MX2014011150A - Methods and machine for forming a shipping and display container from a blank assembly using a pre-fold mandrel section. - Google Patents

Abstract

A machine for forming a container from a blank assembly including a tray blank and lid blank includes a frame, a mandrel assembly mounted to the frame, a pre-folding assembly, and a glue panel presser assembly. The mandrel assembly includes a first mandrel and a second mandrel positioned downstream from the first mandrel. The first mandrel has an external shape complimentary to an internal shape of at least a first portion of the container, and the second mandrel has an external shape complimentary to an internal shape of at least a second portion of the container. The pre-folding assembly is configured to fold a first portion of the blank assembly around the first mandrel to form a partially formed container. The glue panel presser assembly includes a first presser plate configured to form a first manufacturer joint, and a second presser plate configured to form a second manufacturer joint.

Description

METHODS AND MACHINE TO FORM A TRANSPORT CONTAINER AND EXHIBITION FROM A TEMPLATE ASSEMBLY USING A PRE-BENDING MANDREL SECTION DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The embodiments described herein generally relate to a machine for forming a container of sheet material, and more particularly to methods and a machine for forming a transport and display container from a template assembly for pre-folding the assembly. of template around a pre-bend mandrel section, which transports the template assembly to a mandrel wrap section, and form the container in the mandrel wrap section.

Containers made from cardboard and / or corrugated cardboard are often used to store and transport products. These containers may include four-sided containers, six-sided containers, eight-sided containers, bulk deposits and / or various corrugated barrels of various sizes. Such containers are usually formed from stencils of sheet material that are folded along a plurality of preformed bending lines to form a reinforced corrugated container. In some cases, these containers can be used to transport products, and then used to display the products in a store or merchant's business, after that the products have been transported to the merchant.

At least some known containers are formed using a machine. For example, a jig can be placed near a mandrel in a machine, and the machine can be configured to wrap the jig around the mandrel to form at least a portion of the container. Because the size and / or shape of the templates and containers can vary widely in all industries, it is desirable that such machines are capable of accommodating templates and / or containers of varying shapes and / or sizes.

At least some machines forming known containers use complex devices and mechanisms to form various sizes and / or forms of templates. To accommodate templates of various sizes and shapes, these devices and mechanisms often require moving parts that need to move or rotate along substantially large movement paths. These large movement trajectories require that the machine be large.

Accordingly, it is desirable to have a machine that can form containers where the movement paths of the moving parts are reduced and therefore, reduce the overall occupied space of the machine.

In one aspect, a machine for forming a container is provided from a template assembly that includes a tray template coupled to a lid template. The The tray template defines a tray portion of the container, and the lid template defines a container lid portion. The machine has an upstream end in which the template assembly is loaded and a downstream end in which the container is discharged. The machine includes a frame, a mandrel assembly mounted to the frame, a pre-bend assembly, and a rubberized panel presser assembly or rubberized panel. The mandrel assembly includes a first mandrel and a second mandrel positioned downstream of the first mandrel. The first mandrel has an external shape complementary to an internal shape of at least a first portion of the container, and the second mandrel has an external shape complementary to an internal shape of at least a second portion of the container. The pre-bend assembly is configured to bend a first portion of the template assembly around the first mandrel to form a partially formed container. The first portion of the template assembly corresponds to the first portion of the container. The gummed panel presser assembly includes a first presser plate configured to form a first manufacturing or manufacturing joint along the container lid portion, and a second presser plate configured to form a second manufacturing joint throughout of the tray portion of the container.

In another aspect, a method for forming a container from a template assembly using a machine. The template assembly includes a tray template coupled to a lid template. The tray template defines a tray portion of the container, and the lid template defines a container lid portion. The machine includes a mandrel assembly having a first mandrel and a second mandrel positioned downstream of the first mandrel. The method includes placing the template assembly proximate the first mandrel, folding a first portion of the template assembly onto the first mandrel to form a partially formed container, transferring the partially formed container from the first mandrel to the second mandrel, wrapping a second portion. of the template assembly on the second mandrel to form the container, and to eject the container from the second mandrel.

In yet another aspect, a machine for forming a container is provided from a template assembly that includes a tray template coupled to a lid template. The tray template defines a tray portion of the container, and the lid template defines a container lid portion. The machine has an upstream end in which the template assembly is loaded and a downstream end in which the container is discharged. The machine includes a frame, a mandrel assembly mounted to the frame, a pre-bend assembly, and a wrap assembly.

The mandrel assembly includes a first mandrel and a second mandrel positioned downstream of the first mandrel. The first mandrel has an external shape complementary to an internal shape of at least a first portion of the container. The second mandrel has an external shape complementary to an internal shape of at least a second portion of the container. The pre-bend assembly is configured to bend a first portion of the template assembly around the first mandrel to form a partially formed container. The first portion of the template assembly corresponds to the first portion of the container. The pre-bend assembly includes bending rods adapted to rotate a plurality of panels from the first portion of the template assembly around the first mandrel, and at least one tray panel folder configured to bend a panel from the tray template around of the first mandril. The wraparound assembly is configured to wrap a second portion of the template assembly around the second mandrel. The second portion of the template assembly corresponds to the second portion of the container. The wraparound assembly includes a rubberized panel presser assembly. The rubberized panel presser assembly includes a first presser plate and a second presser plate. The first press plate is configured to form a first manufacturing joint along the lid portion of the container. The second press plate configured to form a second manufacturing joint along the tray portion of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an internal view of an exemplary embodiment of a sheet material template that can be used with the machine described herein.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a container that can be formed from the template shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the container shown in Figure 2 in a closed state.

Figure 4 is an aerial cross-sectional view of the container shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a machine that can be used to form a container from the sheet material template shown in Figure 1.

Figure 6 is another perspective view of the machine shown in Figure 5 looking from downstream to upstream of the machine.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary control system and exemplary protective panels which are included in the machine shown in Figures 5-6.

Figure 8 is another perspective view of the control system and protective panels shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a portion of a feed section of the exemplary cartridge included within the machine shown in Figures 5-6.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of another portion of the cartridge feeding section included within the machine shown in Figures 5-6.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the cartridge feeding section shown in Figures 9 and 10, an exemplary vacuum transfer section, and a pre-bend section included in the machine shown in Figures 5-6.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of an exemplary collection and positioning assembly which is included in the vacuum transfer section shown in Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the pick and place assembly shown in Figure 12.

Figure 14 is another perspective view of the pick and place assembly shown in Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the machine shown in Figure 5 illustrating various portions of an exemplary pre-bend section included in the machine.

Figure 16 is a perspective view of an exemplary mandrel assembly and an exemplary transfer assembly that is included within the machine shown in Figures 5-6.

Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of a first mandrel which is part of the mandrel assembly shown in Figure 16 with the template shown in Figure 1 partially wrapped around the first mandrel.

Figure 18 is a perspective view of an exemplary pre-bend assembly which is part of the pre-bend section shown in Figures 11 and 15.

Figure 19 is another perspective view of the pre-bend section shown in Figures 11 and 15.

Figure 20 is a perspective view of a portion of the mandrel assembly and a portion of the transfer assembly shown in Figure 16.

Figure 21 is another perspective view of the portion of the mandrel assembly and the portion of the transfer assembly shown in Figure 20.

Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary mandrel guide rails which are part of the mandrel assembly shown in Figure 16 with the template shown in Figure 1 partially wrapped around the guide rails of the mandrel.

Figure 23 is a perspective view of an exemplary adhesive applicator assembly which is included within the machine shown in Figures 5-6.

Figure 24 is another perspective view of the adhesive applicator assembly shown in Figure 23.

Figure 25 is a perspective view of an exemplary mandrel wrap section which is included within the machine shown in Figures 5-6.

Figure 26 is another perspective view of the mandrel wrap section shown in Figure 25.

Figure 27 is a cross-sectional view of a second mandrel which is part of the mandrel assembly shown in Figure 16 with the template shown in Figure 1 wrapped around the second mandrel.

Figure 28 is a perspective view of a mandrel retention assembly which is part of the mandrel wrapping section shown in Figure 25.

Figure 29 is another perspective view of the mandrel retention assembly shown in Figure 28.

Figure 30 is a perspective view of an exemplary bottom bend assembly which is part of the mandrel wrap section shown in Figure 25.

Figure 31 is a side plan view of the lower fold assembly shown in Figure 30.

Figure 32 is another perspective view of the lower bending assembly shown in Figure 30 illustrating an exemplary bending arm in a raised position.

Figure 33 is a perspective view of an exemplary gummed panel folder assembly and an exemplary gummed panel presser assembly which are part of the mandrel wrap section shown in Figure 25.

Figure 34 is a side plan view of the gummed panel folder assembly and the gummed panel presser assembly shown in Figure 33.

Figure 35 is a perspective view of the gummed panel folder assembly and the gummed panel presser assembly shown in Figure 33, and an exemplary bottom folder assembly which is part of the mandrel wrap section shown in FIG. Figure 25 Figure 36 is another perspective view of the gummed panel folder assembly, the gummed panel presser assembly, and the bottom folder assembly shown in Figure 35.

Figure 37 is another perspective view of the gummed panel folder assembly, the gummed panel presser assembly, and the bottom folder assembly shown in Figure 35.

Figure 38 is a perspective view of the lower folder assembly shown in Figure 35 and an exemplary conveyor assembly which is included within the machine shown in Figures 5-6.

Figure 39 is a side plan view of the lower folder assembly and the conveyor assembly shown in Figure 38.

Figure 40 is a perspective view of a exemplary lower presser assembly, a portion of an exemplary ejector assembly, and a conveyor assembly which are part of the machine shown in Figures 5-6.

Figure 41 is a perspective view of a portion of the lower presser shown in Figure 40.

Figure 42 is a perspective view of the lower presser assembly and the conveyor assembly shown in Figure 40.

Figure 43 is a perspective view of the ejection assembly shown in Figure 40 illustrating an exemplary ejection plate of the ejection assembly in an extended position.

Figure 44 is an inside view of a tray template that can be used with the machine described herein.

Figure 45 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a tray that can be formed from the tray template shown in Figure 44.

Figure 46 is an inside view of a lid template that can be used with the machine described herein.

Figure 47 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a lid that can be formed from the lid template shown in Figure 46.

Figure 48 is a perspective view of the lid shown in Figure 47 in a closed state.

Figure 49 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a container that can be formed from the templates shown in Figures 44 and 45.

Figure 50 is a perspective view of the container shown in Figure 49 in a closed state.

Figure 51 is an aerial cross-sectional view of the container shown in Figure 49.

Figure 52 is an exterior view of a template assembly formed from the templates shown in Figures 44 and 45.

Figure 53 is a perspective view of an alternate machine that can be used to form a container from the template assembly shown in Figure 52.

Figure 54 is another perspective view of the machine shown in Figure 53.

Figure 55 is a perspective view of an exemplary tray gummed panel presser assembly and the gummed panel folder assembly and the gummed panel presser assembly shown in Figure 33.

Figure 56 is a side plan view of the gummed panel folder assembly, the gummed panel presser assembly, and the tray gummed panel presser assembly shown in Figure 55.

Figure 57 is a perspective view of the assembly of gummed panel folder, the rubberized panel presser assembly, and the tray gummed panel presser assembly shown in Figure 55 shown inside the machine 53.

Figure 58 is another perspective view of the gummed panel folder assembly, the gummed panel presser assembly, and the tray gummed panel presser assembly shown in Figure 57 within the machine shown in Figure 53 rotating from downstream upstream in the machine.

The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description clearly allows one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, various embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and use of the invention are described, including what is currently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention. .

The present disclosure provides a machine for forming a container from a single sheet of material. The container described herein is sometimes referred to as an 8-sided container, although any number of sides of a container could be formed including, but not limited to, a four-sided container or one six-sided container. In one embodiment, the container is made from a cardboard material. The container, however, can be manufactured using Any suitable material, and therefore not limited to a specific type of material. In alternative embodiments, the container is manufactured using corrugated cardboard, fiberboard, cardboard, featherboard, corrugated paper, and / or any suitable material known to those with technical experience and guided by the teachings provided herein. The container can have any suitable size, shape and / or configuration, if such sizes, shapes and / or configurations are described and / or illustrated herein. In addition, the different embodiments described herein may vary in size and / or dimensions. The container may also include drill lines for the removal of a portion of the container to display items for sale.

The present disclosure also provides an alternative embodiment of the machine for forming a container from a sheet material template assembly. The template assembly includes a tray template and a lid template that are coupled together to form a container, sometimes referred to as a Ready to Sell Package (RRP), which includes a tray portion and a lid portion. The container described herein is sometimes referred to as an eight-sided RRP container, although any number of sides of a container could be formed including, but not limited to, a four-sided or six-sided container. In one modality, the container It is made from cardboard material. The container, however, can be manufactured using any suitable material, and is therefore not limited to a specific type of material. In alternative embodiments, the container is manufactured using corrugated cardboard, fiberboard, cardboard, featherboard, corrugated paper, and / or any suitable material known to those with technical experience and guided by the teachings provided herein. The container may have any suitable size, shape, and / or configuration, if such sizes, shapes, and / or configurations are described and / or illustrated herein. In addition, different embodiments described herein may vary in size and / or dimensions. The container may also include perforation lines for the removal of a portion of the container to display items for sale.

In an exemplary embodiment, the container includes at least one annotation therein including, without limitation, indications communicating the product, a manufacturer of the product and / or a product vendor. For example, the annotation may include printed text that indicates a product name and briefly describes the product, logos and / or registered trademarks that indicate a manufacturer and / or vendor of the product, and / or designs and / or ornamentation that attracts attention. . "Printing," "printed," and / or any other form of "print" as used herein may include, although not limited to include, inkjet printing, laser printing, screen printing, giella, pen and ink, paint, offset lithography, flexography, relief printing, rotogravure, dye transfer, and / or any suitable printing technique known to the experts in art and guided by the teachings provided in this. In another embodiment, the container is empty of markings, such as, without limitation, indications communicating the product, a manufacturer of the product and / or a seller of the product.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 is an interior view of an exemplary embodiment of a substantially planar template 20 of sheet material. As shown in Figure 1, the template 20 includes a series of aligned wall panels and end panels connected together by a plurality of preformed, generally parallel, fold lines. Specifically, the wall panels include a first corner panel 22, a first side panel 24, a second corner panel 26, a first end panel 28, a third corner panel 30, a second side panel 32, a fourth panel 34 of corner, a second end panel 36, and a rubberized panel 38 connected in series along a plurality of fold lines 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, and 54. The first corner panel 22 extends from the first free edge 56 to the fold line 40, the first side panel 24 extends from the first panel 22 of corner along the fold line 40, the second corner panel 26 extends from the first side panel 24 along the fold line 42, the first end panel 28 extends from the second corner panel 26 to along the fold line 44, the third corner panel 30 extends from the first end panel 28 along the fold line 46, the second side panel 32 extends from the third corner panel 30 along of the fold line 48, the fourth corner panel 34 extends from the second side panel 32 along the fold line 50, the second end panel 36 extends from the fourth corner panel 34 along the fold line 52, and the rubberized panel 38 extends from the second end panel 36 along the fold line 54 to a second free edge 58.

A first upper side panel 60 and a first lower side panel 62 extend from opposite edges of the first side panel 24. More specifically, the first upper side panel 60 and the first lower side panel 62 extend from the first side panel 24 along a pair of opposite, generally parallel, preformed fold lines 64 and 66. Similarly, a second lower side panel 68 and a second upper side panel 70 extend from opposite edges of the second side panel 32. More specifically, the second lower side panel 68 and the second upper side panel 70 extend from the second lateral panel 32 along a pair of opposite preformed fold lines 72 and 74, generally parallel, respectively. The fold lines 64, 66, 72, and 74 are generally parallel to each other and generally perpendicular to the fold lines 40, 42, 48, and 50. The first lower side panel 62 and the first upper side panel 60 each have a width 76 taken along a central horizontal axis 78 of template 20 which is greater than a width 80 of the first side panel 24, also taken along of central horizontal axis 78. Similarly, the second lower side panel 68 and the second upper side panel 70 each have a width 76 that is greater than the width 80 of the second side panel 32, taken along the central horizontal axis 78.

