US2166126A - Method and apparatus for assembling wrapped boxes - Google Patents

Description

8 Sheets-Sheet 1 y Q1 mm Si July 18, 1939. H. A. cARRurH METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING WRAPPED BOXES Filed May 25, 1938 July 18, 1939. H. A. CARRUTH METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING WRAPPED BOXES Filed May 25, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 @NWN INVENTOR /emzaa/rr// MM Mlo-z; iV-J ATTORNEY July 18, 1939. H. A. cARRurH 2,166,126

METHOD AND APPARATUS FoR AssEMBLING wRAPPED BoxEs Filed May 25, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 IIIIIIIHHHIUW" Ii y" l /w ATTORNEY July 18, 1939. H. A. cARRuTH METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING WRAPPED BOXES Filed May 25, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Umnll l N VE N TO R Herma/1 fdr/w// J ATTORNEY July 1s, 1939.

H. A. cARRu'rH 2,166,126

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING WRAPPED BOXES Filed May 25, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 /KM' ATTORNEY July 18, 1939. H. A. cA'RRu'n-l METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING-WRAPPED BOXES Filed May 25, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 12:12: hmmm N IVENTOR frman afllffl/ BY WM /M @in /A- ATTORNEY July 18, 1939. H. A. cARRu'rH 2,166,126

METHOD AND'APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING WRAPPED BOXES 8 Sheets-Sheet; 7

INVENTOR ligada arru Mya/a@ lo ATTORNEY Filed May 25, 19:58

July 18, 1939. H. A. CARRUTH METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING WRAPPED BOXES Filed May 25, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR yer/fidi! /rru//i/ /LL ATTORNEY Patented July 18, 1939l UNIT-ED. STATES:

. 2,166,126 V .I t

Ms'mop -mxrrmlmis -Fonnsss'nl .I .BLING wltAPPEnBoxEs n :Herman A. Cai-ruth, lfoi'tlii'ordQ` Conn.`,"assigncr"' toNational Folding Box Company, Newl1a. 'j

ven, Gann., a,` corporationA of New'Jel-sey Application May/'25.193, Serial No. 2093205 'l 20 Claims. (Cl.`93'40) This invention relates to a method'and apparatus for assembling wrapped boxes, 'and more particularly to an improved methodand apparatus whereby paperboard boxes comprising a rigid body structure to which is affixed a covering wrapper, may be manufactured and. assembled automatically at a high production rate at relatively low cost.

In accordance with my invention, an improved method of assembling set-up wrapped boxes is provided comprising a series of assembly steps which can be automatically performed in rapid succession so as to produce a rigid and highly serviceable and desirable wrapped box which can be l5 manufactured and sold at a price comparable to unwrapped boxes.

In the packaging of hosiery, wearing apparel and other articles of merchandise, a strong and rigid box is desired for the reason that such boxes must be piled in relatively high stacks during shipment and storage and during residence on the merchants shelves. Due to the weight of the superimposed boxes the lowermost boxes in the stack are subject to severe crushing strains which often cause the box bottoms or covers to buckle, side and end walls to flare outwardly, and the boxes to tear or split at the corners. My improved method and apparatus is directed to the provision of a highly serviceable wrapped box which will withstand and hold up under severe compression strains and will maintain its shape and form and fully protect the merchandise packed therein when subjected to the most severe use and abuse. My improved method and apparatus is designed to assemble a prepared wrapper blank onto a prepared body blank which possesses a high degree of stiffness and strength, and thereafter to apply adhesive to the predetermined areas of the body blank, to properly align and register the wrapper blank on the body blank, to stretch the wrapper blank, to apply adhesive to defined areas of the Wrapper blank, to fold the side and end wall sections and the corner tabs into boxassembled position, and, finally, to complete the application of the wrapper blank to the box body. The mechanism provided for the purpose requires little personal supervision once placed in operation, and the successive assembly steps are performed in synchronized relation in rapid succession. The prepared body blanks and wrapper blanks are fed into the apparatus adjacent one end thereof and the finished wrapped box is ejected at the other end thereof completely and fully assembled and ready to receive merchandise. The apparatus is so constructed that certain defined assembling operations-can be-on'veniently performed. at the box-assembling plant and the assembled unitary wrapperzand body blanks may v `.then be shipped vinflat extended position to the user or merchandise packer. who can conveniently 5 employ another section of the apparatus to ,complete the. .n`al vassembly and erection' .ofi-the wrapped box as the boxes are needed. Substantial savings in shipping and storage. costs can thusbe realized. Ifshlpping and storage costs are not 10 a serious problem, the: entire assembly and boxerecting operation can be performed in the plant of the box manufacturer or the plant of the user from a` supply of preparedy body and wrapper blanks. L Y

An object of this invention isto provide an improved method of assembling Wrapped boxes which permits of high speed, economical production. f

Another object of this invention is to provide an 20 improved method of assembling'boxes from a, prepared relatively stiff body blankand a prepared relatively bendable wrapper blank ina series of steps which can bev economically and speedily performed by automatic machinery. 1 25 Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for assembling vwrapped boxes.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus adapted to feed, glue and 30v assemble a prepared .relatively stiff body blank and a prepared relatively flexible wrapper blank into a rigid highly serviceable wrappedbox at a production rateV substantially greater than heretofore obtainable by box-wrapping apparatus 35 heretofore known and employed.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the disclosure proceeds.

Various other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent vfrom the following 40 particular description and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended 4,54

2 sembled withv the body blank by the method and the apparatus herein described;

Fig. 3 is atop plan view of the complete boxassembling apparatus;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of that section of the box-assembling apparatus which assembles the body blank and. the wrapper blank together into a blank unit;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the operating parts of the machine illustrated in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged top plan view of that section of the apparatus which applies adhesive to and folds the side wall flaps of the wrapper into adhesive contact with the body blank;

Fig. '7 is a side elevational view of the machine parts shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan view of that section of the apparatus which bends or stretches the side walls of the body blank and wrapper blank assembly;

Fig. 9 is a side elecational view of the operating parts shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged top plan view of an. other section of the apparatus which bends the side walls of the body blank and wrapper blank assembly and folds the corner tabs of the :M Iz to a position where they will be out of contact with the glue roller which applies adhesive to the end wall flaps of the wrapper blank;-

Fig. il is a side elevational view of that sec-l tion of the apparatus sho in Fig. lil;

Fig. 12 is a top plan View of another section of the box-assembling apparatus which folds the side and end walls of the wrapped body blank into box-forming position;

Fig. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the machine section shown in Fig. 12, this view being taken on line I3l3 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is another vertical cross-sectional view through the machine section shown in Figs. 12 and 13, this view being taken on line M--Il of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is another vertical cross-sectional view through the machine section shown in Figs. 12 and 13, this view also being taken along line Il-M of Fig. 13,4 but showing the operating parts as they appear at a farther advanced step in the box-assembling operation;

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the glue roher as it appears when applying adhesive to the bottom section of the body blank, a step which is performed by that section of the machine illus-1 trated in. Figs. 4 and 5;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the wrapper blank in the process of being applied to and aligned with the box blank, a step performed by that section of the machine shown in Figs. 4 and 5;

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the guide means operating to complete the aligning operation of the wrapper blank with the body blank, this view illustrating a further step performed by that section of the machine as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5;

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the conveyor belt for advancing the blank into contact with the glue roller which applies adhesive to the side wall flaps of the wrapper blank, a step performed by that section of the machine more particularly illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7;

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of a pair of folding arms which operate to fold the side wall flaps of the wrapper blanks downwardly over the outer edge of the side walls of the body blank, a step performed by that section of the machine ilius-V trated in Figs. 6 and t; v

