Method and machine for packaging articles

Nov. 6, 1962

H. GANZ

3,061,985

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR PACKAGING ARTICLES

<img file="US3061985A_D0001.tif" />

ATTORNEY

Nov. 6, 1962 h. _GANZ 3,061,985

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR PACKAGING ARTICLES

<img file="US3061985A_D0002.tif" />

Nov. 6, 1962 η. ganz 3,061,985

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR PACKAGING ARTICLES

<img file="US3061985A_D0003.tif" />

Nov. 6, 1962 H. GANZ 3,061,985

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR PACKAGING ARTICLES

Filed Aug. 4, I960 g Sheets-Sheet 4

<img file="US3061985A_D0004.tif" />

Nov. 6, 1962 η. ganz 3,061,985

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR PACKAGING ARTICLES

Filed Aug. 4, i960 8 Sheets-Sheet 5

<img file="US3061985A_D0005.tif" />

Nov. 6, 1962 _{H GANZ} 3,061,985

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR PACKAGING ARTICLES

Filed Aug. 4, i960 _Q ~ . ,

Sheets-Sheet 6

<img file="US3061985A_D0006.tif" />

Nov. 6, 1962

η. ganz 3,061,985

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR PACKAGING ARTICLES

<img file="US3061985A_D0007.tif" />

Nov. 6, 1962 H. GANZ 3,061,985

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR PACKAGING ARTICLES Filed Aug. 4, I960 8 Sheets-Sheet 8

<img file="US3061985A_D0008.tif" />

INVENTOR

BY . /?

ATTOFfNEYS

3,061,985

Patented Nov. 6, 1962

United States Patent Office

3,061,985 METHOD AND MACHINE FOR PACKAGING ARTICLES

Henry Ganz, Teaneck, N.J., assignor to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York

Filed Aug. 4, I960, Ser. No. 47,503 18 Claims. (Cl. 53—48)

This invention relates to the packaging of cans and the like in wrap-around paperboard carriers. My invention has special application for use with paperboard cartons of the type in which the top panel and one of the bottom closure panels have tabs adapted to separate cans in one row from those in another row by insertion of the tabs between the cans of the respective rows. In order to close and lock the carton, the closing and locking means of the machine disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 744,634, filed June '26, 1958, now U.S. Patent No. 2,986,857, may be utilized.

Summary

In accordance with my invention in its preferred construction the carton blanks are delivered into the machine by a carton blank conveyor which is disposed above the remainder of the machine and delivers the carton blanks in a direction opposite to that of the movement of the cans through the machine. The carton blanks are spaced at predetermined intervals along the conveyor. The carton blank is of the wrap-around type including a top panel, side panels, and bottom closure panels. The top panel and one of the bottom closure panels are each provided with a plurality of tabs which are adapted to be positioned between the chimes of each of the cans in the adjacent rows at both the top and bottom portions of the cans.

As the carton blanks are delivered by the carton blank conveyor, means are provided for erecting the tabs to a position at substantially right angles to the inside surface of the adjacent carton blank panels. To initiate erection of the tabs, rotating hub members positioned adjacent and at substantially right angels to the inner surface of the carton blank are provided with radially extending lug members along their circumferences. The lug members engage the tabs and fold them at an angle to the surface of the carton blank. The assemblies of hub and lug members may be positioned beneath the upper reach of the carton blank conveyor in order to fold the tabs upwardly.

After the top panel tabs are initially erected at an angle to the panel, they are engaged by folding bar means which fold the tabs in the same direction until they assume a substantially right angle position. At this point, the tabs enter into track means which hold the tabs as the blank continues to be advanced.

Following the initial erection of the bottom panel tabs the tabs are engaged by folding bar means which fold the tabs additionally in the same direction. To insure that the resiliency of the carton blank material does not urge the bottom panel tabs back toward their ' original position in the carton blank, means are provided for folding the tabs substantially into contact with the carton blank in the direction of the original folding. Folding bars disposed at an angle to the line of travel of the bottom panel tabs urge them into a position at substantially right angles to the carton blank. Additional folding bars then engage the tabs and fold them in the same direction as the previous foldings until the tabs are brought substantially against the carton blank. The fold line of the tabs may be then passed beneath roller means to insure that the tabs are forced substantially against the carton blank.

