US2792031A - Container conveying and positioning machine for a packaging apparatus - Google Patents

Description

y 14, 1957 J. w. BATCHELDER 2,792,031

CONTAINER CONVEYING AND POSITIONING v MACHINE FOR A PACKAGING APPARATUS Filed May 25, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. JAMt-S- W BATCIIEZBER May 14, 1957 J. w. BATCHELDER CONTAINER CONVEYING AND POSITIONING MACHINE FOR A PACKAGING APPARATUS 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 25, 1954 INVENTOR. JAMES m 84 TCIIEZDEE 88 A L N. Mm 8% 34 n x Q9 v3 v3 m y 1957 J. w. BATCHELDER 2,792,031

CONTAINER CONVEYING AND posrrxonmc MACHINE FOR A PACKAGING APPARATUS Filed May 25, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.. JAMES M. BfiTCl/[L 05/? A? free/vars May 14, 1957 J. w. BATCHELDER 2,792,031

CONTAINER CONVEYING AND POSITIONING MACHINE FOR A PACKAGING APPARATUS Filed May 25, 1954 s Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig.4

INVENTOR. 8

JAMES W. A Tel/406? 2M *MM May 14, 1957 Filed May 25, 1954 J. W. BATCHELDER CONTAINER CONVEYING AND POSITIONING MACHINE FOR A PACKAGING APPARATUS 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Fla, 164a.

JAMES w. BATCHELDER fio/M *XYOZM AT TORNE Ys May 14, 1957 J. w. BATCHELDER 2,792,031

CONTAINER CONVEYING AND POSITIONING MACHINE FOR A PACKAGING APPARATUS Filed May 25, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 [123m 6 l fl m M 235 D aw,-

259 D [I an namt lj 14OLT L 240: V INVENTOR.

' JAMES w. BATCHELDER A TTORNEYS y 4, 1957 J. w. BATCHELDER 2,792,031

CONTAINER CONVEYING AND POSITIONING MACHINE FOR A PACKAGING APPARATUS Filed May 25, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 IN V EN TOR. JAMES W 547 C [If LDE R United States PatentC CONTAINER CONVEYING AND POSITIONING MACHINE FOR A PACKAGING APPARATUS James W. Batchelder, Ascutney, Vt. Application May 25, 1954, Serial No. 432,219

20 Claims. (Cl. 141-153) The present invention relates to a package filling appa-' ratus, for example, an apparatus for filling screws, nuts, rivets and other items into containers, and more particularly to a container conveying and positioning mechanism stricted to use with, means for feeding screws adapted to receive screws in bulk and deliver them in controlled flow to a box filling station of a packaging apparatus wherein an electric screw counting device is provided including a count totalizer adapted to be set at an exact desired count for sending a signal to a flow stopping device to shut off the flow at desired count. The machine of this invention includes a continuously moving endless conveying surface, for example, a rotary type table, for conveying empty boxes from a box feed point such as an operators table to the box filling station of the ma-' chine and from the filling station to a discharge point, all in an orderly fashion. A box escapement mechanism is provided above the conveying surface for receiving and delivering empty boxes successively to the filling station and for expelling filled boxes therefrom when the final count to each is attained. The machine is substantially entirely automatic, requiring operator attenti-on only for supplying the rotary table or other conveyor with empty boxes and for removal of filled boxes discharged therefrom.

Though not herein shown, conveyor means may be used in conjunction with this invention for delivery of boxes to and removal from the feed and discharge points of the rotary table.

A principal object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus including means for conveying boxes to and orienting them in a box filling station to receive screws delivered thereto for packaging and for removing filled boxes from the filling station to a discharge point automatically.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description and the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus with certain par-ts shown in fragmentary form and certain others broken away for the sake of clarity;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the rotary table type box conveying machine;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section taken substantially along the staggered line 3-3 in Fig. 2 through the supporting pivot post of the rotary table, with ceitain parts broken away;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view taken as indicated by the line 44in Fig. 2 to show in side elevation certainice elements of a box escapement mechanism associated with the rotary table;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of a single revolution clutch mechanism for the box escapement taken along the line 55 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a vertical partial section taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the clutch key and clutch latch bar shown separated from other clutch elements;

Fig. Sis a control circuit diagram;

Fig. 9 is a partial plan view of the table center post showing a modification of the single revolution clutch means, viewed from the line 9-9 in Fig. 10;

Fig. 10 is an irregular vertical section through the clutch taken approximately along the staggered line 10 10 in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a modification of the circuit of Fig. 8; and

Fig. 12 is a detailed view of a flow control regulating boxes individually and successively at a box filling station; an operators table D for receiving empty boxes being loaded to the box feeding mechanism and filled boxes discharged therefrom; and mechanism for delivering the screws to be packed at the filling station on the,

table in controlled, counted flow including a feeding ma.-

chine F of the track discharge type and screw counting and flow control mechanism G.

The operators table D at one side of the apparatus comprises an extended plate 20 mounted by brackets 21 to the top plate 22 of the pedestal A to provide a horizontal box handling surface level with the surface of the circular rotary box conveyor table 23 of the box feeding mechanism B.. The inward side of the horizontal plate 20 is arcuately recessed at 24 to conform with and p 7 receive the traveling edge of the circular or annular rotating conveyor table 23, and lateral curb members 25, 26 and inner edge curb members 27, 28 terminating at recess 24 partially enclose the working surface of table D.

The rotary table 23, which in its counter-clockwise rotation provides an annular box conveying surface for transporting boxes or other upwardly open containers or packaging units P, shown by dashed outlines in the drawings, from the table D to the box positioning mechanism C and back to the table D, as may be seen in Figs. 3, 9, and 10, has on its under side a cylindrical hub structure 30 journalled about a hollow table pivot post 31 supported by the top plate 22 of the pedestal, while a cylindrical flange 32 concentric with the hub forms a pulley for the driving V-belt 33. Suitable thrust beartively by pins 36 to the outwardly extending bottom' flange 37 on the pivot post and by pins 38 to the end of the table hub. Longitudinal grooves 39 in the pivot post extending down to the bearing rings and radial grooves 40 extending radially into the bearing face of the upper ring 35 may be provided for lubricationJ A flat circular pivot post cap plate (for convenience in assembly and maintenance such as cap plate being split into two segments 41a, 41b), extending radially into the circular recess 42 about the hub opening of the r0- tary table, is secured to the upper end of the pivot post by bolts 43 threaded into the inwardly extending flange 44 thereof.

Within and adjacent the bottom end of the pivot post there is provided an integral inwardly extending plate 46, and likewise near the upper end, a lug 47 for supporting a clutch structure I-I hereinafter described for the operation of the box escapement mecha nism. For access to the under side of the pivot post 'the pedestal top plate 22 is apertured at 48.

