US2077913A - Box-forming machine - Google Patents

Description

April 20, 1937.

M. A. WATERS BOX FORMING MACHINE Filed June 22, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet l April 20, 1937. M. A. WATERS BOX FORMING MACHINE Filed June 22. 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Marshall AA/damn- April 20, 1937. M. A. WATERS BOX FORMING MACHINE Filed June 22, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 &

I r 0 d Marshall Awai EIS.

April 20, 1937. M. A. WATERS BOX FORMING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 22, 1935 AWafEr's atented Apr. 20, 137

BUX-FORMHNG MACHINE Marshall A. Waters, Green Bay, Wis.

Application June 22,

4 Cla This invention pertains to box-forming machines, and more particularly to machines for folding and securing the sides of a paper box blank together.

The invention has primarily for its object to provide a comparatively simple, inexpensive, and eflicient machine of maximum capacity, in which the gluing and various folding operations are automaticallyand progressively performed as the blank is carried through the machine. Incidental to the foregoing, a more specific obect of the invention is to provide a machine in which the blanks are delivered to a rotary carrier, that conveys them through tucking, foldmg, and clamping mechanisms, which automatically complete the forming of the boxes that are then discharged from the carrier.

A further object resides in the provision of hlghly novel means for selecting and feeding the blanks in the forming mechanisms, including suction means for separating the lowermost blank from the stack, whereby the same is delivered to the feeding mechanism.

Another object is to provide a novel form of gluing mechanism for applying adhesive to portions of the blanks.

A still further object resides in the provision of rotary grippers for efiecting final adherence of the blanks upon completion of the forming operations.

It is also an object of the invention to provide novel means for discharging the completed boxes from the carrier, including shifting of the gripping control means to quickly release and discharge the boxes.

Lastly, it is an object to provide for adjustment of the gluing and forming mechanisms to accommodate blanks of difierent characteristics and dimensions.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, substantially as hereinafter described, and more particularly de- 45 fined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the herein disclosed invention may be made as,

1935, Serial No. 27,876

a machine constructed in accordance with the present invention, the same being as indicated generally by line l--l of Figure 3.

Figure 2 is a transverse fragmentary section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a similar view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, arts being broken back to more clearly illustrate other structural features.

Figure 4 is a vertical fragmentary section through the gluing mechanism, the same being taken on the line d-d of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a detail section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary transverse section taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a plan view of a typical blank handled by the present machine.

Figure 8 is a similar view of the tucking members for turning up the side tabs.

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view of 'the side folding plates.

Figure 10 diagrammatically illustrates the manner of folding the ends of the box.

Figure 11 is a similar view illustrating the gripping mechanism for turning over and securing the ends of the box, and

Figure 12 is a fragmentary detail illustrating the means for discharging the completed boxes from the can'ier.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, a complete machine is illustrated for feeding individual blanks from a magazine or stack, gluing portions of the blank, and then conveying the same through mechanisms for progressively performing the operations necessary for completing the box. However, particular attention is directed to the fact that the salient features of the invention reside in the novel forming mechanisms and means for conveying the. blanks therethrough. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited or restricted to the specific means disclosed for feeding or gluing the blanks, as this may be accomplished in other ways without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Considering now that form of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the numeral l designates generally a frame comprising the longitudinal side struts 2 connected by suitable transverse ends 3 supported upon legs 4.

For the purpose of explanation, that end of the machine into which the blanks are fed will be referred to as the front, and the opposite end the rear.

As best'shown in Figures 1 and 6, a stock of blanks B, such as illustrated in Figure 7, are

placed upon the parallel tracks 5, between suitable upright channels 6, which are carried by the transverse shafts 1 secured to side frames 8 mounted upon the longitudinal struts 2. Be-

tween the tracks 5 is a chain conveyor 9, which may be provided with one or more carriers III that pick up the lowermost blank supported between the tracks, and convey the same to a. gluing mechanism G, the carriers l0 being provided 10 with an overhanging tail II), which engages the rear end of the blank to force the same along the tracks 5, after leaving the conveyor, to the position in which they are engaged by the carrier, as will be hereinafter described.

In order to feed one blank at a time from the bottom of the stack, a highly novel mechanism is provided for selecting and delivering the lowermost blank to the parallel tracks 5. This is accomplished by means of a plurality of spaced fingers ll, carried by a plate l2, which in turn is intermittently raised by means of a cam i 3 that engages the roller i4 suitably connected with the plate l2. Cooperating with the fingers II are the suction cups i5, carried by a bracket I6 which is also intermittently raised and lowered by means of the cam II, that engages the roller 3 connected with the bracket l6 by the stud l9.

