Carton packaging machine having trailing article pusher assemblies

Abstract

An article packaging machine includes a trailing article pusher assembly for pushing the trailing articles of a packaging production run down infeed conveyer lanes and through workstations of the packaging machine so that the trailing articles can be packaged. The pusher assembly comprises a pusher chain that is flexible in one direction to allow the chain to be coiled upon itself and generally inflexible in the other direction beyond a substantially straight configuration of the chain. A pusher block is attached to a free end of the pusher chain. The pusher chain is normally stowed on a take-up magazine beside its associated infeed lane during a packaging operation. When the trailing articles of a production run approach the workstations of the packaging machine, a gate opens to allow the pusher chain and its pusher block to be extended into the infeed lane behind the last trailing article. A drive sprocket engaged with the pusher chain is rotated to extend the chain and its pusher block into the infeed lane until the pusher block engages and exerts a pushing force on the last trailing article. Continued rotation of the drive sprocket further extends the pusher chain and pushes the trailing articles through the workstations of the packaging machine until the trailing articles are packaged. The drive sprocket is then reversed in direction to retract the pusher chain from the infeed lane and coil it in its stowed position on the take-up magazine.