To facilitate changing of the endless V-belt, the rotary table pivot post 31 is supported at opposite sides by a pair of parallel spacer bars 51, 52 resting on pedestal top plate 22, which bars normally support the entire weight of the pivot post and other structures bearing thereon. Across the bottom of the pivot post there is provided on opposite sides corresponding foot formations 54, 55 laterally projecting beyond flange 37 to bear on the spacer bars, and the pivot post 31 is normally secured to the upper member 22 of the pedestal by bolts or'machine screws 57 passed through the projecting ends of these feet, the spacer bars and the top plate of the pedestal. However, at a position corresponding to the mid-length of each of these feet 54 and S, flange 37 is provided with outwardly and extending lugs 58 and 59 threaded to receive vertical socket head set screws 60 and 61 spaced from the feet. Thus upon removal of the securing screws 57, and turning say the set screw 60 down to bear upon the top plate 22 of the pedestal and so take up the weight of the pivot post, the spacer bar 51 may be slid out from beneath the pivot post. By similar manipulation the other spacer bar may be removed after replacement of the first.

Thus when change of the endless V -belt 33 is necessary, the belt may be passed under the set screw at one side of the pivot post, the set screw turned down to take up the weight of the pivot post and annexed structures, the spacer bar removed to permit advancing the belt into the space under and between the spacer bars. The spacer bar may then be replaced and the set screw released. The second spacer bar may be removed at the opposite side in a similar manner, the V-belt then advanced into the space between the second spacer bar and its set screw, so that after replacement of the second spacer bar and release of its set screw, the new belt is then located about the pivot post for final connection.

At one side of the apparatus on the lateral plate member 70 of the pedestal, there is mounted a box feeding mechanism power assembly I comprising an electric motor 71 and speed reduction unit 72 adjustably mounted by means of a slide member 73 extending from the base of the power unit into a supporting slideway member 74 secured to the pedestal. On the vertically extending shaft of the reduction unit 72 there are keyeda V-belt driving pulley 76 and a chain sprocket 75 which drive respectively the rotary table 23 through V-belt 33, and the escapement mechanism C through. the sprocket chain 77 on the sprocket wheel 78 of the clutch mechanism H. An idler sprocket wheel 79 is carried onan arm 80 bolted to the top plate 22 at selected position by a single bolt for taking up slack in chain 77 after the tension of V-belt 33 is adjusted by setting the position of power assembly I relative to slideway member 74.

An inverted U-shapedyoke member 82, the vertical legs 83 of which are fixed to and supported by the top plate 22 of the pedestal A, provides a horizontal beam 84 spanning the portion of the rotary table 23 let into the operators table D. With vertical post 85 secured to pivot cap plate 41b, beam 84.provides support for the base plate 86 mounting above the table, the mechanism F for feeding screws, and also serves to support box guiding vanes.

, One guide plate 90 extends from table D arcuately about one side of the rotary table 23 curving inwardly to the escapement mechanism C, being supported at one end by curb member 27 of the operators table, laterally by a curved plate 91 secured to and extending upwardly from the pedestal and at the inner end by the escapement structure C.

A second guide plate 92 extends around the edge of the rotary table 23 from theouter end of the escapement mechanism C back to the operators table, being supported' at one end by structuralmembers of the escapement, laterally by a plate 93 extending upward from the pedestal, and at the other end by the inner curb member 28 of the operator's table. A pair of posts 95, 96 extending downwardly from the beam portion 84 of the yoke member 82 toward the table, support a horizontal slideway 97 wherein the guide plate or strip 98 is slidably adjustably secured by wing nut 99. The curved end portion of 98, being spaced from plate 90, provides a box entrance to the rotary table adapted to direct the boxes into proximity to plate 90. The ends of a straight guide member 101}, which extends obliquely outwardly onto the operators table are secured to post 95 and to the table plate 20, while a curved guide plate or strip 101 extends outwardly between and is secured to the sec-0nd vertical post 96 and guide 100 to deflect to one side of table D boxes discharging from the rotary table in the channel formed by plate 182 secured to post 96 and the escapement mechanism structure in spaced relation to the discharge guide plate 92 at the periphery of the table.

The box escapement or positioning mechanism C may best be seen in Figs. 2 and 4, and in Fig. 3 for the clutch mechanism H thereof. A parallel pair of bars 110 and 111, supported at inner ends by posts 112 and 113, secured to the pivot cap plates 41a and 41b, and at their outer ends by bracket posts 114 and 115 extending upwardly outside the periphery of the rotary table from the top plate 22 of the pedestal, form a bridge mounting other components above and at one side of the rotary table. Thus, ends of the spaced inner and outer box discharge guide members 192 and 92 are secured respectively to the post 117 depending from bar 111 and to the horizontal spacing strut 118 between bracket posts 114--115, while plate 119 dependent from bar 119 provides an attachment for the radially outwardly bent inner end 9011 of the arcuate box guide member 90. A micro-switch. 121 bracketed to the outside face of plate 119 has its actuating button 121a bearing upon the upper arm 122a of a U- shaped switch trigger 122 pivotally secured along its yoke portion to plate 119 with its free end 123 projecting through an aperture in guide member end a. Outwardly of the position of plate 119, a plate 124 secured atop and transversely to bars and 111 provides a support projection at 124a for the slide block 125 of the screw flow control mechanism mounting hereinafter described.

A bracket post 128 depending downwardly from the bar 110, whereon its upper end is adjustably slideably mounted and set by wing nut 129, carries a finger or guide strip disposed generally parallel to the straight end portion 90b of the guide 99 to form a box orienting entrance of the escapement, while the free finger end 130a curves away from. the guide 90 to funnel boxes carried by'the rotary table into the escapement entrance. This structure, involving elements 128, 129', 130 and 90, omitted in Fig. 1 for clarity of representation of other structure', is apparent from Figs. 2 and 4. Opposite and at right angles to this entrance, 2. box stop 132, extending parallel to the end portion 90a of guide member 90, is adjustably mounted for movement toward and away from the escapement entrance by a laterally extending bar or arm 133 slideably mounted in a horizontal slideway 134 carried on the post 136 dependent from bar 111.

The box stop 132 and the portion 90a of guide 90 thus provide a radially directed channel or path-adjustable in width for the accommodation of various size box runs-along which boxes may be moved, in a manner to be explained, from the escapement entrance to a position beyond the inwardly reflected stop" end 132a, whence the boxes are carried on the perimeter of the rotating table into the box discharge channel leading back to the table D. The space between the vertical faces of 99a and 132 beyond the micro-switch trigger end 123 defines a box filling station beneath the screw feeder machine discharge track, tllfiifdOWllWfild projection of'which. in Fig.- 2' is partially outlined by dashed-dotted lines 138,

As may be seen in Figs. 2, 3, and 9, a box pusher arm 139 is slidably mounted on the top face of the pivot post cap structure by a guide bridge 140 of inverted channel shape bolted to the plate 41a for longitudinal reciprocation radially of the rotating table in pushing a box, carried by the rotary table through the escapement entrance to stop against 132, outwardly into the box filling station. The arm is urged outwardly by the force of a'compression spring 141 interposed between the block 142 depending from the bottom of the pusher arm into the slot 143 in the plate 41a and the L-shaped bracket 144 depending into the end of the slot. A lever 145, pivotally supported at one end by a support arm 146 bolted to the plate 41a and carrying at its other end a roller 147 projecting into the pusher bar slot 148, carries near its mid-point a cam following roller 149 bearing against the edge of a circular eccentric cam 150 secured to the upper end of the shaft 151 propecting upward through the plate 41a from the from the clutch mechanism H. Hence, as the eccentric cam in rotating through one revolution recedes from and advances toward the lever, the pusher bar slides outwardly under the force of the compression spring and is again carnmed inwardly to retracted position.