In order to position the bottom panel tabs in their final position with respect to the carton blank, other folding bar means are provided to urge the tabs in the opposite direction of the previous folding so that the tabs are finally positioned in a plane substantially at right angles to the plane of the carton blank and parallel to their line of travel on the carton blank conveyor.

The cans are delivered into the machine in groups containing rows of cans. Each group in turn is wrapped in a single carton blank. The conveyor delivering the groups of cans into the machine is synchronized with the carton blank conveyor so that one carton blank may be positioned over each of the incoming groups.

The means for inserting the tabs of the top panel between the chimes at the top portions of the cans in a given group include curved guides which hold the carton blank in place against the conveyor as it passes from the upper to the lower portion of the conveyor and in addition curved track members which maintain the tabs at right angles to the carton blank as it passes from the upper to the lower portion. At the point where the groups of cans being delivered enter beneath the carton blank conveyor, guide means are provided to insure that the adjacent rows of cans are separated in order to - permit the tabs extending from the top panel to be inserted between their upper chimes. The curved track means serves to hold the tabs extending from the top panel in the right angle position until the tabs begin to pass in between the chimes so as to preclude the possibility of the tabs from interfering with the top portions of the cans. The groups of cans with a carton blank placed upon their top portions then advance beneath means for wrapping the side panels of the carton blank around the outside of the rows of cans. This means includes a rotating folder which forces the side panels to swing downwardly against the cans.

The cans then advance to the point where means are provided for inserting the bottom panel tabs between the bottom chimes of the cans in the adjacent rows. At this point it should be noted that the tabs of the bottom closure panel are still at a substantially right angle position with respect to the panel. A horizontal folding bar adjacent to the outer portions of the chimes of the containers urges the closure panel in an upward' direction so that the panel bears upon an inclined guide. The extending tabs are directed by the inclined guide so that they enter against a vertically disposed guide plate which urges the tabs in a direction of the region between the chimes of the cans in the adjacent rows;

During the travel of the cans from a point prior to the contact of the closure panel with the inclined guide the chimes of the cans are separated by a wedge-like guide means to insure sufficient clearance between the chimes to receive the tabs of the bottom panel. As the bottom panel is folded upwardly, the cans in the row adjacent to it are supported by a narrow support plate adjacent to the center line of the path of travel of the group of cans. The adjacent row is supported by an· additional support plate member. As the cans continue to advance; the urging of the horizontal folding bar completes the upward movement of the closure panel until the tabs have been completely inserted between the chimes and the closure panel bears upon the narrow support plate beneath the row of cans adjacent to the closure panel.

At this point the wedge-like guide means separating the rows of cans converges and terminates thereby permitting the cans to move against the tabs disposed between their lower chimes. At the same time the' cans oh the narrow support plate pass beyond its termination so that the closure panel containing the tab may move beneath and into direct contact with the can bottoms. The closure panel then enters upon a support plate leading to

3,061,986 the next portion of the machine where the closing and locking of the package is completed. In the final portion of the machine, the closure panel containing a locking flap and rotary catches is folded upwardly to engage the catches with the latch openings adjacent to the tabs of the bottom closure panel and the lock of the carton is thereby completed.

