US2279534A

US2279534A - Method and machine for making and collapsing paper boxes

Info

Publication number: US2279534A
Application number: US367442A
Authority: US
Inventors: Melvin H Sidebotham; Ross A Himes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1940-11-27
Filing date: 1940-11-27
Publication date: 1942-04-14
Anticipated expiration: 1959-04-14

Description

April 14, 1942.

M. H. SIDEIBOTHAM ETAL 53 METHOD AND MACHINE FOR MAKING AND GOLLAPSING PAPER BOXES Filed Nov. 27, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 1942- M. H. SIDEBOTHAM ET AL 2,279,534 v METHOD AND MACHINE FOR MAKING AND COLLAPSING PAPER BOXES Filed NOV. 2.7, 1940 Sheets-Sheet 2 B W My April 1942- M. H. SIDEBOTHAM ETAL 2,279,534

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR MAKING AND GOLLAPSING PAPER BOXES Filed Nov. 27, 1940 5"Shee ts-Sheet 3 Ne/wh M .S/d'ebaf/mm, and Ross A. H/mes.

By/fodvMMWA/ff.

OLLAPSING 'PAPER BOXES 5 sheets-sheet 4 April 14, 1942. M. H. SIDEBOTHAM ET AL METHOD AND MACHINE-FOR, MAKING AND 0 Filed NOV. 2'7, 1940 fm enfors,

Ne/w'n H. Sidebof/mm, and

Ross ,4. hfmes,

p 14, 1942- M. H. SIDEBOTHAM ETAL 2,279,534

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR MAKING AND COLLAPSING PAPER BOXES Filed Nov. 27, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 f d W e m m, W 0 z a m d M M Patented Apr. 14, 1942 7 METHOD AND FOR MAKING AND COLLAPSING PAPER BOXES Melvin n. Sidebotham, West Newton, Mass., and

Ross A. Himes, Emeryville, Calif.

Application November 27, 1940, Serial No. 367,442

7 Claims.

This invention relates to the manufacture of boxes of the type disclosed in patent #1,985,7'l9 issued December 25, 1934, to Ross A. Himes, entitled Paper box. Boxes of this type are commonly known as knock-down or wall boxes" which are furnished to the trade in flat or collapsed condition, to save space in stock rooms and in stores where they are to be used, and also for saving transportation costs. Such boxes are opened or set-up as they are needed for use, and have upright walls when set-up. Boxes of this type are used for the packaging of eggs, bakery goods, clothing and many other products, but it is to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to the manufacture of boxes for such specific uses.

Knock-down" boxes having walls which are not creased or scored, in order to render them collapsible, are more difficult to make than boxes which have fold line across opposite wall sur- One of-the objects of our invention is to effect rapid production of knock-down wall boxes by a sequence of operations, comprising the feeding of a cut and scored paper blank to a carrier, progressively advancing the blank to an adhesive applying device, then to a wall folding and flap securing mechanism, and thereafter collapsing.

the walls of the box to provide a box in flat folded condition.

Other more specific objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to persons skilled in'the art as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which we have'illustrated one practical embodiment of our invention, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine.

Figure 3 is a partial view at 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a partial section at 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a partial section at 6-6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a partial section at I--l of Figure 1, showing the box forming mechanism at the complption of the box forming cycle.

Figure 8 is a partial section at 8-8 of Figure 2, showing the box forming mechanism at the completion of the box forming cycle.

Figure 9 is a partial section at 9-9 of Figure 2 showing the box collapsing mechanism just prior to the beginning of the box collapsing operation.

Figure 10 is the same as Figure 9 except that the box collapsing mechanism is shown in the position taken after the box has been collapsed, but with the folder plates still in contact with the collapsed box.

Figure 11 shows the box collapsing folder plates withdrawn from contact with the box after the box collapsing operation has been completed.

Figure 12 is a plan view of a prepared blank upon which the machine operates to produce a after the first folding operation has been performed- Figure 15 is an edge view of the blank shown in Figure 14.

Figure 16 is an end view of Figure 15. Figure 17 is a plan view showing the condition of the blank after the side walls have been folded to upright position with the side wall extensions folded at right angles to the corresponding side walls, and with the end walls bent upwardly.

