US3604184A

US3604184A - Layer pad apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3604184A
Application number: US819648A
Authority: US
Inventors: James J Shuttleworth
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-04-28
Filing date: 1969-04-28
Publication date: 1971-09-14
Anticipated expiration: 1988-09-14
Also published as: JPS4929279B1; GB1260251A; NL7006162A

Abstract

Apparatus for inserting layer pads between the layers of cans in a case being packed by a case-packing machine including a swingable arm with vacuum cups on the distal end thereof. The arm swings back and forth to pick up layer pads from a rack and deposits them in a horizontal position. The case packer includes a can carrying head which lifts the cans off of a platform and deposits them in the case when the platform is moved horizontally from beneath the head. A carriage is secured to the platform and is constructed to pick up layer pads deposited by the vacuum cups in a horizontal position.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor James J. Shuttleworth 3,067,554 12/1962 De Back 53/157 Commercial Rd., Huntington, lnd. 3,386,224 6/1968 Shuttleworth 53/165 46750 Primary ExammerTheron E. Condon 213 1969 Assistant Examiner-E. F. Desmond A Patented p y llorney Woodard, Werkart, Emhardt & Naughton [54] LAYER PAD APPARATUS ABSTRACT: Apparatus for inserting layer pads between the 7 Claims 8 Drawing Figs layers of cans in a case being packed by a case-packing machine including a swingable arm with vacuum cups on the [52] US. Cl 53/157 distal end thereof The arm Swings hack and f th to pick up l 1 35/38 layer pads from a rack and deposits them in a horizontal posiheld of Search 53/157, 165 tion. The case packer includes a can carrying head which lif 56 R f d the cans off of a platform and deposits them in the case when l l e erences the platform is moved horizontally from beneath the head. A UNITED STATES PATENTS carriage is secured to the platform and is constructed to pick 1,950,370 3/1934 Mudd 53/157 X up layer pads deposited by the vacuum cups in a horizontal 2,254,097 8/1941 Wood 53/157 position.

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PATENTED SEP 1 4 m1 sum 3 or 3 WNW INVENTOR. JAMES J .SHL/TTLEWORTH BY mm, W W mz m ATTORNEYS LAYER PAD APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to case packing apparatus.

2. Description of the Prior Art The present invention is intended for use with a case packer of the type disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,386,224. The case packer of that patent incorporates means for placing a number of layers of cans or other objects in a case. In certain situations it is desirable that a layer pad or separator be provided between the layers packed in the case. The present invention is intended to accomplish that purpose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One embodiment of this invention might include in a case packer including a frame, a platform, an object conveyor for conveying objects onto said platform, a box conveyor operable to carry boxes to a loading position beneath said platform, a lifting head positioned over said platform and adapted to engage a layer of objects for lifting and moving downwardly thereof into a box at said loading position, and means for moving said platform between a position adjacent said object conveyor and a removed position where it is no longer under said lifting head, the improvement for inserting a layer pad between objects in the box which comprises a rack for layer pads mounted on said frame, means for repeatedly engaging one of said layer pads in said rack and moving the layer pad to an intermediate position above said loading position and below said lifting head, and means for actuating said engaging means to place a layer pad in said intermediate position before some of the downward strokes of said lifting head whereby the layer pad is forced into the box upon downward movement of said lifting head carrying a layer of objects.

One object of this invention is to provide an improved case packer.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for placing layer pads in a case.

Related objects will become apparent as the description proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the layer pad apparatus of the present invention with certain portions of the device broken away for clarity.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are views similar to FIG. 2 but showing only operating portions of the invention and showing them in the various positions to which they move during the operation of the present device.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion of the structure illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a somewhat schematic view of the hydraulic and vacuum circuit of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawing and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no. limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is illustrated a case packer 10 the basic portions of which are shown in complete detail in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,386,224. The

case packer will be described in this application only to the extent necessary to explain the present invention and for further detail reference is made to my U.S. Pat. No. 3,386,224. The case packer 10 includes a frame 11- upon which is mounted a box conveyor 12 and a can or object conveyor 13. Boxes are placed on the box conveyor 12 and are moved by the box conveyor to a loading position as illustrated for the box 15in FIG. 2. The loading position for the box 15 is directly below a vacuum head 16. The vacuum head 16 is vertically movable and functions to lift a pattern of cans and then to move the cans downwardly intoa respective box such as the box 15 positioned beneath the vacuum head and on the box conveyor 12.

