NZ526916A - Box erecting machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for forming sheet material blanks into boxes, each blank having a base panel and wall-defining panels joined to the edges of the base panel along wall fold lines, with substantially parallel intermediate fold lines dividing inner and outer parts of a pair of opposing wall-defining panels, the apparatus including a reciprocating plunger; a forming chamber for receiving the plunger to fold the blank along the wall fold lines; two opposing blank folding mechanisms, each of the blank folding mechanisms having an inner plate mounted for pivotal movement; the two inner plates being positioned at opposite sides of the forming chamber. An outer plate is mounted for pivotal movement alongside the inner plate with actuating means for pivoting respectively the inner plate toward a lower part of the forming chamber, and for pivoting the outer plate toward the inner plate. Upon driving the plunger to press the blank into the forming chamber the pair of wall-defining panels are folded together along respective wall fold lines and, after the plunger is retracted, opposing box sides are formed through operation of the actuating means by folding the pair of opposing wall-defining panels along the intermediate fold lines as the outer plates pivot toward the inner plates and the inner plates pivot toward the lower part of the forming chamber.