GB2154174A

GB2154174A - Adjusting case making machine

Info

Publication number: GB2154174A
Application number: GB08419837A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Daigoro Toriyama
Original assignee: Tanabe Machinery Co Ltd
Current assignee: Tanabe Machinery Co Ltd
Priority date: 1983-08-04
Filing date: 1984-08-03
Publication date: 1985-09-04
Also published as: DE3428427A1; JPS6032640A; GB8419837D0; GB2154174B

Abstract

In a case making machine provided with a blank supplying section (5a) and a plurality of units (4) for folding and gluing blanks (B) including conveyor belts associated with transversely adjustable frames (7), the positions of the frames and hence said belts are controlled by a controlling unit including main and sub-controllers. The sub-controllers are associated with respective folding units. Upon inputting into the controlling unit data representing the distance between an adjustable blank positioning rule (2) and the centre of the blank supplying section (5a), and the width of the side and end panels of the blank to the processed, adjustment of said frames (7) is effected automatically. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Frame control method for case making machine This invention relates to a method for making a case by using a case making machine in which a number of case blanks are folded and glued into cases during the conveyance thereof, and more particularly, a method of shifting or controlling positions of frame members provided with conveying belts for the blanks, A case making machine generally comprises a blank feeding ruler freely movable in a direction normal to the blank conveying direction, a blank feeding portion provided with a blank holder, and a plurality of blank folding units located along the blank conveying direction. Each of the blank folding units is provided with a suitable number of frames each of which is movable in a direction normal to the blank conveying direction and is operated in combination with a blank conveying belt located along the blank folding line.The positions of the frames are controlled by controllers respectively. However, in recent years there has been a trend towards production of various different cases in small quantities, and therefore it is required to set the machine for new case blanks many times. For the reason described above a large amount of time is required for exchanging blanks during daily working time, which results in a lowering of working efficiency.

In addition, in a conventional case making machine, the shifting of the positions of the frames is controlled by inputting the respective positions of the frames into corresponding controllers by the operator, so that these operations also require much time and labour of the operator. This also results in the lowering of the working efficiency.

An object of this invention is to obviate defects of disadvantages in such prior art methods and to provide a frame control method of a case making machine enabling easy shifting of frame members of the case making machine at a time when blanks to be processed are exchanged.

Another object of this invention is to provide a frame control method for a case making machine in which fine adjustment of the frame positions can be performed with respect to all the frames to thereby effectively reduce the time and labour required for resetting the frames.

According to this invention, there is provided a method of controlling the positions of frame members of a case making machine of the type comprising a blank feeding ruler movable in a direction normal to a blank conveying direction, a blank supplying portion for holding said blank, a plurality of blank folding units disposed along the blank conveying direction, a plurality of frame members movable in a direction normal to the blank conveying direction, each frame member having at least one conveyor belt to be located in use along a blank folding line, and a controlling unit for controlling positions of said frame members, wherein the distance between a reference point of said blank supplying portion and said blank feeding ruler, the width of one side wall of a case blank to be processed and the width of the other side wall thereof are measured, data representing said distance and said widths measured is input into said controlling unit, the required positions of said frame members are calculated by said controlling unit in accordance with said data, and said frame members are then shifted to said positions.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a plan view of a case making machine which is controlled by a method according to this invention; Figure 2 is schematic front view of the case making machine shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 (at is a diagram showing positional relations between blanks and blank conveying belt; Figure 3 (b) is a diagram showing positions of the belts relative to the blank in respective blank folding units of the case making machine; Figure 4 is a schematic front view of a main controller of the case making machine; and Figure 5 is a schematic front view of a sub-controller of the case making machine.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 illustrating a case making machine 1 particularly carrying out case folding and gluing operations to be controlled by a method according to this invention, case blanks B to be folded and glued into cases are fed to the rightmost portion towards the leftmost portion during the case making operation as viewed in the drawing. On the upper surface of the blank supplying portion 5a of the case making machine 1, there are provided a blank feeding ruler 2 for defining the blank width and a blank pressing member 3, both of which extend parallel to the blank feeding direction, i.e. longitudinal direction, of the case making machine 1 and are movable in a direction normal to the blank feeding direction.

