EP1398141A2 - Folding machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The folding machine for box blanks (8) has a folding station (2) in which the side flaps (29,31) are folded and overlapped in a closure position. The station has conveyor (9) belts with the gap between conveyed blanks being dependent on the size of the tube formed from the blank. A closure station (4) is provided for the blank closure sections and also has a conveyor. There is an intermediate station (3) which has a conveyor to reduced the spacing between the blanks.

Description

From DE-A-39 08 981 a folding machine is known, which serves folding carton blanks in carton tubes reshape. The folding carton blanks correspond the processing of a finished finished carton.

The carton blank is with the corresponding ones Slotted the individual lids and bottom flaps separate each other.

So that the carton at the point of use easy The folding carton blanks must be erected as part of a manufacturing process to two Bodies to be folded on themselves, and that way, that the two lateral ends of the flat folded carton blank cover each other after the folding process, to be attached to each other there. It arises a circumferentially closed Faltschachtelschlauch. The overlap point lies with the finished carton near a corner or edge.

The folding must be done with considerable precision because this is the angular faithfulness of the finished carton decisively determined.

The flat folded carton tube becomes upright to the carton on the two outboard Folded edges compressed so that a fold or Bending sets along the other two edges of the box. After erecting the Faltschachtelschlauches arises a quadrangular piece of pipe made of cardboard or Corrugated cardboard on which in the axial direction the flaps for the Stand the ground and the lid away. You can now fold in Be sure to close the erected carton tube stabilize.

To produce the carton tube, so will called folding belts or folding tapes used that are put on the parts of the carton blank to be folded and force the folding along the fold line. The folding tapes run with their work drumming along a way Helix, with fitting pieces sitting on the folding belt act on the parts to be folded. So that Folding movement proceeds properly, the run Folding belt with a web speed that of the web speed of the folding carton blank.

After folding the carton blank is the Folding carton blank by stitching or gluing in the folded Fixed position. For this purpose, so-called Glueköpfe, Stitching heads or tape heads used.

In the construction of the folding machine according to DE-A-39 08 981 allows working speeds in the folding station can be achieved, which is well above the working speed lie, with the closing station, for example the stapling head can hit the staples.

The speed of the folding machine is therefore in Essentially by the speed of the closing station certainly.

Based on this, it is an object of the invention create, depending on the dimensions of each producing folding carton tube at a higher speed can work.

This object is achieved with a folding machine solved with the features of claim 1.

In the new folding machine is between the actual Folding station and the closing station an intermediate station arranged, with whose help a speed transformation of the folding carton tube to be closed can be achieved.

The folding station delivers the folding carton blanks into a solid fixed grid. The grid in which the folded carton blanks are delivered, corresponds to the dimensions of the largest folding carton blank in the transport direction plus the required Safety distance between successive folding box blanks. The transport direction corresponds folding carton blanks in the machine Height of the erected folding box in the position of use, or the direction of the waves in the corrugated board. at the largest folding carton blanks to be processed with the machine is the exploitation of a standard machine optimal, for the delivery of folded carton blanks takes place at the same speed with which can be fixed at the closing of the hose.

The gaps between successive carton tubes are marginal. If, however, carton hoses for low folding boxes, so those with Small wave measure to be generated, the gaps between successive folding box blanks in the folding station correspondingly larger. Accordingly, the sinks Utilization of the machine, there in the gaps between each other following carton hoses no other carton hoses be closed in the closing station can.

By using the intermediate station it becomes possible to reduce the gaps in front of the closing station, so that the utilization of the closing station is increased. she works, so to speak, with a higher speed, although the turnaround time per unit length of Faltschlachtelschlauch is not increased. The speed increase stems from the elimination of large gaps between Faltschachtelschlächen ago.

It can easily increase the speed of the Folding station are increased, to the extent that at Folding carton blanks for low cartons blanks become larger between the folding box blanks. On this way, the number of cartons tubes that per unit of time leave the closing station, increased become.

This can achieve a particularly high throughput, if the intermediate station has a speed profile in which, after taking over the folding box blank From the folding station, first of all, the speed is further increased before the speed on the working speed of the closing station is lowered. This is a particularly small Gap between successive carton blanks possible in the closing station.

