US2070704A - Box making machine - Google Patents

Description

Fgb. 16, 1937. N. A. ANDERSON BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed April 13, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 N nml INVENTOR A215 /4 HNDEEjUN H/5 ATTORNEY Feb. 16, 1937.

N. A. ANDERSON BOX MAKING, MACHINE Filed April 13, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 lllllllllllllllllll! lllllllllllllllllllllllllll llllllllllllllllillll INVENTOR N115 A-rQ/VDE H/5 ATTORNEY Feb. 16, 1937. N. A. ANDERSON BOX- MAKING MACHINE Filed April 13, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR NEL5 AANDE/Pj BY J H/5 ATTORNEY BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed ApriL. 15, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR NELfi A ,4/VDEP50/V H/fi ATTORNEY Feb. 16, 1937.

N. A. ANDERSON BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed April 13, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR N615 A A/VDBZSON BY 6% dluk ATTORN EY Patented Feb. 16,1937

UNITED STATES Box MAKING MACHINE Nels A. Anderson, Stockton, Calif., assignor to Fibreboard Products, Inc., San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Application April 13, 1936, Serial No. 74,118

14 Claims.

My invention relates to box making machines, and more particularly to a machine for applying tabs to box blanks.

The broad object of my invention is to provide a machine for applying separate tabs to the inner surfaces of a box blank such as the tabs in the box construction disclosed in the patent to David H. Patterson, No. 2,001,850, issued May 21, 1935.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character described which will operate in conjunction with other machines performing operations on the blank, so that the blanks are formed and the tabs applied in one direct line of operation.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of my invention. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to this disclosure of species of my invention, as I may adopt variant embodiments thereof within the scope of the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a plan view of a machine embodying the improvements of my invention; and

Figure 2 is a plan view on smaller scale, showing one of the box blanks with the tabs fastened v in position.

ing toward the tab chute and showing the adjust- Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view on larger scale, showing one of the tab fastening units.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the ma:

chine.

Figure 5 is a side view, largely diagrammatic, showing the blank and tabs in position for fastening. I

Figure 6 is a rear elevationalview of the machine; and a Figure '1 is a detail view on larger scale showing the tab feeding and stapling mechanism.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view looking features.

In terms of broad inclusion, the box making machine for applying tabs to a box blank em bodying my invention comprises means for feeding a tab into a fastening position, means for feeding a blank into the 'machine, means for moving the blank into registration with the tab, and means for fastening the tab to' the blank. The blank feeding means is preferably an extension of the same intermittently moving conveyor which feeds the blanks through the creasing and slotting machines; and means are provided in my machine for timing the variousoperations with this conveyor.

In greater detail, and referring particularly to Figure 2 of the drawings, the box making ma.- chine of my invention is designed to apply separate tabs 2 on the inner flap surfaces of a box blank 3, so that when the latter is set up the tabs lie in the spaces between the flaps to provide a flat or level bottom. The advantage of such a box construction is that articles, such as cans, may be packed without the tilting which occurs in the usual packing box. I

As best shown in Figure 4, my machine comprises a frame 4 adapted to'be positioned at the end of the line containing the creasing and slotting machines. The conveyor chain 6 having pusher lugs 1 which feeds the blanks through the creasing and slotting machines is extended to also provide the means for feeding the blanks through my machine. A track 8 is mounted on frame 4 for' the chain, and sprockets 9 are journaledpn the end of the frame over which the chain may run. An inclined return track II is also provided on the frame, along with a return guide the machine is preferably designed to fasten each i tab with a single staple l5 positioned centrally of the tab. See Figure 2.

Asshown in Figure '1, there are four tab placing units, two being arranged on each side of the centrally disposed conveyor track 8. These units, as better shown in Figure 3, are each mounted on a plate l4 suspended by brackets I6 slidable on cross rod l1 and shaft l8 extending transversely of the frame. shown in' Figure 1, a guide plate I9 is provided on each'unit fordirecting the edges of the blanks as the latter are pushed through the machine by the conveyor. These plates are permitted a certain degree of separate adjustment by slots 2| in the supporting plate, through which the fastening studs pass. See Figure 3.'

