Packaging machine and method

Claim 5

In the method as defined in claim 2; h. controlling the rate of feeding articles onto said one end of said sheet by the weight of articles so fed onto and supported on said sheet.

Claim 10

In a machine for packaging plural, approximately round articles of similar relatively uniform size including: a. a horizontally extending row of corresponding channels inclined relative to vertical each having an open side facing generally upwardly for supporting a single file of said articles in each channel, and the upper and lower terminal ends of said channels being open and respectively terminating along horizontally extending lines, b. an elongated plate extending longitudinally of and adjacent to the upper open ends of said channels tilted transversely of its length generally in the same direction as the inclination of said channels to provide an upper article-receiving surface, c. plate-supporting means for supporting said plate in a position for receiving said objects on its said upper surface for rolling thereacross into said open upper ends of said channels, d. feed means above said plate for feeding said articles in generally random arrangement onto said plate, e. power-actuated means connected with said plate for vibrating it longitudinally thereof to facilitate the rolling of articles thereon transversely thereof, f. guide means adjacent to the upper ends of said channels for guiding the articles on said plate into the upper open ends of said channels and g. article-releasing means at the lower ends of said channels for releasing articles, one at a time, into containers to be moved past said lower ends.

Claim 11

In a machine for packaging plural, approximately round articles of similar relatively uniform size including: a. a horizontally extending row of corresponding channels inclined relative to vertical each having an open side facing generally upwardly for supporting a single file of said articles in each channel, and the upper and lower terminal ends of said channels being open and respectively terminating along horizontally extending lines, b. an elongated plate extending longitudinally of and adjacent to the upper open ends of said channels tilted transversely of its length generally in the same direction as the inclination of said channels to provide an upper article-receiving surface, c. plate-supporting means for supporting said plate in a position for receiving said objects on its said upper surface for rolling thereacross into said open upper ends of said channels, d. feed means above said plate for feeding said articles in generally random arrangement onto said plate, e. power-actuated means connected with said plate for vibrating it longitudinally thereof to facilitate the rolling of articles thereon transversely thereof, f. guide means adjacent to the upper ends of said channels for guiding the articles on said plate into the upper open ends of said channels and g. article-releasing means at the lower ends of said channels for releasing articles, one at a time, into containers to be moved past said lower ends.

Claim 12

In a machine as defined in claim 6; h. said channels comprising adjacent spaced pairs of elongated strips each of inverted V-shape in cross sectional contour whereby the sides of the channels of each pair provide generally downwardly convergent surfaces for suppOrting an article thereagainst and i. strip-supporting means for supporting said strips for reciprocable vibrating movement longitudinally thereof and j. means connecting said power means with said strips for vibrating the strips of adjacent pairs thereof approximately longitudinally thereof.

Claim 13

In a machine as defined in claim 7; k. said means supporting said strips for said reciprocable vibrating movement comprising upper and lower extensions of said strip on which the upper and lower ends of said strips are slidable longitudinally of the latter, and means supporting said strip-supporting means stationary relative to said strips.

Claim 14

In a machine as defined in claim 6; h. the upper surface of said plate being formed with upwardly projecting spaced ridges extending transversely thereacross for engagement with articles on said plate during said vibration of said plate, and i. said plate-supporting mans including rollers carrying said plate for said vibrating movement relative thereto.

Claim 15

In a machine as defined in claim 6; h. feed means including a horizontally extending carrier for said articles having a discharge end for discharge of articles therefrom, including a downwardly inclined sheet-like support along said discharge end for supporting articles for downward movement of said carrier, i. said plate-supporting means including pivot means supporting said plate at different degrees of inclination with the upper edge of said plate in a position closely adjacent to and at approximately the level of said sheet-like support for receiving articles from the latter.