Description

In the drawings, I have illustrated a machine to show the best mode contemplated by me of carrying out my invention for applying a carton blank having tabs adapted for insertion between the chimes of the cans to be packaged therein.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the carton blank conveyor and the means for erecting the tabs at substantially right angles to the carton blank.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the machine taken along the line 2—2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along the line 3—3 in FIG. 1 showing the rotating lug members for initiating the folding of the carton blank tabs.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the tracks for holding the tabs of the top panel in substantially a vertical position taken along the line 4—4 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the curved guides of the carton blank conveyor taken along the line 5—5 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the means for separating the rows of cans during insertion of the tabs taken along the line 6—6 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the folding bar means for initially folding the tabs of the bottom closure panel taken along the line 7—7 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the folding bar means for additionally folding the tabs extending from the bottom closure panel taken along the line 8—8 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the roller means for folding the tabs of the bottom closure panel against the carton blank taken along the line 9—9 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the folding bar means for urging the tabs of the bottom closure panel into a substantially right angle position with respect to the carton blank taken along the line 10—10 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the guide to maintain the positioning of the tabs of the bottom closure panel taken along the line 11—11 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged plan view of the machine adjacent the means for inserting the tabs of the bottom closure panel between the chimes.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the means for inserting the tabs of the bottom closure panel taken along the line 13—13 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing the insertion of the tabs of the bottom closure panel between the cans.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing the initiation of the upward folding of the bottom closure panel taken along the line 15—15 in FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing the entry of the tabs of the bottom closure panel between the chimes of the cans taken along the line 16—16 in FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing the further travel of the tabs of the bottom closure panel between the chimes of the cans taken along the line 17—17 in FIG. 14.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing the tabs installed between the cans.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged plan view of the carton blank.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the machine showing a modified form of the means for separating the cans.

Carton blanks 20 (FIG. 1) are delivered into the ma5 chine by carton blank conveyor 21 which includes chains 22. Pusher blocks 23 are attached at spaced intervals to chain 22. Carton blanks 20 may be provided with a closure similar to that disclosed in the copending application of Arthur J. Weiss, Serial No. 743,728, filed July 10 15, 1958. The carton blanks (FIG. 19) includes top panel 24, side panels 25 and 26 and bottom closure panels 27 and 28. The panels are connected to the adjacent ones by means of fold lines which are provided with cuts 29 in order to clear and accommodate the chimes 30 and 15 31 of cans 32 in the completed package. Bottom closure panel 28 is provided with latching flap 33 attached to it by fold line 34. Fold line 34 is interrupted at intervals by rotary catches 35 which extend in the direction of bottom closure panel 28. Latching flap 33 contains 20 tongues 36 extending opposite to rotary catches 35 from along fold line 37. Bottom closure panel 27 contains latch openings 38 which are adapted to receive rotary catches 35 during the closing of carton 20 about cans 32. Latch openings 38 may be provided with relieved 25 portions 39 along the side adjacent to the end portion of the carton blank.

In packaging cans 32 having chimes 30 and 31 it is necessary that the carton blank be applied to the cans with sufficient tightness to insure that they cannot acci30 dently fall from within the carton. If during packaging the chimes of the cans in the adjacent row are aligned and forced into contact with one another a tight package may be temporarily formed within the packaging machine blit upon exposing the package to impact or vibration the 35 chimes may move into an overlapped or offset relationship with one another with the result that looseness is imparted to the package in the lateral direction. This looseness may destroy the effectiveness of the carton. To avoid this condition, the carton blank is provided with tabs 40 and 40 41 located in top panel 24 and bottom closure panel 27, respectively.

In the completed package tabs 40 and 41 are positioned inwardly with respect to the carton at substantially right angles to the adjacent panels and disposed between the 45 chimes of the cans in the adjacent rows. Placement of tabs 40 and 41 between the chimes prevents any overriding of the chimes in the completed package and thus eliminates the possibility of loosening the package once it has been applied about the cans. Tabs 46 disposed in 50 top panel 24 may be forced inwardly with respect to the completed carton so that one may insert his fingers in the openings formed by the tabs to carry the package.

As carton blanks 20 enter the machine along carton blank conveyor 21 (FIG. 1), the blanks are supported in 55 their central portions by chains 22. At one end of carton blank 20, tongues 36 are supported by plate 47 and guided in the direction of travel by side rail 48. At the opposite end of the carton blank the end portions of bottom closure panel 27 is supported by plate 49 and guided by side rail 60 50. Plates 48 and 49 and in turn side rails 48 and 50 are supported by cross members 51 and 52 which are mounted upon machine frame members 53 and 54.

