Blank feeder apparatus

Claim 2

For successively feeding the lowermost blank from a generally vertical stack of blanks, one after another, in a longitudinally forward direction into a processing machine such as a carton folding machine wherein the blanks in the stack have a transverse notch or slit providing tabs and blank portions extending longitudinally adjacent thereto with the tabs and blank portion of the blanks in the stack respectively being above one another, blank feeder apparatus comprising a frame, longitudinally extending slide means on the frame for supporting the stack of blanks, means on the frame for feeding the lowermost blank in the stack forwardly along the slide means into the processing machine, means on the frame and adjacent the front of the stack of blanks for blocking the movement of the stack of blanks other than the lowermost blank to said machine, and hold down means on the frame for constantly resiliently urging rear end portions of at least the lowermost part of the stack downwardly toward the slide means, the slide means including a first longitudinally elongated slide member that has a longitudinally extending top slide surface extendable under said tabs and blank portions, a second longitudinally elongated slide member adjacent the said first member slide surface and having a first longitudinal end portion that has a top slide surface portion at substantially the same elevation as the transversely adjacent part of the first member top surface, a longitudinally elongated intermediate portion having a top slide surface that is curved to extend progressively greater distances above the transversely adjacent parts of the first member top surface in na forward direction and then progressively smaller distances above the transversely adjacent parts of the first member top surface, and a second end portion having a top slide surface that is at substantially the same elevation as the transversely adjacent part of the first member top surface, said second member being mounted to have its intermediate portion beneath the tabs and blank portions, said first member having a vacuum port opening through the top surface thereof beneath the lowermost tab and transversely opposite one of the second member end portions for pulling said lowermost tab downwardly.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that the feed means includes a feed wheel rotated about a transverse axis beneath the stack and in a position for engaging the lowermost blank front portion to aid in feeding the lowermost blank forwardly, said feed wheel having a circumferential polished metal surface portion and a circumferential surface portion having a substantially higher coefficient of friction than said metal portion angular spaced from the metal portion, cooperating rolls forming an entry nip forwardly of blocking means, endless conveyor means for engaging the lowermost blank rear edge and feeding the lowermost blank to said entry nip, said endless means being entirely located rearwardly of the blocking means, and means for mounting said wheel, rolls and endless means and for driving said wheel, at least one of said rolls, and the endless means in synchronism.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 further characterized in that the last mentioned driving means includes means for initially accelerating the endless means from a stop condition to move the lowermost blank at the linear speed of the driven cooperating roll prior to the blank entering the entry nip and after the blanks entrance to the entry nip decelerating the endless means to a stop condition, and means for driving the driven cooperating roll at a constant rate while the accelerating and decelerating means is accelerating and decelerating the endless means.

Claim 5

For successively feeding the lowermost blank from a generally vertical stack of blanks, one after another, in a longitudinally forward direction into a processing machine such as a carton folding machine, blank feeder apparatus comprising a frame, longitudinally extending slide means on the frame for supporting the stack of blanks, means on the frame for feeding the lowermost blank in the stack forwardly along the slide means into the processing machine said feed means including an endless chain having a longitudinally extending upper run extending beneath at least the rear portion of the stack of blanks, means for mounting the chain and driving the chain to have the upper run move in a forward direction, a wedge mounted on said chain to be carried thereby, said wedge having a ramp surface inclined relative the chain to extend closer to the chain in the direction of chain travel, said wedge ramp surface being transversely arcuately curved to have transverse opposite side portions and a transverse central portion that extends more remote from the chain than the transversely corresponding parts of the side portions, and a ledge mounted on said wedge to extend further outwardly of the chain than said ramp surface, adjacent the ramp surface and rearwardly thereof relative the direction of chain travel for positively engaging the rear edge of the lowermost blank on the slide means to move the lowermost blank forwardly as the chain is driven, said slide means having a longitudinal elongated slide surface portion located in a plane generally parallel to the path of movement of the lowermost blank thereover as the blank is fed forwardly, said wedge when on the upper run having a front surface portion that is located beneath said plane and a rear surface portion that extends above said plane, means on the frame and adjacent the front of the stack of blanks for blocking the movement of the stack of blanks other than the lowermost blank to said machine, and hold down means on the frame for constantly resiliently urging rear end portions of at least the lowermost part of the stack downwardly toward the slide means.

Claim 6

For successively feeding the lowermost blank from a generally vertical stack of blanks, one after another, in a longitudinally forward direction into a processing machine such as a carton folding machine, blank feeder apparatus comprising a frame, longitudinally extending slide means on the frame for supporting the stack of blanks, means on the frame for feeding the lowermost blank in the stack forwardly along the slide means into the processing machine said feed means including an endless chain having a longitudinally extending upper run extending beneath at least the rear portion of the stack of blanks, means for mounting the chain and driving the chain to have the upper run move in a forward direction, a wedge mounted on said chain to be carried thereby, said wedge having a ramp surface inclined relative the chain to extend closer to the chain in the direction of chain travel, said wedge ramp surface being transversely arcuately curved to have transverse opposite side portions and a transverse central portion that extends more remote from the chain than the transversely corresponding parts of the side portions, and a ledge mounted on said wedge to extend further outwardly of the chain than said ramp surface, adjacent the ramp surface and rearwardly thereof relative the direction of chain travel for positively engaging the rear edge of the lowermost blank on the slide means to move the lowermost blank forwardly as the chain is driven, said slide means having a longitudinal elongated slide surface portion located in a plane generally parallel to the path of movement of the lowermost blank thereover as the blank is fed forwardly, said wedge when on the upper run having a front surface portion that is located beneath said plane and a rear surface portion that extends above said plane, means on the frame and adjacent the front of the stack of blanks for blocking the movement of the stack of blanks other than the lowermost blank to said machine, and hold down means on the frame for constantly resiliently urging rear end portions of at least the lowermost part of the stack downwardly toward the slide means.