The advantage of speeding over the Delivery speed is due to a shortening the occupancy time of the intermediate station. The shorter the occupancy time the waypoint is, the faster you can further folding carton blanks delivered by the folding station for a takeover of new carton blanks in the intermediate station becomes possible only if no folding carton blank in the way station anymore is included. Otherwise the stopover would be with run too low, which leads to that the folding box blank from that of the folding station comes, would be damaged.

It is particularly advantageous if the folding box blanks in the transport route from the folding station to the Closing station never run free, but always forcibly be encouraged. A free running could be the alignment the carton blanks along the transport route adversely affect, so the subsequent attaching the adhesive strip when taping or gluing the Supernatants or stapling done with an angle error would.

A compulsory promotion of folding carton blanks prevents alignment errors and ensures that once achieved right-angled orientation of the carton blank to get to the transport route also over the entire way remains.

A further improvement of the slip time of the intermediate station can be reached if its effective length along which a Faltschachtelzuschnitt forced promoted becomes, is changeable. As long as the forced promotion not yet guaranteed by the intermediate station The intermediate station can largely free up the transport speed accelerate. The incoming folding carton blanks are not damaged, but otherwise inevitably through the folding station in the intermediate station inserted.

The compulsory promotion of folding carton blanks in the way station can be reached by the Faltschachtelzuschnitt between at least two means of transport is trapped. The transport is not then positively but nevertheless so frictionally that in the in the machine occurring acceleration forces Slipping of the carton blank by no means can occur. The transport is frictional.

Moreover, further developments of the invention are the subject of dependent claims. It should also such feature combinations be regarded as claimed on the no explicit embodiment is directed.

Fig. 1

die erfindungsgemäße Inline-Ffaltenmaschine, in einer stark schematisierten Seitenansicht und mit denjenigen Funktionsteilen, die für das Verständnis der Erfindung wesentlich sind.

Fig. 2

die Faltstation in einer perspektivischen Ansicht in Richtung eines weglaufenden Faltschachtelzuschnitts und

Fig. 3-7

unterschiedliche Betriebszustände bei der Weitergabe von Faltschachtelzuschnitten von der Faltstation über die Zwischenstation zu der Transporteinrichtung der Schließstation, jeweils in einer Seitenansicht.

In the drawing, an embodiment of the invention is shown schematically. Show it:

Fig. 1

the inline folding machine according to the invention, in a highly schematic side view and with those functional parts that are essential for the understanding of the invention.

Fig. 2

the folding station in a perspective view in the direction of a running away Faltschachtelzuschnitts and

Fig. 3-7

Different operating conditions in the transfer of folding box blanks from the folding station on the intermediate station to the transport device of the closing station, each in a side view.

FIG. 1 shows a detail of an inline folding machine 1. There are only those functional parts in A side view illustrating for understanding of the invention are essential.

The inline folding machine includes a folding station 2 in the coming from the right about a sheet feeder, not shown Faltschachtelzuschnitte be entered. downstream the folding station 2 is an intermediate station 3, which serves the working speed of the folding station 3 to a downstream closing station. 4 waylay. The closing station 4 is for example a TapeStation. In the tapestry the push or the Overlap point of a carton tube with a covered with a hot melt adhesive tape 5 over and so permanently fixed.

Also in the illustration of Figure 2 are only those Parts illustrated for the further understanding of the Invention of importance are for clarity true.

The folding station 2 has an upper side of a horizontal and just extending underframe or Frame, which is not further illustrated, two parallel mutually extending guide rails 6, whose at the same height lying tops 7 sliding or guideways on which folding carton blanks 8 referring to Figure 2 from the right coming to the left through the Folding station 2 are moved.

To the folding box blanks 8 along the guide rails 6, a transport device is provided, from the two parallel spaced Timing belt 9 between the guide rails. 6 are visible. The top or back of the two timing belts 9 lies in the plane through the guideways. 6 is defined and she carries drivers 11, whose distance from each other, seen in the longitudinal direction of each Timing belt 9, the grid spacing of the folding station 2 and thus the center distance of two successive folding carton blanks 8 corresponds. The two toothed belts 9 run at the end around deflection pulleys 12 and 13 at the Beginning and end of the folding station 2 on axes 14 and 15 are rotatably mounted. A set of pulleys 12, 13 is driven while the other runs loose.