A plurality of units, four in the illustrated example, designated by reference numerals 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D, are arranged in this order along the length of the case making machine 1. Each of the units 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D (hereinafter generally designated by reference numeral 4) and the blank supplying portion 5a includes a conveyor belt 5, and a conveyor belt 6 for delivering cases is disposed at the downstream end of the case making machine 1. Each of the blank folding units 4 comprises a plurality of frames 7 extending along the length of the machine 1 and each frame 7 is provided with a pair of upper and lower conveyor belts 10 and 5, so that the blanks B are conveyed leftwardly as viewed in Figures 1 and 2 between the conveyor belts 5 and 10.A pair of guide rods 8 are provided to extend laterally between two side walls of each unit 4for guiding the plurality of frames 7 in a direction normal to the movement of the blank B. The frames 7 are further brought into engagement with respective scrnwhreaded shafts 9 also extending between the two side walls ofthe blank folding unit 4. Upon operation of a shaft driving device 9a provided on one side of the blank folding unit 4, the frames 7 are shifted laterally in a direction normal to the movement of the blank B together with the conveyor belts 5 and 10 under the guide of the guide rods 8.

Figures 3(a) and 3(b) illustrate the positions of the conveyor belts 10 and the status of the blanks B in the blank folding units 4, respectively. Each case blank B is so constructed that the portions 1 1A and 11 B to be formed into two side walls and the portions 1 2A and 1 2B to be formed into two side walls of a case are arranged alternately and connected together along folding lines 13. Furthermore, a portion 14 to which glue is to be applied is connected with the side wall portion 11 B along another folding line 13.Portions 15 formed into a bottom wall of the case are connected along the folding lines 16 to the side wall forming portions 1 1A, 11 B, 12A and 1 2B. Likewise, portions 17 to be formed into a top wall of a case are connected along folding lines 18 to the side wall portions 11 B, 1 2A and 12B.

In the blank folding unit 4A, the conveyor belts 1 OA and 1 OB provided with two frames 7, respectively, are positioned so that one side edge of the belt 10A is aligned with the folding line 13 between the side wall portion 11 B and the portion 14, while one side edge of the belt 10B is aligned with the folding line 13 between the side wall portions 11A and 12B as shown in Figure 3(b).

In the blankfolding unit 4B, one side edge of each of the conveyor belts 10C, 10D and 1 0E are aligned with a folding line 13 between the side wall portion 11 B and the glue applying portion 14, another folding line 13 between two sidewall portions 11 B and 12B, and with still another folding line 13 between two side wall portions 1 1A and 12A, respectively. Furthermore, the portions 15 forming the bottom wall are folded along the folding line 16 over the side wall portions 1 1A and 11 B by means of a blank folding device, not shown.

In the blankfolding unit 4C, one side edge of each of the conveyor belts 10F, 10G and 10H is brought into alignment with the folding lines 13 between the side wall portions 11 B and 12B, between the side wall portions 11 A and 1 2B, and between the side wall portions 1 1A and 1 2A, respectively, while the other bottom wall forming portions 15 are folded back along the folding line 16, and glue is applied to the portion 14 when it is brought into a position opposite to a glue storing vessel 19.Before the blank is sent into the unit 4D, the side wall portions 11 B and 1 2A are folded over the corresponding portions, and in the unit 4D, the side edges of the belts 101 and 1 0J are bought into alignment with the folding line 13 between the side wall portions 11 B and 12B and between the side wall portions 11A and 12A, so that the sidewall portion 12A is bonded with the glued portion 14, thus completing the case making operation for the blank B.

In order to control the positions of the conveyor belts 10Athrough 10J and the glue storing vessel 19, a main controller 20, as shown in Figure 4, is placed on one side of the blank supplying portion 5a located at the upstream end of the case making machine 1. On the other hand, sub-controllers 21, as shown in Figure 5, which are electrically connected to the main controller 20, are provided on one side of the blank folding units 4, respectively. More in detail, the sub-controller shown in Figure 5 represents that provided for the blank folding unit 4C.

The main controller 20 includes various keys 22 such as pattern keys 22a, ten keys 22b, keys 22c for setting values of F, x andy described hereinafter, and the like keys, a memory device, not shown, for memorizing measurements of sides of the newly set blanks B, a switch 23 for simultaneously starting operations of the various parts of the case making machine 1, and an indicator 24 for indicating the operating status thereof described before.

