US1949495A

US1949495A - Box folding machine

Info

Publication number: US1949495A
Application number: US623191A
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul R Simmons
Original assignee: INDIANA FIBRE PRODUCTS Co
Current assignee: INDIANA FIBRE PRODUCTS Co
Priority date: 1932-07-18
Filing date: 1932-07-18
Publication date: 1934-03-06
Anticipated expiration: 1951-03-06

Description

March 6, 1934. $|MMQN$ 1;.949,495

Box FOLPiNG MACHINE Filed July 18, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. N law/.4 K S/MMo/Vs.

1 ATTORNEY-5.

March 1934- P. R. SIMMONS BOX FOLDING MACHINE Filed July 18 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

P904 A. J/MMo/VJ.

ATTO'RNEYJ.

P. R. SIMMONS BOX FOLDING MACHINE March 6,1934.

z; Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR. Pfiuz K .S/M/m/Ys.

Z/J 05W M WY ATTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 6, 1934 UNITED STATES BOX FOLDING MACHINE Paul R. Simmons, Marion, Ind.,' assignor to Indiana Fibre Products Company, Marion, Ind.,

a corporation Application July 18, 1932, Serial No. 623,191

33 Claims.

This invention relates to a folding machine for forming tubularly arranged flattened box blanks from flat scored pieces.

This application is a continuation in part of 5 a copending application filed June 1, 1931, Serial No. 541,297, entitled Universal continuous folder for boxes, and a continuation in part of a copending application, filed February 25, 1932, Serial No. 595,086, entitled Box folding machine.

The before mentioned inventions and the present invention are all directed to mechanisms for forming from flat scored sheets flattened tubularly arranged box blanks with the ends thereof lying in substantially abutting relation and with the line of abutting relation substantially at right angles to the length of the box, so that substantially square or rectangular box arrangement will be obtained from tubular blanks when opened for filling purposes.

Folding machines are notoriously old in the art but have been incapable of commercial use except for relatively low rates of folding, because in rapid folding the infolded ends have a tendency to cock relative to each other and the main portion of the blank, so that there results a tubular box which, when opened, is not exactly rectangularly in cross sectional outline and is not of the same rectangular outline throughout the box. The variation may be-anywhere from an eighth of an inch or greater and in relatively deep boxes, this variation is progressive and is extremely objectionable and may render the box unsatisfactory for the use to which it is intended because of the gap that results therefrom between the adjacent box forming portions weakens the box so that the sealing tape employed is the only sustaining element and must serve not only as a means for securing the box parts together, but

also must serve as a part of the box wall. This naturally means the box is no stronger than the tape and for protection purposes, this tape has little or no protective action.

Also, for the packaging of very small articles, a substantially square box must be provided. Boxes which are not substantially square are known as imperfect boxes. These imperfect boxes have generally been caused by reason of the blank traveling while the ends are being infolded, and the greater the speed of travel of the blank the greater is this tendency to vary from the exact squaring. In other words, the greater the capacity of the machine or the faster the rate of folding, the greater is-the 5 tendency to deviate from the squared box. Of

00 chines of this character, it is practically impossible to stop the travel of the blank to permit folding the ends while the blank is stationary.

The present invention, like that disclosed in the before mentioned applications, provides a machine wherein the several parts cooperate in substantially fool-proof manner. In common with the previous disclosures, the present invention is so arranged that the parts may be quickly adjusted for operation upon various. sizes of sheets for forming the box blanks of different sizes.

The chief object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a machine which will not only eliminate so-called manual folding of box forming sheets or blanks, but which will also have a capacita or rate of production far in excess of manual operation and of previous machines, as well as that illustrated and described in the copending applications, and which will form absolutely square or transverse joints and folds in the box so that the blanks as discharged in folded and flattened relation from this machine can be directly discharged to an automatic taping machine of which there'are several commercial forms now on the market, which taping machine automatically applies sealing tape to the substantially abutting edges of the infolded ends of the blank and thereby secures them in the desired relation and forms the tubular blank that can be later set up as a box at the point where the box is to be used. These blanks are shipped flat to the customer and usually in bundles or bales which permit the customer to store them in a minimum amount of space, and this form of shipment also reduces the transportation costs because a greater number of box blanks can be placed in the same transportation space.

Thechief feature of the invention consists in the formation of a machine which accomplishes all of the foregoing purposes and the object of this invention.

Other features of the invention will appear more fully from the detailed description hereinafter set forth.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims:--

In the drawings, Fig. l is a perspective view of a machine embodying the invention, certain of the power mechanism being omitted for the same is illustrated and described in the first co-pending application to which reference is herein made.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the machine and is taken in the plane of line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of a portion of the machine and is taken substantially the plane of line 33 of Fig. l and in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the blank associated with one of the creasing bars and substantially at the point wherein the end of the blank is beginning to be infolded.

Fig. 5 is a similar view of the same parts showing the operation of the creasing bar.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective of the discharge end of a folding machine including a modified form of the invention.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged vertical section through the first wheel or aligning structure shown in Fig. 6 and shows the positive straighteners in detail.