Claim 7

For successively feeding the lowermost blank from a generally vertical stack of blanks, one after another, in a longitudinally forward direction into a processing machine such as a carton folding machine, blank feeder apparatus comprising a frame, longitudinally extending slide means on the frame for supporting the stack of blanks, means on the frame for feeding the lowermost blank in the stack forwardly along the slide means into the processing machine, said feed means including an endless chain having a longitudinally extending upper run extending beneath at least the rear portion of the stack of blanks, means for mounting the chain and driving the chain to have the upper run move in a forward direction, a wedge mounted on said chain to be carried thereby, said wedge having a ramp surface inclined relative the chain to extend closer to the chain in the direction of chain travel, and a ledge mounted on said wedge to extend further outwardly of the chain than said ramp surface, adjacent the ramp surface and rearwardly thereof relative the direction of chain travel for positively engaging the rear edge of the lowermost blank on the slide means to move the lowermost blank forwardly as the chain is driven, said feed means including a plurality of additional wedges and ledges mounted on the chain such that the wedges are in equal spaced relationship along the length of the chain, said drive means includes a continuously driven mechanism that is synchronized with the drive to the machine, driven means drivingly connected to the chain, and means for drivingly connecting the driven mechanism to the means drivingly connected to the chain for a period of time that one ledge is moved from a position just rearwardly adjacent the lowermost blank rear edge to a position that the adjacent trailing ledge on the chain is just rearward of and adjacent the rear edge of the next to lowermost blank of the stack and then interrupting the drive to the means drivingly connected to the chain, means on the frame and adjacent the front of the stack of blanks for blocking the movement of the stack of blanks other than the lowermost blank to said machine, and hold down means on the frame for constantly resiliently urging rear end portions of at least the lowermost part of the stack downwardly toward the slide means.

Claim 8

For successively feeding the lowermost blank from a generally vertical stack of blanks, one after another, in a longitudinally forward direction into a processing machine such as a carton folding machine, blank feeder apparatus comprising a frame, longitudinally extending slide means on the frame for supporting the stack of blanks, means on the frame for feeding the lowermost blank in the stack forwardly along the slide means into the processing machine, said feed means including an endless chain having a longitudinally extending upper run extending beneath at least the rear portion of the stack of blanks, means for mounting the chain and driving the chain to have the upper run move in a forward direction, a wedge mounted on said chain to be carried thereby, said wedge having a ramp surface inclined relative the chain to extend closer to the chain in the direction of chain travel, and a ledge mounted on said wedge to extend further outwardly of the chain than said ramp surface, adjacent the ramp surface and rearwardly thereof relative the direction of chain travel for positively engaging the rear edge of the lowermost blank on the slide means to move the lowermost blank forwardly as the chain is driven, said feed means including a plurality of additional wedges and ledges mounted on the chain such that the wedges are in equal spaced relationship along the length of the chain, said drive means includes a continuously driven mechanism that is synchronized with the drive to the machine, driven means drivingly connected to the chain, and means for drivingly connecting the driven mechanism to the means drivingly connected to the chain for a period of time that one ledge is moved from a position just rearwardly adjacent the lowermost blank rear edge to a position that the adjacent trailing ledge on the chain is just rearward of and adjacent the rear edge of the next to lowermost blank of the stack and then interrupting the drive to the means drivingly connected to the chain, means on the frame and adjacent the front of the stack of blanks for blocking the movement of the stack of blanks other than the lowermost blank to said machine, and hold down means on the frame for constantly resiliently urging rear end portions of at least the lowermost part of the stack downwardly toward the slide means.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 5 further characterized in that the ledges are spaced along the chain so that only one ledge at a time is located on the upper run portion that extends forwardly of the stack rear edge.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 5 further characterized in that the intermittently drivingly connecting means comprises a clutch assembly having constantly rotatable dog mechanism, a sprocket, a driven dog, a brake, a braking surface portion, means mounting the driven dog on the sprocket for axial movement relative thereto between a position in driving engagement with the dog mechanism to drive the sprocket and a second position out of driving engagement with the dog mechanism, the last mentioned means mounting the brake for positioning the brake in braking engagement with said brake surface when the dog is in the second position, operable means for operating the dog from its first position to its second position, and solenoid operated means on the frame for operating said operable means.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 7 further characterized in that the operable means comprises a transversely movable shaft that rotatably mounts said dog and sprocket, said shaft having means for moving the dog to its second position as the shaft is moved axially in one direction, and that said solenoid means includes a reciprocally mounted slide, and actuator means mounted on the shaft for transversely moving the shaft as the slide is reciprocated.

Claim 12

For successively feeding the lowermost blank from a generally vertical stack of blanks, one after another, in a longitudinally forward direction into a processing machine such as a carton folding machine, blank feeder apparatus comprising a frame, longitudinally extending slide means on the frame for supporting the stack of blanks, means on the frame for feeding the lowermost blank in the stack forwardly along the slide means into the processing machine, means on the frame and adjacent the front of the stack of blanks for blocking the movement of the stack of blanks other than the lowermost blank to said machine, and hold down means on the frame for constantly resiliently urging rear end portions of at least the lowermost part of the stack downwardly toward the slide means, said hold down means comprising a hold down member having forwardly facing serrations for engaging the stack rear edge portion, and means mounting the hold down member for limited generally vertical movement and constantly resiliently urging the hold down member downwardly.

