US1063960A - Box-filling machine. - Google Patents

Description

Patented Juh 10, 1913.

B SHEETS-431M151 1.

w W m w M Patented June 10,1913.

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mmmsm t hi J. W. DENMEAD.

BOX FILLING MAGHINE.

APPLIGATION 211.131) MAY 29, 1909.

Patented June 10, 1913.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

HM HI! J. W. DENMEAD.

BOX FILLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION mum MAY 29, 1909.

A Patented June 10, 1913.

Mu iw kw Nam J. W. DENMEAD.

BOX FILLING MACHINE.

APPLICIAIION TILED MAY29, 1009.

11. Q68 960, Patented June 10,1913. 9 1 c SHEETS-SHEET 0. L59 7 7 WYMK'MWM n J. W. DENMEAD.

BOX FILLING MACHINE.

AIPLIUATIUN 11.31) MAY Z9A1909.

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" "i i'N W. DENMEAD,- OF AKRON. OHIO ASSIGNOR TO THE DIAMOND MATCH COMPANY,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

BOX-FILLING MACHINE.

u// vii/mm it may concern:

lle it. known that 1, JOHN IV. Des mean, a citizen of the United States, and resident of .tkron, in the county of Summit and State tit Ohio, have invented certain new and usel'ul Improvements in Roxdtilling ltl achines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines for lilling boxes with matches, or the like, having retrrence more especially to machines for lilting and closing the trayaml-shuck torm oi box commonly employed :l'or holding matches. I

The object of my invention is to provide a machine of simple and cl'licient COllSlTl'llt'liUll and o 'ieration, whereby box trays shall be delivered to a conveyer and transported thereby adjacent the discharging end ol a match machine in a manner to receive the nnttches as rapidly as they are produced; whereby shocks shall be t ed adjacent the path of, and in accurate alinement with,-tl ie tilled box trays, and whereby such, trays shall be unilormlyand positively inserted into the shacks presented thereto.

.\c ,-.ordingly my invention, stated generally, comprises various novel leatures ol constructitm and combinations of parts, all of which will he hereinafterdescribed and claimed. I

In the annexed drawings-Figure l is a plan of a box filling machine embodying my invention. Fig. S2 is a front ele 'ation thereo'l". Fig. 2) is a transverse vertical section on a plane through the devices for inserting the box trays inthe conveyor, as on the line I3--3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 41 is a similar section on a plane adjacent the devices for jarring the conveyor, as on the line t'--'l, of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a similar section on a plane through the devices for inserting the filled box trays into their shucks, as on the line fi -h, of Fig. 2, a box tray being indicated in the tray conveyor, and a portion of the shtick-feeding chains and adjuncts being shown in elevation. Fig. 6 is a transverse section through the said chains, and the channeled shuek supporting frame, as on the line 6'(i, of Fig. 5; shucks being indicated in end view in the channels of the frame. Fig. 7 is a transverse section, as on the line 7 7, of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a similar secti0n,'as on the line 8' 8, of Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a longitudinal vertical section on a plane ad acent the devices tor feedlng the Specification of Letters Patent.

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Application filed May 29, 1909. Serial No. 499,252.

box-shucks into position for the reception ot the box-trays, said devices being shown as retracted and in shuelecngaging position. Fig. 10 is a similar section, showing the slmek-tetaling devices as advanced and out to view of two adjoining links of the traywon 7O veycr.

1. (Figs. 1 and indicates a. portion ol the endless m'atch carrier o'l. a match male ing l'naehine, from which carrier the finished matches are discharged row by row in a continuous stream during the operation ol the machine.