Claim 16

In a machine including a main frame, for numerically packaging plural rollable articles of approximately the same shape and size, comprising: a. article-supporting means for supporting said articles in plural successions for movement to separate discharge points providing a leading end article in each succession adjacent said discharge point for discharge therefrom and a trailing end article at the opposite end of each succession; b. feed means for feeding articles from a supply to the trailing ends of said successions for maintaining a supply of articles in each succession; c. container-supporting means for supporting and moving plural containers in a row in one direction longitudinally of said row past said discharge points in article-receiving positions for receiving a leading end article in each container for each of said successions; d. article-releasing means actuated by movement of each container-supporting means past each of said discharge points, for movement, for releasing the leading end article of each succession of articles for discharge into each container during movement of said containers therepast, and for moving and holding its companion succession in a leading position for release into the next container in said row upon actuation thereof; e. said feed means including a frame having opposite ends and a carrier for articles carried thereby extending from one end of said frame to the opposite end thereof, said carrier having an article-receiving portion adjacent to said one end of said frame; f. article-moving means engaging said carrier for moving articles thereon from said one end to said opposite end for discharge from said opposite end; g. actuating means connected with said article-moving means for so moving said articles on said carrier to said opposite end; h. frame-supporting means for supporting said carrier in a position with said opposite end thereof over said article-supporting means for discharge of articles from said carrier to said article-supporting means for so maintaining said plural succession of articles on said article-supporting means, and for supporting said frame and carrier for automatic upward and downward movement thereof about an axis along said opposite end of said carrier under the influence of change in weight of articles disposed on said receiving portion of said carrier; i. continuously moving conveyor means for conducting articles from a bulk supply thereof to said article-receiving portion of said carrier and for discharging said articles on said portion; j. automatically actuatable speed-control means operatively connecting said conveyor means with said carrier actuated by downward movement of said article-receiving portion under the influence of the weight of articles therein for decreasing the rate of movement of said conveyor means and actuated by upward movement of said article-receiving portion upon a reduction in the weight of articles on said portion for increasing the rate of movement of said conveyor means to maintain a relatively uniform load on said carrier.

Claim 17

In a machine including a main frame, for numerically packaging plural rollable articles of approximately the same shape and size, comprising: a. article-supporting means for supporting said articles in plural successions for movement to separate discharge points providing a leading end article in each succession adjacent said discharge point for discharge therefrom and a trailing end article at the opposite end of each succession; b. feed means for feeding articles from a supply to the trailing ends of said successions for maintaining a supply of articles in each succession; c. container-supporting means for supporting and moving plural containers in a row in one direction longitudinally of said row past said discharge points in article-receiving positions for receiving a leading end article in each container for each of said successions; d. article-releasing means actuated by movement of each container-supporting means past each of said discharge points, for movement, for releasing the leading end article of each succession of articles for discharge into each container during movement of said containers therepast, and for moving and holding its companion succession in a leading position for release into the next container in said row upon actuation thereof; e. said feed means including a frame having opposite ends and a carrier for articles carried thereby extending from one end of said frame to the opposite end thereof, said carrier having an article-receiving portion adjacent to said one end of said frame; f. article-moving means engaging said carrier for moving articles thereon from said one end to said opposite end for discharge from said opposite end; g. actuating means connected with said article-moving means for so moving said articles on said carrier to said opposite end; h. frame-supporting means for supporting said carrier in a position with said opposite end thereof over said article-supporting means for discharge of articles from said carrier to said article-supporting means for so maintaining said plural succession of articles on said article-supporting means, and for supporting said frame and carrier for automatic upward and downward movement thereof about an axis along said opposite end of said carrier under the influence of change in weight of articles disposed on said receiving portion of said carrier; i. continuously moving conveyor means for conducting articles from a bulk supply thereof to said article-receiving portion of said carrier and for discharging said articles on said portion; j. automatically actuatable speed-control means operatively connecting said conveyor means with said carrier actuated by downward movement of said article-receiving portion under the influence of the weight of articles therein for decreasing the rate of movement of said conveyor means and actuated by upward movement of said article-receiving portion upon a reduction in the weight of articles on said portion for increasing the rate of movement of said conveyor means to maintain a relatively uniform load on said carrier.

Claim 18

In a machine as defined in claim 11: k. manually actuatable speed control means for adjusting the rate of movement of said conveyor means under a predetermined load on said carrier independently of said automatically actuatable speed control means.

Claim 19

In a machine as defined in claim 11: k. said speed-control means including driving means having a variable speed pulley therein for driving said conveyor means at different speeds, and an endless conduit for fluid including a gear pump having a housing provided with an inlet and outlet for circulation of fluid through said housing and conduit in one direction upon driving one of the gears in said housing and a power-actuated drive shaft connected with one of said gears for driving the latter, said housing being supported for oscillatory movement about said drive shaft under the influence of variations in the resistance to flow of fluid in said conduit during actuation of said drive shaft; and

Claim 20

In a machine as defined in claim 11: k. means for varying the rate of movement of said article moving means independently of said speed-control means.

