ES2605994B1 - MALE FOR OCTOGONAL PRISMATIC TRAY MACHINE - Google Patents

Abstract

Male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine. # The male is movable in a direction of movement (M) and comprises four wall elements (2) fixed to a base structure (1). Each wall element (2) defines a portion (3) of a pressure surface perpendicular to the direction of movement (M) and a suffering surface (4) parallel to the direction of movement (M). Suffering surfaces (4) are diagonally opposite two to two and are perpendicular to first and second oblique directions (D1) perpendicular to the direction of movement (M). The base structure (1) is fixed to basic support elements (5) and each wall element (2) is fixed to a complementary support element (6). The complementary support elements (6) are slidable with respect to the basic support elements (5) along first guide elements, and are fixed in positions selected by first fixing elements.

Description

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ES 2 605 994 A1

DESCRIPTION

MALE FOR OCTOGONAL PRISMATIC TRAY TRAINING MACHINE Technical field

The present invention relates in general to a male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine and more particularly to a male provided with regulation means that allow the male to adapt to trays of different sizes. The male of the present invention has application, for example, in octagonal prismatic tray forming machines that have a model cavity also provided with regulating means to adapt the mold cavity to trays of different sizes.

The trays obtained are made of a relatively rigid material, such as, for example, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, plastic, corrugated plastic, and the like, and can be used as boxes to contain a variety of products, including fruit and vegetable products, or as bases and octagonal container lids in combination with an octagonal prismatic tubular body.

Background of the invention

Spanish patent application No. P 201530802, of the same inventor as the present invention, discloses a tray-forming machine that has a mold cavity adapted for the formation of octagonal prismatic trays from the folding and joining of die-cut plates, initially flat, in cooperation with a male adapted to the octagonal configuration of the mold cavity. The punched plates are made of a relatively rigid material, such as, for example, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, plastic, corrugated plastic, and the like. The male is guided by a drive mechanism between an extracted position, in which the male is outside the mold cavity, and an inserted position, in which the male is inside the mold cavity. Thus, the male, in its movement between the extracted position and the introduced position, presses a portion of a previously glued die-cut plate disposed on the inlet opening of the mold cavity and inserts it into the mold cavity, thereby that different parts of the die-cut iron are bent, pressed and joined in cooperation with inert elements and active elements of the mold cavity to form an octagonal prismatic tray.

In the machine described in the aforementioned Spanish patent application No. P 201530802, the mold cavity includes regulation means that allow varying the positions of

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several of the inert elements and active elements to adapt the mold cavity to trays of different sizes. However, the male described in the aforementioned Spanish patent application No. P 201530802 is not adjustable, and it is envisaged to have a set of interchangeable males of different sizes to cooperate with different positions of regulation of the mold cavity.

Exhibition of the invention

The present invention provides a male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine provided with adjustment means to adapt the male to trays of different sizes.

Throughout this description, the term "octagonal prismatic tray" designates a tray made from a stamped sheet of cardboard, corrugated cardboard, plastic, corrugated plastic, or the like, having an octagonal bottom wall and eight walls sides connected by respective fold lines to the eight sides of the back wall, some of the side walls having bent fins and attached by adhesive to the adjacent side walls.The octagonal shape of the back wall can be inscribed in a rectangle where four of the sides of the bottom wall are parallel to the sides of the rectangle and the other four sides of the bottom wall form chamfers at the four corners of the rectangle.

The term "orthogonal direction" is used to designate an address parallel to one of the sides of the rectangle in which the octagonal shape of the bottom wall of the tray is inscribed. The term "oblique direction" is used to designate an oblique direction with respect to orthogonal directions, and which may coincide or not coincide with a diagonal of the rectangle in which the octagonal shape of the bottom wall of the tray is inscribed.

The male of the present invention comprises a base structure that is fixed to a movable organ of a drive mechanism that transmits to the male a reciprocating movement along a linear path in a direction of movement, and a plurality of fixed functional elements to the base structure. The functional elements provide a pressure surface perpendicular to the direction of movement and four or more surface surfaces parallel to the direction of movement. The pressure surface defines an outer contour adapted to an octagonal contour of a bottom wall of the octagonal prismatic trays. Two of the suffering surfaces are diagonally opposite and are perpendicular to a first oblique direction which in turn is perpendicular to the direction of movement, and two other suffering surfaces are diagonally

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opposite and are perpendicular to a second oblique direction which in turn is also perpendicular to the direction of movement. The functional elements comprise four wall elements, where each of these wall elements defines a portion of the pressure surface and one of the suffering surfaces.

The base structure is fixed to basic support elements and the wall elements are fixed to complementary support elements. The complementary support elements are slidable with respect to the basic support elements along first guide elements, and the complementary support elements are fixed to the basic support elements in selected positions along the first guide elements for some first fixing elements.