Figure 18 is a front elevation of the box blank shown in Figure 17.

Figure 19 is an end view of Figure 18.

Figure 20 is a plan view of the completed box in set-up condition.

Figure 21 is a front elevation of Figure 20.

Figure 22 is an end view of Figure 21.

v Figure 23 is a plan view of the box showing the condition thereof after the box collapsing mechanism has started to operate on the box to collapse the same.

Figure 24 is a front elevation of Figure 23.

Figure 25 is an end view of Figure 24.

Figure 26 is a plan view showing the condition of the box just prior to the completion of the box collapsing operation.

Figure 27 is a front elevation of Figure 26.

Figure 28 is a plan view showing the box in flat folded condition.

Figure 29 is a front elevation of Figure 28.

Itwill aid toward an understanding of the the drawings.

operation of the machine and of the method of fabricating the boxes, to first explain the action of the machine which effects the production of collapsed boxes from out and .scored blanks. Figure 12 illustrates a cut and scored blank wherein creased lines are indicated by dash lines marked k, m, n, p, q, s, t and w, and cut lines are shown as full linesmarked 1', u and v. The said creased lines and cut lines effect a division of the blank to form a bottom section a, side wall sections b and c, end wallsections d and e, end

. wal1 extensions I, end wall extension flaps a, side wall extensions 1', and side wall extension flaps h. Areas :1: and 11 shown in Figure 12 are treated with adhesive as the blank is advanced under the adhesive applying roll I (Figs. 1 and 2). The blanks are then singly and successively carried from the adhesive applying mechanism to the folding and forming device which produces boxes with the walls thereof in upright position and which also secures the flap extensions to the corresponding side walls of each box as shown in Figures 20, 21 and 22. From the forming and folding device the set-up box is advanced to the collapsing mechanism which operates upon the walls of the box to fold the same to flat folded condition ready to be instantly set up when required for use.

The boxes are set up for use,-from collapsed condition, by simply raising the side walls b and c, (Fig. 28) with the result that the wall extensions i (Fig. 22) will snap outward against the inside surfaces of the end walls, and the wall extensions (Fig. 21) will unfold against the outside surfaces of the side walls.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, some of the positions of the blanks are indicated by dotted lines where the dotted numerals I2, 20, 2| and2'8 appear. These dotted numerals are employed to illustrate that at these points on the machine the blanks are in substantially the conditions shown by corresponding Figures 12, 20, 21 and 28. The timing is such that when the machine is in operation, different parts of the machine operate simultaneously on blanks which are spaced about as indicated by the dotted line indications in Figures 1 and 2. In other words, while one-part of the machine is performing an operation on one blank other parts of the machine are at the same time performing other operations on other blanks and boxes, allof said blanks and boxes following one another progressively through the machine and are delivered therefrom as complete boxes in collapsed condition as shown in Figures 28 and 29.

It will be readily understood, without need of illustration, that any suitable motor may be employed for operating the machine, and that suitable gearing is empoyed in practice to cause the various rolls and shafts to rotate at uniform peripheral speed to effect travel of the blanks through the machine and to operate the various devices which act on the blanks and the set-up boxes in the sequence described.

The accompanying drawings are in some respects diagrammatic, and a minimum of mechanical parts is shown in order to more clearly describe what is believed to be new and novel subject matter of our invention. In practice it will be desirable to provide adjustment devices for producing boxes of different sizes, but as many types of such mechanisms are known to the art, applicants have omitted their description from It is to be understood that the drawings are illustrative of the invention rather than limiting the same.

