GB2245213A

GB2245213A - Cardboard box folding-packing machine

Info

Publication number: GB2245213A
Application number: GB9020156A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jaen Jose Boix
Original assignee: Boix Maquinaria SL
Current assignee: Boix Maquinaria SL
Priority date: 1990-06-19
Filing date: 1990-09-14
Publication date: 1992-01-02
Anticipated expiration: 2010-09-14
Also published as: GB2245213B; IT9067704A0; IT9067704A1; ES2024866A6; GB9020156D0; FR2663292A1

Abstract

A machine for folding and packing tray-like cardboard boxes comprises a platform 1, to which the pre-formed boxes arrive by means of a conveyor belt (5, Fig 1, not shown). The platform is raised by means of a cylinder 3 with guides 4. On opposite sides of the platform pairs of pusher shoes 6 are provided. On the other sides, there are a pair of rocking plates 7. The synchronized movement of the platform, shoes and plates folds the box walls against the bottom of the box. Shoes 6 are moved by cylinders 8 and plates 7 are moved by cylinders 13 and levers 11. A folded box is then raised between vertical guides 15 where retractable stops 14 are situated, and against a plate-press 16 situated above. A side pusher 17 moves the formed stack of boxes, to a horizontal side support 20 located outside the area of the platform. <IMAGE>

Description

A MACHINE FOR FOLDING AND PACRING CARDBOARD BOXES.

The present invention relates to a machine for folding pre-formed cardboard boxes and packaging them to facilitate storage.

Tray type cardboard boxes are used to transport products, such as farm produce.

In order to reduce the volume of the boxes, for better storage, they are provided with slots so that their walls can be folded flat against their bases, thus a flat body is formed from each box which when required for use, can be unfolded to form the shape of a box.

Folding of these boxes has up until now been done by hand but this requires a considerable effort and is time consuming.

To solve this problem, the invention proposes a machine which receives the boxes from the box former, folds them flat and packages them.

According to the present invention there is provided a machine for folding and packing cardboard boxes, the machine comprising a platform, onto which assembled boxes are placed, oppositely facing shoes at two opposite sides of the platform, rocking plates parallel to the other two sides of the platform, means for moving the platform vertically relative to the plates and shoes, and means for controlling the movement of each of the shoes and rocking plates; the movement of the platform, shoes and plates being synchronised to effect folding of a box on the platform.

The machine comprises a platform on which the boxes, which arrive by means of a conveyor belt, are deposited. The platform can be raised, in synchronisation with the action of shoes on two opposite sides of the boxes, and two oppositely facing rocking plates at 90 degrees to the shoes. These four elements act against the four sides of the box in a coordinated manner, to fold the boxes flat. The sides of the box are provided with diagonal slotted or scored lines which aid folding.

The platform is preferably raised by the action of a pneumatic cylinder.

The front of each shoe which acts against the side of the box is preferably wedge shaped with the sloped plane inclined downwardly and facing the box. Pneumatic cylinders produce forward motion of the shoes in rectillineal intermittent movement.

The rocking plates are preferably connected by means of corresponding brackets to rotation axles. Rocking movement of the rocking plates is achieved by a lever arm, connected to the corresponding rod of a pneumatic cylinder. The rocking movement is at approximately 45 degrees to the horizontal.

When rising with a box the platform facilitates folding of the box. Once folding is complete, the platform continues to move upwards until the box is deposited on four slip points situated on columns. The successive rising of the boxes in a variable number determines the formation of a stack or package which is kept in formation by the arrangement of horizontal plates, supported by corresponding pneumatic cylinders.

When the stack or package reaches a predetermined height a side pusher sweeps the package away, in the presence of the rising platform, moving it to an auxiliary side platform where it is tied.

The machine is equipped with corresponding photocells which detect the position of the boxes and so control the operation of elements of the machine.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a machine forming an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the machine of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view showing parts of the machine of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view similar to Figure 3, showing elements of the machine in the process of folding a box; and Figure 5 illustrates three positions of a box during the folding process: A - formed box; B - box-with the folding started; and C - folded box.

