AU612381B2 - Packaging machine with direct blank setup - Google Patents

Description

~9 lll~l ri~ -r~ AU-AI-19342/88 S PCT WO R LD NiELL CT PR fPfRTYB GANI

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ON J INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION LISE ND THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) (51) International Patent Classification 4 (11) International Publication Number: WO 88/ 09291 43/26, 43/18 Al (43) International Publication Date: 1 December 1988 (01.12.88) (21) International Application Number: PCT/US88/01764 (81) Designated States: AT, AT (European patent), AU, BB, BE (European patent), BG, BJ (OAPI patent), BR, (22) International Filing Date: 26 May 1988 (26.05.88) CF (OAPI patent), CG (OAPI patent), CH, CH (European patent), CM (OAPI patent), DE (Utility model), DE (European patent), DK, FI, FR (European (31) Priority Application Number: 053,781 patent), GA (OAPI patent), GB, GB (European patent), HU, IT (European patent), JP, KP, KR, LK, (32) Priority Date: 26 May 1987 (26.05.87) LU, LU (European patent), MC, MG, ML (OAPI patent), MR (OAPI patent), MW, NL, NL (European (33) Priority Country: US patent), NO, RO, SD, SE, SE (European patent), SN (OAPI patent), SU, TD (OAPI patent), TG (OAPI patent), US.

(71) Applicant (for all designated States except USI: APV DOUGLAS MACHINE CORPORATION [US/US]; 3404 Iowa Street, Alexandria, MN 56308 Published With international search report.

(72) Inventor; and Before the expiration of the time limit for amending the Inventor/Applicant (for US only) PAZDERNIK, Irvan, claims and to be republished in the event of the receipt L. [US/US]; Rural Route 3, Box 270, Alexandria, MN of amendments.

56308 10.J.P. 23 FEB 1989 (74) Agents: KAMRATH, Alan et al.; Peterson, Wicks, Nemer Kamrath, 1407 Soo Line Building, Minneapolis, MN 55402

AUSTRALIAN

2 1 DEC 1988 PATENT OFFICE (54) Title: PACKAGING MACHINE WITH DIRECT BLANK SETUP (57) Abstract A packaging machine and more particularly a machine for setting up a container from a blank (16) of corrugated board is disclosed as including a uniquely arranged magazine (10) for a plurality of container blanks (16) of corrugated board and including a structure to directly set up the shape of the container in a controlled manner for enabling a product to be easily loaded and for subsequent processing by the packaging machine. The unique direct setup arrangement utilizes arcuately 4 moving arms (24) with vacuum cups (26) thereon which attach themselves to a blank (16) in the magazine (10) and move through an arc of less than 900 from a vertically inclined position to a generally horizontal position. The arms (24) aid blank 3 (16) are then moved horizontally so that the side edge portions of the major flap (18) of the blank such as the bottom flap, Y are positioned under horizontal flap guides The major flap (18) of the container is also positioned between upstanding lugs (28, 34) on a horizontal chain conveyor assembly (12) in order to orient the container flaps (20, 22) connected to the major flap (18) in perpendicular relation to the major flap Thus, a partially formed container moves in a horizontal path with the chain conveyor assembly (12) for loading products into the partially formed container and for subsequently processing the 4container to form a package.

-1 JlU/b/OUU 1A1 1A PACKAGING MACHINE WITH DIRECT BLANK SETUP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to a packaging machine and more particularly a machine for setting up a container from a blank of corrugated board.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a packaging machine for partially forming a planar blank into a container.

