Machine for filling carrying trays with objects disposed in groups

A machine for loading an assembly of articles such as cans or the like onto trays, comprising in combination, a receptacle having a removable base and a side wall therefor for receiving said assembly of articles, means associated with said receptacle for guiding said assembly of articles into said receptacle in supported relationship on said base, means for supporting a tray in underlying relationship with said base, means for moving a tray onto said tray supporting means into said underlying relationship with said base whereby said assembly of articles is deposited in said tray upon removal of said base, vertically movable tray support means movable into an upper position beneath said receptacle for supportedly receiving a tray loaded with said assembly of articles upon removal of said base and into two vertically spaced lower positions and drive means for moving said support means reciprocally between said upper position and selectively into either one of said lower positions for removal of a single loaded tray from said support means in a single-stage operation or into both of said two lower positions successively for receiving a second loaded tray in stacked relationship with the first loaded tray and for removal of said stacked trays from said support means in a two-stage operation.