Claim 13

For successively feeding the lowermost blank from a generally vertical stack of blanks, one after another, in a longitudinally forward direction into a processing machine such as a carton folding machine, blank feeder apparatus comprising a frame, longitudinally extending slide means on the frame for supporting the stack of blanks, means on the frame for feeding the lowermost blank in the stack forwardly along the slide means into the processing machine, means on the frame and adjacent the front of the stack of blanks for blocking the movement of the stack of blanks other than the lowermost blank to said machine, and hold down means on the frame for constantly resiliently urging rear end portions of at least the lowermost part of the stack downwardly toward the slide means, said hold down means comprising a hold down member having forwardly facing serrations for engaging the stack rear edge portion, and means mounting the hold down member for limited generally vertical movement and constantly resiliently urging the hold down member downwardly.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 9 further characterized in that said feed means comprises means for elevating the rear portion of the stack a limited amount as the lowermost blank is moved forwardly and thence permit the rear portion of the stack to move downwardly.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 9 further characterized in that the slide means includes a longitudinally elongated track, and a housing mounted on the track for being retained in selected longitudinally adjusted positions thereon, and that the hold down means is mounted on the housing.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 11 further characterized in that the slide means includes a longitudinally elongated, telescopic blank support member having a rear portion that is attached to said housing, and that there is provided a magazine bracket that is mounted on the housing for abutting against one longitudinal rear edge portion of the blanks in the stack to aid in retaining the blanks in general vertical alignment.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 12 further characterized in that the slide member has a front end portion, and that the slide means includes a bracket for mounting the slide member front end portion on the track and means mounted on the frame for mounting the track for transverse adjustment.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 12 further characterized in that said slide member has a front end portion having a front part that has a generally horizontally extending blank slide edge, said slide member rearwardly of said front portion having a blank slide edge that is inclined downwardly and rearwardly at a substantial angle relative the horizontal.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 14 further characterized in that the feed means includes a feed wheel mounted for rotation about a transverse axis and having an upper circumferential portion transversely aligned with and at about the same elevation as the juncture of said horizontal edge and the inclined edge, said wheel having circumferentially spaced inserts that have circumferentially outer surfaces portions of a material such as rubber, and polished metal circumferential surfaces extending circumferentially between said inserts.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 15 further characterized in that said inclined surface lies in a blank slide plane, that said blocking means comprises escape bars having lower terminal edges that terminate at substantially an intersection with said plane, that the juncture of said horizontal edge and inclined edge is a substantial distance rearwardly of the escape bar terminal edges, and that said slide member has a vacuum port opening upwardly adjacent the juncture of the horizontal and inclined edges and forwardly thereof for applying a vaccum to pull the vertically adjacent part of the lowermost blank downwardly to permit passage of the blank beneath the escape bars.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 16 further characterized in that the feed means includes feed roll means having an entry nip forwardly of the escape bars for aiding in moving the lowermost blank forwardly, an endless chain having a longitudinally extending upper run extending beneath the lowermost blank in the stack and generally parallel thereto, and means mounted on the chain to, as it is moved along the upper run, engage the rear edge of the lowermost blank and move it forwardly, said upper run being located and terminating longitudinally rearwardly of the escape bars and being of a length to extend forwardly of the stack rear edge a distance that is greater than the distance between the lower terminal edges of the escape bars and the entry nip.

Claim 22

For successively moving the lowermost blank from a generally vertical stack of blanks, one after another, in a longitudinally forward direction into a processing machine such as a carton folding machine, blank feeder apparatus comprising a frame, longitudinally extending slide means on the frame for supporting the stack of blanks, means on the frame for feeding the lowermost blank in the stack forwardly along the slide means and into the processing machine, and a magazine on the frame for retaining the stack in aligned relationship while permitting the lowermost blank being fed forwardly, said magazine having vertically elongated escape bars for abutting against the front transverse edges of the blanks in the stack, said bars having lower terminal edges, said slide means including a pair of longitudinally elongated, transversely spaced slide members, each slide member having a front, generally horizontal top edge portion extending forwardly of the escape bars, an elongated rear top edge portion rearwardly of the front edge portion and inclined downwardly and rearwardly at a substantial angle to the horizontal and a curved top edge portion located a short distance longitudinally rearwardly of the escape bars, at a lower elevation of said terminal edges, and joining the top and rear edge portions, the rear top edges being located in a blank slide plane that intersects with the escape bars, said slide members having vacuum ports opening through the top edge portions for applying a vacuum to the lowermost blank front portion to pull it below the terminal edges of the escape bars.

Claim 23

For successively moving the lowermost blank from a generally vertical stack of blanks, one after another, in a longitudinally forward direction into a processing machine such as a carton folding machine, blank feeder apparatus comprising a frame, longitudinally extending slide means on the frame for supporting the stack of blanks, means on the frame for feeding the lowermost blank in the stack forwardly along the slide means and into the processing machine, and a magazine on the frame for retaining the stack in aligned relationship while permitting the lowermost blank being fed forwardly, said magazine having vertically elongated escape bars for abutting against the front transverse edges of the blanks in the stack, said bars having lower terminal edges, said slide means including a pair of longitudinally elongated, transversely spaced slide members, each slide member having a front, generally horizontal top edge portion extending forwardly of the escape bars, an elongated rear top edge portion rearwardly of the front edge portion and inclined downwardly and rearwardly at a substantial angle to the horizontal and a curved top edge portion located a short distance longitudinally rearwardly of the escape bars, at a lower elevation of said terminal edges, and joining the top and rear edge portions, the rear top edges being located in a blank slide plane that intersects with the escape bars, said slide members having vacuum ports opening through the top edge portions for applying a vacuum to the lowermost blank front portion to pull it below the terminal edges of the escape bars.