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of an additional pair of folding arms which operate-to fold the side wall flaps of the wrapper blank around the 5 outer edge of the side walls of the body blank and into adhesive contact with the inside face, thereof, a step performed by that section of the machine illustrated in- Figs. 6 and '7;

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the stretching rollers which operate to stretch the wrapper over the side walls of the body blank Awhile the adhesive is still green, a step performed by that section of the machine illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9;

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of-the blank conveyor which moves the blank generally at right angles to the conveyor illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, Fig. 23 illustrating particularly the manner in which the assembled blanks are engaged by the conveyor belts, further illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9;

Fig. 2t is a perspective view of the rollers which fold the end walls of the wrapper blank and body blank at an angle tothe bottom section thereof, a step performed by that section of the machine illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11;

Fig. 25 is a perspective view of the rocker arms which operate to fold the corner tabs of the wrapper blank and body blank generally at right angles to the bottom section thereof, an operation performed by the section of the machine illustrated in Figs. l0 and il;

Fig. 2d is a perspective view of the corner tab guides which operate to retain the corner tabs of the wrapper blank and body blank assembly generally at right angles to the` bottom section thereof while the glue rollers operate to apply adhesive to the end flaps of the wrapper blank, an operation performed by the section of the machine illustrated in Figs.10 and 11;

Fig. 27 is a fragmentary perspective view of the folding elements which operate to fold the side walls and end walls of the body and wrapper assembly into box-forming position, which elements are more fully illustrated in Figs. l2 to 15 inclusive;

Fig. 28 is a perspective view of the body and wrapper assembly showing the corner tabs foldedv4 at right angles to the bottom section as the initial step in erecting the box, a step performed by the machine elements illustrated in Figs. 12 to 15 inclusive;

Fig. 29 is a perspective view of the body and wrapper assembly wherein the corner tabs have been folded inwardly and the side walls are in the process of being turned at right angles to the bottom section, a step performed by the machine elements illustrated in Figs. l2 to 15 inclusive;

Fig. 30 is a perspective view of the boxand wrapper assembly showing the end walls raised into box-forming position, a step performed by the machine elements illustrated in Figs. 12 to 15 inclusive;

Fig. 31 is a perspective view of the box and wrapper assembly showing the end wall flaps of the wrapper blank about to be turned inwardly into adhesive contact with the inside face of the end wall of the body, a step performed by the machine elements illustrated in Figs. 12 to 15 70 inclusive; and

Fig. 32 is a 'perspective view of the` completed box as it appears assembled by the method and apparatus herein disclosed.

Similar reference characters refer to similar 75 a Cut line e.

and the specification.

In themanufactureofwrapped boxes bythel method and apparatus ycomprising this invention.

'be assembled thereo body-,forming blanks A, .which maybe ofthe general type illustrated in F18. 1, are nrstprepared.

Thebody-forming blanks may be formedl of relatively strong paperboard lof the neccssarystre'ngth and sti'n'ess to properly. support and retain the merchandise in the box. The blankis generally lof rectangular form, comprising abottom section 'a of'rectangular shape, side wallsectlons b hinged to the bottom section a by suitable score lines, and

end sections c alsohinged to the bottom section a by suitable score lines. A corner tab d is hinged to each end of the side wall sections b which, when the box is erected, are folded to lie adjacent the inside face of the end wall sections c. As illuslng `elements whereby of' operating mechanisms each dslsed .toDr- I form -rdeiined ,operations upon vthegblanlr; which trated in Fig. 1, each corner tab or stay dis sepax vrated from the ends of the side wall sections c by The bottom section a is coated with a layer of adhesive :c during the assembly operation. The body blanks A may be cut and scored from large sheets or rolls of suitable paperboard on an automatic cutting and scoring machine at a high production rate.

It has heretofore been customary to first completely assemble the box body from a blank A, as shown in Fig. l, by erecting the sides and end Walls and staying the corners before the wrapper is applied. In accordance with my invention, the wrapper blank is attached and secured to the body blank before erection of the body blank, and the side and end walls of both the body and wrapper blanks are erected as a unit. As shown more particularly in Fig. 2, the wrapper blank B `comprises a bottom section a which is of such size as to neatly cover the outside face of the bottom section a of the body blank; sidewall sections b' of such size as to extend over the outside face of the side Wall sections b of the body blank; end Wall sections c' of such size as to extend over the outside face of the end Wall sections c of the body blank, and corner tabs d' of such size as to extend over the corner tabs d of the body blank. A side Wall ap b" extends from each side wall section b' of the wrapper blank and are each coated during the assembly operation with a strip of adhesive y. During the assembly operation these naps are folded and pressed into adhesive contact with the inside face of the side wall sections b of the body member. After the body corner tabs d and wrapper corner tabs d have been folded inwardly, the end wall flaps c extending from the end wall sections c' of the wrapper blank are coated with a strip of adhesive z during the assembly operation and these flaps are then folded into adhesive contact with the inside face of the end wall sections c of the body blank.

The wrapper blank may comprise a sheet of paper which may be suitably decorated or treated to give the desired finished appearance to the box. The wrapper blanks may be cut and scored from large sheets or rolls of selected paper or paperboard on an automatic cutting and scoring machine at a high] speed production rate. The wrapper blank may be formed of relatively tough, strong sheet material as to appreciably add to the stiffness and strength of the box. The term wrapper or wrapper blank as hereinafter used is to be understood to cover wrappers of any quality of tough paper or finished cardboard which has the desired bending and wrapping qualities. The method and apparatus comprising this invention is designed to wrap and assemble boxes of any is of such frn box-assemblingn"mcanismes-sem;'

or depth, and the machine itselfmayl be pro- I vided with adlustablezor interchangeable operatboxes of different size-may.

111W-v be generally irefer'red' t0 as, the bodyand f wrapper feeding mechanism, thesidfwallf'gluing and wrapping mechanism, the sidewallstretching mechanism, the `endwall end wall- .gluing mechanism,l and the box-'assembling mechanism'.V tion each lof the separate mechanisms above referred to `Will,bc cussed.

Body and wrappery feeding mechanism Referring more particularly to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the body blanks A, whlchkhave been cut and scored as illustrated in Fig. l, are placed in a. suitable hopper having an inclined rear wall 2 and retaining side walls`3, the hopper being supported upon a suitable framework I a convenient distance above the floor. A- bodyl blank feed roller 4 mounted upon a shaft 5 suitably journalled in the framework I, is provided with rubber blankengaging buttons or projections 6 or other blank'- engaging means which operate to feed a single body blank A onto a belt conveyor I I at each revolution of the feed roller 4. The feed roller is flxed to a shaft 5 rotatablymounted in suitable bearings provided in the framework I and is positively driven by a driving gearv'I fixed to one end of the shaftI 5. The driving gear 'I meshes with a driving gear 8 fixed to shaft 20 rotatably mounted in the framework I. The shaft 20 may be provided with a pulley wheel I or othermeans which is operatively connected to a driving motor or other power source.

'I'he belt II may be made of woven fabric and width as to conveniently support the blanks, means being provided for positively advancing the belt II. A belt-supporting roller I6 is xed to the drive shaft 20 which is positioned at the head of the apparatus. Thebelt is trained over a supporting roller I1 fixed to a shaft 2| rotatably mounted in the framework I spaced from the roller I6 so that the upper run of the belt presents a table-like surface advancing forwardly. The shaft 20 upon which the roller I6 is mounted is driven by the guide pulley wheel I0 in the manner heretofore described.