On the working end of pusher arm 139 there is aflixed a transverse vertical plate 152 for engaging a substantial lateral box area. or formed of coplanar metal strips, with a laterally projecting portion of the plate 152 slotted, allowing mutual interprojection thereof at right angles to prevent snagging of a box corner therebetween.

The general arrangement of the clutch mechanism H,

a single revolution clutch, is seen in Fig. 3 and in the details thereof appearing in Figs. 5 and 6. The clutch shaft 151 is journalled by a sleeve bearing in the cast lug 47 on the pivot post wall and is vertically supported thereon by the collar 161 secured thereto within an aperture in the plate 41a beneath cam 150, while the lower end of the shaft passes through and is pinned to a collar 163 journalled in bearing 164 in the support plate 46 projecting inwardly from the lower end of the pivot post. The lower end of the shaft 151, projecting through the collar 163, carries the continuously driven counterclockwise rotating sprocket wheel 78 held thereon by an end collar 165, the sprocket wheel hub face adjacent collar 163 being provided with a plurality of radial slots 166 for engagement by the end of a clutch key or pin 167, longitudinally slideable in a keyway slot 168 cut in the collar 163 to drive the shaft as hereinafter described.

Between the reduced upper end 163a of collar 163 and the lug 47, a switch cam collar 169 with a flat 169a thereon is secured to the shaft by a set screw. The leading edge 166a of each slot 166 in the hub of sprocket wheel 78 and corresponding edge 170 on the key end insure clutch engagement when the pin is free to move downwardly under the bias of compression spring 171 disposed in key bore 172 and bearing against the bottom of collar 169. At the upper end of the key a laterally extending head 173 propects radially from the reduced collar portion 163:: above the collar shoulder 163b, the under side of the projecting key head being beveled at 173:! on the edge toward the direction of rotation. A clutch actuating arm 1'75 pivotally mounted at one end to plate 46 by a pivot pin 176 is shaped at its free end to provide a beveled edge a and inward thereof a shoulder 17512 which respectively serve to lift the key out of engaged position by kniiing inwardly under the beveled edge 173a of the key head and to engage the head 173 to stop the shaft after a single turn.

A solenoid 177 secured by a bracket plate 178 to the clutch support plate46, with its armature connected to the clutch actuating arm 175 by a pivot link member 179,

upon energization withdraws the clutch arm from beneath i the key to permit engagement of the clutch The compresof a photoelectric counting;

Preferably the box stop 132 is slotted sion spring180-interposed between the bracket 181 and; the clutch actuating arm biases the arm toward clutch disengaging position, so that upon de-energization of the solenoid the actuating arm is moved into position in readiness to wedge under the head 173 and lift the key from clutch engaged position as it completes a revolution. The solenoid release micro-switch 182 mounted on the solenoid, with a roller 183 on its actuating button bear-- ing upon the cam collar 169, is actuated shortly after the clutch engages by passage of the cam collar flat 169a to de-energize the solenoid and release clutch arm 175.

To this end, the cam flat 169a is angularly positioned relative to the clutch pin in a rotationally lagging position, so that when the shaft comes to a stop with the clutch pin against shoulder 175b, the micro-switch roller 183 bears on a cylindrical portion of collar 16) ahead of the flat.

As may be seen from Fig. l, the feeding machine F for feeding screws is mounted above the rotary table upon a horizontal plate 86. This feeding machine, shown in drawings only in fragmentary portion since its specific structure is per se no part of the present invention, may be any machine having a hopper adapted to receive a large bulk of the ,screws and having a track type outlet where- .in thescrews are aligned in soldiered, oriented fashion for individual successive discharge, and adapted for stoppage of the screw discharge by merely blocking screws on the track without stopping the entire machine. machine may be, for example, such as that described in my co-pending application Serial. No. 293,303, filed June 16, 1952, wherein an inclined vibratory track appears in various modifications adapted to handle diverse objects. Here in the drawings the feeder F is fragmentarily represented only by the base portion and discharge track 138 comprising a pair of spaced members between which screws are discharged in soldiered manner with the heads supported on the top edge of the track members and the shanks suspended therebetween. Above the track 138 there is provided a holding bar 191 in adjustably spaced relation to the track for preventing the screws from riding over each other in their progress down the track. The holding member as here appears terminates a short distance above the end of the track, which is positioned directly above the box filling station, as indicated by the dash-dot lines in Fig. 2.

The screw counting and flow control mechanism for regulating the discharge of screws from the track includes a variable speed electric track motor 192, a speed reduction unit 193 and an electric brake 194 for the motor, supported as a unit upon a common base 195. Adjacent and above the end of the feeding track 138, the output shaft 196 of the speed reducer carries a rubbertired feed control wheel 197 disposed with its plane of rotation in the plane of motion of the screws down the feed track. The base plate of the assembly is pivoted at 195a to a slide member 198 adjustable in the slide block 125 carried by the transverse bar 124 on the escapement mechanism C, so that the assembly may be tilted about a horizontal pivot axis transverse to the plane of the track to swing the control wheel 197 away from or against screws on the track. To urge the track motor assembly and control wheel normally toward the track, between a bracket plate 199 on the slide mem ber 1923 and the bottom of the motor assembly base plate 195 a helical compression spring 200 is operatively disposed. Also carried by the bracket plate 199 is a solenoid 201 having its armature connected through the pivot link 202 to the outer end 203 of the track assembly base plate. Thus by the bias of the compression spring the track assembly is normally urged to bring the control wheel to bear upon the heads of the screws passing over the end of the feed track to initiate a controlled trickle flow with the wheel slowly turning and to stop the screw fiow when the control wheel is stationary, while The against thebias of the spring upon euergization of the solenoid to permit free flow of screws.

For adjustment of position ofthe track control wheel 197 relative to the track for varying sizes of screws, the track motor assembly'may be adjusted by moving the slide member 198 in the slide block 125,- as, for example, by a wing nut 205 threaded into the slide block with axisparallel to the slide and having a head flange 206 Beneath the engaged in a slot 207 in the slide member. control wheel 197 a photoelectric cell 208 and light source 209 directed to the cell are mounted on opposite sides of the track so that screws discharged therefrom and dropping into a box in the box filling station below will interrupt the light beam to produce a counting signal for a count totalizer. The cell and light source may be mounted onthe end of the track, the base plate of the track motor assembly or upon the structural members'of the box'esea'petnent feeding mechanism C, depending upon the design features used in these several structures. If desired achute or funnel structure 211 may be mounted below the feed track to guide the screws or other counted objects'into a container located at the filling station.

' The driving unit I for continuously driving the rotary table and the clutch sprocket wheel 78 and the driving units 220 of the feeder machine F may be switched on andoff by a master control switch 221 in the lines 222, 223 or by individual switches 224, 225 in conventional manner at the beginning and endof a Working period or screw packaging run, as shown in Fig. 8 representing a control system hereinafter described integrating the operation of the box escapement mechanism C and of the screw flow control assembly G whereby automatic operatior'i is provided.