Claim 24

The apparatus of claim 18 further characterized in that the feed means includes a driven feed wheel transversely adjacent each slide member and mounted to have an upper circumferential portion thereof abut against the lowermost most blank front portion when said blank front portion has been pulled down by vacuum applied through said ports, said wheel having a circumferential insert that has a circumferential surface of a substantially higher coefficient of friction than the angularly adjacent circumferential part of the wheel.

Claim 25

The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the blanks in the stack have transverse notches or slits providing tabs and blank portions extending horizontally adjacent thereto with the tabs and blank portions of the blanks in the stack respectively above one another, further characterized in that the slide means includes a longitudinally elongated slide device mounted adjacent one of the slide members and having a top edge that in a forward direction is at about the same elevation as the top edge of the adjacent slide member, then progressively extends to higher distances above the transversely adjacent parts of the adjacent slide member top edge, thence progressively lower distances above the transversely adjacent parts of the adjacent slide member top edge, and then at about the same elevation as the top edge of the adjacent slide member, said device being mounted to support the vertically adjacent parts of the lowermost blank portion and tab above the transverse adjacent parts of adjacent slide member, said adjacent slide member having a vacuum port opening through its top edge to the tab of the lowermost blank in the stack prior to its being fed forwardly at a location that the device top edge is at about the same elevation as the adjacent member top edge.

Claim 26

For successively feeding the lowermost blank from a generally vertical stack of blanks, one after another, in a longitudinally forward direction into a processing machine such as a carton folding machine, blank feeder apparatus comprising a frame, longitudinally extending slide means on the frame for supporting the stack of blanks, means on the frame for feeding the lowermost blank in the stack forwardly along the slide means into the processing machine, and magazine means on the frame for retaining the blanks in the stack on the slide means in generally vertical alignment while permitting the lowermost blank being fed forwardly, said feed means including a first gear, means for driving said first gear, a second gear, a cage member including gear members for drivingly connecting the first gear to second gear, said first and second gears and cage member being mounted for angular movement about a common axis, means drivenly connected to the second gear for moving the lowermost blank forwardly, an eccentric having a shaft that has a central axis, an eccentric mount having a central axis mounting said shaft to have the shaft axis parallel to and offset from said mount axis and permitting said shaft being selectively rotatably positioned relative to the mount, a link having one end pivotally connected to the eccentric offset from the shaft axis and an opposite end pivotally connected to the cage for pivoting the cage first in one angular direction and then the other angular direction as the eccentric is rotated about the mount axis, said first gear and mount having cooperating means for rotating the mount about its axis as the first gear is driven, and adjustment means for retaining the shaft in selected adjusted angular positions relative the mount for varying the rate of acceleration and deceleration imparted from the first gear through the cage member to the second gear.

Claim 27

For successively feeding the lowermost blank from a generally vertical stack of blanks, one after another, in a longitudinally forward direction into a processing machine such as a carton folding machine, blank feeder apparatus comprising a frame, longitudinally extending slide means on the frame for supporting the stack of blanks, means on the frame for feeding the lowermost blank in the stack forwardly along the slide means into the processing machine, and magazine means on the frame for retaining the blanks in the stack on the slide means in generally vertical alignment while permitting the lowermost blank being fed forwardly, said feed means including a first gear, means for driving said first gear, a second gear, a cage member including gear members for drivingly connecting the first gear to second gear, said first and second gears and cage member being mounted for angular movement about a common axis, means drivenly connected to the second gear for moving the lowermost blank forwardly, an eccentric having a shaft that has a central axis, an eccentric mount having a central axis mounting said shaft to have the shaft axis parallel to and offset from said mount axis and permitting said shaft being selectively rotatably positioned relative to the mount, a link having one end pivotally connected to the eccentric offset from the shaft axis and an opposite end pivotally connected to the cage for pivoting the cage first in one angular direction and then the other angular direction as the eccentric is rotated about the mount axis, said first gear and mount having cooperating means for rotating the mount about its axis as the first gear is driven, and adjustment means for retaining the shaft in selected adjusted angular positions relative the mount for varying the rate of acceleration and deceleration imparted from the first gear through the cage member to the second gear.

Claim 28

The apparatus of claim 21 further characterized in that the feed means includes a housing having the said first and second gears, eccentric, mount and cage member mounted thereon, said adjustment means extending exterior of the housing.

Claim 29

The apparatus of claim 22 further characterized in that there is provided a longitudinally elongated track on the frame mounting the housing for selected adjusted longitudinal movement therealong, the means for driving first gear including a third gear rotatably mounted by the housing, a longitudinally elongated shaft rotatably mounted on the track and having an axially elongated keyway, a fourth gear on the last mentioned shaft and having a key axially slidably extend into the keyway for driving the fourth gear as said last mentioned shaft is rotated, said fourth gear being in driving relationship to the third gear and rotatably mounted on the housing to be adjusted longitudinally therewith.

