Arrangement for the feeding of objects to and grouping them on a base

Claim 1

Apparatus for the automatic feeding and grouping of objects on a flat base supporting the objects comprising: means to intermittently advance a flat base member along a predetermined path, said flat base member being provided with crease lines to enable edge portions thereof to be folded upwardly; means to advance a single row of objects intended for feeding and grouping; means to monitor and control the advance of said objects such that their advance may be stopped upon reaching a desired feeding position; means to sequentially advance said objects from said feeding position to a first position and a second position removed therefrom, during which movement to said first position said objects may be grouped, whereupon said grouped objects are advanced to said second position onto said flat base member, wherein the distance between said feeding position and said base member exceeds twice the length of the distance between said feeding position and said first position, with said means to sequentially advance said objects being capable of advancing said objects from said feeding position to said first position during the advance of said base member; first and second lateral guide elements disposed above said means to advance said flat base member such that said flat base member can pass thereunder and also disposed parallel to the direction of movement of said objects and serving to guide said objects onto said flat base member, said flat base member being advanced in a direction from said first lateral guide element toward said second lateral guide element, and said second lateral guide element being movable to permit passage beneath it of said flat base member after said objects have been placed upon it; and means to fold upwardly and position edge portions of said flat base member to form lateral supporting surfaces for said objects disposed thereon subsequent to placement of said objects onto said flat base member.