The first lower side panel 62 and the first upper side panel 60 each include a free edge 82 or 84, respectively. Similarly, the second lower side panel 68 and the second upper side panel 70 each include a free edge 86 or 88, respectively. The lower side panels 62 and 68 and the upper side panels 60 and 70 each include opposite angled edge portions 90 and 92 that are each obliquely angled with respect to the lines 64, 66, 72, and / or 74 of respective bending. Although other angles may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, in a In this embodiment, the edge portions 90 and 92 are angled at approximately 45 ° with respect to the respective fold lines 64, 66, 72, and / or 74.

The size, shape and arrangement of the lower side panels 62 and 68 and upper side panels 60 and 70 as shown in Figure 1 and described in the above facilitates the formation of an octagonal container 200 having angled corners, an example of which is shown in Figures 2-4. More specifically, the size, shape and arrangement of the lower side panels 62 and 68 and the upper side panels 60 and 70 facilitate the formation of the container 200 having corner walls that are obliquely angled with respect to and interconnect the walls. laterals and end walls of the container 200 formed.

As shown in Figure 1, a first upper end panel 94 and a first lower end panel 96 extend from opposite edges of the first end panel 28. More specifically, the first upper end panel 94 and first lower end panel 96 extend from the first end panel 28 along a pair of opposed, generally parallel, preformed fold lines 98 and 100, respectively. Similarly, a second lower end panel 102 and a second upper end panel 104 extend from the opposite edges of the second panel 36. extreme. More specifically, the second lower end panel 102 and the second upper end panel 104 extend from the second end panel 36 along a pair of opposite, generally parallel, preformed bend lines 106 and 108, respectively. The fold lines 98, 100, 106, and 108 are generally parallel to each other and generally perpendicular to the fold lines 44, 46, 52, and 54. The first lower end panel 96 and the first upper end panel 94 each have a width 110 taken along the central horizontal axis 78 of the jig 20 which is substantially equal to a width 112 of the first end panel 28, also taken as long axis 78 horizontal .central. Similarly, the second lower end panel 102 and the second upper end panel 104 each have a width 110 that is greater than the width 112 of the second end panel 36, taken along the central horizontal axis 78.

The first lower end panel 96 and the first upper end panel 94 each include a free edge 114 or 116, respectively. Similarly, the second lower end panel 102 and the second upper end panel 104 each include a free edge 118 or 120, respectively. The lower end panels 96 and 102 and the upper end panels 94 and 104 each include opposite side edge portions 122 and 124 which are each substantially parallel with respect to the lines 44, 46, 52, and / or 54 of fold. Although other angles may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, in one embodiment, the side edge portions 122 and 124 are angled at approximately 180 ° with respect to the lines 44, 46, 52, and / or 54 of respective fold.

As a result of the above exemplary embodiment of the template 20, a manufacturing joint, a lower wall of the container, and an upper wall of the container formed therefrom can be closed securely so that various products can be contained safely inside a formed container. Therefore, less material can be used to make the template 20 having adequate strength for the construction of a container that can contain various loads.

As will be described in the following in more detail with reference to Figures 5-43, the template 20 is intended to form a container 200 as shown in Figures 2-4 when folding and / or securing the panels 22, 24, 26 , 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, and / or 38 (shown in Figure 1) and lower panels 62, 68, 96, and / or 102 (shown in Figure 1). Of course, the templates having different shapes, sizes, and configurations than the template 20 described and illustrated herein may be used to form the container 200 shown in Figures 2-4 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, the machine and the Processes described herein may be used to form a variety of different shaped and sized containers, and is not limited to the template 20 shown in Figure 1 and / or the container 200 shown in Figures 2-4.

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary container 200, which is assembled and in an open configuration, which can be formed from the template 20 (shown in Figure 1). Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the container 200 in a closed configuration. Figure 4 illustrates an aerial cross-sectional view of the container 200. With reference to Figures 1-4, in the exemplary embodiment, the container 200 includes a plurality of walls defining a cavity 202. More specifically, the container 200 includes a first corner wall 204, a first side wall 206, a second corner wall 208, a first end wall 210, a third corner wall 212, a second side wall 214, a fourth corner wall 216, and a second wall 218 extreme The first corner wall 204 includes the first corner panel 22 and the gummed panel 38, the first side wall 206 includes a first side panel 24, a second corner wall 208 includes the second corner panel 26, the first end wall 210 includes the first end panel 28, the third corner wall 212 includes the third corner panel 30, the second side wall 214 includes the second side panel 32, the fourth wall Corner 216 includes the fourth corner panel 34, and the second end wall 218 includes the second end panel 36, as described in more detail in the following. Each wall 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 216, and 218 has a height 220. Although each wall may have a different height without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, in the embodiment shown in Figures 1-4 , each wall 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 216, and 218 have substantially the same height 220.

In the exemplary embodiment, the first corner wall 204 connects the first side wall 206 to the second end wall 218, the second corner wall 208 connects the first side wall 206 to the first end wall 210, the third corner wall 212 connects the first end wall 210 to the second side wall 214, and the fourth corner wall 216 connects the second side wall 214 to the second end wall 218. In addition, the lower panels 62, 68, 96, and 102 form a lower wall 222 of the container 200, and upper panels 60, 70, 94, and 104 form an upper wall 224 of the container 200. Although the container 200 may have other orientations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, in the embodiments shown in Figures 2-4, the end walls 210 and 218 are substantially parallel to each other, the side walls 206 and 214 are substantially parallel to each other, the first wall 204 of corner and third corner wall 212 are substantially parallel to each other, and second corner wall 208 and fourth corner wall 216 are substantially parallel to each other. The corner walls 204, 208, 212, and 216 are obliquely angled with respect to the walls 206, 210, 214, and 218 interconnected to form angled corners of the container 200.

The lower panels 62, 68, 96, and 102 each are oriented generally perpendicular to the walls 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 216, and 218 to form the lower wall 222. More specifically, the lower end panels 96 and 102 are folded under / in the lower side panels 62 and 68. Similarly, in a fully closed position (shown in Figure 3), the upper panels 60, 70, 94, and 104 are each oriented generally perpendicular to the walls 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 216 , and 218 to form the upper wall 224. Although the container 200 can be secured together using any suitable fastener in any suitable location in the container 200 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, in one embodiment, the adhesive (not shown) is applied to an interior surface and / or a surface exterior of the first corner panel 22 and / or the panel 38 gummed to form the first corner wall 204. In one embodiment, adhesive may also be applied to the outer surfaces of panels 96 and / or 102 lower ends and / or lower side panels 62 and / or 68 to secure lower side panels 62 and / or 68 to panels 96 and / or 102 lower ends. As a result of the above exemplary embodiment of the container 200, the manufacturing gasket, lower wall 222, and / or the upper wall 224 can be closed securely so that various products can be contained safely within the container 200. therefore, less material can be used to make a container 200 more resistant.

Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary machine 1000 for forming a container, such as the container 200 (shown in Figures 2-4) from a sheet material template, such as the template 20 (shown in Figure 1). Figure 6 illustrates a further perspective view of the machine 1000. The machine 1000 will be discussed later with reference to the formation of the corrugated container 200 of the template 20; however, the machine 1000 can be used to form a box or any other container having any size, shape, and / or configuration from a template having any size, shape, and / or configuration without departing from the scope of this description.

As shown in Figures 5-6, the machine 1000 includes a cartridge feeding section 1100, a vacuum transfer section 1200, a section 1300 of pre-bent with mandrel, a mandrel wrapping section 1400, and an output section 1500, each positioned with respect to and / or coupled to a frame 1002. As shown in Figures 7-8, a control system 1004 it is coupled in operational control communication with one or more components of the machine 1000. The cartridge feeding section 1100 is placed at an end 1006 upstream of the machine 1000 with respect to a template forming the path direction indicated by a arrow X. The vacuum transfer section 1200 is placed downstream of the cartridge feed section 1100 in the template forming the path direction X. In addition, the mandrel pre-bent section 1300 is placed downstream of the vacuum transfer section 1200 in the template forming the path direction X, the mandrel wrap section 1400 is placed downstream of the pre-bend section 1300 with mandrel in the template forming the path direction X, and the output section 1500 is placed at a downstream end 1008 of the machine 1000 and downstream of the wrapping section 1400 of the mandrel in the template forming the X direction of trajectory.

The machine 1000 also includes a mandrel assembly, indicated generally at 1600, mounted on the frame 1002. The mandrel assembly 1600 extends from the section 1300 pre-bent with mandrel to wrap section 1400 of the mandrel, and includes a first or pre-bend mandrel 1602 and a second mandrel 1604 positioned downstream of the first mandrel 1602.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the machine 1000 also includes a plurality of protective panels 1010 coupled to the frame 1002. The protective panels 1010 are omitted from Figures 5 and 6 for illustration. Also, certain elements of the machine 1000 are omitted from Figures 7 and 8 for illustration. The protective panels 1010 prevent external objects from interfering with the operation of the machine 1000. The protective panels 1010 may be made of plastic, glass, and / or any suitable material that facilitates the protective components of the machine 1000. In the exemplary embodiment , the protective panels 1010 are substantially transparent, allowing an operator to visually monitor the operation of the machine 1000.

Figures 9-22 illustrate various portions and perspectives of the cartridge feeding section 1100, as well as the vacuum transfer section 1200, the mandrel pre-bend section 1300, and the mandrel assembly 1600.

With reference to Figures 9-11, in the exemplary embodiment, the cartridge feeding section 1100 includes a plurality of independently driven cartridge units 1102 and 1104 to receive a plurality of templates 20. The units 1102 and 1104 of the cartridge were adjustably mounted to the rail system 1106 such that a distance between the units 1102 and 1104 of the cartridge can be adjusted to accommodate the templates having different sizes and / or shapes.

Each cartridge unit 1102 and 1104 is operatively coupled to a template alignment device 1108 configured to align the templates 20 at one end 1110 downstream of the cartridge feed section 1100. More specifically, the template alignment devices 1108 are configured to independently drive the cartridge units 1102 and 1104 until a template 20 is aligned at the end 1110 downstream of the cartridge feed section 1100. In the exemplary embodiment, each jig alignment device 1108 includes a linear actuator 1112 pivotally coupled to a crankshaft wheel 1114 configured to drive a unit 1102 or 1104 of the cartridge with actuation of the linear actuator 1112. The linear actuator 1112 is operatively coupled to a template detecting device 1116 that controls the operation of the linear actuator 1112 depending on whether one or more panels of a template 20 are placed and / or aligned at one end 1110 downstream of the 1100 section cartridge feed. More specifically, the template detection device 1116 is configured to intermittently or continuously actuating the linear actuator 1112, and thereby actuating the cartridge unit 1102 or 1104, until one or more panels of the template 20 are placed and / or aligned with the template detecting device 1116 at one end 1110 downstream of the cartridge feed section 1100.

In the exemplary embodiment, the template detecting device 1116 includes a switch 1118 and a switch coupling device 1120 configured to turn the switch on and off. The switch 1118 is operatively coupled to the linear actuator 1112 such that when the switch 1118 is in an off position, the linear actuator 1112 is not actuated, and when the switch 1118 is in a lit position, the linear actuator 1112 acts intermittently or continuously until switch 1118 turns off. The switch coupling device 1120 includes an arm 1122 rotatably coupled to a cartridge unit 1102 or 1104 by a pin 1124, and two fingers 1126 extending from the pin 1124 at an oblique angle with respect to the arm 1122. The arm 1122 is configured to engage and disengage switch 1118, and therefore turn switch 118 off and on. Fingers 1126 are placed on opposite sides of cartridge unit 1102 and 1104, and include tips 1128 configured to engage one more template panels 20 when the template is at an end 1110 downstream of the cartridge feeding section 1110. When one or more tips 1128 of a switch coupling device 1120 are not coupled by a panel of the template 20, the switch coupling device 1120 is in a first low position (not shown) in which the arm 1122 couples switch 1118, and keeps switch 1118 in a lit position. The linear actuator 1112 operates intermittently or continuously, whereby a corresponding cartridge unit 1101 or 1104 is intermittently or continuously operated until the switch 1118 is turned off. When all the tips 1128 of a switch coupling device 1120 are coupled by one or more panels of the jig 20, the switch coupling device 1120 is turned upward to a second up position (shown in Figure 9) in the which arm 1122 is decoupled from switch 1118. Switch 1118 therefore shuts off, and activation of linear actuator 1112 ceases.

The templates 20 are loaded and / or oriented in the cartridge feeding section 1100 in any manner that allows the operation of the machine 1000 as described herein. In the exemplary embodiment, the templates 20 are loaded substantially and vertically into the cartridge feeding section 1100. After the templates 20 are loaded into the cartridge units 1102 and 1104, a package of The templates 20 are transported in the manner described above, in the direction X of the template formation path, from the cartridge feed section 1100 to the vacuum transfer section 1200.

In the exemplary embodiment, the cartridge feeding section 1100 also includes a cartridge alignment panel 1130 and a template guide 1132, also configured to maintain the alignment of the templates 20 within the cartridge feeding section 1100, and a plurality of rollers 1134 (shown in Figure 11) positioned at a downstream end of the cartridge feeding section 1100. The rollers 1134 are configured to align and / or guide the panels of the template 20 when the template 20 is transferred from the cartridge feeding section 1100 to the mandrel pre-bend section 1300. The rollers 1134 are aligned with one or more panels of a template 20, and are configured to rotate as a template 20 is pulled by the vacuum transfer section 1200 from the cartridge feed section 1100.

As shown in Figures 11-15, the vacuum transfer section 1200 includes a pick and place assembly 1202 (generally, a transfer assembly) configured to place a flat template 20 on top of the first mandrel 1602. More specifically, the pick up and drop assembly 1202 includes actuators 1204 linearly coupled to the arms 1206 which, in turn, are pivotally coupled to a collection bar 1208. A plurality of collection arms 1210 are mounted to collection bar 1208, and a vacuum suction cup 1212 is fixedly attached to each collection arm 1210. The suction cups 1212 are configured to retrieve a simple template 20 from the plurality of templates 20 placed within the cartridge feeding section 1100. The suction cups 1212 include independent vacuum generators (not shown) to provide suction for connecting the suction cups 1212 to the individual templates 20. In an alternative embodiment, the suction cups 1212 are connected to a centralized vacuum generator, which provides the vacuum for the suction cups 1212 to connect to a template 20. In the exemplary embodiment, the linear actuators 1204 are drive cylinders having pneumatic transition between a first extended position (shown in Figure 11) and a second retracted position (shown in Figure 15).

An angled guide bar 1214 is fixedly coupled to the pick-up bar 1208 at a first end 1216 of the angled guide bar 1214, and slidably and rotatably coupled to a pivot guide assembly 1218 at a second end 1220 of the bar 1214 angle guide. The guide bar 1214 angled and the pivot guide assembly 1218 is operatively coupled together so that the actuation of the linear actuators 1204 causes the pickup bar 1208 to pivot and / or rotate a desired amount such that the jig 20 coupled to the vacuum transfer section 1200 is aligned in one position horizontal generally flat (shown in Figure 15) in the first mandrel 1602. The pivot guide assembly 1218 includes a pivot guide assembly 1222 fixedly attached to the frame 1002, and one or more pivot guides 1224 configured to engage slidable and Rotary bar 1214 angled guide. In the exemplary embodiment, the angled guide bar 1214 is an L-bracket, and the pivot guides 1224 are rollers placed on opposite sides of a leg of the L-bracket.