Claim 30

The apparatus of claim 23 further characterized in that the slide means includes a longitudinally elongated telescopic slide member having a rear portion mounted on the housing and a front end portion mounted on said track, means mounted on the frame for selectively adjusting the transverse position of the track, and that the magazine means includes means mounted on the housing for abutting against an edge of said stack.

Claim 31

For successively feeding the lowermost blank from a generally vertical stack of blanks, one after another, in a longitudinally forward direction into a processing machine such as a carton folding machine, having a given blank linear speed, blank feeder apparatus comprising longitudinally extending slide means on the frame for supporting the stack of blanks, means on the frame for feeding the lowermost blank along the slide means into the processing machine, magazine means on the frame for retaining the blanks in the stack in aligned relationship while permitting the lowermost blank being fed forwardly and means for driving the feed means, the drive means including a first shaft rotatably mounted on the frame, means for drivingly connecting the first shaft to the feed means, a clutch housing on the frame, a second shaft mounted for limited axial movement by the housing, a continuously driven third shaft, dog means rotatably mounted on the second shaft and drivingly connected to the third shaft, a solenoid mounted on the frame and having a reciprocal solenoid member, mechanical means connected to solenoid member and to the second shaft for moving the second shaft in one axial direction as the solenoid member is moved in one direction, a sprocket mounted in the housing in a fixed axial position and rotatably about the second shaft, means for drivingly connecting the sprocket to the first shaft, a dog mounted on the second shaft for rotatable movement relative thereto, means mounting the dog on the sprocket for axial movement relative thereto between a position to provide a driving connection between the dog and dog means and breaking the driving connection therebetween and connected to the sprocket for rotating the sprocket when the dog means is being rotated and the dog is in the position providing the driving connection, means for resiliently urging the dog to said driving connection position, said second shaft having means for moving the dog to its second position as said second shaft is moved in said one direction.

Claim 32

For successively feeding the lowermost blank from a generally vertical stack of blanks, one after another, in a longitudinally forward direction into a processing machine such as a carton folding machine, having a given blank linear speed, blank feeder apparatus comprising longitudinally extending slide means on the frame for supporting the stack of blanks, means on the frame for feeding the lowermost blank along the slide means into the processing machine, magazine means on the frame for retaining the blanks in the stack in aligned relationship while permitting the lowermost blank being fed forwardly and means for driving the feed means, the drive means including a first shaft rotatably mounted on the frame, means for drivingly connecting the first shaft to the feed means, a clutch housing on the frame, a second shaft mounted for limited axial movement by the housing, a continuously driven third shaft, dog means rotatably mounted on the second shaft and drivingly connected to the third shaft, a solenoid mounted on the frame and having a reciprocal solenoid member, mechanical means connected to solenoid member and to the second shaft for moving the second shaft in one axial direction as the solenoid member is moved in one direction, a sprocket mounted in the housing in a fixed axial position and rotatably about the second shaft, means for drivingly connecting the sprocket to the first shaft, a dog mounted on the second shaft for rotatable movement relative thereto, means mounting the dog on the sprocket for axial movement relative thereto between a position to provide a driving connection between the dog and dog means and breaking the driving connection therebetween and connected to the sprocket for rotating the sprocket when the dog means is being rotated and the dog is in the position providing the driving connection, means for resiliently urging the dog to said driving connection position, said second shaft having means for moving the dog to its second position as said second shaft is moved in said one direction.

Claim 33

The apparatus of claim 25 further characterized in that said housing has a brake surface and that a brake is mounted on the means mounting the dog on the sprocket for engaging said brake surface when the second shaft moves the dog to its second position, and that the means connected to the solenoid member includes a slide member slidably mounted on the frame and connected to the solenoid member to be reciprocated by the solenoid member, and an actuator mounted on the second shaft for limited axial movement relative thereto for moving the second shaft between its positions as the solenoid member is moved between its positions.

Claim 34

The apparatus of claim 26 further characterized in that the feed means includes a feed wheel keyed to the first shaft for engaging the front portion of the lowermost blank, said feed wheel having a circumferential insert surface portion for exerting a pulling force on the lowermost blank, means for engaging the rear edge of the lowermost blank in the stack for feeding it forwardly, means drivingly connected to the first shaft for first accelerating the rear edge engaging means to the linear speed of the processing machine and then decelerating it, cooperating roll means forming an entry nip forwardly of the stack front edge, including a driven roll, a fourth shaft for mounting the driven roll and having it keyed thereto, and means for drivingly connecting the first shaft to the fourth shaft to drive the fourth shaft at a constant speed when the first shaft is being driven.

Claim 35

The apparatus of claim 27 further characterized in that there is provided control means for sensing the movement of a blank into the processing machine to be moved thereby and thereupon operating the solenoid to move its solenoid member whereby the second shaft is moved in its one axial direction.

Claim 36

For successively feeding the lowermost blank from a generally vertical stack of blanks, one after another, in a longitudinally forward direction into a processing machine such as a carton folding machine, blank feeder apparatus comprising a frame, longitudinally extending slide means on the frame for supporting the stack of blanks, means on the frame for feeding the lowermost blank in the stack forwardly along the slide means into the processing machine, and magazine means on the frame for retaining the blanks in generally vertical stacked relationship while permitting the lowermost blank in the stack being fed forwardly on the slide means into the processing machine, said magazine means having a front escape member, a vertically elongated hold down member having serrations for abutting against the rear edge of the stack, and means mounting the hold down member for limited vertical movement and resiliently urging the hold down member downwardly, the feed means including an endless chain having a longitudinally extending upper run extending both rearwardly and forwardly of the rear edge of the stack, several wedges mounted in evenly spaced relationship along the length of the chain, each wedge having a ramp surface for elevating the adjacent part of the stack as the wedge moves forwardly, a ledge mounted on each wedge to extend further outwardly from the chain than the wedge on which it is mounted for engaging the rear edge of the lowermost blank as it is moved forwardly along the upper run, and drive means for driving the chain upper run to move it in a forward direction.

