Abstract:
An improved orbital carton feeder comprises at least one carton gripping suction cup rotatably mounted to a rotatable wheel and moving in a hypocycloidal path having cusps, one of which defines a curved path portion coordinated with a blank placement station. Multiple cusps, cups and operational stations are disclosed, as well as a preferred cusp angular relationship responding to an angle of a carton blank at a discharge or pickoff station and an angle of disposition of a blank received conveyor.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The application claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 61/403,605 filed Sep. 17, 2010, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to orbital feeders such as rotary carton feeders and more particularly to such feeders which pick up a flat carton blank from a magazine and deliver it to a conveyor for carton erection and loading. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Rotary carton feeders are well known. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,518,301 and 4,596,545 show, for example, features of the R. A. Jones &amp; Co. Inc. “Orbi-Trak” orbital feeder. These two patents are both incorporated expressly herein by reference and made a part hereof as if fully set forth herein. 
         [0004]    Such feeders as described in these patents provide reliable and reasonably fast carton feeding from a magazine of flat blanks to an erected open position between trailing and lead lugs of a carton conveyor, on which the cartons can be loaded (typically from their ends), closed, sealed and discharged. 
         [0005]    In any carton feeder, and particularly as carton throughput speeds increase, it is necessary to feed the cartons from their magazine to the lug conveyor accurately, and to insure reliable opening of cartons once transported by the lug conveyor. 
         [0006]    When dealing with flat blanks designed to eventually be opened into cartons having a tube shape, which is primarily square or rectangular when opened, it is desired that each fed carton be handled in a way to reliably open. Such flat blanks are typically side-seamed with eventually opposed panels lying flat against adjacent respectively opposed panels (to provide an eventual square carton configuration) or against a combination of opposed and adjacent panels (to provide an eventual rectangular carton configuration). Respective panels are defined along fold lines either folded or scored for folding upon erection of the carton. There are several circumstances which may obstruct this goal of reliable opening. 
         [0007]    For example, it will be appreciated that cartons are typically, but not necessarily, fed from a horizontally-oriented or slightly inclined magazine where cartons are oriented flat against each other in a stack with the cartons resting on their lower edge. A stack of cartons is moved along with successive cartons being picked off the end of the stack at a pick-off position. There are numerous and varied expedients to facilitate the reliable separation of a carton at the stack end pick off position. Known devices to this end are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,601,691; 4,429,864; 4,779,860; 4,934,682 and 4,093,207, all of which are herein expressly incorporated by reference as if fully set forth here. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,571,236, reliable carton squaring is provided in part by a rearwardly inclined leading lug of the carton lug conveyor. That patent is also expressly herein incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
         [0008]    Nevertheless, the parameters of stacked carton blanks, their separation from the blank stacks in the feed magazines and the transfer of the blanks from the pick-off position at the magazine to erected condition between the leading and trailing transport lugs of a carton conveyor continue to present considerations of reliable blank transfer and erection, particularly as speeds increase. 
         [0009]    In this instance, where carton blanks are configured to produce opened cartons of square cross-section, it will be appreciated that the intermediate unfolded scored lines, about which the blank will be folded, are parallel and lie immediately adjacent each other in the flat blank. Viewing the flat blank as a whole, the stiffness of the blank is affected by these proximate fold lines, parallel with each other. In other words, such a blank is more easily folded or bent in the area extended along these scored lines, compared to a blank for a rectangular cross-section carton where the unfolded score lines are not so closely oriented. 
         [0010]    With such a square configuration carton, and considering the process of picking off from a magazine such a carton blank with a suction cup, it is desirable to have the carton opened uniformly when finally between the leading and trailing lugs of the carton conveyor. One potential obstacle to this goal is the undesirable creation of an “L”-shaped configuration during the blank pick-off, transfer or deposit into the carton conveyor lugs. In this undesirable configuration, the upper half of the blank is bent forwardly of the carton, with the remainder oriented downwardly. Typically, this occurs at a bending of the blank about the adjacent fold lines of the blank, for a square configuration carton. This artifact in a process can occur during the pickoff, transfer or placement and results in an “L”-shaped blank between the conveyor lugs which cannot be fully opened or erected as desired. Such an “L”-shaped blank cannot be used and must be rejected. 
