IES980303A2 - A blank folding apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A blank folding apparatus (1) has a magazine (2) at an inlet of the apparatus (1) for delivering a stack of blanks (3) individually to a feeding device (4) for delivery to a folding station (5). Downstream of the folding station (5), the blanks pass through an alignment device for alignment with a gluing station. At the gluing station, adhesive is applied to the blank which is then delivered through a second folding station prior to discharge. <Fig. 1>

Description

A Blank Folding Apparatus This invention relates to a blank folding apparatus, in particular for folding paper or cardboard blanks to form wallets for compact discs, photographs and the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide a versatile 5 blank folding apparatus for handling and folding different types of blanks to form a range of different products such as wallets for compact discs and mounts for photographs.

It is also an object of the invention to facilitate the processing of batches of different blanks in an efficient and trouble free manner minimising the time spent on change-over and adjustment of the apparatus.

According to the invention, there folding apparatus comprising:is provided a blank a magazine at an inlet of the apparatus for delivering a stack of blanks to a feeding device, the magazine comprising a platform for reception of a stack of blanks, drive means for moving the platform vertically in a controlled manner towards the feeding device, means for aligning an uppermost blank in the stack with the feeding device, the feeding device comprising a pair of spaced-apart wheels each having circumferential suction pads for gripping and delivering an uppermost blank from a stack of blanks to a folding station, the folding station having a conveyor for reception of a blank and delivery of a blank past one or more folding ploughs mounted above the conveyor for imparting a desired fold or folds to the blank, y/. haar fit ......IE 980303 - 2 alignment means downstream of the folding station for aligning a blank with a gluing station, the alignment means comprising a straightedge formed by a side lay bracket and an associated conveyor mounted at an angle to the side lay bracket to urge a blank against the side lay bracket, the gluing station having one or more gluing heads for delivering an adhesive in a desired pattern onto the blank, and a second folding station downstream of the gluing station .

In one embodiment of the invention, the feeding device wheels are slidably mounted on a support rail for axial movement of each wheel on the rail, each rail having a locking screw engagable with the rail to secure the wheel in a desired position on the rail.

In another embodiment, weighted crimping rollers are mounted downstream of the second gluing station, the weighted rollers being engagable with folded edges of a blank to press the edges into a folded position.

Conveniently, a feed roller is provided downstream of the gluing station having circumferential slots for alignment with and reception of one or more folds in a blank.

In another embodiment, the gluing station comprises one or more gluing heads slidably mounted on a support bar for adjustment of the spacing between gluing heads, each gluing head having a clamp to secure the head at a desired location on the bar. Preferably, the bar is demountably secured in a pair of associated mounts which engage each end of the bar. - 3 IE 980303 Conveniently, mounts for the support bar are provided at an outlet end of the first folding station.

In a further embodiment, the ploughs are mounted on a support frame comprising uprights at each side of the conveyor with a crossbar extending between the uprights above the conveyor, downwardly extending plough support posts mounted on the crossbar, each post having a plough at a lower end of the post supported a preset distance above the conveyor. Preferably, each post is height adjustable on the crossbar. Conveniently also, each post is laterally slidable along the crossbar having locking means operable to retain the post in a set location on the crossbar.

In a further embodiment, guide means is provided adjacent the feeding device for smooth delivery of blanks having a window opening therein by the feeding device, the window opening being defined by a leading edge and a trailing edge with interconnecting side edges of the blank, the guide means comprising a ramp for location within the window adjacent the leading edge, the ramp having an inlet end located below the trailing edge and an outlet end located above the leading edge for delivery of the trailing edge of the uppermost blank over the leading edge of the next blank as it is drawn from the stack by the feeding device.

The invention will be more clearly understood by the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyinq drawings, in which:IE 980303 - 4 Fig. 1 is a partially sectioned side elevational view showing an inlet portion of a blank folding apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the inlet portion; Fig. 3 is a detail side elevational view of a feeding device at the inlet; Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view showing a folding station of the apparatus; Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view showing an alignment device and gluing station of the apparatus; Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of an outlet end of the apparatus; Fig. 7 is a detail elevational view of feed rollers at the outlet end of the apparatus; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a compact disc wallet formed with the apparatus; Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the compact disc wallet shown in a closed position; Fig. 10 is a plan view of a blank for folding by the apparatus to form a photographic mount; and Fig. 11 is a plan view of another blank for folding by the apparatus to form a photographic mount.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a blank folding apparatus according to the invention indicated IE 980303 - 5 generally by the reference numeral 1. The apparatus 1 has a magazine 2 at an inlet of the apparatus 1 for delivering a stack of blanks 3 individually to a feeding device 4 for delivery to a folding station 5. Downstream of the folding station 5, the blanks pass through an alignment device 5 for alignment with a gluing station 7. At the gluing station 7, adhesive is applied to the blank which is then delivered through a second folding station 8 prior to discharge.

