US1757730A

US1757730A - Box folding and taping machine

Info

Publication number: US1757730A
Application number: US712223A
Authority: US
Inventors: John H Mcpike
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1924-05-10
Filing date: 1924-05-10
Publication date: 1930-05-06
Anticipated expiration: 1947-05-06

Description

M y 6, 1930. I I J. H. MCPIKE 1,757,736

BOX FOLDING AND TAPING MACHIN E Fil ed May 10, 1924 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 ay 6, 1930. J. H. M PIKE 1357,73)

Box FOL'DING AND TAPING MACHINE Filed May '10, 1924 '9 Sheets-Sheet 2 w W m I/w/EN r013 John H. M /kc.

TTOENEY May 6, 1930. I 1 MCPIKE 1,757,73@

ox FOLDING AND TAPING MACHINE Filed May 10, 1924 9 Sheets-Sheet v Mme May 6, 1930. i J. H. M PIRE 1,

BOX FOLDI NG AND TAKING MACHINE v May 6, 1930. J. H. MCPIKE 1,757,730

BOX FOLDING AND TAPING MACHINE Filed May 10, 1924 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOE ,J'O/m h. MOP/L66- (47 7'0 ENE Y May 6, 1930. J. H. M PIKE BOX FOLDING AND TAPING MACHINE Filed May 10, 1924 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 INm EA/TOE:

19 ro A/EY y 17930- J. H. MOPIKE 1,757,730

BOX FOLDING AND TAPING MACHINE F iled May 10, 1924 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 May 6, 1930. J McPlKE 1,757,730

BOX FdLDING AND TAPING MACHINE Filed May 10, 1924 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 "-M, E a

J. H. M PIKE BOX FOLDING AND TAPING MACHINE May 6, 1930.

Filed May 10, 7.924 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 IN ME N TOE Ja/m M /ks.

' Patented May 6, 1930 JOHN H. MCPIKE, OF ALTON, ILLINOIS'.

BOX ZEOIJIDIIN'GAND TAIPING, MACHINE Application flledjlay 10, 1924. Serial No. viaaaa.

This invention relates to a certain new and useful machine for folding corrugated or other fiber boards or blanks and taping the edges together forthe purpose of making cartons or packing receptacles for shipping and handling various classes of merchandise.

It has been found that packing boxes or cartons for shipping and handling various classes of goods can be made from wood fiber by corrugating a thin sheet and-pasting or gluing a plainsheet on either or both sides of the corrugated sheet, thus giving the product sufficient strength, elasticity, and pliability to make a container of a very high quality for packing and shipping goods of various kinds. These boxes or containers have usually been made by cutting to-size and scoring the box-board, that is, marking by an indentation along the line where the stock is to be folded. At each corner of the box, the stock is slit and slotted so that it may be turned in at right angles to'form the top and bottom of the box, respectively. v

The usual method employed in the production of such boxes or cartons is to, form the boardby hand into a box and join the abutting edges by means of a tape pasted firmly down upon each end, so as to hold the ends together.

I am aware, however, that a number of machines for folding boxes are in successful operation, and I am also aware that taping folded boxes by machinery is not broadly new, but heretofore, as far as I am aware, each of these processes has been performed either by single machines working independently or partly by machinery and partly by,

hand. It is an object of my present invention to provide, and I here show and will describe, 40 a combined machine forfolding and taping boxes, thereby increasing production, while reducing the cost thereof, and makingboxes of uniformly high quality. a

My present application in its claims is directed, however, more generally to the folding mechanism of the machine, the taping mechanism thereof, while herein shown and described, forming more generally the subjectmatter of a separate application. 5 Anotherobject of my present invention is the provision of a machine of the type stated that is efliciently capable of handling and folding into box-form box-blanks or stock of various sizes, shapes, and dimensions.

Another object of my invention is the pro-i vision of a machine of the type stated that is I substantially entirely automatic in its action, requiring operators attention only in delivering of the stock, out to size, in bulk and installing upon the machine a reel of tape preferably sufiiciently long to keep or maintain the machine in operation for several hours.

With the above and other objects in view, myinvention resides in the noval features of form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings (nine sheets) Figure 1 is a plan view of a sheet of stock slit, slotted, and scored for box-formation;

Figure 2 is a plan view of a taped and folded box;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a'box bef(l)re the top and bottom have been folded in p ace;

Fi ure 4 is a perspective view of a complete boxolding and taping machine of my in- -vent ion;

F1gure5 is an enlarged broken section, 4

showing cams, racks, an pinions for transmitting reciprocatory motion to certain of the moving or operating parts of the machine;

Figure 6 1s a cross section of the box-folding portion of the machine, showing its wings and 35 clamps;

Figure 7 is an enlarged side elevation, partly broken away, of the box-folding'portion of the machine;

Figure '8 is an'enlarged perspective view of a central portion of the machine broken away; I

Figure 9 isa similar viewof a rear portion of the machine;

Figure 10 is a side elevation of a rear por-- tion of the machine, showing the location and parts of the taping element;

Figure 11 is an elevation, partly broken away, of the indexing and adjusting discs of the taping portionof the machine;

Figure 12 is a detail cross section of the ta ing indexing and adjusting mechamsms; 5igure 13 is a side elevation of the taping mechanism;

Figure 14 is an enlarged perspective view, partly broken away, of the taping mechanism as a whole; and

' Figure 15 is a fragmental sectional vlew of a slightly modified form of the folding portion of the machine. I

Referring now more in detail and by reference characters to the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention, A designates the base or frame of the machine, as a whole, B the receiving platform on which the stock C to be folded and taped 1s placed, D the folding element, and E the taping mechanism.

