Abstract: A portable loader may be brought up to and selectively positioned to deliver product into mandrels carried by an automatic packaging machine. The loader may receive product on an asynchronous and on-demand basis and delivers product on a time basis coordinated with operation of the automatic packaging machine. The loader has two bins which are opened and closed in sequence to receive and deliver product with a buffer time storage in a second of the two bins in order to accommodate the timing of the packaging machine. The loader handles pouches and similarly irregularly shaped product, having a geometry which may vary at random. The pouches are gently shaped to fit into a box as they are transferred from a source of product into a loading position of the packaging machine.

Abstract: An improved packaging machine having a positive retention mandrel device and positive discharge pusher means for transporting semi-rigid containers from one conveyor to a second conveyor. A broad size latitude conveyor providing accurate positioning of such containers for transfer from said conveyor to a second conveyor. A system for utilizing a draped unfettered leaflet for telescopic introduction into a box by employing an inverted semi-rigid bottle as the insertion mechanism with the leaflet ending up in embracing relation to the bottle cover.

Abstract: A tray-like mandrel for an automatic packaging machine has a telescoping bottom so that it may be made wide in order to receive a product or narrow in order to fit into a box. The telescoping is controlled by a slot track cam extending along a path followed by the mandrel. A cam follower riding in the slot track adjusts the tray width.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine can load light and fluffy particulate product without having it scattered over a large area. The system does this by using a plurality of inclined planes to cause said product to slide in successive small steps, as distinguished from simply dropping in a single fall. The system also tips a box and provides a vent to prevent air from being entrapped and compressed within a box as it is being filled.

Abstract: The invention greatly increases the versatility and the speed at which an automatic packaging machine may fill boxes or other containers. Two fill stations are provided for alternately filling empty boxes as they move in single file past two separate fill stations. If no empty box is available to receive the product, a transfer cup is diverted and travels over one of two alternate paths at the fill station would otherwise fill the missing box. The product dumped from any non-diverted transfer cup goes into a corresponding box. The product dumped from any diverted transfer cup is returned to the start of the fill cycle. This way, the machine may simultaneously (i) fill one box with two separate products, (ii) fill alternate boxes with two different products or product volumes, or (iii) fill different kinds of boxes with product. A swing arm enables a part to be moved at each of the fill stations so that it may be repaired, maintained or cleaned without having to disassemble the machine.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine is custom constructed from standardized modules in order to reduce cost and standardize operational and maintenance procedures. The standardized modules include conveyor chain modules which may be ganged to maintain synchronization of operations. Various types of attached may be attached to the conveyor chain in order to mandrels adapt the machine to load different types of products. A cam pin guides and directs selective transfers of products when both box and product are present and to cancel transfer when one of said box or product is absent. One example of such a customized machine is a machine for loading golf balls.

Abstract: The invention greatly increases the speed at which a fill step may be completed in an automatic packaging machine. Instead of the usual process where a gate opens and closes for dumping product into each empty box, a plurality of bottomless measuring cups and transfer cups are moved in an aligned sequence with the corresponding boxes. These cups move over planar surfaces which function as the bottoms of the cups and keep the product in place within the cups. At selected locations, the cups pass over interruptions in the surfaces so that the product may fall out of the cup and into an underlying structure.