         [0011]    It has accordingly been one objective of the invention to provide a rotary carton feeder and process which eliminates or reduces the possibility of producing “L”-shaped carton blanks in the transfer process. 
         [0012]    In another aspect of rotary carton feeders, it is known to “pre-open” the carton blanks at location after the pickoff from a magazine but prior to placing the blank in the conveyor lugs. Such pre-opening can be useful in the facilitation of reliable opening and placing of cartons in the carton conveyor. 
         [0013]    Current applications providing a “pre-opening” operation, however, are attended by further disadvantages. In one system, the carton blank magazine must be placed above and directly over the carton conveyor. Wheel-mounted suction cups pick off blanks, move the blanks generally counterclockwise (when viewed from a position with the stacked magazine and conveyor extended to the right), and then place the pre-opened blank on the conveyor with flow to the right. The disadvantage of such a system is the orientation of the blank magazine over the carton conveyor in a space which should be left open for conveyor access and adjustment or maintenance. 
         [0014]    In another configuration, the magazine is above but not directly over the carton conveyor, which extends to the right, and is oriented on the left side of the clockwise-rotating transfer wheel. Here, the cartons are picked off from the magazine and transferred generally in a clockwise direction over and downwardly to the carton conveyor lugs. Since, however, the blank is now generally moving near the bottom of the wheel to the left, its overall direction of movement must be reversed to match the opposite machine direction of the carton transport lug conveyor. This need for a “reverse” motion creates an abrupt and unreliable placement and is one factor limiting operational speeds. 
         [0015]    Even when such systems provide a vacuum or suction partial pre-opening of the blank by presenting it to a suction cup, for example, the foregoing inherent disadvantages are a concern. 
         [0016]    Accordingly, it is yet a further objective of the invention to provide an orbital carton feeder providing a suction generating pre-opening of a magazine-fed blank but without the need to orient the blank magazine over and above the carton conveyor, and without requiring any reverse motion of the blank in connection with placing it between leading and trailing lugs of a carton conveyor. 
         [0017]    A further objective of the invention has been to provide apparatus and methods of rotary carton feeding for reliable opening of magazine-fed carton blanks, including picking blanks from a magazine, placing them between lugs of a carton conveyor, and at higher speeds then heretofore available, with a pre-opening operation option. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    To these ends, a preferred embodiment of the invention contemplates a rotary carton blank feeder having a rotating feeder wheel carrying rotating blank holding vacuum cups rotating through at least four cusps of an hypocycloidal motion pattern. This is attained similarly to that apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 4,596,545 but wherein one or more suction cup supporting spindles are mounted on a carrier or feeder wheel and the apparatus generates a preferred four cusp movement with the operative cusp adjacent the blank placement station defined in more of a “U”-shaped than sharp configuration which results in a relatively smooth, softer and slower placement operation. 
         [0019]    Between the pickoff station defined at a first cusp of motion, and the placement station defined at a third cusp of motion, there is operationally oriented a pre-opening vacuum station proximate a second cusp of motion. As the picked-off blank is presented to this station, suction is applied to the blank&#39;s opposite side to partially pre-open it. The now partially pre-opened blank is then moved to the placement station at a third cusp of motion. 
         [0020]    Thereafter, the suction cup, having placed the blank, is reoriented as the feeder wheel continues its rotation and the cup is moved through yet a fourth cusp of motion back toward its proper orientation for picking off a blank at the first cusp of motion defining the pickoff station. 
         [0021]    Several parameters of the invention will thus become readily apparent. First any number of cusps can be used in apparatus according to the invention so long as they prove pickoff and placement stations as described as well as an optionally preferred pre-open station, and then return of the suction cup from the smooth placement station to operative position as it moves to the pick-off station motion cusp. 
         [0022]    The variations of operable motion cusps can be used to provide large variations in the relative orientation of the blank magazine to the carton conveyor on which blanks are placed. For example, and with respect to the rotary feeder phases, the pick-off and placement stations can be in a relative 180 degree phase relationship or at some other phase where other magazine-to-conveyor positions are desired. 
         [0023]    Any number of spindles can be used for so long as the hypocycloidal motion of the picked-off blanks is not obstructed by other blanks or feeder elements, and with attendant speed capabilities. 
         [0024]    Accordingly, the preferred embodiment of the invention provides a rotary feeder, with optional vacuum blank pre-opening and soft, reliant placement for full blank erection between leading and trailing conveyor lugs, without the need to orient the blank magazine above and over the carton conveyor and without requiring any motion reversal. 