This arrangement makes it possible to regulate distances between the suffering surfaces of the wall elements in said first and second oblique directions, and thereby adapt the male to trays of different sizes. Preferably, the first and second oblique directions are perpendicular to each other although this is not an indispensable condition.

In a simple embodiment, the first guide elements are parallel to the first and second oblique directions, in which case the male can be adapted to trays of different sizes having their bottom walls in the form of similar octagons.

In other more complex embodiments, the first guide elements are parallel to a first orthogonal direction, and the basic support elements are slidable with respect to the base structure along a few second guide elements. The basic support elements are fixed to the base structure in selected positions along the second guide elements by a few second fixing elements. Preferably, the second guide elements are parallel to a second orthogonal direction perpendicular to the first orthogonal direction.

With these means of regulation, the male can adapt to trays of different sizes although the octagon shapes of its bottom walls are not similar.

To confer more robustness to the male, in another embodiment the wall elements are also fixed to auxiliary auxiliary support elements. Each of these auxiliary complementary support elements that are fixed to adjacent wall elements are slidable with respect to an auxiliary basic support element along third guide elements. The auxiliary auxiliary support elements are

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fixed to the auxiliary basic support elements in selected positions along the third guide elements by third fixing elements. Preferably, the third guide elements are parallel to the second orthogonal direction.

In one embodiment, the base structure has an intermediate body that is fixed to said movable organ of the drive mechanism and two end bodies fixed to two of the opposite basic support elements. These end bodies together with the corresponding basic support elements are slidable with respect to the intermediate body along the second guide elements and are fixed to the intermediate body in selected positions along the second guide elements by said second guide elements. fixation.

Each of the end bodies is slidable with respect to the corresponding basic support element along a fourth guide element parallel to the direction of movement of the male, and each of the end bodies is fixed to the corresponding basic support element in a position selected along the fourth guide element by a fourth fixing element.

In another embodiment, the base structure has a base body to which the basic support elements are fixed and an anchor structure to which the mobile member of the male drive mechanism is fixed. The anchor structure is slidable with respect to the base body along a fourth guide elements parallel to the direction of movement of the male, and the anchor structure is fixed to the base body in a selected position along the fourth elements of guide by a few fixing elements.

Optionally, the anchor structure has a crossbar and an intermediate body. The stringer has two opposite ends fixed to the base body by the fourth fixing elements in cooperation with the fourth guide elements. The intermediate body is fixed to the mobile organ of the male drive mechanism. The intermediate body is slidable with respect to the crossbar along some fifth guide elements parallel to the second guide elements, and the intermediate body is fixed to the crossbar in a selected position along the fifth guide elements by some fifth elements Fixing.

In one or more embodiments, the first guide elements comprise elongated holes formed in the basic support elements and the first fixing elements comprise screws passed through these elongated holes and through round holes formed in the support elements complementary.

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In another embodiment, the first guide elements comprise elongated holes formed in the complementary support elements and the first fixing elements comprise screws passed through the elongated holes and through round holes formed in these basic support elements.

In one or more embodiments, the second guide elements comprise elongated holes formed in the base structure and the second fixing elements comprise screws passed through these elongated holes and through round holes formed in the basic support elements.

In another embodiment, the second guide elements comprise longitudinal recesses formed in the intermediate body of the base structure and arms fixed to the end bodies and slidably coupled to the longitudinal recesses. The second fixing elements comprise screws inserted through round holes formed in the arms and through elongated holes formed in the intermediate body.

In one embodiment, the third guide elements comprise elongated holes formed in the auxiliary basic support elements and the third fixing elements comprise screws passed through these elongated holes and through round holes formed in the complementary support elements auxiliary

In another embodiment, the third guide elements comprise elongated holes formed in the auxiliary auxiliary support elements and the third fixing elements comprise screws passed through these elongated holes and through round holes formed in the basic support elements auxiliary

In all these embodiments, the screws that constitute the fasteners can be secured by nuts or can be threaded into threaded formed in the round holes.

In one embodiment, the fourth guide elements comprise trapezoidal cross-section grooves formed in the end bodies and the fourth fixing element comprise trapezoidal cross-section studs slidably inserted in said trapezoidal cross-section grooves and screws inserted into round holes formed in the trapezoidal cross-section studs and in round holes formed in the basic support elements. The screws are threaded into

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Fillets formed in the round holes of the trapezoidal cross-section studs.

In another embodiment, the fourth guide elements comprise slots of trapezoidal cross-section formed at opposite ends of the anchor structure of the base structure and the fourth fixing elements comprise tapes of trapezoidal cross-section slidably inserted in the slots of trapezoidal cross-section and screws inserted in round holes formed in these trapezoidal cross-section studs and in round holes formed in the base body. The screws are threaded into threaded formed in the round holes of the trapezoidal cross-section studs.

