Container-dispensing apparatus

Claim 2

In a packaging machine, means forming a magazine including a bottom support plate and upstanding side frame members adapted to receive a stack of open packaging containers in nested relation and disposed on the side edges thereof so that the leading container may be separated from the stack and fed through the end of the magazine, side frame members extending forwardly at opposite sides of said magazine-forming means and having guide slots therein with forward and downwardly directed portions, a container-dispensing device having end portions mounted in said guide slots for swingable and slidable movement between a container-gripping position at the end of the magazine and a container-depositing position forwardly thereof, said dispensing device having a plurality of pivotally mounted gripper arms thereon, camming mechanism mounted on the magazine-forming means for swinging the gripper arms into engaging relation with margins of the leading container in a stack when the dispensing device is moved to container-gripping position, pivoted stop means on said magazine means for normally holding the stack of containers against discharge through said magazine end, which stop means is disposed in the path of said gripper arms so as to be swung to a position to release the endmost container when the gripper arms are moved to container-gripping position, and cam means at said container-depositing position for moving said gripper arms to release the container when the dispensing device is moved to container-depositing position.

Claim 3

In a packaging machine, a magazine formed by a bottom support member and upstanding side frame members and adapted to receive a stack of open packaging containers in nested relation and disposed on the side edges thereof so that the leading container may be separated from the stack and discharged laterally out of the magazine, side frame plates extending forwardly of the discharge end of the magazine, a container-dispensing device swingably mounted between said side frame plates for movement between a generally vertical container-gripping position at the end of the stack and a generally horizontal container depositing position forwardly thereof, said dispensing device comprising a frame with a crossmember having a pair of container-engaging arms pivotally mounted thereon, means for resiliently urging the free ends of said arms toward each other, guide mechanism on said frame plates for guiding the arms into gripping relation with the leading container in a stack when the dispensing device is moved to said container-gripping position and means at the bottom of said side frame plates disposed in the path of said arms for spreading the arms to release the container when the dispensing device is moved to container-depositing position.

Claim 4

In a packaging machine, a magazine formed by a bottom support member and upstanding side frame members and adapted to receive a stack of open packaging containers in nested relation and disposed on the side edges thereof so that the leading container may be separated from the stack and discharged laterally out of the magazine, side frame plates extending forwardly of the discharge end of the magazine, a container-dispensing device swingably mounted between said side frame plates for movement between a generally vertical container-gripping position at the end of the stack and a generally horizontal container depositing position forwardly thereof, said dispensing device comprising a frame with a crossmember having a pair of container-engaging arms pivotally mounted thereon, means for resiliently urging the free ends of said arms toward each other, guide mechanism on said frame plates for guiding the arms into gripping relation with the leading container in a stack when the dispensing device is moved to said container-gripping position and means at the bottom of said side frame plates disposed in the path of said arms for spreading the arms to release the container when the dispensing device is moved to container-depositing position.

Claim 5

In a packaging machine as set forth in claim 2, and said container-engaging arms having hooklike gripper formations at their free ends, said guide mechanism being swingably mounted for guiding the free ends of the gripper arms into gripping relation with the leading container in a stack when the dispensing device is moved to container-gripping position, said guide mechanism having stop means thereon for normally engaging the containers at the end of the stack and limiting the forward movement of the stack which stop means is swung to stack-releasing position by movement of said gripper arms into engagement with the leading container in the stack so as to release said leading container for withdrawal thereof by said arms.

Claim 6

Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, retractable stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to engage the end container and to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, means comprising a swingable frame mounted between said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine, said frame having cam means for retracting said stack-holding means so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, said frame having a crossmember with a pair of arms pivoted thereon which have hooklike free ends disposed to engage over the side edges of the leading container in the stack, means to normally urge the free ends of said arms into container-engaging relation, and cam means at the discharge end of said magazine for guiding said hooklike arm ends into container edge-engaging relation.

Claim 7

Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, retractable stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to engage the end container and to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, means comprising a swingable frame mounted between said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine, said frame having cam means for retracting said stack-holding means so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, said frame having a crossmember with a pair of arms pivoted thereon which have hooklike free ends disposed to engage over the side edges of the leading container in the stack, means to normally urge the free ends of said arms into container-engaging relation, and cam means at the discharge end of said magazine for guiding said hooklike arm ends into container edge-engaging relation.

Claim 8

Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, means mounted between said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, and said supply magazine having side frame members, movably mounted raillike members disposed beneath the stack and means for moving the same in an endless path so as to lift the stack and urge it forward, said stop means comprising spring-pressed stop members at the forward end of the stack for limiting the forward movement of the stack, and a device for restraining the stack against retractive movement comprising a vertically disposed frame mounted in sliding relation at opposite ends on the magazine side frame members and frictionally restrained against retractive movement while free to move forwardly against the trailing side of the receptacle stack, and said device having depending spring-pressed pins frictionally engaging said raillike members whereby said device is moved forwardly with the stack by said raillike members.

