EP1123236B1 - Rotationsfaltmaschine für verschlussklappen - Google Patents

Rotationsfaltmaschine für verschlussklappen Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1123236B1
EP1123236B1 EP99970638A EP99970638A EP1123236B1 EP 1123236 B1 EP1123236 B1 EP 1123236B1 EP 99970638 A EP99970638 A EP 99970638A EP 99970638 A EP99970638 A EP 99970638A EP 1123236 B1 EP1123236 B1 EP 1123236B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
flap
carton
folder
blade
helical
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP99970638A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1123236A1 (de
Inventor
Robinson Glenn
M. Potteiger Thomas
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
WestRock Packaging Systems LLC
Original Assignee
Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems LLC
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems LLC filed Critical Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems LLC
Publication of EP1123236A1 publication Critical patent/EP1123236A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1123236B1 publication Critical patent/EP1123236B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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.
  • US 328 758 there is shown a folder to fold a stationary carton.
  • the folder has a helical element that rotates about an axis perpendicular to the folding action of the flap.
  • the helical element comprises a pair of helically wound members which pass under the flaps and fold the flaps inwardly.
  • the present invention and its preferred embodiments seek to overcome or at least mitigate the problems of the prior art.
  • One aspect of the invention provides a rotatable flap folder for folding a flap on a carton in a packaging machine which folder comprises a helical edge and means to rotate the element characterised in that the helical blade is rotated in an axis substantially parallel to the direction of carton movement so that the helical edge progressively engages and thereby folds the flap of a carton disposed adjacent the helical edge during continuous forward movement of the carton.
  • a second aspect of the invention provides a rotatable flap folder for folding a flap on a carton which folder comprises and element having a longitudinally extending helical edge, and means to rotate the blade about its longitudinal axis so that the helical edge progressively engages and thereby folds the flap of a carton disposed adjacent the helical edge characterised in that the element comprises a helical blade and in that an outer arcuate face of the blade is urged into contact with the folded flap as the blade continues to rate following folding of the flap.
  • a conveyor may be provided to cause relative longitudinal movement between the blade and the carton.
  • the helical blade may be adapted to serve as a static flap folding edge for a carton in translatory motion with respect to the blade.
  • the helical blade may be rotatable about the longitudinal axis thereby to urge the flap into face contacting relationship with an end of the carton.
  • the folder may be rotated to and fro in a reciprocal manner.
  • the outer face of the blade may be arcuate.
  • the outer face may be a substantially "U" shaped profile.
  • a third aspect of the invention provides a method for closing a carton flap comprising disposing a carton having an extended carton flap adjacent a rotatable flap folder, wherein the extended carton flap is disposed proximate the helical edge; then rotating the helical blade to fold the flap adjacent the helical edge, and continue folding the flap by abutment with the outer arcuate face of the blade thereby to urge the carton flap into face-to-face relationship with an end of the carton.
  • the helical blade may be rotated about 90 degrees.
  • prior to engagement of the carton by the helical blade adhesive may be applied to an end wall of the carton to which the carton flap is to be pressed along a line which is coincident with a tangent line along which a cylindrical wall of said cylindrical segment structure contacts the carton.
  • 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 C1, C2 traveling in translatory motion with respect to the flap folder 800.
  • the cartons C1, C2 are traveling downstream in a direction indicated by the direction arrow 801.
  • the carton C 1 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 C1.
  • the terms “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.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Making Paper Articles (AREA)
  • Closing Of Containers (AREA)

Claims (11)