Claim 21

In a machine including a main frame, for numerically packaging plural rollable articles of approximately the same shape and size, comprising: a. article-supporting means for supporting said articles in plural successions for movement to separate discharge points providing a leading end article in each succession adjacent said discharge point for discharge therefrom and a trailing end article at the opposite end of each succession; b. feed means for feeding articles from a supply to the trailing ends of said successions for maintaining a supply of articles in each succession; c. container-supporting means for supporting and moving plural containers in a row in one direction longitudinally of said row past said discharge points in article-receiving positions for receiving a leading end article in each container for each of said successions; d. article-releasing means actuated by movement of each container-supporting means past each of said discharge points, for movement, for releasing the leading end article of each succession of articles for discharge into each container during movement of said containers therepast, and for moving and holding its companion succession in a leading position for release into the next container in said row upon actuation thereof; e. said feed means including a horizontally disposed, flexible, sheet and a rigid frame supporting said sheet slack between two opposite edges of the latter with one of said edges along and above said article-supporting means for delivery of articles deposited on the portion of said sheet adjacent to the edge opposite to said one of said edges onto said article supporting means upon movement of said articles from saId portion to and over said one of said edges for thereby providing and maintaining said plural successions upon discharge of leading articles therefrom; f. article-moving means below said sheet supporting the latter along at least one line of engagement therewith parallel with said one edge in a position for sagging of said sheet-like support at the side of said line facing said one edge to provide a trough at said one side for articles delivered onto said portion, and actuating means connected with said article-moving means for moving the latter in a direction from said edge opposite to said one edge of said sheet for moving articles in said trough to and over said one edge for falling onto said article-supporting means; g. said article-supporting means comprising a horizontally extending row of channels inclined relative to vertical having their upper ends adjacent to and below said one edge of said sheet and their lower ends adjacent to said discharge points; h. each of said channels including stationary upper and lower end sections being secured rigid on said main frame; i. each of said channels including upper and lower elongated channel sections spaced apart in longitudinal alignment with their open sides directed generally upwardly, and an intermediate channel section of similar cross-sectional contour extending at its upper and lower end portions below said upper and lower channel sections with said upper and lower end sections seated within the upper and lower end portions of said intermediate channel sections for reciprocation longitudinally thereof relative to said upper and lower end sections; j. means yieldably supporting said intermediate section in releasing engagement with said end sections; and k. section-reciprocating means connected with said sections for reciprocating them longitudinally thereof during feeding of articles onto said channels.

Claim 22

In a machine including a main frame, for numerically packaging plural rollable articles of approximately the same shape and size, comprising: a. article-supporting means for supporting said articles in plural successions for movement to separate discharge points providing a leading end article in each succession adjacent said discharge point for discharge therefrom and a trailing end article at the opposite end of each succession; b. feed means for feeding articles from a supply to the trailing ends of said successions for maintaining a supply of articles in each succession; c. container-supporting means for supporting and moving plural containers in a row in one direction longitudinally of said row past said discharge points in article-receiving positions for receiving a leading end article in each container for each of said successions; d. article-releasing means actuated by movement of each container-supporting means past each of said discharge points, for movement, for releasing the leading end article of each succession of articles for discharge into each container during movement of said containers therepast, and for moving and holding its companion succession in a leading position for release into the next container in said row upon actuation thereof; e. said feed means including a horizontally disposed, flexible, sheet and a rigid frame supporting said sheet slack between two opposite edges of the latter with one of said edges along and above said article-supporting means for delivery of articles deposited on the portion of said sheet adjacent to the edge opposite to said one of said edges onto said article supporting means upon movement of said articles from saId portion to and over said one of said edges for thereby providing and maintaining said plural successions upon discharge of leading articles therefrom; f. article-moving means below said sheet supporting the latter along at least one line of engagement therewith parallel with said one edge in a position for sagging of said sheet-like support at the side of said line facing said one edge to provide a trough at said one side for articles delivered onto said portion, and actuating means connected with said article-moving means for moving the latter in a direction from said edge opposite to said one edge of said sheet for moving articles in said trough to and over said one edge for falling onto said article-supporting means; g. said article-supporting means comprising a horizontally extending row of channels inclined relative to vertical having their upper ends adjacent to and below said one edge of said sheet and their lower ends adjacent to said discharge points; h. each of said channels including stationary upper and lower end sections being secured rigid on said main frame; i. each of said channels including upper and lower elongated channel sections spaced apart in longitudinal alignment with their open sides directed generally upwardly, and an intermediate channel section of similar cross-sectional contour extending at its upper and lower end portions below said upper and lower channel sections with said upper and lower end sections seated within the upper and lower end portions of said intermediate channel sections for reciprocation longitudinally thereof relative to said upper and lower end sections; j. means yieldably supporting said intermediate section in releasing engagement with said end sections; and k. section-reciprocating means connected with said sections for reciprocating them longitudinally thereof during feeding of articles onto said channels.