Referring to the drawings, the machine comprises a rectangular horizontal platform 1 which is situated above a rod 2 of a hydropneumatic -cylinder 3, and is guided by parallel rods 4. Open, assembled boxes A are carried by means of a conveyor belt 5 to the platform 1.

As the boxes arrive on the platform 1, a group of four shoes 6 arranged in two oppositely facing pairs on opposite sides of the platform are initially withdrawn allowing the box to pass between them. Rocking plates 7 are respectively located next to the other two sides of the platform, clear of the incoming box.

The shoes are mounted horizontally on the end of the rods of four hydropunematic cylinders 8. The plates 7 are each connected by a bracket 9 situated next to one of the sides thereof, to a horizontal bar 10 connected by one of its ends to a lever arm 11, which is in turn related to the rod 12 of a hydropneumatic cylinder 13.

The synchronization of movement of the shoes 6 and of the plates 7 along with the platform 1 results in folding of the walls of the box. In order for the folding to be effected readily the walls of the box are provided with diagonal slotted or scored lines on side walls thereof.

As seen in Figures 3 and 4 the box is lifted up against the tilting side plates 7 to press in the sides of the box and the shoes 6 are moved to press the box ends down to the sides.

After a box is folded the shoes and plates are withdrawn and the platform continues to rise. The platform positions the folded box above retractable stops 14 situated on columns 15 which serve as a guide for the folded boxes, while a plate-press 16 presses down on top of the stack and is raised as the height of the stack of boxes increases.

When the folded box passes the retractable stops 14 it is held up by the stops and the platform is lowered to receive the next box.

When the pile of boxes has reached a certain height, or a specific number of boxes have been stacked, a side pulse pusher arm 17 of a cylinder 18, with parallel guides 19 that produce the movement of the stack of boxes, pushes the stack, in the presence of the platform 1, to a side support 20 where they are packaged.

The machine is controlled by means of photocells and electrovalves which syncronize the various movements.

Stacking of the folded boxes is achieved automatically by the machine and packages are formed which can be easily transported to the place of use.

Claims

CLAI MS:

1. A machine for folding and packing cardboard boxes, comprising a platform onto which boxes are placed, oppositely facing shoes at two opposite sides of the platform, rocking plates parallel to the other two sides of the platform, means for moving the platform vertically relative to the plates and shoes, and means to control the movement of each of the shoes and rocking plates, the movement of the platform, shoes and plates being synchronised to effect folding of a box on the platform.

2. A machine for folding and packing cardboard boxes, comprising a plate situated at the end of a rod of a cylinder and guided by parallel fixed rods towards which platform pre-assembled boxes are carried, and at the entry position of the boxes on the platform, parallel to two sides of the platform, at least two shoes arranged face to face and joined to the end of corresponding cylinders which initially remain retracted to permit the passing of the boxes, while parallel to the other two sides of the platform two rocking plates are situated respectively and connected by a bracket, situated next to one of the sides thereof, to a horizontal bar connected to a lever linked to the rod of a cylinder which transmits to it rocking movement for the folding of two opposite walls of the box; all the movements of the platform, shoes and plates for effecting the folding being synchronized.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein pneumatic cylinders are provided to effect the motion of the respective components.

4. A machine, according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the folded box is raised, the shoes and plates being retracted, by the progressive movement of the platform until the position of retractable stops situated on vertical guides and against a plate-press located above, until a stack of boxes with a foreseen height is formed, at which point a pulse pusher of a cylinder with guides acts sideways, moving the stack of folded boxes in the presence of the platform to a horizontal side support situated outside the area of the platform.

5. A machine for folding tray-like cardboard boxes, the machine comprising a platform for supporting a box, a plate located at each side of the platform, each to engage a respective side of the box to fold it towards the base of the box, and a shoe located at each end of the platform and each movable to bear on a respective end of the box to fold it towards the base of the box.

6. A machine for folding and packaging cardboard boxes, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.