Carton jam detection means

Abstract

A carton jam detector means for use on a carton loader apparatus in a carton packaging machine. The loader push rod has mounted thereon a carrier block which has fixed thereto a valve body having pressurized air passages formed therethrough. A carton lifter finger is pivotally mounted on the valve body and is provided with a vent valve adapted to normally close a valve seat or orifice at one end of said air passages, so as to prevent flow of pressurized air through the air passages. If a carton jam occurs, the lifter finger, which is normally held by a detent means in a position to keep the valve vent closed, is then pivoted by the resistance of the jam to override the detent means and allow air to vent through the open air orifice. The pressure drop in the air flow system is monitored by a system of suitable controls for stopping the loading of cartons until the jam is corrected. The rest of the packaging machine may continue to process the cartons already loaded into the machine.