While any particular form of base or frame that is strong,'sturdy, and rigid may be used, in my machine I preferably employ a base or table comprising a frame constructed of a plurality of longitudinal and lateral metal beams 3, which may be of channel, I-beam, or other convenient form, firmly joined or united together at rightangles, so as to form a substantial, rectilinear structure, supported at a suitable height by end and intermediate preferably metal legs 4 braced .by diagonal members 5 firmly attached to the legs 4 and the side beams 3, the frame being braced and strengthened by intermediate longitudinal members 6, transverse members 7, and diagonal members, one of which latter is shown at 8. For the purpose of additionally strengthening the table and providing a bearing for certain of the moving parts of the machine, the table or base A is equipped with lateral truss-members 9 and cross or lateral rods 10 supported on upwardly extending sidebrackets 11, the truss-members 9 and rods 10 being reinforced centrally by braces 12 upstanding from table A and, in turn, connected to the truss-members 9 by adjustable turn- "buckles 13. The base A is further equipped with a rigidly secured longitudinally disposed center-beam 14 extending throughout the entire length of the base intermediate its sides, which beam 14 not only serves to increase the rigidity of the base, but is the working center of the machine from which all lateral adustments are made, for purposes shortly appearing. Suitably connected beams 15, firmly fixed to the'legs 4, as best seen in Figures 4 and 7, serve both to give the base additional rigidity and also as a supportingframe for the bearings of the main driving shaft 16. Itwill thus be apparent that the structure of the base is such that it will withstand all the difi'erent stresses and strains that may be imposed upon it in the usual operation of the machine, the necessity of'a base of this extreme strength, stiifness, and weight arising from the fact that all the operating parts of the machine are either superimposed upon transmitted from pulley 19 when desired through the medium of a suitable friction clutch, not shown. Rigidly attached to the main driving shaft 16,'as best seen in Figure 7, is a small spur gear 20 engaging, for thepurpose of reducing the speed of the operating parts of the machine, with a larger gear 21 rigidly fixed to a counter-driving shaft 22 mounted for rotation on base A.

The stock C, as shown in plan in Figure 1, is in the form of a sheet of suitable material, such as, for instance, card or corrugated board, cut to size, scored, and slotted, that is to say, the edges of the stock have been suitably cut and slotted inwardly, as at 1, in alignment with the scoring, to provide the foldable top and bottom portions or flaps of the box, respectively. The stock C is disposed for folding cross-wise, so to speak, of the platform B, as best seen in Figure 4, and Figure 2 illustrates a box that has been folded and its free edges brought together and taped,

as at 2, by our combined-folding and boxtaping machine. Figure 2 also illustrates the form in which the folded and taped box is delivered from the machine after the tape 2 has been applied, whileFigure 3 shows a nonsquare or quadrilateral box-blank, such as the present stock C, that has been folded, taped, and delivered by the machine and the folded parts then drawn apart for the purpose of folding in the end-flaps preparatory to the completion of the box.

As best seen in Figure 4, the receiving-platform B is in the form of a pair of preferably wooden floor-sections 23 suitably fixed to runners disposed for shifting movement on the table-frame upon opposite sides of .centcrbeam 14 and for such purpose fixed to, and shiftable laterally of the table-frame with, certain beams 36 hereinafter more fully described. The floor-sections 23 are each provided transversely with a grooved raceway 24, fitting in which for adjustment are brackets 25 supporting panels or wings 26, 26, and on the floor-sections 23 at the forward end of the machine is placed the unfolded stock or boxblanks C of Figure 1, cut to dimensions and scored as desired in and depending upon the size and dimensions of the finished or completed box, the stock or blanks C being superposed one upon the other or stacked in a pile,

occupies a fixed position near the lateral center of the base A adjacent the rear end of the machine and is disposed to deliver the tape to the folded stock at the exact working or lateral center of'the machine. Hence, the

box-blanks C to be taped must be so positioned upon the platform B that when fed forwardly and folded and their free edges brought together for=taping, the 'joints will each correspondingly be in the lateral center of the table and carried in a straight line rearwardly to the taping mechanism E.

The proper location of the stock C upon the platform B being suitably determined so that, when its edges are folded over and brought together, the. joint to be taped Wlll be in approximately the exact lateral center of the beam 14, the guide-way-formmg and stock-holding-wings or panels 26 are ad uSted into sliding contact with the vertical sides of the stock-pile C and secured adjustably in I such position by means of hand-screws 27 seated in the brackets 25 and adapted for en gageinent with the grooves of the raceway 24. In the present instance, suitable abutmentplates 29, 29, are removably or detachably secured to the wings or panels 26 for cooperation therewith in holding the stock C i in a pile, the plates 29 being-spaced from the surface of the platform 23 a' distance slightly more than the thicknessof asingle sheet of stock, thereby permitting the lowest sheet C to pass rearwardly under them when such sheet is engaged by the conveyor-chains or feeding means, shortly to be described. I

may state here that-the abutment-plates 29 are employed-for the convenience of the attendant only when box-blanks of relatively small sizes are being folded and taped; when larger size boxes are being made, the abutment-plates 29, 29, may be omitted, in which event a like function is performed by a pair of adjustable abutment-plates 30'supported on, and which may be oppositely adjusted Disposed upon the table A for movement crosswise or laterally of the table, and extending throughout in parallel spaced relation with and upon opposite sides of the center beam 14, are the previously mentioned preferably metal beams 36 having their up per longitudinal surfaces longitudinally grooved or channeled, as at 37, sufficiently wide and deep to freely carry endless belt conveyor chains 3838 having rigidly attached to their upper sides short, flat,