As the carton blank is advanced between side rails 48 and 50, it passes beneath rails 55 and 56 which are 65 separated from one another by spacer 57 (FIG. 4). The resulting configuration of rails 55 and 56 and spacer 57 is that of an inverted U-shaped member which is disposed parallel to the line of travel of the carton blank into the machine and substantially along the path of travel of 70 fold lines 42, which attach tabs 40 to top panel 24. The inverted U-shaped assembly is supported by brackets 58 which are attached to cross member 51. At the opposite end the rail assembly is supported by brackets 59 attached to cross member 52 (FIG. 2).

In order to erect tabs 40 and 41, carton blank 20 is ad3,061,985 line of travel of the tab in order to fold it in a direction opposite to that of the prior folding operations (FIG. 10). The tapered portion of folding bar 86 which is supported by rail 50 terminates in portion 87 (FIG. 1) which is parallel to the line of travel of the carton blank. Portion 87 serves as a support to tab 41 which has just been reverse-folded to the right angle position with respect to the carton blank (FIG. 11). It should be noted that due to the dual directions of folding of tab 41 and the extent to which it is folded, tab 41 is now firmly positioned so that it may maintain its position even after support has been removed from it.

Cans 32 are delivered into the machine in groups to be packaged in a single carton blank. The cans within a group are arranged in rows parallel to the line of travel of the group of cans -through the machine. The incoming cans are delivered along plates 88 (FIG. 2) by pushers 89 attached to chains 90. At the end portion of plates 88 cans 32 pass onto plates 91 and 92 beneath the portion of the machine where the carton blanks are placed upon the groups of cans. As the cans approach the end portions of plates 88, the rows of cans are parted by separating member 93 disposed therebetween.

At this location carton blanks 20 are advanced from the upper reaches of carton blank conveyor 21 down toward the incoming cans. The carton blanks are advanced around rollers 94 attached to shaft 95. Sprockets 96 over which pass carton blank conveyor chains 22 are also attached to shaft 95. To insure that carton blanks are maintained in contact with rollers 94 curved guides 97 are mounted by means of brackets 98 from frame member 52. As the carton blanks pass from the upper reaches of the carton blank conveyor, tabs 40 are guided by curved portions 99 of guides 55 and 56. Curved portions 99 insure that tab 40 is in alignment with the spacing between chimes 32 caused by the action of separating member 93. During the transfer from the upper reaches of the conveyor, tabs 41 pass beyond straight portion 87 and travels in a position at right angles to the carton blank free of any additional support. As the group of cans 32 advancing onto plates 91 and 92, tabs 40 are inserted in the space between the cans.

Spacing is provided between the end portion of plates 88 and the beginning of plates 91 and 92 in order to clear pusher bars 100 which are attached to chains 101 by brackets 102. Chains 101 travel over sprockets 103 which are mounted upon shaft 104. Side guide rails IOSdisposed along the lines of -travel of cans 32 insure that the cans remain in alignment upon plates 91 and 92. As ou _The i_nserti_{on o}f tabs 40 between the rows of cans is substantially completed at the area beneath shaft 95. For this reason the termination of separating member 93 is located substantially beneath shaft 95.

Upon additional forward movement of the group of cans with carton blank 20 overlying -them, the group passes beneath rotating folder 106 including folding blades 107 attached to arms 108 which are mounted upon shaft 109 (FIG. 2). Rotating folder 106 forces side panels 25 and 26 into contact with the side portions of cans 32. The side panels then pass within the end portions of guide rails 105α and 105b which converge toward the cans and urge the side panels against them.