The speed with which each driven Rollers, for example, the rollers 13 run, corresponds to the Working speed of the folding station 2.

Along both guide rails 6, the folding station 2 each two pairs of endless folding belt 16 and 17, which in their general extent laterally below the guideways 6 start and above the guideways 6 end up. The two folding belts 16 are the same as the two Folding belt 17 with mirror symmetry with respect to the longitudinal axis of the Folding station 2 arranged.

The folding belt 16 on the left side of the folding station 2, seen in moving direction of folding carton blanks 8, runs around two pulleys 18 and 19, which are on axles 21, 22 of the base frame are rotatably mounted. One of the Pulleys 18 and 19 is connected to the drive device coupled to the folding belt 16 in synchronism with the timing belt 9 to move.

The exact height and lateral position of the two deflection pulleys 18 and 19 will be apparent from the following description one provided on the outside of the folding belt 16 Profile 23.

The in the transport direction of Faltschachtelzuschnitte. 8 following folding belt 17 is as well as the folding belt 16th endless and essentially runs in extension of the Faltriemens 16. The folding belt 17 runs around two end Pulleys, of which only their axes of rotation 24th and FIG. 25 are schematically illustrated.

Due to the arrangement of the four folding belts 16, 17 is formed on each of the folding belts 16, 17 a Arbeitstrum, that in the direction of the transport movement of the folding carton blanks 8 or the carton tube runs and with the carton blank 8 cooperates while a Empty strand without touching the folding carton blank 8 empty runs back in the opposite direction.

The folding carton blanks 8 lie when you are in the Folding station 2 initially arrive completely flat, like this in Figure 2 is shown on the right side. They persist from a middle piece 28 and two connected in one piece Side flaps 29 and 31. The side flaps 29 and 31 go to optionally grooved folding lines 32 and 33 in the middle piece 28 and form in the finished erected carton two diagonally opposite each other Corner edges extending from the bottom of the carton up to their lids are enough.

In extension of the fold lines 32 and 33 contains the Folding box blank 8 four slots 34, one piece far into the carton blank 2 and enter that allow later folding a bottom or top flap 35. Other slots corresponding to the slots 34 are in the middle piece 28 to also in this corresponding To create floor or top flaps.

So that when turning over the two side flaps 29, 31 the middle piece 28 is not lifted off the guideways 6 is provided, hold-downs are made of a variety loosely rotatable discs 36 are formed. They run up Axles 37, which are about 45 ° and aligned are that the outer peripheral surface of the discs 36, the of seen above are above the guideways 6, in Immediately near the folding lines 32 and 33, the carton blank 8 touch. The middle piece 28 is characterized immediately next to the fold lines 32, 33 on the guideway 6 depressed and can not be lifted up, if the side flaps 29, 31 starting from the flat lying position in the position to be bent, as they are shown in Figure 2 in the middle.

The axes 37 of the discs 36 are in a not illustrated Rack mounted, the one about not illustrated bridge frame with the base the folding station 2 is connected, so that the folding box blanks 8 can walk freely.

The profile on the outside of the folding belts 16, 17 is substantially sawtooth stage, so that one line-shaped contact point with the side flap 29, 31 comes about.

A flat-folding box blank coming from the right 8 passes between the guide rails 6 and the Discs 36. It is detected by the drivers 11 and aligned at right angles to the transport direction along the Guide rails 6 from right to left referred to FIG 2 transported. In the course of the feed movement come the Side flaps 29 and 31 with their bottom or back with the Arbeitstrum 26 of the two fall belts 16 in contact. The course of Arbeitstrums 26 is chosen so that it of outside the fold lines 32 and 33 and below a plane, which is defined by the sliding surface 7, in a position runs, in which the working strand 26 above the said plane and located within a vertical plane, which is defined by the fold line 32 and 33, respectively.