There is disclosed herein packaging machine for partially forming a planar blank into a container, with the blank including at least a major flap and a first flap extending a length from the major flap, which packaging machine is of the kind comprising a magazine supporting a plurality of blanks; a first lug having an edge; an arm assembly; means formed on the arm assembly for removable attachment to the major flap of the blank; means for moving the arm assembly in an arcuate path between a first position with the removable attachment means positioned adjacent the booo** magazine for attachment to the blank from the magazine and a second position with the major flap being generally perpendicular to and spaced from the edge of the lug a distance less than the length of the first flap and with the first flap abutting with the lug and for moving the major flap 3 between the second position and a third position in a direction generally perpendicular to the edge of the lug; and means for holding the major flap relative to the lug with the first flap generally perpendicular to the major flap, characterized in that the arm assembly moving means comprises, in combination: a slide block; a linear bearing for slideably mounting the slide block between a first position and a second position; means for 0 reciprocating the slide block between the first position and the second position; means for pivotably mounting the arm assembly relative to the slide block; and means for pivoting the arm assembly relative to the slide block dependent on the position of the slide block on the linear bearing. I -2- There is further disclosed herein a method for partially forming a planar blank into a container for conveying on a conveyor, with the blank including a major flap and a first flap extpnding a length from the major flap, with the major flap including side edge portions, with the conveyor including a leading lug having an edge and a trailing lug having an edge, with the edges of the lugs being spaced to engage the blank, which method is of the kind comprising the steps of: attaching to the major flap of the blank; moving the major flap of the blank into a position generally perpendicular to and spaced less than the length of the first flap from the edge of the leading lug, with the first flap abutting with the leading lug; moving the major flap in a first direction toward and generally perpendicular to the edge of the leading lug until the first flap is generally perpendicular to the major flap; abutting the major flap with the edge of the trailing lug for 0*O* holding the major flap against the leading lug with the first flap S generally perpendicular to the major flap and for conveying the major flap on the conveyor; and releasing the attachment of the major flap, characterized in that the method further comprises the step of engaging the side edge portions of the major flap while the major flap is being conveyed on the conveyor and prior to releasing the attachment of the major flap to retain Scontrol of the blank on the conveyor.

0 So:* There is further disclosed herein a method of retaining control of a 25 container blank along a conveyor assembly in a packaging machine, with the Sblank including a major flap having side edge portions, with the conveyor assembly including an upper flight including a leading lug having an edge and a trailing lug having an edge moving in a first direction, with the edges of the lugs being spaced to engage the blank, which method Is of the 30 kind comprising the steps of: kind comprising the steps of: -3attaching the major flap of the blank to an arm assembly; moving the arm assembly in an arcuate path from a first position to a second position, with the major flap of the blank attached to the arm assembly being positioned on the upper flight of the conveyor assembly intermediate the first and second lugs in the second position; moving the arm assembly in the first direction from the second position to a third position; releasing the major flap of the blank from the arm assembly when the arm assembly is in its third position for movement with the conveyor assembly in the first direction, characterized in that longitudinally extending guide flanges are provided alongside the conveyor assembly to overlie the side edge portions of the major flap, with the longitudinally extending guide flanges having terminal ends; wherein the major flap of the S: blank in the second position of the arm assembly is spaced from the !:ig terminal ends of the longitudinally extending guide flanges; and wherein the step of moving the arm assembly in the first direction from the second S* position to the third position includes the step of inserting the side edge portions of the major flap of the blank attached to the arm assembly under the longitudinally extending guide flanges prior to the step of releasing ~rie major flap and simultaneously while the major flap is being conveyed on the conveyor assembly.

0 a* a 0 *S S* WO 88/09291 4 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figures 1A-D are progressive, schematic side elevational views illustrating the major components of a packaging machine according to the teachings of the invention removing a blank from a magazine and partially setting up the blank to a condition for receiving products or items to be packaged.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the magazine and blank setup device according to the teachings of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the blank setup device of .h 'c 0 4001 0 1 Figure 2 Figu of Figur 5 Refe illustre of the t includir numeral positior conveyox which me the mage box blar 15 up and of the c moved fi the maj shown iI The cups 26 attache< with th< path do the pos 24 move movemen positio.

As the remove is d As the moved f assembl with a flight 3 00 a a 000 0 -WO 88/09291 PCT/US88/01764 1 Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the blank setup device of Figure 2 according to section line 4-4 of Figure 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now specifically to the drawings, Fig. 1 illustrates schematically the association and operation of the unique components of the present invention including a magazine generally designated by reference numeral 10 which is supported in vertically inclined position with the upper end being inclined toward a chain conveyor assembly 12 and including an arm assembly 14 which moves corrugated container or box blanks 16 from the magazine 10 onto the chain conveyor assembly 12. The box blank 16 is of planar construction before it is set up and includes a major flap 18 which may be the bottom of the container and additional flaps 20 and 22 which are moved from their initial position in the same plane as the major flap 18 to a position perpendicular thereto as shown in Figs. IC and ID.