Claim 23

In a machine including a main frame, for numerically packaging plural rollable articles of approximately the same shape and size, comprising: a. article-supporting means for supporting said articles in plural successions for movement to separate discharge points providing a leading end article in each succession adjacent said discharge point for discharge therefrom and a trailing end article at the opposite end of each succession; b. feed means for feeding articles from a supply to the trailing ends of said successions for maintaining a supply of articles in each succession; c. container-supporting means for supporting and moving plural containers in a row in one direction longitudinally of said row past said discharge points in article-receiving positions for receiving a leading end article in each container for each of said successions; d. article-releasing means actuated by movement of each container-supporting means past each of said discharge points, for movement, for releasing the leading end article of each succession of articles for discharge into each container during movement of said containers therepast, and for moving and holding its companion succession in a leading position for release into the next container in said row upon actuation thereof. e. said article-releasing-means including a rotatable wheel for each succession having plural, circumferentially spaced radially opening pockets and means supporting each wheel in a position for receiving and holding said leading end article of one of said successions for release thereof and discharge into one of said containers upon rotation of said wheel in one direction; f. means respectively operatively connected with each wheel, and with each container-supporting means, engageable upon movement of said container-supporting means past said wheels for rotating each wheel to discharge an article therefrom into one of said containers; g. power means connected with said container-supporting means for continuously moving the latter past said discharge points; h. clutch means for intermittEntly engaging said power means with said wheels in succession, for rotating the latter to discharge said leading end article upon a container on said container-supporting means being in article-receiving position and disengaging said power means with said wheels upon movement of one of said container supporting means past each wheel.

Claim 24

In a machine including a main frame, for numerically packaging plural rollable articles of approximately the same shape and size, comprising: a. article-supporting means for supporting said articles in plural successions for movement to separate discharge points providing a leading end article in each succession adjacent said discharge point for discharge therefrom and a trailing end article at the opposite end of each succession; b. feed means for feeding articles from a supply to the trailing ends of said successions for maintaining a supply of articles in each succession; c. container-supporting means for supporting and moving plural containers in a row in one direction longitudinally of said row past said discharge points in article-receiving positions for receiving a leading end article in each container for each of said successions; d. article-releasing means actuated by movement of each container-supporting means past each of said discharge points, for movement, for releasing the leading end article of each succession of articles for discharge into each container during movement of said containers therepast, and for moving and holding its companion succession in a leading position for release into the next container in said row upon actuation thereof. e. said article-releasing-means including a rotatable wheel for each succession having plural, circumferentially spaced radially opening pockets and means supporting each wheel in a position for receiving and holding said leading end article of one of said successions for release thereof and discharge into one of said containers upon rotation of said wheel in one direction; f. means respectively operatively connected with each wheel, and with each container-supporting means, engageable upon movement of said container-supporting means past said wheels for rotating each wheel to discharge an article therefrom into one of said containers; g. power means connected with said container-supporting means for continuously moving the latter past said discharge points; h. clutch means for intermittEntly engaging said power means with said wheels in succession, for rotating the latter to discharge said leading end article upon a container on said container-supporting means being in article-receiving position and disengaging said power means with said wheels upon movement of one of said container supporting means past each wheel.

Claim 25

In a machine including a main frame, for numerically packaging plural rollable articles of approximately the same shape and size, comprising: a. article-supporting means for supporting said articles in plural successions for movement to separate discharge points providing a leading end article in each succession adjacent said discharge point for discharge therefrom and a trailing end article at the opposite end of each succession; b. feed means for feeding articles from a supply to the trailing ends of said successions for maintaining a supply of articles in each succession; c. container-supporting means for supporting and moving plural containers in a row in one direction longitudinally of said row past said discharge points in article-receiving positions for receiving a leading end article in each container for each of said successions; d. article-releasing means actuated by movement of each container-supporting means past each of said discharge points, for movement, for releasing the leading end article of each succession of articles for discharge into each container during movement of said containers therepast, and for moving and holding its companion succession in a leading position for release into the next container in said row upon actuation thereof; e. said feed means including a horizontally disposed, flexible, sheet and a rigid frame supporting said sheet slack between two opposite edges of the latter with one of said edges along and above said article-supporting means for delivery of articles deposited on the portion of said sheet adjacent to the edge opposite to said one of said edges onto said article supporting means upon movement of said articles from said portion to and over said one of said edges for thereby providing and maintaining said plural successions upon discharge of leading articles therefrom; f. article-moving means below said sheet supporting the latter along at least one line of engagement therewith parallel with said one edge in a position for sagging of said sheet-like support at the side of said line facing said one edge to provide a trough at said one side for articles delivered onto said portion, and actuating means connected with said article-moving means for moving the latter in a direction from said edge opposite to said one edge of said sheet for moving articles in said trough to and over said one edge for falling onto said article-supporting means.