This movement first forces an erection of the Side flaps 29, 31 and finally when leaving the Folded belt 16 an inwardly directed position of the side flaps 29, 31. The fold lines 32, 33 act as Hinge. The turning 29, 31 on the middle piece 28th is finally completed by the two folding rails 17. Your working drums are completely above the sliding surface 7 of the guide rails 6 and that increasingly converging towards the downstream end the guide rails 6. When leaving the folding belt 17 the side flaps 29, 31 are turned over to the middle piece 28 and cover each other along a strip 39.

The working speed of the folding station 2 i. the Speed with the folding box blanks 8 through the Folding station pushed through while folded at the same time Becomes only by the strength of the side flaps 29, 31 limited.

During the feed movement, they fold around the fold line 32, 33 μm, being supported by the folding belts 16 become. The movement counteracts the air resistance, at those parts of the side flaps 29, 31 attacks, which protrude over the folding belt 16. If the Air resistance gets too big, because the folding speed Too far, the side flaps over the folding belt 16 kink. The speeds required for this are, are extremely high and can practically can not be reached. In any case, the Folding station 2 operated at a higher operating speed be as the subsequent closing station. 4

In the already mentioned closing station 4 are the previously folded in the folding station 2 Faltschachtelschläuche 8 along the overlapping area 39 permanently closed.

To the overlap area 39 de, where appropriate, too can be a shock, to close several possibilities into consideration. In the overlap gap can be a hot glue be entered to cover each other To bond areas. Furthermore, there is the possibility to staple in this area staples or the Area is closed by applying an adhesive tape. In this case, the tape is correspondingly above the end of the Overlapping point.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the closing station 4 illustrates one that works with the tape 5. The tape 5 consists of a paper back, the coated on one side with a hot melt adhesive is. The closing station 4 is highly schematized in FIG shown. It has a plurality of pulley groups 41, 42 circulating endless transport means 43 in the form of Belts or belts, between the roller groups 41 and 42 form an overhead workstring 44. Each role group consists of mutually coaxial rollers, if necessary are driven together.

According to the width of the folded carton tubes 8 are several such endless means of transport 43 arranged side by side. They form one, so to speak movable support table for the continuous carton tube 8th.

Above the lower endless transport 44 are a plurality of aligned transport means 45 in the form of Belts or belts are provided, which also around Umlenkrollengruppen 46 and 47 circulate. Each role group exists also from each other coaxial rollers, if necessary are driven together.

The lower between the roller groups 46 and 47 itself extending region also forms a workstrum 48. The above running endless transport means 45 are broken off shown to create a view of a housing 51, in which a supply roll 52 for the adhesive tape 5 is rotatable is stored. The drive means for the roller groups 46 and 47 are not shown.

At the bottom of the housing 51 are several successively arranged and rotatably mounted pinch rollers 53, with which the adhesive tape 5 on the passing Faltschachtelschlauch 8 is pressed. To the Closing station 4 further includes means for cutting of the belt 5 and a heater for heating of the hot melt adhesive and driving means for the rollers 53. These parts are omitted for clarity.

The operating speed of the closing station 4 is limited by the speed with which the hot melt adhesive can be melted on the paper tape 5. In The rule is now the working speed of the closing station 4 lower than the working speed of the folding station 2. The lower working speed also applies for such closing stations 4, where staples struck are, as well as for such stapling stations, at which the overlap area 39 by hot melt adhesive immediately is glued.

In the latter case, the clock speed results from the speed with which the hot melt adhesive in the Overlap area 39 sufficiently cools and a popping of the overlapping area 39 is prevented.

If, as in the prior art, the closing station. 4 Immediately following the folding station 2 is an optimal one Operation of the entire arrangement then possible if the carton blanks 8 have a wave measure that is about the Grid spacing corresponds. If the wave measure is smaller, i.e. the carton tube seen in the transport direction has a smaller depth, occur significantly gaps. During the passage of the gaps through the closing station 4, folding carton tubes 8 can not be produced, although the folding station 2 this actually with a higher Clock rate could deliver.