Thus it is seen that as the feed roller 4 revolves the` abutments 6 operate to engage one of the body blanks A and deposit it on the upper advancing run of the belt II until the abutments 6 release the blank. It will be appreciated that the diameter of the feed roller 4 is somewhat greater than the length of the body blank so that the body blanks are fed onto the belt I I at spaced intervals and a single body blank is fed onto the table with each revolution of the feed roller 4, which is rendered possible by the fact that the feed roller 4 and the belt supporting roller 20 are driven in synchronism from the pulley wheel I0.

'I'he top face of the bottom section a of the body blank A, which is the outside face of the box body when assembled, is coated with adhesive x, adhesive-applying means being provided to fully coat the entire area of the bottom section a without applying adhesive to the side wall sections b or the end wall sections c of the body blank. The adhesive-applying mechanism, as illustrated more particularly in Figs. 3, 4, and

bending meclianis'in, theA For convenience -in descrip--v separately described and disi6, comprises a giue roller 25 xed to a shaft 26 rotatably mounted in suitable bearings provided in the framework i. The shaft 26 may be provided with a sprocket wheel 2l over which is trained a drive chain 26, which drive chain is trained over a sprocket wheel 29 fixed to the driven shaft 5. The cylindrical surface of the glue roller 25 is coated with adhesive by a suitable applicator roll 30 which is mounted to freely roll in contact with the periphery of the glue roller 25. A suitable glue pot 3| supplies the adhesive 'to the applicator roll 30 through the glue outlet 32 therein. Suitable means may be provided to maintain the glue in the glue pot 3| at the proper liquid temperature.

It will be noted by referring more particularly to Figs. 4, 5 and 16 that the glue roller 25 is provided with a depression 29 in the surface thereof into which no glue is applied. The width of the channel 29 is such that when the glue roller 25 rotates, no adhesive will be applied to the end wall sections c of the body blank or to the belt between successive advancing body blanks. The glue-applying periphery of the glue roller 25 corresponds to the length of the bottom section a of the body blank so that the adhesive is applied to the top surface of the bottom section a only.

The wrapper blanks B which have been cut to the required shape, as illustrated in Fig. 2, are placed in a suitable feed hopper immediately ahead of the glue roller 25, the feed hopper comprising an inclined rear wall 35 and side wall 36. The successive wrapper blanks are drawn from the hopper by means of a feed roller 31 afxed to a shaft 38 rotatably mounted in the framework of the machine. A drive sprocket 40 is connected to one end of the shaft 3ft and is driven from a drive sprocket 42 fixed to the shaft 5 by means of a drive chain 4| trained over the sprockets 46 and 42. Blank-engaging buttons 39 are provided on the periphery of the feed roller 31 which operate to engage the topmost wrapper blank B in the hopper at each successive revolution of the feed roller 31. The feed roller 31 is synchronized with the feed roller 4, which feeds the body blanks A into position, so that the wrapper blanks B are properly superimposed over and are in registry with the successive advancing body blanks A. The diameter of the feed roller 31 is the same as that of the feed roller 4 and it operates to feed one wrapper blank during each revolution thereof. The wrapper feed roller 31, driven in unison with the body feed roller 4, is so synchronized as to place the bottom section a of the wrapper blank in registered position over the bottom section a of the body blank, as illustrated in Fig. 1. It will be noted that the lower end 22 of the inclined rear wall 2 of the chute feeding the body blanks A is so positioned relative to the feed roller 4 as to feed only one blank at a time into position on the belt with each rotation of the feed roller 4. Likewise, the lower end 23 of the inclined rear wall 35 of the feed chute containing the wrapper blanks B is so positioned relative to the feed roller 31 as to feed only one wrapper blank at a time onto the belt with each rotation of the roller 31.

It will be noted that the width of the belt is approximately the same as the width of the bottom section a of the body blank A, so that the side wall section b of the body blank overhangs the side edges of-the belt.

Means are provided for insuring proper reg- Albania@ istry of the wrapper blank B with the body blank A. By referring more particularly to Figs. d, 5 and 1?, it will be noted that a pair of bl abutment members 46 are provided which are pivotally mounted at one end thereof upon a fixed shaft 41. The blank-engaging members 46 are each provided with a downwardly projecting leg 436 whose end portions 49 operate to periodically engage the advancing tabs d of the body blank A. At this stage of the operation the adhesive n: on the bottom section a of the body blank is still green, and the feed roller 31 operates to move the wrapper blank along the top surface ofthe body blank until thecorner tabs d of the wrapper blank abut the end portions 49 of the blankengagingmembers 46, thus bringing the corner tabs d' of the wrapper blank into alignment with the corner tabs d of the body blank.

The blank-engaging members 46 are manipulated into and out of blank-engaging position by means of a cam 55 fixed to a suitable shaft 63 rotatably mounted in the framework l of the machine. A sprocket wheel 51 fixed to the cam shaft 63 is driven by a drive chain 58 trained over a sprocket wheel 56 flxed to the driven shaft 38 of the feed roller 31. A reciprocating rod 5| reciprocating in a guide sleeve 52 fixed to the framework of the machine is provided with a roller 53 at one end thereof, which rides over the surface of the cam 55. The cam 55 is provided with a surface projection 56 which operates to raise the rod 5| upwardly as it rides over the cam projection 56. The rod 5| is pivotally connected by pin 50 to one of the pivotally mounted blank abutment members 46. If desired, two cams 55 on each side of the belt Il may be provided both driven by the drive chain 58, in which event two reciprocating arms 5| may be provided each connected to the adjacent blank abutment member 46.

It will be appreciated that as the roller 53 passes over the surface projection 56 of the cam 55 the lower end 46 of the abutment members 46 will be raised out of contact with the blank assembly, so as to permit the blank assembly to pass under the leg portions 48 thereof. As the next succeeding blank assembly approaches the leg portions 46 of the abutment members ,46, the roller 53 will move into contact with the depressed portion 60 of the cam 55 so as to bring the end portion 59 of the abutment members 46 into position to engage the corner tabs d of the next succeeding advancing body blank to effect proper registration of the wrapper blank upon the body blank. The end portions 49- of the abutment members 46 thus halt the advancing movement of the body blank for a predetermined interval until registration of the wrapper blank and the body blank has been effected. The abutment arms 46 also operate to effect proper uniform spacing of the blank assemblies upon the upper run of the belt, which becomes important in effecting operations later to be performed on the blank assembly.

To further properly align the blank assemblies upon the belt I, a pair of stationary guide members 6| along each side edge of the belt may be provided. The guide members 6| may be flat strips of metal which are flared as at 62 at the advance end thereof to permit free entry of the blank assemblies therebetween. The guide members 6| further operate to properly align the wrapper blank upon the body blank.

As the blank assembly moves forward beyond the control of the end portions 49 of the blank abutment members 46, the bottom Isection a of the wrapper blank has then been properly registered with and secured to theI bottom section a of the body blank, and the blank assembly, comprising the combined body blank and wrapper blank, is then ready for further treatment.

The side wall gluing and wrapping mechanism After the blank assembly has moved beyond the control of the end portions 49 of the blank abutment members 46, it passes into that part of the machine which, for ease in description, has been designated the side wall gluing and wrapping mechanism, which mechanism is illustrated more particularly in Figs. 6 and 7. This mechanism comprises more particularly a continuous blank-supporting belt 81 which is trained over the guide sheaves 86, 98, 89 and 90 so that the top iiight of the belt extends in a substantially horizontal direction. 'I'he belt-supporting sheaves 88 and 89 may be offset to make room for other operating'mechanism which will be presently described. The guide sheaves 86, 88, 89 and 90 may be, mounted upon suitable shafts which rotate in suitable bearings provided in the framework I.