In the drawings 11 indicatesplatform portions suitably mounted upon any conventional frame work. The platform and the platform portions lie flush with the angle guide members 12. Ex tending from one end of the machine to the other is an endless conveyor construction shown herein as comprising four parallel chains 13, each of which rides over sprocket gears at opposite ends of the machine. Power is applied to one of the shafts associated with the sprockets at one end of the machine and said shaft is indicated by the numeral 17, the power being applied as at 18. The sprockets at the discharge end of the machine are indicated by the numeral 16. The respective chains are connected by the transversely positioned bars 19. Each bar is secured in predetermined and equidistant and spaced relation relative to the others. Each bar includes a projecting free end which is down-=turned at 20 and which underlies the angle member 12. Said bar is therebey prevented from elevating above the plane of the platform or the predeter mined operating plane of the device. Suitab'le intermediate platform portions, indicated at 21, are also provided and lie in the operating plane. They are spaced from each other and from the other platform portions forming channels or iongitudinal slots in the plane of which are mounted the chains.

An overhead cross member 22 is suitably supported as at 23 and adjustably carried thereby are vertically positioned guide and stop members 24. The cross member is squared so that the cross members 241 are always maintained vertically or approximately so, no matter in what adjusted position they may be. These members 24 may be adjusted longitudinally along cross member 22 and, therefore, towards and away from each other, depending upon the width of the sheets of corrugated paper board stock or like material which has been previously cut and; scored and are positioned so that one edge of all of the sheets bears against the members 24 and all sheets are aligned thereby.

The thickness of each sheet determines the vertical adjustment of the members 24 with re spect to its support 2411 upon the cross member 22. Each vertical support 24 terminates above,

the plane of operation and the opening therebeneath is just sufiicient to permit a single sheet 9, which, as before stated, has been scored at 10 and slotted at 8, to pass beneath the lower ends of the vertical supports 24.

The bar members 19 are also of such thickness that they too will just pass beneath the lower' edge of each member 24, whereby single sheet feeding is obtained. Preferably, the space between the bars 19 on the chains 13 is just suflicient to accommodate the largest width of blank or sheet to be operated upon. The thickness of the bar 19 is also limited in amount, being no greater than the minimum thickness of the stock or sheet to be handled. Thicker sheets, of course, will be forming a wide bearing surface.

readily handled by these same bars, even though the bar is of less thickneess than the sheet han dled thereby.

To insure predetermined positioning of the sheet upon the conveying mechanism so that the subsequent functions of the folding mechanisms may be properly coordinated for obtaining a square folded box, there is positioned a longitudinal side aligning member 25 which is adjustably mounted on the support 22 as at 28.

Suitably supported by the member 22 and extending downwardly therefrom, are the guide and bearing members having the depending portions 27 and the longitudinal downwardly inclined although approximately horizontally positioned bearing portions 28.

Herein three of said members are illustrated and the same are positioned in spaced relation relative to the infolding mechanisms subsequent-=. ly to be described. The two outer portions 28, are adjusted in position upon the crom member 22 so that they lie adjacent the two end lon= gitudinal scorings 10 but within the same, or otherwise expressed, their outer longitudinal edges are spaced a less distance apart than the space between the two longitudinal end scorings 10.

Intermediate member 28, or its equivalent, is extended beyond the ends of the other or two outer members 28; as indicated at 14, and as shown clearly in Fig. 1, said intermediate member being enlarged laterally and oppositely for The position of this intermediate member 28 is determined by the normal position of the gap between the two substantially abutting ends of the blank when infolded. The blank is herein illustrated as rectangularly outlined and will form a box with two sides wider than the two other sides. That accounts for the fact that herein the intermediate member 28 is positioned closer to one of the outer members 28 than the other outer member 28.

As the carrier bar 19 moves from beneath the members 24, it carries with it the bottom sheet 9 and said sheet is carried forwardly by the conveyor mechanism and beneath the pressing members 28. To insure positive forward move- I ment of the sheet that has passed beneath mambers 24, each of the carrier bars is provided with a pivot forming support 101 upon which is pivotally supported an arm 102 terminating in a large radius guide and aligning plate 103. Each carrier bar 19 supports at least one of these structures and preferably one in each of the intermediate passages or slots 100.

Gravity normally retains the arms and plates in depending relation when the bar is in the upper run. To positively insure non-interference of the members 24 and 2'7 and maintain longitudinal alignment therewith although transverse members 27 are never so aligned, and more particularly to prevent engagement by the plates 103 with the approaching edge of more than the lowest sheet in the stack, a spring 104 retains each guide plate retracted. To obtain full aligning benefit from the plates and each bar 19, the latter is notched as at 105 to nestingly receive the plate 103. The rear edge of the blank, therefore, simultaneously bears against the forward edge of the bar 19 and all of the aligned forward faces of the plates 103 carried thereby.

In alignment with the slots 100 and intermediate the ends of the machine, are support guides that tilt the aforesaid plate mechanism upward in opposition to spring 104 to insure positive forward movement of the sheet. Hereinsee Fig. 2--such a support includes the cam portion 106 and the supporting portion 107. At this particular station, the lower edge of the plate 103 engages the inclined portion 106 and is forced upwardly thereby in opposition to the spring 104 and thus projects upwardly from the plane of operation and insures positive forward movement of the sheet. The plates 103 are held elevated by the portions 107.