On the other hand, the sub-controller 21 comprises, a pulse generator, a rotary encoder or magnet-scale for reading out signals, comparing set values, memory means for memorizing the measurements of sides of the respective blanks B, and a discriminator for carrying out automatic calibration for zero point and deciding the shift in opposite directions with respect to a zero point, none of which are shown. These devices are controlled by a microcomputer, also not shown.

Moreover, the sub-controller 21 is provided with, on the upper surface thereof, indicating portions 25 respectively provided for the frames 7 and the glue storing vessel 19. Each indicating portion 25 includes a digital indicator 24, a digital switch 26, manual operation switches 27, and an automatic-manual change-over switch 28. Furthermore, on one side of the indicating portions 25, are located collision alarm lamps 29, a collision time automatic stop snap switch 30, a full-stop switch 31, a unit stop switch 32, and a power source indicating lamp 33.

In a microcomputer, not shown, provided in the main controller 20, the following equations for the positions of the conveyor belts 10 and the glue storing vessel 19 relative to the centre line of the blank supplying portion have been stored.

10A: F- (2x + 2y) + A/2 10B: F- (x + y) - B/2 10C: F- (2x + 2y) - C/2 10D: F- (2x + y) + C/2 10E: F- x + C/2 19: F-(2x+2y)-3 10F: F-(2x + y) + G/2 10G: F- (x + y) + D/2 10H: F- x + G/2 101: F- (2x + y) + H/2 10J: F- x - K12 wherein A: width of belt 1 OA B: width of belt 10B C: width of belts 10C, 1 OD and 10E G: width of belts 10F and 10H D: width of belt 10D H: width of belts 101 and 10J x: width of side wall portion 12 of the blank B y: width of side wall portion 11 of the blank B F:position of blank defining ruler 2.

Among the above described values, the widths A, B, C, G, D and H are constant regardless of the measurements or sizes of the blanks B, and hence these results are preliminarily memorized in the microcomputer utilizing ten keys 22b of the main controller 20. Accordingly, when new blanks B are desired to be processed by the case making machine 1, the values of the widths x andy of the portions 1 1A and 12A of the new blanks B corresponding to the two side walls of the products, and the value F representing the position of the ruler 2 measured from a reference point, specifically the centre, of the blank supplying portion 5a are input into the microcomputer utilizing the ten keys 22b of the main controller 20.The microcomputer thus calculates the equations described hereinbefore to find out the positions of the glue storing vessel 19 and the conveyor belts 5 and 10, i.e. the positions of the frames 7 and shifts these members to the calculated positions. The terms representing n12 (where n = width of a belt such as A in the aforementioned equations) are provided for controlling the positions of the belts 5 and 10 so that side edges, instead of the centre lines, of the belts are aligned with the folding lines 13 of the blanks B.

In order to control the positions of the frames 7, three different control methods may be utilised according to this invention. In one of these methods, termed a centralized control method, and data x, y and F are set on the main controller 20, while in another method, a memory address number is set on the main controller 20 for designating the size and shape of the blank B preliminarily memorized in the memory, and in the other method, termed a separate control method, the aforementioned data are set on the sub-controllers 21 provided respectivelyforthe blankfolding units by manipulating the digital switches 26 on the sub-controllers 21. As a modification of the memorizing method, only the values themselves of the data thus set in the central and separate control methods may be memorized in the microcomputer.

In a case where the positions of the frames 7 are set separately on the sub-controllers 21 by use of the digital switches 26, an operator must go to the blank folding unit 4, in which the setting of the blank data is required and set the positions of the frames 7 after confirming the safety of the frames 7 and attachments nearby the frames 7. Fine adjustment in this case of the frames 7 is carried out manually by manipulating the manual control switch 27 while observing the indicator 24 on the sub-controller 21.

On the other hand, when the size and shape of the blanks B to be newly processed are similar to those of the blanks so far processed and therefore no dangerous troubles are expected, the centralized control method or memorizing method can be utilized, and all the frames 7 in the case making machine 1 can be operated simultaneously upon depression of the start switch 23 on the main controller 20 by inputting the two values x andy for the blanks and the distance F corresponding to the position of the ruler 2 through the depression of the keys 22.