To set the speed between the two stations 2 and 4 is to balance the aforementioned intermediate station 3 provided. To her again belong several lower ones endless transport means 55 in the form of ribbons or belts, the upstream Umlenkrollengruppen 56th and downstream Umlenkrollengruppen 57 circulates. The Arbeitstrum the endless Transpormittel 55 is located up as work drift 56. It's with the help of others Rolls or a sliding surface supported. Similar supports can also be found among the means of transport 43. These support means are for clarity not shown further. They are in such machines common.

The distance between Umlenkrollengruppen 56 and 57th corresponds somewhat to the pitch, i. the distance of the couple of carriers 11 along the timing belt. 9

The Umlenkrollengruppen 56 and 57 are arranged so that the folding box blanks 8 of the folding station. 2 run smoothly and without impacting in the intermediate station 3 and from there without bumping into the closing station. 4 can be handed over. Compared to the working drums 56 each endless means of transport 55 is another endless transport means 59 in the form of belts or belts, the upstream of a Umlenkrollengruppe 61 and downstream of a pulley group 62 rotates. Between the pulley group 61 and the pulley group 62nd extends a working strand 63 with the help of several Role groups 64 is held down. Each of the role groups 64 including the Umlenkrollengruppe 61 sit on Slide and can by linear actuators 65 selectively individually be raised or lowered. Following the last vertically movable pinch roller group 64 follows a rigidly mounted Andruckrollengruppe 66, the scarce upstream of the pulley group 62 in the not further shown machine is rotatably mounted.

Between the two groups of rollers 62 and 66 there is an upwardly spaced tensioning roller group 67, which is biased by spring means not shown further up to keep the relevant endless transport means 59 stretched.
Two guide roller roller groups 68 serve to impose an omega-shaped course on the slack side between the two roller groups 62 and 66.

All aforementioned role groups of the intermediate station 3 contain several mutually coaxial roles.

By raising or lowering the roller group 61 and more or less many role groups 64 can be the effective Transport length over which a Faltschachtelzuschnitt 8 forcibly between the upper and the lower transport 55 and 59 is transported, extended or shortened become. The longest shot results when all drive means 65, their assigned Andruckrollengruppen 64, including the pulley group 61 have lowered. The shortest effective working length arises when all Andruckrollengruppen 64 including the Umlenkrollengruppe 61, the input side arranged is to be in a raised position.

The raised position is such a situation in which the Gap between the working strums 56 and 66 is greater than the thickness of the preformed and folded carton blank 8 corresponds.

To explain the operation of the folding machine. 1 Let's first of all assume that folding carton blanks 8 are processed whose length is about the grid size minus a safety margin. The gap between successive folding box blanks 8 is optimally small. The locking device 4 works practically continuously. The only interruptions are the relatively short safety distances in the Essentially from the length of the driver 11 measured in Transport direction results.

In such an operating case, the timing belt work with the same web speed as the endless means of transport 55 and 66 or the transport means 43 and 45. Each carton blank 8 will be without speed change transported through the machine.

Next, assume the wavy dimension of the carton blank amount to about 30% of the grid. Under In these circumstances, the gap between each other is following folding box blanks 8 about two-thirds of Grid size. That compared to the previous operating state is the closing station 5 to two-thirds in the inactive state. To increase the throughput is now the working speed of the folding station 2 increased so that by eliminating the gaps between each other following carton blanks 8 finally a stream of folding carton blanks 8 states comes, its orbital speed in turn equal to the working speed the closing station is, but where the current only has small gaps between successive ones Faltschachtelzuschnitten 8 has. To this goal to reach the intermediate station 3 in the following operated manner described. This is hereafter in addition to the figures 3-7 reference.

In these figures, from the folding station 2, the intermediate station 3 and the closing station only the endless Means of transport shown, as it is only on the relation arrives at the carton blanks.

In the folding station 2, the folding box blanks 8 positively transported by the driver 11, during transport in the intermediate station 3 and the Closing station is done by friction, in which the Faltschachtelzuschnitt 8 between vertically opposed Transport is trapped.

The synchronization is chosen so that there is no State to the output side of the closing station 4, in a respective Faltschachtelzuschnitt 8 not necessarily would be transported. Free movement is excluded.