An electronic or electromechanical counting and totalizing unit' 226 is provided into which are fed the signals generated by screws interrupting the light beam to the photo cell 293 in dropping to a boX in a filling station. Such totalizer is adapted to be set at a desired final screw count per count cycle (i. e. per box) to develop a first outputimpulse or signal at a point in the count a selectednumber previous to the final count and a second signal or impulse at the selected final count. The first impulse through one relay a in the unit opens the normally close-d relay switch contacts 228, and the second or final count impulse, through a second relay b, simultaneously opens the normally closed relay switch contacts 229 and closes the normally open relay switch contacts 230 for the purposes hereinafter described. Upon attaining the desired final or lot count for which the unit is preset, the totalizer automatically resets itself to zero for another lot of the same count, that is the unit is self-clearing. Since the totalizer 226 of the control system and its components may be of conventional design and are not per se in their particular structure part of the invention here claimed, no wiring diagram or detailed description is given for that unit, but only the operating characteristics required therein.

Operation of the escapement mechanism is controlled through a clutch solenoid relay having the switch contacts 231a thereof in series with clutch solenoid 177 across lines 222, 223, and second switch contacts 231b for self holding in series with the normally open clutch microswitch 182 and the relay coil 2310 across the lines 222, 223. A normally open starting switch 233, as a pushbutton switch, and the normally open relay switch contacts 238 are connected in parallel between line 222 and 21 point between coil 2310 and holding contacts 23111. Hence, if micro-switch 132 is of the normally open type and held closed by the cylindrical surface of cam collar 169, upon momentary closing of the starting switch 233, the relay coil 2310 is energized to close the relay holding switch 23111 and the solenoid swtich 231a. Thus solenoid 177 is energized to permit engagement of the clutch H. The transit of the cam flat 169a past the switch roller 133, after the shaft starts to rotate, briefly opens and then closes the micro-switch 182, thereby dc-energizing the relay coil 2311:" to cause opening of thesolenoid switch 231a and theself-holding switch 231b, de-energizing the clutch'solenoid 177 to release clutch arm- I-7 5.- Hence a' single turn of cam and a single strokeor reciprocation of pusher arm 139, thereby feeding a box into the filling station.

-When switch 230- is closed by the final count impulse produced by totalizing unit 226 after thedesired number of objects has passedinto a box in the filling station, the same cycle of clutch control operations is repeated to actuate the escapement mechanism, automatically feeding anempty box into position at the fillingstationwhile expelling the previously filled boxtherefrom.

Controls for the motor 192, electric brake 19 4 and solenoid 201' include means energizing solenoid 201- on receipt of a signal from micro-switch 121 when actuated by complete passage of a boxby its trigger arm 122, thereby to draw the screw flow control wheel 197 away from the tracks and to permit rapid screw flow; to simultaneously release" the motor brake 194 and start the motor 192 before the wheel comes into track engagement; to cut off current flow to solenoid 201 on receipt of the aforementioned first impulse from the totalizer, so that under bias of spring 200 the slowly turning control wheel 197 is swung-into contact with screw heads on the track to initiate trickle flow beneath the wheel; and to cut off powerto motor 192 and actuate motor brake 194 upon receipt of thesaid second totalizer output signal to stop the wheel rotation and hence the trickle flow at exact final count. Preferably there is provided a motor speed control means, suchas the variable auto-transformer 235 whereby the speed of rotation of wheel 197 may be presetin accordance with a particular size of screw being fed, or for the time required for operations of the apparatus.

As here shown the electrically controlled brake 194 and motor 192 are effectively in parallel with each other for operation as a unit, so that as current is supplied to start the motor, the brake is electrically-solenoidallydisengaged, the brake being spring engaged when current to the motor, and therefore to the brake solenoid, is cut off.

In series across the lines 222, 223 with the brakemotor'combination there is the normally open relay contact switch 237a closed by motor relay coil 237e, the motor relay including the relay self-holding switch 237b in series with the relay coil and with the normally closed switch 229, across lines 222, 223. Another normally open relay switch 239a-simultaneously closed with switch 23% by energization of relay coil 2390 as will be explainedis connected from coil 237C to line 222, that is in parallel with the series switches 229 and 237b. Hence upon momentary closing of 239a, coil 2370 is energized to close relay holding switch 237]) keeping the relay energized and closing 237a to start motor 192 and release brake 194. The opening of relay switch 229, occurring simultaneously with the closing of switch 230 to actuate the escapement upon final count signal as above explained, de-energizes coil 2370 to release an open relay holding switch 2371: and motor control switch 237a, thereby cutting off current to the motor 192 and brake 194 to stop wheel 197.

The solenoid 201, for drawing the control wheel unit away from the feed track, is connected in series with the normally open relay operated switch 240a across the lines 222, 223, while the relay coil 240a therefor is connected across the lines 222, 223, in series with the relay holding switch 240]) (closed by the coil with main switch 240a) and the normally closed relay switch 228. The relay switch 23% is connected in parallel with the series switches 228 and 24011 from the coil 240c to line 222, so that upon closing of 239!) along with 239a by energization of coil 239s} therelay c'oil- 2408 is energizedto close 240a and 240b, thereby keeping solenoid 201 energized gree er and the control wheel 197 drawn away from thetracki to allow free flow, until 228 is opened upon the first out-'.

put signal from the 'totalizer. With 228 opened 240a opens to de-energize the solenoid 201, permitting the wheel 197, now rotating, by the bias of the spring 200 to swing into engagement with objects on the track to initiate trickle flow.

The micro-switch 121 which serves as a box actuated trigger to start free flow of screws from the track to the filling station is a single-pole double throw switch, the arm of which is connected through capacitor 242, relay coil 239a and selenium rectifier 243 to line 223.

A capacitor 244 and resistor 245 in parallel are connected from a point between coil 239a and rectifier 243 to 222, for ripple smoothing of the half-wave power rectifier circuit. One point 246 of switch 121 is connected by resistor 247 to capacitor 242, so that as a box first engages switch 121, the switch arm is thrown to contact 246 to discharge 242. When the box has passed the switch, and therefore is positioned in the filling station, the switch arm returns to normal contact with switch point 248 connected to line 222. Thereupon current flows through relay coil 2390 until capacitor 242 is charged, the time being determined by the chosen values of the circuit elements involved. The current through coil 23% closes simultaneously the relay switches 239a and 23%, which of course open with the diminishing charging current. As

previously explained, closing of 23% causes solenoid 201 to withdraw the control wheel 197 from the engaged position where it withholds fiow on the feeder track, and the closing of 239a causes release of brake 194 and starting of motor 192.

In summary, at the start of a box filling run with the turntable motor 71 and hopper feeder motors 222 running, closing starting switch 233 momentarily actuates the single cycle clutch mechanism to position a box at the filling station. The box, in tripping micro-switch 121, 1

causes closing of relay switches 2391: and 239a to tilt the control wheel 197 from the track to start free counted flow of screws, and to start the rotation of control 197. At the chosen number before desired final count, the totalizer first output or warning signal causes relay switch 228 to open thereby elfecting release of the rotating control wheel to trickle flow position. At final count, the second output signal of the totalizer opens relay switch 229 thereby cutting off motor 192 and engaging brake 194 to stop flow at exact count; and also closes switch 230 to initiate the escapement single clutch mechanism for repetition of the cycle.