In one embodiment, the fifth guide elements comprise longitudinal recesses formed in the intermediate body and profiles fixed to the crossbar and slidably coupled to the longitudinal recesses. The fifth fasteners comprise screws inserted through round holes formed in these profiles and through elongated holes formed in the intermediate body. Here, the screws can be secured by nuts or they can be threaded into threaded formed in the round holes.

Optionally, in any of the possible embodiments, the wall elements have at their two opposite lateral ends extensions that provide auxiliary surfaces perpendicular to the direction of movement of the male and parallel to the first and second orthogonal directions.

Also optionally, each of the wall elements can be divided by a mid-plane parallel to the direction of movement of the male and perpendicular to the surface of the wall element in two sliding halves with respect to a wall support fixed to the support element complementary along some sixth guide elements that are parallel to the suffering surface and the pressure surface portion of the wall element. The two halves of the wall element are fixed to the wall support in selected positions along these sixth guide elements by sixth fixing elements. This allows the lengths of the wall elements to be regulated in directions parallel to the first and second oblique directions.

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Brief description of the drawings

The foregoing and other features and advantages will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of some embodiments, which are merely illustrative and not limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, in an expanded position;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the male of Fig. 1 in a contracted position;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine according to another embodiment of the present invention, in an expanded position;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the male of Fig. 3 in a contracted position;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the male of Fig. 3 in the expanded position;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the male of Fig. 3 in the contracted position;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of a male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, in an expanded position;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the male of Fig. 7 in a contracted position;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the male of Fig. 7 in the expanded position;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the male of Fig. 7 in the contracted position;

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of a male for tray forming machine

octagonal binoculars according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, in an expanded position;

Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the male of Fig. 11 in a contracted position;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the male of Fig. 11 in the expanded position;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the male of Fig. 11 in the contracted position;

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Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a wall element belonging to any of the embodiments of the male shown in Figs. 1 to 14 showing a pressure surface thereof;

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a wall element according to an alternative embodiment;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a wall element according to another alternative embodiment;

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a base structure applicable to any of the male embodiments shown in Figs. 1-2, 3-6 and 7-10; Y

Fig. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the base structure of Fig. 18.

Detailed description of some embodiments

All embodiments of the male of the present invention shown in Figs. 1-2, 3-6, 7-10 and 11-14 have in common a base structure 1 intended to be fixed to a movable organ (not shown) of a drive mechanism that transmits to the male a reciprocating movement along of a linear path in a direction of movement M, and four wall elements 2 fixed to the base structure 1, where the wall elements 2 constitute functional elements of the male.

Each of the wall elements 2 (see Figs. 15, 16 and 17) has at one front end a portion of the pressure surface 3 perpendicular to the direction of movement M and on one side a suffering surface 4 parallel to the direction of movement M. Optionally, the wall element has a chamfer 44 at an edge of the surface of the surface 4 opposite the pressure surface portion 3. In the male, the four portions of the pressure surface 3 are coplanar and together form a pressure surface that defines an outer contour adapted to an octagonal contour of a bottom wall of the octagonal prismatic trays to be formed. In the male, two of the suffering surfaces 4 are diagonally opposite and are perpendicular to a first oblique direction D1 perpendicular to the direction of movement M, and the other two suffering surfaces 4 are diagonally opposite and perpendicular to a second oblique direction D2 perpendicular to the direction of movement M. In all the embodiments shown, the first and second oblique directions D1 and D2 are perpendicular to each other, although this is not an indispensable condition.

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In the embodiment of the wall element 2 shown in Fig. 15, which is shown applied to all embodiments of the male shown in Figs. 1-2, 3-6, 7-10 and 11-14, the wall element 2 has at its two opposite lateral ends extensions 26 that provide auxiliary surfaces 27 perpendicular to the direction of movement M and parallel to first and second orthogonal directions B1, B2. These first and second orthogonal directions B1, B2 are perpendicular to each other.

In the embodiment of the wall element 2 shown in Fig. 16, which is applicable to any of the male embodiments shown in Figs. 1-2, 3-6, 7-10 and 11-14, the wall element 2 has the pressure surface portion 3 and the surface surface 4, but has no extensions at its lateral ends.

In the embodiment of the wall element 2 shown in Fig. 17, which is also applicable to any of the male embodiments shown in Figs. 1-2, 3-6, 7-10 and 11-14, the wall element 2 is divided by a middle plane parallel to the direction of movement M and perpendicular to the surface surface 4 in two halves 2a, 2b, and each one of these two halves 2a, 2b have a pressure surface portion 3, a surface portion of the surface 4, and one of the extensions 26 that provides a corresponding auxiliary surface 27. The two halves 2a, 2b of the wall element 2 are fixed in an adjustable manner to a wall support 21 which in turn will be fixed to one of the complementary support elements 6. The wall support 21 has elongated holes 28 parallel to the surface surface portions 4 and the surface portions of pressure 3, and each of the two halves 2a, 2b of the wall element 2 has round holes.