An upper blank-retaining belt 11, similar to the lower blank-supporting belt 81, is trained over guide sheaves 15, 18, 19, 80 and 8| in such a manner that the lower night of the belt extends parallel with and in close proximity to the upper flight of the conveyor belt 81. 'I'he guide sheaves 15, 18, 19, 80 and 8| may be suitably mounted upon shafting joumalled to the framework I. The upper conveyor belt 11 may be positively driven by means of a sprocket wheel 83 fixed to a shaft 16v upon which' the belt sheave 15 is mounted. 'I'he sprocket wheel 83 is operatively connected to sprocket wheel 85 fixed to the driven shaft 38 by means of a chain belt connection 84. If desired, the sheave 86 supporting the lower conveyor belt 81 may also be positively driven by means of a gear 9| fixed to shaft 81' which supports the sheave 86, the gear 9| meshing with gear 92 attached to the shaft 16 which supports the sheave 15. The upper iiight of the lower conveyor belt 81 and the lower flight of the upper conveyor belt 11 are so arranged as to grip the blank assembly therebetween and to positively feed `the blank assembly forwardly as it emerges from the control of the blank abutment members 46. It will be appreciated, however, that it may be necessary to positively drive only belt 11 or belt 81, one belt then being driven by the other through frictional contact between the blank assembly and the adjacent flights of the belts.

As the blank assembly advances between the adjacent ights of the conveyor belts 11 and 81,

a pair of spaced glue rollers 93 are providedto\.\

apply a strip of adhesive y to the side wall flaps b of the wrapper blank. 'Ihe glue rollers 93 are fixed to a shaft 94 rotatably mounted in the framework I of the machine. The shaft 94 may be positively driven by gearing or other power transmission mechanism operatively connecting the shaft 94 to the driven shafts 9| or 16. Each of the glue rollers 93 extends into a glue pot 90 containing liquid glue which is picked up by the rotating glue rollers 93 and deposited in a dened strip y along the side wall aps b of the wrapper blank. It will be appreciated that the conveyor belts 11 and 81 are of a width approximately equal to the width of the bottom section a of the body blank, so that the side wall sections b of the body blank and the side the side edges of the conveyor belt, thus permitting free application of the adhesive to the side wall flaps b" of the wrapper blank by the glue rollers 93. It is also understood that the glue vrollers 93 are properly spaced with reference to the width of the wrapper blank so as to apply the glue strip y only to the side wall aps b" of the wrapper blank. If the wrapper blank is of substantial stiffness it may be unnecessary to positively drive the glue rollers 93, sincev the relatively stiff side wall flaps b" of the wrapper will frictionally engage the peripheral surface of the glue rollers 93 suiciently to rotate them so as to insure positive application of the glue strip y thereto.

Following the application of the glue strip y to the side wall iiaps b of the wrapper, mechanism is provided to fold the' side wall flaps b of the wrapper downwardly and then fold the adhesive surface y of the side wall aps b against the lower face of the side wall sections b of the body blank. Referring more particularly to Figs. 6, '1 and 20, a pair of folding arms are provided which are so spaced and positioned as to ride over the side wall flaps b and press the same downwardly, as more particularly illustrated in Fig. 20. The ap folding arms |00 are spaced a distance substantially equal to the width of the bottom section a and side wall sections b of the body blank and are fixed to a shaft |03 rotatably mounted in suitable journals |05 provided on the framework l of the machine. During the passage of the blank assembly into position between the folding arms |00 they are held in raised tilted position, as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. '1, and when the blank is properly positioned between the folding arms |00, mechanism is provided to pivot the arms |00 downwardly and with this downward stroke effect a downward bending of the side wall flaps b" of .the wrapper around the outer edge of side wall sections b of the body member. The up and down swinging movement of the folding arms |00 is positively effected by means of a lever |04 fixed to the shaft |03 which xedly supports the folding arms |00. The outer end of the lever |04 is pivotally connected to an upwardly reciprocating rod |06 which carries a roller |08 at the lower end thereof. The roller |08 rides over the cam surface of the cam member |09 fixed to a driven shaft which shaft may be operatively connected by suitable gearing, drive chain or other transmission mechanism, to a driven shaft in the machine. A guide block |01 fixed to the framework of the machine guides the reciprocating movement of the rod |06.

The cam |09 is provided with a projection ||0 on the cam surface thereof, which operates to raise the rod |06 upwardly when the roller |08 carried by the rod rolls over the cam projection H0. Upward movement of the rod |06 operates to swing the folding arms |00 from upward tilted position downwardly when the blank assembly is in proper position therebetween. It will be noted that the cam projection ||0 is of relatively limited extent so that the folding arms |00 are quickly swung down and swung up, and the folding arms. 00 are normally held in upward tilted position for a suflicient period of time to permit the blank assembly to move therebetween. The folding arms |00 are provided with a rounded corner |02 which corner first contacts the side wall aps b and is so shaped as not wall flaps b of the wrapper blank overhang to interfere with the normal advance of the blank assembly into position between the paired folding arms |00.

From the folding arms |00 the blank is conveyed between the adjacent flights of the conveyor belts 11 and 31 through a pair of spaced wrapping arms ||2, which are illustrated in Figs. 6, 7 and 21. The wrapping arms ||2 are spaced a distance equal to the combined width of the bottom section a and side wall sections b of the body blank and are arranged in generally parallel relation so as to fold the side wall flaps b" of the wrapper blank around the free edge of the side wall sections b of the body blank and into adhesive contact with the under surface of the side wall sections b. The spaced wrapping arms ||2 are each provided with a flared mouth portion ||3 to facilitate the passage of the blank assembly into position between the spaced wrapping arms ||2. The lower edge of the wrapping arms ||2 are gradually inturned in the direction of advance of the blank assembly so as to provide a gradually inturned flange ||4. The inturned flange ||4 operates to fold the side wall flaps b" of the Wrapper blank around the free edge of the side wall section b of the body blank and inwardly against the under face of the side wall sections b, so that the adhesive y on the side wall flaps b" will adhere to the under face of the side wall sections b of the body blank. Fig, 21 illustrates generally the manner in which this operation is effected.

When the blank assembly leaves the conveyor belts 11 and 81 the bottom section a' of the wrapper blank has been fixedly secured to the bottom section a of the body blank and the side wall flaps b" of the wrapper blank have been adhesively secured to the under or inside face of the side wall sections b of the body blank, the side wall sections b" of the wrapper blank being unsecured to the side wall sections b of the body blank. The blank assembly then moves into engagement with the side wall stretching mechanism.

Side wall stretching mechanism It will be appreciated that if the wrapper blank were tightly Wrapped around the outside face of the out-stretched side wall sections b of the body blank and flxedly held, the wrapper blank might tear or rupture when the side wall sections of the body blank are folded generally at right angles to the bottom section of the box. In accordance with this invention, mechanism is provided for stretching the wrapper blank by bending the side wall sections of the blank assembly at an angle to the bottom section of the blank assembly before the adhesive y on the side wall sections has become dried and fixed to permit the side wall flaps b" of the wrapper blank to slip slightly, if necessary, over the inside face of the side wall sections of the body blank so that the side wall sections b of the wrapper blank will smoothly cover the outside face of the erected side wall sections b of the body blank without rupturing the wrapper blank. The side wall stretching mechanism is illustrated more particularly in Figs. 8 and 9 and is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 22.