As long as boxes are present on the rotating table the above described composite cycle of operations continues until the last box is filled. When the second output signal of the totalizer corresponding to the final count for the last box actuates the clutch, a single stroke of the pusher arm follows, but since no box is thereby impelled into the filling station to trip the trigger arm 123 to actuate switch 121, switches 239a, b remain open, the control wheel 197 remains braked and in engaged position, and no flow of screws ensues to cause photocell signals. Hence no further output signals of the totalizer are developed to actuate either the flow control mechanism G or the clutch mechanism H, so that the opera tion thereof is automatically stopped. When a new supply of boxes is fed into the apparatus, the starting switch 223 in the circuit energizing the solenoid 177 must be closed to start the automatic feeding of the boxes. in the event that the supply of screws in the feeder machine is exhausted, since no photocell signals are fed to the totalizer, no output signals are developed, and the unfilled box remains in fiilling position until the hopper feeder is filled.

An electromagnetic type clutch H is shown in Figs. 9 and 10 mounted above the cam 150, similar reference numerals being used for elements similar to those in the previously described clutch mechanism H. Here the clutch input shaft 151a, journalled by sleeve bearings. 166 and 164a in the upper and lower lugs 47 and 46 cast' on the interior of the post 31 and supported on lug 47 by a set screw held collar 161, is continuously driven by sprocket chain 77 through sprocket wheel 78a secured on the reduced and threaded lower end of the shaft by a key and nut. The round cam 15!) here has an upwardly ex tending integral hollow cylindrical eccentric hub post 150a into which are fitted upper and lower sleeve bearings whereby the cam is journalled on the reduced upper part of the clutch shaft 151a, the cam being vertically supported on collar 161.

A notch 1501) located in the camming surface diametrically opposite the hub post serves as a detent notch receiving the cam follower roll 149 to stop the cam at a definite position as hereinafter described.

A rotor disk 251, having a downwardly extending hollow hub 251a slip fitted on the upper end of the cam post 150a and vertically supported by a shoulder on the latter, is held in place by a set screw 252 threaded through collar 253 fitted on the reduced lower end of the cam post and through the hub 251a to bear upon a fiat of the cam post 150a. The collar 253 supports certain elements hereinafter described. A ferromagnetic armature disk 254 is mounted on the upper end of shaft 151a for rotation therewith, but with some axial play, through an externally splined member 255 fixed on the shaft by a key and set screw and engaging internal splines in a central aperture of the armature disk. To limit upward movement of the armature and keep it in splined engagement with member 255, the latter is provided with a split ring in a groove located above the splines. An annular stationary electromagnetic field member 257, of which the electromagnet coil leads 258 are shown but not the winding itself, has a sleeve bearing 256 pressed into its central aperture for support on the hub 251a of the rotor between collar 253 and the disk part of the rotor. The field structure is held against rotation by a laterally extending arm 259 perforated near its outer end to fit the end of an anchor pin 260 on plate 41a. The hub portion 257a of the field is extended up slightly short of the rotor disk and an upwardly extending rim flange external to the rotor periphery may be provided to help localize the magnetic field resulting when the field coil is energized to produce a strong attracting force on the armature disk and hence a strong normal force increasing the frictional force developed between the upper surface of the rotor and armature to drive the cam. The upper surface of the rotor is here shown with two spaced concentric annular flanges forming a recess for a material 261 having a high coefficient of friction with respect to the armature material, which increases the frictional forces developed between armature and rotor. When the coil is de-energized the armature disk merely slides on the rotor disk.

A normally closed microswitch 182a, mounted above the box escapement actuating arm by an inverted L-bracket 264 secured to the support arm 146 with its switch actuating arm 265 projecting into the path swept by a vertical pin 266 on the cam, is opened by pressure of the pin. With the clutch field coil 253 replacing the clutch solenoid 177 of Fig. 8, as shown in Fig. 11, then after the field coil is energized and the friction clutch constituted of rotor 251 and armature 254 are engaged, the cam is driven through a single rotation terminated by pin 266 opening the microswitch 182a to deenergize the relay coil 231s and open switches 231a, 231b, thereby de-energizing the clutch coil or winding. The cam follower roller 149 in dropping into the notch 15Gb on the cam surface is sufficient to stop the cam at a position where pin 266 still bears on the actuating arm 265 to hold the switch 182a open, and to maintain the cam at such position despite continual sliding friction forces developed by the armature bearing under its own weight upon the rotor.

For use with the clutch H just described the control sweeper I l circuit of Fig. 8 is modified in certain respects as shown in Fig. 11. Except as otherwise noted, the circuit of Fig. 11 and its functions is identical with that of Fig. 8. A slight modification not pertaining necessarily to the clutch control is also shown and will be first described.

With respect to Fig. 8 the counting and totalizer mechanism 226, into which the photoelectric count impulses developed in the photoelectric head elements 208209 were fed, on reaching final count not only developed an output impulse to energize the relay coil b for operation of the switches 229 and 230 but also automatically reset itself to zero count. Hence, if by wear or maladjustment of the screw flow control mechanism or any other adventitious cause screws were permitted to escape the control wheel 197 before replacement of a filled box by a succeeding empty one, not only would the prior box receive more than its set count, but also the count to the succeeding box would be correspondingly reduced. To avoid any possibility of such occurrence, the totalizer 226 in Fig. 11 does not automatically reset itself to zero at final count but has a zero reset circuit which resets upon closure of the switch contacts 239d. These latter contacts are incorporated as additional elements in the previously described relay comprised of contacts 239a, 23% and relay coil 239s. Thus, when 239d is closed simultaneously with 239a and 23% upon energization of 2390 effected upon tripping of the microswitch 121 by a box passing into the filling station, the counter is reset to zero, that is, after an empty box is positioned to receive screws from the track. Hence each box necessarily must receive its full count of screws despite any overcount to a preceding box.

The clutch solenoid of Fig. 8 is here replaced by the clutch field coil or winding 258 and the normally open clutch solenoid microswitch 182 by microswitch 182a biased to normally closed position. Switch 231a and field coil 258 are shown in Fig. 11 in series directly across lines 222 and 223; however, where the inductance of 258 is high as would usually be the case in an electromagnet having a large number of turns for strong armature attracting force, it would be preferable to put these elements in series across the output of a rectifying unit providing a suitable D. C. voltage, the input of the rectifier being across 222 and 223.

Where the relative positioning of pin 266 and notch 15% is such that switch 182a is held open while the cam is stationary, as above described, the relay contacts 230 may be a delayed opening device, or the internal circuit of totalizer 226 may be such that the impulse closing 230 after final count is reached is maintained until the clutch gets under way. Thus after a final count impulse closes 230 to energize relay coil 2310 for closing 231a and 23111, thereby engaging the clutch and allowing 182a to close as the clutch gets under way, the contacts 231b become effective in keeping 231c energized before 230 opens, so that 231a is closed and the clutch kept engaged until 182a is opened by pin 266. Hence as pin 266 opens switch 182a to efiect clutch disengagement cam follower 149 engages notch 15% to stop the cam rotation with the cam at definite position.

