US2198855A

US2198855A - Method of making infolded knockdown boxes

Info

Publication number: US2198855A
Application number: US236691A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bergstein Samuel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1938-10-24
Filing date: 1938-10-24
Publication date: 1940-04-30
Anticipated expiration: 1957-04-30

Description

April 30, 1-940. 5, T m 2,198,855

. METHOD OF MAKING INFOLDED KNOCKDOWN BOXES Filed Oct. 24, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fins. 4. 1 112.51

FIG-.5

INVENTOR. ASHMUEL .fis asrfl/v. v

BY aeem azek ATTORNEYS.

April 30, 1940. s. BERGSTEIN METHOD OF MAKING INFOLDED KNOCKDOWN BOXES Filed Oct. 24, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 30, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD OF MAKING INFOLDED KNOCK- I DOWN BOXES Samuel Bergstcin, Cincinnati, Ohio Application October 24,- 1938, Serial No. 236,691

6 Claims.

5 folded inwardly, and the remaining pair of opposite walls folded outwardly. When such a box is squared up for use, the outwardly folded walls retain their tendency to fiare outwardly, making a box that is difiicult to pack efficiently, and one which is not neat in its finished appearance. For

this reason, it has become a common practice 7 among producers of such boxes, to refold the boxes inwardly prior to shipping them .to the user, which is an additional and expensive hand operation. However, in such infolded boxes, due to the fact that the diagonal fold line has been folded first outwardly and .then inwardly, the

resultis to produce ,a rather flimsy box, and it does not have a sufiicient inward tendency to grip i the contents placed therein securely.

There are other methods in use, to produce boxes in flat or knockdown form, having both the sides and ends folded inwardly, but most of these involve either first gluing up the .box blank in l erect or upright form, and thereafter collapsing it, which process does not lend itself to highspeed production, or by the use of complex mechanisms which convey the box in twoor more positions relative to its direction of motion.

' By my invention as herein disclosed, I provide a method for making knockdown boxes, with all sides folded inwardly, and with the diagonal creases having been folded in one direction only, providing thereby a box which when erected does not have any tendency to bulge or fiare outwardly, and this is one of the objects of my invention. Further, by my process, the folding and gluing operation can be carried out by comparatively simple high-speed mechanism, conveying the box in one position relative to its direction of motion, and which also may be carried out efliciently byhand or other means if desired.' Further, by my invention I am able to produce such a knockdown box wherein there are no crevices or pinholes in the corners, providing a leak-tight condition, which is a still further object of my invention. Y

These and other objects of my invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates my preferred blank in fiat form. a

Figure 2 illustrates the first stage of the folding operation.

Figure 3v illustrates the next stage in the folding operation.

Figure 4 illustrates a subsequent stage of folding, adhesive having been applied on the extending fiaps.

Figure 5' illustrates the final stage of folding, the flaps having been folded inwardly to over-lie the side walls as illustrated.

Figure 6 is a perspective of the above box in open position.

Figures '1 to illustrate an alternate method of folding and gluin'g my box. The blank is the same as illustrated in Figure 1 and the initial stages of folding are the same, Figure 7 corresponding to Figure 2 and Figure 8 corresponding to Figure 3. As illustrated in Figure 9, however, being my alternate method, the corner flaps have been folded inwardly, and at that stage preferably adhesive is applied as illustrated. Figure 10 is the succeeding stage after Figure 9, showing v the side walls folded in thereby securing the infolded side wall to the previously folded corner flaps.

Figure 11 is a perspective of this box in open position.

Figure 12 is a diagrammatical illustration of one type of mechanism suitable for carrying out my process.

Referring now to the drawings, the blank shown in Figure 1 has a main body panel A, side walls C and C and end walls B and B In these end walls are located respectively lines of diagonal fold F--F and G--G.' Articulated to the edges of the end panel B are end flaps DD, and articulated to the edges of end wall B are corner flaps EF-E, as illustrated.

In passing it should be noted that the use of the terms end walls and "side walls is for convenience only, the pair of opposite walls having diagonal lines of fold therein, with corner 40 flaps articulated thereto, being designated as end walls, and the remaining pair of opposite walls being designated as side walls, for the purposes of clarity in description, and without reference to the relative dimension of said walls. Referring now to Figure 2, the first stage of my method is to fold reversely along the diagonal lines F-F and G-G, bringing the triangular portions of the end walls defined by these dia'gso onal lines, as well as the corner flaps, into position under-lyingthe blank as shown.