As the blank assembly is discharged from the conveyor belts 11 and 81 it passes between paired rollers which operate to flex the side wall sections b of the body blank downwardly and thus stretch the side wall sections b' of the wrapper blank. A pair of spaced rollers |20 are fixedly vthe driven shaft |22.

mounted upon a shaft |22, which shaft is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings provided in the framework of the machine. The shaft |22 and the 'spaced stretching rollers |20 may be positively driven by means of a sprocket wheel |32 fixed to one end of the shaft |22, which is driven by a drive chain |33 trained 'over a sprocket wheel |34 fixed to one end of the driven shaft 16. The stretching rollers |20 are spaced a between the side wall sections b of the body blank. The stretching rollers |20 wheel over the side wall sections b' of the wrapper blank and the side wall sections b of the body blank, and are also provided with a beveled peripheral surface |2| whichdefines the angle of bend of the side wall sections of the blank assembly.

A pair of cooperating stretching rollers |20 are positioned directly beneath the pair of stretchingl rollers |20 and are similar thereto in size and' spacing. The stretching rollers |20 are supported upon a shaft |2| which may be rotatably mounted in the framework of the machine. The outer periphery of the stretching rollers |20 are provided with a beveled surface |2|' which may match the beveled surface |2| of the stretching rollers 20. It is thus seen that as the blank assembly moves between and is held between the upper pair of stretching rollers |20 and the lower distance approximately corresponding to the space 10 pair of stretching rollers |20', the side wall sec- 30 tions b are bent downwardly to stretch over the side wall sections b' of the wrapper blank to effect any necessary slippage of the side wall flaps b or adjustment of the wrapper blank before the green adhesive y becomes dry and fixed. The stretching rollers |20 need not be positively driven but may be rotated by frictional contact with the side wall sections of the blank assembly which is positively advanced by the stretching rollers |20.

Any desired number of paired cooperatingstretching rollers may be provided to effect proper stretching of the wrapper blank around the side wall sections of the body blank. Three cooper--l ating pairs of stretching rollers are shown in the machine illustrated in Figs. 1, 8 and 9. Thus a pair of spaced stretching rollers |23, immediately following the stretching rollers |20, may be provided which are fixed to a shaft |25 rotatably mounted in the framework and positively driven by a sprocket wheel |31 fixed to the' shaft |25 and driven by a drive chain |36 trained over the sprocket wheel |35 fixed to one end of The peripheral surface of the stretching rollers |23 are also beveled as at |24 so as again downwardly flex or bend the side wall sections b of the blank assembly. A pair of stretching rollers |23 whose peripheral surfaces |24 are beveled to match the peripheral. surfaces |24 of the stretching rollers |23 may be provided, the rollers |23 being fixed to a shaft |25 rotatably mounted in the framework The blank assembly in its forward movement is drawn' in between the cooperating stretching rollers |23 and |23' which again stretches the side Wall sec-I tions of the blank assembly. i If further stretching of the side wall sections of the blank assembly is desired, additional co-y operating pairs of stretching rollers may be provided. The third set of stretching rollers, illustrated in Figs, 8 and 9, comprise the spaced rolls |26 having beveled bending surfaces |21, these rolls being fixed to a shaft |28 rotatably mounted in the framework of the machine. As shown more particularly in Fig. 3, the Shaft |23 may be 75 driven by a sprocket wheel |40 fixed to the shaft |28 which is driven by a drive chain |38 trained over a sprocket wheel |38 attached to the driven shaft |25. An additional pair of stretching rollers |26' cooperating with rollers |26 are positioned beneath the advancing blank assembly, stretching rollers |26' being provided with beveled surfaces |21' which match beveled surfaces |21 of the rollers |26. The stretching rollers |26' may be mounted upon a shaft |28' rotatably mounted in the framework I of the machine.

It will be appreciated that surfaces |2| and I2 of the stretch rolls |20 and |20', surfaces |24 and |24' of stretch rolls |23 and |23', and surfaces |21 and |21 of stretch rolls |26 and |26', may be beveled at varying degrees so as to effect the proper stretching of the wrapper blank around the side wall sections b of the body blank so that when the adhesive y has become dried, the wrapper blank will nottear or rupture when the side wall sections of the blank assembly are erected into their ultimate pasition at right angles to the bottom section. It will be noted that this stretching operation is performed while the adhesive y on the side wall flaps b of the wrapper blank is still green or wet, permitting, if necessary, a slight slippage of the liquid glue-coated side wall flaps b" over the inside surface of the side wall sections b, so that the side wall sections b' of the wrapper blank will have sufficient area to fully cover the outside surface of the side wall sections b of the body blank without tearing or rupturing the wrapper when the side wall sections b of. the body blank are folded at right angles to the bottom section a.

When this stretching operation has been completed, the blank assembly passes between two pairs of cylindrical rollers which operate to press the side wall flap b' to the wrapper blank into firm adhesive contact with the inside face of the side wall sections b of the body blank.l A pair of spaced cylindrical rollers |30 are xed to a shaft |3|, which shaft carries a sprocket wheel |43 driven by drive chain |42 trained over sprocket wheel |4| fixed to the driven shaft |28. Two cooperating presser rolls |30', similar in construction to presser rolls |30, are positioned beneath the rollers |30. Rollers |30' are xed to a shaft |3|' rotatably mounted in the framework of the machine. The presser rolls |30 and |30' cooperate to press the side Wall flaps b" of the wrapper blank into adhesive contact with the side Wall sections b of the body blank and further act to smooth or iron out the side wall sections b' of the wrapper blank. The stretching rolls |20', |23' and |26' need not be positively driven but are rotated by the action of the driven stretching rolls |20, |23 and |26 respectively. Likewise, presser rolls |30' need not be directly driven but arey caused to rotate by the action of the positively driven presser rolls |30 superimposed thereover.

At this stage in the manufacturing operation, the blank assembly may be further compressed to flatten out the blank and secure positive adhesion between the bottom wall section of the body blank and wrapper blank and the side wall flaps b" of the wrapper blank and the side Wall sections b of the body blank. This mechanism may comprise a pair of spaced ironing rollers |46 and |46' between which the blank assembly is compressed. The compression roller 46 may be fixed to a supporting shaft |41 rotatably mounted in the framework l, 'I'he cooperating compression roller |46' may be xed to a shaft |41' rotatably mounted in the framework The compression roller |46 may be positively driven by theprovision of a sprocket wheel |48 xed to one end of the shaft |41 over which is trained a drive chain |49 which is trained over a sprocket |44 xed to the driven shaft |3|, as illustrated in Fig. 3

As the blank assembly emerges from the compression rollers |46 and |46', the bottom section a' and the side wall sections b' of the wrapper blank have been adheslvely secured and fixed to the bottom section a and the inside face of the side wall sections b, respectively, of the body blank and, in addition, the wrapper has been suitably stretched over the side wall sections b of the body blank, so that when the side wall sections b of the body blank are erected into position at right angles to the bottom section a, the wrapper blank will neatly and smoothly cover the bottom section and the side wall sections of the body blank without break or rupture. l

In the manufacture of applicants set-up blank by the method and apparatus herein disclosed, a substantial saving in shipping and storage costs can be effected if the blank assembles as they emerge from the compression rollers |46 and |46' are packed in the fiat by the box manufacturer and thus shipped to the user, the remaining boxassembling operations then being performed by the user of the box. Since the finished box is of the set-up type and not generally collapsible, it obviously occupies more space in shipment and storage when fully set up than when shipped and stored as a fiat blank unit. My apparatus is highly adapted to be separated into two divisions, wherein the first division of the apparatus, as heretofore described, may be used by the box manufacturer and the second division of the apparatus, to be presently described, used by the goods manufacturer to perform the final boxassembling operation prior to the packaging of the goods in the box. The second division of the apparatus and its method of operation will now be described.

End wall bending mechanism plant.