The relay contacts 230 connected as shown in Fig. 11 may be of the usual instant release type for opening immediately after the final count signal current to relay coil b ceases. In such case the cam stop notch 15% and pin 266 are spaced so that when cam follower roll 149 engages the notch, the pin 266 has already passed out of contact with the actuating arm 265. Thus, at the last part of the single clutch rotation switch 182a is opened and then permitted to close again and to remain closed while the cam is stopped. In this case, after pin 266 contacts arm 265 to open 1820 with consequent de-energization of relay coil 2311c and of field coil 258, the inertia of the driven clutch and cam elements carries the cam slightly forward until cam follower roll 149 engages the cam notch to stop the cam at definite position where 182a is again closed. Therefore a momentary closing of 230 by final count impulse is sufficient for proper operation since upon energization of coil 2310, the self holding contact 2311) is effective to keep 231a closed and field coil 258 energized.

The branch of Fig. 8 which involved the escapement mechanism microswitch 121 and relay coil 2390 for control of switches 239a and 239i; is also modified. Microswitch contact 248 and the joined contacts of 239a and 23% are connected together rather than to line 222, and the second microswitch contact 246 is connected to one end of the relay coil 239e, the other end of which is connected through a rectifier unit 243 to line 223. The box microswitch arm 121 is here connected to line 222. The relay comprised of elements 239a, b, c, d is a slow release relay. Hence after the box microswitch arm is moved momentarily by a box transit to contact 246 to energize coil 239c thereby closing switches 239a, b, and c, the latter switches remain closed even after return of switch arm 121 to 248. Therefore the relay coils 237c and 240s are energized for starting track motor 192, release of track motor brake 194 and withdrawal of the track wheel from screw blocking relation with the tracks by track solenoid 261, after a box is in position for filling.

To delay feeding of the first box to the filling position and hence delay tripping of box microswitch 121 until the counter-totalizer 226Wherc electronic-has warmed up for proper operation, a relay operated switch 249a normally open, is in series with starting switch 233 and relay coil 231c across lines 222 and 223. An additional relay coil 2490 is connected in series with a time delay switch 250 across the lines 222 and 223 for actuation of the switch 24% and the double pole switch 24%. The arm of 24% is connected to line 223 while one of its contacts is connected between relay coil 249a and the time delay switch 250, the other contact to which the relay arm is normally biased being connected through the time delay heating resistance coil 25% to line 222. When main line switch 221 is closed at the beginning of operations, although the rotary table motor 71 and feeder motor 220 may be immediately started, closure of box escapement start switch 233 is of no avail, until the heating of time delay heating resistance coil causes delayed closure of time delay switch 250 to energize relay coil 2490. Energization of 249c of course closes relay switch 249a so that clutch starting switch may function to initiate the feeding of the first of a run of boxes; and also swings the arm of switch 24% from its normal contact to its second or relay holding contact, so that 249a remains closed and the time delay switch is permitted to open and remain open as long as the main switch 221 is on.

In setting up the apparatus for a run handling particular screw and box sizes, the guide finger 130 is set relative to vane portion b to provide an entrance opening to the box escapement mechanism of proper size, and the box stop 132 is adjusted relative to 90!) so that the trigger arm end 123 is tripped by passage of a box into the filling station. The position of screw flow control mechanism G is adjusted by wing nut 205 on the slide block to bring the control wheel 197 into proper spacing from track 138 for the size of screw or other object being packaged. The screw counting totalizer is of course set for the desired final count.

In operation of the apparatus, the hopper of feeder machine F .is bulk loaded with screws as required, and the driving mechanism thereof is turned on along with the rotary table driving unit I for continuous operation during a work period or the duration of the packaging run with given screw or box sizes. Then empty boxes are either deposited on the rotary table by conveyor means or loaded upon the operators table open side up and manually pushed indiscriminately as to orientation onto that portion of the rotary table projecting outwardly into the area of the table D. The boxes are carried by the rotating table between the guide plates or strip members 9ll-98, coming to bear against'the inwardly curving guide member 99, so that with continued advancing motion the boxes are directed by the member toward the entrance of the escapement mechanism, into which the first of the boxes, of course,,passes to stop against the box-stop 132. The tendency of the remaining boxes is therefore to line up in serial position behind this first box.

The starting switch 223 is closed to initiate the operation of the escapement mechanism C and the counted screw flow control mechanism G with their automatic controls for carrying out the previously described operational cycles in repeated manner. As the filled boxes are successively expelled from the filling station onto the outer portion of the rotating table, they are carried back and directed onto the operators table D by guide members 92, 102 and 160. Thus the only attention required of the operator when the apparatus isfunctioning is to supply empty boxes to the rotating table, remove the filled boxes from table D, and where the run of screws exceeds the hopper capacity of feeder machine F, to bulk load screws as required.

The advantages of the invention as above described and as shown in the drawings are susceptible of use in various ways. Thus the apparatus as a whole may be used with means for delivery of empty boxes to the entrance of the turntable and removal of filled boxes from the discharge outlet such as gravity feed chutes, moving belts or other conveyor means. The box or container conveying table, its escapement mechanism and controls may be adapted for use in conjunction with other apparatus for delivering material or objects to be packaged to the container filling station and controlling the flow of-such material to the containers.

For example, where objects are to be packaged individually, a magazine arranged to release one object at a time may discharge to the container filling station; or where granular solids or other material is to be packaged in units of desired weight or volume, a suitable weighing or measuring apparatus may deliver successive batches to containers located at the filling station. In such cases, photoelectric or other means may be mounted adjacent the discharge path to sense the completed transit of each batch and'develop a signal or impulse closing switch 230 to initiate the container escapement mechanism cycle. The container switch 121 may then serve to control the release, from the material measuring apparatus to a container at filling position, of a pro-measured batch of material, the various material feed control elements 192, 1%, 201, 228, 229, 235, 237ac, 239a-C, 24th-c- 'in Fig. 8 for example, being modified or replaced by elements adapted for integrating the operation of the particular material feed or measuring apparatus contemplated with the conveyor an container escapement machine and controls.

I claim:

1. In a container filling apparatus, a container conveying, eeding and positioning mechanism comprising a rotatably mounted circular table providing a container conveying surface; means for continuously driving the rotary table; means mounted adjacent the rotary table providing a discharge surface in edgewise arcuate con formity and proximity to the edge of the rotating table for receiving containers discharging from said rotary table; a container positioning and escapement means including a channel structure extending generally radially outwardly above the said rotary table having a container inlet near one end thereof, a container outlet at the other end thereof, said inlet and outlet being disposed in opposite sides of said channel structure with the inlet toward the approaching surface of the rotary table, a pusher arm reciprocable within said channel to move a container from a position within said'channel at said inlet to a portion of said channel intermediate said inlet and outlet providing a container filling station, said intermediate portion being disposed relative to the rotary table to restrain a container therein from movement with said rotary table until expelled therefrom to a position opposite the outlet by a following container moved by said arm, and means for intermittently operating said pusher arm through a single reciprocation cycle; and fixed guide means mounted above the rotary table ex tending in the direction of rotation to the inlet of said channel structure and from the said outlet to said discharge surface to guide into said inlet containers fed onto said rotary table and to guide onto said discharge surface containers leaving said outlet.