The magazine 2 comprises a platform 10 for reception of a stack of the blanks 3. At each side of the platform 10, rollers 11 engage upright side rails 12. Drive chains 14 attached to the platform 10 pass around associated drive sprockets 15 mounted on a drive shaft 16 which is driven by a motor 17. Operation of the motor 17 raises or lowers the platform 10 as required for feeding blanks 3 or for loading the platform 10.

The feeding device 4 comprises a pair of spaced-apart wheels 20 having circumferential slots or openings 21 connected to a vacuum source (not shown). The wheels 20 are slidably mounted on a support rail 23 for axial movement of the wheels 20 together and apart on the rail 23. Each wheel 20 has a locking screw (not shown) engagable with the rail 23 to secure the wheel 20 in a desired position on the rail 23. Thus, when released, the wheels 20 can be spaced-apart a desired distance required for handling a particular blank and then locked in position on the rail 23. It will be appreciated that the spacing of the wheels 20 can be readily easily and quickly adjusted on the rail 23 to minimise the time required to set up the apparatus for handling a particular batch of blanks 3.

IE 980303 - 6 As the stack of blanks 3 is raised by the platform 10, the uppermost blank 3 is gripped by the wheels 20 which slide the uppermost blank 3 from the stack and deliver the blank 3 to the folding station 5. A proximity switch 19 mounted between the wheels 20 is operatively connected to a controller for the motor 17 to control raising of the platform 10 for alignment of the uppermost blank with the feeding device 4.

To correctly feed blanks 3 with a window opening 25 therein (see Fig. 3), a guide 27 locates within the window opening 25 to lift a trailing edge 28 of the blank 3 as it approaches the wheels 20 to prevent the trailing edge 28 from snagging on a leading edge 29 of the blank 3 beneath. This advantageously ensures smooth delivery of blanks 3 having a window opening 25 therein by the feeding device 4. The guide 27 essentially forms a ramp for location within the window opening 25 adjacent the leading edge 29, the ramp having an inlet end located below the trailing edge 28 and an outlet end located above the leading edge 29 for delivery of the trailing edge 28 of the uppermost blank 3 over the leading edge 29 of the next blank 3 as it is drawn from the stack by the feeding device 4.

At the folding station 5 (Fig. 4), a conveyor 30 delivers the blank 3 past a number of folding ploughs 31 arranged above the conveyor 30 to impart one or more desired folds to the blank 3. Each plough 31 is mounted on a support frame 32 comprising uprights 33 at each side of the conveyor 30 with a crossbar 34 extending between the uprights 33. The height of the crossbar 34 above the conveyor 30 is such as to accommodate the folding of even relatively large blanks. Downwardly extending plough support posts 35 are mounted on the crossbar 34. Each post 35 has a plough 31 at a lower end of the post 35 supported a preset distance above the upper surface of the IE 980303 - 7 conveyor 30. It will be noted that each post 35 is vertically slidable in a mounting bracket 36 which secures the post 35 on the crossbar 34. Also, the mounting bracket 36 is laterally slidable along the crossbar 34. Thus, the plough 31 can be easily and quickly adjusted relative to the conveyor 30 for accommodating different sizes and configurations of blanks.

Downstream of the folding station 5, the blank is delivered to the alignment device 6 (Fig. 5). The alignment device 6 has an upright straight edge formed by a side lay bracket 37 mounted above a feed conveyor 38. The feed conveyor 38 is angled towards the side lay bracket 37 to urge the blank 3 against the side lay bracket 37 into a desired position for alignment with the gluing station 7. It will be noted that the side lay bracket 37 is laterally slidable on support rails 39 for adjustment to accommodate different blank types. A number of blank support bars 39a are releasably engagable with the rails 39 by means of snap engagement clips on an underside of the support bars 39a. These support bars 39a can conveniently be stored to one side of the rails 39 as shown in Fig. 5 and can be mounted at either side of the conveyor 38, if required, to support a blank 3 passed overhead.