Adjacent the discharging end of the match machine is a horizontal bed or table 2,.upon the upper surface of which is a trough 3 in which is guided and supported the upper run ot an endless conveyor 4; which passes around sprocket wheels 5, (i, mounted at or near the respective ends of the bed. is provided with a spur wheel S which meshes with a pinion 9 on a transverse shaft 10 journaled in suitable hearings in brackets 10 beneath the bed. The latter shaft bears a bevel wheel '1 '1 which meshes with a wheel 12 on a shaft 13 which also is journaled in bearings beneath the bed and extends from end to end of the latter. The shaft 19 is provided with a driving pulley .lel which is actuated From a suitable source of power,

and hence, through the gearing described, the power is transmitted to the conveyor to impart continuous motion thereto longitudinally ol the bed. (Sec Figs. 1, 2 and The convevtu' ])rel'erably comprises metal links jointed together to constitute an. endless chain and provided each, at one end, with a transverse wall '15 along the 'upper edge of which is an oppositely inclined shouldered portion 16. (Fig. Lil.) inensions ot the space between the opposite walls of adjoining links, below the overhanging shouldtns thereof, are equal to those Off the match trays to be tilled, or substantially so, to the end that such trays may be 110 Fig. 13 is a transverse 65 The shaft T of one of these wheels 85 The dibell crank lever 18 which is pivoted to a' readily introduced between the opposing walls of tinyconveyerg from one side of the latter, at a point in advance of the stream of falling matches; thence transported across the path of such stream to receive the matches progressively, and thence carried onward and discharged from the opposite side of the conveyor. The overhanging shordders prevent vertical displacement of the box trays on the conveyer, and also assist in guiding and directing the descending matches to the trays.

The trays are inserted successively into" the holders of the conveyer by means of a plunger 17- which is reciprooative at right anglese to the direction of travel of the conveyer. This plunger is slidingly fitted to ways in a suitably disposed guide piece 17 on'the bed,-at, the right hand end thereof, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2,-and is perforated near its outer end for the free passage of the extremity of the longer arm of a bracket 18 depending'from the bed. The lower arm of the lever bears a roller 19 which runs in a cam way of a cam 20 on the shaft 13, the contour of the cam way being such that the lever is quickly oscillated at predetermined intervals, and the plunger perforce correspondingly reciprocated at right angles to the direction of travel of the adjacent run of the conveyer. (See Fig. 3.) In the present instance, the cam way is a concentric groove interrupted at two diametrically opposite points with actuating portions 21, and henceduring each rotation of the. cam the plunger is twice reciprocated at intervals, with an extended dwell between the operations. .A ,box tray being fed in front of the plunger when it is retracted, the plunger upon its reciprocation impinges against theopposing end of the tray, quickly pushes the tray into the conveyor, and recedes; the relative speed of the parts being such that notwithstanding the continuous uninterrupted movement of the conveyor, the tray is accurately deposited therein.

While the box trays may be fed'to the path of the plunger in any suitable manner,

I prefer to employ for this purpose, de-

vices of the following character: 22 (Figs.v

of the chute so that they can slide down therein in a continuous procession. At or near the lower curved portion of the chute is a continuously driven wheel 23 provided neldin 'l noon and esca Jin 'the 03 30s.

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chutc during the rotation of the wheel and engage the trays and feed them progressively toward the inserting plunger, the springs by virtue of their elasticity, riding 11g trays when the lowermost tray is in position for engagement by the plunger. A suitably disposed stop 25 maintains the tray in such position. The. shaft of the wheel 23 is mounted in a projecting bracket 2 on the chute, one end of the shaft being provided with a sheave or sheaves 25 against which bears a continuously driven belt 26 passing from the pulley 27 on the shaft 13. The devices just described provide a simple and efiicient means for advancing the trays to the inserting plunger; the yielding char actor of the springs, whilepositive and reliable in their feeding action, avoiding any liability of crushing the ends of the delicate trays engaged thereby, The trays thus presented to the plunger are successively delivered to the holders of the conveyor and.

transported thereby across the stream of falling matches to receive the same,'as above mentioned.

In order to agitate or jar the trays during and after the filling thereof, and thus cause the matches to settle down snugly therein, I

provide for a slight though rapid vertical jarring of the conveyer during its traveh To this end I journal in suitable boxes on the bed, longitudinally thereof, a rock shaft 28 (Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7) provided at inter vals in its length with arms'29 which extend toward the conveyer and are provided with tappet fingers 30 that lie beneath t-he latter, whereby when the shaft 28 is rapidly oscillated the vibrating tappet fingers contact with the underside of the conveyer and effectively jar the same. In the present in- ,stance the arms are provided with split bosses 31 which are held together and adjustably secured to the shaft by screws 32 whereby said arms, or anyof them, may be nicely adjusted in a vertical arc with respect to the conveyer to impart a more or less ex- (See a less degree of jarring is needed than during the filling thereof.