Pivotally connected to the sides of the rear channel 6, as best shown in Figures 1 and 6, are

a pair of arms 20, which are connected by a yoke 2| with the piston 22 of a suction cylinder 23 secured to the rear face of the channel, whereby desired oscillation of the arms 20 is obtained. Secured to the lower ends of the arms 20 is a divider blade 24, which, when projected under the stack of blanks B, serves to support the same above the tracks 5.

In order to deliver the lowermost blank to the tracks 5, whereby the same can be picked up by the conveyor 9, the cams l3 and H are timed to simultaneously raise the fingers Ii and the vacuum cups i5, respectively, after which the suction cylinder 23 operates to oscillate the arms 20 and withdraw the divider blade 24 from below the stack of blanks. The suction cups are then lowered by means of the cam l1, causing the lowermost blank to be bowed downwardly, as disclosed in Figure 6, which permits sufficient clearance between the lowermost blank of the stack to allow entrance of the divider blade 24, after which the supporting fingers II are lowered through the operation of the cam l3, to permit the lowermost blank to drop upon the tracks 5. The suction in the cups I5 is then broken, and

the blank is conveyed forwardly by the carrier l0, and delivered to a position above the glue pets 25, best shown in Figures 4 and 5.

The glue pots 25 are mounted on suitable brackets 26 carried by the side struts 2 of the frame I, and are transversely adjustable to accommodate blanks of different dimensions. At the same time the tracks 5, which are carried by the glue pots 25, are also transversely adjusted, and in addition to such adjustment the tracks 5 may be further adjusted on the supporting angles 21, which serve to connect the tracks to the glue pots.

In that form of blank for which the present machine is designed, as illustrated in Figure '7,

it is merely necessary to apply acoating of adhesive material 28 to the inner faces of the side tabs 29, and the folds 30 of the ends of the blank. This is accomplished by means of dippers 3|, best shown in Figure 4, and comprising arms-32 vertically guided by the studs 33, which are slidably journaled in bosses carried by the glue pots 25. Carried by the arms 32 are the studs 34, which are connected to the eccentrics 35 mounted upon the' transverse shafts 36 and driven by sprockets 31 connected by chains with the main 5 drive. The shafts 36 are journaled in the side frames, and also in a depending bracket 38 carried by the glue pots, and inasmuch as the shafts 36 are held against longitudinal movement with relation to the glue pots, the shafts and eccen- 10 tries 35 are simultaneously adjustable with the glue pots, it being merely necessary to release the sprockets 31 when the glue pots are transversely adjusted.

As best shown in Figure 4, the arms of the 15 dippers 3| are provided with longitudinal plates 39, which, upon downward movement of the arms, are submerged in the adhesive contained in the glue pots, and upon being elevated they engage the bottoms of the blanks B, supported on the 20 tracks 5, to impart a coating of adhesive material to portions of the blank, as indicated in Figure 7.

As heretofore explained, the feeding and gluing mechanisms described are considered preferable, due to their simplicity and efficiency, but it is to be understood that these may be varied without departing from the invention as pertains to the carrier and forming mechanisms about to be described. 30

Prior to applying the adhesive to the blanks B, as heretofore explained, the same are gripped by a rotatable carrier 40, which includes a plurality of radial arms 4|, each of which is provided with a supporting plate 42 adapted to engage the blanks B as they rest on the tracks 5 above the glue pots 25. Pivotally connected to each arm 4| is a bell crank lever 43, which carries a gripping plate 44, that cooperates with the supporting plate 42 of the adjacent arm, to firmly grip 40 a blank and carry the same through the various forming mechanisms to be described. The bell cranks 43 are actuated by an internal cam 45, which is journaled on a transverse shaft 46 to which the carrier 40 is secured. Aside from a 45 limited shifting actuation of the cam- 45, the same is relatively stationary with respect to rotation of the carrier 40, and is merely shifted slightly at intermittent periods to effect a quick release and discharge of the finished containers 50 from the supporting plates 42, as will be hereinafter described.