2. In a container filling apparatus, a container conveying, feeding and positioning mechanism comprising a rotatably mounted circular table providing a container conveying surface; means for continuously driving the rotary table; means mounted adjacent the rotary table providing feed and discharge surfaces in edgewise arcuate conformity and proximity to the edge of the rotating table for receiving containers feeding to and discharging from said rotary table; a container positioning and escapement means including a channel structure adjustable in width extending generally radially outwardly above the said rotary table having a container inlet adjustable in width near one end thereof, a container outlet at the other end thereof, said inlet and outlet being disposed in oppositesides of said channel structure, a pusher arm reciprocable within said channel to move a container from a position within said channel at said inlet to a portion of said channel intermediate said inlet and outlet providing a container filling station, said intermediate portion being disposed relative to the rotary table to restrain a container therein from movement with said rotary table until expelled therefrom to a position opposite the outlet by a following container moved by said arm, and means for intermittently operating said pusher arm through a single reciprocation cycle; and

fixed guide means mounted above the rotary table extending in the direction of rotation from the said feed surface to the inlet of said channel structure and from the said outlet to said discharge surface to guide into said inlet containers fed onto said rotary table from the feed surface and to guide onto said discharge surface containers leaving said outlet.

3. In a container filling apparatus, a container conveying, feeding and positioning mechanism comprising a rotatably mounted circular table providing a container conveying surface; a motor and means drivingly connecting the table thereto for continuously driving the rotary table; means mounted adjacent the rotary table providing a discharge surface in edgewise proximity to an edge portion of the rotating table for receiving containers discharging from said rotary table; a container positioning and escapement means including a channel structure extending generally radially outwardly above the said rotary table having a container inlet near one end thereof, a container outlet at the other end thereof, said inlet and outlet being disposed in opposite sides of said channel 1 structure, and a pusher arm reciprocable within said channel to move a container from a position within said channel at said inlet to a portion of said channel intermediate said inlet and outlet providing a container filling station, said intermediate portion being disposed relative to the rotary table to restrain a container therein from movement with said rotary table until expelled therefrom to a position opposite the outlet by a following container moved by said arm; operating means for in termittently operating said pusher arm through a single reciprocation cycle, said operating means including a shaft, means interposed between said shaft and said pusher arm for converting rotational movement of the shaft into a reciprocating motion of said bar, a single rotation clutch on said shaft having a driving clutch 1 member continuously driven by said motor, and control means for engaging said clutch; and fixed guide means mounted above the rotary table extending in the direc- 15 tion of rotation to the inlet of said channel structure and from the said outlet to said discharge surface-to guide into said inlet containers fed onto said rotary table to guide onto said discharge surface containers leaving said outlet.

4, In a container filling apparatus, a container conveying, feeding and positioning mechanism comprising a base having a vertical post thereon; a circular table providing an annular container conveying surface and having a downwardly extending hollow hub journalled on and rotatably mounting said table to said post; means including a motor for continuously driving the rotary table; means mounted adjacent the rotary table providing feed and discharge surfaces in edgewise arcuate conformity and proximity to the edge of the rotating table for receiving containers feeding to and discharging from said rotary table; a container positioning and escapement means including a channel structure extending generally radially outwardly from said post above the said rotary table having a container inlet near one end thereof, a container outlet at the other end thereof, said inlet and outlet being disposed in opposite sides of said channel structure, and a pusher arm reciprocable within said channel to move a container from a position within said channel at said inlet to a portion of said channel intermediate said inlet and outlet, said intermediate portion being disposed relative to the rotary table to restrain a container therein from movement with said rotary table until expelled therefrom to a position opposite the outlet by a following container moved by said arm; and means including a rotary cam for intermittently operating said pusher arm through a single reciprocation cycle, a cam shaft mounted in said post, a single rotation clutch on the shaft having a driving clutch member continuously driven by said motor, and control means for engaging said clutch; and fixed guide means mounted above the rotary table extending in the direction of rotation from the said feed surface to the inlet of said channel structure and from the said outlet to said discharge surface to guide into said inlet containers fed onto said rotary table from the feed surface and to guide onto said discharge surface containers leaving said outlet.

5. A mechanism as described in claim 4 wherein a continuous belt provides a driving connection from said motor to said hub, and wherein said post is mounted and normally supported on said base by a pair of interposed laterally spaced removable spacer members, said 7 post being threaded and provided with screws spaced from each said member and adapted to bear on said base for removing the weight of said post alternately from each to permit removal thereof in positioning a belt about said hub.

6. In a container filling apparatus, a container conveying, feeding and positioning mechanism comprising a rotatably mounted circular table providing a container conveying surface; means for continuously driving the rotary table; a fixed table mounted adjacent the rotary table with an edge portion arcuately conformed and in proximity to an edge portion of the rotating table pro viding surfaces for receiving containers feeding to and discharging from said rotary table; a container positioning and escapement means including a channel structure extending radially outwardly above the said rotary table having a container inlet near one end thereof, a container outlet at the other end thereof, said inlet and outlet being disposed in opposite sides of said channel structure, a pusher arm reciprocable within said channel to move a container from a position within said channel at said inlet to a portion of said channel intermediate said inlet and outlet, said intermediate portion being disposed relative to the rotary table to restrain a container therein from movement with said rotary table until expelled therefrom to a position opposite the outlet by a following container moved by said arm, and means for intermittently operating said pusher arm through a single reciprocation cycle; a fixed guide mounted above the rotary table extending from the container feeding surface of the fixed table to the inlet of said channel structure to guide into said inlet containers carried on said rotary table; a second fixed guide spaced from the first and projecting from said feeding surface over the rotary table to provide an entrance to the rotary table; and additional spaced fixed guide members mounted above the said rotary table extending from said channel outlet back to said discharge surface of the fixed table forming a container discharge channel to said discharge receiving surface.

7. In a container filling apparatus including means for dispensing material to be packaged in controlled quantity to successive containers, a machine for conveying, feeding and positioning a container at a filling station comprising: a rotatably mounted circular table providing a container conveying surface; means for continuously driving the rotary table; means mounted adjacent to and providing feed and discharge surfaces in edgewise proximity with the rotating table for receiving containers feeding to and discharging from the rotary table; and a container positioning and escapement means including a channel structure extending outwardly from the center ofand above the rotary table having on opposite sides thereof a container inlet and a container outlet spaced from the inlet, the inlet being in the channel side toward the direction of approach of the moving table surface and the portion of the channel intermediate the inlet and outlet providing a container filling station wherein a container is restrained from movement with the table, stationary guide means mounted above the rotary table leading in the direction of table motion from the said feed surface to said inlet to soldier and guide containers from said feed surface into the channel at said inlet, a pusher arm reciprocable within said channel to move a container from a position in the channel at said inlet into the filling station and thereby expel a preceding container from said station to a free position opposite said outlet, and means for intermittently operating said arm through a single reciprocation cycle.