Claim 37

For successively feeding the lowermost blank from a generally vertical stack of blanks, one after another, in a longitudinally forward direction into a processing machine such as a carton folding machine, blank feeder apparatus comprising a frame, longitudinally extending slide means on the frame for supporting the stack of blanks, means on the frame for feeding the lowermost blank in the stack forwardly along the slide means into the processing machine, and magazine means on the frame for retaining the blanks in generally vertical stacked relationship while permitting the lowermost blank in the stack being fed forwardly on the slide means into the processing machine, said magazine means having a front escape member, a vertically elongated hold down member having serrations for abutting against the rear edge of the stack, and means mounting the hold down member for limited vertical movement and resiliently urging the hold down member downwardly, the feed means including an endless chain having a longitudinally extending upper run extending both rearwardly and forwardly of the rear edge of the stack, several wedges mounted in evenly spaced relationship along the length of the chain, each wedge having a ramp surface for elevating the adjacent part of the stack as the wedge moves forwardly, a ledge mounted on each wedge to extend further outwardly from the chain than the wedge on which it is mounted for engaging the rear edge of the lowermost blank as it is moved forwardly along the upper run, and drive means for driving the chain upper run to move it in a forward direction.

Claim 38

For successively feeding the lowermost blank from a generally vertical stack of blanks, one after another, in a longitudinally forward direction into a processing machine such as a carton folding machine, blank feeder apparatus comprising a frame, longitudinally extending slide means on the frame for supporting the stack of blanks, means on the frame for feeding the lowermost blank in the stack forwardly along the slide means into the processing machine, and magazine means on the frame for retaining the blanks in generally vertical stacked relationship while permitting the lowermost blank in the stack being fed forwardly on the slide means into the processing machine, said magazine means having a front escape member, said feed means including an endless chain having a longitudinally extending upper run extending both rearwardly and forwardly of the rear edge of the stack, several wedges mounted in evenly spaced relationship along the length of the chain, each wedge having a ramp surface for elevating the adjacent part of the stack as the wedge moves forwardly, a ledge mounted on each wedge to extend further outwardly from the chain than the wedge on which it is mounted for engaging the rear edge of the lowermost blank as it is moved forwardly along the upper run, and a feed wheel rotatable about a transverse axis and mounted to engage the lowermost blank lower surface longitudinally rearwardly of and adjacent the front of the stack, said wheel having a first circumferential portion, and a second circumferential portion angularly spaced from the first portion that has a substantially higher coefficient of friction than the coefficient of friction of the first portion, the slide means including a longitudinally elongated bar having a top edge blank slide surface transversely adjacent the feed wheel and a vacuum port opening through said top edge surface for pulling the blank into radial conformity with the transversely adjacent parts of the feed wheel, and drive means for driving the chain upper run to move it in a forward direction, said drive means being drivingly connected to said wheel for drivingly rotating said wheel so that as said second portion engages the blank it exerts a forward pulling force on the lowermost blank.

Claim 39

For successively feeding the lowermost blank from a generally vertical stack of blanks, one after another, in a longitudinally forward direction into a processing machine such as a carton folding machine, blank feeder apparatus comprising a frame, longitudinally extending slide means on the frame for supporting the stack of blanks, means on the frame for feeding the lowermost blank in the stack forwardly along the slide means into the processing machine, and magazine means on the frame for retaining the blanks in generally vertical stacked relationship while permitting the lowermost blank in the stack being fed forwardly on the slide means into the processing machine, said magazine means having a front escape member, said feed means including an endless chain having a longitudinally extending upper run extending both rearwardly and forwardly of the rear edge of the stack, several wedges mounted in evenly spaced relationship along the length of the chain, each wedge having a ramp surface for elevating the adjacent part of the stack as the wedge moves forwardly, a ledge mounted on each wedge to extend further outwardly from the chain than the wedge on which it is mounted for engaging the rear edge of the lowermost blank as it is moved forwardly along the upper run, and a feed wheel rotatable about a transverse axis and mounted to engage the lowermost blank lower surface longitudinally rearwardly of and adjacent the front of the stack, said wheel having a first circumferential portion, and a second circumferential portion angularly spaced from the first portion that has a substantially higher coefficient of friction than the coefficient of friction of the first portion, the slide means including a longitudinally elongated bar having a top edge blank slide surface transversely adjacent the feed wheel and a vacuum port opening through said top edge surface for pulling the blank into radial conformity with the transversely adjacent parts of the feed wheel, and drive means for driving the chain upper run to move it in a forward direction, said drive means being drivingly connected to said wheel for drivingly rotating said wheel so that as said second portion engages the blank it exerts a forward pulling force on the lowermost blank.

