Apparatus for straightening cell-forming partitions in a carton

Abstract

An apparatus for straightening cell-forming partitions within a carton or the like is provided by a mandrel in a partition straightening station having cones disposed thereon which project towards the open top of the carton. The mandrel is moved towards the carton and the cones enter the carton; at least one of the cones is longer than the other cones and is adapted to enter an inner cell formed by the partition; the shorter cones then enter the outermost cells formed by the partition. The partitions are thus aligned to receive products in the cells formed thereby.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
       1. Apparatus for straightening cell-forming partitions in a carton, comprising: means for conveying cartons to and away from a partition straightening station;   means for stopping each carton at said partition straightening station, including means for supporting each carton therein;   a mandrel disposed in said partition straightening station adjacent and spaced from said carton supporting means a distance sufficient to allow a carton between said mandrel and said carton supporting means;   a plurality of cones disposed on said mandrel and projecting towards said carton supporting means, at least one of said cones being greater in length than the other of said cones, said cones having perimetric dimensions which are slightly smaller than those of cells defined by the partitions; and   means for moving said mandrel towards and away from said carton supporting means.   
     
     
       2. Apparatus for straightening cell-forming partitions in a carton as defined in claim 1 wherein at least two cones are greater in length than said smaller of said cones, said at least two cones being operative to enter inner cells defined by partitions. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus for straightening cell-forming partitions in a carton as defined in claim 1, additionally comprising: means for vibrating said carton supporting means in a direction towards and away from said mandrel as said mandrel is moved towards said carton supporting means.   
     
     
       4. Apparatus for straightening cell-forming partitions in a carton as defined in claim 2 wherein said other of said cones are operative to enter outermost cells defined by partitions. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus for straightening cell-forming partitions in a carton as defined in claim 4, additionally comprising means for vibrating said mandrel towards and away from said carton supporting means as said mandrel is moved towards said carton supporting means. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus for straightening cell-forming partitions in a carton as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one of said cones being greater in length is adapted to enter an inner cell defined by partitions. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus for straightening cell-forming partitions in a carton as defined in claim 6, wherein said other cones are adapted to enter outermost cells defined by partitions. .Iadd. 8. Apparatus for straightening cell-forming partitions in a carton, comprising: means for conveying cartons to and away from a partition straightening station;   means for stopping each carton at said partition straightening station, including means for supporting each carton therein;   mandrel means movable toward and away from said carton supporting means in said partition straightening station, said mandrel means including inner and outer partition cell engageable elements having tapered lower ends projecting toward said carton supporting means for sequentially engaging first the inner partitions and only then the outer cell defining partitions of the carton as said mandrel means moves toward said carton supporting means. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 9. Apparatus for straightening cell-forming partitions in a carton as defined in claim 8 wherein said inner partition cell engaging elements include corners for entering the inner cells and squaring the corners of the inner cells in addition to straightening the inner cell defining partitions as aforesaid, said corners of said inner cell engageable elements being spaced from one another by dimensions only slightly smaller than the corresponding dimensions of these inner cells. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 10. Apparatus for straightening cell-forming partitions in a carton as defined in claim 9:   additionally comprising means for vibrating said carton supporting means as said mandrel means moves toward said carton supporting means. .Iaddend.