A depending arm 33 on the shaft 28 engages the scalloped periphery of a cam 36L on the shaft 13, and .is held'in contact therewith by a 'spring 35 which encircles a stem 36 extending from the arm.33, and bears against a nut or head on the free extremity of the stem and against a bracket Il. a 1.5 1.1;, 96 t) pending from the bed. Thus during the operation of the machine the cam and spring cooperate to impart a continuous series of short, rapid oscillations to the arm 31-, and its connectimms.

As a simple and cllicient means to remove surplus matches endwise from the box-trays. a brush tlS is mounted to rotate above and t'ansvcrsely of the conveyor at a point bcyond the source of match supply. This brush preferably conmrises a series of radial brush members aliixed to a hub 35) fast on a shaft t0 which extends longitudinally of the conveyor and is journaled in hearings in the sidcsof a casing L0"- supported by the trough. One end of the shaft extends outwardly beyond the side of the casing and is provided with a; ulley ll which is connected by means 0 a belt 42 with a pulley 4:33 on the shaft 13 whereby the brush rapidly rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 13, in a manner to sweep down upon and across the tops of the subjacent filled boxes and remove the surplus matches cndwi'se therefrom. Such matches are swept into a chute 4.4 leading from the interior of the casing to a discharge opening in the table.

It will be observed, by reference to Fig. 2, that one of the arms 29 is mounted adjacent the vertical plane of the rotating brush, so as to act upon the conveyer as it progresses beneath the brush, and hencc,the consequent vertical jarring of the conveyor atthis point insures the etlicient contact with the brush of the superfluous matches contained within the box trays.

The trays (a) tilled with matches are transported by the conveyor t to the devices for ejecting the trays and inserting them into the, shacks (b). I preferably eject two trays simultaneously from the conveyor and insert then into two SllllCliS properly positioned'anc supported adjacent the conveyor in line with the trays, as by such twin ejecting and inserting operation the working capacity of the machine is materially enhanced without the otherwise necessity of running the conveyor at an undue rate of speed.

Referring to the ejecting and inserting dc vices herein illustrated. 1-5, (Figs. 1 and 5) designates two parallel pluugers reciprocativo at right angles to the direction of travel of the conveyor so as to enterlw'o adjacent holders and push the tilled trays therefrom. These plungcrs are mounted in a carriage in which is reciprocative longitudinally of the bed, as hereinafter described. whereby, when the plungers are within the conveyor they are moved onward therewith, but when they are ret'racted from the conveyor they a re moved reversely of the direction of travel of the latter into position for a similar operationupon.the trays in the two succeedllT dcl ing holders of the conveyor, and so on. The

carriage comprises a horizontal 'plate 17; a. bracket portiorror frame t8 depending therefrom and a slide 49 formed on or atlixcd to a lower horizontal limb of such portion, the slide being fitted to longitudinally extending guideways 50 on the underside of the bed. (Fig. The bracket is provided with a pair of spaced depending webs or arms 51 in which is journaled a rock shaft 52. Rising from this shaft is an arm 53, the upper end of which has a pin-amtslot connectionwith a depending lug on a slide 5 t'which is titted to appropriate guidc- 'ays in the upper surface of the plate =17 so as to be movable horizontally toward and from the conveyor. (See Figs. 5 and '7.) One end of the shaft 52 is provided with t crank arm 55 having a laterally extending stud or roller .3!- which bears upon the pi riphcry of a cam 57 on tl shaft 13. The stud or roller 56 is held in co'ntact with the cam ST hy means of a spring 58 convenientl secured to the arm and to the bracket, and the contour of the cam is such that during an interval of its relation theflcrank shaft is oscil lated in a manner to reciprocate the slide 5i, that is to say, in a portion of the rotation of the cam the slide is maintained thereby in retracted position; in another portion the slide is being moved toward the conveycr by the action of the spring, and in the remainder ofthe rotation the slide is being retracted by the cam against the stress of the spring.