At a predetermined portion of the travel, however, plate 107 terminates and positioned slightly therebeneath is a second supporting plate 108. This support 108 holds the plate 103 in elevated position so that it projects above the plane of operation just that amount necessary to insure the forward movement of the infolded edge with the body portion of the blank.

While in the before mentioned applications the cam plates 103 are shown with large radius curvature and curved in the present form of the invention, these cam plates have a straight portion and thus have a radius of curvature of infinity. The purpose of this is that the forward edge of the bars and the upwardly projecting portion of the cam plate when the cam plate is resting on the support 108, will be in substantially the same vertical plane. Of course, the members 106107 and the member 108 are preferably arranged for longitudinal adjustment so that the time cycle may be varied whenever required.

Suitably supported on the frame work of the -machine, as at 29, is a transversely positioned member 31 and the member 31 is slidably supported in an elongated bearing 30. A pair of said members is oppositely disposed and adjustably mounted in the bearings at opposite sides of thev machine. Each member 31 is suitably secured to the outside of a stationary infolding guide member 32. Each guide member 32 is adjustably supported as at 33 upon the transverse member 34 carried by the main frame through the brackets 35 at the discharge end of the machine.

The elongated members 28 extend parallel to the members 32 and lie between the same. The main body of the sheets is held down by means of the members 28 and passes between the guide and folding members 32, as shown clearly in Fig. 1. The shape of the guide and folding member 32 for the infolding of the elevated ends of the sheet is likewise shown in said figure and is substantially the same as that illustrated in the before mentioned applications.

Positioned between the sheet discharge station and the ends of the members 32, is an adjustable folding mechanism that is adapted to engage the ends of the blank and elevate the same. These mechanisms cooperate with the outside members 29 which hold down the body of the sheet.

At each side and in one of the slots 100, there is movable a cam member 36 which has the conformation shown in Fig. 1 which and is arranged to be rotated. In its rotation and when advancing upwardly, the cam member engages the end of the sheet when the middle of the end is positioned directly thereover so that the end is folded along the outside longitudinal scoring 10, and in substantially transverse relation to the top and bottom.

The cam and infolding member 36 includes a hub 37 and the same is mounted upon a shaft 48 and is rotatable thereby. Depending from each hub structure is an arm 39 and associated therewith is a member 42 that terminates in the hand wheel 45. The hand wheel 45, serves to move the hub structure 37 longitudinally of the rotating shaft 48. One form of such mechanism is shown in Fig. 2 of the second mentioned application.

Depending from the support 34 and longitudinally adjustable thereon, is a bracket 50. Bracket adjustably supports an arm 51 which terminates in a cam faced shoe or presser member 52 which is curved upwardly and forwardly-see Figs. 3 and 4 of the second mentioned application, as well as Fig. l of the present application. Extending rearwardly from the shoe is a pressing extension 53. The mechanism thus diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 1 is substantially that illustrated and described in detail in the second mentioned co-pending application.

As shown clearly in Figs. 1, 4 and 5, each of the outer members 28 is provided with an outwardly directed inclined edge and an offset edge 61 parallel to the edge of the main portion of member 28. Members 28, in this form of the invention, do not lie extremely close to the two outer longitudinal scorings 10. The purpose of the aforesaid offsetting is as clearly illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.

As the sheet 9 advances, the rotating earns 36 elevate the ends of the sheet and retain the same elevated until the two stationary infolding guides 32 engage the sheet and hold the ends elevated. Before the ends are infolded and by reason of the fact that the sheets are travelling at a rapid rate in infolding from the perpendicular to the horizontal, undue overlapping relation would result in the biasing of the fold instead of forming a fold that is substantially transverse to the top and bottom of the box. Any tendency of the portion 7 formed by the slotting 8 in the blank to fold in ahead of time and thus result in a bias fold at the scoring 10, is here corrected by the portion 7 engaging the cam portion 60 and being forced outwardly into alignment with the scoring 10, as shown clearly in Fig. 5, and the same is held in alignment by the face 61. In other words, the infolded ends of the box are held true and square during the last infolding or overlapping operation.

As before mentioned, the two outside members 28 terminate short of the end of the machine while the member 14 extends beyond such termination. Mounted upon the supports 65 between the supports 35 and 29, is a shaft 66 and said shaft mounts a sprocket 67 driven by chain 68, in turn driven by a sprocket pinion 69 carried by shaft 17. Mounted on the shaft 66 is a wheel structure including a rotating blade 77 and positioned at each side thereof is an inwardly tapered wheel 78 having the peripheral or blank engaging portion 79. The purpose of this relieving of the wheel structure is that the wheel plate 77 will nest between the adjacent and substantially abutting edges of the infolded ends and will square the infolded ends with reference to the direction of travel and, therefore, with reference to the completed box and the relieving will prevent the rough edges, if any, from engaging the rolling and pressing surface of this dividing wheel and thus there will be nothing to interfere with or drag upon the forward movement and longitudinal movement of the infolded ends.

Before the infolded, collapsed or overlapped blank is discharged from beneath this wheel structure, the forward edge of the same is engaged by the pressing member or shoe before mentioned. If and when desired, there may be mounted on the shaft 66 additional contact wheels such as indicated at 80 and these preferably have a rubber or similar periphery 81 and said wheels are rotatable with the wheel structure having the division plate 7'7. Division plate 7'7, it will be apparent, also serves as an alignmentmember and in this form of the invention replaces the T-shaped plate of the first mentioned application.

