Carton opening device

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