The plungers 45 are carried by the slide so as to be movable thereby toward and from the conveyor, the inner or acting ends of the plungcrs projecting beyond the adjacent end of the slide in order to permit their entrance conveyor. These plungers are mounted to have capacity for longitudinal. movement relatively to the slide 5t and independently of each other, so that one or the other plunger :an perfmrm its function irrcspmwtive of any imperfection in the operation of its companion, arising, for example, from a defective or crushed tray or sliuck, or other irregularity. To this end, the plungers are slidingly titted to parallel guide ways in they upper surface of the slide 5t, and each plunger is provided with an upwardly prm jecting lug 58 from which extends rear wardly a stem 5%) that passes freely through a. perforated guide piece (it) on the slide. ltlncircling the stem between the lug and guide piece, is a spring ()1 which, while permitting yielding retraction of thc-plunger, yct maintains the plunger normally he yond the inner end of the slide. Thus, it will be seen that when the slide is advanced toward the conveyor. the acting ends of the plungers are caused simultaneously to enter the holders and push the filled box trays into and retraction from the head below the recess orthroat such upper 71, encircling the rod, bears against the appurtenances.

' ed and arranged to receive two rows of boxv I pending from a supporting frame which exthe slide and the other plunger. The outer 1' preferably provide the inner end of each Q filled tray has been-fully entered into the -is reciprocated longitudinally of the bed therefrom and into the shucks presented thereto; but if the progress of either tray be accidentally retarded, as above indicated, the movement of the opposing plunger will be discontinued without in any way afl'ec-t ing or impairing the continued travel of ends of the stems 59 are preferably screw threaded and provided with nuts 62 which take against the guide piece 60 and thus permit the nice adjustment of the plungers in relation to the slide and conveyer.

of the plungers with ahead 63 having in its inner face a horizontal recess or throat (34 substantially in the same horizontal plane 'as'the upper edge of the shuck, and with an overhanging under-beveled lip 65 immediately above the re'cess, whercby when the shuck, by the action of the portion of the edge is engaged by 'the beveled surface of the lip end pressed thereby slightly downward below the proximate edge of the tray; the recess or throat receiving the upper edge of the shuck as the proximate end of the tray is slightly advanced beyond such edge, and thus insuring the efficient action of the lip on the opposing upper edge of the shuck.

As hereinbeforementioned, the carriage while the phingers are within the traveling conveyer. A- simple and efficient means for this purpose is as follows: A'llixed to the shaft 13 is a face cam 65 against th acting surface of which bears a stud or roller 66 on anarm 67 depending from the carriage slide. (See Fig. 2.) Depending also from the slide is a bracket 68 to which is secured one end of ahorizontal rod ($9, the other end of which is slidingly fitted to a perforated guide piece 70 aflixed to the bed. A spring guide piece and the bracket, thus maintaining the stud or roller 66 in operative contact with the cam 65. Hence during the ciprocat'ion of the plunger carriage and its 72 (Figs. 1, 5, G and 7) indicates two endless horizontally-travel ng conveyers mount-- shucks and feed them progressively toward the bed. These'conveyers are preferably ordinary sprocket chains provided at intervals with suitable studs or lugs 73 to engage and impel the boX-shucks when the latter are imposed upon 'or in the path of the chains by an attendant. The chains pass around sprocket wheels 74, the shafts 7 5 of which have their bearings in suitable brackets detends rearwardly from the bed or table.

This frame in the present instance includes a bar or bed piece 76 having therein two shucks deposited "therein; the bottoms 20f the'channels having medial depressions or ways 78 for the passage of the upper runs of the chains '72. (Fig. 6.) The shaft-75 of the forward sprocket wheels is provided with a ratchet wheel 76" with the teeth of which engages a pawl 77 on a rock arm 78 which is loosely hung on said shaft and connected by means of aarod 79 with the strap of an eccentric 80 on the shaft 13, By this construction the forward shaft 7 5, and, perforce, its sprocket wheels and the chains are intermittently impelled in a manner to advance the box-shucks'toward the bed or table.

t The forward sprocket wheel is mounted somewhat in rear of the bed or table so that the shu'cks, as they leave the chains, pass upon that part c; the frame 76 between the wheel and the bed, and these shucks are then impelled by the advanbing train of shucks in rear thereof and deposited in pairs upon the bed, or rather upon a slide bar 81 hereinafter described which is mounted on the bed adjacent to and longitudi-.

nally of the conveyer.