The units as a whole-are adjustablefltoward and away from each other and transversely of the frameby the slidable-mounting of brackets 16; Each unit maybe lockedin a selected position 'of adjustment by set screws 22 threaded in the brackets and bearing against the cross rods II. This adjustment permits the machine to accommodate blanks of different size.

Referring to Figures 3 and '7, a supply of tabs 2 are held on each of the placing units in a vertical chute formed by corner bars 23. Since tabs of different size may be used, the inside corner bars are fastened to blocks 24 slidable on rods 26. See Figure 8. Adjustment is effected by a screw 2'! having right and left hand threads and rotatable by a knob 28. This simultaneous adjustment keeps the two corner bars accurately centered.

After adjusting these bars to the width of a tab, the outside corner bars are brought up to the other two corners of the tab. This adjustment is permitted by a mounting bracket 29 fastened by studs 3| extending through slots 32 provided in the base plate I4. Slots are also provided in the block through which studs 33 extend, so that the corner bars may also be adjusted toward and away from each other.

The tabs are removed one at a time from the bottom of the chute and fed to a tab fastening position under the stapling head 34. Removal of one tab at a time is insured by a block 36 adjustable by a screw 37 so that but a single tab can pass out under it. The tab feeding means comprises a shoe 38 having a notched toe for engaging behind a tab, and also having a sloping surface free to slide back under the stack in the chute. Ihis shoe is mounted under the chute in a slot 39 provided in the base plate I4, and is adjustablyheld by a screw 4| on a reciprocating block 42 slidably mounted under the plate on rods 43.

Means are provided for reciprocating shoe 38 to feed the tabs out of the'chute. For this purpose a short shaft 44 is journaled in the bracket I6, and is connected to shaft l8 by a pair of bevel gears 46, one of which is slidably mounted on the cross shaft in a keyway 41. A face plate 48 is provided on the inner end of shaft 44, on which a depending rod 49 is eccentrically mounted.

An operative connection between the lower end of this rod and the slidable block 42 is provided by a bell crank journaled on legs 5| depending from the base plate l4. The long arm 52 of the bell crank is connected to block 42 by a link 53; while the shorter arm 54 is fastened to the lower end of rod 49 by a pin 56. By this arrangement the tab feeding shoe 38 is reciprocated whenever shaft I8 is rotated.

Means are provided for disconnecting the shoe in the event a tab should become stuck or the mechanism otherwise fouled. For this purpose pin 56 on the bell crank is releasably held between arm 49 and a pivoted spring closed jaw 51. If theshoe is stopped, pin 56 merely slips down into the lower slot. This frees the bell crank and connected shoe. If desired a bell 58, or a switch for ringing a bell, may be mounted on the rod 49 to signal when the driving connection has been broken. a

As shown in Figure 7, a tab lies between the one in the fastening position and the chute. When a new tab is fed from the chute this in termediate tab is advanced to the fastening position. If a wider tab is used this intermediate over the base plate l4 under the stapling head.

These rails are fastened to the supporting blocks 24, so that they are adjusted simultaneously with the chute corner bars. The forward rail has a sloping surface on which a thin steel plate 6| is secured to overlie the edge of the tab. This insures that the leading edge of the blank will be directed over the edge of the tab as the blank is fed into the machine.

The stapling head 34 which functions to fasten the tab to the blank may be of any suitable type. The type shown in outline is of standard design fed by a wire reel 62 and having a reciprocating stapling element 63. Head 34 is secured to a suitable mounting 64 provided on the bracket 16. Figure 3 shows the mounting with the head removed. The mounting is recessed to receive an operating cam 66 which engages a following roller on the back side of the stapling head case.

Cam 86 ismounted on a short shaft 61 which is connected with the cross shaft I8 by a pair of bevel gears 68; one of which is also slidable along the cross shaft. Rotation of shaft l8 therefore also operates to drive the stapling head; and cam 66 is designed to effect the stapling operation in time with the tab feeding mechanism. The timing is such that the stapling head operates after the feeding shoe 38 has advanced a tab into its fastening position under the head, as shown in Figure 7.

Figure 3 shows the anvil 69 under the stapling head for clinching the staples. This anvil extends through a hole in the base plate l4 and is supported by an arm H cast as part of the bracket I6. This arm also serves as a support for the plate I4, screws 12 being provided for fastening the plate to the arm. As shown in Figure 7, a pin 13 is also arranged under the plate and is adapted to project through the latter through a hole 14.