In operation, the linear actuators 1204 are operated and / or controlled in position of the suction cups 1212 to facilitate collection of a template 20 from the cartridge feeding section 1100 and transfer the template 20 through the transfer section 1200 vacuum to section 1300 pre-bent with mandrel. The linear actuators 1204 are operated in the first position (shown in Figure 11), causing the suction cups 1212 to sealably couple a template 20 within the cartridge feeding section 1100. The linear actuators 1204 are then operated in the second position (shown in Figure 15), causing the arms 1206 rotate in a first direction (generally, downward or in a counterclockwise direction) indicated by arrow 1126, which in turn causes the guide bar 1214 at an angle to slide and pivotally engage assembly 1218 pivot guide, which in turn causes selection bar 1208 and collection arms 1210 to rotate in a second direction (generally up or clockwise) indicated by arrow 1228, generally opposite the first address. The general movement of the collection bar 1208 and the collection arms 1210 move along an arc in a first direction 1226 generally counter-clockwise while rotating in a second direction 1228 generally clockwise. opposite the first direction 1226. The suction cups 1212 follow the general movement of the collection arms 1210, and release the template 20 in the pre-bend section 1300 with mandrel. Once the template 20 is released, the direction of the linear actuators 1204 is reversed to move the suction cups 1212 to their original position to collect the next template 20. The pick and place assembly 1202 can include any suitable structure and / or means that can be used to connect to the template 20 and transfer the template 20 from the cartridge feeding section 1100 to the mandrel pre-bend section 1300 without depart from the scope of the present description.

Referring now to Figures 11 and 15-22, the templates 20 are received in the mandrel pre-bend section 1300 of the vacuum transfer section 1200. The mandrel pre-bend section 1300 includes the first mandrel 1602, a pre-bend assembly 1302, and a transfer assembly 1304. The mandrel pre-bend section 1300 is configured to partially form the container 200 by folding a first portion of the template 20 about the first mandrel 1602.

As shown in Figures 16-17, the first mandrel 1602 has an external shape that is complementary to an internal shape of a first portion of the container 200 that is formed in the mandrel pre-bend section 1300. More specifically, the first mandrel 1602 includes adjustable plates 1606 and 1608 and plates 1610 and 1612 with miter each having a plurality of faces 1614, 1616, 1618, 1620, 1622, 1624, 1626, and 1628 corresponding substantially to at least part of the panels in the template 20.

In the exemplary embodiment, the miter plates 1610 and 1612 include the faces 1614 and 1616 at an angle obliquely angled to the side faces 1618 and 1620, respectively. The angled faces 1614 and 1616 correspond substantially to the third corner panel 30 and the fourth corner panel 34, respectively, and faces 1618 and 1620 laterals correspond substantially to the first and second end panels 28 and 36, respectively. In the exemplary embodiment, each miter plate 1610 and 1612 also includes a top face 1622 and 1624 obliquely angled with respect to the angled faces 1614 and 1616, respectively. The template 20 is placed on the upper faces 1622 and 1624 when the template 20 is transferred from the cartridge feeding section 1100 to the mandrel pre-bend section 1300. Therefore, it will be understood that the widths of the top faces 1622 and 1624 may vary depending on the size and / or shape of the jig 20, and the widths of the top faces 1622 and 1624 are not limited to the relatively narrow widths illustrated in Figure 17 The miter plates 1610 and 1612 are independently mounted to the adjustable plates 1606 and 1608 in such a way that the miter plates 1610 and 1612 can be interchanged with plates having different sizes and / or shapes such that the first mandrel 1602 it can be configured to accommodate templates of sizes and / or variable shapes (for example a template to form the four-sided container). For example, in embodiments where the machine 1000 is used to form a four-sided container, the angled faces 1614 and 1616 of the miter plates 1610 and 1612 can be omitted, and the miter plates 1610 and 1612 can include only the side faces 1618 and 1620 and faces 1622 and 1624 higher oriented approximately 90 degrees with respect to each other. The miter plates 1610 and 1612 are constructed of low friction wear resistant plastic to facilitate transferring the templates 20 from the first mandrel 1602 to the second mandrel 1604. It will be understood, however, that the miter plates 1610 and 1612 can be constructed of any suitable material that allows the machine 1000 to operate as described herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, the adjustable plates 1606 and 1608 also include the side faces 1626 and 1628 that correspond substantially to at least one of the panels in the template 20. More specifically, the side faces 1626 and 1628 of the adjustable plates 1606 and 1608 correspond to the first and second end panels 28 and 36, respectively. Alternatively, the adjustable plates 1606 and 1608 do not include the side faces that correspond substantially to any of the panels in the template 20.

The adjustable plates 1606 and 1608 are operatively coupled to an adjustment device 1630 (shown in Figure 21) configured to adjust a distance between the plates 1606 and 1608 adjustable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the X direction, referred to as the cross direction and indicated by an arrow Y (shown in Figure 21). The adjustable plates 1606 and 1608 are therefore configured to be adjusted to accommodate the templates of sizes and / or variable shapes. The adjustable plates 1606 and 1608 are also slidably mounted to a rail system 1632 extending in the transverse direction, to facilitate adjustment of the adjustable plates 1606 and 1608. In the exemplary embodiment, the adjustment device 1630 is a crankshaft configured to fit the plates 1606 and 1608 by a threaded connection with a nut mounted to the adjustable plates 1606 and 1608. Also in the exemplary embodiment, the adjustable plate 1608 is fixed and only the adjustable plate 1606 can be moved in the transverse direction using the adjustment device 1630.

Although the faces 1614, 1616, 1618, 1620, 1622, 1624, 1626, and 1628 of the first mandrel 1602 are described with reference to the plates 1606, 1608, 1610, and 1612, it will be understood that any of the first faces 1614, 1616, 1618, 1620, 1622, 1624, 1626 and 1628 may be incorporated into solid plates, frames, plates including openings defined therein, and / or any other suitable component that provides a face and / or surface configured to allow a container to be form at least partially of a template as described herein.

Figures 11, 15 and 18-19 illustrate various portions and perspectives of the pre-bend assembly 1302. The pre-bend assembly 1302 is configured to bend a first portion of the template 20 down and around the first mandrel 1602 while the template 20 is positioned within the pre-bend section 1300 and / or adjacent the first mandrel 1602. In the exemplary embodiment, the pre-bend assembly 1302 is also at least partially configured by separating the suction cups 1212 to the vacuum of the template 20 after the template 20 is placed in the pre-bend section 1300 with mandrel.

The pre-bend assembly 1302 includes the bending fingers 1306 and 1308 (generally, rods) adjustably coupled to an arm 1310, which in turn, is rotatably mounted to the frame 1002. The arm 1310 is operatively coupled to an actuator 1312 linear which, when actuated, causes the arm 1310 to rotate, which in turn causes the folding fingers 1306 and 1308 to rotate toward and engage a surface that faces upwards from a corresponding panel of the template 20, bending consequently one or more panels of the template 20 around the first mandrel 1602.

In operation, the folding fingers 1306 and 1308 are initially placed in a generally raised first position (shown in Figures 15 and 18). After a template 20 is placed on the first mandrel 1602 by the vacuum transfer section 1200, the linear actuator 1312 is operated to rotate the arm 1310 and the folding fingers 1306 and 1308 in a second, generally lowered, position. (shown in figure 19). As the folding fingers 1306 and 1308 rotate towards the second position, the folding fingers 1306 and 1308 couple one more panels of the template 20 and fold the panels around a plate 1610 and 1612 with corresponding miter and / or plate 1606 and 1608 adjustable from the first mandrel 1602. In the exemplary embodiment, the pre-bend assembly 1302 and the folding fingers 1306 and 1308 are held in the second position while a pre-bend template 20 is transferred from the section 1300 of pre-bent with mandrel up to the mandrel wrapping section 1400 (described in more detail in the following) to maintain the alignment of the template 20 when the template 20 is transferred from the mandrel pre-bend section 1300 to the section 1400 of wrapping the mandrel. A sufficient amount of lateral space is maintained between the folding fingers 1306, the jig 20, and the faces 1618, 1620, 1626, and 1628 of the miter plates 1610 and 1612 and the adjustable plates 1606 and 1608 so that in the Template 20 can be transferred with minimal frictional drag. The pre-bend assembly 1302 is therefore also configured to guide a template 20 when it is transferred from the mandrel pre-bend section 1300 to the mandrel wrap section 1400. The linear actuator 1312 then reverses the direction and rotates the pre-bend assembly 1302 and the folding fingers 1306 and 1308 back to the first position for repeating the pre-bending procedure for a template 20 subsequently placed. In the exemplary embodiment, the vacuum transfer section 1200 transfers another template 20 to the mandrel pre-bend section 1300 after the pre-bend assembly 1302 is in the first position. In alternative embodiments, the vacuum transfer section 1200 may begin to transfer a template 20 to the pre-bend section 1300 with mandrel while the pre-bend assembly 1302 is rotated from the second position to the first position.

The folding fingers 1306 and 1308 can be adjusted along the length of the arm 1310 in such a manner that each bending finger 1306 and 1308 is aligned with a corresponding template panel 20. In the exemplary embodiment, the folding fingers 1306 and 1308 are separated by a distance greater than the width 76 of the side panels 24 and 32, and aligned with the end panels 28 and 36 of the template 20, respectively. The folding fingers 1306 and 1308 are accordingly configured to bend the end panels 28 and 36, respectively, around the first mandrel 1602 on the fold lines 46 and / or 48, and 50 and / or 52, respectively. In the exemplary embodiment, the folding fingers 1306 and 1308 are also configured to bend the corner panels 30 and 34, respectively, around the first mandrel 1602 on the fold lines 48 and 50, respectively. As such, in the exemplary mode, the first portion of the template 20 wrapped around the first mandrel 1602 includes the first end panel 28, the third corner panel 30, the second side panel 32, the fourth corner panel 34, and the second end panel 36.

The pre-bending mechanism also includes the retaining shoes 1314 and 1316 adjustably coupled to the arm 1310. The retaining shoes 1314 and 1316 are configured to prevent the template 20 from tilting or lifting out of the mandrel assembly 1600 when the fingers 1306 and 1308 of bending engage one or more panels of the insole 20. More specifically, the retaining shoes 1314 and 1316 are configured to rotate from a first raised position (shown in Figure 15) to a second lowered position (shown in FIG. FIG. 19) proximate one or more template panels 20. The retaining shoes 1314 and 1316 therefore prevent the template 20 from tilting or rising out of the mandrel assembly 1600 when the folding fingers 1306 and 1308 bend a first portion. of template 20 around first mandrel 1602.

With reference to Figures 16 and 20-21, the transfer assembly 1304 is configured to transfer a pre-bend template 20 from the mandrel pre-bend section 1300 to the wrapper section 1400 of the mandrel. More specifically, the transfer assembly 1304 is configured to transfer a pre-bend template (wherein the pre-folded insole is a partially formed container) from the first mandrel 1602 to the second mandrel 1604. The transfer assembly 1304 includes a push rod 1318 operatively coupled to a linear actuator 1320, and one or more thrust legs 1322 coupled to it. the push bar 1318. The thrust legs 1322 are slidably mounted to a guide rail 1324 extending in the X direction to facilitate linear movement of the thrust legs 1322. The push legs 1322 are removably coupled to the push rod 1318 and the guide rail 1324 in such a manner that the push legs 1322 can be interchanged with the push legs having different shapes and / or sizes to accommodate the templates that They have different shapes and / or sizes. In the exemplary embodiment, the transfer assembly 1304 is positioned within the mandrel assembly 1600, and, more particularly, within the first mandrel 1602 to decrease the necessary size of the machine 1000, and consequently reduce the overall occupied space of the machine 1000 The transfer assembly 1304 operates to move the templates 20 from the mandrel pre-bend section 1300 to the mandrel wrap section 1400. More specifically, the linear actuator 1320 drives the push rod 1318 in a direction parallel to the X direction, and causes the push legs 1322 to contact a rear edge 126 (shown in Figure 1) of a template 20 and push and / or slide the template 20 along the guide rails 1634, 1636, 1638 and / or 1640 (described in the following) to the wrapping section 1400 of the mandrel. The linear actuator 1320 then reverses the direction and moves the push rod 1318 in a direction opposite to the X direction to transfer the next template 20 of the mandrel pre-bend section 1300. In the exemplary embodiment, the transfer assembly 1304 includes a pusher leg 1322 configured to engage a rear edge 126 of the upper side panel 70. The alternative embodiments may include any suitable number of thrust legs 1322 configured to engage a trailing edge 126 of one or more upper panels 60, 70, 94, and 104.

With reference to Figures 16 and 22, the mandrel assembly 1600 includes the guide rails 1634, 1636, 1638 and 1640 to facilitate the transfer of the templates 20 from the pre-bend section with mandrel to the section 1400 of the mandrel. mandrel wrap. More specifically, the guide rails 1634, 1636, 1638 and 1640 are configured to maintain the alignment of the template 20 when the transfer assembly 1304 transfers the template 20 from the pre-bend section with mandrel to the section 1400 of the mandrel. mandrel wrap.

The guide rails 1634, 1636, 1638 and 1640 extend between a first mandrel 1602 and a second mandrel 1604 along the X direction. The guide rails 1634, 1636, 1638 and 1640 of the mandrel are configured to maintain the alignment of the template 20 when the template 20 is transferred between the section 1300 of pre-bent with mandrel and the section 1400 wrapping of the mandrel. More specifically, the mandrel guide rails 1634, 1636, 1638 and 1640 are generally aligned with one or more of the adjustable plates 1606 and 1608 and / or the miter plates 1610 and 1612, and include a plurality of faces 1642, 1644, 1646, 1648, 1650, 1652, 1654, 1656, and 1658 configured to a coupling of an interior surface of one or more panels of the template 20.

In the exemplary mode, Mandrel guide rails 1634, 1636, 1638, and 1640 include upper mandrel guide rails 1634 and 1636 and lower mandrel guide rails 1638 and 1640. The upper mandrel guide rails 1634 and 1636 are L-shaped rails oriented in opposite orientations with respect to each other. The upper mandrel guide rails 1634 and 1636 include upper faces 1642 and 1644, respectively, configured to engage an inner surface of the second side panel 32, and side faces 1646 and 1648 configured to engage the interior surfaces of the first end panel 28 and / or the third corner panel 30, and the second side panel 32 and / or fourth corner panel 34, respectively. The upper faces 1642 and 1644 are substantially coplanar with the upper faces 1622 and 1624 of the first mandrel 1602 in such a way that a jig 20 can slide from the first mandrel 1602 to the second mandrel 1604 along the guide rails 1634 and 1636 of the mandrel without the jig 20 being raised or moved out of the plane in the which is initially placed in the first mandrel 1602. The guide rail 1638 of the lower mandrel is also an L-shaped rail having a side face 1650 configured to engage an inner surface of the first end panel 28 and / or a second panel 26 of corner, and a lower face 1652 configured to engage an inner surface of the first side panel 24. The lower mandrel guide rail 1640 is a beveled L-shaped rail having a lower face 1654 configured to engage an inner surface of the first side panel 24, an angled face 1656 configured to engage an inner surface of the first corner panel 22 and / or the rubberized panel 38, and a side face 1658 configured to engage an interior surface of the second end panel 36 and / or the rubberized panel 38.

One or more faces 1642, 1644, 1646, 1648, 1650, 1652, 1654, 1656, and / or 1658 of the guide rails 1634, 1636, 1638, and 1640 can define or can be defined with one or more faces 1660, 1662, 1664, 1666, 1668, 1670, 1672, 1674, and / or 1676 of the second mandrel 1604, described in more detail in the following. In exemplary mode, the 1634, 1636, 1638, and 1640 mandrel guide rails are an extension of the second Mandrel extension 1604. In this manner, the faces 1644, 1642, 1646, 1650, 1652, 1654, 1656, 1658, and 1648 of the guide rails 1634, 1636, 1638, and 1640 are defined at least partially by faces 1660, 1662, 1664, 1666, 1668, 1670, 1672, 1674, and 1676 of the second mandrel 1604, respectively.