A U-shaped member 82-pivoted to a support 83 on the frame 7 6 overhangs and rests upon the shucks as they leave the chains, and thereby exerts sufficient friction upon the shucks to prevent their displacement.

hen two shucks are deposited upon the slide bar 81 they are engaged by suitable devices and thereby positively moved longi-' tudinally of the bed into the path of the filled trays which are being ejected from the conveyer. These devices in their preferred form, are as follows: The slide bar 81 is fitted to waysin a lon it udinally disposed guide piece 82 on the bed, the upper surface of the slide bar being very slightly below'the horizontal plane of the bottoms of the box trays in the upper run of the conveyer. Depending from the slide bar through appropriate openings in the guide piece and table, is an arm v83 on the lower end of which is a roller 84 which bears against 'an appropriate peripheral cam 85 on a transverse shaft 86 having its hearings in the brackets 1O beneath the table, the said roller being held in operative engagement with the cam by means ofa spring 87 which is'suitably secured to the bracket and to the table. On the shaft 86 is a gear wheel 88 in mesh with a gear wheel 89 on the driven shaft 10, whereby, during the operation of the machine, the shaft 86 and its cam 85 are rotated in 'a manner to effect, in conjunction with the spring and associated parts,--the requisite reciprocation of the slide bar; On

one end of a head 91 which is movable in a vertical are toward and from the slide bar 81. This head comprises a plate having on its under side a series of equally spaced depending walls or jaws, of which, in the present instance, there are three, namely, two side jaws, 92 and an intermediate jaw 93. Two parallel chambers or space are thus formed on the underside of the head, each space being equal to the width of a shuck, or substantially so. The head, with its walls or jaws, is preferably longitudinally slotted or bifurcated for a purpose presently explained. NVhen the head is in its position to the right, and swung downward, as viewed in Figs. 9 and 11, the two spaces snugly receive the two shacks which havepreviously been advanced upon said bar by the feed devices above mentioned. If then the slide bar be moved to the left (as in Fig. 10) these two shucks will be carried thereby directly in line with the two ejecting plungers, and moved concurrently therewith and with the traveling 'conveyer, and hence the two tilled boxes, as they are being expressed from the conveyer by the plunger-s, will be forced end wise into the opposing shucks. If the head then be swung above the shucks (as in Fig.

i 10) the slide can be retracted for a succeeding-operation upon another pair of shucks.

The means for periodically oscillating the head is as follows: At the pivoted end of the head 91 is'a lug 92 to which is pivoted one end of a rod 93 which is slidingly fitted to perforations in guide brackets 94t95, affixed to the slide bar and table, respectively. A spring 96 encircling the rod 93 bears against a shoulder ,97 thereon and against the opposite side ofthe bracket 94-, thereby tending to force the rod toward the head 91 and thus maintain such head normally in down position. Pivoted to the bracket 94, is a latch arm-or trigger 98 "which is held normally raised by means of a spring 99 secured thereto and to the bracket. ()n the rod 93, to the right of the bracket 94 as viewed in Figs. 9 and 10, is a collar 100 provided on its underside with a tooth or shoul der 101, which is so arranged that when the rod is moved backward, against the stress of the spring 96, that is, to the right, a tooth on the free end of the trigger will engage the tooth or shoulder 101 and thus keep the rod in retracted position with the head raised. but if the trigger be depressed from engagement with the tooth or shoulder 101, the rod 93 will be caused to resume its normal posit-ion with the head depressed. On one side of the trigger is a tappet stud 102 in the path of which, during the horizontal travel of the rod, is the beveled end 103 of a horizontal arm 104 which is formed on or affixed to a member rising from the bracket .95J'lhis beveled end constitutes, in effect,

a cam winch is so arranged that as the slide ()n the outer end of the rod 93 is a collar 105 which is so disposed that as the slide rod reaches the end of its stroke to the left, the collar abuts against the opposing side of the bracket 95, thereby slightly retracting the rod against the force of the spring 96 and 'aising the head above the boxes. At the .same time, the toothed collar 101 being retracted, is engaged by the trigger, thereby temporarily locking the head in elevated position. The slide bar is then retracted as before for a repetition of the operation just described.