Claim 9

Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, means mounted between said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, and said supply magazine having side frame members, movably mounted raillike members disposed beneath the stack and means for moving the same in an endless path so as to lift the stack and urge it forward, said stop means comprising spring-pressed stop members at the forward end of the stack for limiting the forward movement of the stack, and a device for restraining the stack against retractive movement comprising a vertically disposed frame mounted in sliding relation at opposite ends on the magazine side frame members and frictionally restrained against retractive movement while free to move forwardly against the trailing side of the receptacle stack, and said device having depending spring-pressed pins frictionally engaging said raillike members whereby said device is moved forwardly with the stack by said raillike members.

Claim 10

Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, means mounted between said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, sand said magazine having upright side frame members, movably mounted raillike Members in said magazine beneath the stack, means for moving said raillike members in an endless path in the direction of the leading end of the stack so as to lift the stack and urge it forward, and a device for restraining the stack against retractive movement comprising a vertically disposed frame having a sliding connection at opposite ends with the magazine side frame members and frictionally restrained against retractive movement while free to move forwardly against the trailing side of the stack, and means for moving said device in the direction of the stack so as to apply pressure to the trailing side of the stack and to urge it forwardly against said stop means.

Claim 11

Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, means mounted between said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, sand said magazine having upright side frame members, movably mounted raillike Members in said magazine beneath the stack, means for moving said raillike members in an endless path in the direction of the leading end of the stack so as to lift the stack and urge it forward, and a device for restraining the stack against retractive movement comprising a vertically disposed frame having a sliding connection at opposite ends with the magazine side frame members and frictionally restrained against retractive movement while free to move forwardly against the trailing side of the stack, and means for moving said device in the direction of the stack so as to apply pressure to the trailing side of the stack and to urge it forwardly against said stop means.

Claim 12

Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, and means mounted between said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, and said magazine having a bottom and side frame members and an open forward discharge end, raillike stack supporting members mounted in said magazine bottom for vertical and horizontal movement in the direction of said forward end so as to lift the stack and move it forward, said means for operating said stack-holding means constituting a dispensing device having grippers for engaging the endmost container in the stack, means for operating said dispensing device so as to swing the same in a generally L-shaped path and for engaging the grippers with the leading container in the forward end of the stack and for withdrawing said leading container from the stack and feeding it forward and downwardly therefrom, and said stack-holding means normally limiting the forward movement of the stack resulting from the operation of said raillike supporting members.

Claim 13

Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, and means mounted between said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, and said magazine having a bottom and side frame members and an open forward discharge end, raillike stack supporting members mounted in said magazine bottom for vertical and horizontal movement in the direction of said forward end so as to lift the stack and move it forward, said means for operating said stack-holding means constituting a dispensing device having grippers for engaging the endmost container in the stack, means for operating said dispensing device so as to swing the same in a generally L-shaped path and for engaging the grippers with the leading container in the forward end of the stack and for withdrawing said leading container from the stack and feeding it forward and downwardly therefrom, and said stack-holding means normally limiting the forward movement of the stack resulting from the operation of said raillike supporting members.

Claim 14

Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, means mounted between said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, and a longitudinal extending stack-advancing member mounted in the bottom of said magazine, means for operating said stack-advancing member so as to urge the stack of containers forwardly in said magazine, said stack-holding means comprising movable stop members normally positioned for limiting the forward movement of the stack, means for restraining the stack against retractive movement, said means for operating said stack-holding means comprising a dispensing device for withdrawing the leading container from the stack including a frame having a crossbar extending between said upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a support plate adjustably mounted on said crossbar, pairs of pivotally mounted, vertically spaced arm members on said support plate, said arm members extending toward said supporting frame members and having hooklike formations on the free ends thereof for grasping opposite side edges of the endmost container in the stack, said supporting frame members having generally L-shaped cam slots, said crossbar having its ends seated in said cam slots, and means for moving said crossbar to bring said arm mEmbers into engagement with said stop members and thereby move said stop members to an inoperative position so as to release the endmost container in the stack for engagement by said hooklike formations. 9 Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine means mounted between said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, and a longitudinally extending stack-advancing member mounted in the bottom of said magazine, means for moving said stack-advancing member in an endless path so as to intermittently lift the stack of containers and advance the same, said stack-holding means including movable stop members normally spring pressed into a position for limiting the forward movement of the stack, means for holding the stack against retractive movement, and said means for operating said stack-holding means comprising a frame having container-gripping arms pivoted thereon, said arms having hooklike formations on the free ends thereof for grasping opposite edges of the endmost container in the stack, means for moving said frame and said arms in a path to bring said arms into engagement with said stop members and to move said stop members to an inoperative position so as to release the endmost container in the stack, said arms being arranged in pairs and the arms of each pair thereof being spring urged toward each other so as to engage the hooklike end formations with opposite edges of the leading container in the stack when moved to a predetermined position in the stack when moved to a predetermined position at the leading end of the stack.