         [0025]    With more particularity, one embodiment of the invention includes a generally horizontal blank magazine with a discharge section declining the blank at about 45 degrees from horizontal at a pick-off position defined at a first cusp of motion of an orbital feeder according to the invention. At 180 degrees on the other side of the orbital feeder of this invention from the pick-off position is disposed an inclined portion of a carton transporting lug conveyor, inclined at about 45 degrees to a downstream horizontal position. It will be appreciated that this 180 degree relationship can be varied to accommodate desired operational parameters. 
         [0026]    Preferably, and if desired, a pre-open or pre-break station is oriented at a second cusp of blank motion, as will be described in detail, for at least pre-breaking the blank to facilitate later full erection on the conveyor. 
         [0027]    The carton blank placement station is advantageously placed within the inclined portion of the conveyor, at about 180 degree phase of the orbital feeder from the pick-off position, and is defined at a third cusp of motion of the orbital feeder. This third cusp is so configured that its apex is not a point but is defined over a more extended distance, resulting in a smooth, more gentle carton blank placement movement as the blank is placed between the lugs of the conveyor and then further erected. 
         [0028]    From there, the spindle/suction cup is rotated through a fourth and final cusp of motion for re-orientation to proper position for presentation to the pick-off position through the first cusp of motion. 
         [0029]    As noted above, the orbital feeder according to the invention may have one or a plurality of spindle carried, blank holding suction cups. Such a feeder may also be configured with other combinations or patterns of cusps, so long as the placement cusp is more elongated to facilitate placement, is re-oriented prior to arrival at the next cycle pick-off position, and optionally provides for a cusp of movement defining a pre-opening station between blank pick-off and placement. Within these parameters, a variety of magazine and carton conveyor relationships can be provided without requiring magazine orientation above and directly over the carton conveyor, and without requiring any reversal of blank motion to achieve proper placement on the transport conveyor. 
         [0030]    These and other objectives and results will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and from the drawings, in which: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic elevational view of a carton feeding and erecting system according to the invention and including a carton magazine, rotary feeder and carton lug conveyor; 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  illustrating the invention comprising a rotary carton feeder having a preferred four cusp following motion; 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  but illustrating a less desirable four cusp constant velocity motion where each cusp is identically configured; 
           [0034]      FIGS. 4A-4E  are diagrammatic views showing the progression of the placement cusp at varied angular phases, with respect to the pick-off cusp at the carton magazine as the cusp approaches and departs the blank placement station; 
           [0035]      FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic view illustrating use of suction cup and breaker channel for pre-braking a carton blank; 
           [0036]      FIG. 6  is a view of a suction cup and breaker channel before release of a more fully-erected carton; 
           [0037]      FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 6  but also showing the carton transport lugs receiving and erecting a placed carton; 
           [0038]      FIG. 8  is a view similar to  FIG. 6  but illustrating an undesirable “L”-shaped carton blank configuration; 
           [0039]      FIG. 9  is a view similar to  FIGS. 8 and 7  but showing a failed opening of an “L”-shaped carton blank; 
           [0040]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate respectively an alternate five cusp following motion of an alternate rotary feeder and, for contrast, a five cusp constant velocity motion; and 
           [0041]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate respectively an alternate six cusp following motion of an alternate rotary feeder and, for contrast, a six cusp constant velocity motion. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0042]    Turning now to the drawings,  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  5 ,  6  and  7  illustrate features of a preferred embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 1  illustrates a carton feeding operation including carton blank magazine  10 , rotary blank feeder  12  and a carton lug conveyor  14  for receiving, erecting and transporting erected cartons. The elements respectively define a pick-off station  16  at the discharge end of a magazine  10  and a pre-open or pre-break station  18 , and a blank placement station  20 , each station attended or defined by one cusp of a multiple cusp motion orbital blank feeder of the type described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,518,301 and 4,596,545 but with a multiple cusp motion as described herein. One of ordinary skill will appreciate the mechanical modifications necessary in the apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 4,596,545 incorporated herein, to provide the hypocycloidal motion having at least four cusps. 