The arm assembly 14 includes arms 24 having vacuum cups 26 attached thereto which move toward and become attached to the major flap 18 of the corrugated blank 16, with the arms 24 then rotating or moving in an arcuate path downwardly from their initial position in Fig. 1A to the positions illustrated in Figs. 1B and 1C. The arms 24 move downwardly in an arcuate path through an arc of movement of less than 900 from the vertically inclined position of Fig. 1A to the horizontal position of Fig. 1C.

As the arms 24 move downwardly in an arcuate manner and remove the blank 16 from the magazine 10, the minor flap is deformed upwardly in relation to the major flap 18.

As the arms 24 reach a horizontal position, they are moved forwardly or in the direction of the chain conveyor assembly 12 so that the flap 20 comes into engagement with a leading projection or lug 28 mounted on the upper flight 30 of the chain conveyor assembly 12 which has a WO 88/.99291 PCT/US88/01764 WO8809291 I substantially vertical trailing edge 32. Trailing edge 32 of the lu.g 28 orients the flap 20 in perpendicular relation to the flap 18 as the blank 16 is moved toward the su.rface 32 of the lug 28. A trailing lug 34 having a vert.ical edge surface 36 facing the edge 32 of the lug 28 trails the lug 28, with lugs 28 and 34 operating in pairs so that the vertical edge 36 of the trailing lug 34 will contact and pivot the flap 22 upwardly into perpendicular relation to the flap 18 as illustrated in Figs. 1C and 1D.

At the same time that the arms 24 and suction cups 26 are moving horizontally to bring the flap 20 into engagement with the edge 32 of the lug 28, it moves the blank 16 longitudinally and horizontally so that the side edge portions of the major flap 18 are received under longitudinally extending flap guides in the form of continuous flanges 74 mounted alongside of the chain conveyor assembly 12. thus maintaining control of the major flap 18. As soon as the side edge portions of the major flap 18 are received undei: and guided by the guide flanges 74 and the edges 32 and 36 of the lugs 28 and 34, respectively, engage the flaps 20 and 22 to orient the flaps 20 and 22 vertically in relation to the horizontal major flap 18, the blank 16 is then under complete control for movement along the chain conveyor assembly 12 for further processing by introducing products or other items to be packaged which can be easily moved laterally onto the upper surface of the major flap 18 by the machine or the products or items to be packaged can be manually placed in the partially set up container. The arm assembly 14 then returns toward the magazine 10 for attachment to another blank 16 for repeat of the cycle.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the arms 24 are supported from a slide block 42 that slides on a linear bearing 44 in the form of an elongated rod. The slide block 42 is connected to a connecting rod 46 through an offset bracket 48. The connecting rod 46 is connected to a 1 crank The cra.

point connect 5 recipro The sha and thu that is with a 10 arrange pivot s enables shaft mounted 15 the end radiuse structu forward 66 will 20 positio horizon followe cam tra then al 25 cam fol radiuse vacuum release block 4 30 moving horizor the can radiuse manner 35 portior cups 2E 'WO88/09291 PCT/US88/01764 -7- 1 crank 50 rotatable about an axis defined by shaft 52.

The crank 50 and connecting rod 46 are connected at pivot point 53 so that upon rotation of the shaft 52, the connecting rod 46 will cause the slide block 42 to reciprocate horizontally on the linear bearing rod 44.

The shaft 52 is driven to reciprocate the slide block 42 and thus the arms 24 by a belt or chain drive assembly 54 that is supported on a framework structure 56 provided with a suitable motor, reduction gear and drive arrangement. The slide block 42 includes a transverse pivot shaft 58 on which the arms 24 are secured which enables the arms 24 to pivot about an axis defined by the shaft 58. A pair of roller-type cam followers 64 are mounted on laterally extending brackets 62 provided on the ends of the shaft 58. The cam followers 64 move in a radiused cam track 66 in a plate or other supporting structure 68. Thus, as the slide block 42 reciprocates forwardly, the cam followers 64 moving in the cam tracks 66 will move the arms 24 arcuately downwardly from the position illustrated in Fig. 1A to the generally horizontal position illustrated in Fig. 1C when the cam followers 64 are in the arcuate portions of the radiused cam tracks 66 about the axis defined.by the shaft 58 and then also move them horizontally forward when both of the cam followers 64 are in the horizontal portion of the radiused cam tracks 66. Then, by occluding the source of vacuum connected to the vacuum cups 26 in order to release the arms 24 from the major flap 18, as slide block 42 reciprocates rearwardly, the cam followers 64 moving in the cam track 66 will move the arms 24 horizontally rearward toward the magazine 10 when both of the cam followers 64 are in the horizontal portions of the radiused cam tracks 66 and then upwardly in an arcuate manner when the cam followers 64 are in the arcuate portions of the radiused cam tracks 66 so that the vacuum cups 26 again become attached to the next blank 16 when WO 88/09291 PCT/US88/01764 -8- I the source of vacuum is again connected with the vacuum curs 26. The position of the followers 64 in the cam tracks 66 is illustrated in Figs. IA-D and the position of the lugs 28 and 34 during the movement of the arms 24 during various stages of the cycle of movement of the blank 16 is also shown.