cal

described are delivered singly and successively from a feed table 3 to a conveyor belt 4 propelled by rolls 5 and 6 journaled in frame I. The blanks are advanced by conveyor belt 4 to adhesive appads 9 to contact the adhesively coated roll Ill joumaled in reservoir II. Said roll III is coated with adhesive by causing it to rotate in liquid adhesive contained in reservoir II supported by frame I. The adhesively treated blank is then carried forward, by conveyor belt 4, to the box forming andfolding mechanism. The box forming and folding mechanism comprises a shaper die I2 upon the top surface of which each adhesively treated blank is positioned. Connected with the shaper die I2 is a pair of former guides I3 provided with runways I4 (Figs. 1 and 8). A plunger I5 mounted on guide bar I6 is operatively connected at runways I 4 to former guide I3. Pivotally secured to the ends of guide bar I6 are connecting links H, the lower ends of which are operatively secured to levers I8 by means of pins I9. Said levers I8 are secured to shaft 20 journaled in frame I. After the adhesively treated blank arrives in position on the top of the shaper die I2, the plunger I5 is caused to contact the bottom section a (Fig. 12) of the blank, whereupon the blank is forced downward, causing the side wall extensions 2' and the side -wall extension flaps h to contact fingers 2I (Figs. 5 and 6) which fold said extensions and flaps to vertical positions as shown in Figures 14, 15 and n 16. As the said plunger I5 proceeds downward wall extensions ,1 and end wall extension flaps

g

21 and 28 secured to frame I.

are folded upward by contact with surfaces 23 (Fig. 6) and projections 24 of the former die I2. It will be apparent that each blank in passing through the former die I2 will have its wall sections and extension sections and flap extensions folded to provide a box in set-up condition. In thus passing through the former die I2, the ad- 'hesively treated areas of the blank will be pressed against, and thus secured to, the corresponding wall sections and flap extensions, to provide a complete box. The plunger I5 then presses the completed box through the lower open end of the former die I2 and deposits the box on conveyor belt 25 driven by rolls 26 journaled in brackets Each box is car,- ried by conveyor belt 25 to the box collapsing unit where the walls of the box are folded inwardly to lie parallel with the bottom section of the blank. v

The box collapsing mechanism is illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11.

Folder plates

29 and 29a and levers 33 are secured to shafts 30 which are slidably mounted in slots 3| provided in brackets 32 secured to frame I. Connecting the collapsing operation.

links 34 each have one end thereof operatively secured to the corresponding lever 33 and its other end operatively secured to the outer end of the corresponding crank lever 35. The hub of each crank lever 35 being secured to a shaft 36 rotatably mounted in the corresponding bracket 31 secured to frame I. Also secured to each of said shafts 36 is a pulley 36a which may be rotated by any suitable means to operate the box collapsing mechanism. At the beginning of the box collapsing operation the

folderplates

23 and 29a are in vertical position (Fig. 9). With the rotation of pulleys. 360. the folder plates are turned inwardly to horizontal position by the operation of

levers

33 and 35 and connecting links 34, as shown in Figure 10. The further turning of pulleys 36a co-operating with

levers

33 and 35 and. connecting links 34 serves to withdraw the folder plates from contact with the box after After this last mentioned operation, the box collapsing mechanism is in the condition illustrated by Figure 11. From this position (Fig. 11) the further turning of pulleys 35a causes the folder plates to return to vertical position (Fig. 9) ready to operate on the next box. v

In the operation of the box collapsing unit (Figs.

1. The method of making collapsed paper boxes from blanks which are cut and creased'to provide a bottom section, side walls-having side wall extensions and extension flaps at the ends thereof, and end walls having end wall extensions and end wall extension flaps; said method consisting of applying adhesive to predetermined areas-.of'

the blank, folding upwards the side wall extensions and side wall extension flaps, folding the side walls to vertical position, and folding the end walls to vertical position and folding the end wall extensions and end wall extension flaps against corresponding areas of the side walls; and

thereafter folding the side walls and end walls inwardly to lie parallel with the bottom section of the box. 3

2. The method of making collapsed paper boxes from blanks which are cut and creased to provide a bottom section, a pair of side walls having side wall extensions and extension flaps at the ends thereof, a pair of end walls having and wall extensions and extension flaps at the ends thereof; said method consisting of folding upwardly l, 2, 3, 4, 9, l0 and 11) each set-up box is carried by conveyor belt 25 to a position between the two sets of

folder plates

29 and 29a. The side walls of the box being adjacent to the corresponding folder plates. It will be observed that the said folder plates are so designed that they do not contact the end wall extension sections j which lie adjacent to the side walls of the box. The reason for this construction of the folder plates is that the end wall extension sections i must be free to fold back against the corresponding end wall extension flaps y when the box is in fiat folded condition, as illustrated by Figures 26 and 27.