As illustrated the box conveyor 12 consists of a flat support 20 fixedly mounted on the frame 11. The box 15 is moved across the flat support 20 by means of bars 21 fixedly mounted on a chain 22 which is turning on

sprockets

25 and 26 rotatably mounted upon frame 11. It will be noted that the platform 20 is vertically adjustable by means of screws 27 (only one of which is shown). Each of the screws 27 is journaled in a respective yoke 30 fixed to one side or the other of the frame 11. Each of the screws 27 extends through a projection fixed to and extending from the carriage 12. A chain 31 extends around sprockets 32 (only one of which is shown) each of which is fixed to a respective one of the screws 27. A motor (not shown) is provided to drive the chain 31 for raising and lowering the carriage 12 to accommodate the apparatus for boxes of various sizes.

In the manner shown in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,386,224 the box 15 is stepped along until it reaches the position illustratedin FIG. 2. When the box is in the illustrated position, the funnel 40 moves downwardly into the box and holds it in position while the cans are deposited in the box. As is shown in more detail in my patent, the funnel 40 has rotatably mounted thereon a pair of rollers on each. side thereof which move vertically within the tracks defined by the vertically extending members 41. Fixed to the funnel 40 are a pair of sloping cam tracks 42 each of which receives a roller rotatably mounted upon a platform 45. The platform 45 is movable horizontally by reason of four rollers (not shown) which support the platform in horizontal position and ride within tracks mounted on the frame. The platform is moved by means of a hydraulic tically extending track 62 fixed to the platform 45. When the piston 51 is retracted, the lever 60 is rotated clockwise as viewed in FIG. d2 causing the platform 45 to move leftwardly in its tracks and away from the conveyor 13. When the platform is moved leftwardly, the funnel 40 is moved downwardly forcing it into the box 15 and holding the box in position for loading.

In order for the cans to be moved into the box 15, the vacuum head 16 must come down to the cans and engage the cans by means of the vacuum cups 80. The vacuum cups must then raise the cans away from the platform 45 and the platform move out of the way so that the vacuum head can lower the cans down into the box 15. The vacuum head 16 includes a housing 81 which has a hollow interior 82 leading to the vacuum cups 80. The vacuum head 16 further includes a pair of vertical members 85 (only one shown) each of which has four rollers 86 (only two shown) rotatably mounted thereon. The rollers 86 ride between the track members 41 fixed to the frame so as to maintain the vacuum head in a vertically extending path. Two additional rollers 84 are rotatably mounted on the vertical members 85 and also function as guide rollers through engagement with track member 41.

Mounted on the forward end or leftward end of the frame as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a rack 100. The rack includes a pair of yokes 101 upon which are rotatably mounted the shafts 102. The shafts 102 have an externally threaded portion upon which is received a horizontally extending bar which is internally threaded at openings 106, said threaded openings being threadedly received on the external threading on the shafts 102. The horizontal bar 105 is fixed to a pair of layer pad angle guide members which have an angle-shaped cross section and which are perpendicular to the main body or base of the yokes 101. Each of the shafts 102 has a sprocket 103 fixed to its lower end. Each of the sprockets 103 has a equal number of teeth and has a chain 104 meshingwith its teeth so that vertical adjustment of the rack by rotation of the shafts 102 always produces equal adjustment on both sides of the rack.

Fixed to the guide members 110 are stops 1 11 which can for example be screws so as to adjust the amount of extension or projection of the stops in front of the stack of layer pads l 15. A further stop 112 is threadedly mounted within a cover member 116 which extends across the top of the rack and is fixed to two upright side members 117 which are themselves fixed to the angle guide members 110.

Additional projections

120 and 121 can be provided in the members 110 and may also be screws so as to be adjustable as to their projection. It can be seen that the angles 1 10 cradle the layer pads and guide them downwardly to a position at which they can be picked up or moved by a vacuum arm 130.