straight-sided lugs 39 disposed at right angles to the axisof travel of the chainsv 38 and adapted to engage with andcarry forward the bottom or lowest box-blank C in the pile disposed, as stated, upon the receiving platformsections 23. Rigidly attached to and depending from the conveyor beams 36 at the forward end of the machine are brackets 4040 supporting short shafts or axles 41, mounted for rotation upon whch are sprocket wheels 42 having engagement' with the conveyor chains 38; and rigidly attached to and depending from the beams 36 at the rear end of the machine are similarbearing-brackets 40 that, with other suitable brackets, as, for instances, bracket 43, support for rotation a transverse driving shaft 44. Loosely s lined or feathered onthe shaft 44 and stradd ed by the brackets 40 to permit lateral adjustment of the beams 36 together with the parts attached or associated therewith, are sprocket wheels '45 having driving engagement with the conveyor-chains or belts 38. Fixed on shaft 44 and having driven connection by means of a chain or belt 46 with a sprocket- ,wheel 47 fixed on the driving-shaft 22, is a sprocket-wheel 49. As indicated, the beams 36 and the conveyor-chains 38 extend longi-' tudinally the length of the machine, and hence it will be evident that, on rotation of shaft 22, the endless conveyor-chains-38 and their lugs 39 will be actuated to feed the box-blanks C successively rearwardly through the machine.

Fixed upon, and movable transversely of the machine with, the laterally shiftable beams 36, are bearing brackets 50, in which are mounted for both slidable and rotary movement splined shafts 51, and suitably fixed on the shafts 51 are oppositely disposed pairs of box-

blank folding wings

52, 52, preferably of the form'best seen in Figures 4, 6, and 7 Keyed to the counter-driving shaft 22, is a cam 53 and follower 54 having engagement with a rack-bar 55, which, in turn, has meshing engagement with a gear 56 fixed on a transverse shaft 57 supported for rotation at its ends in suitable'bearings, one of which is shown at 58, Figure 5. Centrally, the shaft 57 extends loosely through the laterally shiftable beams 36, as seen inFigure 7, and feathered upon the shaft 57 and enclosed in suitable housings 59 rigidly attached to the outer faces of the respective beams 36, are pinions or gears 60, 60, best'seen in Figure 7, each having engagement with one face of respective two-faced racks 61 likewise suitably supported in position by the housings 59. Feathered on the shafts -51 are respective gears or pinions 62, which mesh with the other face of the res )ective racks 61, and hence it will be evident t at, as shaft 22 is rotated, a reciprocatory, or up and down, movement will be imparted to the rack-bar and shaft 5'7 concaused to rotatably move first in and that as shaft 57 is so caused to rotarily move first in one direction and then in the other direction, the two-faced racks 61 w1ll be caused to reciprocate and the shafts 51 consequently caused to rotate through an arc of approximately 180 first in one direction and then in the other direction. Thus, the folding-wings52 will, in like manner, with their supporting shafts 51, be caused to swing or oscillate through an arc defined by the letters ab first inwardly towards and downwardly upon the stock-blank C being conveyed by the chains 38 and then upwardly and outwardly from such blank C.

Intermediate their ends, the shafts 51 are each provided with a series of annular cogs forming circular racks 63, having meshing engagement with which are pinions 64 suitably housed upon the beams 36 and splined on a transverse shaft 65. in turn, suitably supported for rotation at its ends by table A and extending loosely through the beams 36.

. Fixed on shaft 65, is a gear 66 having meshing engagement with a rack-bar 67 held in place at its rack-end by a bracket-yoke68 depending from the shaft and fixed for reciprocatory movement at its other or lower end to an eccentric-strap 69 co-operating with an eccentric 70 keyed to the driving shaft 22. It will hence further be evident that, as shaft 22 is rotated and rack-bar 67 caused to reciprocate, the shafts 51 and their attached wings 52 will be given a reciprocatory movement longitudinally of the m'achine, and thus, as the conveyor-chains 38 are travcling constantly in one direction and successively feeding the box'blanks O rearwardly of the machine, the wings 52 both reciprocate rearwardly and forwardly of the'machine and fold inwardly and outwardly relatively to the fed box-blanks C; and we may here state that the reciprocating movement of the wings 52 is so timed and synchronized both with relation to their oscillatory or swinging movement and to the feeding movement or rearward travel of the conveyorchains 38 that the wings 52 oppositely open or swing outwardly through an arc of approximately 180 during their rearward reciprocating movement and oppositely close or swing inwardly through approximately the same are during their forward reciprocating movement. Thus, as the successive box-blanks C are being fed rearwardly of the machine, the wings 52, in their described closing swinging movement, gradually engage the projecting ends of the successive box-blanks C and fold the same inwardly and downwardly, as best seen in Figure 7, and then open to release the particular folded boxblank C and so on throughout the operation of the machine.

Extending longitudinally of the machine over the lateral center of the beam 14 and suitably rigidly supported at its ends by the forward and rear center brackets, 12, with its lower edge sufficiently spaced from the table to allow free movement thereunder of the successive box-blanks C in folded form, is a fixed so-called guide-member in the form preferably of .an elongated metal plate 71 adapted to correct any irregularity that may result in the described folding of the boxblanks C by the wings 52, so that the joints between the so folded end flaps of 'the respective successive box-blanks 0 shall be in the lateral center of the machine for uniform projection or feeding ina straight 'line to the taping mechanism E shortly to be described.

I have found from experience that, in order that the taping may be well and efliciently accomplished, it is substantially necessary that the portions or flaps of the successive box-blanks be completely flattened down after folding, and for this purpose we provide so-called pressing-clamps or pressers which are preferably in the form of elongated wooden members or beams 7272 di osed centrally of the machine upon the opposite sides of and parallel with the guide-plate 71. Preferably, the upper marginal portion of the plate 71 is of increased dimensions, not only to give it strength and rigidity, but also to serve as a support for spaced bearings 737 3 for bell-cranks 74-74 having pivoted disposed brackets 1112. Near one end of i the rocker-shaft 78, is rigidly attached a rocker-arm 79 connected by a pivotally joined link 80 to another rocker arm 81, rigidly, in

turn, keyed to a second laterally disposed horizontal shaft 82, similarly supported for rotation by the