With reference to Figures 23 and 24, in the exemplary embodiment, an adhesive applicator assembly 1326 is positioned between the first mandrel 1602 and the second mandrel 1604, such as adjacent mandrel rails 1634, 1636, 1638, and 1640, for applying adhesive to the template 20 when the template 20 is transferred from the first mandrel 1602 to the second mandrel 1604. The adhesive applicator assembly 1326 includes a plurality of adhesive applicators 1328, shown as nozzles in the exemplary embodiment, configured to distribute and / or applying adhesive (not shown) for predetermined panels of the template 20 while the template 20 is transferred from the first mandrel 1602 to the second mandrel 1604. In the exemplary embodiment, the adhesive applicator assembly 1326 includes three applicators 1328 of adhesive, two of which are configured to apply adhesive to an interior surface of panels 96 and 102 bottom ends, and one of which is configured to Apply adhesive to an exterior surface of the rubberized panel 38.

The adhesive applicators 1328 engage in communication with a supply of adhesive (not shown), the which can be controlled by the control system 1004 (shown in Figure 7) to control a start time, a pattern, an end time, a bead length of adhesive, and / or any other suitable operations of the applicators 1328 of adhesive.

The adhesive applicator assembly 1326 is placed downstream of the mandrel pre-bend section 1300. As such, the adhesive applicators 1328 can apply adhesive to one or more stencil panels 20 although the panels are in a substantially vertical orientation (shown in Figure 19). As a result, the adhesive applicators 1328 can be configured to apply adhesive to one or more stencil panels 20 while the adhesive applicators 1328 are arranged in a substantially horizontal orientation (shown in Figures 23 and 24), thereby reducing the likelihood of the adhesive dripping or seeping again and seal the applicator 1328 of adhesive.

As shown in Figure 24, the adhesive applicator assembly 1326 also includes adhesive applicator guide rails 1330 configured to maintain alignment of a template 20 during the adhesive application process and / or when the template is transferred from the section 1300 pre-bent with mandrel to the 1400 wrapping section of the mandrel. The adhesive applicator guide rails 1330 are placed adjacent to rails 1634, 1636, 1638, and 1640 mandrel guide, adjustable plates 1606 and 1608, and / or plates 1610 and 1612 with miter, and extend along the X direction. In operation, the adhesive applicator guide rails 1330 couple an outer surface of one or more panels of the template 20, thereby maintaining the alignment of the template 20 against one or more of the rails 1634, 1636, 1638, and / or 1640 mandrel guide, adjustable plates 1606 and / or 1608, and / or plates 1610 and / or 1612 with miter. In the exemplary embodiment, the guide rails 1330 of the adhesive applicator are configured to engage an outer surface of the lower end panels 96 and 102, the end panels 28 and 36, and the upper end panels 94 and 104, when the template 20 transfers from the mandrel pre-bent section 1300 to the mandrel wrap section 1400. In additional and / or alternative embodiments, the machine 1000 can include guide rails substantially identical to the guide rails 1330 positioned along the mandrel assembly 1600 in any desired location. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the machine 1000 may include guide rails substantially identical to the guide rails 1330 positioned above the guide rails of the mandrel and configured to engage an outer surface of the second side panel 32.

Figures 25-43 illustrate various portions and perspectives of the wrapping section 1400 of the mandrel, as well as the output section 1500 and the assembly 1600 of the mandril. As discussed in the foregoing, the templates 20 are received in the mandrel wrapping section 1400 of the mandrel pre-bend section 1300 by the transfer assembly 1304. The wrapping section 1400 of the mandrel is configured to wrap one or more unfolded portions of the template 20 (generally referred to as a second portion of the template 20) around the second mandrel 1604, and to form a container 200 by securing one or more panels of the template 20 together.

The mandrel wrapping section 1400 includes a second mandrel 1604, a mandrel retainer assembly 1402, a wrap assembly 1404, a lower folder assembly 1406, a lower presser assembly 1408, and an ejector assembly 1410.

With reference to Figures 16 and 25-27, the second mandrel 1604 has an external shape complementary to an internal shape of a second container portion 200 that is formed in the wrapping section 1400 of the mandrel. More specifically, with reference to Figure 27, the second mandrel 1604 includes a plurality of faces 1660, 1662, 1664, 1666, 1668, 1670, 1672, 1674, and 1676 that substantially correspond to at least some of the panels in the template 20 In the exemplary embodiment, a second mandrel 1604 includes top faces 1660 and 1662 that substantially correspond to the second side panel 32, faces 1664 and 1666 laterals substantially corresponding to the first end panel 28, lower faces 1668 and 1670 substantially corresponding to the first side panel 24, a corner face 1672 corresponding substantially to a first corner panel 22 and / or a rubberized panel 38, and the side faces 1674 and 1676 which substantially correspond to the second end panel 36. The corner face 1672 (referred to interchangeably as the miter face) extends from the lower face 1670 at an oblique angle. Any of the faces of the mandrel can be solid plates, frames, plates including openings defined therein, and / or any other suitable component that provides a face and / or surface configured to allow a container to be formed from a template as described in this.

In the exemplary embodiment, a second mandrel 1604 is a two-piece mandrel. More specifically, a second mandrel 1604 includes two interchangeable mandrel plates 1678 and 1680 slidably mounted to the frame 1002 by a plurality of bolts (not shown). Mandrel plates 1678 and 1680 define faces 1660, 1662, 1664, 1666, 1668, 1670, 1672, 1674, and 1676 of second mandrel 1604. Specifically, faces 1662, 1664, 1666, 1668 are defined by plate 1678 of mandrel, and faces 1660, 1670, 1672, 1674, and 1676 are defined by mandrel plate 1680. The construction of two pieces of the second mandrel 1604 facilitates selectively adjusting the size and / or shape of the second mandrel 1604 to accommodate templates and containers of varying sizes and / or shapes (e.g., four- or six-sided containers).

As shown in Figure 16, the mandrel guide rails 1634, 1636, 1638, and 1640 are extensions of the mandrel plates 1678 and 1680. In this way, the faces 1660, 1662, 1664, 1666, 1668, 1670, 1672, 1674, and 1676 of the second mandrel 1604 define at least partially faces 1644, 1642, 1646, 1650, 1652, 1654, 1656, 1658, and 1648 of the 1634, 1636, 1638, and 1640 guideways of the mandrel, respectively.

In the exemplary embodiment, the mandrel plates 1678 and 1680 are constructed of the same low friction wear resistant plastic that the miter plates 1610 and 1612 are constructed from the templates 20 to facilitate transfer from the first mandrel 1602 to the mandrel. second mandrel 1604. It will be understood, however, that the mandrel plates 1678 and 1680 can be constructed from any suitable material that allows the machine 1000 to operate as described herein.

With reference to Figures 25 and 28-29, the mandrel retainer assembly 1402 is configured to secure a template 20 between the second mandrel 1604 and the mandrel retainer assembly 1402 while one or more unfolded portions of the template 20 they wrap around second mandrel 1604. More specifically, mandrel retainer assembly 1402 includes a tool 1412 on the plate having an interior surface configured complementary to one or more faces 1660, 1662, 1664, 1666, 1668, 1670, 1672, 1674, and or 1676 of the second mandrel 1604. The tool 1412 on the plate is operatively coupled to a linear actuator 1414 configured to move the tool 1412 on the plate from a first generally raised position (shown in Figure 28) vertically down to a second one. generally lowered position (shown in Figure 29). As shown in Figure 29, when the tool 1412 on the plate is in the second position, the inner surface of the tool 1412 on the plate engages one or more panels of the template 20, and consequently secures the template 20 between the second mandrel 1604 and the tool 1412 on the plate. In the exemplary embodiment, the tool 1412 on the plate includes side lock panels 1490 and 1492 and the miter bars 1494 and 1496 (also seen in Figure 42) configured to couple the first end panel 28 and the second end panel 36, and the third corner panel 30 and the fourth corner panel 34, respectively. The side lock panels 1490 and 1492 are obliquely angled towards each other in such a way that when the tool 1412 on the plate moves to the second position, the side lock panels 1490 and 1492 press the first end panel 28 and second end panel 36 against second mandrel 1604, and cause third corner panel 30 and fourth corner panel 34 to align with bars 1494 and 1496 with miter before bars 1494 and 1496 with miter coupling the third corner panel 30 and the fourth corner panel 34. The tool 1412 on the plate is removably engaged within the mandrel retainer assembly 1402 in such a way that the tool 1412 on the plate can be interchanged with the tools on the plate having different size interior surfaces and / or shapes to accommodate the templates of sizes and / or variable shapes. In addition, the miter bars 1494 and 1496 are removably engaged within the tool 1412 on the plate in such a way that the miter bars 1494 and 1496 can be removed selectively (e.g., when a container is formed without corner panels or with a miter ).

In operation, the tool 1412 on the plate is initially placed in the first raised position when a jig 20 is transferred from the pre-bent mandrel section 1300 to the mandrel wrap section 1400. After the jig stops within the mandrel wrapping section 1400, the linear actuator 1414 drives, thereby moving the tool 1412 on the plate vertically downward from the first position to the second position. The tool 1412 on the plate is held in the second position while a second portion of the template 20 is wrapped around the second mandrel 1604 and / or while the container 200 is formed. After the second template portion 20 is wrapped around the second mandrel 1604 and before the ejector assembly 1410 expels the container 200 formed from the wrapping section 1400 of the mandrel (described in the following), the linear actuator 1414 reverses the direction and raise the tool 1412 on the plate from the second position to the first position. In the exemplary embodiment, the tool 1412 on the plate rises after a manufacturing joint is formed and before the lower wall 222 of the container 200 is formed.

With reference to Figures 25-26 and 30-37, the wrap assembly 1404 is positioned adjacent the second mandrel 1604, and is configured to wrap one or more unwrapped portions of the template 20 under and / or around the second mandrel 1604. Assembly 1404 enclosure includes a lower bending assembly 1416, a gummed panel bending assembly 1418, and a gummed panel presser assembly 1420.

As shown in Figures 30-31, the lower bending assembly 1416 includes a rotary transmission mechanism 1422 and a bending arm 1424 having the first and second opposite ends 1426 and 1428, a coupling rod 1430 disposed at the first end 1426, quadrature rods 1432 disposed between the first and second ends 1426 and 1428, and the miter bars 1434 disposed between the first and second ends 1426 and 1428. The bending arm 1424 and the rotary transmission mechanism 1422 are configured to wrap a second portion of stencil 20 about the second mandrel 1604. More specifically, the coupling rod 1430 is configured to contact a second portion of a template 20 partially bent with the template 20 wrapped around the second mandrel 1604 when the bending arm 1424 is rotated by the rotary transmission mechanism 1422. In the exemplary embodiment, the coupling bar 1430 is configured to make contact with one or more of the first side panel 24 and / or the first corner panel 22. The miter bars 1434 are configured to contact the second corner panel 26 to place the second corner panel 26 adjacent and / or against the side face 1666 and / or the lower face 1668 of the second mandrel 1604 when the arm 1424 of bent is rotated by the rotary transmission mechanism 1422. The quadrature bar 1432 is configured to make contact with the first end panel 28 adjacent the fold line 44 to facilitate alignment and bending of the panels 26 and 28 against the second mandrel 1604 as the second template portion 20 is wrapped around the second mandrel 1604. One or more of the bending arm 1424, the coupling rod 1430, the quadrature rod 1432, and / or the bars 1434 with Miter can be removably engaged within the lower bending assembly 1416 in such a manner that the lower bending assembly components 1416 can be interchanged with other components to accommodate templates of varying sizes and / or shapes. In addition, the position of the coupling rod 1430, the quadrature rod 1432, and / or the miter bar 1434 can be adjusted with respect to each other and / or with respect to the ends 1426 and 1428 of the bending arm 1424 for accommodate templates of varying sizes and / or shapes.

The bending arm 1424 is coupled to the rotating drive mechanism 1422 at the second end 1428 such that the operation of the rotary drive mechanism 1422 causes the bending arm 1424 to rotate toward and / or away from the lower faces 1668 of the second. mandrel 1604. In the exemplary embodiment, the rotary transmission mechanism 1422 is a rack and pinion transmission system that includes a pinion gear 1436 operatively coupled to a rack 1438, which is in turn operatively coupled to a rack. 1440 linear actuator (for example, a pneumatic cylinder).

Lower bending assembly 1416 is mounted to a bidirectional positioning system 1442 configured to allow manual adjustment of the position of lower bending assembly 1416 with respect to a second mandrel 1604. Bidirectional positioning system 1442 is configured to allow movement of the lower bending assembly 1416 in a plane substantially perpendicular to the X direction, defined by the transverse Y direction and a vertical direction indicated by an arrow Z. That is, the bidirectional positioning system 1442 allows the lower bending assembly 1416 to be move laterally towards and away from one or more sides 1664, 1666, 1674 and / or 1676 laterally, and up and down with respect to second mandrel 1604.

In operation, the bending arm 1424 is initially placed in a generally low first position (shown in Figures 25 and 26). After a jig 20 is placed on the second mandrel 1604, the rotary drive mechanism 1422 activates and rotates the bending arm 1424 toward the lower faces 1668 and 1670 of the second mandrel 1604 in a second generally upward position (shown in FIG. Figure 32). When the bending arm 1424 rotates toward the lower faces 1668 and 1670, the coupling rod 1430 contacts the second template portion, and doubles the second portion on the second mandrel 1604 until one or more template panels 20 is adjacent and / or against a face corresponding to the face of the second mandrel 1604. Also, when the folding arm 1424 rotates to the second position, the bar 1432 of quadrature and bar 1434 with miter make contact with an end panel and a corner of the jig 20, respectively, and the position of the end panel and the adjacent corner panel and / or against the side 1666 and the bottom face 1668 of the second mandrel 1604, respectively. The rotary transmission mechanism 1422 then reverses the direction and rotates the bending arm 1424 back to the first position to repeat the lower bending process by the subsequent templates 20. In the exemplary embodiment, the bending arm 1424 is held in the second position while a gummed panel bead fabrication joint and the gummed panel presser assembly 1420 is described in more detail in the following.

In the exemplary embodiment, the bending arm 1424 also includes a stop 1488. The stop 1488 is configured to stop movement of the jig 20 in the X direction resulting from the transfer assembly operation 1304. More specifically, the stop 1488 is configured to engage a leading edge 128 (shown in Figure 1) of one or more panels 62, 68, 96 and / or 102 lower stops to stop movement of the jig 20 in the X direction. The stop 1488 is positioned adjacent the wrap section 1400 of the mandrel such that the jig 20 stops within the wrap section 1400 of the mandrel. In the exemplary embodiment, the stop 1488 is a fixed bar. The stop 1488 is configured to engage a leading edge 128 of a panel, such as the first lower side panel 62, which is subsequently wrapped around the second mandrel 1604 such that the stop 1488 does not impede the movement of the template 20 in the direction X after the template 20 is wrapped around the second mandrel 1604 in the wrapping section 1400 of the mandrel. In alternative embodiments, the stop 1488 may be capable of retracting from a first extended position to a second retracted position. In such embodiments, the stop 1488 can initially be placed in the first extended position to stop a template 20 when the template 20 moves in the X direction. Once the stop 1488 stops the template 20, the stop can be retracted to the second position. retracted to allow the template 20 to move in the X direction after the template 20 is wrapped around the second mandrel 1604 in the wrapping section 1400 of the mandrel. In still further alternative embodiments, the stop 1488 may be operable to move between the first position and the second position by any suitable means (eg, rotation) which allows the stop 1488 to operate as described herein. In still further alternative embodiments, the stop 1488 may be included within the transfer assembly 1304.

With reference to Figures 25-26 and 33-37, the gummed panel folder assembly 1418 and gummed panel presser assembly 1420 are configured to fold a second template portion 20 about the second mandrel 1604, and form a gasket. container 200 of the manufacturer. In this way, the gummed panel folder assembly 1418 and the gummed panel presser assembly 1420 are positioned opposite the lower bending assembly 1416 with respect to the second mandrel 1604. In the exemplary embodiment, the gummed panel folder assembly 1418 and the rubberized panel presser assembly 1420 are positioned adjacent the corner face 1672 of the second mandrel 1604.