The pin is mounted on the end of a rocker arm 16 pivoted to leg 5| and held in retracted position by a spring I1. A roller 18 on the rod 49 serves to engage the rocker arm and elevate pin 13 when rod 49 comes down after a stapling operation. Pin 13 functions to lift the leading edge of the fastened tab over the forward guide rail 59, so that the tab will clear the rail when the blank is moved ahead.

The stapling units are connected in pairs, as shown in Figure l, and means are provided for adjusting the pairs toward and away from each other. For this purpose the end brackets I9 for supporting the ends of cross rod l1 and shaft l8 are slidably mounted on the frame 4. Adjustment is efiected by a second cross shaft 8| journaled in the brackets and having a hand wheel 82. This shaft also carries gears 83 meshed with racks 84 provide-d along the sides of the frame.

By this adjustment the units may be brought together or spread apart, longitudinally of the frame.

Means are provided for simultaneously driving all four of the tab feeding and stapling units. This is done through a shaft 86 journaled along a side of the frame on standards 81. Each of the cross shafts I8 is connected to the-side shaft 86 by a pair of beveled gears 88, one of which is slidable along the cross shaft in a keyway 89 to allow for adjustment: Shaft 86 is in turn connected by gears 9| to another cross shaft 92 at the head end of the frame, which latter shaft is driven by chain 93 and sprockets 94 from a lower shaft 96.

Lower shaft 95 is driven from a loose sprocket 91 connected by a chain 98 to a continuously running sprocket 99 connected with the drive shaft in the adjacent slotting machine. Sprocket 91 therefore is always running in'time with the conveyor chain 6. A spring pressed clutch disk IIII is slidably mounted for rotation on shaft 96, and is provided with teeth I02 for engagingcomplementary teeth on the loose sprocket 91. When this clutch is engaged the various mechanisms in my machine are brought into operation.

Means are provided for moving the blank 3 into accurate registration with the tabs 2 after the conveyor chain 6 comes to rest. This is accomplished by an arm I03 pivoted on the head end of frame 4 and adapted to move from a retracted position behind the .trailing edge of the blank when the conveyor is at rest to an upright position ahead of the conveyor lug 1. See Figure 5. This insures that the blank will always be shifted into a predetermined position, and once the tab placing units are adjusted to the blank in this position, the arm I03 subsequently operates to accurately register succeeding blanks with the tabs.

As shown in Figure 6, registering arm I63 is actuated by a bell crank having a long arm I64 connected with the registering arm, and having a short forwardly extending arm carrying a following roller I06 engaging a cam I61 on the shaft 96. A spring I68 serves to hold the following roller against the cam. Cam IE1 is designed to move the registering arm I03 from retracted to upright position with a comparatively slow motion, so that the blank is not kicked forwardly, but is brought up slowly to a definite position as determined by the extended position of the registering arm.

Since cam I01 is on shaft 96, the registering arm operates in synchronism with the tab placing and fastening mechanisms, and the cam is designed to time the arm movement so that it is retracted when the tab feeding shoe 38 is retracted.

Means are provided for controlling the operation of my machine so that the several devices come into operation only when a blank is being fed into the machine. For this purpose a clutch disengaging cam III is mounted on one end of the upper shaft 92, against which a rocker arm IIZ having a following roller H3 is held by a spring H4. The lower end of this arm is shaped to provide a pointed tooth for engaging a notch in the end of a clutch operating bar II6 which is pivotally supported on a lever H1 and carries a suitable roller engaging an annular groove in the clutch sleeve II 8. When bar H6 is pulled back by rocker arm II2, as shown in Figure 6, the clutch is disengaged. This stops the machine; and cam III is designed to disengage the clutch only at such times when the tab feeding shoe 38 and blank registering arm I63 are retracted.

Means actuated by the entrance of a blank into the machine are provided for conditioning the mechanism to permit engagement of the clutch. This control is effected by a finger I I9 lying in the path of movement of the .blank and fixed on a cross shaft I2I. An oppositely extending arm I22 is also provided on shaft I2I, and carries a chain I23 passing over a roller I24 and connected to the clutch operating bar II6. A second lever I26 on shaft I2I is pulled down by a spring I21, which keeps chain I23 taut and holds bar II6 up into engagement with the pointed end of arm II2. This is the condition whenno blank is in the machine and is the condition when cam I I I can operate to disengage theclutch and stop the mechanism.