rear center brackets

11, 12, as best seen in Figure 5. Keyed to shaft 82 is a pinion or gear 83 having meshing engagement with a rack 84 held in position by a suitable housing 85 and provided at its lower end with a cam-follower or roll 86 having co-operating engagement with a grooved cam 87 keyed to the counterrdriving shaft 22. It will be evident that, as the countershaft 22 is rotated, the rack 84 will be reciprocated, the shafts 82 and 78 rotarily rocked first in one direction and then in the other, and the pressing clamps 72 successively shifted and rocked and thereby depressed or lowered u on and then removed from the successive fol edbox-blanks C as the blanks C are being fed rearwardly through the machine to the taping mechanism; and it follows that the rack 84 will be caused to reciprocate either constantly or intermittently in conformity to the contour of the groove of cam 87 and that correspondingly the shiftable or rockable clamps 7 2 will be lowered upon the successive folded box-blanks C and then immediately elevated therefrom or first lowered upon the successive folded box-blanks C, then allowed to refore, I have so designed the cam 87 to cause the rack 84 to make a full reciprocation and then rest, from which it follows that the presser-clamps 72 remain in pressing engagement with and hold the folded ends of the successive box-blanks C flattened down until the same are by the chains 38 rearwardly conveyed under the holding-guides or plates 88, bestseen in Figures 4 and 7.

It is evident that, as the folding-wings 52 exert pressure on the successive stock C in the act of folding, the stock would be lifted bodily from a horizontal position if means of restraint were not provided. Hence, such disposition of the stock is restrained by fixed longitudinally disposed guides 89 having one end, as at 90, bolted to the abutment-plates 30, which guides provided straight sides or walls parallel to the longitudinal axis of the folding wings that not only prevent the fed stock from lifting at the axis of the fold, but, insure a straight fold exactly parallel to the edges to be taped. The guides 89 remain in fixed relation with the folding wings 52 and conveyor-beams 36 and since they are also in fixed relation with the abutment-plates 30, the mechanism for effecting lateral adjustments thereof to accommodate difierent size box-blanks or stock must all be coupled together to insure uniform and synchronous adjustments, all of which later appears.

In such manner, the machine being constantly in operation, the box-blanks C are first stacked upon the receiving-platform B, then successively fed to the folding andfiattening means and in such feeding held and guided horizontally upon the table A by the guides 89, then uniformly folded for taping by the wings 52 in co-operation with the fixed guide-plate 71, then held in flat folded condi- -tion by the movable presser-clamps 72 and fixed, clamps or plates 88, and then with the joint so formed fed to the taping mechanism for taping. I may state here that, as specifically illustrated in Figure 15, I prefer to facilitate the feeding of the successively folded box-blanks G by means of an auxiliary conveyor in the form of an endless chain 176, for accommodating which the center beam 14 is cut-away or apertured, as at 177, and longitudinally channeled or grooved, as at 178,

rearwardly from the opening 177 to adjacent the taping mechanism D. This chain 176 is reeved upon an idler gear 179 suitably mounted for rotation on a bracket 180 fixed to the beam 14, a second idler gear 181, in turn, mounted for rotation upon a bracket 182 fixed to the beam 14, and a driving gear 183 fixed on a shaft 184 suitablymountedfor rotation on the table-frame A. Suitably located and fixed on shaft 184, is a spur gear 185 having driven connection by means of a chain 186 with a larger gear 187 suitably fixed on the counterdriving shaft 22. Adj ustably carried by the chain 176 for successively engaging the folded box-blanks C are suitably spaced engaginglugs 188 grooved upon their upper faces for accommodating and moving under the fixed guide-plate '71. By means of the chain 176, the successively folded blanks C are engaged intermediate the main conveyor chains 38 and the feeding of the box-blanks C in proper and uniformly folded condition to the taping mechanism facilitated. :Preferably, to avoid any interference with the taping mechanism, the channel 178 is somewhat deeper adjacent the gear 181 than at its forward end adjacent the gear 179, as shown.

Referring again to Figure 2, it will be noted that the tape 2 has been applied to the folded box-blank or stock C at a point some distance from its opposite top and bottom.

sides and center, and in such connection I may here state that the distance from the center .of'the tape 2 to the right-hand margin of the box of Figure 2is the length of a side of the box and the distance from the center of the tape 2 to the left-hand margin of the box 'of Figure 2 is the width of the box, the dimension from side to side of the blank defining the unfolded height of the box. It will be-evident that when a quadrilateral box-blank, such, for instance, as th'ebox-blank or stock C here shown, is folded fiatwise together, the edges to be taped will be nearer one right or left margin of the folded stock than to the other. Only a square box may be so folded that theedges or ends to be joined would meet in the exact center. It will, therefore, be obvious that a folding and taping machine to be economically successful and eificient in the handling and production of boxes of various sizes and various shapes'should be adjustable, so that the tape may be placed at any distance desired between the left and right margins of the box-blank or stock when folded fiat together, as here shown in Figure 2. My

boxes of practically any shape, size or length.

It will be clear, however, that if these various lateral adjustments should be inaccurately made by a careless or indifferent operator,

much stock would be wasted and the work performed by the machine unsatisfactory, and that the mechanism for effecting such lateral adjustments upon one lateral side of the machine must operate independently of the mechanism for effecting such lateral adjustments upon the opposite-lateral side of the machine. It will also be clear that all lateral adjustments upon one sideof the machine must be simultaneously made so that all the sevcralparts to be adjusted on such respective sideof the working center of the'machine may function properly with a fixed relation to one another. Such mechanism in my machine will now be described, and since the mechanism for effecting adjustments on the one side of the central beam 14 are duplicated upon the other lateral side of the machine, a descrip {3)ion of one such mechanism will suffice for Mounted for rotation upon the table A is a series of transverse shafts 91 suitably spaced longitudinally of the machine, each shaft 91 being screw threaded for a part of its length, as at 92,- and having engagement with a threaded bracket 93 rigidly fixed to the conveyor-beam 36, a beveled gear 94 rigidly keyed to the outer center of the shaft 91 having meshing engagement with a mating bev eled gear 95 rigidly keyed to the longitudinally disposed rotatable shaft 33. As before stated, the shaft 33 is manually rotatable by the crank 35, and it will be apparent from the construction here described that, if the crank 35 is actuated in one direction, the particular beam 36, together'with the parts associated therewith and carried thereby, will be actu-.

