GB1401914A - Handle attaching machines - Google Patents

Abstract

1401914 Applying handles to cartons W E HIDDING 29 Jan 1973 [1 Feb 1972] 4364/73 Heading A4G A machine Fig. 2 for applying handles 19 to cartons 18 having apertured handle-receiving portions comprises a conveying path means 20 through the machine along which a plurality of cartons is to be transported, handle-stacking means 27 having support and guide means for holding strips of similarly oriented handles, handle-feeding means to advance a strip of handles one handle at a time, and handle-applying means having handleholding and applying arms 152, 153, Fig. 23 to receive a single handle from the handle-feeding means, automatically to sever the handle from its associated strip and apply the handle to a carton. As described the machine also includes punching means for forming the handle receiving aperture in each carton. In operation a gable-top carton 18, Fig. 2, is fed by a conveyer 20 against a first stop 34, Fig. 3 where an aperture is formed in its ridge by punching means 43. The carton is then pushed laterally away from the stop by a bar 49 and is carried by the conveyer 20 and guided by rollers 54, 56, to abut a second stop 58 at the handle-applying station. After a handle has been applied the carton is again moved by the bar 49 and fed out of the machine by the conveyer 20. The aperture punching means, Fig. 7, comprises a pivoted hollow arm 44 containing a slidable rod 82 with a punch 83 at one end. Lowering of the arm 44 over the carton ridge 18a and advance of the rod 82 and punch 83 are effected by linkages from a driven cam-shaft 48. Removed material is withdrawn by a vacuum pipe 89. The handle feeding means includes the stacking means 27, Fig. 2, in which a stack of handle strips are stored. The strips are supported on a pair of gates 146, 147, Fig. 19, and are lowered one at a time on to a second pair of gates 143, 144, and then on to a saddle 108. A push rod 118, Fig. 11, then advances the strip of handles over the saddle 108 one handle step at a time so that a handle is positioned between the handle applying arms 152, 153, Fig. 23. The handle applying means, Figs. 23 and 26, comprises a pair of pivoted arms 152, 153 between which a handle is fed. The arms are pivoted towards each other to sever the handle from the strip and to force a stem 185 at one end of the handle through the aperture in the carton ridge and through an aperture 186 in the other end of the handle. A hammer 194 is then operated to cause a rod to press against the stem 185 to deform it by cold flow and so secure the handle to the carton. All the operations of the machine are controlled by linkwork from the cam-shaft 48 driven electrically sensing switches control the start and stop of the cam-shaft drive and also operate an alarm if the number of strips in the stack 27 falls below a predetermined number.