As a blank is fed into the machine, the leading edge of the blank engages finger II9 and presses it up. This slackens chain I23. Bar II6 will not drop from engagement with arm 2 however, because of the tension in the arm caused by the clutch spring. Slackening of chain I23 merely conditions the arm so that it is free to drop at such time when the clutch sleeve is backed up slightly to relieve the spring pressure.

Means timed with the conveyor movement is provided for relieving the spring pressure on arm I I6 to allow it to drop from engagement with its holding arm II2. This means is associated with sprocket 91 which is being driven by and in time with the machine which .imparts the intermittent motion to the conveyor chain; and comprises a lug I29 mounted on the sprocket and adapted to engage a roller I3I on the clutch disk I I. When the lug rides under this roller the clutch disk and connected sleeve I I6 are forced back slightly to relievethe tension in bar I I6. The latter then drops from the holding arm II2 into a yoke I32 suspended from the arm, and the clutch immediately engages.

The positioning of the clutch engaging lug I29 on the sprocket 91 is adjusted to engage the clutch at the instant the conveyor stops moving; and the relative speeds of the mechanical parts are so proportioned that the operations in my machine are completed during the rest period of the conveyor.

As soon as the tabs are fastened, the conveyor picks up the blank and discharges it from the machine. The first effect of advancing the blank of course is to allow the control finger II9 to drop down and pull up the bar H6. At this time the rocker arm II2 is back and ready to engage the bar for disengaging the clutch.

In brief review, the operation of the machine is as follows: A scored and slotted box blank 3 is fed into the machine during a period of advance- .ment in the intermittent motion of conveyor 6. As the blank enters the machine it presses up the control finger II9, which conditions the clutch mechanism for operation. This control therefore allows the stapling units to operate only at such times when a blank is in the machine.

When the conveyor comes to rest clutch operating lug I29 has moved up to and presses out on roller I3I, whereupon holding bar H6 is released and the clutch engaged. During the first half revolution of the shafts cam I01 advances registering arm I03 to shift the blank forwardly into accurate registration with the tab placing and stapling units; which latter are previously adjusted to the particular size of blank being treated.

Simultaneous with the shifting of the blank the tab feeding shoes 38 advance to feed a set of tabs 2 into their fastening positions under the stapling heads 34.

During the last half revolution of the shafts, tab feeding shoes 38 and blank registering arm I63 are retracted, and the stapling heads are operated to fasten the tabs to the blank. Toward the end of this portion of the operation the tab release pin 13 is also elevated to press up the leading edges of the tabs, so that the latter are free to move ahead with the blank.

By this time, conveyor 6 has started its advanc ing movement and lug 1 picks up the blank, advancing it out of the machine. Finger II9 immediately drops to pull up bar I I6 for engagement by arm H2, which at this time is positioned ready to engage it. During the final portion of the shaft revolution, cam Ill presses out the following roller I I3 to disengage the clutch and stop the machine. With the advancement of succeeding blanks into the machine this cycle of operation is automatically repeated.

If desired the switch 58 may be used to stop the machine. By such an arrangement the machine will be automatically stopped whenever a blank feeding shoe 38 is accidentally blocked. Also, a stop I36 may be provided on plate H, as shown in Figure 7, to block shoe 38 and stop the machine in the event a tab in the fastening position is not stapled to and carried away by the blank.

I claim:

1. A machine for applying tabs to a blank, com prising means for feeding a tab into a fastening position, an intermittently moving conveyor for feeding a blank into the machine, means operative during a rest period of the conveyor for moving the blank into registration with the tab, and means for fastening the tab to the blank.

2. A machine for applying tabs to a blank, comprising means for feeding a tab into a fastening position, an intermittently moving conveyor for feeding a blank into the machine, means operative during a rest period of the conveyor for moving the blank into registration with the tab, and means for fastening the tab to the blank, said conveyor operating to remove the blank and connected tab from the machine during a subsequent period of the conveyor movement.