The cam 45 is so generated as to cause each gripper plate to engage a blank supported on the tracks 5 above the glue pots 25, after which 65 the blank is carried through the forming mechanism, indicated generally as F and comprising arcuate front and rear plates 41 and 48, respectively, which serve to turn up the sides 49 of the blank (Figure 9). As best shown in Figure 1, the 0 plates 41 and 48 are secured to the arms 50 and 5|, respectively, which are carried by the brackets 52, longitudinally adjustable on the bed plates 53, in order, to accommodate. boxes of different widths. 5

At substantially the same time the side walls 49 are engaged by the plates 41 and 48, the end tabs are bent inwardly by the tuckers 54, which engage the tabs in the manner illustrated in Figure 8. The tuckers 54 are adjustably carried by the arms 50 and 5i, which also carry the side folding plates 41 and 48. After the tabs 29 are' tucked inwardly, and the side walls 49 folded upwardly, the ends of the blank are engaged by the forming plates '55, which turn the ends upwardly I in the manner disclosed in Figure 10. The plates 55 are also adjustably carried by brackets 56, mounted for longitudinal adjustment on the bed plates 53, similar to the brackets 52.

Next, the blank is carried to a horizontal position at the rear of the machine, in which the protruding ends 51 of the blank are turned inwardly over the tabs 29 to complete the formation of the box (Figure 11). This is accomplished by means of rotary grippers 58, positioned upon opposite sides of the carrier, and journaled in the heads 59, which carry the bed plates 53, and which are transversely adjustable on the vertical brackets 60, by means of hand wheels 8! secured to the shafts 62 journaled in the brackets 60, and having threaded engagement with the bosses 63 carried by the heads 59. The brackets 60 are vertically adjustable in the ways 56 on the main frame 1, whereby the grippers 58 may be adjusted both transversely and vertically to accommodate boxes of different depth and length. This is accomplished by the vertical shafts 90 revolubly connected with the brackets 50, and having threaded engagement in brackets 9i secured to the side frames 2. Hand-wheels 92 are provided for rotating the shafts 90.

For actuating the rotary grippers 58, their rear stub shafts 65 are provided with spur gears 56, which are engaged by oscillating sectors 61, pivotally carried by the heads 59. The sectors 57 are provided with integral arms 58, which carry the rollers 69 projecting into the horizontal slots 10 formed in a vertical reciprocative head ll. Obviously, as the head H reciprocates, oscillatory movement will be imparted to the sectors 57, which in turn actuate the grippers 58.

The reciprocative head H is connected to a bracket I2 by spaced rods '73, while the bracket is slidably mounted upon a guide M carried by the rear end 3 of the main frame l, as best shown in Figure 1.

Reciprocative movement is imparted to the bracket 12, and the head H, by means of an internal cam 75 mounted upon a shaft 18 journaled 5 in a portion of the main frame, and which ene gages a roller 12' carried by the bracket 12.

The drive for the various parts of the machine is taken off of the main transverse drive shaft I1 positioned at the rear of the machine, and connected with the cam shaft 11' through the beveled gears 18.

The carrier shaft 46 is intermittently rotated by a conventional Geneva drive, including a star wheel 19 mounted on the stub shaft 80 carried by one of the side frame members-2; and, as best shown in Figure 5, the star wheel, which is of the locking type, is intermittently actuated by a pin Bl carried by a revolving arm mounted on the driven shaft 82, which is also journaled in the side frame 2. Formed integral with the arm 8| is a mutilated hub 83, which serves to lock the star wheel against movement intermediate its operations, in the usual manner. A suitable gear connection between the shaft and the main carrier shaft 46, indicated in dotted lins in Figure 5, imparts intermittent rotary movement to th carrier.

Considering now the mechanism for discharging the boxes from the carrier, which operation takes place as each arm reaches its lowermost position, particular attention" is directed to Figures 1 and 2, wherein it will be noted that the driven shaft 82 is also provided with a cam 84, which oscillates a bell crank 85, the upper end of which is provided with a stud 85 engaging a forked arm 81 mounted upon a sleeve 45 projecting from the cam 45. It will be apparent from the foregoing, that actuation of the forked arm 81 will cause the cam 45 to oscillate through a limited arc, and inasmuch as the cam 45 controls the operation of the bell crank levers 43, which.

effect gripping of the blanks on the carrier arms, shifting of the cam 65 necessarily effects operation of the levers 53.

