EP1123236A1 - Rotatable flap folder - Google Patents
Rotatable flap folderInfo
- Publication number
- EP1123236A1 EP1123236A1 EP99970638A EP99970638A EP1123236A1 EP 1123236 A1 EP1123236 A1 EP 1123236A1 EP 99970638 A EP99970638 A EP 99970638A EP 99970638 A EP99970638 A EP 99970638A EP 1123236 A1 EP1123236 A1 EP 1123236A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- carton
- flap
- cylindrical segment
- flap folder
- cartons
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
- B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
- B65B7/20—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by folding-down preformed flaps
Definitions
- the invention relates to continuous-motion cartoning machines and, more particularly, relates to a mechanism capable of operating as both a static flap folder and a rotatably reciprocating flap folder.
- Continuous-motion cartoning machines are useful for packaging multiple articles such as beverage cans in cartons or other packaging components.
- An example of a continuous-motion cartoning machine is shown in U.S. patent No. 5,241,806 to Ziegler et al.
- a flap folder In a cartoning (or packaging) machine, a flap folder generally causes the side or end flap of a side- or end- loaded carton to be folded into flat-face relationship with an end or side panel or flap to which glue has been applied.
- the operation of a packaging (cartoning) machine is sometimes interrupted before a side or end flap is folded into face-to-face contact with the side or end panel and/or flap to which glue has been applied. It can be appreciated that it would be useful to have a means for folding a carton flap into a sealable position with respect to an end or side panel and/or flap to which an adhesive has been applied when the operation of the machine has been interrupted. It can be further appreciated that it would be useful to have such a means that also folds carton flaps to a sealable position during regular continuous motion of the machine.
- a cylindrical segment having a longitudinal axis has a helical edge which serves as a static flap folding edge for a carton in translatory motion with respect to the cylindrical segment.
- the cylindrical segment is reciprocally rotatable about an axis such that when the cylindrical segment rotates the helical edge progressively engages and folds a flap of a carton disposed at the helical edge.
- Fig. 1 is an isometric illustration of a continuous-motion cartoning machine suitable for incorporation of a rotatable flap folder, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.
- Fig. 2 is an isometric illustration of a rotatable flap folder, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, suitable for use in the machine environment of Fig. 1 illustrated with cartons engaged in translatory motion with respect to the flap folder.
- Fig. 3 is an isometric illustration of the rotatable flap folder of Fig. 2 illustrated in conjunction with a carton having unfolded, unsealed flaps, wherein the carton is stationary.
- Fig. 4 is the isometric illustration of the invention as shown in Fig. 3 but wherein the invention has been rotated to close the flaps that were extended in Fig. 3.
- Fig. 5 is a downstream, end view of the invention in conjunction with a carton as is shown isometrically in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3.
- a continuous-motion cartoning machine M suitable for incorporation of a rotatable flap folder in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.
- the carton hopper 10 receives collapsed cartons C stacked in substantially upright condition as shown.
- Cartons C are withdrawn from the carton hopper 10 by the adjustable carton feeder 20 and then deposited in substantially erect condition at the beginning of the carton conveyor 30.
- articles, such as beverage cans, to be packaged in the cartons C are also translated through the machine in synchronous motion with the cartons.
- An article conveyor 40 and article lane arrangement 50 form an article transport that urges the articles into the cartons C.
- Article-engaging wheels 60 complete the process of placement of the articles into cartons C.
- Side-flap folding wheels 70 (partially obstructed in Fig. 1) engage and inwardly fold the side flaps of cartons having side flaps.
- Glue is applied to the cartons C at a gluing station 80.
- a sealing station 90 end flaps of the cartons C are pressed and held into contact with glue that has been previously applied.
- Packaged, sealed cartons are ejected from the machine at the ejection station 100.
- a rotatable flap folder 800 disposed adjacent cartons Cl, C2 traveling in translatory motion with respect to the flap folder 800.
- the cartons Cl, C2 are traveling downstream in a direction indicated by the direction arrow 801.
- the carton Cl which is upstream, particularly with respect to the downstream carton C2 has end or side flaps E, F which lie extended away from the end/side walls of the carton C 1.
- end and side may be considered interchangeable in the description of the invention, the structure of the cartons C and the operation of the invention are the same irrespective of whether the flaps to be folded are referred to as "side" flaps or "end” flaps.
- the term “flap” is interchangeable with the term "panel.”
- the flap folder 800 is a structure 802 which is generally a segment of a cylinder which is formed about an axis 803.