         [0043]    More particularly, and according to the invention, the rotary or orbital feeder  12  of a preferred embodiment includes motion defined through four “cusps”  22 - 25 . A first cusp  22  is oriented at pick-off station  16 , a second cusp  23  at pre-break or pre-opening station  18 , a third “following” cusp  24  at placement station  20  and a fourth orienting cusp  25  operatively between cusps  24  and  22 . 
         [0044]    Rotary feeder  12  operates here in a general counterclockwise direction of Arrow A ( FIG. 2 ), A blank picking, breaking, transport and placing rotary suction cup apparatus  28  (illustratively in FIG,  1  and in more detail in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ) includes a blank holding cup  29  ( FIG. 5 ) situated within a breaker channel  30  having bars  31 ,  32 . Suction cup apparatus  28  is disposed on a rotatable shaft (not shown) for rotation about minor axis  34  carried on feeder wheel  36  with the cup  29  thus moving in a hypocycloidal pattern of motion having four cusps about major axis of rotation  38  of feeder  12  and wheel  36 . Suction cup  29  is operably connected to a hose  33  ( FIG. 9 ) for supplying vacuum to the cup from a vacuum source to facilitate the picking of a blank  13  from blank magazine  10 . 
         [0045]    As noted above, the mechanism and principle of operation of feeder  12  and cup assembly  28  are fully disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,518,301 and 4,596,454, incorporated herein, with the modification of components to provide the particular cusp number and motions described herein as will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. The feeder sun and planetary elements are provided as appreciated by those skilled in the art to provide the modified cusps and motion patterns according to the invention as described herein. 
         [0046]    For purposes of this disclosure then, a “cusp” is defined as an outermost point in the motion, i.e. the outermost point of an operative element (here the face  40  of cup  29 ) as it moves through its hypocycloidal path about axis  38 . Said in another way, a “cusp” as that term is used herein is that point of motion of the operative apparatus in its path where the point is in a direct straight line including both major axis  38  and minor axis  34 . In the case of cusp  24 , the point is the apex of an elongated curve rather than a precise abrupt point as will be discussed. Accordingly, it will be understood that a “cusp” is a point or apex of a single curve in a hypocycloidal path as described. 
         [0047]    In particular, where a four cusp pattern is used in a preferred embodiment, first, second and fourth cusps  22 ,  23  and  25  are “point” cusps through which cup  29  (face  40 ) moves quickly with a relatively constant velocity motion. Third cusp  24 , however, is defined by a “following” motion wherein the cusp is the apex of an elongated curve rather than pointed in pattern as are the others. In this way, the cup  29  at placement station  20  has a delayed or slower motion as the cusp is more elongated. This results in a much softer, gentler and accurate placement in both approach and release duration of a carton blank between the trailing and leading lugs  42 ,  44  of conveyor  14  which receive, fully erect and transport the blank. 
         [0048]    In the preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated the four cusps are spaced at 90 degree intervals about axis  38 , with first cusp  22  at 0 degrees, second cusp  23  at 90 degrees, third cusp  24  at 180 degrees (see  FIG. 4C ) and fourth cusp  25  at 270 degrees. 
         [0049]    Accordingly, as wheel  36  of feeder  12  rotates about major axis  38 , a first cup apparatus  28  engages a flat carton blank B at the pick-off station  16  located at a discharge from magazine  10 . The blank B is moved in the motion pattern of cup apparatus  28  both generally about major axis  38  and in a circular path about minor axis  34 , thus in a general hypocycloidal path to pre-opening and through station  18  where, by action of suction cup  29  pulling the blank B against channel  30  and bars  31 ,  32  or by optional application of suction by suction cup  45  ( FIG. 1 ) operating on the opposite side of a blank B, the blank is at least partially broken open into a configuration illustrated by blank B- 2  of  FIG. 1 . Blank B can be broken by the suction of the blank toward bars  31 ,  32  as the blank is moved away from pick-off station  16 . 
         [0050]    Thereafter, a blank in a shape as that of blank B- 2  is delivered to the placement station  20  and between lugs  42 ,  44  of conveyor  14  as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
         [0051]    It will be appreciated the blanks of this embodiment, when erected, are of square cross-sectional configuration, the opposed panel lengths represented at  46 ,  48  and the opposite panel widths  50 ,  52 . When blanks B are flat as in magazine  10 , opposed scored but unfolded fold line  54  lines alongside scored but unfolded fold line  56 . Panel  48  lies against panel  50  and panel  52  against panel  46  in this flat condition. 