Claim 26

In a machine including a main frame, for numerically packaging plural rollable articles of approximately the same shape and size, comprising: a. article-supporting means for supporting said articles in plural successions for movement to separate discharge points providing a leading end article in each succession adjacent said discharge point for discharge therefrom and a trailing end article at the opposite end of each succession; b. feed means for feeding articles from a supply to the trailing ends of said successions for maintaining a supply of articles in each succession; c. container-supporting means for supporting and moving plural containers in a row in one direction longitudinally of said row past said discharge points in article-receiving positions for receiving a leading end article in each container for each of said successions; d. article-releasing means actuated by movement of each container-supporting means past each of said discharge points, for movement, for releasing the leading end article of each succession of articles for discharge into each container during movement of said containers therepast, and for moving and holding its companion succession in a leading position for release into the next container in said row upon actuation thereof; e. said feed means including a horizontally disposed, flexible, sheet and a rigid frame supporting said sheet slack between two opposite edges of the latter with one of said edges along and above said article-supporting means for delivery of articles deposited on the portion of said sheet adjacent to the edge opposite to said one of said edges onto said article supporting means upon movement of said articles from said portion to and over said one of said edges for thereby providing and maintaining said plural successions upon discharge of leading articles therefrom; f. article-moving means below said sheet supporting the latter along at least one line of engagement therewith parallel with said one edge in a position for sagging of said sheet-like support at the side of said line facing said one edge to provide a trough at said one side for articles delivered onto said portion, and actuating means connected with said article-moving means for moving the latter in a direction from said edge opposite to said one edge of said sheet for moving articles in said trough to and over said one edge for falling onto said article-supporting means.

Claim 27

In a machine as defined in Claim 17: g. said article-moving means including other corresponding article-moving means spaced therefrom and from each other along lines parallel with said one edge for providing a plurality of troughs in said sheet and connected with said actuating means for simultaneously moving said troughs to said one edge for delivery of the articles therein to said article-supporting means.

Claim 28

In a machine for packaging plural, rollable articles of approximately the same shape and size, that includes a horizontally disposed rectangular sheet, a pair of parallel, horizontally spaced, straight, horizontal frame members along two opposite edges of said sheet supporting said sheet slack between said two edges feed means for supplying articles onto said sheet along one of said frame members and receiving means for receiving articles from said sheet along the other of said frame members, the improvement of: a. moving means for moving articles deposited on said sheet along one of said two frame members to the other thereof for discharge from said sheet along said other frame member; b. said moving means comprising a horizontally extending endless row of equally spaced, straight, Parallel rollers in side by side relation parallel with said pair of frame members having an upper run and a lower run with the rollers of the upper run extending between said pair of frame members below and in engagement with the slack portion of said sheet with the sections of said sheet between adjacent pairs of the rollers of said upper run depending between said adjacent pairs providing upwardly opening troughs for receiving therein the articles deposed on said sheet along said one of said frame members; and c. means supporting said endless row of rollers with the rollers of the upper run thereof in said engagement with said sheet and for circulation of said row of rollers in a direction for movement of the rollers of the upper run in a direction from said one frame member to the other thereof for effecting movement of the articles deposited on said sheet from said one frame member to the other and for aligning the so deposited in single rows parallel with and supported in said troughs for simultaneous discharge of the articles of each such row at said other frame member, and means for so circulating said endless row of rollers.

Claim 29

In a machine for packaging plural, rollable articles of approximately the same shape and size, that includes a horizontally disposed rectangular sheet, a pair of parallel, horizontally spaced, straight, horizontal frame members along two opposite edges of said sheet supporting said sheet slack between said two edges feed means for supplying articles onto said sheet along one of said frame members and receiving means for receiving articles from said sheet along the other of said frame members, the improvement of: a. moving means for moving articles deposited on said sheet along one of said two frame members to the other thereof for discharge from said sheet along said other frame member; b. said moving means comprising a horizontally extending endless row of equally spaced, straight, Parallel rollers in side by side relation parallel with said pair of frame members having an upper run and a lower run with the rollers of the upper run extending between said pair of frame members below and in engagement with the slack portion of said sheet with the sections of said sheet between adjacent pairs of the rollers of said upper run depending between said adjacent pairs providing upwardly opening troughs for receiving therein the articles deposed on said sheet along said one of said frame members; and c. means supporting said endless row of rollers with the rollers of the upper run thereof in said engagement with said sheet and for circulation of said row of rollers in a direction for movement of the rollers of the upper run in a direction from said one frame member to the other thereof for effecting movement of the articles deposited on said sheet from said one frame member to the other and for aligning the so deposited in single rows parallel with and supported in said troughs for simultaneous discharge of the articles of each such row at said other frame member, and means for so circulating said endless row of rollers.