3. A machine for applying tabs to a blank, comprising an intermittently moving conveyor for feeding a blank thru the machine, means for feeding a tab transversely of the path of movement of the blank and into a fastening position underlying the blank, a guideway for the tab, means for fastening the tab to the blank during a rest period of the conveyor, and means for lifting the tab from its guideway prior to subsequent movement of the conveyor.

4. A machine for applying tabs to a blank, comprising means for feeding a tab into a fastening position, an intermittently moving conveyor for feeding a blank into the machine, means operative during a rest period of the conveyor and timed with the tab feeding means for moving the blank into registration with the tab, and means for fastening the tab to the blank.

5. A machine for applying tabs to a blank, comprising means for feeding a tab into a fastening position, an intermittently moving conveyor for feeding a blank into the machine, means operative during a rest period of the conveyor and timed with the tab feeding means for moving the v blank into registration with the tab, and means timed with the tab feeding means and said blank registering means for fastening the tab to the blank.

6. A machine for applying tabs to a blank, comprising means for feeding a tab into a fastening position, an intermittently moving conveyor for feeding a blank into the machine, a -movably mounted element having a retracted position behind the trailing edge of the blank in the rest position of the conveyor, means timed with the tab feeding means for moving the element forwardly to shift the blank into registration with the tab, and means for fastening the tab to the blank.

'7. A machine for applying tabs to a blank, comprising means for feeding a tab into a fastening position, an intermittently moving conveyor for feeding a blank into the machine, means operative during a rest period of the conveyor for moving the blank into registration with the tab, means for fastening the tab to the blank, drive mechanism for said means, a clutch interposed in said drive mechanism, and a control finger mounted in the path of movement of the blank for controlling the engagement of the clutch.

8. A machine for applying tabs to a blank, comprising means for feeding a tab into a fastening position, an intermittently moving conveyor for feeding a blank into the machine, means operative during a rest period of the conveyor for moving the blank into registration with the tab, means for fastening the tab to the blank, drive mechanism for said means, .a clutch interposed in said drive mechanism, a cam movingin time with said means for disengaging the clutch, and a fin ger mounted in the path of movement of the blank for controlling the operation of said clutch disengaging means.

9. A machine for applying tabs to a blank, comprising means for feeding a tab into a fastening position, an intermittently moving conveyor for feeding a blank into the machine, means operative during a rest period of the conveyor for moving the blank into registration with the tab, means for fastening the tab to the blank, drive mechanism for said means, a clutch interposed in said drive mechanism, and means timed with the conveyor for engaging the clutch.

10. A machine for applying tabs to a blank, comprising means for feeding a tab into a fastening position, an intermittently moving conveyor for feeding a blank into the machine, means operative during a rest period of the conveyor for moving the blank into registration with the tab, means for fastening the tab to the blank, drive mechanism for said means, a clutch interposed in said drive mechanism, means timed with the conveyor for engaging the clutch, and a finger mounted in the path of movement of the blank for controlling the operation of said clutch engaging means.

11. A machine for applying tabs to a blank, comprising means for moving a tab into a fastening position, an intermittently moving conveyor for feeding a blank into approximate registration with the tab, means operative during a rest period of the conveyor for moving the blank into accurate registration with the tab, and means for fastening the tab to the blank.

12. A machine for applying tabs to a blank, comprising means for moving a tab into a fastening position, a conveyor having a lug for moving, a blank toward the fastening position, means for advancing the blank ahead of the lug and into registration with the tab, and means for fastening the tab to the blank.

13. A machine for applying tabs to a blank, comprising means for feeding a blank longitudinally through the machine, a plurality of movable brackets adjacent each side of the blank feeding means and arranged in pairs spaced longitudinally of the machine, means on said brackets for feeding tabs to the blank, means on the brackets for fastening the tabs to the blank, means mounting the brackets of each pair for adjustment transversely of the machine, and means mounting the pairs of brackets for adjustment longitudinally of the machine.

14. A machine for applying tabs to a blank, comprising means for feeding a blank longitudinally through the machine, a stapling head mounted in the path of movement of said blank,

' to the head, means for feeding a tab from the a chute for holding tabs located alongside the chute to a position underlying the head, and head, said chute and head being arranged along means timed with said tab feeding means for a transverse axis at right angles to the path of operating the stapling head.

movement of said blank, whereby a tab may be 5 fed with a straight line motion from the chute NELS A. ANDERSON. 5

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