Claim 40

For successively feeding the lowermost blank from a generally vertical stack of blanks, one after another, in a longitudinally forward direction into a processing machine such as a carton folding machine, blank feeder apparatus comprising a frame, longitudinally extending slide means on the frame for supporting the stack of blanks, means on the frame for feeding the lowermost blank in the stack forwardly along the slide means into the processing machine, and magazine means on the frame for retaining the blanks in generally vertical stacked relationship while permitting the lowermost blank in the stack being fed forwardly on the slide means into the processing machine, said magazine means having a front escape member, the feed means including an endless chain having a longitudinally extending upper run extending both rearwardly and forwardly of the rear edge of the stack, several wedges mounted in evenly spaced relationship along the length of the chain, each wedge having a ramp surface for elevating the adjacent part of the stack as the wedge moves forwardly, a ledge mounted on each wedge to extend further outwardly from the chain than the wedge on which it is mounted for engaging the rear edge of the lowermost blank as it is moved forwardly along the upper run, and a feed wheel rotatable about a transverse axis and mounted to engage the lowermost blank lower surface longitudinally rearwardly of and adjacent the front of the stack, said wheel having a first circumferential portion, and a second circumferential portion angularly spaced from the first portion that has a substantially higher coefficient of friction than the coefficient of friction of the first portion, and drive means for driving the chain upper run to move it in a forward direction, said drive means being drivingly connected to said wheel for drivingly rotating said wheel so that as said second portion engages the blank it exerts a forward pulling force on the lowermost blank, the above mentioned drive means including first drive means for driving the wheel at a constant speed and driving the chain to accelerate the chain as a ledge engages the lowermost blank lower edge to move the lowermost blank forwardly and after the lowermost blank has been accelerated to the speed of the carton machine, decelerate the chain, second continuous drive means driven in synchronism with the machine, and means for drivingly connecting the second drive means to the first drive means and discontinuing the drive thereto after the ledge that engaged the lowermost blank rear edge has been moved along the chain upper run and in advance of the upper run in the path of movement of the chain.

Claim 41

For successively feeding the lowermost blank from a generally vertical stack of blanks, one after another, in a longitudinally forward direction into a processing machine such as a carton folding machine, blank feeder apparatus comprising a frame, longitudinally extending slide means on the frame for supporting the stack of blanks, means on the frame for feeding the lowermost blank in the stack forwardly along the slide means into the processing machine, and magazine means on the frame for retaining the blanks in generally vertical stacked relationship while permitting the lowermost blank in the stack being fed forwardly on the slide means into the processing machine, said magazine means having a front escape member, the feed means including an endless chain having a longitudinally extending upper run extending both rearwardly and forwardly of the rear edge of the stack, several wedges mounted in evenly spaced relationship along the length of the chain, each wedge having a ramp surface for elevating the adjacent part of the stack as the wedge moves forwardly, a ledge mounted on each wedge to extend further outwardly from the chain than the wedge on which it is mounted for engaging the rear edge of the lowermost blank as it is moved forwardly along the upper run, and a feed wheel rotatable about a transverse axis and mounted to engage the lowermost blank lower surface longitudinally rearwardly of and adjacent the front of the stack, said wheel having a first circumferential portion, and a second circumferential portion angularly spaced from the first portion that has a substantially higher coefficient of friction than the coefficient of friction of the first portion, and drive means for driving the chain upper run to move it in a forward direction, said drive means being drivingly connected to said wheel for drivingly rotating said wheel so that as said second portion engages the blank it exerts a forward pulling force on the lowermost blank, the above mentioned drive means including first drive means for driving the wheel at a constant speed and driving the chain to accelerate the chain as a ledge engages the lowermost blank lower edge to move the lowermost blank forwardly and after the lowermost blank has been accelerated to the speed of the carton machine, decelerate the chain, second continuous drive means driven in synchronism with the machine, and means for drivingly connecting the second drive means to the first drive means and discontinuing the drive thereto after the ledge that engaged the lowermost blank rear edge has been moved along the chain upper run and in advance of the upper run in the path of movement of the chain.

Claim 42

For successively feeding the lowermost blank from a generally vertical stack of blanks, one after another, in a longitudinally forward direction into a processing machine such as a carton folding machine, blank feeder apparatus comprising a frame, longitudinally extending slide means on the frame for supporting the stack of blanks, means on the frame for feeding the lowermost blank in the stack forwardly along the slide means into the processing machine, and means on the frame and adjacent the front of the stack of blanks for blocking the movement of the stack of blanks other than the lowermost blank to said machine, said feed means including a feed wheel rotated about a transverse axis beneath the stack and in a position for engaging the lowermost blank front portion to aid in feeding the lowermost blank forwardly, cooperating rolls forming an entry nip forwardly of the blocking means, endless conveyor means for engaging the lowermost blank rear edge and feeding the lowermost blank to said entry nip, said endless means being entirely located rearwardly of the blocking means, and mounting and driving means for mounting said wheel, rolls and endless means and driving said wheel, at least one of said rolls, and the endless means in synchronism, the mounting and driving means including means for initially accelerating the endless means up to a speed to move the lowermost blank at the linear speed of the driven cooperating roll prior to the blank entering the entry nip and after the blanks entrance to the entry nip decelerating the endless means, and means for driving the driven cooperating roll at a constant rate while the accelerating and decelerating means is accelerating and decelerating the endless means.

