GB2226979A - Package forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for erecting a package, such as a carton box, sleeve, tray, from a pre-formed blank comprises several modules A-I which may be stacked in any desired order or combination. The modules have frames with corresponding outer dimensions and which are adapted for securance together. In the stacking direction the dimensions may vary. Each module includes a respective device for carrying out a function related to erection of a package, such as a blank feeding device, a forming device, a glue applying device, a pressure applying device for glued portions of the blank, and an ejecting device. The arrangement permits flexibility in construction apparatus having only the particular desired functions and it is easy to add to these functions when desired. A module may include linkages (6, Fig. 7, not shown) to move the blanks/ formed blanks through the apparatus. <IMAGE>

Description

PACKAGE FORMING APPARATUS TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to apparatus including devices and machines for erecting portions or the whole of boxes, cartons, sleeves or packages.

BACKGROUND ART Box, Carton or Package blanks are usually of a planar form and have various crease lines and cut lines arranged so that portions of the carton, box or package can be erected with respect to other portions during the passage of the carton, box or package through apparatus for forming the carton, box or package from the blank.

The structure of known machines for the formation of boxes, cartons or packages is generally dedicated to a set number of functions. The production of machines with a wide range of end applications or which are suitable for later upgrading or purpose changing is complicated and costly by commonly used methods and designs.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a number of machine framed modules all of which are of a geometrically compatible shape that enables them to be attached to each other by bolting, welding or some other method of fastening or securing without modification to the over-all geometrical shape of the frames (Fig 1, A,B,C,D,E,F).

The geometrical compatibility is achieved by the dimension "1" II being equal to every other dimension "1" and the dimension "wot' being equal to every other dimension "w". The dimension "h" in each machine frame is either equal to "w", w/8, w/4, w/2 or w divided by any other whole even numbered integer.

Each of the geometrically compatible frames contains integral apparatus for performing a distinct or related functions in the shaping, forming or securing of boxes, cartons or packages.

Each of the independent pieces of apparatus thus contained within its machine framed module can function either as an isolated machine or in association with other independent apparatuses in their own geometrically compatible frames to form different multi-function machines.

Each piece of apparatus contained within the geometrically compatible machine framed modules constitutes a function module. The first geometrically compatible machine framed module (A) contains apparatus (1) for enabling a carton box or package blank to be formed by positioning the blank within the opposing elements of a forming die (2) which in this instance is contained within the second geometrically compatible machine framed module (B). In the aspect of the invention referred to herein the first module (A) also contains means for guiding and controlling the packaging blank and apparatus for applying adhesive (8) (Figure 7) to the blank.

The second geometrically compatible machine framed module (B) contains an adjustable forming die (2) together with devices (3) for applying pressure to the glued portions of the carton, box or package together with guide corners for holding one or more formed and sealed cartons, boxes or packages.

The third geometrically compatible machine framed module (C) provides a base frame for the support of the first and second modules and can also contain a device for ejecting the formed carton, box or package.

The fourth geometrically compatible machine framed module (D) contains a magazine in which packaging blanks are stacked and from which they are removed by a vacuum device (4) contained within a fifth geometrically compatible machine framed module (E). Within the fourth frame (D) are also means moveable for transferring the blanks into the guides contained within the first frame.

The fifth geometrically compatible machine framed module (E) provides a base unit for the frame (D) and also contains the vacuum device (4) for removing the blanks from the magazine contained within the frame (D), the vacuum heads are moved in a vertically reciprocating motion operated by the extended stroke mechanism (Figure 7) referred to below.

It will be seen that by uniting the geometrically compatible machine framed modules (A), (B), & (C) and by adding a guarded deadplate slide a semi-automatic carton, tray or box erecting machine can be created into which the blanks are inserted manually.

An alternative machine (Figure 5) can be made by assembling the first and second geometrically compatible machine framed modules A & B in an inverted position thus obviating the need for the geometrically compatible machine framed module (C). In this arrangement the erected and secured made-up trays, boxes, cartons etc are stacked vertically within the guide-corners (5) extending from the forming die (2) . This arrangement enables the assembled units (A) & BR< (B) to be used as a self stacking erecting machine on a bench top at the end of a packing line in closest proximity to the point of need.

Additional geometrically compatible machine framed modules (G) & (I) (Figures 3 & 6) can be interposed between the first and second frames (A) & (B) and below the fifth frame (E) to enable collations of products to be positioned on the package blank and to act as a forming mandrel during the passage of the package through the forming die (2) and to enable the formed and sealed package and its products to pass beneath the vacuum device (4) in an in-line direction if required. When assembled in this way the modular units are formed into a wrap-round packaging machine.

In order to maintain the geometrical compatibility of the machine framed modules and also to enable useful alternative assemblies in the inverted arrangements to be achieved the use of a specially designed stroke extending mechanism is used (Figure 7).

The stroke extending mechanism consists of an arrangement of linkages (6) moved by a linear actuator (7).

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY Because of the geometrically compatible machine framed modules used in the invention described herein it is possible to use modules as stand-alone devices or to unite them with other geometrically compatible machine framed modules to form alternative purpose machines both in-situ within the user's production unit or during manufacture without high design or upgrading cost.

The apparatus is thus enabled to have a wide ranging use in packaging processes especially where it would not be possible to use standard dedicated machinery because of size and cost.

Claims (14)

1. Apparatus for erecting a package from a pre-formed blank, the apparatus including a blank forming device and at least one further device for carrying out a function related to erection of the package, each of said devices being carried in a respective module, the modules having frames which may be brought together in a given relationship along a given axis of each frame and being adapted for securance together in that relationship, at least those dimensions of each frame, other than the given axial dimension, corresponding with dimensions of the other frame.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein, each module has a rectangular frame.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2 including one or more additional modules each including a respective functional device, all of the modules being securable together in a stacked relationship and any selected two or more of the modules being securable together in a stacked relationship.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein a glue applying device is included in a respective one of the modules.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein a pressure applying device, for pressing together glued portions of the package is included in a respective one of the modules.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 3, 4 or 5 wherein a package ejecting device is included in a respective one of the modules.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 3, 4, 5 or 6 wherein a magazine for holding a stack of blanks is included in a respective one of the modules.

8. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 3 to 7, wherein a device for individually transferring blanks from the magazine to an adjacent module is included in a respective one of the modules.

9. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 3 to 8, wherein an extensible transfer device for moving the blank and/or formed blank through the modules is inclined in a respective one of the modules.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein the transfer device incorporates a parallelogrammic linkage.

11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the module with the forming device includes means for stacking formed blanks.

12. Apparatus for erecting a package, constructed substantially as herein described with respect to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

13. Apparatus according to Claim 1 and including a module having a parallelogrammic linkage substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 7.

14. Apparatus according to Claims 3 to 10 wherein products to be packed comprise a package forming a mandrel.