The collar 105 adjustably held on the rod 93 by a set screw or the like, and is preferably so adjusted that it engages the bracket and eilects the elevation of the head 91 just before the filled boxv trays have been completely inserted into their shucks, the object being to obviate any liability of undue pressure and friction upon the heads of the matches at this time. It is to be noted that the heads of the matches are located at the ends of the trays against which the plungers bear, and hence the member 91 is raised, as above indicated, to permit the tops of the shucks to yield for the aecon-imodation of any match heads that project slightly above the tops of the match trays.

I preferably ailix to the head a bracket piece having an under beveled lip or ledge 106 which overhangs the upper entrance edge of the head, and having also depending beveled extensions 109 which lie in front of the walls 92, 9 5. The ledgeand extensions atl'ord shoulders or abutments for the opposing ends of the shucks within the head, and the beveled surfaces presented to the ends of the'filled trays facilitate the in- [reduction of the latter to the shocks. lvloreover, the under beveled surface of the ledge performs the function of a cam to force back into the trays any matches that may be. projecting slightly beyond the lead-- ing. ends of the trays...

The head 91 as it bears and feeds succeeding pairs of shucks to position for the reception of the filled trays, impinges against the opposing boxes previously-acted upon, and thus advances them along the table to discharging position.

I preferably provide on the table a bar 108' which overhangs and supports the shacks the filled trays are being inserted lhereinto, and also the complete boxes as they are being advanced to discharging position. Thisbar is allixcd at one end to a its suitably disposed bracket 109 on the guidepiece 82 and extends longitudinally of and above the slide bar. At the free end of the bar 108 is a yielding dog or'finger 110' which is arranged to engage the upper edge of the rearward shuck when the two shucks a series of inclined spring fingers 112 which" bear yieldingly upon and steady the boxes during their travel.

In order to accommodate the free end of the bar the forward end of the shuck feeding head is slotted or bifurcated, as above mentioned and as shown most clearly in Figs. 5 and 11, the two limbs of the head being connected by a bridge piece 112.

While I have herein shown and described a preferred form of embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do series of elastic fingers extending outwardly not limit myself strictly thereto, as the mechanism may be variously modified without departing from the fair spirit of the invention.

I claim v 1. In abort-filling machine, the combination with a source of match supply, an end- ;less conveyer for box-trays arranged to travel adjacent saiu source of supply, and means for continuously moving said conveyer, of continuously-operating means for yieldingly feeding trays laterally of said conveyer to a point in advance of the source of supply, astop acting in opposition to the tray-feeding means to check the movement of the leading tray laterally of the conveyer, and means to engage said tray, and push it to the conveyer transversely thereof.

In a box-filling machine, the combina tion with a source of match supply, an end less conveyer for box-trays arranged to travel adjacent sald source of supply, and.

means for continuously moving said conveyer, of a chute or guide-way for box-trays, a continuously-rotating tray-feeding wheel adjacent said chute or way provided with a and rearwardly from the path of rotation of said wheel, and adapted yieldingly to engage and advance the trays consecutively,

means for rotating said wheel, a stop acting in opposition to the tray-feeding means to check the movement of the leading tray laterally of theconveyer, a plunger for engaging said tray and pushing it to the conveyer transversely thereof, and means for actuating said plunger.

3. In a boxfilling machine, the combina- 'tion with a source of match supply, an endless conveyer for box trays arranged to traveladjacent said source of supply, and

means for continuously moving said ,conveyer, of a chute or guide-way for box-trays, a continuously-rotating tray-feeding wheel adjacent said chute or way provided on its periphery with a series of light curved springs constituting fingers -which extend outwardly and rearwardly from the path of rotation of the wheel, and adapted yieldingly to engage and advance the trays consecuti'vely, means for rotating said wheel,

a stop-acting in opposition to the action of said fingers to check the movement of the leading tray laterally of theconveyer, a plunger for engaging said tray andpushing 'it to the conveyer transversely thereof, and

means for actuating said plunger.

it. In a .box filling machine, the combination with an endless conveyer for box-trays,

of a rock-shaft adjacent said conveyer, a ser1es of tap'pet members arranged at inter- 'vals along said shaft and extended in proximity to the conveyer, and means for oscillating said shaft,*whereby the said members are simultaneously agitated and a vertical jarring action imparted to the conveyer at various points of its travel.