However, were the cam 45 to remain stationary, actuation of the crank levers 55 would be gradual, and inasmuch as it is desired to effect a quick discharge of the'completed boxes fggn the carrier arms, after they reach a pred Ermined position and are at rest, preferably at the bottom of their are, the cam 55 is shifted in the manner described to cause the lowermost arm 43 to move quickly away from its cooperating supporting plate 62. This action not only releases the box, but positively strips the same from the supporting plate, in that each arm 53 has adjustably mounted thereon a bracket 88, which in turn carries an adjustable finger 89 normally positioned behind the adjacent supporting plate 42, as best shown in Figure 12. As the arm 53 is rotated outwardly, the finger 89 engages the upper edge of the box, and strips the same from the plate 52, discharging the box into a suitable receptacle, or conveyor, not shown. Notches 52' formed in the supporting plate 52 permit the fingers B9 to pass by the plates.

Drive is imparted to the shaft 82 through a gear, and chain and sprocket connection, with the main drive shaft H, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure l.

From the foregoing explanation, considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be readily apparent that a comparatively simple and efficient box-forming machine has been provided, which is positive in its operation, and capable of maximum capacity, due to the various operations taking place not only progressively but simultaneously, as, for instance, gripping of the blank by the carrier, forming, and discharging the completed box, these operations being performed at various stations of the multiple carrier.

It is also to be understood that any number of radial carrier arms may be employed, as well as a plurality of carriers positioned side by side, without departing from the spirit of the inventlon.

, While one form of box blank has been illustrated, it is to be understood that the present .machine is capable of handling other types of blanks, such as a blank in which the end flaps 51 are eliminated. In that case, the grippers 58 would still function to clamp the ends of the blank and the tabs 29 into tight engagement while the adhesive is setting.

Attention is directed to the fact that the machine is completely adjustable within predeterof blanks in the magazine formed by the vertical described. The blanks are then carried along the track-by the carriers Ill connected to the conveyor chain 9. As the conveyor chain leaves the tracks on its return stretch, the tails ID of the 5 carriers l0 engage the edge of the blank and shove the same forward to a predetermined position over the glue pots. Operation of the dippers is so timed as to then apply a coating of adhesive to desired portions of the blanks, after which they are engaged between the supporting plates 42 and the gripping members 44 of the carrier.

The carrier is then intermittently rotated onequarter of a circle, which carries the blanks through the forming mechanism F. The first l5'1peration is effected by the tuckers 54 and the front and rear forming plates 41 and 48, and results in turning in the tabs 29 and folding up the sides 49 of the blank. Following the foregoing operation, the ends of the box are engaged 0 by the forming plates 55, and are thus bent upwardly against the tabs 29.

When the carrier reaches a horizontal position at the rear of the machine, its movement is stopped through operation of the star wheel, and

while the carrier is located in this position, the

grippers 58 are oscillated to fold over the protruding ends 51, and securely grip them into tight engagement with the tabs 29 and end folds 30. The carrier remains in this position until the adhesive has set, after which the grippers are rotated to their normal position. The carrier then continues its travel until the arm carrying the completed box reaches its lowermost position, at which point the box is released and discharged,

as heretofore described.

Having thus explained the invention in considerable detail, it is to be understood that various changes are contemplated in structural and mechanical design, without departing from the 40 spirit of the invention, the salient features of which residein the novel feeding, gluing, carrying, forming, and discharging mechanisms.

I claim:--

1. In a box-forming machine, a feeding mechanism, a magazine positioned above the feeding mechanism for receiving a stack of paper blanks, means for separating the lowermost blank from the stack and delivering the same to the feeding means, means for applying adhesive to portions of the blank, a rotary carrier for receiving said blanks, means for actuating the conveyor step by step and means for engaging the blanks while on the carrier to form the same into. completed boxes. 5

2. In a box-forming machine, a feeding mechanism, a magazine positioned above the feeding mechanism for receiving a stack of paper blanks, means for separating the lowermost blank from the stack and delivering the same to the feeding means, means for applying adhesive to portions of the blank, a rotary carrier for receiving said blanks, means for actuating the conveyor step by step, means for engaging the blanks while on the carrier to form the same into completed boxes, and means for stripping the completed boxes from the carrier;

3. In a box-forming machine, a rotary carrier for the blanks, means for imparting intermittent rotation to said carrier, forming means comprising stationary plates for engaging the sides and ends of the blank while on the carrier to fold the same upwardly from the bottom of the blank, and rotary grippers for engaging the ends of the blank to complete formation of the box.

4. In a box-forming machine, a rotary carrier for the paper blanks, means for actuating the carrier step-by-step, means for gripping the blanks on the carrier, means for performing the various forming operations while the carrier is at rest, and means associated with the gripping means for stripping the boxes from the carrier.

A. WATERS.

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