- the cylindrical segment 802 has a helical edge 804 which is its flap-contacting portion. It is to be noted that in a typical machine environment a flap folder is disposed at either side of the carton. Only one flap folder is shown in the accompanying figures for clarity and brevity. The structure and operation of an opposing flap folder would mirror that of the flap folder 800 illustrated and discussed. Illustration and discussion of one flap folder 800 does not and is not intended to limit the scope or applicability of the invention.
- the flap folder 800 serves as a stationary folding device.
- FIG. 3 and Fig. 4 the method of operation of the invention as a reciprocally-rotating flap folder is illustrated.
- a carton C3 is shown in phantom view so that the elements of the invention and the operation thereof can be clearly seen.
- the carton C3 is shown in a substantially stationary position although the invention is also applicable to cartons which are in translatory motion as depicted in Fig. 2.
- the carton C3 is shown in a substantially stationary position because this is the situation of greatest applicability of the invention.
- the flap folder 800 is rotated about the axis 803 such that the helical edge 804 urges the flap F downward and inward into face-to-face relationship with the end/side of the carton C3.
- the cylindrical segment 802 can be made to rotate by any known drive train means; for example, a motor driving a drive shaft 806 which is coaxial with the axis 803 and at least one spoke element 808 interconnecting the drive shaft and cylindrical segment 802.
- a motor driving a drive shaft 806 which is coaxial with the axis 803 and at least one spoke element 808 interconnecting the drive shaft and cylindrical segment 802.
- the invention 800 is disposed at the path of a carton C such that a line along the end/side wall of the carton C is coincident with the tangent line of cylindrical segment 802.
- a bead of glue (exaggerated for clarity in Fig 5) is applied along the tangent line G so that the wall of the cylindrical segment 802 presses the flap F against the glue line G during translation of the carton C downstream and also upon rotation of the cylindrical segment 802.
- the structure of the invention provides a flap folder 800 which is capable of functioning as a stationary flap folder for cartons C in translatory motion and a reciprocally-rotatable flap folder for a stationary or moving carton C.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17563198A | 1998-10-21 | 1998-10-21 | |
US175631 | 1998-10-21 | ||
PCT/US1999/024617 WO2000023321A1 (en) | 1998-10-21 | 1999-10-21 | Rotatable flap folder |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1123236A1 true EP1123236A1 (en) | 2001-08-16 |
EP1123236B1 EP1123236B1 (en) | 2004-04-28 |
Family
ID=22641015
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP99970638A Expired - Lifetime EP1123236B1 (en) | 1998-10-21 | 1999-10-21 | Rotatable flap folder |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1123236B1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU772675B2 (en) |
BR (1) | BR9914690A (en) |
ES (1) | ES2220145T3 (en) |
MX (1) | MXPA01003928A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2000023321A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7641607B2 (en) | 2006-10-28 | 2010-01-05 | Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, Llc | Packaging machine with folding apparatus |
US20080110135A1 (en) | 2006-11-15 | 2008-05-15 | Jacob Jeffrey G | Packaging machine with pivoting minor flap retainer and rotating glue gun assembly |
DE102013221031A1 (en) * | 2013-10-16 | 2015-04-16 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | conveyor |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2328758A (en) * | 1942-01-15 | 1943-09-07 | Pneumatic Scale Corp | Packaging machine |
FR1347238A (en) * | 1962-11-17 | 1963-12-27 | Machine for closing boxes with folding end elements | |
US3703067A (en) * | 1970-10-06 | 1972-11-21 | Procter & Gamble | Rotating carton flap manipulator |
US5826408A (en) * | 1997-05-08 | 1998-10-27 | Riverwood International Corporation | Rotary flap tucker for a cartoning machine |
-
1999
- 1999-10-21 AU AU12166/00A patent/AU772675B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1999-10-21 BR BR9914690-8A patent/BR9914690A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1999-10-21 MX MXPA01003928A patent/MXPA01003928A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1999-10-21 ES ES99970638T patent/ES2220145T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-10-21 EP EP99970638A patent/EP1123236B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-10-21 WO PCT/US1999/024617 patent/WO2000023321A1/en active IP Right Grant
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO0023321A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
BR9914690A (en) | 2001-07-10 |
MXPA01003928A (en) | 2003-03-10 |
AU1216600A (en) | 2000-05-08 |
ES2220145T3 (en) | 2004-12-01 |
EP1123236B1 (en) | 2004-04-28 |
WO2000023321A1 (en) | 2000-04-27 |
AU772675B2 (en) | 2004-05-06 |
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