The chain conveyor assembly 12 includes two pairs of adjacent conveyor chains 70 entrained over end sprocket gears 72 journalled from side members of the framework 56 with the upper flight 30 of the conveyor chain underlying the major flap 18 of the blank 16 as illustrated in Fig. 2. Also, the framework 56 includes the pair of flap guides 74 which extend alongside and are spaced outwardly slightly from the outermost upper chain conveyor flights 30 with the flap guides 74 overlying and controlling the position of the side edge portions of the major flap 18. Specifically, the flap guides 74 extend through and are received in inwardly extending slots formed in the side eJge portions of the blank 16 at the juncture between the major flap 18 and flaps 20 and 22 thus gaining control of the blank 16 and maintaining control of the blank 16 as it moves from its setup position to a point on the machine for receiving the product or items to be packaged. The terminal end of the flap guide 74 is oriented generally in alignment with the inner periphery of the sprocket gears 72 so that the leading edge of the side edge portions of the major flap 18 will be inserted under the guide flaps or flanges 74 while the suction cups 26 still hold the major flap 18 downwardly against the upper flight 30 of the conveyor chains 70 as illustrated in Fig. 2 and at which point the lugs 32 and 34 have also completely partially formed the blank Z6 into a container. The suction to the suction cups 26 can then be released in a known manner so that the arms 24 can move horizo.tally outwardly toward the magazine 10 until the cam followers 64 remote from the WO 88/09291 PCT/US88/01764 -9- 1 arms 24 engage the radiused and vertical portion of the cam tracks 66 and again pivot arms 24 upwardly to attach the suction cups 26 to the next blank 16 when vacuum is again communicated with the suction cups 26. The vacuum cups 26 may be solid so that the vacuum cups 26 can attach to the blank 16 without communicating any source of suction with them and also separated from the major flap 18 by sliding movement off of the bottom surface of the major flap 18 as the blank 16 moves with the conveyor chain assembly 12 and as the arms 24 move away from the conveyor chain assembly 12. As the partially formed container moves down the conveyor chain assembly 12, additional procedures are performed which do not constitute part of the present invention. These additional procedures include the positioning of items into the partially set up container either automatically by machine or manually with the container blank 16 then being completely formed into a container and closed in a manner to form a package.

The magazine 10 is fed by a feed conveyor assembly 76 which feeds the blanks 16 in vertical position into the inclined magazine 10. Magazine 10 includes a frame structure 78 supported in a suitable manner and having a bottom flange and top flange which engage and temporarily retain the top and bottom edges of the blan 16. Thus, the planar blank 16 when engaged by the suction cups 26 will.break at the previously formed score lines between the major flap 18 and the flaps 20 and 22. The score >ines terminate in the inwardly extending slots or notches through which the flap guides 74 extend. The side edge portions of the flaps 18, 20, and 22 may be folded inwardly and a top flap closed to form a complete package in the machine.

The essential component of the present invention reside in the magazine 10 and the setup device so that P supply of container blanks 16 can be formed into a WO 88/09291 PCT/US88/01764 Spredetermined shape in an efficient manner due to the particular inclined construction of the magazine 10 and the movement characteristics of the arms 24 and suction cups 26 and the relationship of the forming lugs 28 and 34 on the chain conveyor assembly 12. The magazine eliminates the necessity of a follower since the inclined construction thereof will retain the blanks 16 in position for engagement by the suction cups 26 and enables the supply conveyor 76 to be loaded with blanks 16 in an efficient manner since the magazine 10 and supply conveyor 76 therefor is generally at the same height as the chain conveyor assembly 12. Another essential feature of the invention is the combined arcuate and horizontal movement of the arms 24 with vacuum cups 26 thereon for moving blanks 16 singly into a position along the top surface of the upper flight 30 of conveyor chains 70 having shaping lugs 28 and 34 arranged thereon in pairs. The lugs 28 and 34 of each pair are spaced to engage the blank 16 to partially form the blank 16 into a controlled shape with the side edge portions of the major flap 18 or bottom of the blank 16 being inserted under longitudinal flap guides 74 while still under the control of the arms 24 and vacuum cups 26.