Screws 29 are inserted through the round holes of the two halves 2a, 2b of the wall element 2 and through the elongated holes 28 of the wall support 21 to secure the two halves 2a, 2b of the wall element 2 to the support of wall 21. Screws 29 can be secured by nuts. Thus, the elongated holes 28 constitute sixth guide elements and the screws 29 constitute sixth fixing elements that allow the two halves 2a, 2b of the wall element 2 to be fixed to the wall support 21 in selected positions along the sixth guide elements, which allows to regulate a separation distance between the two halves 2a, 2b of the wall element 2 in the corresponding first or second oblique direction D1, D2. In any relative position, the two portions of the pressure surface 3 and the two surface portions of the surface 4 of the two halves 2a, 2b of the wall element 2 are maintained

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mutually coplanar. Optionally, extensions 26 may be omitted in the two halves 2a, 2b of the wall element 2 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 17.

In all embodiments of the male shown in Figs. 1-2, 3-6, 7-10 and 11-14, the base structure 1 is fixed to basic support elements 5 and the wall elements 2 are fixed to complementary support elements 6. These complementary support elements 6 are slidable with respect to the basic support elements 5 along first guide elements, and the complementary support elements 6 are fixed to the basic support elements 5 in selected positions along the first guide elements by First fasteners. This allows to regulate distances between the suffering surfaces 4 of the diagonally opposite wall elements 2 in said first and second oblique directions D1, D2 to adapt the male to trays of different sizes.

Thus, the wall elements 2 can be fixed to the base structure 1 in an expanded position (Figs. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13), in a contracted position (Figs. 2, 4, 6, 8 , 10, 12 and 14) and in any intermediate position, which allows to regulate distances between the suffering surfaces 4 of the opposite wall elements 2 in the first and second oblique directions D1, D2 to adapt the male to trays of different sizes .

Figs. 18 and 19 show by way of example a particular construction of the base structure 1 that is common to the embodiments shown in Figs. 1-2, 3-6 and 7-10. According to this particular construction, the base structure 1 has an elongated configuration arranged, in the embodiments shown, in a direction parallel to the second orthogonal direction B2.

The base structure 1 comprises a base body 19 to which the basic support elements 5 are fixed and an anchor structure 20 to which the said mobile member of the male drive mechanism is fixed. The base body 19 is formed from an elongated plate piece whose two opposite end portions 31 are bent in a "U" shape. The anchoring structure 20 comprises an intermediate body 15 that is fixed to the moving member of the drive mechanism and a beam constituted by a pair of profiles 25 having their ends fixed to end bodies 16 by means of screws 34. The intermediate body 15 is fixed to the profiles 25 of the beam by screws 23.

Each of the end bodies 16 of the crossbar has a slot of trapezoidal cross-section 17 that extends in a direction parallel to the direction of movement M constituting a fourth guide elements. Tacos cross section

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trapezoidal 33 are slidably inserted into these trapezoidal cross-section grooves of the end bodies 16. The trapezoidal cross-section studs 33 have formed round threaded holes and the end portions 31 of the base body 19 have corresponding round holes formed. Screws 18 are inserted in the round threaded holes formed in the trapezoidal cross-section studs 33 and in the round holes formed in the end portions 31 of the base body 19.

The screws 18 in cooperation with the trapezoidal cross-section studs 33 constitute fourth fixing elements that allow the anchoring structure 20 to be fixed with respect to the base body 19 in a selected position along the trapezoidal cross-section grooves 17 that constitute the fourth guide elements parallel to the direction of movement M, which allows the position of the male to be adjusted relative to the mold cavity of the machine in the direction of movement M.

The intermediate body 15 of the anchoring structure 20 has longitudinal recesses 22 formed on its sides that constitute fifth guide elements parallel to the second orthogonal direction B2, and the two profiles 25 of the crossbar are slidably coupled to said recesses lengths 22 of the intermediate body 15, so that the intermediate body 15 is slidable with respect to the profiles 25 of the crossbar along the fifth guide elements. The intermediate body also has elongated through holes 35 that open at the bottom of the longitudinal recesses 22 and the profiles 25 of the crossbar have round holes 36. Screws 23 are inserted through the round holes 36 formed in the profiles 25 and through the elongated holes 35 formed in the intermediate body 15. The screws 23 constitute fifth fifth fasteners that allow the intermediate body 15 to be fixed to the profiles 25 of the crossbar in a selected position along the fifth guide elements for adjust the centering of the male with respect to the mold cavity of the tray forming machine.

