In an article packaging machine of the type having a carton feeder, an article grouping assembly and an article placement assembly for packaging the articles into the cartons, the carton feeder, comprising:
- a carton magazine defining a carton feed path extending from an upstream position to a downstream position and also defining a carton selection zone at the downstream position;
- a carton selector assembly positioned adjacent the downstream position of said magazine, said carton selector assembly comprising at least one vacuum/pressure assembly disposed adjacent to said carton selection zone, said vacuum/pressure assembly comprising an arm, a support member supporting said arm and adapted to move said arm toward and away from said selection zone, and a vacuum cup mounted to said arm, said vacuum/pressure assembly further comprising a drive for reciprocating said arm;
- a valve assembly for selectively supplying a vacuum and compression to said vacuum cup, said valve assembly comprising a circumferentially adjustable vacuum valve base and a rotating valve port plate disposed adjacent said adjustable vacuum valve base for selectively providing a vacuum to said vacuum cup during the selection and transfer of a carton, and for providing compression to said vacuum cup upon the release of a carton, wherein said adjustable valve base includes a peripheral wall, an inner bearing surface, a vacuum supply inlet extending from said valve base peripheral wall and terminating at a first distance from a center portion said valve assembly, a vacuum inlet port extending from said terminal end of said vacuum supply inlet to said valve base bearing surface, a compression/vacuum outlet extending from said peripheral wall and terminating at a second distance from a center portion of said valve assembly, a vacuum outlet port extending between said compression/vacuum outlet bore and said valve base bearing surface at said first distance, a compressed air outlet port extending from said compression/vacuum outlet bore to said valve base bearing surface at said first distance, a compressed air inlet extending from said peripheral wall and terminating at said second distance, and a compressed air inlet port extending between said compressed air inlet terminus and said valve base bearing surface, said rotating valve port plate further comprising a bearing surface, an arcuate vacuum port having first and second ends and disposed in said port plate bearing surface at said first distance, and an arcuate compressed air port in said port plate bearing surface disposed at said second distance, wherein said valve base and port plate bearing surfaces rotatingly engage on another, and wherein during a single rotation of said port plate, said arcuate vacuum port provides fluid communication between said vacuum inlet port and said vacuum outlet port of said base plate to provide a vacuum through said compression/vacuum outlet to said vacuum cup to engage a carton blank, and said arcuate compression port provides fluid communication between said compressed air inlet port and send compressed air outlet port to provide compressed air to said vacuum cup through said compression/vacuum outlet after vacuum delivery;
- a radial adjustment arm extending radially outward from said valve base;
- an actuator for providing a circumferential adjustment to said vacuum valve base to adjust vacuum and compression application timing, wherein said actuator rotates said valve base to advance or retard timing of vacuum and compression delivery to said vacuum cup, said actuator including an air cylinder actuator assembly coupled between said machine and said radial adjustment arm, wherein said air cylinder linearly extends or retracts to rotate said radial adjustment arm on said valve base to adjust said valve timing;
- a controller responsive to machine speed for controlling said actuator;
- and
- a carton engagement assembly positioned adjacent to said vacuum assembly, wherein said vacuum assembly is adapted to remove a carton from said magazine and direct said carton to said carton engagement assembly.