A pair of spaced blank assembly supports 5| are provided which are carried by the framework |50 and are provided with flat surfaces along which the blank assembly may slide. The blank assembly is moved along the supports |5| by a pair of spaced parallel extending conveyor belts or chains |53 positioned between the supports 5|. 'Ihe conveyor chains or belts are trained over a pair of guide sheaves or sprocket wheels |52 fixed to a shaft |54 rotatably supported on the framework |50 at one end of the blank supports |5| by suitable brackets |55. The blankadvancing chains or belts |53 are also trained over a pair of guide sheaves or sprocket wheels |56 which are fixed to a shaft |51 rotatably mounted in the framework |50, the sprocket wheels |56 being positioned adjacent the other end 0I the blank supports |5|. The blank-advancing chains |53 may be driven by power means applied to the shaft |54. For purposes of illustration, there is shown in Fig. 3 a bevel gear |45 fixed to the shaft |54 which meshes with bevel gear |45 fixed to the driven shaft |3|, previously described. Any suitable power means, however, may be used to drive the blank-advancing belt or chains |53.

As illustrated more particularly in Figs. 8 and 9, the blank assembly is supported upon the spaced supports |5| with the wrapper blank uppermost, the side edges of they spaced supports |5| being so arranged that the end wall sections c of the body blank and the corner tabs d of the body blank overhang the side edge of the spaced supports. The blank-advancing belts or chains |53, positioned between the supports |5|, are each provided with spaced lugs |58 which are arranged in pairs. The lugs |58 are so spaced around the advancing chains |53 that each pair of lugs |58 will engage the wrapped side wall sections at the rear of the blank assembly and move the blank assembly forwardly along the spaced blank supports |5|. The lugs |58 may be adjustably connected to the advancing chains or belts |53 so as to advance the blank assemblies in the proper spaced relation along the supports |5|.

As the blank assemblies move along the spaced supports |5|, they come into contact with means for folding the end wall flaps c' of the wrapper blank downwardly over the edge of the end wall sections c of the body blank. As illustrated more particularly in Figs. 10 and 11, a pair of spaced flap-folding discs |60 are provided for this purpose, the discs |60 being fixed to a shaft |6| rotatably mounted in the framework |50. The folding discs |60 are positively driven in synchronism with the blank-advancing chains |53 by means of a sprocket wheel |62 fixed to one end of the shaft |6| and driven by a drive chain |63 trained over a sprocket wheel |64 fixed to the driven shaft |54. The peripheral extent of the folding discs |60 is somewhat greater than the width of the blank assembly, the folding discs |60 each having a peripheral cam surface |65 which contact the end wall flaps c" of the wrapper to fold the same downwardly, in the manner illustrated in Figs. il and 24. The peripheral surface |65 has a peripheral length approximately corresponding to the length of the end wall flaps c'. A notch of the folding discs |60 which is equal in peripheral extent to the predetermined spacing between the ends of the side wall flaps b' of adjacent blanks moving'along the supports |5|. Thus the peripheral surfaces |65 of the folding discs |60 only operate to fold the end wall flaps b downwardly. The initial bending of the end wall flaps c by the folding discs |60 serve to initially flex the same preparatory to further folding operations to be presently described.

Means are provided for folding the corner tabs d in a downward direction. As shown more particularly in Figs. 10, 1l and 25, a pair of radially extending folding arms |10 fixed to a shaft |12 operate to fold the corner tabs d at the advancing end of the blank assembly in a downward direction, and a pair of folding arms |1| also fixed to the shaft |12 operate to fold the corner tabs d at the following end of the blank in a downward direction. The shaft |12 is rotatably mounted in the framework |50 and is rotated by a sprocket wheel |13 fixed to one end of the shaft |12. A drive chain |14 is trained over the sprocket Wheel |13 and the sprocket wheel |15 fixed to the driven |66 is cut out from the periphery of each shaft |6|, previously described. The ends |16 of the folding arms |10 are so spaced and shaped as to engage only the corner tabs at the advancing end of the blank as the arms |10 rotate in a counterclockwlse direction as viewed in F18. 11. The end portions |11 of the folding arms |1| are so shaped and spaced as to engage the corner tabs at the following end of the blank assembly. It is thus seen `that the arcuate spacing of the ends |16 and |11 of the folding arms |10 and |1| is approximately equal in linear distance to the length of the end wall sections c of the body blank, The speed of rotation of the shaft |12 carrying the folding arms is synchronized with the speed of rotation of the folding discs |60 so as to place the ends |16 and |11 of the folding arms |10 and |1| respectively in proper registry with the corner tabs of the blank assembly as the blank advances thereunder.

The end wall gluing mechanism It will be noted that the ends |16 of the folding arms |10 during their arcuate travel remain in engagement with the corner tabs at the advancing/end of the blank assembly for a predetermined distance of forward travel of the blank assembly along the supports |5|. Prior to the release of the corner tabs at the advancing end of the blank assembly from the folding section ofthe folding arms |10, they are engaged by a pair of spaced tab-retaining guides each provided with a flared mouth |8| to facilitate the entry of the corner tabs between the tab-retaining guides |80 and the side edge of the adjacent blank suport |5|. Similarly, the corner tabs at the following end of the blank assembly are held in downwardly folded position by the folding arms |1| until engaged by the ared mouth |8| of the adjacent tab-retaining elements |80. As the blank assembly continues to move between the tab-engaging elements |80 they are held in downwardly folded position substantially at right angles to the-bottom section of the blank assembly.

While the corner tabs of the blank assembly are held in a downwardly folded position by the tab-retaining elements |80, adhesive is applied to the under face of the end wall flaps c" of the wrapper blank. The adhesive is applied in the form of a strip z to the under face of the end wall flaps c" only by a jair of spaced glue rollers |82 fixed to a shaft |83 rotatably mounted in suitable bearings. Each of the glue rollers |82 extends into a pool of liquid glue contained in a glue pot |84. If desired, the shaft |83 may be positively driven by a suitable mechanism, or if the wrapper blank is of suiiicient stiness the passage of the end wall flaps c" of the wrapper blank will operate to rotate the glue rollers |82 to apply adhesive to the under surface thereof. It will be noted that the glue rollers |82 are of such width as to aply a strip of adhesive z to the end wall aps c" only and that during this operation the corner tabs are held in a downwardly extending direction by the tab-retaining element |80 and out of contact with the adhesive coated surface of the glue rollers |82.

-After the blank assemblies have passed over the glue rollers |82 they are ready for erection into box-forming position by the box-assembling mechansm.` v

The box-assembling mechanism The mechanism for erecting the prepared blank assembly into set-up box form is illustrated more particularly in Figs. 12, 13, 14, 15 and 27. The

l aladino box-assembling mechanism operates to fold the finally to fold the end walls flaps c'.' of the wrap A per blank inwardly and into adhesive contact with the inside face of the end wall 'sectionsyprof' ducing a box as illustrated in Fig. 32. v The box-assembling mechanism comprisesmore particularly a blank-Supporting platform 200 supported on -a reciprocating plunger. 205. 'I'he platform 20| presents a fiat blank-supporte lng surface having an area closely approximating the inside area of the bottom section ofthe box to be assembled. The platform 200 Aat its lowermost -position of movement seatswithin a v cell structure 20| having surrounding sidewall flange portions 202. Mechanism is provided for shoving the successive blank assemblies over the top edge 203 of the cell flanges 202 when the top surface of the platform 200 is slightly below the top edge 203 of the cell flanges 202.