As will be described in greater detail below, in some embodiments the base body 19 of the base structure 1 has elongated holes 9 that constitute a second guide elements parallel to the second orthogonal direction B2.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the base structure 1 is analogous to that described above in relation to Figs. 18 and 19 except that the base body 19 has round holes formed instead of the elongated holes 9. The elongated configuration of the base structure 1 is arranged in a direction parallel to the second

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orthogonal direction B2, while the first guide elements are parallel to the first and second oblique directions D1, D2.

The basic support elements 5 are materialized by four arms that are part of a single support piece 38 fixed in a non-adjustable manner to the base body 19 of the base structure 1 by means of screws (not shown) inserted through round holes formed in the support piece 38 and round holes formed in the base body 19 of the base structure 1. Two of the arms of the support piece 38 constituting the basic support elements 5 are arranged on each side of the base structure 1. The first guide elements are constituted by elongated holes 7 formed in the arms of the support piece 38 that constitute the basic support elements 5. The first fixing elements are constituted by screws 8 passed through the holes elongated 7 and through round holes formed in the complementary support elements 6. The screws 8 are secured by nuts as or alternatively they are threaded into threaded formed in the round holes.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 3 to 6, the base structure 1 is analogous to that described above in relation to Figs. 18 and 19 and its elongated configuration is arranged in a direction parallel to the second orthogonal direction B2, while the basic support elements 5 are materialized by two elongated support pieces 39 in a direction parallel to the first orthogonal direction B1. The support pieces 39 are fixed in an adjustable manner to the base body 19 of the base structure 1 as will be explained below.

Each of the two support pieces 39 has two arms, one on each side of the base structure 1, which constitute two of the basic support elements 5. The first guide elements are parallel to the first orthogonal direction B1 and the structure base 1 has an elongated configuration in the second orthogonal direction B2. The first guide elements are constituted by elongated holes 7 formed in the arms of the support pieces 39 that constitute the basic support elements 5. The complementary support elements 6 are angled and have end portions connected perpendicularly to the elements of wall 2. The first fixing elements are constituted by screws 8 passed through the elongated holes 7 and through round holes formed in the complementary support elements 6. The screws 8 are secured by nuts or alternatively they are threaded into Fillets formed in round holes.

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As best shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the two plate pieces provided by the basic support elements 5 are slidable with respect to the base structure 1 along the second guide elements constituted by the elongated holes 9 formed in the base body 19 of the base structure 1, and are fixed to the base structure 1 in selected positions along these second guide elements by a few fixing elements constituted by screws 10 passed through said elongated holes 9 of the base structure 1 and through round holes formed in the basic support elements 5 of the support pieces 39. The screws 10 are secured by nuts or alternatively they are threaded into threaded formed in the round holes.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 7 to 10, the base structure 1 is analogous to that described above in relation to Figs. 18 and 19 and its elongated configuration is arranged in a direction parallel to the second orthogonal direction B2, while the basic support elements 5 are materialized by two elongated support bodies 40 in a direction parallel to the first orthogonal direction B1. Each of the support bodies 40 has a central region fixed in an adjustable manner to the base body 19 of the base structure 1 and two arms extending from opposite sides of the base structure 1 and constituting the basic support elements 5. Each one of these arms has longitudinal recesses 41 formed on its sides that constitute the first guide elements parallel to the first orthogonal direction B1. The basic support elements 5 also have elongated holes 7 parallel to the longitudinal recesses 41 that open at the bottom thereof.

The complementary support elements 6 are constituted by profiles slidably coupled to the longitudinal recesses of the basic support elements 5. The first fixing elements are constituted by screws 8 passed through the elongated holes 7 of the elements of basic support 5 and through round holes formed in the complementary support elements 6. The screws 8 are secured by nuts or alternatively they are threaded into threaded formed in the round holes. The profiles constituting the complementary support elements 6 are formed by folded "U" shaped sheet elements having their distal ends fixed to first lateral ends of wall brackets 30 on which the wall elements 2 are fixed .

In round regions of the support bodies 40 that materialize the basic support elements 5 round holes (not shown), and screws are formed

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10 are passed through the elongated holes 7 of the base body 19 of the base structure 1 and through the round holes of the support bodies 40. The screws 10 constitute the second fasteners and are secured by nuts or alternatively are threaded in some fillets formed in the round holes. Thus, the support bodies 40 that materialize the basic support elements 5 can be fixed to the base structure 1 in any selected position along the second guide elements constituted by the elongated holes 9.

The wall brackets 30 on which the wall elements 2 are fixed have second lateral ends to which auxiliary complementary support elements 12 are attached. Each of said auxiliary complementary support elements 12 is fixed to adjacent wall elements 2. and they are slidable with respect to an auxiliary basic support element 11 along third guide elements parallel to the second orthogonal direction B2. The basic auxiliary support elements

11 are materialized by two elongated support bodies in a direction parallel to the second orthogonal direction B2, and each one has longitudinal recesses 42 formed on its sides that constitute the third guide elements and elongated holes 13.