Beyond the termination of separating member 93, the spacing of side guide rails 105α and 105b the cans in one row to advance substantially in contact with the cans in the other row. The cans advance in contact with one another until the ends of side guide rails 105α and 105b are reached at a point slightly before the location of ?₀ separator 110 which has a wedge-like end portion 111. Adjacent the end -portion of one of the side guide rails 105α and 105b, plate 92 converges toward the center of the path -of travel of the cans. Adjacent to the end portion of side guide rail 105α, folding bar 113 disposed vanced by conveyor 21 past rotating hubs 60 and 61 to which are attached along their circumference lug members 62 and 63, respectively (FIG. 3). The number and location of the lug members with respect to the rotating hubs are determined by the number and location of tabs 40 and 41 in tne carton blank. Consequently, depending upon the spacing between the tabs, the lug members may be irregularly spaced about the circumference of the hubs. Hub 60 and 61 are attached to collars 64 and 65, respectively, mounted upon shaft 66 which in turn is supported by bearings 67 and 68 carried by frame member 69. The hubs are driven in rotation by means of chain 70 which drives sprocket 71 attached to shaft 66. Shaft 66 is positioned so that rotating hubs 60 and 61 have their circumference substantially tangential to the outer surface of carton blank 20. In this way the rotating hubs (FIG. 2) drive lug members into contact with tabs 40 and 41, forcing them upwardly in the direction away from the inner surface of carton blank 20. The rotation of the hubs imparts a punching motion to the lug member which in turn folds the tabs out of the plane of the carton blank.

As tabs 40 are advanced beyond the point overlying shaft 66 where lug members 62 fold the tabs, the tabs contact the angled surface 72 of rail 56 which urges them in the direction of the initial folding action. Angled surface 72 gradually folds tabs 40 to a position substantially at right angles to the plane of top panel 24 at which point tabs 40 pass between the parallel portions of rails 56 and SS. From this point on the inverted U configuration formed by rails 55 and 56 maintain the tabs in the right angle position.

As tabs 41 pass beyond a position overlying shaft 66 they contact curved surface 73 disposed at an angle to their line of travel and attached to guide 74. Guide 74 is attached by spacer 75 to guide 76 thereby forming an 35 inverted U-shaped section (FIG. 3). Guide 76 is supported by brackets 77 (FIG. 7) which are attached to side rail 50. Contact of tab 41 with curved surface 73 causes the tab to be folded upwardly and the forward motion of the carton blank carries tab 41 between guides 74 and 76 40 so as to maintain its upwardly folded position.

As the carton blank continues to be advanced by conveyor 21, tab 40 remains between rails 5’5 and 56. The forward motion of the carton blank carries tab 41 from between guides 74 and 76 so that the tab is advanced against angled guide 78 (FIG. 7) which is positioned above the surface of the carton blank. The plane of the surface of angled guide 78 is substantially vertical and intersects the line of travel of tab 41. Angled guide 78 is supported by brackets 79 attached to side rail 50. . tab 41 is advanced against angled guide 78, the forward motion of the tab causes it to be folded in the direction of the initial fold caused by lugs 63 until the tab passes beneath the lower edge 80 of angled guide 78 (FIG. 8). This folding action brings tab 41 substantially against the 55 inner surface of bottom closure panel 27. As the carton blank continues to advance, tab 41 passes beneath roller 81 (FIG. 9) which is positioned above and in line with the line of travel of fold line 43 of tab 41. The spacing of the circumference of roller 81 from the inner surface of θθ bottom closure panel 27 is predetermined so that the roller forces the tab firmly against the inner surface of the carton and effects a definite crimping of fold line 43. Roller 81 is mounted upon shaft 82 which is supported by bracket 83. Bracket 83 is mounted on guide 84 extending from angled guide 78.

With further forward motion of the carton blank tab 41 is advanced beneath guide 84 until the tab passes beyond the end portion 85 (FIG. 1). At this point the normal resiliency of the material of tab 41 begins to elevate it with respect to the inner surface of the closure panel. To insure that tab 41 is positioned substantially at right angles to the closure panel inner surface, fold- _ , ________a ing bar 86 is positioned with its surface intersecting the 75 in a plane beneath the bottoms of°the cans beginsto

3,061,985

7.

converge toward the center line of the machine in the direction of the travel of the cans (FIG. 12). The convergence of folding blade 113 (FIG. 15) initiates the upward folding of bottom closure panel 27 from which tab 41 extends. Separator 110 serves to part the two rows of cans at a predetermined distance at the location adjacent to the point where folding blade 113 initiates the upward folding of bottom closure panel 27. The inner surface of bottom closure panel 27 then contacts inclined guide bar 114 (FIGS. 12 and 15) as the blank continues to advance. Separator 110 is supported by bracket 115 which is attached to support 116 by screws 119. Support 116 is attached to plate 91 by screws 117 and to plate 92 by screws 118.