         [0052]    The rigidity of the flat carton blank of eventual square cross-section is thus weakest in the area of and along these unfolded scored lines  54 ,  56 . It is easier to suffer, then, a reverse folding of the blank about these lines  54 ,  56  during the pick-off and blank break in other equipment. Such undesirable blank configuration is illustrated (as an “L”-shaped blank B- 3 ) in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , wherein reliable squared-up blank placement opening and erection cannot be obtained. 
         [0053]    This undesirable anomaly is illustrated best in  FIG. 9  where a mis-formed “L”-shaped carton blank B- 3  is placed between two lugs  42   a  and  44   a  of a conveyor  14   a.  This blank B- 3  must be then discharged as waste. 
         [0054]    Use of the present invention described herein including the cup apparatus  28  pre-break, or the passage of a blank through pre-open station  18  prevents this from occurring, even with square cross-section cartons. 
         [0055]    Continuing with the description, and with reference to  FIGS. 4A-4E , the progression of delivery of a blank, B- 2 , into and between lugs  42 ,  44  of conveyor  14  is illustrated. Each FIG. illustrates the angular progression of feeder wheel  36  from 150 degrees through 210 degrees. In this regard, the third cusp  24  is in a static angular position at 180 degrees from the pick-off station  16  at 0 degrees. 
         [0056]    In  FIG. 4A , the wheel  36  (not the “cusp”, which is merely part of a motion pattern) is at 150 degree rotation. A first lug set  58  of conveyor  14  has carried away a previously placed blank (B- 4 ) while succeeding blank B- 2  is moving in its hypocycloidal path toward path cusp  24 . In  FIG. 4B , wheel  36  has advanced to 165 degrees angular rotation, and cup  29  has progressed to a point approaching the elongated apex  60  of cusp  24 . In  FIG. 4C , the cup  29  and blank B- 2  have reached and are in the middle of cusp  24  and elongated following motion along elongated apex  60 . Blank B- 2  is here fully and gently placed in a second set  62  of lugs  42 ,  44  at placement station  20 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 4D  illustrates the retreat of cup  29  back along path of cusp  24 , toward cusp  25 , having now released blank B- 2  and with wheel  36  now at 195 degrees rotation. Finally,  FIG. 4E  represents progress of wheel  36  through 210 degrees rotation with cup  29  having passed along cusp  24  toward a path taking it to cusp  25 . 
         [0058]    Also to be noted is that conveyor  14  is generally oriented on an incline of 45 degrees in this embodiment, approximately parallel to a 45 degree incline of a blank B at pick-off station  16 . Thereafter, conveyor  14  may be operatively elongated, such as in a horizontal direction, for further carton filling or processing. 
         [0059]    It will be appreciated then that cup  29  and a blank B- 2  is carried along in a hypocycloidal path to that portion defined by third cusp  24 . As the blank B- 2  approaches the elongated apex  60  of cusp  24 , the blank may be decelerated for gentle, reliable placement in lug set  58 . Once the blank B- 2  is released to the lugs  42 ,  44 , the cup  29  can be accelerated back along its hypocycloidal path for another cycle. The acceleration and/or deceleration velocity parameter of the cup  29  with or without the blank B- 2  can be predetermined within the scope of the invention to accommodate any desired motion facilitating carton feeding. 
         [0060]      FIGS. 2 and 3  offer a side-by-side comparison of an operative rotary feeder motion according to the invention ( FIG. 2 ) and a rotary feeder motion of constant velocity throughout for comparison purposes. The operation of the feeder in the hypocycloidal path  70  illustrated in  FIG. 2  provides the benefits of the invention. In  FIG. 3 , for contrast, each cusp is defined at a sharp precise point of path reversal. 
         [0061]    In contrast, operation of a feeder in the constant velocity motion through the more symmetric hypocycloidal path  72  ( FIG. 3 ) about a wheel  36   a,  results in a four cusp path, with each cusp symmetrical. Thus, at a placement station  73 , near conveyor  14   b,  the placement motion is constant and abrupt, resulting in a lesser reliable blank placement at speed. 
