US2261018A - Machine for folding blanks - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 28, 1941.

F. H. CHAPMAN MACHINE FOR FOLDING BLANKS Filed Aug. 20, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. FTEE] H Ehapn gj BY W%M ATTORNEY.

Oct. 28,.1941. F. H. CHAPMAN MACHINE FOR FOLDING BLANKS Filed Aug. 20, '1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR vVll/ll 7 6 l FfE d' H Chapman BY ATTORNEY Oct. 28, 1941. F. H. CHAPMAN MACHINE FORFQLDING BLANKS Filed Aug. 20, .1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 5 J. Rt m o WW m M w A V.. B.

1941- F. H. CHAPMAN MACHINE FOR FOLDING BLANKS Filed Aug. 20, 1940 5 Sheets -Sheet 4 l -JE INVENTOR. FF'Ed H Chapman IQMA ATTORNEY.

Oct. 28, 1941. HCHAPMAN 2,261,018

MACHINE FOR FOLDING BLANKS v Filec l Aug. 20, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 'iq- 9 5.5-.

(1J1? b x l I I l I I t I I l I i L 6/: .9 I E l J I Y I i I l f I f-" INVENTOR- l r'ed H Chapman BY WWW ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 28, 1941 MAcmNn oR FOLDINGBLANKS 'Fred H. Chapman, Pcpper ell, Mass., assignor to The International Paper Box Machine Company, Nashua, N. H

Hampshire a corporation of New Application August 20, 1949, Serial No. 353,374

' '9 Claims. (01. 93-49) This invention relates to machines for folding .blanks.

In the manufacture [of boxes and generally .similar articles from paperboard, boxboard or similar sheet material, it is necessary to make It is usually desircertain folds in the blank. I able that the folds be made while theblank is traveling in order to provide a high rateofprbduction. It has been found relatively difiicult main body of the blank and the side wall flaps. In accordance with the present invention, a folding mechanism is provided wherein a relatively simple but positively acting and eflicient mechsuch construction that it engages the portions of the blank other than the portions to be fold- .ed. A rotatable folding arm carrying an angularly yielding head is rotated to engage a rearward flap of the blank and fold it forwardly over against the body of the blank; when the fold is substantially made, the head is rocked away from the blank to allow the latter to be advanced by the conveyor. made, a second folding head is-rota-ted somewhat in advance of the rearward folding head and engages and turns a forward flap or .flaps rearwardly. Suitable means, such as folder bars, are provided for completing the folds.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a simple and eflicient mechanism for making diagonal folds in blanks while they are traveling. I I

Still another object of theinvention is the provision of a simple and efficient mechanism for folding forwardly a trailing flap of a blank while the blank is being advanced through the mechanism. I

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a simple and efiicient mechanism .2 .of the invention, the blanks are suitably advanced through the mechanism by a conveyor of Where a front fold is to be to make the so-called diagonal folds wherein the 10 .blank is folded along fold lines makingan acute angle with the lines of juncture between the lieved to be characteristic of this invention will be. particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention'itself, as to its objectsand advantages, and the mannerin which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken i n con necti on with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, in which Figs, 1 and 2 are fragmentary vtop plan and side elevational views respectively, showing a -portion of a folding mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention; 7

Figs, 3 and dare fragmentary top plan and side elevational views respectively, illustrating particularly the folding of a forward flap backwardly onto the body of the blank, certain parts pf thestructure being omitted to simplify the sh w n Figs, 5 and 6 are fragmentary top plan and side elevational views respectively, illustrating particularly the folding of a rear flap forward- ;ly, certain parts being omitted for simplicity;

Figs. '7 and 8 are top plan and side elevational views respectively of another embodiment of the invention and representing a portion of a mechanism for folding forwardly a rear center flap having diagonal folds therein, certain parts of the structure being omitted for simplicity;

.Fig. 9 is a top plan viewof one'fo'rm of blank which the mechanism illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 is adapted to. fold;

Fig. 10 is atop plan view of the blank shown in Fig. 9 after folding"; l

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of one form of blank which the mechanism illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 is adapted to fold; and

in the several figures of the drawings.