Claim 30

In a machine as defined in claim 19: d. a row of article receiving channels along said other frame member each having one of its ends in a position for receiving one of the articles simultaneously discharged from said sheet along said other frame member for delivery of the articles so received to packages adjacent the opposite ends of said channels; and e. supply means for delivering articles onto said sheet adjacent said one of said frame members for movement on said sheet to said other frame member upon actuation of said article-moving means.

Claim 31

In a machine including a main frame, for numerically packaging plural rollable articles of approximately the same shape and size, comprising: a. article-supporting means for supporting said articles in plural successions for movement to separate discharge points providing a leading end article in each succession adjacent said discharge point for discharge therefrom and a trailing end article at the opposite end of each succession, b. feed means for feeding articles from a supply to the trailing ends of said successions for maintaining a supply of articles in each succession, c. container-supporting means for supporting and moving plural containers in a row in one direction longitudinally of said row past said discharge points in article-receiving positions for receiving a leading end article in each container for each of said successions, d. article-releasing means actuated by movement of each container-supporting means past each of said discharge points, for movement, for releasing the leading end article of each succession of articles for discharge into each container during movement of said containers therepast, and for moving and holding its companion succession in a leading position for release into the next container in said row upon actuation thereof, e. said feed means including a frame having opposite ends and a carrier for articles carried thereby extending from one end of said frame to the opposite end thereof, said carrier having an article-receiving portion adjacent to said one end of said frame, f. article-moving means engaging said carrier for moving articles thereon from said one end to said opposite end for discharge from said opposite end, and g. actuating means connected with said article-moving means for so moving said articles on said carrier to said opposite end, h. frame-supporting means for supporting said carrier in a position with said opposite end thereof over said article-supporting means for discharge of articles from said carrier to said article-supporting means for so maintaining said plural succession of articles on said article-supporting means, and for supporting said frame and carrier for automatic upward and downward movement thereof about an axis along said opposite end of said carrier under thE influence of change in weight of articles disposed on said receiving portion of said carrier. i. continuously moving conveyor means for conducting articles from a bulk supply thereof to said article-receiving portion of said carrier and for discharging said articles on said portion, j. automatically actuatable speed-control means operatively connecting said conveyor means with said carrier actuated by downward movement of said article-receiving portion under the influence of the weight of articles therein for decreasing the rate of movement of said conveyor means and actuated by upward movement of said article-receiving portion upon a reduction in the weight of articles on said portion for increasing the rate of movement of said conveyor means to maintain a relatively uniform load on said carrier.

Claim 32

In a machine including a main frame, for numerically packaging plural rollable articles of approximately the same shape and size, comprising: a. article-supporting means for supporting said articles in plural successions for movement to separate discharge points providing a leading end article in each succession adjacent said discharge point for discharge therefrom and a trailing end article at the opposite end of each succession, b. feed means for feeding articles from a supply to the trailing ends of said successions for maintaining a supply of articles in each succession, c. container-supporting means for supporting and moving plural containers in a row in one direction longitudinally of said row past said discharge points in article-receiving positions for receiving a leading end article in each container for each of said successions, d. article-releasing means actuated by movement of each container-supporting means past each of said discharge points, for movement, for releasing the leading end article of each succession of articles for discharge into each container during movement of said containers therepast, and for moving and holding its companion succession in a leading position for release into the next container in said row upon actuation thereof, e. said feed means including a frame having opposite ends and a carrier for articles carried thereby extending from one end of said frame to the opposite end thereof, said carrier having an article-receiving portion adjacent to said one end of said frame, f. article-moving means engaging said carrier for moving articles thereon from said one end to said opposite end for discharge from said opposite end, and g. actuating means connected with said article-moving means for so moving said articles on said carrier to said opposite end, h. frame-supporting means for supporting said carrier in a position with said opposite end thereof over said article-supporting means for discharge of articles from said carrier to said article-supporting means for so maintaining said plural succession of articles on said article-supporting means, and for supporting said frame and carrier for automatic upward and downward movement thereof about an axis along said opposite end of said carrier under thE influence of change in weight of articles disposed on said receiving portion of said carrier. i. continuously moving conveyor means for conducting articles from a bulk supply thereof to said article-receiving portion of said carrier and for discharging said articles on said portion, j. automatically actuatable speed-control means operatively connecting said conveyor means with said carrier actuated by downward movement of said article-receiving portion under the influence of the weight of articles therein for decreasing the rate of movement of said conveyor means and actuated by upward movement of said article-receiving portion upon a reduction in the weight of articles on said portion for increasing the rate of movement of said conveyor means to maintain a relatively uniform load on said carrier.