         [0062]    Diagrammatic  FIG. 10A  illustrated a five cusp hypocycloidal path  74 , in a feeder including a feeder wheel  76 , and according to an alternate embodiment of the invention. Here the cusps each have a respective apex and these are oriented at a 72 degree angular phase. Such an orientation accommodates use of a carton conveyor  14 C (lugs not shown for clarity) inclined at only 19 degrees (see  FIG. 10A ) where the conveyor is approximately tangent to a cusp  78  and elongated apex  80 . Here, it is preferable to orient the magazine discharge so blanks are presented for pick-off at about 55 degrees, and perhaps at 53 degrees, with some degree of variation acceptable as needed. 
         [0063]    Reviewing  FIG. 10B  in contrast, a feeder wheel  76 a with a five cusp constant velocity cusp path  74   a  is illustrated with similar disadvantages at a placement station  78 a as in FIG,  3 . 
         [0064]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate six cusp paths. In  FIG. 11A , an alternate embodiment is disclosed where cusp  82  has an elongated apex  84  proximate a preferably horizontal conveyor  14   d  (lugs not shown for clarity). Cusp  82  is in a hypocycloidal path  86  about a feeder wheel  88 . 
         [0065]    Blanks B in a magazine are discharged at a pick-off station from about 55 degrees and carried to a placement position on conveyor  14   d  defined proximate cusp  82 . 
         [0066]    It will be appreciated that conveyor  14   d  can be horizontal or only slightly inclined or declined from the horizontal to offer a landing or placement orientation complimentary to that of the angled blank pick-off location, and in order to accommodate a desired conveyor angle. 
         [0067]    Hypothetically, it will be appreciated that the sum of the angle of the blank pick-off orientation from horizontal, and that of the receiving lug conveyor (here  14   d ) from horizontal preferably approximates the segment of the relative phase of the cusps to each other. Thus, in a four cusp path feeder, that sum angle is about 90 degrees; in a five cusp path feeder about 72 degrees and in a six cusp path feeder, about 60 degrees, plus or minus two or three degrees. 
         [0068]    This relationship permits design of the rotary feeder magazine and conveyor orientation in a large variety of combinations, and is only a rule-of-thumb in providing the invention for a multiplicity of desired spacings and component locations of magazine, feeders and conveyor. Selection of the number of path cusps is then a function of the desired application. 
         [0069]    In contrast,  FIG. 11B  illustrates a six cusp constant velocity motion path  92  having six symmetric cusps generated about feeder wheel  94  with a cusp  96  nearest conveyor  14   d  for potential blank placement but where cusp  96  has a sharp, single point apex  98 , as that of  78   a  in  FIG. 10B  or that of the cusp nearest conveyor  14   b  in  FIG. 3 , all of which are attended by the disadvantages of the sharper, more abrupt motion at placement as noted above. 
         [0070]    Finally, it will be appreciated that feeders of the invention can be provided with as many suction cup apparatus or spindles  28  as the carton size will permit accommodation through motion about the path traversed. It will also be appreciated that as the number of selected cusps changes, the overall feeder and wheel size may change to accommodate any particular carton blank size or alternately other geometric mechanical changes can be made in the apparatus. Additionally, the wheel size may be affected by the number of spindles used. 
         [0071]    Accordingly, the invention in preferred and alternative embodiments provides numerous advantages among which are included, preferred blank placement dynamics, accommodation of a wide variety of relative magazine and conveyor orientations, positive and reliable carton placement and erection, elimination of adverse carton configurations through the process even for difficult to handle small, square cross-section cartons, all at high speeds now demanded in carton feeding processes, and the provision of additional blank handling stations by way of four or more cusps of a hypocycloidal motion feeder. 
         [0072]    Such invention is capable of handling a wide range of carton speeds through a wide range of carton sizes, and up to at least and over 800 cartons per minute. 
         [0073]    Of course, it will be appreciated that the invention could be used with a wheel operating in a clockwise direction to accommodate a variation of magazine and conveyor orientations. In this regard, the sequence of the cusp operations and the reference to the cusps as first, second, third and fourth, and so on, would be reordered. 
         [0074]    Moreover, the invention contemplates providing a plurality of blank operations by the use of four or more cusps, with additional cusps provided to present a blank to one or more other stations such as for printing, gluing or the like. Additionally, cusps can be tailored in their path to present the blank as needed at a particular station. 
         [0075]    These and other modifications and variations of the invention will be readily appreciated by the foregoing to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention and applicant intends to be bound only by the claims appended hereto.