It will be understood that the present invendtion is adapted to many uses in connection with for making forward and rearward diagonal folds on a blank during the forward movement of the blank.

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

Although the novel features which 'are'be- 'pendent machine for merely making folds in blanks, will more usually be employed as acomponent part of a machine for foldingand. gluing blanks to make complete boxes. It will be understood, therefore, that while a showing of such combined machine is omitted for simplicity,the mechanism herein disclosed may be combined with other known folding and/or gluing mechanism to provide a complete box making ma-v chine.

It will be also understood that while the present invention is primarily directed to a mechanism for making diagonal folds, nevertheless, the mechanism, with certain modifications as hereinafter more fully explained, may be employed for making regular folds along fold lines parallel to or at right angles to the direction of movement of the blank.

Before describing the machine it should be noted that it is shown in connection with two forms of blank having diagonal fold lines therein.

One form of blank is illustrated in Fig. 9, to which reference now is made. The blank L includes a base at having side walls I; foldable along fold lines and end walls 11 foldable along fold line e. The end walls d have diagonal corner flaps extending therefrom and foldable about the fold lines 9.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown in a somewhat diagrammatic manner, a mechanism for folding blanks. The mechanism is adapted to be mounted on a suitable frame (not shown) which may be the principal frame on the machine. Inasmuch as the two side portions of the machine are similar, only one such portion is described herein, it being understood that the other is similar but reversed, in order to provide right hand and left hand portions; the right hand portion is illustrated herein.

Extending longitudinally of the mechanism are supporting bars Ill and II which serve to support the blank thereon. Any suitable means may be provided for advancing the blank but for purposes of illustration there is shown upper and lower belts I2 and I5, which are trained around suitable pulleys (not shown) and are suitably driven.

Supporting rolls |3 rotatably mounted in a lower bracket M are disposed under the lower belt l2. Upper presser rolls l6, carried in carriages I1, bear against the upper belt l5 and press it against the lower belt l2. Each of the carriages l1 supports two rollers and is mounted for vertical movement by a rod l8 extending through a block l9 adjustably mounted on a bracket 29. Compression springs 6| resiliently urge the carriage downwardly to yieldingly press the rolls l5 against the upper belt I5.

Top bar 62 (see Figs. 3 and 4) is provided for resisting the folding pressure of the forward flap, as will be explained more fully hereinafter. A second top bar 2| (see Figs. 1 and 2) is provided for resisting the folding pressure on the rearward flap.

A curved folder bar 22 is provided for folding down the forward flap and retaining the fold of the rearward flaps, after the forward flap has been initially raised and partially folded and the rearward flap has been folded.

A rotating folder is mounted adjacent the path of :the blank and includes a rear flap folder and, where desired, also a forward flap folder.

A sleeve 25 is mounted on a shaft 25 which is rotated by suitable means (not shown) in timed relation to the movement of the blanks. The forward flap folder arm 21 is carried by a hub 28 rigidly secured to the sleeve 25 by a clamp .29 which permits angular adjustment of the arm 21 on the sleeve 25. A head 3| of suitable .shape is carried by a shank 30 which is adjustably secured as by a bolt 63 to the arm 21.

In the present case the head 3| is of generally trapesoidal shape with its forward and rearward edges 64 and 65 converging inwardly to avoid the inner side edge 66, as illustrated particularly in Fig. 3.

The rearward flap folder arm 35 is carried by a hub 36 rigidly secured to the sleeve 25 by a clamp 31 which permits angular adjustment of the arm 35 on the sleeve 25. Pivotally carried at the end of the arm 35 as by a pivot pin 38 is an extension 39 carrying a head 44 which is adjustable on the extension as by a bolt 45. The extension 39 is normally urged in a clockwise direction relative to its pivot by a spring 42 hearing against the arm 35 and against one or more nuts 43 threaded on a stud 40 which stud 40 is pivotally connected to the extension 39 as by a pin 4|.