In order to explain the mode of operation, it is assumed that according to Figure 3, a driver pair 11 just one Faltschachtelzuschnitt 8a in the input side of the intermediate station 3 hands over. During the transfer state in work the clamped state in the intermediate station 3 the drivers 11 at the same web speed as the Means of transport 55 and 59 of the intermediate station 3. Once the Faltschachtelzuschnitt 8 between the transport 54th and 59 of the intermediate station 3 is clamped, begins the Not shown control of the folding machine, the drive speed to increase the intermediate station 8. It will at increased speed of folding carton blank 8a moved into the intermediate station 3. It moves with increased speed the trailing edge of the carton blank 8a away from the driver 11. The acceleration the transport speed in the intermediate station 3 starts, once over a sufficient area the folding carton blank 8a between the two means of transport 54 and 59 is trapped and not the danger slipping more.

Figure 4 shows a situation in which the folding box blank 8a is completely retracted. In Figure 5 Faltschachtelzuschnitt 8a begins gradually from the Exit side of the intermediate station 3. From one certain position of the leading edge of Faltschachtelzuschnitts 8a the speed starts with the the two transport means 55 and 59 of the intermediate station. 3 work again to slow down. The measure of the delay or the time at which this delay begins essentially from the energy expenditure required for the delay should be invested. In any case, it will be ensured that the running speed of the out of the way station 3 leaking Faltschachtelzuschnitts 8a equal to the transport speed in the closing station is, as shown in Figure 6, the carton blank 8a starts to run into the closing station 4 and between whose transport means 43 and 45 is clamped. The Speed of the transport 55 and 59 will be as long maintained at the level of means of transport 43 and 45 until according to Figure 7, the trailing edge of Faltschachtelzuschnitts 8a leave the clamping area of the intermediate station 3 Has.

From this point on, the running speed of the Staging 3 again increases until it reaches the speed the timing belt 9 reached. The time to do this Is available, corresponds to the gap between the leading Edge of the next carton blank itself still located on the timing belt 9, and the entrance area the intermediate station 3.

The purpose of the excessive transport speed in the intermediate station 3 opens easily from a synopsis of Figures 4, 5 and 6. The intermediate station 3 is occupied from the date on which the Leading edge of a carton blank 8 in the Clamping area of the intermediate station 3 occurs until the trailing Edge has left the clamping area. While this time, the intermediate station 3 no further Take Faltschachtelzuschnitt 8, since the transfer to the Closing station 4 must be at their speed. Thus, the occupancy time, which is at the transfer of the Intermediate station 3 to the closing station occurs unchangeable only on the length of the folding box blank 8, seen in the direction of transport, depending.

On the other hand, the transport speed, with the intermediate station 3 operates between the operating states according to Figure 3 and Figure 5 in wide limits arbitrarily vary, thereby shortening the occupancy time 3. ever the faster she gets free, the sooner she can get away from the Folding station 2 a new carton blank 8 delivered become. The temporary increase in the transport speed in the intermediate station 3 on the delivery speed through the folding station 2 reduces the Occupancy time of the intermediate station 3 and is thus a contribution to continue the working speed of the entire system to increase.

The acceleration and deceleration of the moving parts in the intermediate station 2 requires energy. The energy use The faster these changes are, the higher the have to go. This means the longer the wave measure a Faltschachtelzuschnittes 8, the shorter would be the Time between the transition of the states of Figure 7 after Figure 3 will be. The acceleration would have to be correspondingly fast respectively. Nevertheless, with a useful acceleration time to get along, depends on the wave measure the length of the clamping area in the intermediate station 2 changed.

The length of the clamping area is minimally as long as it is the distance between the Umlenkrollengruppe 47 and the Pinch roller group 66 corresponds. The largest length of the Clamping range is achieved when all pinch roller groups 64 including the input pulley group 61 in the lower position corresponding to the Position be brought. For folding carton blanks 8 with large wave measure the Einklemmbereich is shortened, i the First, the Umlenkrollengruppe 61 raised above the drive 65 becomes. This achieves a state in which safely and without problem the speed of the means of transport 55 and 59 in the intermediate station 3 when arriving a folding carton blank 8 be even smaller than the web speed of the incoming carton blank 8 corresponds. The synchrony between the running speeds must be reached only when the Faltschachtelzuschnitt 8 enters the clamping area.