5. In a box filling machine, .the combination with an endless conveyer for box-trays, of a rockashaft adjacent said conveyer, a series oftappet members arranged at intervals along said shaft and extended in proximity to the conveyer, means for adjusting said members about the axis of the shaft, and means for oscillating said shaft, where: by the said members are simultaneously actuated and a variable vertical jarring action imparted to the conveyer during its progress.

tion with a conveyer for box-trays, of a brush mounted to rotate in a plane directly over and transversely of the conveyer about an axis extending longitudinally of the path of travel of the conveyer and thereby remove surplus matches endwise from the trays while being carried by the conveyer, and means for rotating said brush;

7. In a box filling machine, the combination with .a conveyer for boxtrays, of a brush mounted to rotate in a plane directly overand transversely of the conveyer about an axis extending longitudinally of the path.

of travel of the conveyer and thereby remove surplus matches endwise from the trays while being carried by the conveyer, a casing within which the brush is mounted, and means for rotating said brush.

8. In a box-filling machine, the combination with a source of match supply, and an endless traveling conveyer for box-trays arranged in travel adjacent said source of 6. In a box, filling machine, the eombina- Supply, of a brush mounted to rotate in a plane directly above and transversely of the conveyor about an axis extending longitudinally of the path of travel ol. the conveyor, and thereby sweep surplus matches in the direction of their length from the trays and beyond the side of the conveyor while the filled trays are being carriedby said convcyer, and means for imparting a vertical jarring action to the portion of the conveyer passing beneath the brush.

9. 'In a box-filling machine, the. combina' tion with a source of match supply, an endless conveyer for box-trays arranged to travel adjacent said source of supply, means for continuously moving said conveyor, and means for ejecting the filled trays transversely of the conveyor, of a source of shuck supply, and means for feeding shncks therefrom to the path otthe filled trays immediately where they are ejected from the conveyer, and for moving said shucks in a path laterally adjacentto and longitudinally of the conveyor.

10. In a box-filling machine, the combination with a source of match supply, an end less conveyer for box-trays arranged to travel adjacent said source of supply, means for continuously moving said conveyor, and means moving in the direction of travel of the conveyor for ejecting the filled trays transversely of the convcyer, of a source of shock supply, and means for feeding shucks therefrom to the path of the filled trays im mediately where they are ejected from the conveyor and for moving said shucks in a path laterally adjacent to and longitudinally of the conveyor.

11. In a box filling machine, the combination with a conveyor for box trays, of means for ejecting the trays transversely of the conveyer, a head for feeding shucks to the path of-the trays immediately where they are ejected from the conveyor, means for reciprocating said head in a path laterally adjacent to and longitudinally of the corn veyer, and means for supplying shocks to said head.

12. In a box filling machine, the combination with a support for a plurality oi box trays, of a plurality of plunger-s lor simultaneously moving the trays endwise from their support, a slide in which said plungers have capacity for movement indcpernlently of each other toward and from the tray support, independent spring connections be tween the plungers'andthe slide, and means for reciprocating saidslide toward and from the tray support.

13. In a box filling machil'le, the combinir. tion with a conveyor for box-trays, of a pin rality of plnngers for simultaneously ejecting a corresponding number of trays from the conveyor, a slide in which said plungers have capacity for movement independently of each othertoward and from the conveyor, independent spring connections between the plungers and the slide, and means for reciprocating said slide toward and from the con veyer.

1 1-. In a box filling machine, the combination with a cimveyer for box-trays, and means for continuously moving said con veyer, of a plurality of plungers for siniuh taneously ejecting it( UII'PSPOIMllIIQ number of trays from the conveyor. a slide in which said plungers have capacity for movement independently of each other toward and from the conveyor, independent spring connections between the plungers and the slide, a carriage in which said slide is supported, means for reciprocating said slide toward and from the conveyor, and means for reciprocating the carriage and itsappurtenances longitudinally of the conveyer.