The extension 39 carries a cam follower 50 adapted to strike against a cam 5| when the arm 35 is rotated and rotate the extension 39 about its pivot in a counter-clockwise direction for a purpose hereinafter described. The cam 5| has a suitably shaped surface 52 for efiecting this rocking of the extension 39. The lower portion of thebar may be cut away or indicated at 53 to permit the follower 5|) to pass under it. p 3

The operation of the mechanism thus far described is as follows:

The blank L is advanced by the conveyor, and the rotating folder is rotated in suitably timed relation to the movement of the blank. The speed of rotation is such that the folder heads 3| and 44 have a slightly greater lineal speed than the blank. V

The forward flap folder head 3| engages "the forward corner flap f and raises it prior to the time that the blank reaches the folder portion of the folder and fold retaining bar 22. As the blank continues forward, the forward corner flap 1 is engaged successively by the forward edge 54, the inner edge 66 and the rearward edge 65 of the forward folder head 3| and finally is engaged by the folder bar 22 which folds the corner flap rearward and downwardly against the body of the blank as illustrated particularly in Fig. l of the drawings. Owing to the shape of the head 3|, the flap is raised and folded about the 45 diagonal fold line g. The head 3| is shown with a double face of approximately 45 so that it may be used at either side of the machine.

The top bar 62 under which the flap 2) rides restrains this portion of the blank against raising when the head 3! engages and lifts the flap and thusprovides folding resistance. The top bar 62 is suitably disposed in advance'of the folder so that the flap f clears the bar before it is raised.

The rearward flap folding arm 35 is rotated in following angular relation with the arm 21 and the head 44 engages the rearward corner flap f and raises it before it comes opposite the end of the folder bar 22. The head '44 is formed with a forward inclined edge which extends at a'45 angle to the direction of the movement ofthe blank and thus movement ofthis head insures that the folded portion of the blank-is folded along the 45 diagonal line of fold Q. When the head has turned the rearward corner flap f approximately and under the folder bar 22, the follower 50 engages the cam 5| and rocks the head out of engagement with the blank L and thereby prevents the head 44 from binding or clamping the blank against thegsupporting bars lfla'n'dll;

. shown.

, The top bar -2 I is ipositioned-to' engage the side fia-p b after the forward corner flap f raised and before therearward corner flap 7 is raised. This bar 21, in a sense, constitutes a continuation of the .bar 62 and serves in ananalo'gous manner to .provide folding resistance during the folding of the rear tcornerflap.

The blank L then is advanced away from :the head 44 and the folder .bar 22 maintains .the folded front and rear flaps infolded condition.

The blank is then ready for such furtheroperations as may be desired A second embodiment of the invention is es- ;pecially Well adaptedfor folding a rear'center flap forwardly and simultaneously making a diagonal fold in such flap. One form shown by the rear portions of a blank W .illustrating this folder operation is shown in Fig. 11 to which reference bodiment is generally similar to that shown in Figs. '1 to 6, inclusive, and described her-einbefore,

the principal-difference being that the folder arm is positioned to engage the rearwardfiap instead of the corner flap. Also, in the particular embodiment illustrated, no forward folder arm is employed. I

"The blank is supported on supporting bars II!) and I II and is advanced therealong by a chain H2 having spaced lugs I'HJ, one of which is The'lugs are so spaced that each one engages a blank to advance it along the supporting fbars' H and III when the chains are suitably driven.

' A top bar I I is provided under which the blank rides and which resists the folding pressure on the blank as hereinafter explained.

'It will be understood that conveyor means other than that illustrated herein can be employed for advancing the blank. It is important, however, that 'theblank be advanced by means which engages it outside of the line of fold of the rear fiap so as not to interfere with the folding operation. For example, cooperating belts, such as previously described herein, can be employed instead of the chains.