ated toward the center beam 14, and if the crank 35 is actuated in the op osite direction, the particular beam 36 and t e parts associated therewith and carried thereby will be drawn from the center beam 14. As best seen in Figures 4 and 7, the ears 32 fixed upon the screws 31 carrying t e abutment-plates 30 are connected for actuation by means of beveled gears 96 and 97 and diagonall disposed shafts 98 with the adjusting sha s 91, and thus in a simple, efficient-manner, on actuation of the main adjusting shafts 33 disposed at the opposite sides of the frame, the conveyor chains 38, the abutment plates 30, the restraining guide-clamps 89, and the folding wings 52 upon the opposite sides of the center-beam 14 may be independently adjusted laterally toward or, from the center beam 14 to accommodate for feeding and folding box-blanks of various sizes and dimensions, so that when folded and their free edges brought} together for taping and irrespective of the size and dimenisons of the box-blank, the edges thereof to be taped will be brought flatwise'in abutting relation in the exact lat eral center of the machine.

In the foregoing description, I have described the various parts of the machme,

which effect successive folding of the boxblanks C, the free edges of each thereof to be taped being folded and brought together to approximately flatwise abut in a straight line and in the exact lateral center of the machine and as so folded delivered or fed by the conveyor-chains 38 and 17 6 to the taping element E, now shortly to be described. The

veloping from the raw material into thefinished product in the shortest possible time. In my present machine, the conveyor 38, when feeding, runs continuously in one direction, carrying the stock C rearwardly from the receiving platform through the process of folding and tapin without a pause. Since the tape must be placed upon the folded box throughout its lateral center and at various distances from its .longitudinal center, as illustrated in Fi ure 2, it is evident that exact and definite adjustments of the taping element be provided for. I have provided for all longitudinal adjustments for placing the tape by the lateral adjustments of the conveyor and folding elements relatively to a fixed center, as before described. The adjust: ments for placing the tape in the lateral center of the folded box-blanks of variousshapes and sizes are provided for, as shortly appearing, by adjustments wholly within the taping element E, which is built preferably as an integral part of the combined machine, although it is evident that either the folding element or taping element would perform their respective functions independently of desired has been referred to above and will be further elucidated as'the' taping element is explained. The second involves means for maintaining the adhesive at a temperature and a degree of fluidity or viscosity that will insure the firm adhesion of the tape to the box. It is well understood that the fluidity or viscosity of liquids is affected both by temperature changes and the amount of humidity in the atmosphere. I have found by experience that, if the tape receives the proper degree of moisture fromfthe moistening roll on days when the atmosphere is hot and dry, the tape must be applied as quickly as possible after leaving the moistening roll; on the other hand, when the atmosphere hasa high tened by the roll and its application. to the.

box-blank. I have, also, found that this adj ustment of the machine must be made during its operation as often as a material change in humidity or temperature takes place.

The taping mechanism E is located, as before stated, adjacent therear end of the machine, disposed to deliver the tape to the to the bracket 99, as best seen in Figure 14.

Rigidly fixed to the shaft 100, is a radially disposed rocker or puller-arm 102, to the outer or free end of which is rigidly fixed a downwardly projecting curved portion or housing 103 supportinga pair of opposed sets of suitable preferably yielding or spring tape-gripping fingers 104. To and between the fingers 104, tape 105 of any suitable width and quality is supplied and threaded from a reel thereof disposed and securely held by lateral fasteners 106 between 'two' holding disks 107 mounted for rotation upon a stubshaft carried at one end of a bracket-arm 108 supported intermediate its ends for rotary movement upon a bracket 109 upstanding from the-table A. A duplicate pair of reel-holding disks 107 is carried for rotation by the/other end of the bracket-arm 108, so that, when the supply of tape from one reel is exhausted, the duplicate reel may he switched into position, either pair of said reel-holding disks being held in tape-supplying position by a spring actuated fastenerbolt 110 adapted to engage a keeper 111 car ried by the disks, all as best-seen in Figure 9.

The tape 105 is first drawn from the reel by hand andthen threaded under an idlerroll 112, then under amoistening reservoir supplied preferably by a tank 114, then around an idler-roll 115, then beneath a guide-roll 116, and then over the moistening roll 117 with the gummed surface contacting withthe periphery of the moistening-roll and receiving moisture therefrom. The tape 105 is then passed under an idler-roll 118,

- where the tape is reversed so as to expose the moistened side thereof to the atmosphere without contactin with the surface of the several rollers. T e tape 105 is then passed over an idler-roll 119 supported on a stand ard 120 and from roll 119 threaded between the opposed sets of fingers 104, where the tape is held taut and under tension and gripped by a so-called gripping-member 121 held by means of slots and bolts 122 for limited sliding movement upon the rocker-arm 102 and adapted at one end to clamp the threaded.

tape 105 against an upwardly projecting portion 123 of the finger-housing 103. As best seen in Figure 14, the gripping-member 121 is normally held yieldingly in retracted position out of engagement with the tape by means of a retracting-spring 124 and is positively actuated to engage or grip the tape against the housing-portion 123 by means of a rocker-arm 125 radially projecting from and fixed to the said so-called solid shaft 101. It will be evident that, following such arrang'ement, the rocker-arm 125 will also be yieldingly held by the spring 172 both in. and returned to normal position.