The gluing station 7 has a number of gluing heads 40 mounted spaced-apart on a support bar 41 suspended between mounts 42 which engage each end of the support bar 41. As a blank 3 passes beneath the gluing heads 41, adhesive is applied to the blank 3 which is then folded in the second folding station 8 prior to discharge. If desired, the blanks 3 may be passed beneath weighted crimping rollers 50 (Fig. 6) which ensure that the fold is reinforced in each blank. A number of the crimping rollers 50 are IE 980303 - 8 mounted on adjustable supports to adjust the position of the rollers 50 as required for different blanks 3.

Where a number of folds are made in a blank 3, the feed rollers 51 which discharge the blanks 3 from the gluing station 7 may be provided with circumferential slots 52 which receive the enlarged folded edges 54 to prevent damage to the folds or cracking of a lacquer or varnish on the blank.

Figs. 8 and 9 show a typical wallet 60 for compact discs, the wallet 60 being formed by the apparatus 1. The wallet 60 has inner panels 61 hingedly joined at 62. Each of the inner panels 61 has side flaps 63 which are folded over in the folding station 5 prior to application of adhesive to the side flaps 63. End panels 64 are then folded over the inner panels 61 engaging and bonding with the side flaps 63. Thus, a pair of pockets are provided for reception of compact discs. It will be noted that a slot 66 is provided in each outer panel 64 for easy removal of a disc from the pocket. When feeding the blank 3 from the magazine, the wheels 20 of the feeding device 4 engage with the blank 3 on each side of the slot 66 for positive engagement and feeding of the blank 3.

Referring to Fig. 10, there is shown a blank 70 for forming a photographic mount. The blank 70 has a front panel 71 with a central window opening 72. A rear panel 73 is connected by a fold line or hinge 74 with the front panel 71. To form the photographic mount, glue is applied along the edges of the blank 70 which is then folded about the fold line 74 to form a pocket open at one side for reception of a photograph which can be viewed through the window 72.

IE 980303 - 9 Fig. 11 shows another photographic mount 80. This is largely similar to the photographic mount of Fig. 10 and like parts are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case, however, an additional cover flap 81 is provided which, in use, is foldable over the front panel 71 to protect a photograph mounted behind the front panel 71.

It will be appreciated that the invention provides a blank folding apparatus which is very versatile and can be readily easily and quickly adjusted to accommodate various different types of blank to be folded.

The invention is not limited ' to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in both construction and detail.

Claims (5)

1. A blank folding apparatus comprising:a magazine at an inlet of the apparatus for delivering a stack of blanks to a feeding device, the magazine comprising a platform for reception of a stack of blanks, drive means for moving the platform vertically in a controlled manner towards the feeding device, means for aligning an uppermost blank in the stack with the feeding device, the feeding device comprising a pair of spaced-apart wheels each having circumferential suction pads for gripping and delivering an uppermost blank from a stack of blanks to a folding station, the folding station having a conveyor for reception of a blank and delivery of a blank past one or more folding ploughs mounted above the conveyor for imparting a desired fold or folds to the blank, alignment means downstream of the folding station for aligning a blank with a gluing station, the alignment means comprising a straightedge formed by a side lay bracket and an associated conveyor mounted at an angle to the side lay bracket to urge a blank against the side lay bracket, the gluing station having one or more gluing heads for delivering an adhesive in a desired pattern onto the blank, and - 11 IE 980303 a second folding station downstream of the gluing station.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the feeding device wheels are slidably mounted on a support rail for axial movement of each wheel on the rail, each rail having a locking screw engagable with the rail to secure the wheel in a desired position on the rail.

3. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the gluing station comprises one or more gluing heads slidably mounted on a support bar for adjustment of the spacing between gluing heads, each gluing head having a clamp to secure the head at a desired location on the bar, and preferably the bar is demountably secured in a pair of associated mounts which engage each end of the bar, and preferably mounts for the support bar are provided at an outlet end of the first folding station.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the folding station has ploughs mounted on a support frame comprising uprights at each side of the conveyor with a crossbar extending between the uprights above the conveyor, downwardly extending plough support posts mounted on the crossbar, each post having a plough at a lower end of the post supported a preset distance above the conveyor, and preferably each post is height adjustable on the crossbar, and preferably each post is laterally slidable along the crossbar having locking means operable to retain the post in a set location on the crossbar. IE 980303 - 12

5. A blank folding apparatus substantially hereinbefore described with reference to accompanying drawings .