Packaging machine

摘要

A packaging machine includes means for withdrawing insert blanks from a hopper and for prebreaking the parts which are detachably held in the planes of the blank and for subsequently manipulating each blank into partially set-up condition and for moving the partially set-up blank downwardly and around the necks of a group of bottles in such manner as to fold end tabs foldably joined to the partition tabs into flat face contacting relationship with the associated partition tabs by engagement of the end tabs with the necks of the associated bottles. According to one feature of the disclosure, the bottles are fed into positions wherein they are arranged in groups into which the inserts are lowered and the groups are controlled by suitable spacer elements movably mounted on an endless feed element each of which includes an article engaging pusher projection for imparting movement to a group of preceding articles together with an article engaging restraining projection which moves into the path of articles and restrains the movement of a succeeding group so as to control and precisely determine the position of the group of articles in order to insure cooperative and synchronous cooperation with means for securing the insert into a group of articles in such manner that two plys of material constitute separating partition means between adjacent articles.