The auxiliary auxiliary support elements 12 are constituted by profiles slidably coupled to the longitudinal recesses 42 of the auxiliary basic support elements 11. Screws 14 constituting third fixing elements are passed through the elongated holes 13 of the auxiliary basic support elements 11 and through round holes formed in the auxiliary auxiliary support elements 12. The screws 14 are secured by nuts or alternatively they are threaded into threaded formed in the round holes. The profiles that constitute the auxiliary auxiliary support elements 12 are formed by bent "U" shaped sheet elements having their distal ends fixed to the second lateral ends of the wall brackets 30.

Thus, by means of the screws 14, the auxiliary auxiliary support elements 12 can be fixed to the auxiliary basic support elements 11 in any selected position along the third guide elements. The sets of basic support elements 5 and complementary support elements 6 and the sets of auxiliary basic support elements 11 and auxiliary complementary support elements 12 are located at different levels and cross each other on each side of the base structure 1.

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Figs. 11 to 14 show another embodiment of the male of the present invention in which each of the four wall elements 2 is fixed to a central region of a support body 43 that has extensions extending from opposite ends thereof. One of these extensions constitutes one of the complementary support elements 6 and the other extension constitutes one of the auxiliary complementary support elements 12. The central region of each support body 43 is arranged in a direction parallel to the suffering surfaces of the element of wall 2 to which it is fixed, and therefore parallel to the first or second oblique direction D1, D2. The extension constituting the complementary support element 6 is arranged in a direction parallel to the first orthogonal direction B1, and the extension constituting the auxiliary auxiliary support element 12 is arranged in a direction parallel to the second orthogonal direction B2.

Each two of the adjacent complementary support elements 6 are fixed to a corresponding basic support element 5 and each of the adjacent auxiliary complementary support elements 12 is fixed to a corresponding auxiliary basic support element 11.

Each basic support element 5 has a longitudinal recess 32 formed that constitutes one of the first guide elements, and the complementary support elements 6 are slidably coupled to the longitudinal recess 32 of the basic support 5. Screws 8 which constitute first fasteners are passed through elongated holes 7 formed in the complementary support elements 6 and through round holes formed in the basic support elements 5. The screws 8 are threaded into threaded formed in the round holes.

Similarly, each auxiliary basic support element 11 has a longitudinal recess 42 formed that constitutes one of the third guide elements, and the auxiliary auxiliary support elements 12 are slidably coupled to the longitudinal recess 42 of the auxiliary basic support 11. Screws 14 constituting third fasteners are passed through elongated holes 13 formed in the auxiliary auxiliary support elements 12 and through round holes formed in the auxiliary basic support elements 11. The screws 14 are threaded into Fillets formed in round holes.

Thus, varying the positions of the basic support elements 5 with respect to the complementary support elements 6 and the positions of the basic support elements

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Auxiliary 11 with respect to the auxiliary auxiliary support elements 12 distances can be regulated between the suffering surfaces 4 of the wall elements 2 in the first and second oblique directions D1, D2.

In this embodiment shown in Figs. 11 to 14, the base structure 1 has an elongated configuration arranged in a direction parallel to the second orthogonal direction B2, and comprises an intermediate body 15 and two end bodies 16 analogous to those described above in relation to Figs. 18 and 19. The end bodies 16 are fixed directly to the basic support elements 5. Each of the end bodies 16 is fixed to a pair of mutually parallel arms 24. The four arms 24 are slidably coupled to the mentioned longitudinal recesses 22 of the intermediate body 15, so that the intermediate body 15 is slidable with respect to the base structure 1 along the longitudinal recesses 22.

Screws 10 are inserted through round holes formed in the arms 24 and through said elongated holes 35 formed in the intermediate body 15. The screws 10 allow the intermediate body 15 to be fixed to the profiles 25 of the crossbar in a selected position along the fifth guide elements to adjust the centering of the male with respect to the mold cavity of the tray-forming machine. Thus, the base structure 1 is extensible to adapt to the changes of position of the basic support elements 5.

In this embodiment, the longitudinal recesses 22 of the intermediate body 15 constitute both a second guide elements by means of which the basic support elements 5 are slidable with respect to the base structure 1 and a fifth guide elements by means of which the intermediate body 15 of the base structure 1 is slidable with respect to the arms 24 of the base structure 1. Likewise, the screws 10 constitute both second fixing elements by means of which the basic support elements 5 are fixed to the base structure 1 in a position selected along the second guide elements as fifth fixing elements by means of which the intermediate body 15 of the base structure 1 is fixed to the arms 24 of the base structure 1 in a selected position along the fifth elements as guide.