The next step, as illustrated in Figure 3, is to fold in the end walls B and B into position overlying the main body'panel, the previously folded portions being retained in folded position.

The next stage of folding, as illustrated by Figure 4, consists in folding inwardly the two opposite side walls C and C all previous folds being retained in folded condition. At this stage adhesive may be applied to the extending corner flaps, or to the corresponding portions of the side walls.

Thereafter, the final stage as illustrated in Figure 5, is to fold in the extending corner flaps, over the previously folded in side walls C and C and the folded box is thereupon placed under pressure to secure adhesion between the corner flaps and the side walls which they over-lie. Thereupon the box is ready for shipment to point of use, where it can be readily be opened for insertion of contents, merely by raising either pair of opposite walls.

In connection with the above description it should be pointed out thatif desired-adhesive may be applied to the extending corner flaps at stage 3, thereupon the remaining folds as shown in Figures 4 and 5 carried out as illustrated, as the particular stage at which adhesive is applied is immaterial to the operativeness'of my process, just so long as adhesive is introduced between the meeting surfaces of the corner flaps and the side walls, prior to folding the corner flaps inwardly to over-lie the previously infolded side walls.

Referring now to my alternate method as illustrated in Figures 7 to 10, the blank itself is the same as that illustrated in Figure 1. The initial stages of folding (7 and 8) correspond to the initial stages of folding previously described in connection with Figures 2 and 3.

After the blank has been folded into the position illustrated in Figure 8, however, the next stage according to my alternate process is to fold inwardly the corner flaps, as illustrated in Figure 9. With all folded portions being retained in folded condition, the opposite side walls C and C are thereupon folded inwardly to over-lie the previously infolded corner flaps, adhesive having been introduced between the meeting surfaces of the corner flaps and the side walls. This brings the box into the position shown in Figure 10, and after adhesion has been secured by means of pressure or other means, the box as shown in Figure 10 is-ready for use.

In Figure 12 I have illustrated diagrammatically a mechanism suitable for carrying out the folding and gluing according to my preferred method as illustrated by Figures 1 through 5. The machine as illustrated consists of a timed feed mechanism, timed score breakers and twist belts, a front spring guide, timed kicker, an overhead guide continuing to act as a hold down for the folded walls, timed glue wheel, additional twist belt, and a stacking conveyor.

The blanks are placed in a hopper l5, from which they are withdrawn one at a time by the feed wheel l6, the direction of motion of the blank being parallel to the end walls. The blanks can be fed through the machine in timed relation by means of spaced pins on a chain as shown.

As the blanks begin theiradvance through the machine there are four pairs of score breakers, consisting of an overhead wheel I! having a fin or rib I8 thereon located at an angle, and an underneath wheel l9 having a pocket 20 therein, these wheels operating in timed relation to the travel of the blank, and each pair of wheels or score breakers serving to fold downwardly the triangular portion of the end panels, with the corner flaps articulated thereto, along the diagonal lines of fold.

The folding of the advancing pair of corner flaps is completed by a guide plate 2|, and the folding of the rearward or trailing pair of corner flaps is effected by timed sweeps 22, which serve to complete the folding along the diagonal lines initiatedby the score breakers, bringing the blank into folded position illustrated by Figure 2.

By means of guides the folded condition is retained and as the blank continues to advance, twist belts 23 serve to fold the end walls inwardly, thereby bringing the blank into position shown in Figure 3.

As the blank now continues through the machine, the forward or advancing side wall comes into contact with the spring guide 24, located so as to press upwardly on the forward wall, and the folding of the forward wall is completed by stationary overhead guide 25 which the continued travel of the blank serves to bring the forward wall under. The rearward wall is folded inwardly by an overhead kicker 26, which is timed in relation to the travel of the blank, but which operates at a higher ratio of speed, serving to lift the rear wall forward and fold it down into position, the blank now' being in the condition illustrated in Figure 3.

With all folds now being retained in folded condition, the blank passes beneath glue wheels 21 as illustrated, which deposit adhesive upon the extending corner flaps.

Thereupon, twist belts 28 serve to fold the corner fiaps' inwardly, and the folded blank is delivered to a stacking conveyor 29, which serves to secure adhesion of the blanks, the blanks upon entering the conveyor being in the condition shown by Figure 5.