1.5. In a box filling machine having provisions for supporting a tray and shuck in endwise alinement, a plunger for moving a tray endwise into its shuck; the forward or acting end of said plunger having in its innor face, immediately above the portion thereof" which impinges against the oppos ing end of the tray, a recess or throat for the reception of the adjacent upper edge of the shack, and having imn'iciliately above said recess or throat an overhanging undenbeveled lip for engaging the upper edge of the shock. and means for actuating the plunger.

16. In a box filling machine, the combination with a conveyor for box-trays, and means for su i 'iortin boxshncks adjacent said conveyor, of a plunger for moving the trays transversely of the conveyerand into the opposing shucks, the, forward or acting head of said plunger having in its inner face, innnediately above the portion thereof which impinges against the opposing end of the tray, a recess or threat for the reception of the adjacent upper edge of the shuch', and having innncdiately 'above said recess or throat an overhanging lllltlLF-l)OHlNhll]) for engaging the upper edges of the shuclts, and means 121' actuating the plunger.

17. In a box filling machine, the combination with a support for a box tray, of a chambered head for supporting a box shuck cndwise oi the tray, the inner upper cdge of said head having an l|nderbeveled lip or ledge, and means "for moving the tray endwise into the shuclt.

18. In a box filling machine. the combimv tion with a support for a box tray, of a. clnmibered head for su 'rporling a box shnck endivise oi the tray, the inner upper edge .of said head having an muler-beveled lip or ledge and the inner ends ol the side walls of said head having beveled shoulder portions, and means for moving the tray endwise into the opposing shucle 19. In a box filling machine, the combination with a support for a box tray, and means for moving the tray endwise therefrom, of a chambered head for engaging a ledge, and means for actuating said head. a 1 21. In a boxfillmg machine, the combination with a conveyer for box-trays, and means for ejecting the trays transversely of the conveyer, of a chambered head for engaging box-shucks and feeding them to the path of the trays, the inner upper edge of said head having an under-beveled lip or "ledge, and the inner ends of the side walls having beveled shoulder portions, and means for actuating said head. v

22. In a box filling machine, the combination with a conveyer for box-trays, and means for ejecting the trays transversely of the conveyor, of a chambered head for en ga.ging-box-shucks and feeding them to the path of the trays, a member to which the head is pivoted, means for reciprocating the said member longitudinally of the conveyor, and means for periodically oscillating the head. i V

23. In'a box filling machine, the combination with a conveyer for box-trays, and

means for ejecting the trays transversely of the conveyer, of a chambered head. for engaging box-shuclrs and feeding them to the path of the trays, a member to which the head is pircted, means for reciprocating the said member longitudinally ot the conveyer, a rodextending from the said member, a spring acting upon said rod to maintain the head normally in down position, stop devices for retracting the. rod at or near the limit of movement of the said memberin the direction of travel of the conveyer,a;device to lock the rod temporarily in retracted position, and means for unlocking the rod at or near the limit of movement of the said mem-- ber in the opposite direction.

24. In a box filling machine, the combination witha support for a box tray, and

means for moving the tray endwise therefrom, of a head for engagln a box shuck and feeding it to the path of t. e tray, means is advanced bythe headto tray-"receiving position. 1

25. In a box filling machine, the combination with a conveyer for box-trays, and means for ejecting the trays transversely of the conveyor, of a head for engaging box shucks and feeding them to the path of the trays, means for actuating the head, and a stop device to engage the upper edge of the shuck when it is advanced to tray-receiving position by the head.

26. In a box filling machine, the combination with a conveyer for box-trays, ofmeans for ejecting the trays transversely of the I conveyer, a head for engaging the box shucks and feeding-them to the path of the trays, means for actuating the head, a shuck-conveyer for, feeding shucks to the head, and means for actuating the shuck conveyer. r

27. In a box filling machine, the combination with an endless conveyor for box trays, and means for continuously moving said conveyer, of a plunger for inserting the trays in said conveyer, means for reciprocating said plunger, means for feeding trays between said plunger and conveyor, a source of match 1 supply to and past which the contained trays are carried by the conveyer, a

plunger bymeans of which the trays when they have passed the source of supply are ejected from the conveyor, means whereby said latter plunger is concurrently recipro- JOHN IV. DENMEAD.

Witnesses:

TOM A. PALMER, B. 0. Ross.

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