As the carton and a group of cans is advanced beyond end portion 120 of bracket 115, the upward swinging of bottom closure panel 27 by means of folding blade 113 causes the inner surface of the closure panel to travel along the lower portion of guide 114. Guide 114 has an initial portion positioned at an angle toward the center line of the machine in the direction of travel.. As the carton continues to advance tabs 41 extending from bottom closure panel 27 are directed along the surface of guide 114 (FIG. 16). Guide 114 which is mounted beneath plate 112 by screws 121 supports tabs 41 in a position substantially at right angles to closure panel 27. Since closure panel 27 is being folded upwardly, the initial portion of guide 114 has a warped surface, the lower portion of which contacts tabs 41. As tabs 41 follow along the lower edge of guide 114 the tabs reach a point where the lower edge is inclined upwardly, thereby enabling the upward folding of panel 27 to continue.

The free ends of tabs 41 then contact vertical blade 122 which is attached to support 116 by means of screws 123. Adjacent the end portion of bracket 120, separator 110 is provided with a portion 124 havnig an inverted U-shaped form. The inverted U-shaped form provides clearance to the extremity of tab 41 as it is directed upwardly between the chimes 31 of the cans under the guiding action of vertical blade 122 (FIG. 16).

In the direction of the line of travel through the machine, upper edge 125 of vertical blade 122 is inclined downwardly so that as tab 41 is urged upwardly by the upward movement of closure panel 27 the free end of tab 41 passes above upper edge 125 and enter into the inverted U-shaped form of separator 124. As the upward motion of tab 41 continues the cans pass onto convergent portion 126 of plate 92. Adjacent the beginning of convergent portion 126 vertical blade 122 due to the inclination of upper edge 125 has been reduced to a narrow section at which point tab 41 is completely positioned within the U-shaped portion of separator 110.

Beyond the end of convergent portion 126, separator 110 converges and terminates. Adjacent to this termination, support plate 127 begins substantially in alignment with the end portion of convergent section 126. Adjacent to the termination of convergent portion 126 side rails 128 and 129 which are disposed along the region adjacent to the separator 110 terminate. The rows of cans then pass between guides 130 and 131 having converging end portions.

Additional forward movement of the carton blank and cans carries one row of cans onto the narrow portion 132 extending from plate 91 and the other row onto support plate 127. From this point on the carton can be closed and locked by apparatus in accordance with my copending application Serial No. 744,634, filed June 26, 1958.

In a modification of the machine, separators 133 and 134 may be disposed along the center line of the machine in alignment wtih separating member 93 and separator 110. Separators 133 and 134 serve to maintain the rows of cans intact as they are advanced beneath rotating folder 106. If the cans should be permitted to migrate from their individual rows, a jamming or stoppage could result at wedge-like end portion 111.

Since separator 133 is thinner than separating member 93, the cans can move toward one another as the cans 5 advance from one member to the other. The moving of the cans toward one another is essential to the smooth folding of the blanks over the cans by means of rotating folder 106. Slot 135 in separator 133 is adapted to receive the adjacent portions of chimes 31 as the cans pass 10 beneath rotating folder 106.

Operation

Carton blanks 20 are delivered into the machine along carton blank conveyor 21 which conveys the carton blanks in a direction opposite to that of the travel of the cans through the machine. Side rails 48 and 50 guide the carton blanks as they are conveyed (FIG. 1).

As the carton blanks are conveyed into the machine, means are provided for erecting the top and bottom panel tabs so that they may be subsequently inserted between the chimes of the cans in the adjacent rows (FIG. 2). Initially, top panel tabs 40 are folded out of the plane of the carton blank by the engagement of lug members 62 with the overlying tabs (FIG. 3). Tabs 40 are then folded to a position substantially at right angles to the plane of the blank by means of engagement with angled surface 72 extending from rail 56. The top panel tabs then pass between rails 55 and 56 which are spaced apart so as to entrap tabs 40 and maintain them in a right angle position as the blank is advanced into the machine (FIG. 4).