Positive and accurate control of the blank 16 is thereby maintained at all times from the magazine 10 until the blank 16 is loaded with product or items to be packaged.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and, accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims (9)

1. Packaging machine for partially forming a planar blank into a container, with the blank including at least a major flap and a first flap extending a length from the major flap, which packaging machine is of the kind comprising a magazine supporting a plurality of blanks; a first lug having an edge; an arm assembly; means formed on the arm assembly for removable attachment to the major flap of the blank; means for moving the arm assembly in an arcuate path between a first position with the removable attachment means positioned adjacent the magazine for attachment to the blank from the magazine and a second position with the major flap being generally perpendicular to and spaced from the edge of the lug a distance less than the length of the first flap and with the first flap abutting with the lug and for moving the major flap between the second position and a third position in a direction generally perpendicular to the edge of the .9 9 9 o

9. 9 lug; and means for holding the major flap first flap generally perpendicular to the the arm assembly moving means comprises, i linear bearing for slideably mounting the position and a second position; means for between the first position and the second mounting the arm assembly relative to the pivoting the arm assembly relative to the position of the slide block on the linear 2. The packaging machine of claim relative to the lug with the major flap, characterized in that n combination: a slide block; a slide block between a first reciprocating the slide block position; means for pivotably slide block; and means for slide block dependent on the bearing. 1 further comprising, in oo sc ,o o .9 9099 *r 9 combination: means for conveying the blank along a path generally parallel to and in the movement direction of the arm assembly from the second position to the third position, with the first lug being formed on the conveying means with the edge generally perpendicular to the conveying means; and wherein the holding means comprises a second lug formed on the conveying means and having an edge generally perpendicular to the conveying means and generally parallel to the edge of the first lug. 3. The packaging machine of claim 2 wherein the major flap includes side edge portions; and wherein the packaging machine further comprises, in combination: means for engaging the side edge portions of the major flap of the blank when the blank attached to the arm assembly is intermediate the C'i~lVI KC; IV LT 3 )O position or tne slide block on the linear bearing. I-I .I I 12 second and third positions of the arm assembly to retain control of the blank for movement in the conveying means after release from the arm assembly. 4. The packaging machine of claim 3 wherein the engaging means comprises guide flanges generally parallel to the conveying means. The packaging machine of claim 1 wherein the blank includes a second flap extending from the major flap, with the major flap being intermediate the first and second flaps; and wherein the holding means comprises means for moving the second flap relative to the major flap until the second flap is generally perpendicular to the major flap and parallel to and opposite the first flap. 6. The packaging machine of any preceding claim wherein the arm assembly pivoting means comprises, in combination: a cam track, with the slide block being slideably mounted by the linear bearing relative to the .cam track; and a cam follower connected to the arm assembly for engaging the cam track. 7. The packaging machine of claim 6 wherein the slide block is slideably mounted by the linear bearing in a direction generally perpendicular to the edge of the first lug; and wherein the cam track includes a ra'diused curved portion to move the arm assembly between its first position and its second position and includes a straigh.c :ortion generally perpendicular to the edge of the first lug to move the arm f assembly between its second position and its third position. 8. The packaging machine of any preceding claim wherein the linear bearing comprises, in combination: an elongated rod, with the slide block being slideably mounted on the elongated rod. The packaging machine of any preceding claim wherein the reciprocating means comprises, in combination: a driven crank assembly and a connecting rod connecting the crank assembly with the slide block to slide the slide block along the linear bearing. Method for partially forming a planar blank into a container for conveying on a conveyor, with the blank including a major flap and a first flap extending a length from the major flap, with the major flap including side edge portions, with the conveyor including a leading lug having an edge and a trailing lug having an edge, with the edges of the lugs being spaced to engage the blank, which method is of the kind comprising the steps of: ITMS27401 II LI I 11 so. 0* .0 *4 9 9 C. 9 9 0 e.0. .0@ C 0* 00 9 9 C 9* C 13 attaching to the major flap of the blank; moving the major flap of the blank in-o a position generally perpendicular to and spaced less than the length of the first flap from the edge of the leading lug, with the first flap abutting with the leading lug; moving the major flap in a first direction toward and generally perpendicular to the edge of the leading lug until the first flap is generally perpendicular to the major flap; abutting the major flap with the edge of the trailing lug for holding the major flap against the leading lug with the first flap generally perpendicular to the major flap and for conveying the major flap ,on the conveyor; and releasing the attachment of the major flap, characterized in that the method further comprises the step of engaging the side edge portions of the major flap while the major flap is being conveyed on the conveyor and prior to releasing the attachment of the major flap to retain control of the blank on the conveyor.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the blank Includes a second flap extending from the major flap, with the major flap being intermediate the first and second flaps; and wherein the step of abutting the major flap ccmprises the step of moving the second flap relative to the major flap until the second flap is generally perpendicular to the major flap and parallel to and opposite the first flap.