' It will be apparent that the structure disclosed herein is-a marked simplification over the inventions shown in the co-pending applications and that all parts are either rotating or stationary, except the pressing member or shoe. For

' the exact details of construction and operation of the pressing member and cam 36 and its adjustment, reference is had to the secondmentioned application copending herewith.

In Fig. 6 is illustrated a modified form of the folding machine embodying the invention andv particularly the mechanisms near the discharge end thereof and associated with the final folding operations. In said figure, numerals of the two hundred series, wherever possible, are employed.

The stationary infolding members 232 are supported at the discharge end at 233 upon cross member 234. These infolding members are adjustable toward and away from each by means not shown. Mounted upon shaft 266, driven as illustrated in the upper central portion of Fig.

'1, see

gears

67 and 69 and chain 68, is the multiple wheel structure having the central fin or blade 2'77 and the two conical portions 278. Each conical portion terminates in a grooved portion 420 that receives a blank engaging and transporting belt 281 mounted on pulley 280. Adjustability is secured as at 443.

Pulleys 280 are mounted on shaft 444 carried in depending arms 440, portion 441 thereof also being adjustably mounted upon cross member 234 as at 442.

Another shaft 400 parallel to shaft 266 adjustably supports a bladed wheel or disc 405, see adjustment 446. Shaft 400 is slidably and rotatably supported in bearings 401 and mounts sprocket gear 402 driven by chain 404 from sprocket gear 403 on shaft 266.

Pivotally supported on the wheel 405 at 4'70 is a blade or straightener 471 having the recessed or notched portion 4'72 for clearing the member 461 that overlaps the wheel. A stop 4'73 limits the tiltable movement of the straightener 4'71 under the influence of its spring 474. In the rotation ofthe wheel 405, the straightener blade 471 engages the infolded box blank end, as shown in Fig. '7, and forces it forwardly in the direction of travel of the blank with quite an appreciable force that increases as the blade lags behind the pin 4'73 in the rotation of the wheel until the straightener 4'71 rises above the infolded end due to wheel rotation.

Secured as at 454 to central member 228 laterally enlarged at 214 is a member 450 having the upturned and reversely bent approach portion 451 and the slot 452. The wheel 405 rides in said slot. The box blank rides beneath member 228, and the infolded ends ride above the same. Member 450-451 lies beneath the forwardly moving infolded ends of the blank. Said member prevents the ends from passing beneath the edge of wheel 405 so that the latter can serve as an aligner for squaring the infolded ends. It secures the same result as the T-shaped member disclosed in the copending application but since the wheel rotates, the friction drag upon and danger of damaging the blank is eliminated.

Positioned in, the substantially triangular gap between the adjacent edge of

wheel blades

405 and 277 is a guide member or floating partition 460, preferably of fibre, and the same conforms to the curvature 'of said wheels. A pair of metal side plates 461 secured together and to the partition 460 at 462 straddle the

blades

405 and 277 and prevent lateral movement of the floating guide or partition 460. Said partition maintains the squared relationship between the ends. Since the forward wheel 405 rotates'upwardly at the forward edge of the partition 460 and the rear blade 2'77 rotates rearwardly at the rearward edge of the partition, see the arrows in Fig. 6, the forward edge or point of the partition tends to ride higher over the body of the blank and does not tend to gouge into the same.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a folding machine for forming fiat collapsed box blanks from flat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, means carried by each member normally arranged in retracted position and movable into exposed position behind the sheet conveyed by said member and arranged for an intermediate exposed position at a predetermined position andfor a predetermined portion of sheet travel, means arranged to elevate the score-connected sheet end, infolding mechanism arranged for turning inwardly and downwardly the elevated end of the box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank, and means arranged to engage the longitudinal free edge of the inturned free end and including a bearing portion simultanoously engaging the 'free end.

2. In a folding machine for forming fiat collapsed box blanks from flat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, means carried by each member normally arranged in retracted position and movable into exposed position behind the sheet conveyed by said member and arranged for an intermediate exposed position at a predetermined position and for a predetermined portion of sheet travel, means arranged to elevate the score-connected sheet end, infolding mechanism arranged for turning inwardly'and downwardly the elevated end of the box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank, means arranged to engage the longitudinal free edge'of the inturned free end and including a bearing portion simultane-' ously engaging the free end, and pressing mechanism arranged to engage the body overlapping end.