Because the various mechanical elements shown in the diagrammatical illustration are all known in the art, it has not been thought necessary to explain their functioning or operation in detail. It can readily be seen, however, that a machine such as illustrated is capable of accomplishing the folding and gluing-operation described at high speed, and also it is a comparatively, simple mechanism to build and operate because of the fact that the blank travels in only one direction, audit is not necessary to change its position in relation to its direction of travel.

It should also be pointed out that by a rearrangement of the parts illustrated, that is by replacing the timed kicker and spring guide by the final twist belt shown, so that the corner flaps are folded inwardly prior to the inward folding of the side walls, the alternate method as illustrated by Figures '7 to 10 may be carried out.

One important advantage ,of the knockdown box produced by my preferred method is that it makes possible a box with corners that are liquid tight. That is in my preferred construction since the corner flaps are folded over the side walls, the corners of the finished box can be fitted so closely that the usual pin holes or small openings found at the corner portions of glued knockdown boxes are eliminated, thereby making a boxduction of such a liquid-tight paper box is one of the objects of my invention.

It is obvious that the boxes illustrated in the drawing may be used as trays; that is what is commonly known in the trade as boats or that two such boxes as shown can be telescoped together, making a two piece box consisting of a bottom and a lid. Or, if desired, an extra panel having tucks or side flaps may be articulated to one of the side walls of the boxes illustrated,

thereby making a one piece box with hinged lid attached. All such variations are contemplated within the scope of my invention.

In regard to my method as disclosed, it is also,

possible, if desired, to raise the end walls of the blank prior to folding back along the lines of other variations of my essential method are included in the scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and novel and desire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows:

1. That method of making infolded knockdown boxes from'blanks having a main body panel, a pair ofopposite side walls, and a pair of opposite end walls, said end walls having diagonal lines of fold therein defining triangular por tions and articulated thereto corner flaps, which comprises bringing said end walls into infolded position over-lying the main body panel with the triangular portions thereof and the corner flaps folded back along said diagonal lines of fold, and thereafter folding in said side walls to over-lie said folded triangular portions and the main body panel, retaining all folds in folded condition, and folding the corner flaps in to over-lie 'the previously folded side walls.

2. That method of making infolded knockdown boxes from blanks having a main body panel, a pair of opposite side walls, and a pair of opposite end walls, said end walls having diagonal lines of fold therein defining triangular portions' and ,articulated thereto corner flaps, which comprises bringing said end walls into infolded position over-lying the main body panel with the triangular portions thereof and the corner flaps 1 folded back along said diagonal lines of fold, and thereafter folding 'in said side walls to over-lie said folded triangular portions and the main body panel, retaining all folds in folded condition, and folding the corner flaps in to over-lie the previously folded side walls, adhesive having been introduced between meeting surfaces of said corner flaps and said side walls.

3. That method of making infolded knockdown boxes from blanks having a main body panel, a

pair of opposite side walls, and a pair of opposite end walls, said end walls having diagonal lines of fold therein defining triangular portions and articulated thereto corner flaps, which comprises bringing said end walls into infolded position over-lying the main body panel with the triangular portions thereof and the corner flaps folded back along said diagonal lines 'of fold, and thereafter folding in said side walls to over-lie said folded triangular portions and the main body panel, retaining all folds in folded condition, and folding the corner flaps in to over-lie the previously folded side walls, adhesive having been introduced'between meeting surfaces of said corner flaps and said side walls, and thereafter applying pressure to secure adhesion.

4. That method of making infolded knockdown boxes from blanks having a main body panel, a pair of opposite side walls, and a pair of opposite end walls, said end walls having diagonal lines of fold therein defining triangular portions and articulated thereto corner flaps, which com prises moving said blank along and bringing said end walls into infolded position over-lying the main body panel with the triangular portions thereof and the corner flaps folded back along said diagonal lines of fold, and thereafter folding in said side walls to over-lie said folded triangular portions and the main body panel, retaininglines of fold, and thereafter folding said end walls inwardly to over-lie the main body panel, folding in said side walls to over-lie said folded triangular portions and the main body panel, retaining all folds in folded condition, and folding the corner flaps in to over-lie the previousl folded side walls.

' 6.. That method of making infolded knockdown boxes which comprises providing blanks having a main body panel, a pair of opposite side walls,

- taining all folds infolded condition, and folding the corner flaps in to over-lie the previously folded side walls, adhesive having been introduced between meeting surfaces of said corner flaps andsaid side walls.

SAMUEL BERGS.