount, comprising: means to support a handle in a pre-loading position, means to feed a handle onto said handle support means, transfer mechanism for moving a handle from said handle support means to a loading site with said handle longitudinally aligned with said base structure, and a loading mechanism to push said handle from said loading site longitudinally along said base structure to said partially overlying position.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, said transfer mechanism including a pair of pivot arms carrying respectively a pair of jaws, a pivot actuator engaging said jaw pivot arms and moveable in a stroke to pivot said jaws successively from an initial position to a handle clamping position and thence to said loading site, said actuator including a lost motion linkage to open said jaws during an intermediate portion of said stroke prior to clamping of a handle by said jaws, said actuator adapted to pivot said jaws to said loading site during the remainder of said stroke.

43. The apparatus of claim 41, said handle feed means comprising a rail, said handle support means comprising a structure having a handle support surface substantialLy coplanar with and adjacent to said rail for receiving handles therefrom, said transfer mechanism comprising a plate moveable in a path adjacent to said rail, said plate being shaped to block handles on said rail from moving toward said handle support means during movement thereof, and stop means preventing the reception of more than one handle at a time onto said handle support means from said rail.

44. The apparatus of claim 41, said loading mechanism including a ram moveable along an axis substantially parallel to a back member, a pusher head carried at the forward end of said ram to urge said handle longitudinally along said base structure when said ram is moved thereagainst, spring means between said ram and pusher head to absorb some of the ram force from said pusher head, and a downward sloped surface at the forward end of said ram above said pusher head to limit upward movement of said handle.

45. Apparatus for discharging an assembled razor from a support nest, said razor being of the type having a base structure with a back member and a blade cartridge mount carried transversely at one end of said cartridge mount, a handle overlying and interlocked with said base structure, and a spring for releasably engaging a blade cartridge clamped between said handle and base structure adjacent to said cartridge mount, comprising: a razor discharge track, a cartridge feed means, a cartridge transfer mechanism adapted to pick up a cartridge at said feed means, means to move said cartridge transfer mechanism between a first position at said feed means, a second position for reception of an assembled razor, and a third position aligned with said discharge track, a razor transfer assembly adapted to transfer an assembled razor from a nest, a release position aligned with said second cartridge position, and release said razor at said release position, and means to drive a razor released by said razor transfer assembly successively into mounting engagement with a cartridge in said cartridge transfer mechanism, and thence onto said discharge track, said cartridge transfer mechanism being adapted to move from said second to said third position after engagement of a gripped cartridge by said razor, and thereby align said razor with said discharge track for movement thereonto.

46. The apparatus of claim 45, said drive means comprising a razor support member moveable into engagement with a razor released by said razor transfer assembly, said support member including fingers to support the razor cartridge mount, means to drive said support member in transverse direction and to maintain said support member in driving alignment with said razor.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, including a bracket pivotally mounting said support member, a shaft carrying said bracket, means to pivot said bracket on said shaft to move said support member out of the way of a razor carried by said transfer assembly to said razor release position, and said drive means includes means to drive said shaft in an axial direction.