A shaft 125 mounts a mad arm I35 which pivotally mounts an extension I39 generally similar to the extension 39 hereinbefore described. The extension I39 carries a follower I50 adapted to cooperate with a cam I5I in a manner generally similar'to the operation described in connectionwith the previously described embodiment of the invention.

The extension I39 carries ahead I44 which is adjustable on the extension and which is provide'd'with a forward edge I46 inclined rearwardly "and outwardly at anangle of approximately 145.

The arm I35 is so mounted that the'head I44 is positionedto engage the rear wall flap n of the blank inwardly of the diagonal fold line q, the

"inclined edge being shaped to permit the triangular-portionpto be folded rearwardly-onto the re- .and rear corner i'The-operation- .of the second embodiment is as follows: The blank is advanced past the .folder 'by the 'lug JIi'IIl, carried by the chain H2, and thelug and chaininot shown) at the other side of'tth'e machine. 1

.Prior to the time :that 'the blank reaches the folder; the irearporner flap r is raised to a position perpendicular to the plane of the remainder .of the blank by suitable means (not shown). :The :flaprjis held in elevated position by the :folder bar 12-2..

'The folder 1arm .135 is :rotated at a suitable speed such .xthatthe :lineal velocity of the head I44 is ,greater; than the .velocity of the blank past the folder. The forward edge I46 of the 'headengages the rearward flap n and raises it andwthereafter turns it down about the fold .1ine O. .'During the turning down of the rear- "ward wall flap -n,"the rearward corner flap 1 -bears-against the base m and prevents the triangular corner portion 17 from being lowered;

thus the blank folds about the diagonal score line q. As the rearward wall flap n is folded downwardly against the base m, the blank is carried into a. :position wherein the folder bar I22 folds the rearward corner flap 1' downwardly and inwardly; the triangular corner portion p is, by this action, folded downwardly and rear- -wardly about thediagonal fold line q.

Thus the blank leaves the folder with the rearward wall flap or folded forwardly against the basem, the triangular corner portion 1) folded .in --a reverse direction against the rearward wall flapn and the rearward corner flap 1" folded inwardly'ontothe triangular corner portion p.

During the folding of the rearward wall flap "n, the head I44 is cammed away from the blank in a manner generally similar to that previously .-described, The oam I5I engages the follower "of the invention, serves to resist the raising of -the;rear :flap as the triangular corner portion flap r are folded by the folder barIZZ.

While both embodimentsof the invention have been described as being similar but reversed at theright hand and left hand sides of the machine, it will be understoodthat cases where blanks are tobe folded which are not symmetrical with respect to theirright and left hand portions, the

mechanism herein described may be employed at.

one side of the blank and some other type of folder mechanism employed at the other side of the blank. Where a foldingmechanism similar to that shown in either of the present embodiments is employed at both sides of the blank, the folding operation preferably is carried out simultaneously at both right. hand and left hand sides of the blank.

porting members may be employed instead of It willbe understood that other forms of supthe folder arms for supporting the folder heads;

if desired, a single member may .be supplied for supporting both heads but the heads should be adjustable thereon.

The rear flap folder head may be attached to :its isupportbysothermeans than the pivoted arm shown, but it is important that it 'lbeyieldingly attached in order to permit it to be moved out of engagement with the blank to permit the blank to be advanced after the rear fold has been completed.

It has been previously noted that each of the folder arms is angularly adjustable on its supporting shaft and that each of the heads is adjustable on its supporting arm. Thus, the mechanism lends itself readily to various adjustments for operating upon blanks of various shapes and sizes. Where a shorter blank than that shown is employed, the angular distance between the two folder arms is correspondingly decreased and where a longer blank is to be folded the angular distance is increased.