The end bodies 16 of the base structure 1 are fastened in an adjustable manner to the basic support elements 5. For this purpose, each end body 16 has a slot of trapezoidal cross-section 17 that extends in a direction parallel to the direction of movement. M constituting a fourth guide elements. A few tacos

Trapezoidal cross-section 33 is slidably inserted into these trapezoidal cross-section grooves of the end bodies 16. The trapezoidal cross-section studs 33 have formed round threaded holes and the basic support elements 5 have corresponding round holes formed. 5 Screws 18 are inserted in the threaded round holes formed in the trapezoidal cross-section studs 33 and in the round holes formed in the basic support elements 5.

The screws 18 in cooperation with the trapezoidal cross-section studs 33 constitute fourth fixing elements that allow the anchoring structure 20 to be fixed with respect to the basic support elements 5 in a selected position along the trapezoidal cross-section grooves 17 which constitute the fourth guide elements parallel to the direction of movement M, which allows the position of the male to be adjusted relative to the mold cavity of the machine in the direction of movement M.

The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims (23)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 1. - Male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine, comprising: - a base structure (1) that is fixed to a movable organ of a drive mechanism that transmits to the male a reciprocating movement along a linear path in a direction of movement (M); Y - a plurality of functional elements fixed to said base structure (1); - where said functional elements provide a pressure surface perpendicular to said direction of movement (M) and at least four suffering surfaces (4) parallel to the direction of movement (M); - wherein said pressure surface defines an outer contour adapted to an octagonal contour of a bottom wall of said octagonal prismatic trays; - and where two of said suffering surfaces (4) are diagonally opposite and perpendicular to a first oblique direction (D1) perpendicular to the direction of movement (M), and two other suffering surfaces (4) are diagonally opposite and perpendicular to a second oblique direction (D2) perpendicular to the direction of movement (M), characterized by: - the functional elements comprise four wall elements (2); - each of said wall elements (2) defines a portion (3) of the pressure surface and one of the suffering surfaces (4); - the base structure (1) is fixed to basic support elements (5) and the wall elements (2) are fixed to complementary support elements (6); - the complementary support elements (6) are slidable with respect to the basic support elements (5) along first guide elements; Y - the complementary support elements (6) are fixed to the basic support elements (5) in selected positions along said first guide elements by first fixing elements, which makes it possible to regulate distances between the suffering surfaces (4) of the wall elements (2) in said first and second oblique directions (D1, D2). 2. - Male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the first guide elements are parallel to the first and second oblique directions (D1, D2). 5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 3. - Male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine according to the claim 1, characterized in that the first guide elements are parallel to a first orthogonal direction (B1). 4. - Male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine according to the claim 3, characterized in that the basic support elements (5) are slidable with respect to the base structure (1) over a few second guide elements and the basic support elements (5) are fixed to the base structure (1 ) in selected positions along said second guide elements for a few second fixing elements. 5. - Male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine according to the claim 4, characterized in that the second guide elements are parallel to a second orthogonal direction (B2) perpendicular to said first orthogonal direction (B1). 6. - Male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine according to the claim 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that the wall elements (2) are further fixed to auxiliary auxiliary support elements (12), each of said auxiliary complementary support elements (12) fixed to wall elements (2) ) adjacent are slidable with respect to an auxiliary basic support element (11) along third guide elements, and said auxiliary auxiliary support elements (12) are fixed to said auxiliary basic support elements (11) in selected positions along said third guide elements by third fixing elements. 7. - Male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine according to the claim 6, characterized in that the third guide elements are parallel to a second orthogonal direction (B2) perpendicular to said first orthogonal direction (B1). 8. - Male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine according to the claim 7, characterized in that the base structure (1) has an intermediate body (15) that is fixed to said movable organ of the drive mechanism and two end bodies (16) fixed to two of the opposite basic support elements (5) , said end bodies (16) together with the corresponding basic support elements (5) are slidable with respect to said intermediate body (15) along said second guide elements and are fixed to the intermediate body (15) in selected positions a along the second guide elements by said second fixing elements. 5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 9. - Male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine according to claim 8, characterized in that each of the end bodies (16) is slidable with respect to the corresponding basic support element (5) along a fourth parallel guide element to the direction of movement (M), and each of the end bodies (16) is fixed to the corresponding basic support element (5) in a selected position along said fourth guide element by a fourth fixing element. 10. - Male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the base structure (1) has a base body (19) to which the basic support elements (5) are fixed and an anchor structure (20) to which said mobile organ of the drive mechanism is fixed, said anchor structure (20) is slidable with respect to said base body (19) along a fourth guide elements parallel to the direction of movement (M), and the anchoring structure (20) is fixed to the base body (19) in a selected position along said fourth guide elements by fourth fixing elements. 