A shaft 125 is pivotally mounted on the frame 11 and has fixedly secured thereto the arm upon which are mounted a pair of vacuum cups 131. A lever arm 132 is also fixed to the shaft 125 and has pivotally secured thereto the piston 135 of a hydraulic motor 136. The hydraulic motor 136 has its other end swingably secured at 137 to the frame. The function of the arm 130 with its cups 131 is to swing upwardly to cause the cups to engage and grip the lowermost layer pad so that it can be pulled away from the stack of layer pads in the rack. When the cups engage the layer pads, the vacuum in the cups is then turned on causing the cups to adhere to the lowermost layer pad. The hydraulic motor 136 is then caused to swing the arm 130 downwardly to a position in which the layer pad is horizontal. The vacuum is then released and the layer pad is picked up by a carriage secured to and forming a part of the platform 45.

Referring to FIG. 1, the carriage 150 is illustrated as including front to rear frame members 151 and crossmembers 152. Beneath the

frame members

151 and 152 are front to rear extending side elements 155. The two side elements 155 when viewed in cross section have for the major portion of their length a generally C-shaped configuration thus defining two inwardly facing slots 156 (FIG. 3). These slots both extend almost to the forward (or leftward as viewed in FIG. 3) end of the carriage or to the forward end of the elements 155. A portion, however, of the upper projecting rib which defines the slots 156 is removed (at 154 FIG. 3) at the forward end of the carriage so as to permit the layer pad to be laid down against the lower rib 160 which functions as a support for the layer pad. Thus, when the apparatus is in the solid line position of FIG. 2, the layer pad drops down against the ribs 160 and against the horizontal front-to-rear extending members which are fixed to the frame 11. The horizontally extending members 165 have fixed thereto stop members which are secured to the members 165 by means of bolts so as to make possible front-to-rear adjustment of the stop members 170 along slots 169. The stop members 170 are positioned so that they prevent the forward movement, that is, leftward movement of the layer pad under the action of the leftwardly moving carriage 150 which would otherwise tend to move the layer pad by reason of its being gripped between the elements 155.

Thus, after the layer pad has been placed in the position il lustrated in FIG. 2 so that the layer pad is resting upon the lowermost ribs 160 and in line with the slot 156 between the ribs on each of the side members 155, the carriage 150 is moved leftwardly to the position illustrated in FIG. 3. This action occurs with the leftward movement of the platform 45 to which the carriage is fixed.

A pair of lugs are adjustably mounted on the carriage 150 and more particularly on the elements 155. As shown in FIG. 5, the lugs 180 have an upper surface 179 which is sloping from left to right and which slopes from a lower leftward portion to an upper rightward portion. Thus as the carriage moves to the left the carriage lugs 180 can slide under the layer pad and do not tear or force the layer pad to the left. The carriage continues to move leftwardly until the lugs 180 have slid under the layer pad and the rightward vertical portion is to the left of the layer pad. When the carriage 150 again moves to the right, the lugs I80 pick up the layer pad and move it rightwardly with the carriage. Fixed to the frame 11 are a pair of stationary stop means 200. These stop means are also adjustably fixed as to position to allow for various sized layers pads and the like. The stationary stop means 200 have a similar configuration to the configuration of the lugs 185. In other words, the upper surface 201 of the stationary stop means 200 slopes from a lower leftward or forward portion to an upper rightward or rearward portion. Thus, the stationary stop means 200 also function to hold the layer pad in its rightward position to which it has been moved by the carriage 150.

As shown in FIG. 2, the layer pad is now positioned directly under the vacuum head 16 so that when the vacuum head moves or drops its objects or cans down into the box 15 the layer pad will be moved through the funnel 40 down into the box thus providing a layer pad between the two layers of cans. For example, in the illustrated box there are three layers of cans and such a layer pad would be placed between the first and second and the second and third layers. This is also shown in FIG. 6 where the first layer pad has been placed between the first and second layers of cans and the next layer pad is in the funnel. In FIG. 6 the layer pad has been deposited by the carriage which has moved leftwardly with the platform out of the path of the vacuum head. Thus in FIG. 6 the apparatus is in readiness for the vacuum head to deposit its cans or objects in the box to provide the third layer in the box.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is illustrated a view which is based on FIG. 15 of my patent and which is intended to illustrate the hydraulic and vacuum circuit and operation of this invention. In FIG. 8 four four

way valves

200, 201, 202 and 203 are shown which are operated by cams 205, 206, 207 and 208, all of which are mounted on a shaft 210. The shaft 210 is driven by amotor (not shown) and is directly coupled to the cams 206, 207 and 208. The cam 205, on the other hand, is positively geared to the shaft 210 by a system as shown in my patent so that the cam 205 rotates at some fraction of the speed of the shaft 210 such as for example one-half or one-third. The four way valves 200-203 may be, for example, 025 P (EE) Gresen hydraulic valves.