8. In a container filling apparatus including dispensing means for dispensing material to be packaged in controlled quantity to successive containers, a machine for conveying, feeding and positioning containers at a filling station comprising: means providing an endless continu'ally movable container conveying surface; means for continuously driving the conveying surface; means mounted adjacent the conveying surface providing feed and discharge surfaces in edgewise proximity thereto for receiving containers feeding to and discharging from the conveyor surface; and a container positioning and escapement means located on the path of the conveying surface from said feed to discharge surface including a channel structure above the conveyor surface and extending transverse to the direction of movement of the conveying surface, said channel having on opposite sides thereof a container inlet and a container outlet spaced from the inlet, the container inlet being in the channel side toward the direction of approach of the conveying surface and the portion of the channel intermediate the inlet and outlet providing a container filling station restraining a container therein from movement with the conveying surface, a stationary guide member mounted above the conveying surface including a portion reaching obliquely across the conveyor path to said inlet for engaging containers carried on the conveying surface and soldiering them into said channel inlet, a pusher arm reciprocable within said channel to move a container from a position in the channel at said inlet into the filling station and thereby expel a preceding container from said station to a free position opposite said outlet, guide means mounted above said conveying surface for directing to said discharge surface a container carried through said channel outlet by the conveying surface, and means for intermittently operating said am through a single reciprocation cycle.

9. A machine as described in claim 8 wherein said channel structure is adjustable in width and in spacing of said inlet and outlet for accommodation of a particular size of container to be handled.

10. A machine as described in claim 8 wherein said escapement mechanism includes trigger means actuated by passage of a container into said station and adapted to originate a signal for initiating feed of material to the container.

11. A machine as described in claim 10, wherein the means for operating said arm include control means initiating said cycle in response to .a signal supplied by said dispensing means after dispensing material to a container. 7 W

12. In a container filling apparatus including dispensing means for dispensing material to be packaged in controlled quantity to successive containers, a machine for conveying, feeding and positioning containers at a filling station comprising: means providing an endless continually movable container conveying surface; means for continuously driving the conveying surface; means mounted adjacent the conveying surface providing feed and discharge surfaces in edgewise proximity thereto for receiving containers feeding to and discharging from the conveyor surface; and a container positioning and escapement means located on the path of the conveying surface from said feed to discharge surface including a channel structure above the conveyor surface and extending transverse to the direction of movement of the conveying surface, said channel having on opposite sides thereof a container inlet and a container outlet spaced from the inlet, the container inlet being in the channel side toward the direction of approach of the conveying surface and the portion of the channel intermediate the inlet and outlet providing a container filling station restraining a container therein from movement with the conveying surface, a stationary guide member mounted above the conveying surface including a portion reaching obliquely across the conveyor path to said inlet for engaging containers carried on the conveying surface and soldiering them into said channel inlet, a pusher arm reciprocable within said channel to move a container from a position in the channel at said inlet into the filling station and thereby expel a preceding container from said station to a free position opposite said outlet, guide means mounted above said conveying surface for directing to said discharge surface a container carried through said channel outlet by the conveying surface, and means for intermittently operating said arm through a single reciprocation cycle; the last said means including a spring biasing the pusher arm in one direction, a lever arm with one end secured to a fixed pivot and the other end engaged with the pusher arm by a slideable pivot connection, a rotary cam acting on the lever arm to drive said arms in a direction opposite to the bias of said spring, and a single rotation clutch with a continuously rotating driving clutch member and an opposed driven clutch member rotationally secured to said cam.

13. A machine as described in claim 12, wherein electrically powered means control the engagement of said clutch and initiate the engagement in response to an influence external of the clutch, said means including a switch tripped by a rotating element driven through a single rotation of said clutch for limiting clutch engage ment to a single rotation of the cam; and wherein there is provided a stop member engageable with a rotating element driven by the clutch for stopping the cam at definite position after disengagement of the clutch, said stop member being disengageable upon engagement of the clutch.

14. A machine as described in claim 12, wherein electrically powered means control the engagement of said clutch and initiate the engagement in response to an influonce external of the clutch, said means including a switch tripped by a rotating element driven through a single rotation of said clutch for limiting clutch engagement to a single rotation of the cam; and wherein said lever arm and cam are provided respectively with a cam follower and follower receiving formation adapted to stop the cam at definite position after disengagement of the clutch.

15. A machine as described in claim 12, wherein the cam is journalled on a continuously driven shaft and the clutch is an electromagnetic clutch comprising of a rotor disk secured to a hub portion of the cam and perpendicular to the shaft as a driven clutch element, a ferromagnetic armature disk loosely splined to said shaft on one side of the rotor disk, and a fixed electromagnet on the other side of the rotor disk for drawing the armature into driving engagement therewith. 7

16. A machine as described in claim 15 including a relay having normally open switch contacts in series with said electromagnet across a suitable power source for controlling energization of the electromagnet, said relay also having self-holding switch contacts in series with the relay solenoid, switch means adapted for closure by an influence external of said clutch in series with the relay solenoid across a power source for energization of the relay, and a switch in series with said self-holding con tacts of the relay, the series-connected switch and self holding contacts being in parallel with the said switch means, said switch being subject to the actuating influence of an element driven by said clutch to open at a terminal portion of a reciprocation of said pusher arm whereby closure of said switch means is effective to engage said clutch and initiate a single reciprocation of said pusher arm terminated by opening of said switch.

17. A machine as described in claim 12, wherein the cam is journalled on a continuously driven shaft and the clutch is an electromagnetic clutch comprising of a rotor disk secured to a hub portion of the cam and perpendicular to the shaft as a driven clutch element, a ferromagnetic armature disk loosely splined to said shaft on one side of the rotor disk, a fixed electromagnet on the other side of the rotor disk for drawing the armature disk into driving engagement therewith, and electrical means controlling energization of said electromagnet and initiating energization for clutch engagement in response to an influence external to the clutch, said means including a switch tripped by an element carried by said cam for limiting clutch engagement to a single rotation of the cam. 18. In a container filling apparatus including dispensmg means for dispensing material to be packaged in controlled quantity to successive containers, said dispensing means being adapted to deliver material to each container in response to an externally developed signal and to initiate another signal upon completed delivery, a machine for conveying, feeding and positioning containers succes srvely at a filling station as described in claim 12, said machine including: a switch mounted at said channel with an actuating element disposed to be tripped by passage of a container into said filling station for developing the first said signal; and electrically powered means controlling the engagement of said clutch and initiating the engagement thereof in response to the second said signal.

19. A machine as described in claim 18 including a stop member engageable with a rotating element driven by the clutch for stopping the cam at definite position after clutch disengagement, said stop member being disengageable upon clutch engagement, and including in said electrically powered means a switch tripped by an element driven by said clutch for limiting clutch engagement to a single rotation of the cam.

20. A cyclically operating single-rotation clutch adapted to engagement in response to an external influence comprising: a continuously driven input shaft, an output member including a driven clutch disk and journalled on the input shaft, a driving clutch disk opposed thereto and rotationally fixed to the input shaft, one of said disks being ferromagnetic and axially movable into engagement with the other disk,- an electromagnet on the other-side of said other disk from the movable disk for drawingrthc,

disks into engagement, a relay having normally open contacts in series with said electromagnet across a suitable power source for controlling energization of the electromagnet, said relay also having self-holding contacts in series with the solenoid of said relay, first switch means adapted for closure by said external influence in series with the relay solenoid across a power source for energization of the relay, and second switch means inseries with said self-holding contacts of the relay, the second switch means and self-holding contacts being a series branch in parallel with the said first switch means, said second switch means being subject to the actuating influence of an element driven by said clutch to open at a terminal portion of a single clutch, rotation whereby closure of said first switch means is 'efiective to'engage said clutch and initiate a singleclutch rotation terminated by openingr'ofisaid'second switch means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS-

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