3. In a folding machine for forming fiat. collapsed box blanks from fiat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members'each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, means carried by each member normally arranged in retracted position and movable into exposed position behind the sheet conveyed by said member and arranged for an intermediate exposed position at a predetermined positionv and for a predetermined portion of sheet travel, means arranged to elevate the score-connected sheet end. Infolding mechanism arranged for turning inwardly and downwardly the elevated end of the box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank, means arranged to engage the longitudinal free -edge of the inturnedfree end and including a bearing 'portion simultaneously engaging the free end, and a bar extending longitudinally of the direction of sheet travel and positioned immediately above the box blank and having a laterally ofiset portion, the outer longitudinal edge thereof substantially conforming to the line of folding between the end and the blank body, said offset portion engaging the elevated downwardly moving and inturning free end for longitudinally aligning said free end for substantially transverse folding of the free end. I

4. In a folding machine for forming fiat col.- lapsed box blanks from flat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, means carried by each member normally arranged in retracted position and movable into exposed position behind the sheet conveyed by said member and arranged for an intermediate exposed position at a predetermined position and for a predetermined portion of sheet travel, means arranged to elevate the score-connected sheet end, infolding mechanism arranged for turning inwardly and downwardly the elevated end of the box blank to lie adjacent the'body of the blank, means arranged to engage the longitudinal free edge of the intumed free end and including a bearing portion simultaneously engaging the free end, a'bar extending longitudinally of the direction of sheet travel and positioned immediately above the box blank and having a laterally ofiset portion, the outer longitudinal edge thereof substantially conforming to the line of folding between the end and the blank body, said offset portion engaging the elevated downwardly moving and inturning free end for longitudinally aligning said free end for substantially transverse folding of the free end, and pressing mechanism arranged to engage the overlapping end.

5. In a folding machine for forming fiat collapsed box blanks from flat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, means carried by each member normally arranged in retracted position and movable into exposed position behind the sheet conveyed by said member and arranged for an intermediate exposed position at a predetermined position and for a predetermined portion of sheet travel, spaced means arranged to elevate the score-connected sheet ends, infoldfng mechanism arranged for turning inwardly towards each other and downwardly the elevated ends of the box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank and with their adjacent longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, and

' means arranged to engage the longitudinal free edges of the free ends for predetermined alignment and spacing thereof;

6. In a folding machine for forming fiat collapsed box blanks from fiat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, means carried by each member normally arranged in retracted position and movable into exposed position behind the sheet conveyed by said member and arranged termined position and for a predetermined portion of sheet travel, spaced means arranged to elevate the score-connected sheet ends, infolding mechanism arranged for turning inwardly towards each other and downwardly the elevated ends of the box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank and with their adjacent longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, and means arranged to engage the longitudinal free edges of the free ends for predetermined alignment and spacing thereof, and including .spaced bearing portions each for engaging the adjacent free end adjacent the longitudinal edge.

7. In a folding machine for forming 'flat col-v lapsed box blanks from flat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, means carried by each member normally arranged in retracted position and movable into exposed position behind the sheet conveyed by said member and arranged for an intermediate exposed position at a predetermined position and for a predetermined portion of sheet travel, spaced means arranged to elevate the score-connected sheet ends, infolding mechanism arranged for turning inwardly towards each other and downwardly the elevated ends of the box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank and with their adjacent longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, means arranged to engage the longitudinal free edges of the free ends for predetermined, alignment and spacing thereof, and pressing mechanism arranged to engage the body overlapping end.

8. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks from flat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, means carried by each member normally arranged in retracted position and movable into exposed position behind the sheet conveyed by said member and arranged for an intermediate exposed position at a predetermined position and for a predetermined portion of sheet travel, spaced means arranged to elevate the score-connected sheet ends, infoldmg mechanismarranged for turning inwardly towards each other and downwardly the elevated ends of the box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank and with their adjacent longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, means arranged to engage the longitudinal free edges of the free ends for predetermined alignment and spacing thereof, and including spaced bearing portions each for engaging the adjacent free end adjacent the longitudinal edge, and pressing mechanism arranged to engage the body overlapping end.

9. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks from flat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, thecombination of a plurality of connected but spaced sheet con veying members, each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, means carried by each member normally arranged in retracted position and movable into exposed position behind the sheet conveyed by said member and arranged for an intermediate exposed position at a predetermined position and for a predetermined portion of sheet travel, spaced means arranged to elevate the score-connected sheet ends, infolding mechanism arranged for turning inwardly towards each other for an intermediate exposed position at a predeand downwardly the elevated ends of the box 150 blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank and with their adjacent longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, means arranged to engage the longitudinal free edges of the free ends for predetermined alignment and spacing thereof. and spaced bars extending longitudinally of the direction of sheet travel and each positioned im mediately above the box blank and including an outwardly odset portion, the longitudinal edge thereof substantially conforming to the line or folding between the adjacent end and the blank body, said ofiset portions engaging the elevated downwardly moving and inturning free ends at the scoring for longitudinally aligning said free ends for substantially transverse positioning oi the free ends.

is. In a folding machine for forming fiat collapsed box blanks from flat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination or a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, means carried by each member normally arranged in retracted position and movable into exposed position behind the sheet conveyed by said member and arranged for an intermediate exposed position at a predetermined position and for a predetermined portion of sheet travel, spaced means arranged to elevate the score-connected sheet ends, iniolding mechanism arranged f or turning inwardly towards each other and downwardly the elevated ends of the box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank and with their adjacent longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, means arranged to engage the longitudinal free edges oi the free ends for predetermined alignment and spacing thereof, and including spaced bearing portions each for engaging the adjacent free end adjacent the longitudinal edge, and spaced bars extending longitudinally oi the direction of sheet travel and each positioned irmnediately above the box blank and including an outwardly offset portion, the longitudinal edge thereof substantially conforming to the line of folding between the adjacent end and the blank body, said ofiset portions em gaging the elevated downwardly moving and inturning free ends at the scoring for longitudinally aligning said free ends for substantially transverse positioning of the free ends.

11. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks from fiat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, means carried by each member normally arranged in retracted position and movableinto exposed position behind the sheet conveyed by said member and arranged for an intermediate exposed position at a predetermined position and for a predetermined portion of sheet travel, spaced means arranged to elevate the score-connected sheet ends, infold ing mechanism arranged for turning inwardly towards each other and downwardly the elevated ends of the box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank and with their adjacent longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, means arranged to engage the longitudinal free edges of the free ends for predetermined alignment and spacing thereof, spaced bars extending longitudinally of the direction of sheet travel and each positioned immediately above the box blank and including an outwardly ofiset portion, the longitudinal edge thereof substantially conforming to the line of folding between the adjacent end and the blank body, said offset portions engaging the elevated downwardly moving and inturning free ends at the scoring for longitudinally aligning said free ends for substantially transverse positioning of the free ends, and pressing mechanism-erred to engage simultaneously the body overlapping ends.

' 12. in a folding hine for fog fiat coilapsed box blanks from fiat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of aplurality of connected but spaced sheet convey ing members, each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, means carried by each member normally arranged in retracted position and movable into exposed position behind the sheet conveyed by said member and arranged for an intermediate exposed position at a predetermined position and for a predetermined portion of sheet travel, spaced means arranged to elevate the score-connected sheet ends, infolding mechanism arranged for turning inwardly towards each other and downwardly the elevated ends of the box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank and with their adjacent longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, means arranged to engage the longitudinal iree edges of the free ends for predetermined alignment and spacing thereof and including spaced bearing portions each for errgaging the adjacent free ends adjacent the lon= gitudinal edge, spaced bars extending longitudinally oi the direction of sheet travel and each positioned immediately above the box blank and including an outwardly ofiset portion, the longi= tudinal edge thereoi substantially conforming to the line of folding between the adjacent end and the blank body, saidoiiset portions engaging the elevated downwardly moving and inturning free ends at the scoring for longitudinally aligning said free ends for substantially transverse positioning of the free ends, and pressing mechanism arranged to engage simultaneously the body overlapping ends.

13. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks from flat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of a plurality of connected but spaced sheet con= rue veying members, each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, means arranged to elevate the score-connected sheet end, infolding mochanism arranged for turning inwardly and downwardly the elevated end oi the box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank, means arranged to engage the longitudinal free edge of the iniurned free end and including a bearing portion simultaneously engaging the free end, and pressing mechanism arranged to engage the body overlappin end.

M. In a folding machine for forming flat col= lapsed box blanks from fiat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, means arranged to elevate the score-connected sheet end; infolding mechanism arranged for turning inwardly and downwardly the elevated end of the box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank, means arranged to engage the longitudinal free edge of the inturned free end and including a bearing portion simultaneously engaging the free end, and a bar extending longitudinally of the direction of sheet travel and positioned immediately above the box blank and having a laterally ofiset portion, the outer longitudinal edge thereof substantially conforming to the line of folding between the end and the blank body, said ofiset portion engaging the elevated downwardly moving and inturning free end for longitudinally aligning said free end for substantially transverse folding of the free end,

15. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks from flat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, means arranged to elevate the score-connected sheet end, infolding mechanism arranged for turning inwardly and downwardly the elevated end of the box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank, means arranged to engage-the longitudinal free edge of the inturned free end and including a bearing portion simultaneously engaging the free end, a bar extending longitudinally of the direction of sheet travel and positioned immediately above the box blank and having a laterally offset portion,'

the outer longitudinal edge thereof substantially conforming to the line of folding between the end and the blank body, said offset portion engaging the elevated downwardly moving and in urning free end for longitudinally aligning said free end for substantially transverse folding of the free end, and pressing mechanism arranged to engage the overlapping end.

16. In a folding machine for forming flat. collapsed box blanks from flat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of a plurality of connec'ed but spaced sheet conveying members, each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, spaced means arranged to elevate the score-connected sheet ends, infolding mechanism arranged for turning inwardly towards each other and downwardly the elevated ends of the box blanks to lie adjacentl he body of the blank and with their adjacent longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, and means arranged to engage the longitudinal free edges of the free ends for predetermined alignment and spacing thereof.

, 17. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks from fiat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveyingmembers, each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, spaced means arranged to elevate thescore-connected sheets ends, infolding mechanism arranged for turning inwardly towards each other and downwardly the elevated ends of the box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank and with their adjacent longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, and

means arranged to engage the longitudinal free,

edges of the free ends for predetermined alignment and spacing thereof, and including spaced bearing portions each for engaging the adjacent free end adjacent the longitudinal edge.

18. In a folding machine for forming fiat collapsed box blanks from flat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, spaced means arranged to elevate the score-connec'ed sheet ends, infolding mechanism arranged for turning inwardly to- .wards each other and downwardly the elevated ends of the box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank and with their adjacent longitudinal free edges substan'ially abutting, means arranged to engage the longitudinal free edges of the free ends for predetermined alignment and spacing thereof, and pressing mechanism arranged to engage the body overlapping end.

19. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks from fiat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each for. conveying a single sheet through the machine, spaced means arranged to elevate the score-connected sheet ends, infolding mechanism arranged for turning inwardly towards each other and downwardly the elevated ends of the box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank and with their adjacent longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, means arranged to engage the longitudinal free edges of the free ends for predetermined alignment and spacing thereof, and "including spaced bearing portions each for engaging the adjacent free end adjacent the longitudinal edge, and pressing mechanism arranged to engage the body overlapping end.

20. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed bo'x blanks from fiat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, spaced means arranged to elevate the score-connected sheet ends, infolding mechanism arranged for turning inwardly towards each other and downwardly the elevated ends of the box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank and with their adjacent longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, means arranged to engage the longitudinal free edges of the free ends for predetermined alignment and spacing thereof, and spaced bars extending longitudinally of the direction of sheet travel and each positioned immediately above the box blank and including an outwardly-offset portion, the longitudinal edge thereof substantially conforming to the line of folding between the adjacent end and the blank body, said offset portions engaging the elevated downwardly 'moving and inturning free ends at the scoring for longitudinally aligning said free ends for substantially transverse positioning of the free ends.

21. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks from fiat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of a plurality 02 connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, spaced means arranged to elevate the score-connected sheet ends, infolding mechanism arranged for turning inwardly towards each other and downwardly the elevated ends of the box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank and with their adjacent longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, means arranged to engage the longitudinal free edges of the free ends for predetermined alignment and spacing thereof, and including spaced bearing portions each for engaging the adjacent free end adjacent the longitudinal edge, and spaced bars extending longitudinally of the direction of sheet travel and each positioned immediately above the box blank and including an outwardly offset portion, the longitudinal edge thereof substantially conforming to the line of folding between the adjacent end and the blank body, said offset portions engaging the elevated downwardly moving and inturning free ends at the scoring for longitudinally aligning said free ends for substantially transverse positioning of the free ends.

22. In a' folding machine for forming fiat collapsed box blanks from flat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, spaced means arranged to elevate the score-connected sheet ends, infolding mechanism arranged for turning inwardly towards each other and downwardly the elevated ends of the box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank and with their adjacent longitudinal 10 free edges substantially abutting, means arranged to engage the longitudinal free edges of'the free ends for predetermined alignment and spacing thereof, spaced bars extending longitudinally of the direction of sheet travel and each positioned immediately above the box blank and including an outwardly oiiset portion, the longitudinal edge thereof substantially conforming to the line of folding between the adjacent end and the blank body, said offset portions engaging the elevated downwardly moving and inturning free ends at the scoring for longitudinally aligning said free ends for substantially transverse positioning of the free ends, and pressing mechanism arranged to engage simultaneously the body overlapping ends.

23. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks from flat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination oi a plurality of connected but spaced sheet convey- 39 ing members, each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, spaced means arranged to elevate the score-connected sheet ends, iniolding mechanism arranged for turning inwardly towards each other and downwardly the elevated ends of the box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank and with their adjacent longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, means arranged to engage the longitudinal free edges of the tree ends for predetermined alignment and spacing 40 thereof and including spaced bearing portions each for engaging the adjacent free ends adjacent the longitudinal edge, spaced bars extending longitudinally of the direction of sheet travel and each positioned immediately above the box blank and including an outwardly ofiset portion, the

longitudinal edge thereof substantially conforming to the line of folding between the adjacent end and the blank body, said offset portions engaging the elevated downwardly moving and in- 59 turning free ends at the scoring for longitudinally aligning said free ends for substantially true transverse positioning of the free ends, and pressing mechanism arranged to engage simultaneously the body overlapping ends.

2%. In a folding machine for forming fiat collapsed box blanks from flat and scored sheets, the combination of a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, in-

60 folding mechanism arranged for turning upwardly and then inwardly toward each other and then 1 downwardly the ends of the box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank with their longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, means @5 overlying the box blank and positioned beneath the infolded ends, comprising an approach abutment and a guard, a rotatable wheel in juxta position to said guard, the longitudinal edges of the infolded ends being arranged to pass upon oppoiiil' site sides of the wheel in its rotation and in the movement of the blank, and means for maintaining the spacing between the longitudinal edges of the infolded ends in the continued travel of the blank.

25. In a folding machine for forming fiat col- LQQQAQd lapsed box blanks from fiat and scored sheets, the combination of a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, infolding mechanism arranged for turning upwardly and then inwardly toward each other and then downwardly the ends of the box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank with their longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, means overlying the box blank and positioned beneath the infolded ends, comprising an approach abutment and a guard, a rotatable wheel in juxta position to said guard, the longitudinal edges of the infolded ends being arranged to pass upon opposite sides of the wheel in its rotation and in the movement oi'the blank,

and means for maintaining the spacing between the longitudinal edges of the infolded'ends in the continued travel of the blank, said maintaining means including a peripheral blade and a pair oi spaced end contact portions of endless char P acter.

26. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks from flat and scored sheets, the combination of a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members each for cornveying a single sheet through the'machine, iniolding mechanism arranged for turning upward= ly and then inwardly toward each other and then downwardly the ends of the box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank with their longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, means overlying the box blank and positioned beneath the infolded ends, comprising an approach abutment and a guard, a rotatable wheel in juxta position to said guard, the longitudinal edges of the infolded ends being arranged to pass upon opposite sides of the wheel in its rotation and in the movement of the blank, and means for maintaining the spacing between the longitudinal edges of the infolded ends in the continued travel of the blank, said maintaining means including a peripheral blade and a pair of spaced end contact portions of endless character, said endless contacting portions including endless belt means.