The four way valve 200 controls flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder (not shown) which indexes the box conveyor 12. As explained above, the cam 205 operating the valve 200 is slowed down so that the valve 200 is not operated as often as the other valves and the box 15 can be loaded with two or more layers. The four-way valve 201 controls flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder 50 which retracts the platform 45. The four-way valve 202 controls flow of hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic cylinder (not shown) which raises and lowers the vacuum head 16. The four way valve 203 controls flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder 215 which controls the doors or gates 216 (FIG. 2). The doors or gates 216 can be closed to block movement of the cans or other objects onto the platform 45 off of the object conveyor 13 so that the platform can be moved away from the object conveyor. The valve 203 is also used to control the operation of the hydraulic motor 136 which operates the vacuum cup arm 130. Thus, when the gates 216 are closed, the arm 130 is swung down to its horizontal position as shown in solid lines in FIG. 2. This positioning of the arm permits the platform 45 and the carriage 150 to pass over the arm 130 without the arm interfering with movement of the platform and carriage.

On the other hand when the platform and carriage are at the rightward end of their travel, the gates or doors are opened and the arm 130 is swung to its uppermost position wherein the vacuum cups 131 are in engagement with the lower most layer pad carried by the rack 100. Also shown in FIG. 8 is the vacuum line 220 which leads from vacuum pump 221 to the vacuum cups 131. Between the pump 221 and the cups 131 are two three-

way valves

225 and 226, which may be, for example, Hannifin three-way or two-way valves 0CW-l3-25. These valves are suitably arranged in the illustrated embodiment to turn the vacuum on for three strokes out of four of the arm 130. Thus it is desired that the vacuum be turned on when the arm 130 is at the upper end of its travel and engaging the lowermost layer pad in the rack. This is accomplished by the valve 226 turning on the vacuum after being actuated by a cam 230 fixedly mounted on the shaft 210. The cam is so designed as to maintain the vacuum on until the arm 130 has moved down to the horizontal position and the apparatus is in the solid line position of FIG. 2. The cam then operates the valve226 to shut off the vacuum and the vacuum remains off until the vacuum cups 13] again engage the lower layer of the layer pads in the rack.

The valve 225 on the other hand is used to eliminate the pulling of a layer pad when the box is being indexed or when a layer pad is not needed. For example, referring to FIG. 6, a layer pad is needed before two out of every three layers of cans in every box. Thus, the apparatus should not pull a layer pad before the first layer in each box but should pull a layer pad before each of the second and third layers, This is accomplished by shutting off the vacuum passed by the valve 226 every third time that the valve 226 is turned on. As mentioned, the cam 205 is geared down, for example, in the manner disclosed in my patent so that each time the shaft 210 rotates three times the cam 205 rotates once. The cam 205 also has fixedly mounted thereon a cam 235 which operates the valve 225. The cam 235 has a shape which is so proportioned as to cause vacuum to pass through the line 220 only two out of every three times that the valve 226 opens. It should be understood that the cam 235 is so positioned that, when cam 205 causes indexing of the box, the first downward movement of the head 16 caused by cam 207 after the new box is in position does not take a layer pad into the box because a layer pad has not been provided for that cycle.

It will be evident from the above description that the present invention provides an improved case packer. It will also be evident that this invention provides an apparatus for automatically placing layer pads in a case in an accurate and efficient manner.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims are also desired to be protected,

Iclaim:

1. In a case packer including a frame, a platform, an object conveyor for conveying objects onto said platform, a box conveyor operable to carry boxes to a loading position beneath said platform, a lifting head positioned over said platform and adapted to engage a layer of objects for lifting and moving downwardly thereof into a box at said loading position, and means for moving said platform between a position adjacent said object conveyor and a removed position where it is no longer under said lifting head, the improvement for inserting a layer pad between objects in the box which comprises a rack for layer pads mounted on said frame, means for repeatedly engaging one of said layer pads in said rack and moving the layer pad to an intermediate position above said loading position and below said lifting head, said engaging means comprises an arm and a carriage movably mounted on said frame, said arm being movable back and forth from a position engaging said layer pad to said carriage, said carriage being movable back and forth from said arm to-said box receiving said layer pad, and means for actuating said engaging means to place a layer pad in said intermediate position before some of the downward strokes of said lifting head whereby the layer pad is forced into the box upon downward movement of said lifting head carrying a layer ofobjects.