Claim 33

In a machine as defined in claim 21; k. manually actuatable speed control means for adjusting the rate of movement of said conveyor means under a predetermined load on said carrier independently of said automatically actuatable speed control means.

Claim 34

In a machine as defined in claim 21; k. said speed-control means including driving means having a variable speed pulley therein for driving said conveyor means at different speeds, and an endless conduit for fluid including a gear pump having a housing provided with an inlet and outlet for circulation of fluid through said housing and conduit in one direction upon driving one of the gears in said housing and a power-actuated drive shaft connected with one of said gears for driving the latter, said housing being supported for oscillatory movement about said drive shaft under the influence of variations in the resistance to flow of fluid in said conduit during actuation of said drive shaft, and

Claim 35

In a machine as defined in claim 21; k. means for varying the rate of movement of said article moving means independently of said speed-control means.

Claim 36

In a machine including a main frame for numerically packaging plural rollable articles of approximately the same shape and size, comprising: a. article-supporting means for supporting said articles in plural successions for movement to separate discharge points providing a leading end article in each succession adjacent said discharge point for discharge therefrom and a trailing end article at the opposite end of each succession, b. feed means for feeding articles from a supply to the trailing ends of said successions for maintaining a supply of articles in each succession, c. container-supporting means for supporting and moving plural containers in a row in one direction longitudinally of said row past said discharge points in article-receiving positions for receiving a leading end article in each container for each of said successions, d. article-releasing means actuated by movement of each container-supporting means past each of said discharge points, for movement, for releasing the leading end article of each succession of articles for discharge into each container during movement of said containers therepast, and for moving and holding its companion succession in a leading position for release into the next container in said row upon actuation thereof, e. said feed means including a horizontally disposed, flexible, sheet and a rigid frame supporting said sheet slack between two opposite edges of the latter with one of said edges along and above said article-supporting means for delivery of articles deposited on the portion of said sheet adjacent to the edge oppositE to said one of said edges onto said article supporting means upon movement of said articles from said portion to and over said one of said edges for thereby providing and maintaining said plural successions upon discharge of leading articles therefrom, f. article-moving means below said sheet supporting the latter along at least one line of engagement therewith parallel with said one edge in a position for sagging of said sheet-like support at the side of said line facing said one edge to provide a trough at said one side for articles delivered onto said portion, and actuating means connected with said article-moving means for moving the latter in a direction form said edge opposite to said one edge of said sheet for moving articles in said trough to and over said one edge for falling onto said article-supporting means, g. said article-supporting means comprising a horizontally extending row of channels inclined relative to vertical having their upper ends adjacent to and below said one edge of said sheet and their lower ends adjacent to said discharge points, h. each of said channels including stationary upper and lower end sections being secured rigid on said main frame, i. each of said channels including upper and lower elongated channel sections spaced apart in longitudinal alignment with their open sides directed generally upwardly, and an intermediate channel section of similar cross-sectional contour extending at its upper and lower end portions below said upper and lower channel sections with said upper and lower end sections seated within the upper and lower end portions of said intermediate channel sections for reciprocation longitudinally thereof relative to said upper and lower end sections, j. means yieldably supporting said intermediate section in releasing engagement with said end sections, and k. section-reciprocating means connected with said sections for reciprocating them longitudinally thereof during feeding of articles onto said channels.