In a case where the centralized control method or memorizing method is utilized and when any trouble is expected between the frames 7, or between the attachments and the frames 7, the data set in the main controller 20 have been sent to the sub-controllers 21 located on the side of the blank folding units 4 before the movements of the frames 7 are started. Thus, the operator of the case making machine 1 must go to the unit 4 for checking the present position of the frames 7 against the newly set values indicated on the indicator 24. After troubles have been removed manually, the operator may return to the position of the main controller 20 and operate the start switch 23 for simultaneously starting operation of all the frames 7. After the frames 7 have been moved to the newly set positions, a suitable number of the blanks B are supplied for trial of the machine operation.When some deviation is found on the products, the sub-contioller 21 is further operated to execute fine adjustment for the positions of the frames 7.

According to this invention, since the frames can be reset by simply inputting three items of data x, y and F representing the distance and widths of a blank to be processed or memory number of the blank B into the main controller 20, there is no need to input data for the blank folding units one after another. In addition, since the fine adjustment can be carried out for all the units 4 through the sub-controllers 21, there is no need for the operator to go around several times between the main controller 20 and the respective units 4, thus economizing on the time required for adjusting the frame positions. Moreover, since the sub-controllers 21 are provided respectively for the blank folding units 4, any one of the units having trouble can be reparied without adversely affecting the entire folding and gluing operations of the case making machine. With the provision of the sub-controllers, the control of the frames can be effected by use of the sub-controller while confirming the status of the case making machine 1, and hence, the occurrence of any trouble tending to cause damage to the machine can be obviated. Moreover, according to this invention, the frames are easily controlled and shifted at the blank exchanging time, so that the blank exchanging or resetting time is extremely reduced and the case making efficiency can largely be improved.

Claims

1. A method of controlling the positions of frame members of a case making machine of the type comprising a blank feeding ruler movable in a direction normal to a blank conveying direction, a blank supplying portion for holding said blank, a plurality of blankfolding units disposed along the blank conveying direction, a plurality of frame members movable in a direction normal to the blank conveying direction, each frame member having at least one conveyor belt to be located in use along a blankfolding line, and a controlling unit for controlling positions of said frame members, wherein the distance between a reference point of said blank supplying portion and said blankfeeding ruler, the width of one side wall of a case blank to be processed and the width of the other side wall thereof are measured, data representing said distance and said widths measured is input into said controlling unit, the required positions of said frame members are calculated by said controlling unit in accordance with said data, and said frame members are then shifted to said positions.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the positions of said frames are calculated such that a side edge of each conveyor belt will be aligned with a folding line of the blank.

3. The method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said controlling unit comprises a main controller located near to said blank supplying portion and one sub-controller provided for each blank folding unit, and the calculation and shifting of the frame position may be performed by said main controller or said sub-controllers, or said main controller and sub-controller in combination.

4. A method of controlling the positions of frame members of a case making machine substantially as herein described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.

5. A frame control device for a case making machine of the type comprising a blank supplying portion including a ruler and a blank pressing member, which are movable in said portion perpendicularto a blank feeding direction of the machine, a plurality of blankfolding units arranged along the blank feeding direction, each unit including one or more frames, each frame having at least one conveyor belt and being movable laterally to a position where said conveyor belt aligns with a folding line of a blank, and a control device for controlling the positions of the frames, wherein said control device comprises a main controller having a plurality of keys for inputting data related to said blank and an automatic start switch for starting the operation of the units simultaneously, and one subcontroller provided for each of said units operable to shift said fames in said unit, and said main and sub-controllers are connected together so that when values corresponding to the distance between said ruler and the centre of said blank supplying portion, and the widths of the portions of said blank corresponding to two different side walls of the case to be produced therefrom are input in said controllers, all of said frames are set to positions adapted to produce the case.

6. A frame control device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said main controller further comprises pattern keys for setting patterns of blanks, setting keys for setting the values, and an indicator for indicating the operating status of the main controller.

7. A frame control device as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein said main controller further includes a memory device for memorizing input data related to a blank, and a microcomputer for calculating the required positions of the frames from said memorized input data.

8. A frame control device as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7 wherein at least one of said units further comprises a glue storing vessel for applying glue to a selected portion of said blank.

9. A frame control device as claimed in any of claims 5 to 8 wherein each subcontroller provided for a particular unit comprises an indicating portion for indicating set positions of all the movable members in said unit.

10. A frame control device as claimed in any of claims 5 to 9 wherein each said subcontroller comprises digital switches for inputting data related to a blank for determining the positions of the movable members in the unit.

11. A frame control device substantially as herein described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.