11. - Male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine according to claim 10, characterized in that the anchoring structure (20) has a crossbar provided with two opposite ends fixed to the base body (19) by said fourth fixing elements in cooperation with said fourth guide elements and an intermediate body (15) that is fixed to said movable organ of the drive mechanism, said intermediate body (15) is slidable with respect to said stringer along a fifth guide elements parallel to said second elements of guide, and the intermediate body (15) is fixed to the crossbar in a selected position along said fifth guide elements by some fifth fixing elements. 12. - Male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first guide elements comprise elongated holes (7) formed in the basic support elements (5) and the first fixing elements they comprise screws (8) passed through said elongated holes (7) and through round holes formed in the complementary support elements (6). 13. - Male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the first guide elements comprise longitudinal recesses (41) formed in the basic support elements (5), the elements of complementary support (6) are coupled so 5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 sliding to said longitudinal recesses (41), and the first fasteners comprise screws (8) passed through elongated holes (7) formed in the basic support elements (5) and through round holes formed in the complementary support elements (6). 14. - Male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the first guide elements comprise longitudinal recesses (32) formed in the basic support elements (5), the elements of Complementary supports (6) are slidably coupled to said longitudinal recesses (32), and the first fixing elements comprise screws (8) passed through elongated holes (7) formed in the complementary support elements (6) and through round holes formed in the basic support elements (5). 15. - Male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine according to a any one of claims 4 to 11, characterized in that the second guide elements comprise elongated holes (9) formed in the base structure (1) and the second fasteners comprise screws (10) passed through said elongated holes (9) and through round holes formed in the basic support elements (5). 16. - Male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the second guide elements comprise longitudinal recesses (36) formed in the intermediate body (15), arms (24) fixed to the end bodies (16) are slidably coupled to said longitudinal recesses ( 36), and the second fixing elements comprise screws (10) inserted through round holes formed in said arms (24) and through elongated holes (37) formed in the intermediate body (15). 17. - Male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the third guide elements comprise longitudinal recesses (42) formed in the auxiliary basic support elements (11), the auxiliary auxiliary support elements (12) are slidably coupled to said longitudinal recesses (42), and the third fixing elements comprise screws (14) passed through elongated holes (13) formed in the auxiliary basic support elements (11) and through round holes formed in the complementary support elements auxiliaries (12). 5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 18. - Male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the third guide elements comprise longitudinal recesses (42) formed in the auxiliary basic support elements (11), the complementary support elements auxiliaries (12) are slidably coupled to said longitudinal recesses (42), and the third fixing elements comprise screws (14) passed through elongated holes (13) formed in the auxiliary auxiliary support elements (12) and through round holes formed in the auxiliary basic support elements (11). 19. - Male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the fourth guide elements comprise trapezoidal cross-section grooves (17) formed in the end bodies (16) and the fourth fixing element comprise blocks of trapezoidal cross section (33) slidably inserted in said slots of trapezoidal cross section (17) and screws (18) inserted in round holes formed in said tapes of trapezoidal cross section (33) and in round holes formed in the basic support elements (5). 20. - Male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine according to any one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the fourth guide elements comprise slots of trapezoidal cross-section (17) formed at opposite ends of said anchoring structure (20 ) and the fourth fixing elements comprise tapes of trapezoidal cross-section (33) slidably inserted in said trapezoidal cross-section grooves (17) and screws (18) inserted in round holes formed in said trapezoidal cross-section tacos (33) and in round holes formed in the base body (19). 21. - Male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine according to claim 11, characterized in that the fifth guide elements comprise longitudinal recesses (22) formed in the intermediate body (15), profiles (25) that are part of the crossbar they are slidably coupled to said longitudinal recesses, and the fifth fasteners comprise screws (23) inserted through round holes formed in said profiles (25) and through elongated holes formed in the intermediate body (15) . 22. - Male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the wall elements (2) have in their two opposite side ends extensions (26) that provide auxiliary surfaces (27) perpendicular to the direction of movement (M) and parallel to first and second orthogonal directions (B1, B2), where said first and second orthogonal directions (B1, B2) are perpendicular to each other. 5 23.- Male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine according to the claim 1, characterized in that each of the wall elements (2) is divided by a middle plane parallel to the direction of movement (M) and perpendicular to the surface (4) of the wall element (2) in two halves (2a, 2b) slidable with respect to a wall support (21) fixed to the complementary support element (6) along about 10 sixth guide elements that are parallel to the suffering surface (4) and the surface portion of pressure (3) of the wall element (2), and said two halves (2a, 2b) of the wall element (2) are fixed to the wall support (21) in selected positions along said sixth guide elements by Sixth fasteners. 24.- Male for octagonal prismatic tray forming machine according to claim 21, characterized in that the first and second oblique directions (D1, D2) are perpendicular to each other.