The rubberized panel folding assembly 1418 includes an angled plate 1444 having a face 1446 substantially parallel to the corner face 1672 of the second mandrel 1604. The angled plate 1444 is operatively coupled to a linear actuator 1448 by the plate 1450 of assembly that moves the plate 1444 at an angle toward and away from the second mandrel 1604. The plate 1444 at an angle is configured to contact and / or bend the rubberized panel 38 during the formation of the container 200. In the exemplary embodiment, the angled plate 1444 is configured to rotate the panel 38 gummed around the fold line 54 toward and / or in contact with the corner face 1672. The panel-rubberized presser assembly 1420 includes a presser plate 1452 having a pressing surface 1454 substantially parallel to the corner face 1672 of the second mandrel 1604. The presser plate 1452 is coupled to a linear actuator 1456 by a plate 1858 of assembly that moves the press plate 1452 towards and away from the second mandrel 1604. The press plate 1452 is configured to contact and / or bend the first corner panel 22 and / or the panel 38 gummed to form the container 200. In the exemplary embodiment, the press plate 1452 is configured to press the first corner panel 22 and the panel 38 gummed together against the corner face 1672 of the second mandrel 1604 to form a manufacturing joint in the first corner wall 204 of the container 200.

The gummed panel folder assembly 1418 and the gummed panel presser assembly 1420 each adjustably engage a rail system 1460 such that the gummed panel folder assembly 1418 and the panel presser assembly 1420 gummed can be adjusted in the vertical Z direction to accommodate the templates that have different sizes and / or shapes.

In operation, the angled plate 1444 and the press plate 1452 are each initially placed in a respective first position (shown in Figure 35). When the bending arm 1424 is rotated by the rotary transmission mechanism 1422 and the second template portion 20 is bent around the second mandrel 1604, the linear actuator 1448 moves the plate 1444 at an angle from the first position to the corner face 1672 of the second mandrel 1604 and in a second position (shown in Figure 36). When the angled plate 1444 moves to the second position, the angled face 1446 makes contact with a corner panel of the template 20 and places the corner panel adjacent and / or in contact with the corner face 1672. In the exemplary embodiment, the angled plate 1444 contacts and bends the first corner panel 22 around the second mandrel 1604 about the fold line 40.

Although the angled plate 1444 is in the second position, the linear actuator 1456 activates and starts to move the press plate 1452 from the first position towards the corner face 1672 of the second mandrel 1604 and in a second position (shown in the Figure 37). When the press plate 1452 moves to the second position, the linear actuator 1448 reverses the direction and the plate 1444 moves at an angle from the second position again the first position. Also, when the press plate 1452 moves to the second position, the press plate 1452 makes contact with a corner panel of the template 20 and presses the corner panel together with another corner panel of the template 20 against the side 1672 of corner of second mandrel 1604.

In the exemplary embodiment, the press plate 1452 contacts and bends the panel 38 gummed around the second mandrel 1604 on the fold line 54. The press plate 1452 presses the first corner panel 22 and the panel 38 gummed together against the corner face 1672 of the second mandrel 1604. The press plate 1452 is held against the panels 22 and 38 for a period and / or duration of time predetermined to ensure that the adhesive joins the panels 22 and 38. Accordingly, the lower bending assembly 1416, the gummed panel bending assembly 1418, and the gummed panel presser assembly 1420 cooperate to bend the template 20 along the length of the fold lines 40, 42, 44, and 54 to form the container 200.

With reference to Figures 25-26 and 35-40, the lower folder assembly 1406 is placed downstream of the second mandrel 1604, and is configured to fold one or more lower panels 62, 68, 96 and / or 102 of the template twenty on the second mandrel 1604. The lower folder assembly 1406 includes a pair of side panel conical arms 1462 and 1464 configured to bend a lower side panel 62 or 68 of the template 20 on the second mandrel 1604, and a pair of arms 1466 and 1468 end panel conics configured to bend the panels 96 and 102 bottom ends of the template 20 on the second mandrel 1604, respectively.

As shown in Figures 38-39, each conical side panel arm 1462 and 1464 includes a tip 1470 and a shaft 1472 operatively coupled to a linear actuator 1474. The conical arms 1462 and 1464 of the side panel are angled obliquely with respect to the lower faces 1668 and 1670 of the second mandrel 1604 such that the operation of the linear actuators 1474 causes the prongs 1470 to move towards the second mandrel 1604 and bend a lower side panel 62 or 68 around the second mandrel 1604 on the fold line 66 or 72. In the exemplary embodiment, the tapered side panel arms 1462 and 1464 are configured to fold the first lower side panel 62 over the fold line 66.

Each end panel conical arm 1466 and 1468 includes a tip 1470 and a shaft 1472 similar to the tips 1470 and the shafts 1472 of the side panel conical arms 1462 and 1464. The 1472 trees of the 1466 and 1468 arms end panel tapers are operatively coupled to the linear actuators 1476 and 1478, respectively. The conical end panel arms 1466 and 1468 are angled obliquely with respect to the lateral faces 1664, 16.66, 1674, and 1676 of the second mandrel 1604. In addition, the conical end panel arms 1466 and 1468 are angled with respect to each other such that the operation of the linear actuator 1476 causes the tip 1470 of the end panel conical arm 1466 to move towards the second mandrel 1604 and the lower end bend panel 96 around the second mandrel 1604 on the line 100 of bending, and operation of the linear actuator 1478 causes the tip 1470 of the conical end panel arm 1468 to move towards the second mandrel 1604 and the lower end bending panel 102 around the second mandrel 1604 on the bending line 106.

With reference to Figures 25-26 and 40-42, the lower presser assembly 1408 is positioned above the second mandrel 1604, and is configured to form the lower wall of the container 200. More specifically, the lower presser assembly 1408 includes a upper plate 1480 configured to press the lower panels 62, 68, 96, and / or 102 together to form the lower wall 222 of the container 200. The upper plate 1480 is pivotably mounted to a linear actuator 1482, the operation of the which causes the upper plate 1480 to rotate between a first generally flat position (shown in Figure 40) and a second generally vertical position (shown in Figure 42). The upper plate 1480 is configured to lie in the first position and rotate towards the second mandrel 1604 to the second position. When the top plate 1480 meets the first position, the container 200 can be ejected from the second mandrel 1604 below the plate 1480 upper to the output section 1500, it is described in more detail in the following. When the upper plate 1480 is in the second position, the upper plate 1480 compresses the panels 62, 68, 96, and / or 102 lower overall.

As the upper plate 1480 rotates to the second position, the upper plate 1480 contacts one or more lower panels 62, 68, 96, and 102 of the template 20, and presses the panels 62, 68, 96, and 102 bottoms of the template 20 together to form the bottom wall 222 of the container 200. In the exemplary embodiment, the top plate also bends the first and second lower side panels 62 and 68 over the fold lines 66 and 72, respectively, as customized that the upper plate 1480 moves from the first position to the second position. In the exemplary embodiment, the upper plate 1480 includes separate plate sections which they can be interchanged with other plate sections to accommodate the templates that have different sizes and / or shapes.

To make it easier to adjust and interchange the elements of the second mandrel assembly 1604, and to clean and / or free dirt from the machine 1000, the mandrel retainer assembly 1402 and the lower presser assembly 1408 are operatively mounted to a linear actuator 1498 (shown in Figures 41 and 43) configured to raise and lower both the mandrel retainer assembly 1402 and the lower presser assembly 1408. Specifically, mandrel retention assembly 1402 and lower presser assembly 1408 can be raised from a lowered operational position to a high standby position using a linear actuator 1498 such that a user (not shown) can access the second mandrel. 1604 for adjusting and / or exchanging the components of the second mandrel 1604, and cleaning and / or freeing the machine 1000 from dirt. A locking pin (not shown) can also be provided to secure a mandrel retainer assembly 1402 and an assembly 1408. of the lower presser in the high standby position.

In the exemplary embodiment, the lower folder assembly 1406 and the lower presser assembly 1408 are illustrated as two separate assemblies. In modalities Alternatively, the lower folder assembly 1406 and the lower presser assembly 1408 can be integrated into a single lower forming assembly (not shown) that is configured to perform all functions and operations of the lower folder assembly 1406 and the presser assembly 1408. lower.

The ejector assembly 1410 includes a movable ejection plate 1484 from a first position within the second mandrel 1604 (shown in Figure 40) to a second position generally extended downstream of the second mandrel 1604 (shown in Figure 43). When the ejection plate 1484 is in the first position, the lower folder assembly 1406 and the lower presser assembly 1408 folds and / or press the lower panels 62, 68, 96, and / or 102 against the ejection plate 1484 to form the lower wall 222 of the container 200. When the ejection plate 1484 is in the second position, the container 200 is removed from the second mandrel 1604. In the exemplary embodiment, the ejection plate 1484 is placed inside the second mandrel 1604 , and operatively coupled to a linear actuator 1486 (shown in Figure 16) positioned within the mandrel assembly 1600 upstream of the ejection plate 1484.

With reference to Figures 25, 38-40, and 42-43, the output section 1500 includes a conveyor assembly 1502 that moves the containers 200 from the wrapping section 1400 of the mandrel to a product loading section (not shown). More specifically, the conveyor assembly 1502 includes a plurality of conveyor belts 1504 positioned downstream of the wrapping section 1400 of the mandrel such that the ejection plate 1484 is located above the conveyor belts 1504 when the ejection plate 1484 is located. in his second position. The outlet section 1500 facilitates the unloading of a container 200 formed from the machine 1000. The conveyor belts 1504 are slidably mounted to the rails 1506 in such a way that the conveyor belts 1504 can be adjusted in the transverse Y direction to accommodate the templates and the containers of varying sizes and / or shapes. In the exemplary embodiment, the end-panel conical arms 1466 and 1468 are also slidably mounted on the rails 1506 in such a way that the conical end panel arms 1466 and 1468 can be adjusted in the transverse Y direction to accommodate the templates and containers of sizes and / or variable forms. In addition, the rails 1506 are slidably mounted on a rail system 1510 in such a way that the rails 1506 can be selectively adjusted in the vertical Z direction. As a result, the entire 1502 conveyor assembly as well as also the conical arms 1466 and 1468 of the end panel can be adjusted in the vertical direction to accommodate the templates and containers of varying sizes and / or dimensions.

In the exemplary embodiment, the conveyor assembly 1502 is operatively coupled to a transmission mechanism 1508 configured to continuously drive the conveyor belts 1504 while the machine 1000 is forming the containers 200. In alternative embodiments, the conveyor assembly 1502 may include a servomechanism ( not shown) configured to remove the container 200 from the machine 1000 at a predetermined speed and timing. In such embodiments, the conveyor assembly 1502 can be servo-controlled in synchrony with the ejection plate 1484 such that the conveyor belts 1504 are activated only when the container 200 is being ejected from the wrapping section 1400 of the mandrel.

During the operation of the machine 1000 to form the container 200, the template 20 is placed on the first mandrel 1602 by the assembly 1202 to pick up and place. With reference to Figures 11, 15, and 19, when the jig 20 is placed on the top of first mandrel 1602, the folding fingers 1306 and 1308 of the pre-bend assembly 1302 are rotated from the first position toward down in relation to the template 20 to the second position by the linear actuator 1312. In the exemplary embodiment, the folding fingers 1306 and 1308 bend the first and second end panels 28 and 36 down on the fold lines 42 and / or 48 and 50 and / or 52, respectively, to fit and / or in contact with each other. with side faces 1618 and 1620 of plates 1610 and 1612 with miter and / or side faces 1626 and 1628 of adjustable plates 1606 and 1608, respectively. Folding the first and second end panels 28 and 36 also causes the third corner panel 30 and the fourth corner panel 34 to fold down on the fold lines 48 and 50, respectively, to be adjacent to and / or in contact with. Angled faces 1614 and 1616 of plates 1610 and 1612 with Miter.

The transfer assembly 1304 facilitates the transfer of the partially formed container 200 from the mandrel pre-bend section 1300 to the mandrel wrap section 1400. More specifically, the push leg 1322 couples a rear edge 126 of the jig 20 and pushes the jig 20 towards the wrapping section 1400 of the mandrel along the 1634, 1636, 1638, and / or 1640 guide rails of the mandrel. As described above, the folding fingers 1306 and 1308 of the pre-bend assembly 1302 are held in the second position to facilitate maintaining the alignment of the container 200. partially formed when transferred before the pre-bend section 1300 with mandrel to the wrapping section 1400 of the mandrel.

As the template 20 is transferred from the mandrel pre-bend section 1300 to the mandrel wrapping section 1400, the adhesive applicator assembly 1326 applies the adhesive to one or more template panels 20. In the exemplary embodiment, the adhesive applicator assembly 1326 applies adhesive to an exterior surface of the panels 96 and 102 lower ends, and the panel 38 gummed.

The template 20 reaches the mandrel wrapping section 1400 as a partially formed container 200. The stop 1488 facilitates the placement of the template 20 within the wrapping section 1400 of the mandrel by preventing the template 20 from being pushed by the transfer assembly 1304 too far downstream in the X direction. A leading edge 128 of the template 20 makes contact with the stop 1488, which stops the further advance of the template 20 in the X direction.

With reference to Figures 28-29, once the jig 20 is placed adjacent the second mandrel 1604, the tool 1412 on the plate is lowered relative to the jig 20 by the linear actuator 1414 to maintain the position and / or alignment of the template 20 while a or more remaining portions of the template 20 are wrapped around the second mandrel 1604. In the exemplary embodiment, the tool 1412 on the plate engages the first end panel 28, the second side panel 32, and the second end panel 36.

With reference to Figures 26 and 32, the bending arm 1424 of the lower bending assembly 1416 wraps the second shank portion 20 around the second mandrel 1604. More specifically, the bending arm 1424 is rotated in such a way that the bar 1430 of coupling, the quadrature bar 1432, and the bar 1434 with miter wrap the second portion of the template 20 around the second mandrel 1604. The coupling bar 1430 bends the first side panel 24 towards the lower faces 1668 and 1670 of the second mandrel 1604 on the fold lines 42 and / or 44 in such a manner that the first side panel 24 is in face-to-face contact with the lower faces 1668 and / or 1670 of the second mandrel 1604. The quadrature bar 1432 and the bar 1434 with miter and position jig 20 are in face-to-face contact with side face 1666 of second mandrel 1604 in panels 26 and / or 28. With reference to Figures 35-37, when arm 1424 of bent is rotated from the first position to the second position, the gummed panel folding assembly 1418 moves towards the panel 38 gummed to fold the panel 38 gummed onto the fold line 54 towards the corner face 1672 of the second mandrel 1604. In the exemplary embodiment, the gummed panel folder assembly 1418 bends the gummed panel 38 in face-to-face contact with the face 1672 second mandrel corner 1604. During and / or after the folding of panel 38 gummed by gummed panel folder assembly 1418, gummed panel presser assembly 1420 moves toward first corner panel 22 and / or panel 38 gummed, and presses the first corner panel 22 and the panel 38 gummed together to form a joint for manufacturing the container 200. The pressing plate 1452 of the gummed panel presser assembly 1420 is held against the panels 22 and 38 during a predetermined period and / or duration of time to ensure that the adhesive binds the panels 22 and 38. In the exemplary embodiment, the rubberized panel presser assembly 1420 also doubles the first panel 22 of machine on the fold line 40 towards the corner face 1672 of the second mandrel 1604. Accordingly, the lower bend assembly 1416, the rubberized panel folding assembly 1418, and the rubberized panel presser assembly 1420 cooperate to bend the template 20 along the fold lines 40, 42, 44, and 54 to form the container 200.