Mounted for rotatory movement in a suitable bearing 126 supported by the bracket 99, is a shaft 127, fixed upon which is a member 128, best seen in Figures 13 and 14. As there shown, the member 128 is of somewhat skeleton form and surrounds for relative movement the tape-tensioning housing 103, and through which member the housing 103 is adapted to reciprocatorily swing rearwardly downwardly and forwardly upwardly through an arc of approximately 32. The member 128 carries a knife-blade 129, which is normally, or when in elevated position, disposed rearwardly of the fingers 104, as seen in Figure 13, the member 128 beingalso as more fully later appears, adapted for swinging movement relatively to the tensioning-housing 103 to bring its carried blade 129 into tape-shearing or cutting co-operation with a. fixed or stationary knife-blade 130 disposed under the member 128 and supported by a cross-member 131 carried for adjustment, for purposes later appearing, by the bracket 99, as best seen in Figure 13.

Also suitably carried for rotation by the bracket 99 and disposed rearwardly of the. co-operatingknife-blades 129 and 130, is a preferably knurled or otherwise peripherally roughened presser-roller 132, co-operating in stock-feeding relation with which is a roller 133 suitably supported by rotation upon a bracket 134 pivotally supported for adjustment on the frame A by an arm 135.

It will be apparent that without means for adjusting the feed of the tape and the cut lengths of the tape, the tape will always be delivered to the stock at one point irrespective of the size or height of the boxes being taped, and hence the taping of different size boxes would require difierent size machines.

In my machine, however, provision for adj usting the feed of the tape and the cut lengths of the tape to all sizes and heights of boxes is made, and such means and the means for .actuating the tape-gripping, pulling, and cutting members will now be descrlbed.

on thersleeve 137, so that said members or veyor driving-shaft 44.

disks shall rotate with the same angular velocity and in fixed relation toeach other.

- Mounted on the sleeve 137 is a pinion-gear 140 having driven connection by means of a chain or the like 173 and a train of gearing designated as a whole as 174, see Figure 9, with a sprocket-gear 175 fixed on the con- Also mounted on sleeve 137 and fixed to the gear 140, is a graduated or so-called index disk 141; and disposed on sleeve 137 in flatwise abutting relation with the disk 141, is a smaller disk 142 provided upon its periphery with a pair of outwardly projecting so-called cam-

noses

143, 144, and also with an outwardly projecting index finger orp'ointer 145 adapted in co-operation with and relatively to the graduated disk 141 to indicate the angularity of the disk 142 relatively to the disk 141 for the purpose of'eifecting adjustments ofthe pulling fingers 104 and gripping-member 121 in theirtape engagements to suit or correspond with boxes of various sizes.

Also disposed upon the sleeve 137 in flat-- wise abutting relation withthe disk 142, is a second graduated or index disk146 sustaining a fixed relation to the larger graduated disk 141 by means of a hub-sleeve 147 and dowel pins 148, as best seen in Figure 12.

Further disposed upon the sleeve 137 in flatwise abutting relation with the second dial disk 146 is a fourth disk 149 provided upon its periphery with an outwardly projecting index-finger 149 and with one or more preferably removable cam-grooves 150 adapted for engagement by a roller 151 carried in the end of the rocker arm 152 rigidly attached to the shaft 127, which shaft 127 is adapted for rotation under the torsional tension of a helical spring 153 coiled about the shaft 127 and one end of which is attached to a collar 154 and the other end of which is attached to the shaft bearing 126. Rigidly attached to the hollow shaft 100, is a pawl 155 adapted for actuation by the cam-nose 144 of disk 142, and rigidly fixed on the solid shaft 101 is a second pawl 156 adapted for actuation by the cam-nose 143 of the disk 142. It will now be evident that, on rotary actuation of the disk 142, the pawl .150 will be tripped. thereby effecting a yielding rocking against the pull of spring 172 of the arm 125 and the the tape 105, in such movement, being carried between the now spaced cutting blades 129 and 130 and deposited lengthwise upon the joint in the stock C being fed or conveyed between the eo-operating

rollers

132 and 133.

It will also be evident that, when the roller 151 drops into a cam-groove 150, the shaft 127 will be instantly caused to rotate under the torsional tension of the spring 153, in turn,

effecting a rocking of the knife carrying memher 128, upon which movement the movable blade 129 is carried'into tape shearing or cutting co-operation with the fixed or stationary blade 130. and the tape 105 thereby cut at the exact ,point desired after the same has been fed, as described, to and upon the joint in the box-blank C traveling between the

rollers

132 and 133, which rollers are caused to rotate under frictional engagement with the traveling stock.

It will be noted that the cam-

noses

143, 144, are symmetrical or alike on their lifting or pawl-tripping faces and thereby effect substantial simultaneous operation of both the gripping member 125 and the puller-frame or housing 103, while their opposite faces are unlike, the cam-nose 143 being shaped or formed, as shown, to release the gripping-actuating arm 125 in advance of release of the pullerarm 102 by the other camnose 144, both of which, upon such release return to normal position by the pull of their shaft-engaging spring 17 2, the gripping-plate or member 121 being at the same time retracted by the spring 124. The purpose of such release of the tapegripping and pulling members is to prevent any pulling of the tape from its supporting reel on the return movement of said members, as will be obvious.

As best seen in Figure 14, the stationary knife supporting-member 131 is preferably adjustable by means of an adjusting-screw 157 and its co-operating-mechanism 158. The tension or grip of the fingers 104 upon the tape is adjustable by means of an adj ustmentlever 159 supported by their housing 103, and it will be clear that, when the puller-housing 103 and its carried fingers-104 are yieldingly returned to normal by the action of the helical spring 172, thetape 105, having been already adhered to the moving stock; continues to be drawn from the reel through the puller-frame 103 and guide-wires 104 until a sufiicient length has been supplied to suit the size box being taped when the rocker arm 152 drops into one of the cam grooves 150, causing the cutting mechanism to operate as is above described.