Abstract: An automobile packaging machine having a conveyor which travels over a fixed and closed path. A plurality of carriers are mounted at fixed intervals along the conveyor. A tray having a fixed physical dimensions, is mounted on the carrier to carry an object having the same dimensions. The tray is releasably locked onto the carrier by a detent and a set screw associated with interconnectors. A spring biased detent indexes the position of said tray on said carrier. Then, a set screw is tightened to lock the tray in place. This way trays may be changed quickly and easily.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine has a table with a conveyor mounted thereon to carry a plurality of mandrels. A magazine for cardboard blanks is on a swinging arm which is pivotally mounted on the table, for feeding the blanks toward the mandrels on the conveyor. A pick up includes vacuum cups on a revolving platform which moves the individual blanks from the magazine to individual ones of the mandrels. A circular scale centered on the pivot point enables a swinging of the arm to an azimuth at which the pick up may engage and carry individual blanks. The arm carries a linearly movable fence for holding the blanks in alignment. A linearly moving block is slidably mounted on a pair of guide bars extending perpendicularly away from the swinging arm. A feed screw extends through the block to the arm, whereby the block slides toward or away from the arm responsive to a turning of the feed screw.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine transports an object over a path having a freedom for both horizontal and vertical movement. Horizontal rails support a pair of guide blocks positioned to slide over the rails. Each of the guide blocks has a pair of spaced parallel slots with a T-shaped cross-section confronting individually associated one of the rails. A replaceable wear resistant track is slidably captured within each of the T-shaped slots, to slide over an individually associated one of the rails. A vertical support bar interconnects the second guide blocks. An upper and a lower U-shaped block is attached to the vertical support bar at vertically spaced locations. A keeper is secured over the open space of each of the U-shaped blocks. A block of wear resistant material is positioned in a recess in each of four interior surfaces of the U-shaped block and keeper, a slidable vertical bar being captured and sliding within the embrace of the U-shaped blocks.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine having a conveyor which travels over a fixed and closed path. a plurality of carriers are mounted at fixed intervals along the conveyor. A tray having a fixed physical dimensions, is mounted on the carrier to carry an object having the same dimensions. The tray is releasably locked onto the carrier by at least two inverted, bolt-like interconnectors located at positions displaced along the length of a support plate which is on the carrier. A key hole in the support plate receives a head on one of the bolt-like interconnectors which passes through and then slide along the length of and is captured in a small end of the key hole slot. A leaf spring snaps over the head of one bolt as it slides in the key hole slot. The leaf spring is flexed away from the bolt head to release the tray.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine includes a loading station for simultaneously and sequentially picking up a plurality of elongated products and deposing them in a spaced parallel alignment within a box. At the time of loading each of the products has an initial volume which is substantially greater than the volume which the same product will have after it has settled over time within the box. Thus, the box id overfilled by an amount which will make it full after the products have settled. Then, the overfilled box is advanced to a closing station, where the lid is closed over the filled box without damage to the products. This immediately reduces the volume of the products to the volume which they would have after they have settled.

Abstract: A unitary form and fill machine for wide throat boxes comprises a magazine for storing a plurality of pre-formed blanks. A plurality of lower mandrels are mounted on a first endless conveyor to travel throughout the machine. The blanks are picked up from the magazine one at a time and layed down on an individually associated one of the lower mandrels. A plurality of upper mandrels are mounted on a second endless conveyor which extends along a first part of the distance travelled by the first conveyor, the upper and lower mandrels and the first and second conveyors are synchronized so that the mandrels fit together and travel in alignment along said conveyors with the blank held between them. Various plows and other blank folding means are positioned adjacent conveyors for folding and sealing end flaps to form the blank into the bottom of a wide throat box. A third conveyor extends above the first conveyor along a second part of the distance travelled by the first conveyor.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for making a dry powder box with greater geometrical stability and free of pin holes, gaps and the like through which powder may sift. The process uses a carton blank having a bottom closure wherein a pair of relatively large, opposing dust flaps are first folded into the carton tube, in order to define, maintain and stabilize the cross section of the carton. Then, a pair of relatively smaller, opposing major flaps are folded and glued over the open sides of the large dust flaps. This combination of flaps keeps the large flaps from working out of alignment and helps maintain the cross sectional stability of the box. The top of the carton may be a gable having panels at the ends of the gables which are slightly larger than the cross section, of the gable roof sides. When the gable is formed, the larger ends are pushed down to create a leverage which closes the top opening more securely. The cut lines which form and define the flaps extend across approximately 80.degree.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for making a dry powder box with greater geometrical stability and free of pin holes, gaps and the like through which powder may sift. The process uses a carton blank having a bottom closure wherein a pair of relatively large, opposing dust flaps are first folded into the carton tube, in order to define, maintain and stabilize the cross section of the carton. Then, a pair of relatively smaller, opposing major flaps are folded and glued over the open sides of the large dust flaps. This combination of flaps keeps the large flaps from working out of alignment and helps maintain the cross sectional stability of the box. The top of the carton may be a gable having panels at the ends of the gables which are slightly larger than the cross section, of the gable roof sides. When the gable is formed, the larger ends are pushed down to create a leverage which closes the top opening more securely. The cut lines which form and define the flaps extend across approximately 80.degree.