'Ihe mechanism for advancing the blank assembly onto the platform 200 is illustrated more particularly in Figs. 10 and 11. A pair of pusher arms |90, positioned between the supports |5| in spaced relation, are operatively connected at one end thereof to a connecting bar |89. A bell crank lever |9| pvotally mounted upon a fixed stub shaft |92 has one arm thereof pivotally connected to the connecting bar |89, the other arm carrying a roller |93. The roller |93 is posiitoned to ride over the cam surface of a cam |94 which is xed to a shaft |95 rotatably supported by the framework |50 of the machine. The cam surface of the cam |94 is so shaped as to periodically rock the bell crank lever |9| so as to reciprocate the pusher arms in a generally horizontal direction, the pusher arms |90 being suitably supported upon guide plates |96. The pusher arms at the free end thereof are provided with a nose portion |91 which is designed to seat under the rear wrapped side wall section of the blank assembly as it is moved forwardly by the advancing chains |53. The lower edges of the pusher arms |90 are each provided with a cam surface |99, which cooperates with the guide plate |96 to raise a finger |98 projecting upwardly from the nose portion |91 into contact with the rear side edge of the advancing blank assembly and with a continued forward reciprocation of the pusher arms |90 the blank is pushed into position onto the supporting platform 200. A tension spring |88 connected to the bell crank lever |9| operates to maintain the roller |93 in constant contact with the cam surface 0f the cam |94. Thus when the roller |93 rolls over the cam surface |81, the tension spring |88 operates to reciprocate the pusher arms |90 forwardly into engagement with the rear side edges of the blank assembly and to push the blank onto the platform 200. With a continued clockwise rotation of the cam |94, the roller |93 will ride over the cam surface |86 to rock the bell crank lever rearwardly and draw the pusher arms |90 rearwardly into position to engage the rear side edge of the next succeeding blank assembly discharging from the blank supports |5|.

The cam shaft is preferably operably connected to gearing, chain drive or other power transmission mechanism, to the driven shaft |51 supporting the sprocket wheels |56. By way of examp1e,vthe power transmission mechanism, as

shown in Fig. 11, may comprise a sprocket wheel |59 attached to driven shaft. |51, over which is trained a drive chain |06 which is trained over a sprocket wheel,l |19 fixed to the cam 'shaft |06.

By `means of this yor ,similar drive mechanism, it

will be noted that the pusher arms |90- are ref',

ciprocated to engage `and,'advance the successive Reierringf'agfainlto Fi gs.`12, `13, 14, 15 and 27,'y it will be notedthatv when the pusher arms |90 have positioned a blank vassen'lbly uponthe Dlat` form. 200, the! Yplatform-suppo'r'ti'ng reciprocating plungerj205 isgmoved upwardly into the cell structure 20|. The plunger 205 may be moved -upwardly by the action" of suitable driving mechanism operated by "a rotating cam- (not shown) which is rotated in timed relation to the rotation of the cam shaft |95.

The flanges 202 of the cell structure are dimensioned to approximate the inside contour of the box to be assembled. A box-forming frame is provided which comprises a pair of spaced side wall elements 206 each having an outwardly flared mouth portion 201 which permits the free insertion of the blank assembly therein. Attached to each end of the side wall forming elements 206 is a shoe 208 which projects slightly below the lower edge thereof. Each shoe 208 is so shaped as to bend the corner tabs d of the'blank assembly downwardly to a position substantially at right angles to the outwardly flared side wall sections b of the blank assembly during the initial upward movement of the blank-supporting platform 200. As the blank-supporting platform continues its upward movement, the outwardly flared side wall sections b of the blank assembly come into contact with the outwardly ared mouth portions 201 of the side wall folding elements 206, and as the platform 200 continues its upward movement the side wall sections b of the blank assembly are folded substantially at right angles to the bottom section a of the blank assembly, in which position the previously downwardly folded corner tabs d extend in an inwardly direction, as illustrated more particularly in dotted lines in Fig. 13. Thus it is seen that at this stage of the upward movement of the platform 20 0, the side wall sections b have been folded into box-forming position substantially at right angles to the bottom section a and the corner tabs d have been folded inwardly. The side wall folding elements 206 may be xed to a reenforcing frame 209 at the upper edge thereof which is xedly supported by means of suitable bracket supports 209.

A pair of end wall folding elements 220 are provided which operate to fold the end wall sections c of the blank assembly downwardly substantially at right angles to the bottom section a of the box being formed during the upward movement of the platform 200, which is performed after the side wall sections b have been folded downwardly or during the downward folding movement of the side wall sections b but not prior thereto. 'I'he lower edge of the end wall folding elements 220 are flared outwardly as at 223 to provide a mouth which permits easy entry of the end wall sections c therebetween. Due

wall sections c when the end wall sections c have been folded at right angles to the bottom section a. At this point the cell member Elli moves upwardly so as to project the flanges 202 thereof into telescoped position within the side and end wall sections of the box partly formed. During theupward movement of the cell member 20G, the upper edge 203 of the flanges 202 will engage the inturned end wall flaps c" and :fold them inwardly and upwardly into adhesive contact with the inside face of the end wall sections c o the body structure of the box. The sides 2li of the flanges 202 will serve to iron the upturned end wall flaps c" into positive vadhesive engagement with the inside face of the end wall sections c and inturned tabs d of the box body.

The cell member 2M may be supported on a vertically reciprocating tube 2I3 which surrounds the plunger 205, the cell structure 20! being attached to the upper end of the reciprocating tube Zl by means of a suitable boss 2M and a set screw 2lb. The cell member 20!! and the tubular member M3 may be reciprocated upwardly and downwardly through the action of a cam memberv (not shown) operatively connected thereto, which cam member is drven in synchronism with the cam member which drives the reciprocating plunger Zlib.

rlihe platform 200 moves upwardly until the bottom section a o the box comes into contact with the inwardly projecting stop flanges or anvils 22H projecting inwardly from the end wall folding elements 220. When the bottom section of the box has been moved upwardly. into 'abutment with the stop flanges 22 the box has been assembled generally as it appears in Fig. 30, with the wrapped side wall sections b and the wrapped end wall sections c extending downwardly at right angles to the bottom section a and with the corner tabs d turned inwardly so as to lie against the inside face of the end wall sections c. The cell member 2M then moves upwardly and the partially inturned end wall naps c are engaged by the rounded upper edge 203 of the flanges 202 of the cell member, which operates to force the end wall flaps c" inwardly and upwardly and into adhesive contact with the inside face of the end wall sections c, when the flanges 202 of the cell member have arrived at their extreme upward movement, as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 13. The cell member Ztl is then drawn downwardly by its supporting tube 2l@ and the operating mechanism which reciprocates with the tube. The downward movement of the cell member 20| is followed by the downward movement of the platform 200 at a spaced distance therefrom to a point Where the completed box, as illustratedin Fig. 32, can be kicked out from the forming frame. The platform 200 continues its downward movement until it is seated within the cell member 20|, in which position the pusher arms i90 operate to advance a second blank assembly into position upon the platform 200.

Method of assembly 'I'he method and the steps employed in assembling the wrapped box is more particularly illustrated in Figs. 16 to 32 inclusive. It is understood that the wrapped box can be assembled by other apparatus than that particularly disclosed in the drawings and above described. It is therefore understood that the method and arrangement of steps for assembling the box can be effected by other types of automatic assembling mechanism than that specically disclosed.

alledrie@ in manufacturing and assembling the wrapped box, large sheets orv rolls of suitable cardboard .are cut and scored to the desired shape and size to provide the body blanks. The'body 'blanks may be formed from a relatively cheap cardboard which should have the characteristic of substantial stiffness. 'I'he body blanks may be cut and scored to provide a bottom section of any desired rectangular shape and area, to which are hinged, as by scoring, the blank, the side wall sections l), the corner tabs d hinged thereto, and the end wall sections c. The side wall sections b and the end wall sections c may be any desired width to provide a finished box of the desired depth.