After the tape is cut to length and applied, it must be smoothly disposed over the surface of the taped edges of the box. This is properly performed by two

rotatable brushes

160, 160, rigidly keyed to

transverse shafts

161, 161, suitably supported in bearings 162, 162, and driven by the sprockets 163, 163, actuated by the chain 173, and I may add that the idlerroll 133 positioned beneath the stock and cooperating with the knurled roller 132 is -pref-.

erably vertically adjustable by means of a wedge and screwadjustment, not shown, for increasing or decreasing the pressure applied to the tape as it passes betweenv the

rollers

132 and 133.

Reverting now to the indexing assemblage best seen in Figures 11 and 12, normally the several members of the assemblage rotate continuously in fixed angular relation to one another, which fixed relation is predetermined by the height-dimension of the particular box-blanks or stock being taped. It will be noted that the

dials

141 and 146 are graduated in inches, half-inches, and quarter-inches from zero to sixty inches. The purpose of such graduation is to serve as an index for effecting pulling and cutting of the tape to proper length and for placing the tape at the proper point on the successive folded boxblanks. The two graduated

dials

141 and 146 carry identical graduations up to sixty and serve as an index for setting the taping mechanism to handle stock up to a size measuring sixty inches overall in height or stock of substanti ally any even division of sixty inches in overall height. For larger sizes a larger machine of identical parts and identical functions may be constructed, and it will be apparent from the foregoing description that the tape will be placed upon the moving stock at approximately the exact moment the

cams

143, 144 engage and trip the

pawls

155, 156, and as the taping element E, the folding element D, and the stock feeding means operate in fixed timed relation with each other, the tape will always be placed at the same and exact point so long as the

cams

143, 144 bear the same timed relation to the other moving parts of the machine.

The above statements apply with equal and exact force to the cutting mechanism. Therefore, in order to-vary the point of contact of the tape with the successive folded boxblanks C and also to vary the point at which the-tape is severed, it is necessary to change the timed" relation of the

cams

143, 144 and the cam grooves 150 with the other moving parts of the machine. The dial-faced

disks

141, 146, remain always in a fixed timed relation with the moving mechanism of the enpleterevolution, the conveyor-chains 38 have traveled sixty inches. When the

disks

141, 146 make a half revolution, the conveyorchains 38 have carried the stock forward thirty inches, and so on, in like proportion. 1

If now the

plain disks

142, 149 be rotated relatively to the

dial disks

141, 146, so that their

index fingers

145, 149*" point to zero and 30 on their respective 'cooperatin graduated

disks

141, 146, and if the plain disk 149 had only one cam-groove 150, the tape would be placed first at zero and then at ever sixty inches- Now, if the plain disk 149 e provlded, as in the present instance, with two cam-grooves 150 dametrically opposite, the tape will be laced and cut at every thirty inches from t e point at which they are set. Four cam-grooves 150 disposed 90 degrees apart wouldefl'ect a taping and cutting at intervals of fifteen inches, and so on.

Observing Figure 2 of the drawings, it will be evident that the tape must be placed at an exact and definite distance'from the front edge 8 of the folded stock. In the resent instance, let it be be assumed that t e lugs or box-blank C there shown, is twenty-five inches, and that the end flaps the ortions a: to

be folded in, that is to say, the orward portion :20 of the blank between the edge 8 and the scoring line of the blank tween the edge t and the ad- ]acent scoring line a, are each five inches in width, so that the finished height of the box, with its top and bottom flaps folded in, that is to say, the portions w of the box intermediate the scoring lines y-a, is fifteen inches; consequently, the index finger 145 of the tapeplacing disk 142 will be set at twenty inches, so that, when the stock has moved ten inches rearwardly through the taping mechanism, or an aggregate distance correspondin substantially to the width of the end ap an of one blank and the forward flap w of the succeeding blank, the tape will be applied. The length of the tape to be measured and cut is fifteen inches, and hence the tape pulling and cutting mechanism will be set to correspondingly pull or measure and cut the tape. Thus, at every thirty inches travel of thiICOIIVEyOI-ChZLlIIS, the tape will be applied an cut.

By loosening the clamping nut 139 on the g and the rearward portion w the

plain disks

142, 149, may be provided with any number of cam-noses and camrotates as a unit. It will be understood that hould it be required to fold and tape boxes 0 of more than sixty inches of overall height, 7

this result may be obtained by decreasing the the torsional tension of the spring 172. This speed of the indexing mechanism relatively to the conveyors. In short, by such ad ustments in the timed relation of these two mechanisms, the present machine may be well described as a universal box-folding and boxtaping machine.

An important and valuable feature of my machine is the automatic control and temperiture regulation of the moistening fluid. The fluid suppl tank 114, which is of large capacity, is capa le' of hermetic sealing by a screwthreaded cap 164 and so positioned for communication by a vertically disposed feed-pipe 165 having a stop flow valve 166 with the reservoir 113, into which the moistening fluid or water flows. Beneath the reservoir 113 is an electric or gas heater 167 of any suitable kind that may be closely regulated to a temperature that will maintain the water or adhesive at a proper consistency or viscosity. An air-tight conduit 168 is vertically disposed through the bottom of the supply tank 114: and extends upwardly to near the top of said tank, the lower end extending downwardly to the desired water level into the open receptacle or reservoir 113, both ends being open. It is, therefore, evident that, as the fluid sinks below the lower open end of the conduit 168, air will be permitted to enter the supply tank 114 thus breaking. the hermetic seal and causing the water .to flow into the reservoir 113 until the water level rises sufliciently high to stop the flow of air which, in turn, eifects a stoppage in the flow of wa ter-hence a constant level is automatically maintained in the reservoir 113.

