Carton conveying apparatus

An article delivery station stabilizing apparatus for use with a carousel-type rotary infeed device for articles arranged in stacks of a predetermined length, which infeed device comprises a plurality of carrier pockets each for receiving one of said stacks of articles and movable about a closed track relative to an article delivery station wherein articles are to be discharged from said carrier pockets, said article delivery station being located at one end of said track and defining a vertical axis, said carrier pockets and the stacks of articles therein being aligned with respective axes parallel to said vertical axis, and wherein said track comprises a closed chain member engaging said carrier pockets and engaged with a plurality of sprockets, said stabilizing apparatus comprising:

• a projecting stabilizer pin on each of said carrier pockets defining a pin axis and gripping means located at said article delivery station, said gripping means comprising a pair of complementary rocker members spaced to either side of said pin axis, mounting means for mounting said rocker members for pivotal motion toward and away from said pin axis and drive means for driving said rocker members between a first position spaced apart from and to either side of said stabilizer pin of a carrier pocket located in said article delivery station and a second position grippingly engaging said stabilizer pin.

An article delivery station alignment apparatus for use with a carousel-type rotary infeed device for articles arranged in stacks of a predetermined length, which infeed device comprises a plurality of carrier pockets each for receiving one of said stacks of articles and movable about a closed track relative to an article delivery station wherein articles are to be discharged from said carrier pockets, said article delivery station being located at one end of said track and defining a vertical axis, said carrier pockets and the stacks of articles therein being aligned wit respective axes parallel to said vertical axis, and wherein said track comprises a closed chain member engaging said carrier pockets and engaged with a plurality of sprockets, said alignment apparatus comprising:

• a pair of sprockets located adjacent said article delivery station, one of said sprockets being spaced to either side of said vertical axis and engaging said chain member for defining a relatively short, straight segment of said chain member traversing said article delivery station, and rigid chain guide means located between said sprockets for holding said chain member in a relatively straight and rigid condition as it traverses said article delivery station intermediate said pair of sprockets, said pair of sprockets and said chain guide means cooperating for aligning a carrier pocket carried by said chain member and positioned between said pair of said sprockets with said vertical axis of said article delivery station and for discouraging pivotal, rocking motion of said carrier pocket relative to said vertical axis;
• wherein said chain guide means comprises a generally U-shaped channel member located between said pair of sprockets and through which said chain runs, and a quantity of expanded foam material disposed in said channel for close engagement with said chain.