12. The method of claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the step of attaching to the major flap of the blank comprises the step of'attaching the major flap of the blank to an arm assembly; wherein the step of moving the major flap of the blank with the first flap abutting with the leading lug comprises the step of moving the arm assembly in an arcuate path; and wherein the step of moving the major flap in a first direction comprises the step of moving the arm assembly in the first direction.

13. The method of claim 10, claim 11, or claim 12 wherein guide flanges are provided generally parallel to the conveyor; and wherein the step of engaging the side edge portions of the major flap comprises the step of inserting the side edge portions of the major flap under the guide flanges during the step of moving the major flap in a first direction and prior to the step of releasing the attachment of the major flap and while the major flap is being conveyed on the conveyor between the lugs. C S *0*C C C C CC

14. Meth, conveyor assemb flap having sid upper flight in having an edge i being 'spaced to the steps of: atta, movii to a second pos assembly being I intermediate thi movil position to a tl relei the arm assembl, assembly in the extending guide overlie the sid( extending guide blank in the sec terminal ends ol the step of mov position to the portions of the the longitudina the major flap i the conveyor as!

15. A pa( container, the I described with i

16. A mel for conveying or described with i 0 C CC S C Cr T TMS/6 7M I /227401 1 4 V: rn.- ^i 11 I I I 14 14. Method of retaining control of a container blank along a conveyor assembly in a packaging machine, with the blank including a major flap having side edge portions, with the conveyor assembly including an upper flight including a leading lug having an edge and a trailing lug having an edge moving in a first direction, with the edges of the lugs being -spaced to engage the blank, which method is of the kind comprising the steps of: attaching the major flap of the blank to an arm assembly; moving the arm assembly in an arcuate path from a first position to a second position, with the major flap of the blank attached to the arm assembly being positioned on the upper flight of the conveyor assembly intermediate the first and second lugs in the second position; moving the arm assembly in the first direction from the second position to a third position; releasing the major flap of the blank from the arm assembly when the arm assembly is in its third position for movement with the conveyor assembly in the first direction, characterized in that longitudinally extending guide flanges are provided alongside the conveyor assembly to overlie the side edge portions of the major flap, with the longitudinally extending guide flanges having terminal ends; wherein the major flap of the blank in the second position of the arm assembly is spaced from the terminal ends of the longitudinally extending guide flanges; anid wherein the step of moving the arm assembly in the first direction from the second position to the third position includes the step of inserting the side edge portions of the major flap of the blank attached to the arm assembly under the longitudinally extending guide flanges prior to the step of releasing the major flap and simultaneously while the major flap is being conveyed on the conveyor assembly. A packaging machine for partially forming a planar blank into a container, the packaging machine being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 16. A method for partially forming a planar blank into a container for conveying on a conveyor, the method being substantiaily as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

17. A mi conveyor assemi hereinbefore di 0r 0 S.. ae, 0000 SO *O 0 0 4000 0* 0* .4 0 0SS*.~ 0 0 5*0V09 4 0 *500 0 0S* S 0 S 0 0 OS 0 *00 e T VI N'( I- r i- 15 17. A method of retaining control of a container blank along a conveyor assembly in a packaging machine, the method being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this FOURTH day of MARCH 1991 APV Douglas Machine Corporation Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON 0 0cr 0600 S S OSSC S S. S S So (B e -e