Claim 37

In a machine including a main frame for numerically packaging plural rollable articles of approximately the same shape and size, comprising: a. article-supporting means for supporting said articles in plural successions for movement to separate discharge points providing a leading end article in each succession adjacent said discharge point for discharge therefrom and a trailing end article at the opposite end of each succession, b. feed means for feeding articles from a supply to the trailing ends of said successions for maintaining a supply of articles in each succession, c. container-supporting means for supporting and moving plural containers in a row in one direction longitudinally of said row past said discharge points in article-receiving positions for receiving a leading end article in each container for each of said successions, d. article-releasing means actuated by movement of each container-supporting means past each of said discharge points, for movement, for releasing the leading end article of each succession of articles for discharge into each container during movement of said containers therepast, and for moving and holding its companion succession in a leading position for release into the next container in said row upon actuation thereof, e. said feed means including a horizontally disposed, flexible, sheet and a rigid frame supporting said sheet slack between two opposite edges of the latter with one of said edges along and above said article-supporting means for delivery of articles deposited on the portion of said sheet adjacent to the edge oppositE to said one of said edges onto said article supporting means upon movement of said articles from said portion to and over said one of said edges for thereby providing and maintaining said plural successions upon discharge of leading articles therefrom, f. article-moving means below said sheet supporting the latter along at least one line of engagement therewith parallel with said one edge in a position for sagging of said sheet-like support at the side of said line facing said one edge to provide a trough at said one side for articles delivered onto said portion, and actuating means connected with said article-moving means for moving the latter in a direction form said edge opposite to said one edge of said sheet for moving articles in said trough to and over said one edge for falling onto said article-supporting means, g. said article-supporting means comprising a horizontally extending row of channels inclined relative to vertical having their upper ends adjacent to and below said one edge of said sheet and their lower ends adjacent to said discharge points, h. each of said channels including stationary upper and lower end sections being secured rigid on said main frame, i. each of said channels including upper and lower elongated channel sections spaced apart in longitudinal alignment with their open sides directed generally upwardly, and an intermediate channel section of similar cross-sectional contour extending at its upper and lower end portions below said upper and lower channel sections with said upper and lower end sections seated within the upper and lower end portions of said intermediate channel sections for reciprocation longitudinally thereof relative to said upper and lower end sections, j. means yieldably supporting said intermediate section in releasing engagement with said end sections, and k. section-reciprocating means connected with said sections for reciprocating them longitudinally thereof during feeding of articles onto said channels.

Claim 38

In a machine including a main frame, for numerically packaging plural rollable articles of approximately the same shape and size, comprising: a. article-supporting means for supporting said articles in plural successions for movement to separate discharge points providing a leading end article in each succession adjacent said discharge point for discharge therefrom and a trailing end article at the opposite end of each succession, b. feed means for feeding articles from a supply to the trailing ends of said successions for maintaining a supply of articles in each succession, c. container-supporting means for supporting and moving plural containers in a row in one direction longitudinally of said row past said discharge points in article-receiving positions for receiving a leading end article in each container for each of said successions, d. article-releasing means actuated by movement of each container-supporting means past each of said discharge points, for movement, for releasing the leading end article of each succession of articles for discharge into each container during movement of said containers therepast, and for moving and holding its companion succession in a leading position for release into the next container in said row upon actuation thereof, e. said article-releasing means including a rotatable wheel for each succession having plural, circumferentially spaced radially opening pockets and means supporting each wheel in a position for receiving and holding said leading end article of one of said successions for release thereof and discharge into one of said containers upon rotation of said wheel in one direction, f. means respectively operatively connected with each wheel, and with each container-supporting means, engageable upon movement of said container-supporting means past said wheels for rotating each wheel to discharge an article therefrom into one of said containers, g. power means connected with said container-supporting meAns for continuously moving the latter past said discharge points, h. clutch means for intermittently engaging said power means with said wheels in succession, for rotating the latter to discharge said leading end article upon a container on said container-supporting means being in article-receiving position and disengaging said power means with said wheels upon movement of one of said container supporting means past each wheel.

Claim 39

In a machine including a main frame, for numerically packaging plural rollable articles of approximately the same shape and size, comprising: a. article-supporting means for supporting said articles in plural successions for movement to separate discharge points providing a leading end article in each succession adjacent said discharge point for discharge therefrom and a trailing end article at the opposite end of each succession, b. feed means for feeding articles from a supply to the trailing ends of said successions for maintaining a supply of articles in each succession, c. container-supporting means for supporting and moving plural containers in a row in one direction longitudinally of said row past said discharge points in article-receiving positions for receiving a leading end article in each container for each of said successions, d. article-releasing means actuated by movement of each container-supporting means past each of said discharge points, for movement, for releasing the leading end article of each succession of articles for discharge into each container during movement of said containers therepast, and for moving and holding its companion succession in a leading position for release into the next container in said row upon actuation thereof, e. said article-releasing means including a rotatable wheel for each succession having plural, circumferentially spaced radially opening pockets and means supporting each wheel in a position for receiving and holding said leading end article of one of said successions for release thereof and discharge into one of said containers upon rotation of said wheel in one direction, f. means respectively operatively connected with each wheel, and with each container-supporting means, engageable upon movement of said container-supporting means past said wheels for rotating each wheel to discharge an article therefrom into one of said containers, g. power means connected with said container-supporting meAns for continuously moving the latter past said discharge points, h. clutch means for intermittently engaging said power means with said wheels in succession, for rotating the latter to discharge said leading end article upon a container on said container-supporting means being in article-receiving position and disengaging said power means with said wheels upon movement of one of said container supporting means past each wheel.