With reference to Figures 35-37, 40 and 42, before and / or during rotation of the folding arm 1424 from the first position to the second position, the lower folding assembly 1406 rotates the lower panels 62, 96, and 102 on the fold lines 66, 100, and 106, respectively. More specifically, the tips 1470 of the end-panel conical arms 1466 and 1468 bend the first and second end panels 96 and 102 over the fold lines 100 and 106, respectively, to be in face-to-face contact with the ejection plate 1484. , and the tips 1470 of the side panel conical arms 1462 and 1464 bend the first lower side panel 62 on the fold line 66 to the ejection plate 1484 to be adjacent to and / or in contact with the ejection plate 1484. After the lower panels 62, 96, and 102 are bent a desired or predetermined distance, the upper plate 1480 of the lower presser assembly 1408 rotates downward and bends the second lower side panel 68 against the panels 62, 96, and / or 102 lower and / or expulsion plate 1484. The upper plate 1480 presses the panels 62, 68, 96, and / or 102 against the ejection plate 1484 for a predetermined period and / or duration to ensure that the adhesive binds the panels 62, 68, 96, and / or 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the conical arms 1462 and 1464 of the side panel are retracted when the upper plate 1480 is rotated downwards to avoid contact between the arms 1462 and 1464 conical and upper plate 1480. In alternative embodiments, the upper plate 1480 may have notches or slanted cuts (not shown) defined therein corresponding to the conical arms 1462 and 1464 such that the conical arms 1462 and 1464 may be held in the second position while the upper plate 1480 rotates downward and presses panels 62, 68, 96, and / or 102 against ejection plate 1484.

With reference to Figures 42-43, the ejection assembly 1410 facilitates the removal of the container 200 formed from the wrapping section 1400 of the mandrel to the outlet section 1500. More specifically, the ejection plate 1484 applies a force to the lower wall 222 of the container 200 to remove the container 200 from the mandrel assembly 1600. In the exemplary embodiment, the ejection plate 1484 is in a first position in and / or adjacent to the second mandrel 1604 during the formation of the container 200. To remove the container 200, the ejection plate 1484 moves to a second adjacent position to the 1500 output section. When the ejection plate 1484 moves, the container 200 moves towards the output section 1500. In the output section 1500 the container 200 is transported downstream of the machine 1000 for loading and / or forming the top wall by the conveyor assembly 1502. For example, after that the container 200 is formed and a product is placed inside the container 200, the upper panels 60, 70, 84, and 104 are closed to form the upper wall 224 for shipping the product.

In alternative embodiments, the machine 1000, the sections 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, and 1500, and the assemblies, sub-assemblies, and components thereof can be pre-configured to form a container by folding a template above and around a mandrel assembly, instead of below and around a mandrel assembly. For example, in a particular alternative embodiment, the pre-bend assembly 1302 can be positioned below the mandrel assembly 1600, and configured to bend a template 20 up to and around the mandrel assembly 1600. In addition, the mandrel assembly 1600 can be oriented 180 degrees with respect to the orientation shown in Figure 16 such that the miter plates 1610 and 1612 mount a lower portion of the adjustable plates 1606 and 1608. In addition, the machine 1000 may include additional guide rails placed below the mandrel assembly 1600 configured to have a template 20 placed therein and slide along the guide rails in the container forming the X direction. Such guide rails may have a construction and / or a configuration substantially similar to rails 1634, 1636, 1638, and / or 1640 mandrel guide. Further, in one embodiment, the mandrel retainer assembly 1402 can be positioned below the mandrel assembly 1600, and the tool 1412 on the plate can be configured to be raised, rather than lowered, to secure a template against the second mandrel 1604 while that the template is wrapped around the second mandrel 1604 to form a container. In addition, the wrap assembly 1404 can be positioned above the mandrel assembly 1600, and the folding arm 1424 of the lower fold assembly 1416 can be configured to rotate downward, rather than upward, to bend a portion of a template around the assembly. 1600 of mandril. Further, the lower presser assembly 1408 can be positioned below the mandrel assembly 1600, and the upper plate 1480 (better described as a lower plate in one embodiment) can be configured to rotate upward towards the ejection plate 1484 to press the panels 62, 68, 96, and / or 102 against ejection plate 1484 to form a lower wall of a container. In addition, in one embodiment, the templates 20 can be loaded in the section 1100 feeding the cartridge in a substantially horizontal orientation, substantially similar to the orientation of the jig 20 when placed on the first mandrel 1602 by the vacuum transfer section 1200 (shown in Figure 15). The templates 20 can fed directly into the pre-bend section 1300 by the cartridge feed section 1100 by sliding a template 20 along the additional guide rails (not shown) positioned below the mandrel assembly 1600 using the cartridge units 1102 and 1104 . Thus, in one embodiment, the vacuum transfer section 1200 can be omitted from the machine 1000. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the pre-bend section 1300 can include a stop substantially similar to the stop 1488 configured to stop a template. inside the pre-folded section 1300.

With reference to Figure 44, a sheet material template for forming a tray is generally indicated in 2020. As explained in the following in more detail, the tray template 2020 is attached to another template (a cover template 2420, shown in Figure 46) to form a template assembly (such as the template assembly 2920, shown in Figure 52) that is used to form a different embodiment of the container 200 (shown in Figures 2-5), primarily a RRP container (such as container 2800, shown in Figures 49-51). As shown in Figure 44, the tray template 2020 includes a series of aligned wall panels and end panels connected together by a plurality of generally parallel, preformed fold lines. Specifically, wall panels include a gummed tray panel 2022, a first tray corner panel 2024, a first tray side panel 2026, a second tray corner panel 2028, a first tray end panel 2030, a third tray panel 2032 tray corner, a second side tray panel 2034, a fourth tray corner panel 2036, and a second tray end panel 2038 connected in series along a plurality of lines 2040, 2042, 2044, 2046, 2048, 2050, 2052, and 2054 fold. The gummed tray panel 2022 extends from a first free edge 2056 to the fold line 2040, the first tray corner panel 2024 extends from the tray gummed panel 2022 along the fold line 2040, the first tray side panel 2026 extends from the first tray corner panel 2024 along the fold line 2042, the second tray corner panel 2028 extends from the first tray side panel 2026 along the line 2044, the first tray end panel 2030 extends from the second corner panel 2028 along the fold line 2046, the third tray corner panel 2032 extends from the first end panel 2030 to the tray Along the fold line 2048, the second tray side panel 2034 extends from the third tray corner panel 2032 along the fold line 2050, the fourth tray corner panel 2036 extends from the second panel 2034 side of tray along fold line 2052, and second tray end panel 2038 extends from the fourth tray corner panel 2036 along fold line 2054 to a second free edge 2058.

A first tray side panel 2060 extends from the first tray side panel 2026 along a preformed fold line 2062 that is generally parallel to an opposite free edge 2064 of the first tray side panel 2026. Similarly, a second tray side panel 2066 extends from the second tray side panel 2034 along a preformed fold line 2068 that is generally parallel to an opposite free edge 2070 of the second tray side panel 2034 . The fold lines 2062 and 2068 are generally parallel to each other and generally perpendicular to the fold lines 2042, 2044, 2050, and 2052.

The first lower tray side panel 2060 and the second lower tray side panel 2066 each include a free edge 2072 and 2074, respectively. Each of the lower side tray panels 2060 and 2066 includes first opposite edge portions 2076 and 2078 that are each obliquely angled with respect to the respective fold lines 2062 and / or 2068. In addition, the lower side tray panels 2060 and 2066 each it includes second opposing edge portions 2080 and 2082 that extend from the first angled edge portions 2076 and 2078 at an oblique angle. The second angled edge portions 2080 and 2082 are also obliquely angled with respect to the respective bend lines 2062 and 2068. The first lower side tray panel 2060 and the second lower side tray panel 2066 each include a notch 2084 extending inwardly in a respective tray bottom side panel 2060 or 2066 of the second edge portion 2082 at an angle.

A first tray end panel 2086 extends from the first tray end panel 2030 along a preformed fold line 2088 that is parallel to an opposite free edge 2090 of the first tray end panel 2030. Similarly, a second tray bottom end panel 2092 extends from the second tray end panel 2038 along a preformed fold line 2094 that is parallel to an opposite free edge 2096 of the second tray end panel 2038. The fold lines 2088 and 2094 are generally parallel to each other and generally perpendicular to the fold lines 2046, 2048, 2054, and 2058.

The first panel 2086 bottom end of the tray and the second panel 2092 bottom end of the tray each include a free edge 2098 and 2100, respectively. The 2086 panels and 2092 lower tray ends each include opposite side edge portions 2102 and 2104 that are each substantially parallel to the respective fold lines 2046, 2048, 2054, and 2058.

A display window 2106 (generally, a notch) extends inward toward the tray template 2020 from the free edges 2070 and 2090 of the second tray side panel 2034 and the first tray end panel 2030, respectively. The display window 2106 extends through the first tray end panel 2030, the third tray corner panel 2032, and the second tray side panel 2034 in a direction parallel to a central horizontal axis 2108 of the tray template 2020 .

The shape, size, and arrangement of the lower side tray panels 2060 and 2066 as shown in Figure 44 and described in the above facilitates the formation of an octagonal tray 2200 having angled corners, an example of which is shows in Figure 45. More specifically, the shape, size, and arrangement of the lower side tray panels 2060 and 2066 facilitate the formation of the tray 2200 having corner tray walls that are obliquely angled with respect to, and interconnecting the side walls of the tray and the end walls of the tray of the formed tray 2200. In addition, the shape, shape, size, and layout of the panels 2030, 2032, and 2034 of tray as shown in Figure 44 and described in the above facilitates the formation of an octagonal tray 2200 with a viewing window to allow viewing of products contained within tray 2200.

Figure 45 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary tray 2200 in an assembled configuration that can be formed from the tray template 2020 (shown in Figure 44). The tray 2200 includes a plurality of walls defining a cavity 2202. More specifically, the tray 2200 includes a first tray corner wall 2204, a first tray side wall 2206, a second tray corner wall 2208, a first wall 2210 tray end, a third tray wall 2212, a second tray side wall 2214, a fourth tray corner wall 2216, and a second tray end wall 2218. The first tray corner wall 2210, the third tray corner wall 2212, and second tray side wall 2214 each have a height 2220 that is smaller than a height 2222 of the walls 2204, 2206, 2208, 2216, and / or 2218 to facilitate viewing of the products contained within the tray 2200. In the exemplary embodiment, the first tray corner wall 2204 connects the first side tray wall 2206 to the second tray corner wall 2218, the second wall 2208 of tray corner connects the first tray side wall 2206 to the first tray corner wall 2210, the third tray corner wall 2212 connects the first tray corner wall 2210 to the second tray side wall 2214, and the fourth Tray corner wall 2216 connects the second tray side wall 2214 to the second tray corner wall 2218. In addition, the lower tray panels 2060, 2066, 2086, and 2092 form a lower wall 2224 of the tray 2200. Although the tray 2200 may have other orientations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, in the embodiment shown in Figure 45 , the tray end walls 2210 and 2218 are substantially parallel to each other, the tray side walls 2206 and 2214 are substantially parallel to each other, the first tray corner wall 2204 and the third tray corner wall 2212 meet substantially parallel to each other, and the second tray corner wall 2208 and the fourth tray corner wall 2216 are substantially parallel to each other. The tray corner walls 2204, 2208, 2212, and 2216 are obliquely angled with respect to the tray walls 2206, 2210, 2214, and 2218 are interconnected to form angled corners of the tray 2200.

Figure 46 is an interior view of a template 2420 of the sheet material to form a lid 2600 (shown in Figures 47 and 48) that connects releasably to tray 2200 (shown in Figure 45). The cover template 2420 includes a series of aligned wall panels and end panels connected together by a plurality of generally parallel preformed fold lines. Specifically, the wall panels include a first lid corner panel 2422, a first lid side panel 2424, a second lid corner panel 2426, a first lid end panel 2428, a third lid corner panel 2430, a second side cover panel 2432, a fourth cover corner panel 2434, a second lid end panel 2436, and a gummed lid panel 2438 connected in series along a plurality of lines 2440, 2442, 2444, 2446 , 2448, 2450, 2452, and 2454 fold. The first lid corner panel 2422 extends from a first free edge 2456 to the fold line 2440, the first lid side panel 2424 extends from the first lid corner panel 2422 along the line 2440 fold, the second lid corner panel 2426 extends from the first lid side panel 2424 along the fold line 2442, the first lid end panel 2428 extends from the second lid corner panel 2426 along of the fold line 2444, the third lid corner panel 2430 extends from the first lid end panel 2428 along the fold line 2446, the second lid side panel 2432 extends from the third lid panel 2430 corner of cap along the fold line 2448, the fourth cap corner panel 2434 extends from the second cap side panel 2432 along the fold line 2450, the second cap end panel 2436 extends from the fourth cover corner panel 2434 along fold line 2452, and cover gummed panel 2438 extends from the second cover end panel 2436 along fold line 2454 to a second free edge 2457.

A first top side panel 2458 extends from the first side cover panel 2424 along a preformed fold line 2460 which is generally parallel to an opposite free edge 2462 of the first side cover panel 2424. Similarly, a second top side cap panel 2464 extends from the second side cap panel 2432 along a preformed fold line 2466 that is generally parallel to an opposite free edge 2468 of the second side cap panel 2432. . The fold lines 2460 and 2466 are generally parallel to each other and generally perpendicular to the lines 2440, 2442, 2448, and 2450 fold.

The first top side panel 2458 and the second top side lid panel 2464 each include a free edge 2470 and 2472, respectively. The upper side cover panels 2458 and 2464 each include opposite side edge portions 2474 and 2476 that meet each other. a substantially parallel to the respective lines 2440, 2442, 2448, and 2450. In addition, the upper side cover panels 2458 and 2464 each include opposite arc portions 2478 and 2480 extending from the respective fold lines 2460 and 2466 to a respective side edge portion 2474 or 2476. In addition, the upper side cover panels 2458 and 2464 each include tabs 2482 and 2484 extending outwardly from the side edge portions 2474 and 2476, respectively. In addition, the first top lid side panel 2458 and the second top lid side panel 2464 each include cuts 2486 extending along the fold lines 2460 and 2466.

A first lid end panel 2488 extends from the first lid end panel 2428 along a preformed bending line 2490 that is parallel to an opposite free edge 2492 of the first lid end panel 2428. Similarly, a second lid end panel 2494 extends from the second lid end panel 2436 along a preformed bending line 2496 that is parallel to an opposite free edge 2498 of the second lid end panel 2436. The fold lines 2490 and 2496 are generally parallel to each other and generally perpendicular to lines 2444, 2446, 2452, and 2454 fold.

The first panel 2488 top end cap and the second panel 2494 upper end cap each includes a free edge 2500 and 2502, respectively. Panels 2488 and 2494 each top ends include opposite side edge portions 2504 and 2506 that are each substantially parallel to lines 2444, 2446, 2452, and 2454 respective fold. In addition, the first panel 2488 top end cap and the second panel 2494 top end cap each include opposite angled edge portions 2508 and 2510 that are each obliquely angled with respect to the lines 2444, 2446, 2452, and 2454 respective fold. The 2488 and 2494 top end panels also include cuts 2512 and flaps 2514 extending from the 2490 or 2496 fold lines in the 2512 cuts.

In addition, the first side cover panel 2424 and the second side cover panel 2432 each include a release tab 2516 and 2518, respectively. The release tabs 2516 and 2518 are detachably connected to the first side cover panel 2424 and the second side cover panel 2432, respectively, by the perforation lines 2520. The detachment tabs 2516 and 2518 move relative to each other in a transverse direction to a central horizontal axis 2522 of the lid template 2420 by a distance substantially equal to the difference between the height 2220 of the walls 2210, 2212, and 2214 of lid, and the height 2222 of the walls 2204, 2206, 2208, 2216, and 2218 of the lid.

Figure 47 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary cover 2600 in an open, assembled configuration that can be formed from the lid template 2420 (shown in Figure 46). Figure 48 illustrates a perspective view of the lid 2600 in a closed configuration. The lid 2600 includes a plurality of walls defining a cavity 2602. More specifically, the lid 2600 includes a first lid corner wall 2604, a first side lid wall 2606, a second lid corner wall 2608, a first wall 2610 lid end, a third lid wall 2612, a second lid side wall 2614, a fourth lid corner wall 2616, and a second lid end wall 2618. In the exemplary embodiment, the first lid corner wall 2604 connects the first side cover wall 2606 to the second end cap wall 2618, the second lid corner wall 2608 connects the first side cover wall 2606 to the first wall 2610 lid end, the third lid corner wall 2612 connects the first lid end wall 2610 to the second lid side wall 2614, and the fourth lid corner wall 2616 connects the second lid side wall 2614 to the second 2618 extreme lid wall. In addition, the upper lid panels 2458, 2464, 2488, and 2494 form an upper wall 2620 of the lid 2600. Although the lid 2600 can having other orientations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, in the embodiments shown in Figures 47 and 48, the end walls 2610 and 2618 are substantially parallel to each other, the side walls 2606 and 2614 are substantially parallel between each other, the first lid corner wall 2604 and the third lid corner wall 2612 are substantially parallel to each other, and the second lid corner wall 2608 and the fourth lid corner wall 2616 are substantially parallel to each other. yes. The lid corner walls 2604, 2608, 2612, and 2616 are obliquely angled with respect to the lid walls 2606, 2610, 2614, and 2618 which interconnect to form angled corners of the lid 2600.