I have found by experience that the gumm'ed surface of the tape after bein moistened is extremely sensitive to heat and moisture. I have also found by ex erience' that corrugated box-board and other ox material varies greatly in absorbent characteristics and that, in order to insure efiicient and satisfactory adhesion of the tape to the stock,

. the viscosity of the adhesive must be changed to suit the atmospheric and weather conditions, as well as to suit various classes of stock. By means of the heating element 167 I maintain the moistening fluid at a proper consistency for average conditions, and then by raising or lowering the idler roll 119 upon the standard 120, the roller 119 being adjustable up or down upon the standard 120 by means of a friction-clamp 169 over a relox-b sink or stock may be atively widera nge, I am able to expose the spring 172 is of such strength, however, that it recoils with considerable force and, if not opposed, would impose harmful strain and shock upon the adjacent mechanism. To obviate this, I have provided a pneumatic shock absorber consisting of a pivotally mounted cylinder 170 provided Wlth' an adjustable air vent 171 having a piston reciprocable therein, which piston is operatively connected to a rocker-arm, not shown, located interme-' diate the ends of the shaft 100 and rigidly attached thereto. When the spring recoils, it is evident that the shock will be absorbed by the air cushion between the piston and cylinder heads.

-As best seen in Figure 9, the shiftable beams 36 are provided in the rear portion of the machine with side plates 189, which, at their upstanding marginal portions, function to guide the folded'and taped box from the machine.

My machine is automatic in its operations and is exceedingly eflicient in the performance of its intended functions, and I am aware that changes in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of my machine may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described In invention, what I claim and desire to secure y Letters .Patent 1s:

1. A box-folding machine including;. in combination, means comprising oppositely disposed wings swingably and reciprocatorily movable for engaging and folding the stock, and continuous feeding means for conveying the stock to and from the folding-wings.

2. A box-folding machine including, in combination, a pair of spaced rack shafts rotarily and slidably movable, oppositely disposed wings fixed to and movable with the shafts, mechanism for effecting both rotatory and reciprocatory movement of the shafts for swingably and reciprocatorily actuating the wings to engage and fold the stock, and

means for conveying the stock to the win s.

I machine, means for folding the fed stock, and

resser-clam s .shiftable duringfeeding movement the conveying means for engagin the folded fed'stock;

5. 1% a box-folding machine, means for conveying the stock through the machine, means for foldin the fed'stock, resser-clamps for engaging the folded fed stock, and mechamsm 1 for s ably actuating the presser clamps 5 during feeding movement ofthe conveying means.

6. t In a box-folding machine, means for conveyin the stock through the machine, 0p-

osite y disposed members for engagmg the ed, stock for oppositely folding portions thereof, a air of resser-clamps for engaging the fol ed fed stock, and means for shifted stock thereof, a shiftable pair of resser-beams for -ably actuating the clamps simultaneously during feeding movement of the conveying means. i A

7. In a box-foldingmachine, means for conveyin the stock through the machine, op ositely is osed members for engaging the or oppositely folding portions engagingthe folded fed stock, and means for shiftably elevating and lowering the presserbeams simultaneously during feeding movement of the conveying means.

8. In a box-folding machine, means for conveying the stock longitudinally through the machine, oppositely disposed members I for engaging the -fed stock for oppositely folding elongate I positely ortions thereof, a .shiftable pair of d presser-beams disposed longitudinally of the machine for engaging the folded fed stock, and means for shiftably elevating and lowering the resser-beams during feed ing of the-fed stock, shiftable resser-clamps for engaging the folded fed stock upon opposite sides of said fixed member, and mechanism for shiftably actuating the presserclamps.

11. In a box-folding machine, means for conveying the stock longitudinally through the machine, oppositely-disposed members for engagingthe fed stock for oppositely folding ortions thereof, a fixed member disposed ongitudinally of the machine intermediate the folding members for guiding'the folding of the fed stock,shift a ble resser-clamps for erg gaging the folded fed stock on op osite s1 es ofsaid fixed member, means for s ifta-' bly actuating the presser-clamps during feeding movement of the conveying means, and-- the fed stock' fixed clamps formaintaining1 in folded pressed condition w en released by the folding members and presser-clamps.

ort, :means upon the support for maintain-, mg the stock in a pile, conveying means traveling under the pile for feedlng the stock from the pile through the machine, and means comrising swingable members actuable during 12. In a box-folding machine, a stock supeeding movement of the conveying means 1- for folding the fed stock.

'13. In a box-folding machine a stock sup-' port, means upon the support for maintaining the stock in a pile, conveying means traveling under the pile for feeding the stock I from the pile through, themachine, means comprising swingable members actuable during feeding movement of the conveying means for folding the fed stock, and means for retaining the stock horizontally upon the support while being acted on by the foldin means.

14. In abox-folding machine, a support for stock of various dimensions to be folded, in combination with means comprising conveyors laterally shiftable relatively to each other for conveying the stock of various dimensions through the machine, and means comprising swingable members also laterally sliiftable relatively to each other for folding the fed stock of various dimensions.

151 In a box-folding machine, a support for stock of various dimensions to be folded, means lIlCllldlIlg conveyors laterally shiftable relatively. to each other for conveying the stock through the machine, means including oppositely isposed swingable members laterally shiftable relatively to each other for folding the fed stock, and mechanism for shiftably adjusting the conveying and folding members 1n accordance with the dimensions of the particular stock being folded;

16. A box-folding machine including, in I combination, a support for stockof various dimensions to be folded, beams oppositely shiftable upon'the support, means comprising members mounted for swingable movement upon the beams for folding the stock,

means comprising conveyors traveling upon the beams forfeeding the stock to the folding means, and means for shifting the beams relatively to each other for adjusting the folding-members and conveyors in accordance with the dimensions of the particular stock being folded.

17. A box-folding machine including, in

dimensions to be folded, adjustable means for maintaining stock of respective various dimensions in a pile upon thesupport, beams .oppositely shiftable upon the support, means combination, a support for stock of various i