2'7. In a folding machine for forming flat col= lapsed box blanks from fiat and scored sheets, the combination of a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, infolding,

mechanism arranged for turning upwardly and then inwardly toward each other and then downwardly the ends of the box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank with their longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, means overlying the box blank and positioned beneath the infolded ends, comprising an approach abutment and a guard, a rotatable wheel in juxta position to said guard, the longitudinal edges of the infolded ends being arranged to pass upon opposite sides of the wheel in its rotation and in the movement of the blank, and means for maintaining the spacing between the longitudinal edges of the infolded ends in the continued travel of the blank, said main taining means including a peripheral blade and a pair of spaced end contact portions of endless character, said wheel and said peripheral blade being positioned in substantially the same plane and having their adjacent edges positioned in relatively close proximity to each other and a substantial triangular partition interposed be= tween the peripheral blade and the wheel for the purpose described.

28. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks from fiat and scored sheets, the combination of a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members each for conveying a 1w single sheet through the machine, infolding mechanism arranged for turning upwardly and then inwardly toward each other and then downwardly the ends of the box blank to lie adjacent the fibody of the blank with their longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, means overlying the box blank and positioned beneath the infolded ends, comprising an approach abutment and a guard, a rotatable wheel in juxta position to said guard, the longitudinal edges of the infolded ends being arranged to pass upon opposite sides of the wheel in its rotation and in the movement of the blank, means for maintaining the spacing between the longitudinaledges of the infolded ends in the continued travel of the blank, said maintaining means including a peripheral blade and a pair of spaced end contact portions of endless character, said wheel and said peripheral blade being positioned in substantially the same plane and having their adjacent edges positioned in relatively close proximity to each other and a sub stantial triangularpartition interposed between the peripheral blade and the wheel for the purpose described, and a folding support operatively associated with the wheel and the peripheral blade preventing transverse movement relative thereto and operatively connected to said partition-for foldingly supporting the same and in'aligmnent with said wheel and said blade.

29. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks'from flat and scored sheets, the combination of a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, infolding mechanism arranged for turning upwardly and then inwardly toward each other and then downwardly the ends of the box blank to lie adjacent the body of theblank with their longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, means overlying the box blank and positioned beneath the infolded ends, a rotatable wheel, the longitudinal edges of the infolded ends being arranged to pass upon opposite sides of the wheel in its rotation and in the movement of the blank, and means for maintaining the spacing between the longitudinal edges of the infolded ends in the continued travel of the blank, said maintaining means including a peripheral blade and a pair of spaced end contact portions of endless character.

30. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks from fiat and scored sheets, the combination of a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, infolding mechanism arranged for turning upwardly and then inwardly toward each other and then downwardly the ends of the box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank with their longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, means overlying the box blank and positioned beneath the infolded ends, a rotatable wheel, the longitudinal edges of the infolded ends being arranged to'pass upon opposite sides of the wheel in its rotation and in the movement of the blank, and means for maintaining the spacing between the longitudinal edges of the infolded ends in the continued travelof the blank, said maintaining means including a peripheral bladeand a pair of spaced end contact portions of endless character, said endless contacting portions including endless belt means.

31. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks from flat and scored sheets,

the combination of a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, infolding mechanism arranged for turning up wardly and then inwardly toward each other and then downwardly the ends of the box blank' to lie adjacent the body of the blank with their longitudinal free edges -substantially abutting, means overlying the box blank and positioned beneath the infolded ends, a rotatable wheel, the,

longitudinal edges of the infolded ends being arranged to pass upon opposite sides of the wheelin its rotation and in the movement of the blank, and means for maintaining the spacing between the longitudinal edges of the infolded ends in the continued travel of the blank, said maintaining means including a peripheral blade and a pair of spaced end contact portions of endless character, said wheel and said peripheral blade being positioned in substantially the same plane and having their adjacent edges positioned in relatively close proximity to each other and a substantial triangular partition interposed between the peripheral blade and the wheel for the purpose described.

32. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks from flat and scored sheets, the combination of a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, in-

folding mechanism arranged for turning upwardly and then inwardly toward each other and then downwardly the ends of the box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank with their longitudinal free edges substantially abutting,

endless character, said wheel and said peripheral blade being positioned in substantially the same plane and having their adjacent edges p0- sitioned in relatively close proximity to each other and a substantial triangular partition interposed between the peripheral blade and the wheel for the purpose described, and a folding support operatively associated with the wheel andthe peripheral blade preventing transverse movement relative thereto and operatively connected to said partition for fioatingly supporting the same and in alignment with said wheel and said blade.

' 33. In a folding machine for forming fiat collapsed box blanks from fiat scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of means for conveying a single sheet through the machine, means for infolding the box blank ends so as to lie adjacent the main body of the blank and with the initially remote edges of the ends approximately parallel to the line of travel of the sheet, a rotating wheel positioned in align ment with the aforesaid edges and arranged to pass between the same when infolded and in the travel of the sheet, and means carried by