Where the mechanism is to be used for folding relatively short blanks, additional folder arms carrying suitable heads may be mounted onthe shaft so that more than one blank is folded during a single revolution of the folder. In certain cases moreover, it may be desirable to perform more than'two folding operations on each side of a single blank in which case a suitable number of folder heads carried by folder arms is provided.

The apparatus also is capable of being adjusted readily for operating upon blanks of varying widths This adjustment is accomplished by laterally adjusting the folder arms on their supporting shaft and adjusting the lateral positions of the top bars, folder bars and conveyor mechanism.

Where the term box is used herein without qualification, it will be understood that this includes either a box or a cover therefor or analogous structures formed from paperboard or like material. Where the term side wall or end wall is employed without qualification, it is understood that this is merely for convenience and not in limitation, inasmuch as it is well known that the relative dimensions of abox can be varied and that the-wall that might be considered an end wall in certain cases would, in a box be different dimensions, be considered a side wall.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed herein, and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention What is claimed is:

. 1. A machine for folding blanks along diagonal fold lines including, means for advancing a blank, a rotatably mounted support, a head pivoted to said support and yieldingly maintained in predetermined angular position relative tosaid support, means for rotating said support to engage said head with a blank to fold a rearward flap forwardly, means active to rock said head on said support in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of said support to disengage said head from said blank at the completion of the folding of said flap, and means for retaining the fold of said flap.

2. A machine for folding blanks along diagonal fold lines including means for advancing a blank, a rotatably mounted folder member having a portion formed with a blank engaging surface inclined angularly to the plane of rotation of said folder member, means for rotating said folder member in a plane parallel to the direction of travel of said blank, and means for rocking said portion in said plane to clear said blank after folding. 1

'3. A machine for folding blanks comprising means for advancing blanks, a rotating folder .arm, a folder head pivotally carried by said arm,

means resiliently positioning said head on said arm, means for rotating said arm, and cam means engageableby said arm during a portion of its rotation for rocking said head against the resistance of said resilient means, and reversely to the direction of rotation of said arm.

4. A machine for folding blanks and the like comprising means for advancing blanks, a rotatable folder including an arm, a folder head yieldingly carried by said arm, means for rotating said arm to cause said head to fold a flap of said blank, and means rocking said head on said arm reversely to the direction of rotation of said arm to disengage said head from said blank.

5. A machine for folding blanks and the like comprising means for advancing the blanks, a rotatable folder including a first member engageable with a forward flap to fold it rearwardly and a second member engageable with a rearward flap to fold it forwardly, and means for rotating said folder at a lineal speed of said members greater than the lineal speed of said blank.

-6. A machine for folding blanks and the like comprising means for advancing the blanks, a rotatable folder head, means for actuating said folder head to lift a rearward portion of the blank from the plane of the blank and move said portion forward and over to an arc of approximately means for receiving and retaining the fold, and means to cause a rearward yielding of said head at the completion of the fold to permit the blank to move away from said head.

7. A machine for folding blanks and the like comprising means for advancing the blank, a r0- tatable, yielding folder head, means for moving said head forwardly at a lineal speed greater than the speed of the blank, whereby said head contacts a rearward diagonal creased portion of the blank and turns the same forward on an arc of approximately 180, and means to cause a yielding of the head in a rearward direction at the completion of the folding of said flap.

8. A machine for folding blanks and the like comprising means for advancing the blanks, a rotatable folder including a first member engageable with a forward flap, and a second and yielding member engageable with a rearward flap, means for rotating said folder at a lineal speed of said members greater than the lineal speed of the blank, means for finishing the fold of the forward flap after being raised by said first memher, said second member moving the rearward flap forward on an arc of approximately 180, means for retaining the fold, and means to cause a yielding of the second member rearwardly before passing below the plane of the blank.

9. A machine for folding blanks and the like comprising means for advancing the blank, 9.

rotatable member, a folder head mounted on said FRED H. CHAPMAN.

Images