The larger the wave measure, the more role groups 64 will also be raised. In this way receives the Stopover time, so after leaving the lagging Edge of a carton blank 8 at speed the closing station 4, the transport 55 and 59 the intermediate station 3 on the speed of Delivering timing belt 9 can be increased.

A folding machine points between the actual Folding station and the closing station an intermediate station on. The intermediate station is used for small folding carton blanks the gap between successive ones Folding carton blanks close to this Way to achieve higher throughput. The speed, with the folding station works, can be over increase the speed with which a closing station can work at maximum.

Thus at the Geschwindkeitsänderung the folding box blanks no alignment errors occur, the Folding carton blanks in each case forcibly transported.

Claims (19)

Folding machine for producing folding carton tubes (8) from folding carton blanks (8) which have side flaps (29, 31),
with a folding station (2) in which the side flaps (29, 31) are folded in such that they abut one another or cover one another in a closure region (39), the folding station (2) having transport means (9) with the aid thereof the folding carton blanks (8) or folded carton tubes (8) are transported to one another in a fixed grid, the gap between successive folding carton tubes (8) being dependent on the size of the folded carton tube (8) measured in the transport direction,
with a closing station (4) in which the closure region (39) is permanently closed and has the transport means (43,44) by means of which the folding carton tubes (8) are transported, and
with an intermediate station (3), which is arranged between the transport means (9) of the folding station (2) and the transport means (43, 45) of the closing station (4) and which is adapted to control the transport speed of the folding carton tubes (8) which carry the Leave folding station (2), to adapt to the speed of the means of transport (43,44) of the closing station (4) and at the same time to reduce the gap between successive folding carton tubes (8). Folding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the working speed of the folding station (2) is variable. Folding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the working speed of the closing station (4) is immutable in steady-state operation. Folding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating speed of the closing station (4) is smaller than the maximum operating speed of the folding station (2). Folding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate station (3) operates according to a speed profile, such that after the takeover of a folding box blank (8) whose transport speed is first increased to a value which is greater than the speed with which the folding station (2) the folding box blank (8) supplies, and that prior to transfer to the closing station (4), the transport speed to the speed of the closing station (4) is reduced. Folding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate station (3) has a variable effective working length, along which a folding box blank (8) is substantially free of slippage transportable. Folding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate station (3) has a lower transport means (55) and a transport means (59) and that the Faltschachtelzuschnitt (8) between the lower transport means and the upper transport means (55,59) can be clamped. Folding machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the effective length of the lower transport means (55) is fixed and at least approximately corresponds to the grid dimension of the folding station (2). Folding machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the effective working length of the upper transport means (59) is variable, such that the region along which a folding box blank (8) can be clamped, is adjustable to a shorter length. Folding machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the lower transport device (55) has at least two endless transport belts, which rotate over Umlenkrollengruppen (56,57) and the Arbeitsstrume (58) between the Umlenkrollengruppen (56,57) is supported. Folding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper drive means (59) has at least two endless Tansportbänder which rotate over end Umlenkrollengruppen (61,62), and that between the Umlenkrollengruppen (61,62) further pressure means (64) for the Arbeitstrum (63) are provided. Folding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure means of further roller groups (64) are formed. Folding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the upstream Umlenkrollengruppe (61) of the upper Transpormittels is ventilated. Folding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure means between the Umlenkrollengruppen (61,62) is partially ventilated. Folding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that at least the first of the upstream Andruckrollengruppen (64) of each upper endless transport means (59) is ventilated. Folding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that serving as support means roller groups (64) for the upper endless transport means (59) are a piece raised, so that the clamping action between the working strums of interacting endless transport means (55,59) can be canceled , Folding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the closing station (4) is a tapestation. Folding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that closing station (4) is a stitching station. Folding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the closing station (4) is a working with hot melt adhesive station.

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