The wrapper blank B is cut to the required shape to properly wrap the body blank on an automatic cutting machine. Preferably, the wrapper blank is not scored, so that the wrapper blank possesses full strength around the edges and corners of the box. The wrapper blank may be formed from any desired relatively tough but bendable material, such as a tough Kraft paper or a relatively light but tough and flexible rlnished cardboad which has the necessary bending qualities. The wrapper blank when glued and applied to the body blank provides an assembled box which is sturdy and relatively unilexible and highly resistant to twisting or bowing strains. The box as produced by my improved method has all the strength and serviceability of a wrapper box assembled by slower methods.

For example, wrapped boxes made on the well known Stokes and Smith wrapping machine in general use, require complete assembly of the body structure of the blank on a corner-staying machine, on which only a few hundred box bodies per hour can be assembled. The assembled box bodies must then be transferred and hand-fed into the Stokes and Smith wrapping machine, on which only a few hundred boxes per hour can be assembled. By my improved method the assembly operation can be performed on a single machine at the rate of several thousand boxes per hour so that the boxes can be produced at a cost comparable -to unwrapped folding boxes which cannot be made to present the rigidity and strength required for the packaging of certain classes of merchandise, such as hosiery, wearing apparel, and similar merchandise, Where the boxes are piled to considerable heights one upon the other and considerable strain is thus placed on the lowermost boxes.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 16 to 32 inclusive, the prepared body blank A is first fed into contact with a suitable glue roller which operates to apply a layer of adhesive a: to one face of the bottom wall section a only. The wrapper blank B is then fed into superimposed position over the body blank with suitable means provided to insure proper registry of the bottom wall section a' of the wrapper blank with the bottom wall section a of the body blank.

The blank assembly then continues to move along a suitable conveyor upon which it is rmly held, as by a traveling belt 11. The blank assembly is so positioned upon the moving conveyor that the side wall sections b of the body blank and the side wall naps b" of the wrapper blank overhang the side edges of the traveling conveyor so that the adhesive-applying means, such as glue rollers 93, are in position to apply a strip of adhesive 'J to one face only of the side wall flaps b of the wrapper blank, as illustrated in Fig. 19.

The blank continues to move into contact with side wall folding and wrapping elements which first operate to fold the side wall flaps b around the free edge of the side wall sections b of the body blank, as shown in Fig. 20, and then operate to continue the folding of the side wall flaps lIJ" into adhesive contact with the inside face of the side wall sections b of the body blank, as illustrated in Fig. 21,

- Upon further advance movement of the blank assembly the. wrapped side wall sections b are then bent or stretched while the adhesive u is still green or wet, so as to insure the proper stretching of the side wall sections b' of the wrapper blank so that they will smoothly but fully cover the outside face of the side wall sections b of the body blank when the box is finally erected, without -causing the wrapper to tear or split when the side wall sections b are eventually folded into a position at right angles to the bottom section a. After the stretching operation the side Wall flaps b are ironed into fixed adhesive contact with the inside face of the side wall sections b of the body blank. The side wall stretching operation and the wrapper ironing operation are illustrated in Fig. 22.

At this stage the blank assembly may be given a flattening operation which may be performed by passing the blank between compression rollers |41 and |41', as illustrated more particularly in Figs. 8 and 9. If desired the blank assemblies may then be packed flat in suitable packing crates or boxes and shipped in fiat condition to the ultimate user or goods manufacturer and thus substantial economies may be effected in shipping and storage costs. The remaining box-assembling operations can be conveniently performed on another section of the box-assembling machine operated in the plant of the box user. If the entire box-assembling operation is to be performed at the same location, that section of the machine which performs the final box-assembling operation can be arranged to're'eive the blank assemblies as they emerge from the compression rollers |41 and |41. Thus my improved method contemplates either the partial assembly of the wrapped box by the box manufacturer and thereafter a completion of the assembly operation by the box user, or performance of the entire box-assembling operation on boxassembling apparatus at the plant of the box manufacturer.

The remaining box-assembling steps comprise the feeding of the blank assembly along a suitable conveyor, as illustrated in Fig. 23 with the end wall sections c of the body blank and the end Wall flaps c of the wrapper blank overhanging the side edges of the conveyor. Suitable means, such as the folding rollers |60, as shown in Fig. 24, then come into play to give the end wall flaps c" an initial bending around the free edge of the end Wall sections c of the body blank. As the next step, the corner tabs are folded substantially at right angles to the side wall sections b, which may be performed by rocker arms, illustrated in Fig. 25. With the continued advance movement of the blank assembly, the corner tabs are positively held in fixed position at right angles to the side wall sections b while adhesive-applying means, such as adhesive roller |82, apply a strip of adhesive z to the end wall flaps c of the wrapper blank, an operation illustrated in Fig. 26.

The blank is now ready for movement into the box-erecting mechanism partly illustrated in Fig. 27. The blank assemblies are moved to a position to be operated upon by the box-erecting mechanism by suitable advancing means such as the blank-advancing arms lll. The box-erecting mechanism first operates to fold the corner tabs d into position substantially at right angles tothe side wall sections b, as illustratedin Fig. 28,and while so held the side wall sections b are' folded substantially at right angles to the bottom section a, in which positionl the .corner tabs will extend inwardly, as illustrated in Fig. 29.v The box-assembling mechanism then operates to fold the end wall sections c substantially at right `angles to the bottom section a and in abutting contact with the inturned corner tabs d, as illustrated generallyin Fig. 30. In the next operation the box-erecting mechanism folds the end the inside face of the end wall sections c of the body structure of the box, which operation is performed while the adhesive z on the end wall flaps c" is still green or wet, so that the end wall flaps c" will readily adhere to the inside faceV of the corner tabs d and the end wall sections c of the body blank. The box structure illustrated in Fig. 31 shows the adhesive-coated end wall flaps c" in the process of being folded inwardly against the inside face of the corner tabs d of the end wall sections c. When this operation is completed, the completely erected box, as shown in Fig. 32, is then ejected from the box-assembling machine. 1

In the manufacture of wrapped boxes by the method and apparatus herein disclosed, such boxes can be made by eliminating the corner tabs d entirely from the body blank A.v The corner tabs d of the Wrapper blank will, of course, be operated upon in the manner previously disclosed and will be folded inwardly against the inside face of the end wall section c of the body blank.

Two boxes of the type herein disclosed are generally used by the user as a unit, one box comprising the so-called containing section and the other comprising the cover section which usually telescopes over the containing section. It is understood, therefore, that the wrapped box as herein referred to is meant to refer to either the containing section or the cover section, or both, since either section can be made following the method and the apparatus herein disclosed.

By employing my improved method of assembling wrapped boxes, a highly serviceable and rigid set-up box can be produced substantially entirely by automatic machinery at a high production rate and at correspondingly low cost. A wrapped set-up box possesses the highly desirable qualities of great stiffness and strength. Such boxes as heretofore produced have been expensive due to the high cost of assembly by methods heretofore followed. By following my improved methods of assembly, Wrapped boxes can be automatically assembled substantially without hand operation at a speed of several thousand boxes per hour, so that the wrapped box can be sold at a price comparable to the unwrapped single-ply boxes which, though reasonable in cost, are unsatisfactory for the packaging of many lines of merchandise where a rigid, firm and unyielding box structure is required. In assembling boxes by the usual folding operations, it is appreciated that relatively flexible or bendable paperboard must be used, which board does not possess the requisite stiffness and rigidity that a double-ply box having a body structure of relatively stiff unyielding box board and a flexible finished covering wrapper provides.

Set-up wrapped boxes of particular size and wall flaps c inwardly into adhesive contact with

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