Bottom panel tabs 41 are initially folded from the plane of the blank by means of lug members 61 which engage the tabs and fold them upwardly. The tabs then are engaged by curved surface 73 extending from guide 74 and are thereby elevated substantially at right angles to the plane of the carton blank (FIG. 7). Tab 41 then is advanced between spaced guides 74 and 76 which serve to maintain the tabs at right angles to the blank. Tabs 41 then contact angled guide 78 which serves to fold tabs 41 in the direction of the initial folding so that the tabs pass beneath its lower edge 80 (FIG. 8).

While folded substantially against the inner surface of the carton blank tabs 41 are passed beneath roller 81 to insure that the fold line of the tabs are sufficiently compressed or broken (FIG. 9). The carton blank continues to advance and tabs 41, due to their resilience, spring upwardly from the inner surface of the carton blank and are engaged by folding bar 86 which serves to further elevate the tabs until they are substantially at right angles to the inner surface of the carton blank (FIGS. 11 and 12). The reverse folding of tabs 41 insures that they will maintain the right angle position after all support is removed _ from them.

⁶⁸ Cans 32 are advanced into the machine by chains 90 across plate 88. The point at which the cans 32 are delivered to the machine is adjacent and below the location where the carton blanks are delivered from the carton blank conveyor onto the cans. The means for inserting ⁶⁰ the top panel tabs between the chimes of the cans in the adjacent rows includes rollers 94 over which the carton blanks pass as they are moved from carton blank conveyor 21 onto the cans (FIG. 5). Curved guides 97 insure that the carton blanks remain in contact with the ⁸⁵ rollers as they are directed downwardly onto the groups of cans being advanced beneath.

Curved portion 99 of rails 55 and 56 holds top panel tabs 40 at substantially right angles to the carton blank ₇₀ and direct the tabs to enter between the upper chimes ° of cans 32 which are parted into two rows by means of separating member 93 (FIG. 6). Because of the reverse folding operation performed upon bottom panel tabs 41, the tabs remain erected at substantially right angles to the panel as the carton blank is transferred from the carton

3,061,985 blank conveyor to a position overlying the top portions of the cans in the group.

The means for conveying the carton blanks and groups of cans together through the machine includes pusher blocks 23 attached to chains 22 and engaging the rear edge of the carton blank and the rear portion of the rear cans in the groups (FIG. 2). At the same time pusher bars 100 attached to chains 101 urge the lower rear sides of the rear cans in the group forward through the machine.

Before approaching the means for inserting the bottom panel tabs the rows of cans converge against one another having passed beyond the end portion of separating member 93. Here, rotating folder 106 forces the side panels against the sides of the cans. The side panels then pass in between guide rails 105α and b.

As the cans advance the rows are separated from one another for the second time by means of the wedge-like end portion 111 of separator 110 (FIGS. 11 and 1,2). At this point folding blade 113 advances toward the center line of the machine with the effect that bottom closure panel 27 is folded upwardly against the lower edge of guide 114 (FIG. 15). As the cans continue to advance the pressure of the free edge of folding blade 113 upon bottom closure panel 27 causes the panel to 25 follow along the lower edge of guide 114 until the panel contacts the bottom edge of vertical blades 122 (FIG. 16). With bottom closure panel is contact with the lower edge of vertical blade 122 bottom panel tab 41 is moved against the side portion of the vertical blade and is thereby supported and at the same time guided in a direction of the region between the chimes of the cans in the adjacent rows. The bottom panel travels along the upward sloping vertical blade 122 and the bottom panel tabs 41 pass between chimes 31 of the cans and are received within the slot in portion 124 of separator 110 (FIGS. 14 and 17).

With tabs 41 inserted between chimes 31 of the cans, the cans are advanced beyond end portion 124 of separator 110 so that the rows of cans may converge .against one another. At this point the cans in the row adjacent to bottom closure panel 27 pass from convergent portion 126 of support plate 92 and enter upon support plate 127 having the bottom closure panel folded beneath. Here guides 130 and 131 serve to maintain the cans in alignment and ready to enter the portion of the machine (not shown) in which means are provided for closing and securing the carton blanks about the group of cans.