  1. Rotationsfaltvorrichtung (800) zum Falten einer Klappe auf eine Schachtel in einer Verpackungsmaschine, wobei die Faltvorrichtung eine schneckenförmige Schiene (802) mit einer sich longitudinal erstreckenden schneckenförmigen Kante (804) umfasst, sowie Mittel (806) zur Rotation des Elements, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die schneckenförmige Schiene (802) um eine Achse (803) gedreht ist, die im Wesentlichen parallel zu der Richtung der Schachtelbewegung steht, so dass die schneckenförmige Kante stufenweise die Klappe einer Schachtel (C1) in Eingriff nimmt und dadurch faltet, die angrenzend an der schneckenförmigen Kante angeordnet ist, während der kontinuierlichen Vorwärtsbewegung der Schachtel.
  2. Rotationsfaltvorrichtung (800) zum Falten einer Klappe auf eine Schachtel, wobei die Faltvorrichtung ein Element (802) mit einer sich longitudinal erstreckenden schneckenförmigen Kante (804) umfasst, sowie Mittel (806) zur Rotation der Schiene um deren Längsachse, so dass die schneckenförmige Kante (804) stufenweise die Klappe einer Schachtel in Eingriff nimmt und dadurch faltet, die angrenzend an die schneckenförmige Kante angeordnet ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Element eine schneckenförmige Schiene (802) umfasst und dadurch, dass eine gebogene Außenseite der Schiene in Berührung mit der gefalteten Klappe (F) gebracht wird, wenn die Schiene nach dem Falten der Klappe mit der Rotation fortfährt.
  3. Rotationsfaltvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei eine Fördereinrichtung bereitgestellt ist, um eine relative longitudinale Bewegung zwischen der Schiene und der Schachtel zu bewirken.
  4. Rotationsfaltvorrichtung nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei die schneckenförmige Schiene (802) angepasst werden kann, um für eine Schachtel in geradliniger Bewegung relativ zu der Schiene als statische Klappenfaltkante zu dienen
  5. Rotationsfaltvorrichtung nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei die schneckenförmige Schiene (802) um die Längsachse (803) rotiert werden kann, um dadurch die Klappe in eine flächenberührende Beziehung mit einem Ende der Schachtel zu bringen.
  6. Rotationsfaltvorrichtung nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Faltvorrichtung in einer Hin- und Herbewegung hin und zurück rotiert wird.
  7. Rotationsfaltvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, wobei die Außenseite der Schiene gebogen ist.
  8. Rotationsfaltvorrichtung nach Anspruch 7, wobei die Außenseite ein im Wesentlichen "U"-förmiges Profil aufweist.
  9. Verfahren zum Verschließen einer Schachtelklappe umfassend das Anordnen einer Schachtel mit einer ausgedehnten Schachtelklappe angrenzend einer Rotationsfaltvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, wobei die ausgedehnte Schachtelklappe (F) in der Nähe der schneckenförmigen Kante (804) angeordnet ist; sodann Rotieren der schneckenförmigen Schiene (802), um angrenzend der schneckenförmigen Kante die Klappe zu falten, und Fortfahren des Faltens der Klappe durch ein Anstoßen an der gebogenen Außenseite der Schiene, um dadurch die Schachtelklappe in flächenberührende Beziehung mit einem Ende der Schachtel zu bringen.
  10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9, wobei die schneckenförmige Schiene (802) um 90 Grad gedreht wird.
  11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9 oder 10, wobei vor der Ineingriffnahme der Schachtel durch die schneckenförmige Schiene (802) Klebstoff auf eine Endwand der Schachtel, an die die Schachtelklappe gedrückt werden soll, entlang einer Linie aufgebracht wird, die mit einer Tangentenlinie zusammenfällt, entlang der eine zylindrische Wand der zylindrischen Segmentstruktur die Schachtel (C) berührt.
EP99970638A 1998-10-21 1999-10-21 Rotationsfaltmaschine für verschlussklappen Expired - Lifetime EP1123236B1 (de)

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 EP1123236A1 (de) 2001-08-16
EP1123236B1 true EP1123236B1 (de) 2004-04-28

Family

ID=22641015

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99970638A Expired - Lifetime EP1123236B1 (de) 1998-10-21 1999-10-21 Rotationsfaltmaschine für verschlussklappen

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1123236B1 (de)
AU (1) AU772675B2 (de)
BR (1) BR9914690A (de)
ES (1) ES2220145T3 (de)
MX (1) MXPA01003928A (de)
WO (1) WO2000023321A1 (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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
US7832183B2 (en) 2006-11-15 2010-11-16 MedWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC Packaging machine with pivoting minor flap retainer

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102013221031A1 (de) * 2013-10-16 2015-04-16 Robert Bosch Gmbh Fördervorrichtung

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2328758A (en) * 1942-01-15 1943-09-07 Pneumatic Scale Corp Packaging machine
FR1347238A (fr) * 1962-11-17 1963-12-27 Machine destinée à fermer les boîtes à éléments d'extrémité rabattables
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

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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
US7832183B2 (en) 2006-11-15 2010-11-16 MedWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC Packaging machine with pivoting minor flap retainer

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU772675B2 (en) 2004-05-06
WO2000023321A1 (en) 2000-04-27
AU1216600A (en) 2000-05-08
EP1123236A1 (de) 2001-08-16
ES2220145T3 (es) 2004-12-01
BR9914690A (pt) 2001-07-10
MXPA01003928A (es) 2003-03-10

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