Claim 43

For successively feeding the lowermost blank from a generally vertical stack of blanks, one after another, in a longitudinally forward direction into a processing machine such as a carton folding machine, blank feeder apparatus comprising a frame, longitudinally extending slide means on the frame for supporting the stack of blanks, means on the frame for feeding the lowermost blank in the stack forwardly along the slide means into the processing machine, and means on the frame and adjacent the front of the stack of blanks for blocking the movement of the stack of blanks other than the lowermost blank to said machine, said feed means including a feed wheel rotated about a transverse axis beneath the stack and in a position for engaging the lowermost blank front portion to aid in feeding the lowermost blank forwardly, cooperating rolls forming an entry nip forwardly of the blocking means, endless conveyor means for engaging the lowermost blank rear edge and feeding the lowermost blank to said entry nip, said endless means being entirely located rearwardly of the blocking means, and mounting and driving means for mounting said wheel, rolls and endless means and driving said wheel, at least one of said rolls, and the endless means in synchronism, the mounting and driving means including means for initially accelerating the endless means up to a speed to move the lowermost blank at the linear speed of the driven cooperating roll prior to the blank entering the entry nip and after the blanks entrance to the entry nip decelerating the endless means, and means for driving the driven cooperating roll at a constant rate while the accelerating and decelerating means is accelerating and decelerating the endless means.

Claim 44

The apparatus of claim 32 further characterized in that the mounting and driving means mounts the feed wheel to engage the lowermost blank lower surface longitudinally rearwardly of and adjacent the front of the stack.

Claim 45

For successively feeding the lowermost blank from a generally vertical stack of blanks, one after another, in a longitudinally forward direction into a processing machine such as a carton folding machine wherein each blank has a front portion and a rear portion, blank feeder apparatus comprising a frame, longitudinally extending slide means on the frame for supporting the stack of blanks, means on the frame for feeding the lowermost blank in the stack forwardly along the slide means into the processing machine, and means on the frame and adjacent the front of the stack of blanks for blocking the movement of the stack of blanks other than the lowermost blank to said machine, said blocking means having a lower terminal edge, said feed means including a feed wheel rotated about a transverse axis beneath the stack and in a position for engaging the front portion of the lowermost blank in the stack to aid in feeding the lowermost blank forwardly, cooperating rolls forming an entry nip forwardly of blocking means, endless conveyor means for engaging the lowermost blank rear edge and feeding the lowermost blank to said entry nip, said endless means being entirely located rearwardly of the blocking means and having a longitudinally extending upper run that extends both longitudinally forwardly and rearwardly of the lowermost blank in the stack, and mounting and driving means for mounting said wheel, rolls and endless means and driving said wheel, at least one of said rolls, and the endless means in synchronism, the mounting and driving means including means mounting the endless means for adjustable longitudinal movement between a first position and a second position more remote from the blocking means than the first position.

Claim 46

For successively feeding the lowermost blank from a generally vertical stack of blanks, one after another, in a longitudinally forward direction into a processing machine such as a carton folding machine wherein each blank has a front portion and a rear portion, blank feeder apparatus comprising a frame, longitudinally extending slide means on the frame for supporting the stack of blanks, means on the frame for feeding the lowermost blank in the stack forwardly along the slide means into the processing machine, and means on the frame and adjacent the front of the stack of blanks for blocking the movement of the stack of blanks other than the lowermost blank to said machine, said blocking means having a lower terminal edge, said feed means including a feed wheel rotated about a transverse axis beneath the stack and in a position for engaging the front portion of the lowermost blank in the stack to aid in feeding the lowermost blank forwardly, cooperating rolls forming an entry nip forwardly of blocking means, endless conveyor means for engaging the lowermost blank rear edge and feeding the lowermost blank to said entry nip, said endless means being entirely located rearwardly of the blocking means and having a longitudinally extending upper run that extends both longitudinally forwardly and rearwardly of the lowermost blank in the stack, and mounting and driving means for mounting said wheel, rolls and endless means and driving said wheel, at least one of said rolls, and the endless means in synchronism, the mounting and driving means including means mounting the endless means for adjustable longitudinal movement between a first position and a second position more remote from the blocking means than the first position.

Claim 47

The apparatus of claim 34 further characterized in that endless means comprises an endless chain having the endless means upper run and means mounted on the chain to, as it is moved along the upper run, engage the rear edge of the lowermost blank and move it forwardly, said upper run being located and terminating longitudinally rearwardly of the blocking means and being of a length to extend forwardly of the stack rear edge a distance that is greater than the distance between the lower terminal edge of the blocking means and the entry nip.

Claim 48

The apparatus of claim 34 further characterized in that the mounting and drive means includes means for maintaining a drive connection between the feed wheel and the endless means as the means mounting the endless means for adjustable movement is moved between its first position and second position.

Claim 49

The apparatus of claim 34 further characterized in that the means mounting the endless means includes a housing, means mounting the housing for adjustable longitudinal movement on the frame, and means mounted by the housing for movement therewith for mounting the endless means and driving the endless means.

Claim 50

The apparatus of claim 34 further characterized in that the endless means includes a driven sprocket, an endless chain driven by said sprocket, and having said upper run, and means mounted on the chain to, as it is moved along the upper run, engage the rear edge of the lowermost blank and move the lowermost blank forwardly, that the means mounting the endless means for adjustable movement includes a housing and means mounting the housing for adjustable longitudinal movement on the frame, and that the mounting and driving means includes a shaft rotatably mounted on the frame for mounting and driving the feed wheel and mechanical means for drivingly connecting the shaft to the sprocket.

Claim 51

The apparatus of claim 38 further characterized in that the mechanical means includes driven means mounted by the housing and drivingly connected to the sprocket to initially accelerate the sprocket and after the lowermost blank has entered the entry nip decelerate the sprocket, and mechanism for continuously drivingly connecting the shaft to the accelerating and decelerating means.