The

folder plates

29 and 29a operate to cola lapse the set-up box by pressing the side walls inwardly and downwardly upon the bottom section a of the box. In so folding the side walls,

- the end walls d and e of the box are drawn inwardly because of their connection with the end wall extensions j which are secured to said side walls by means of the end wall extension flaps g. The

folder plates

29 and 29a will, at this;

cycle of the operation, overlie side walls b and c and end wall extension flaps g, and lie under end wall extensions f of the box. The next operation serves to withdraw the folder plates from contact with the collapsed box and return said folder plates to vertical position for operating on another box.

In some cases it will be desirable in the opthe side wall extensions and side wall extension flaps, then folding the side walls to vertical position, and thereafter folding the end walls to vertical position and folding the end wall' extensions and end wall extension flaps against corresponding areas of the side walls, and thereafter folding the side walls and end walls inwardly to lie parallel with the bottom section of the box.

3. The method of making paper boxes from blanks which are 'cut and creased to provide a bottom section, side walls having side wall extensions and extension flaps at the ends thereof, and end walls having end wall extensions and end wall extension flaps; said method consisting of folding the side wall extensions andside wall extension flaps to vertical position, folding the side walls upwards at right angles to the bottom section, then folding the end walls and end wall extensions and end wall extension flaps to vertibottom section, then folding the end walls and eration of the box collapsing mechanism to add a a device for pressing the end walls of the box outwardly during the first movement of the wall collapsing means. It will be apparent that when the side walls are pressed inwardly, the end walls bend first outwardly and are then drawn inwardly to overlie the ends of the side walls, as above described.

While the invention includes the combined instrumentalities above mentioned, we wish it to be understood that we consider the aforesaid means not only combinatively novel, but insofar as we are aware, certain of the devices going to make up such means are new in less combinations than the whole and some capable of individual use.

Having now described our invention, what we claim is:

cal position with the end wall extensions and end wall extension flaps parallel with the side walls.

4. The method of making collapsed paper boxes from blanks which are cut'and creased to provide a bottom section, side walls having side wall extensions and extension flaps at the ends thereof, and end walls having end wall extensions and end wall extension flaps; said method consisting of applying adhesive to predetermined areas of the blank, folding the side wall extensions and side wall extension flaps to vertical position, folding the side walls upwards at right angles to the end wall extensions and end wall extension flaps to vertical position with the end wall extensions and end wall extension flaps parallel with the side walls, and thereafter folding the side walls and end walls inwardly against the bottom section without creasing the side walls.

5. In a machine for making folded wall boxes from blanks which are cut and creased to provide a bottom section, side walls having sidewall extensions and extension flaps at the ends thereof, and end walls having end wall extensions and end wall extension flaps; means for advancing prepared blanks, devicesv for applying adhesive to predetermined areas of the blank, a plunger cooperating with a stationary former die to fold and press the box blank to provide a box in set-up condition, and devices operating to fold the walls against the bottom section to provide a box in flat folded condition.

6. In a machine for making collapsed paper boxes from blanks which are cut and creased to provide a bottom section, side walls having side wall extensions and extension flaps at the ends thereof, and end walls having end wall extensions and end wall extension flaps; means for advancing the prepared blanks, devices for applying adhesive to predetermined areas of each blank; means for folding the side wall extensions and side wall extension flaps to vertical position and for .folding the side walls upwards at right angles to the bottom section, and means for folding the end walls and end wall extensions and end wall extension flaps to vertical position with the end wall extensions and end wall extension flaps parallel with the side walls; folder plates for operating on predetermined areas of the side walls of the set-up box to fold the walls thereof inwardly against the bottom section.

'7. In a machine for making and collapsing paper boxes from blanks which are cut and creased to provide a bottom section, side walls having side wall extensions and extension flaps at the ends thereof, and end walls having end wall extensions and end wall extension flaps; means for advancing prepared blanks singly and successively from a supply table, an adhesive ap plying device for treating predetermined areas with adhesive, a plunger and former die for folding the blank to provide a box in set-up condition, a box collapsing device for folding the walls of the box against the bottom section of the box.

MELVIN H. SIDEBOTHAM. ROSS A. HIMES.