Abstract: Plates mounted on support structure of a machine for packaging articles in sleeve-type carriers act as guides for the moving articles and as detectors of article jams which occur inside open sleeves prior to the closing of the end panel flaps of the sleeves. The plates are mounted for movement toward and away from the moving carrier sleeves and are biased inwardly toward the path of movement of the carrier sleeves. When a jam occurs the pressure of articles moving outwardly of the sleeve causes the plate to pivot away from contact with a sensor, thereby automatically shutting down the machine. The plate extends to the flap closing area so as to detect jams at any point between the loading station and the flap closing station.

Abstract: A machine for feeding a collapsed beverage can carrier sleeve to a flight bar conveyor and introducing the sleeve in fully open condition to the pocket of the conveyor. After leaving the feed rolls the collapsed carrier sleeve is moved through a fixed guide by lugs on a movable chain. The end flaps on the upwardly facing side panel are held in place on the guide while the end flaps on the downwardly facing side panel are moved downwardly by a fixed cam surface. The substantially opened sleeve is then either given a final kick by rotating arms or is propelled by the feed lugs to accelerate it into the pocket while at the same time fully straightening and opening the sleeve. The carton dimension corresponding to the length of the pocket is the same as the length of the pocket, resulting in more pockets per conveyor length and permitting operation at slower conveyor speeds.