2. In a case packer including a frame, a platform, an object conveyor for conveying objects onto said platform, a box conveyor operable to carry boxes to a loading position beneath said platform, a lifting head positioned over said platform and adapted to engage a layer of objects for lifting and moving downwardly thereof into a boxat said loading position, and means for moving said platform between a position adjacent said object conveyor and a removed position where it is no I longer under said lifting head, the improvement for inserting a layer pad between objects in the box which comprises a rack for layer pads mounted on said frame, means for repeatedly engaging one of said layer padsin said rack and moving the layer pad to an intermediate position above said loading position and below said lifting head, and means for actuating said engaging means to place a layer pad in said intermediate position before some of the downward strokes of said lifting head whereby the layer pad is forced into the box upon downward movement of said lifting head carrying a layer of objects and wherein said engaging means comprises an arm swingably mounted on said frame and adapted to grasp said layer pad and move it to a horizontal position located forwardly of said intermediate position, and a carriage secured to said platform and movable with said platform, said carriage being movable with said platform to said horizontal position to pick up said layer pad and movable with said platform to said intermediate position to deposit said layer pad.

3. In a case packer including a frame, a platform, an object conveyor for conveying objects onto said platform, a box conveyor operable to carry boxes to a loading position beneath said platform, a lifting head positioned over said platform and adapted to engage a layer of objects for lifting and moving downwardly thereof into a box at said loading position, and means for moving said platform between a position adjacent said object conveyor and a removed position where it is no longer under said lifting head, the improvement for inserting a layer pad between objects in the box which comprises a rack for layer pads mounted on said frame, means for repeatedly engaging one of said layer pads in said rack and moving the layer pad to an intermediate position above said loading position and below said lifting head,.and means for actuating said engaging means to place a layer pad in said intermediate position before some of the downward strokes of said lifting head whereby the layer pad is forced into the box upon downward movement of said lifting head carrying a layer of objects and wherein said engaging means comprises an arm having vacuum cups mounted at the distal end thereof, said arm being swingably mounted on said frame, a hydraulic motor connecting said arm and said frame for moving said arm back and forth from a position engaging said layer pad to a position wherein said layer pad is moved to a horizontal position, said means for engaging and moving further comprising a carriage connected to said platform and movable with said platform, lug means mounted on said carriage and adapted to engage and horizontally move said layer pad to said intermediate position, stationary stop means fixed to said frame and having a sloping forward surface for guiding said layer pad over said stationary stop means, said stationary stop means having a vertical rear surface for engaging said layer pad to hold it in the intermediate position.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said carriage includes a pair of side elements each of which has an inwardly facing slot formed therein, said side elements each including a pair of inwardly projecting parallel ribs spaced one above the other, said ribs of each side element defining said slots, both ofsaid lower ribs extending a greater distance forwardly of said carriage than said upper ribs to permit said vacuum cups and arm to move said layer pad to a position aligned with but spaced forwardly of said slots, and further stationary stop means mounted on said frame and positioned forwardly of said horizontal position of said layer pad, said further stationary stop means being operable to block forward movement of said layer pad when said carriage moves forwardly.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said rack for layer pads is fixedly mounted on a horizontally extending bar, a pair of bearing mounting members each fixedly mounted to said frame on opposite sides of said rack, each of said bearing mounting members having a pair of bearings mounted thereon which are spaced apart, a pair of shafts each mounted for rotation in and extending between the bearings of a respective one of said bearing mounting members, said shafts being externally threaded, said horizontally extending bar having a pair of openings therethrough which are internally threaded and which threadedly receive said shafts, a pair of sprockets each having a equal number of teeth and each fixed to a respective one of said shafts, and a chain received on said sprockets and coupling them together whereby rotation of one shaft produces an equal rotation of the other shaft.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said rack includes a pair of downwardly and rearwardly tilted guide members, said layer pads being cradled within said guide members, projections extending through the walls of said guide members and blocking the movement of layer pads, said arm and vacuum cups operating to pull one layer pad at a time past the blocking action of said projections.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said further stationary stop means are adjustable forwardly and rearwardly as to position.