Figure 49 illustrates a perspective view of a container 2800 in an open, assembled configuration, which can be formed from the tray template 2020 and the lid template 2420. Figure 50 illustrates a perspective view of the container 2800 in a closed configuration. Figure 51 illustrates an aerial cross-sectional view of the container 2800. With reference to Figures 49-51, in the exemplary embodiment, the container 2800 includes a plurality of walls defining a cavity 2802. More specifically, the container 2800 includes a first corner wall 2804, a first side wall 2806, a second wall 2808 of corner, a first end wall 2810, a third corner wall 2812, a second side wall 2814, a fourth corner wall 2816, and a second end wall 2818. The first corner wall 2804 includes the first tray corner panel 2024, the first lid corner panel 2422, and the lid gummed panel 2438; the first side wall 2806 includes the first side tray panel 2026 and the first side lid panel 2424; the second corner wall 2808 includes the second tray corner panel 2028 and the second lid corner panel 2426; the first end wall 2810 includes the first tray end panel 2030 and the first lid end panel 2428; the third corner wall 2812 includes the third tray corner panel 2032 and the third lid corner panel 2430; the second side wall 2814 includes the second side tray panel 2034 and the second lid corner panel 2426; the fourth corner wall 2816 includes the fourth tray corner panel 2036 and the fourth lid corner panel 2434; and the second end wall 2818 includes the second tray end panel 2038, the second lid end panel 2436, and the tray gummed panel 2022.

In the exemplary embodiment, the first corner wall 2804 connects the first side wall 2806 to the second end wall 2818, the second corner wall 2808 connects the first side wall 2806 to the first end wall 2810, the third corner wall 2812 connects the first wall 2810 end to the second side wall 2814, and the fourth corner wall 2816 connects the second side wall 2814 to the second end wall 2818. In addition, the lower tray wall 2224 forms a lower wall 2820 of the container 2800, and the upper lid wall 2620 forms an upper wall 2822 of the container 2800. Although the container 2800 may have other orientations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, in the embodiments shown in Figures 49-51, end walls 2810 and 2818 are substantially parallel to each other, the side walls 2806 and 2814 are substantially parallel to each other, the first corner wall 2804 and the third corner wall 2812 are they are substantially parallel to each other, and the second corner wall 2808 and the fourth corner wall 2816 are substantially parallel to each other. The corner walls 2804, 2806, 2808, and 2810 are obliquely angled with respect to the walls 2806, 2810, 2814, and 2818 are interconnected to form the angled corners of the container 2800.

The lower tray panels 2060, 2066, 2086, and 2092 are each oriented generally perpendicular to the walls 2804, 2806, 2808, 2810, 2812, 2814, 2816, and 2818 to form the bottom wall 2820. More specifically, panels 2086 and 2092 lower ends of tray are folded under / within lower side panels 2060 and 2066 of tray. Similarly, in a completely closed position (shown in Figure 50), panels 2458, 2464, 2488, and top 2494 of lid are each oriented generally perpendicular to the walls 2804, 2806, 2808, 2810, 2812, 2814, 2816, and 2818 to form the upper wall 2822. Although the container 2800 can be secured together using any suitable fastener at any suitable location in the container 2800 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, in one embodiment, the adhesive (not shown) is applied to an outer surface of the second end panel 2038 of tray and / or an inner surface of the tray-gummed panel 2022 to form the second tray end wall 2218, and to an exterior surface of the tray-gummed panel 2022 and / or an interior surface of the first lid-corner panel 2422 to form the first lid corner wall 2604. In addition, the adhesive can also be applied to an outer surface of the release tabs 2516 and 2518 and / or an inner surface of the first side tray panel 2026 and / or the second side tray panel 2034 to form the first side wall 2806 and the second side wall 2814. In one embodiment, the adhesive can also be applied to the outer surfaces of the panels 2086 and / or 2092 lower tray ends and / or the interior surfaces of the lower tray 2060 and / or 2066 panels. securing the side tray panels 2060 and / or 2066 to the panels 2086 and / or 2092 bottom ends of the tray to form the bottom wall 2820.

Although the panels 2022, 2024, 2028, 2030, 2032, 2036, and 2038 of the tray template 2020 and the panels 2422, 2426, 2428, 2430, 2434, 2436 and 2438 of the lid template 2420 are described herein using terms such as "end", "corner", and "gummed", panels 2022, 2024, 2028, 2030, 2032, 2036, 2038, 2422, 2426, 2428, 2430, 2434, 2436 and 2438 of the template 2020 of tray and lid template 2420 can be broadly referred to as "side panels". Similarly, the walls 2204, 2208, 2210, 2212, 2216, and 2218 of the tray 2400, the walls 2604, 2608, 2610, 2612, 2616, and 2618 of the lid 2600, and the walls 2804, 2808, 2810 , 2812, 2816, and 2818 of container 2800 can be broadly referred to as "sidewalls".

As will be described in the following in greater detail with reference to or Figures 53-58, tray template 2020 and lid template 2420 are intended to form a container 2800 as shown in Figures 49-51. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, the tray template 2020 and the lid template 2420 adhere to each other before bending and / or securing together the panels of the tray template 2020 and the lid template 2420. That is, the tray template 2020 and the lid template 2420 are gummed previously before folding and / or securing together the panels of the tray template 2020 and the lid template 2420. The container 2800 is subsequently formed by folding and / or securing the panels of the tray template 2020 and the lid template 2420 (shown in Figures 44 and 46).

Figure 52 illustrates an exterior view of a template assembly 2920 formed by connecting the tray template 2020 to the lid template 2420. As shown in Figure 52, the template assembly 2920 is formed by placing an inner surface of the tray template 2020 in a face-to-face relationship with an outer surface of the lid template 2420, and selectively adhering the template 2020 of tray to cover template 2420. More specifically, the first tray corner panel 2024 is placed in an overlapping and face-to-face relationship with the first lid corner panel 2422, the first tray side panel 2026 is placed in an overlapping and face-to-face relationship with the first side cover panel 2424, the second tray corner panel 2028 is placed in an overlapping and face-to-face relationship with the second lid corner panel 2426, the first tray end panel 2030 is placed in a relationship of overlap and face to face with the first cover end panel 2428, the third tray corner panel 2032 is placed in an overlapping and face-to-face relationship with the third lid corner panel 2430, the second side panel 2034 tray is placed in an overlapping and face-to-face relationship with the second side cover panel 2432, the fourth tray corner panel 2036 is placed in an overlapping and face-to-face relationship with the fourth lid corner panel 2434, and the second panel 2038 end of tray is placed in an overlapping and face-to-face relationship with second panel 2436 end cap. The tray template 2020 and the cover template 2420 are connected together by applying adhesive to an exterior surface of the release tabs 2516 and / or 2518, and / or applying adhesive to an interior surface of the first tray side panel 2026 and / or the second side tray panel 2034, and pressing the side tray panels 2026 and 2034 together with the respective release tabs 2516 and 2518. In this way, when the container 2800 is formed, the lid 2600 is releasably coupled to a tray 2200, and can be removed from the tray 2200 to break the release tabs 2516 and 2518 of the lid 2600 and / or the tray 2200. the exemplary embodiment, the tray template 2020 and the lid template 2420 do not adhere to each other along any other surface.

Figures 53 and 54 are perspective views of an alternative machine 300 for forming a container, such as the container 2800 (shown in Figures 49-51) of two or more stencils of the sheet material, such as the tray template 2020 and lid template 2420 (shown in the Figures 44 and 46). Machine 3000 is substantially similar to machine 1000, and, as such, similar components are labeled with similar references. More specifically, the machine 3000 is substantially similar to the machine 1000, except that the machine 3000 includes a tray panel folder 3304 (shown in Figure 53), a tray gummed panel presser assembly 3402 (shown in the Figures). 54-56), an additional adhesive applicator 3328 (shown in Figure 54), and an adhesive applicator guide rail 3330 (shown in Figure 54).

With reference to Figure 53, the pre-bend section 3300 with mandrel of the machine 3000 includes a pre-bend assembly 3302 substantially similar to the pre-bend assembly 1302 of the machine 1000, except that the pre-bend assembly 3302 folded includes a tray panel folder 3304 coupled to one of the folding fingers 1306 and / or 1308. The tray panel folder 3304 is configured to fold one or more panels of the tray template 2020 around the first mandrel 1602 when the pre-bend assembly 3302 moves from the first, raised position (shown in Figure 53) to the second position, lowered (not shown). In addition, the tray panel folder 3304 is configured to maintain the alignment of one or more panels of the tray template 2020 and / or the lid template 2420 as the template assembly 2920 is transferred from the pre-section 3300. -bent with mandrel up to chuck wrap section 3400. More specifically, the tray panel folder 3304 extends from the bending finger 1306 and / or 1308 towards the first mandrel 1602, and has a plate-like configuration with a portion 3306 bent outwardly at a distal end of the finger 1306 and / or 1308 of bending to which the tray panel folder 3304 engages. In the exemplary embodiment, the tray panel folder 3304 engages the bending finger 1308, and extends toward the first mandrel 1602 at an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to the bending finger 1308. In alternative embodiments, the tray panel folder 3304 may be coupled to the bending finger 1306, or both bending fingers 1306 and 1308. In addition, the tray panel folder 3304 may extend towards the first mandrel 1602 at an angle other than approximately 90 degrees with respect to the bending finger to which the tray panel folder 3304 engages.

The tray panel folder 3304 is adjustably coupled to the bending finger 1306 and / or 1308 by a collar 3308. The position of the tray panel folder 3304 along the bending finger 1306 and / or 1308 can be adjusted, for example, by loosening collar 3308, selectively sliding the collar to a new location, and tightening collar 3308 around bending finger 1306 and / or 1308.

In operation, the folding fingers 1306 and 1308 and the 3304 of tray panel are initially placed in a generally raised first position (shown in Figure 53). After a template assembly 2920 is placed on the first mandrel 1602 in the configuration shown in Figure 52, the folding fingers 1306 and 1308 and the tray panel folder 3304 rotate toward the template assembly 2920. The folding fingers 1306 and 1308 couple an upwardly facing surface of a corresponding panel of the lid template 2420, and the tray panel folder 3304 couples a surface that faces upwards from a corresponding panel of the template 2020 of tray. Because the tray template 2020 and the cover template 2420 are connected only along the release tabs 2516 and 2518 in the exemplary embodiment, the tray panels 2086 and / or 2092 do not bend around the first mandrel 1602 by folding the panels 2428 and 2436 cap ends. In this way, the tray panel folder 3304 facilitates the folding of the tray panels 2086 and / or 2092 around the first mandrel 1602 and / or the second mandrel 1604. The pre-bend assembly 3302, fingers 1306 and 1308, and the tray panel folder 3304 are held in the second position while the pre-folded template assembly 2920 is transferred from the mandrel pre-bend section 3300 to the mandrel wrap section 3400 (described in FIG. more detail in the following) to maintain aligning the template assembly 2920 as the template assembly 2920 is transferred from the mandrel pre-bend section 3300 to the mandrel wrap section 3400.

With reference to Figure 54, the adhesive applicator assembly 3326 of the machine 3000 is substantially similar to the adhesive applicator assembly 1326, except that the adhesive applicator assembly 3326 includes an additional adhesive applicator, indicated at 3328, and a rail 3330 elongated adhesive applicator guide configured to maintain alignment of one or more panels of the tray template 2020, or the lid template 2420 when the template assembly 2920 is positioned within the mandrel wrap section 3400. The adhesive applicator 3328 is configured to apply adhesive to at least one exterior surface of one or more panels of the tray template 2020. In the exemplary embodiment, the adhesive applicator 3328 is configured to apply adhesive to an outer surface of the second tray end panel 2038 as the template assembly 2920 is transferred from the first mandrel 1602 to the second mandrel 1604.

With reference to Figures 54-58, the mandrel wrap section 3400 of the machine 3000 is substantially similar to the mandrel wrap section 1400 of the machine 1000, except that the mandrel wrap section 3400 includes a tray gummed panel presser assembly 3402 configured to form a tray 2200 manufacturing seal and / or container 2800 by bending and / or pressing a gummed panel of the tray template 2020, such as the gummed panel 2022 of tray, against another panel of the tray template 2020. More specifically, the tray gummed panel presser assembly 3402 includes a presser plate 3404 having a pressing surface 3406 substantially parallel to the side face 1674 of the second mandrel 1604 (shown in FIG. 27). The press plate 3404 is operatively coupled to a linear actuator 3408 which moves the press plate 3404 toward and away from the second mandrel 1604. The press plate 3404 is configured to contact and / or bend the tray-shaped panel 2022 to form the tray 2200 and / or the container 2800. In the exemplary embodiment, the press plate 3404 is configured to press the tray 2022 gummed panel and the second tray end panel 2038 together against the side face 1674 of the second mandrel 1604 to form a gasket of fabrication in the second end wall 2818 of container 2800.

In the exemplary embodiment, the tray gummed panel presser assembly 3402 is included in the gummed panel presser assembly 1420. More specifically, the tray gummed panel presser assembly 3402 is mounted to the presser assembly 1420 of gummed panel by the mounting plate 3410 such that when the pressing plate 1452 of the gummed panel presser assembly 1420 moves from the first position (shown in Figure 57) to the second position (shown in Figure 58) , the tray gummed panel presser assembly 3402 is positioned adjacent the side face 1658 of the second mandrel 1604 as shown in FIG. 58. Also, the length of the angled plate 1444 is reduced in the machine 3000 to accommodate the assembly 3402 of tray gummed panel presser in rubberized panel presser assembly 1420. In alternative embodiments, the tray gummed panel presser assembly 3402 can be mounted on a structure other than the gummed panel presser assembly 1420, such as the frame 1002.

As used herein, the term "linear actuator" refers to any actuator configured to provide a linear transmission force to a member coupled thereto. In the exemplary embodiment, each linear actuator 1112, 1204, 1312, 1320, 1414, 1440, 1448, 1456, 1474, 1476, 1478, 1482, 1486, 1498, and 3408 is a pneumatic cylinder driven by compressed air. Although the linear actuators 1112, 1204, 1312, 1320, 1414, 1440, 1448, 1456, 1474, 1476, 1478, 1482, 1486, 1498, and 3408 are described herein with reference to pneumatic cylinders, it is understood that any linear actuator configured to provide a suitable linear transmission force can be used as one or more of the actuators 1112, 1204, 1312, 1320, 1414, 1440, 1448, 1456, 1474, 1476, 1478, 1482, 1486, 1498, and / or 3408 linear such as actuators mechanics, hydraulic actuators, and the like.

In operation, the template assembly 2920 is placed with, bent around, and transferred along the mandrel assembly 1600 in substantially the same manner as the template 20 in the machine 1000, except that the panel folder 3304 of tray, the tray gummed panel presser assembly 3402, the adhesive applicator 3328, and the extended adhesive applicator guide rail 3330 cooperate with each other to form a tray 2200 and / or container 2800. Specifically, the assembly 2920 of template is placed on the first mandrel 1602 by the assembly 1202 for picking and placing, and the folding fingers 1306 and 1308 and the tray panel folder 3304 rotate from the first position to the second position to the template assembly 2920 of bending around the first mandrel 1602. In the exemplary embodiment, the folding fingers 1306 and 1308 bend the first end cap panel 2428 and the second end cap panel 2436 downward to be adjacent. to, and / or be in contact with, the side faces 1618 and 1620 of the plates 1610 and 1612 with miter and / or the side faces 1626 and 1628 of the adjustable plates 1606 and 1608, respectively. The folder The tray panel 3304 bends the second panel 2038 of the tray end over the line 2052 and / or 2054 of bending toward the mandrel assembly 1600, specifically, the side face 1628 of the adjustable plate 1608.