Claim 15

Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, means mounted between said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, and a longitudinal extending stack-advancing member mounted in the bottom of said magazine, means for operating said stack-advancing member so as to urge the stack of containers forwardly in said magazine, said stack-holding means comprising movable stop members normally positioned for limiting the forward movement of the stack, means for restraining the stack against retractive movement, said means for operating said stack-holding means comprising a dispensing device for withdrawing the leading container from the stack including a frame having a crossbar extending between said upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a support plate adjustably mounted on said crossbar, pairs of pivotally mounted, vertically spaced arm members on said support plate, said arm members extending toward said supporting frame members and having hooklike formations on the free ends thereof for grasping opposite side edges of the endmost container in the stack, said supporting frame members having generally L-shaped cam slots, said crossbar having its ends seated in said cam slots, and means for moving said crossbar to bring said arm mEmbers into engagement with said stop members and thereby move said stop members to an inoperative position so as to release the endmost container in the stack for engagement by said hooklike formations. 9 Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine means mounted between said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, and a longitudinally extending stack-advancing member mounted in the bottom of said magazine, means for moving said stack-advancing member in an endless path so as to intermittently lift the stack of containers and advance the same, said stack-holding means including movable stop members normally spring pressed into a position for limiting the forward movement of the stack, means for holding the stack against retractive movement, and said means for operating said stack-holding means comprising a frame having container-gripping arms pivoted thereon, said arms having hooklike formations on the free ends thereof for grasping opposite edges of the endmost container in the stack, means for moving said frame and said arms in a path to bring said arms into engagement with said stop members and to move said stop members to an inoperative position so as to release the endmost container in the stack, said arms being arranged in pairs and the arms of each pair thereof being spring urged toward each other so as to engage the hooklike end formations with opposite edges of the leading container in the stack when moved to a predetermined position in the stack when moved to a predetermined position at the leading end of the stack.

Claim 16

Apparatus as set forth in claim 9, and said arms having means for holding each pair thereof in a spread-apart, inoperative position.

Claim 17

Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, means mounted between said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, and said means for operating said stack-holding means constituting a dispensing device for withdrawing the leading container from the stack comprising a cross frame having opposite ends supported in said laterally spaced supporting frame members, said supporting members having generally L-shaped cam slots for receiving cam rollers at opposite ends of said dispensing cross frame, said dispensing device having receptacle-gripping arms pivoted at one end thereof on said cross frame, said arms having hooklike formations on the free ends for grasping opposite edges of the endmost container in the stack, means for swinging said dispensing frame in a path determined by said cam slots, and means to rotate a portion of said dispensing frame to bring the ends of said arms into engagement with said stack-holding means and thereby move said stack-holding means to a position which releases the endmost container in the stack for engagement by said hook formation.

Claim 18

Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, means mounted between said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, and said means for operating said stack-holding means constituting a dispensing device for withdrawing the leading container from the stack comprising a cross frame having opposite ends supported in said laterally spaced supporting frame members, said supporting members having generally L-shaped cam slots for receiving cam rollers at opposite ends of said dispensing cross frame, said dispensing device having receptacle-gripping arms pivoted at one end thereof on said cross frame, said arms having hooklike formations on the free ends for grasping opposite edges of the endmost container in the stack, means for swinging said dispensing frame in a path determined by said cam slots, and means to rotate a portion of said dispensing frame to bring the ends of said arms into engagement with said stack-holding means and thereby move said stack-holding means to a position which releases the endmost container in the stack for engagement by said hook formation.

Claim 19

Apparatus as recited in claim 11, and said stack-holding means being resiliently urged toward the stack so as to force the ends of the gripping arms Into gripping engagement with the edges of the endmost container.

Claim 20

Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, means mounted between said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, and said stack-holding means comprising spring-pressed pins slidably mounted in supporting brackets with their free ends normally extending into the path of the end portions of containers disposed in said magazine, and said pins being retractable out of said path by said means for operating said stack-holding means.

Claim 21

Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, means mounted between said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, and said stack-holding means comprising spring-pressed pins slidably mounted in supporting brackets with their free ends normally extending into the path of the end portions of containers disposed in said magazine, and said pins being retractable out of said path by said means for operating said stack-holding means.