Claims

1. In a case packer including a frame, a platform, an object conveyor for conveying objects onto said platform, a box conveyor operable to carry boxes to a loading position beneath said platform, a lifting head positioned over said platform and adapted to engage a layer of objects for lifting and moving downwardly thereof into a box at said loading position, and means for moving said platform between a position adjacent said object conveyor and a removed position where it is no longer under said lifting head, the improvement for inserting a layer pad between objects in the box which comprises a rack for layer pads mounted on said frame, means for repeatedly engaging one of said layer pads in said rack and moving the layer pad to an intermediate position above said loading position and below said lifting head, said engaging means comprises an arm and a carriage movably mounted on said frame, said arm being movable back and forth from a position engaging said layer pad to said carriage, said carriage being movable back and forth from said arm to said box receiving said layer pad, and means for actuating said engaging means to place a layer pad in said intermediate position before some of the downward strokes of said lifting head whereby the layer pad is forced into the box upon downward movement of said lifting head carrying a layer of objects.

2. In a case packer including a frame, a platform, an object conveyor for conveying objects onto said platform, a box conveyor operable to carry boxes to a loading position beneath said platform, a lifting head positioned over said platform and adapted to engage a layer of objects for lifting and moving downwardly thereof into a box at said loading position, and means for moving said platform between a position adjacent said object conveyor and a removed position where it is no longer under said lifting head, the improvement for inserting a layer pad between objects in the box which comprises a rack for layer pads mounted on said frame, means for repeatedly engaging one of said layer pads in said rack and moving the layer pad to an intermediate position above said loading position and below said lifting head, and means for actuating said engaging means to place a layer pad in said intermediate position before some of the downward strokes of said lifting head whereby the layer pad is forced into the box upon downward movement of said lifting head carrying a layer of objects and wherein said engaging means comprises an arm swingably mounted on said frame and adapted to grasp said layer pad and move it to a horizontal position located forwardly of said intermediate position, and a carriage secured to said platform and movable with said platform, said carriage being movable with said platform to said horizontal position to pick up said layer pad and movable with said platform to said intermediate position to deposit said layer pad.

3. In a case packer including a frame, a platform, an object conveyor for conveying objects onto said platform, a box conveyor operable to carry boxes to a loading position beneath said platform, a lifting head positioned over said platform and adapted to engage a layer of objects for lifting and moving downwardly thereof into a box at said loading position, and means for moving said platform between a position adjacent said object conveyor and a removed position where it is no longer under said lifting head, the improvement for inserting a layer pad between objects in the box which comprises a rack for layer pads mounted on said frame, means for repeatedly engaging one of said layer pads in said rack and moving the layer pad to an intermediate position above said loading position and below said lifting head, and means for actuating said engaging means to place a layer pad in said intermediate position before some of the downward strokes of said lifting head whereby the layer pad is forced into the box upon downward movement of said lifting head carrying a layer of objects and wherein said engaging means comprises an arm having vacuum cups mounted at the distal end thereof, said arm being swingably mounted on said frame, a hydraulic motor connecting said arm and said frame for moving said arm back and forth from a position engaging said layer pad to a position wherein said layer pad is moved to a horizontal position, said means for engaging and moving further comprising a carriage connected to said platform and movable with said platform, lug means mounted on said carriage and adapted to engage and horizontally move said layer pad to said intermediate position, stationary stop means fixed to said frame and having a sloping forward surface for guiding said layer pad over said stationary stop means, said stationary stop means having a vertical rear surface for engaging said layer pad to hold it in the intermediate position.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said carriage includes a pair of side elements each of which has an inwardly facing slot formed therein, said side elements each including a pair of inwardly projecting parallel ribs spaced one above the other, said ribs of each side element defining said slots, both of said lower ribs extending a greater distance forwardly of said carriage than said upper ribs to permit said vacuum cups and arm to move said layer pad to a position aligned with but spaced forwardly of said slots, and further stationary stop means mounted on said frame and positioned forwardly of said horizontal position of said layer pad, said further stationary stop means being operable to block forward movement of said layer pad when said carriage moves forwardly.