The transfer assembly 1304 facilitates the transfer of the partially formed container 2800 from the mandrel pre-bend section 3300 to the mandrel wrap section 3400. More specifically, the push leg 1322 engages a trailing edge 2922 of the template assembly 2920 (shown in Figure 52) and pushes the template assembly 2920 toward the mandrel wrap section 3400 along the rails 1634, 1636, 1638, and / or 1640 mandrel guide. As described above, the folding fingers 1306 and 1308 and the tray panel folder 3304 of the pre-bend assembly 3302 are held in the second position to facilitate maintenance of the alignment of the partially formed container 2800 as it is transferred from the mandrel pre-bent section 3300 to the mandrel wrap section 3400.

As the template assembly 2920 is transferred from the mandrel pre-bent section 3300 to the mandrel wrap section 3400, the adhesive applicator assembly 3326 applies adhesive to the template assembly 2920 in substantially the same manner as the 1326 adhesive applicator assembly, except that the 3328 applicator additional adhesive applies adhesive to an outer surface of the second tray end panel 2038.

The wrap assembly 1404 wraps an unfolded portion of the template assembly 2920 about the second mandrel 1604 in substantially the same fashion as the wrap assembly 1404 wraps the template 20 around the second mandrel 1604. Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, the folding arm 1424 it is rotated in such a way that the coupling rod 1430, the quadrature rod 1432, and the miter bar 1434 wrap a second portion of the template assembly 2920 around the second mandrel 1604. More specifically, the coupling rod 1430 bends the first lid side panel 2424 and / or the first tray side panel 2026 facing the lower faces 1668 and 1670 of the second mandrel 1604 (shown in Figure 27) such that the first lid side panel 2424 and / or the first panel 2026 tray side is in face-to-face contact with the lower faces 1668 and / or 1670 of the second mandrel 1604. The quadrature bar 1432 and the bar 1434 with miter places the second tray corner panel 2028 and / or the second lid corner panel 2426 in face-to-face contact with the side face 1666 of the second mandrel 1604.

As the bending arm 1424 rotates from the first position to the second position, the rubberized panel folding assembly 1418 moves to the panel 2438 lid gumming to fold the gummed panel 2438 on the fold line 2454 to the corner face 1672 of the second mandrel 1604. During and / or after bending the lid gummed panel 2438 by the gummed panel folder assembly 1418 , the gummed panel presser assembly 1420 moves towards the first tray corner panel 2024, the first lid corner panel 2422, and / or the lid gummed panel 2438, and presses the first lid corner panel 2422 and the lid-shaped panel 2438 as a whole to form a gasket for manufacturing the lid 2600 and / or the container 2800. The pressing plate 1452 of the rubberized panel presser assembly 1420 is held against the first tray corner panel 2024 and the cover panels 2422 and 2438 for a predetermined period and / or duration of time to ensure that the adhesive binds the cover panels 2422 and 2438 together. Further, although the press plate 1452 is held against the first tray corner panel 2024 and the cover panels 2422 and 2438, the press plate 3404 of the tray gummed panel presser assembly 3402 is moved to the tray gummed panel 2022 and / or the second tray end panel 2038, for bending the tray gummed panel 2022 on the fold line 2040 to the side face 1674 of the second mandrel 1604. The presser plate 3404 presses the tray gummed panel 2022 and the second panel 2038 tray end in set to form a tray making gasket 2200 and / or container 2800. Presser plate 3404 of tray-gummed panel presser assembly 3402 is held against tray-gummed panel 2022 and second tray-end panel 2038 for a predetermined period and / or duration of time. Ensure that the adhesive joins the tray 2022 and 2038 panels together.

The lower folder assembly 1406 and the lower presser assembly 1408 of the machine 3000 form the lower wall 2820 of the container 2800 in substantially the same shape as the lower folder assembly 1406 and the lower presser assembly 1408 of the machine 1000. Specifically , before and / or during the rotation of the folding arm 1424 from the first position to the second position, the lower folding assembly 1406 rotates the lower tray panels 2060, 2086, and 2092 on lines 2062, 2088, and 2094 of fold, respectively, to be in face-to-face contact with the ejection plate 1484. The upper plate 1480 of the lower presser assembly 1408 rotates downward and bends the second lower side panel panel 2066 against the lower tray panels 2060, 2086, and / or 2092 and / or the ejecting plate 1484. The upper plate 1480 presses the lower tray panels 2060, 2066, 2086, and / or 2092 against the ejection plate 1484 for a predetermined period and / or duration to ensure that the adhesive binds the panels 2060, 2066, 2086, and / or 2092 lower tray altogether.

The ejector assembly 1410 of the machine 3000 facilitates the removal of the container 2800 formed in substantially the same way as the ejector assembly 1410 of the machine 1000.

In contrast to at least some known container forming machines, in the methods and machine described herein, the templates and / or template assemblies are placed on top and / or on top of one or more mandrels during the methods of folding and / or wrapping described herein. As a result, the template and / or the template assembly can be wrapped around the mandrel without raising or moving the template and / or template assembly out of the plane in which it is initially placed on the mandrel. Thus, no complex lifting mechanism is needed to form a container from the template and / or template assembly using the methods and the machine described herein. further, in the methods and machines described herein, the templates and template assemblies are pre-folded around a first mandrel and subsequently wrapped around a second mandrel downstream of the first mandrel. Because the container is formed in multiple mandrels, simple linear actuators, as opposed to complex servomechanisms and control systems, can be used to form containers from the templates. As a result, the space occupied In general, the cost of the machine can be reduced when compared to known container-forming machines.

The exemplary embodiments of the containers formed of templates and a machine for making them are described in the foregoing in detail. The container, the template, and the machine are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, the components of the templates, containers, and / or the machine can be used independently and separately from the other components and / or stages described herein.

Although the specific characteristics of various modalities of the description may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is only for convenience.

According to the principles of the description, any characteristic of a drawing can be mentioned and / or claimed in combination with any characteristic of any other drawing.

This written disclosure uses examples to describe the invention, including the best mode, and also allows any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those with experience in the technique. Other such examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

Claims (31)

1. A machine for forming a container from a template assembly that includes a tray template coupled to a lid template, the tray template defining a tray portion of the container, the lid template defining a lid portion of the container, container, the machine having an upstream end in which the template assembly is loaded and a downstream end in which the container is discharged, the machine characterized in that it comprises: a frame; a mandrel assembly mounted to the frame, the mandrel assembly comprises: a first mandrel having an external shape complementary to an internal shape of at least a first portion of the container; Y a second mandrel positioned downstream of the first mandrel, the second mandrel having an external shape complementary to an internal shape of at least a second portion of the container; a pre-bent assembly configured to bend a first portion of the template assembly about the first mandrel to form a partially formed container, the first portion of the template assembly corresponding to the first portion of the container; Y a gummed panel presser assembly comprising a first presser plate and a second presser plate, the first presser plate configured to form a first manufacturing joint along the cover portion of the container, and the second presser plate configured to form a second manufacturing joint along the tray portion of the container.

2. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the rubberized panel presser assembly further comprises: a first actuator operatively coupled to the first presser plate; Y a second actuator operatively coupled to the second presser plate, the second actuator capable of being moved by the first actuator such that the actuation of the first actuator displaces the second actuator and the second presser plate.

3. The machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the tray template includes a plurality of side tray panels, the cover template includes a plurality of side cover panels, the first actuator causes the first press plate to engage a first panel side cap to a second side cover panel to form the first manufacturing joint, and the second actuator causes the second pressing plate Attach a first tray side panel to a second tray side panel to form the second fabrication seal.

4. The machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the first and second side cover panels are corner panels, and the second side panel panel is a corner panel.

5. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the first manufacturing joint forms at least partially a corner wall of the container, and the second manufacturing joint forms at least partially an end wall of the container.

6. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the pre-bend assembly comprises: bending rods configured to rotate a plurality of panels from the first portion of the template assembly about the first mandrel; Y at least one tray panel folder configured to bend a panel from the tray template around the first mandrel.

7. The machine according to claim 6, further characterized in that it comprises: a transfer assembly for transferring the partially formed container from the first mandrel to the second mandrel.

8. The machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the mandrel assembly further comprises: guide rails of the mandrel extending between the first mandrel and the second mandrel, the guide rails of the mandrel configured to facilitate transport of the partially formed container from the first mandrel to the second mandrel.

9. The machine according to claim 8, characterized in that an upper surface of the first mandrel is substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the guide rails of the mandrel in such a way that the partially formed container is transported along the guide rails of the mandrel in substantially the same plane in which the template assembly is placed on the first mandrel, the tray panel folder is further configured to maintain the alignment of the container partially formed as the partially formed container is transferred from the first mandrel to the second mandril.

10. The machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the transfer assembly comprises: a pusher leg operatively coupled to a linear actuator, the thrust leg configured to engage the partially formed container and push the partially formed container along the guide rails of the mandrel to transfer the partially formed container from the first mandrel to the second mandril.

11. The machine in accordance with the claim I, wherein the tray template includes a plurality of side tray panels and the lid template includes a plurality of side cover panels, the machine further characterized in that it comprises: an adhesive applicator assembly mounted to the frame between the first mandrel and the second mandrel, the adhesive applicator assembly includes an adhesive distributor positioned in a substantially horizontal orientation, the adhesive applicator assembly configured to apply adhesive to a side panel of tray and a side cover panel.

12. The machine in accordance with the claim II, characterized in that the side panel of the tray is an end panel and the side panel of the lid is a corner panel.

13. The machine according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises: a pick-and-place assembly configured to place the template assembly on top of the first mandrel in a substantially horizontal position.

14. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the lid template forms a lid portion of the container and the tray template forms a tray portion of the container.

15. The machine according to claim 14, characterized in that the lid portion is releasably coupled to the tray portion.

16. A method for forming a container from a template assembly using a machine, the template assembly including a tray template coupled to a lid template, the tray template defining a tray portion of the container, the template lid defining a lid portion of the container, the machine including a mandrel assembly having a first mandrel and a second mandrel positioned downstream of the first mandrel, the method characterized in that it comprises: place the template assembly near the first mandrel; folding a first portion of the template assembly onto the first mandrel to form a partially formed container; transferring the partially formed container from the first mandrel to the second mandrel; wrapping a second portion of the template assembly over the second mandrel to form the container; and eject the container from the second mandrel.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that wrapping a second portion of the template assembly further comprises: forming a first manufacturing joint along the lid portion of the container using a rubberized panel presser assembly; Y forming a second manufacturing joint along the tray portion of the container using the rubberized panel presser assembly.

18. The method in accordance with the claim 17, characterized in that the lid template includes a plurality of side cover panels, and forming the first manufacturing joint comprises: rotating a first side cover panel in face-to-face contact with the second mandrel; Y rotating a second side cover panel in face-to-face contact with the first side cover panel using the rubberized panel presser assembly.

19. The method in accordance with the claim 18, characterized in that the tray template includes a plurality of tray side panels, and forming the second manufacturing joint comprises: rotating a first tray side panel in face-to-face contact with a second tray side panel using the rubberized panel presser assembly.

20. The method in accordance with the claim 19, characterized in that the first and second side cover panels form at least partially a corner wall of the container, and the first tray side panel at least partially forms an end wall of the container.

21. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that the tray template includes a plurality of side tray panels, the cover template includes a plurality of side cover panels, the rubberized panel presser assembly includes a first operatively coupled actuator to a first presser plate, and a second actuator operatively coupled to a second presser plate, the second actuator can be moved by the first actuator, wherein forming the first manufacturing joint comprises coupling a first side cover panel to a second panel side cap when moving the first presser plate from a first position to a second position using the first actuator, and forming the second manufacturing joint comprises coupling a first side panel of tray to a second side panel of tray when moving the second presser plate using the second actuator while the first press plate s I found in the second position.

22. The method according to claim 16, wherein the tray template includes a plurality of tray side panels and at least one tray bottom panel foldably connected to one of the tray side panels, the cover template includes a plurality of lid side panels and at least one gummed lid panel foldably connected to one of the lid side panels, the method further characterized in that it comprises: applying adhesive to at least one tray side panel, a tray bottom panel, and a gummed lid panel while the template is transferred between the first mandrel and the second mandrel.

23. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that bending the first portion of the template assembly further comprises: rotating a pre-bending assembly from a first position to a second position, the pre-bending assembly includes bending rods and a tray panel folder, wherein the bending rods are configured to contact and rotate the side panels of cover around the first mandrel, and the tray panel folder is configured to contact and rotate a tray side panel around the first mandrel; Y keep the bending rods and the tray panel folder in the second position while the partially formed container is transferred from the first mandrel to the second mandrel to maintain the alignment of the partially formed container.

24. The method in accordance with the claim 16, characterized in that bending the first portion of the template assembly further comprises: doubling at least a first side cover panel of the cover template and a second side panel of the opposite cover of the cover template in face-to-face contact with the opposite side faces of the first mandrel; Y folding at least one first side panel panel into face-to-face contact with the first side cover panel.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that wrapping a second portion of the template assembly further comprises: folding a third side cover panel of the cover template in face-to-face contact with a lower face of the second mandrel.

26. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the mandrel assembly further includes a pair of guide rails of the mandrel extending from the first mandrel to the second mandrel, and wherein transferring the partially formed container further comprises: using a push leg to transfer the partially formed container along the guide rails of the mandrel from the first mandrel to the second mandrel.

27. A machine for forming a container from a template assembly that includes a tray template coupled to a lid template, the tray template that defines a tray portion of the container, the lid template defining a lid portion of the container, the machine having an upstream end in which the template assembly is loaded and a downstream end in which the container is unloaded , the machine characterized because it comprises: a frame; a mandrel assembly mounted to the frame, the mandrel assembly comprises: a first mandrel having an external shape complementary to an internal shape of at least a first portion of the container; Y a second mandrel positioned downstream of the first mandrel, the second mandrel having an external shape complementary to an internal shape of at least a second portion of the container; a pre-bent assembly configured to bend a first portion of the template assembly around the first mandrel to form a partially formed container, the first portion of the template assembly corresponding to the first portion of the container, the pre-bent assembly comprising : bending rods configured to rotate a plurality of panels from the first portion of the template assembly about the first mandrel; Y at least one tray panel folder configured to fold a panel of the tray template around the first mandrel; Y an envelope assembly configured to wrap a second portion of the template assembly about the second mandrel, the second portion of the template assembly corresponding to the second portion of the container, the envelope assembly comprising: a gummed panel presser assembly comprising a first presser plate and a second presser plate, the first presser plate configured to form a first manufacturing joint along the cover portion of the container, and the second presser plate configured to form a second manufacturing joint along the tray portion of the container.

28. The machine according to claim 27, characterized in that the rubberized panel presser assembly further comprises: a first actuator operatively coupled to the first presser plate; Y a second actuator operatively coupled to the second presser plate, the second actuator can be moved by the first actuator in such a way that the actuation of the first actuator displaces the second actuator and the second pressing plate.

29. The machine according to claim 27, characterized in that the mandrel assembly further comprises: guide rails of the mandrel extending between the first mandrel and the second mandrel, the guide rails of the mandrel configured to facilitate transport of the partially formed container from the first mandrel to the second mandrel.

30. The machine according to claim 27, further characterized in that it comprises a transfer assembly for transferring the partially formed container from the first mandrel to the second mandrel.

31. The machine according to claim 27, wherein the tray template includes a plurality of side tray panels and the lid template includes a plurality of side cover panels, the machine further characterized in that it comprises: an adhesive applicator assembly mounted to the frame between the first mandrel and the second mandrel, the adhesive applicator assembly including an adhesive distributor positioned in a substantially horizontal orientation, the adhesive applicator assembly configured to apply adhesive to a panel side of tray and a side panel of lid.