US2541914A

US2541914A - Carton folding machine

Info

Publication number: US2541914A
Application number: US593639A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hugh F Conser
Original assignee: SHEDD BARTUSH FOODS Inc
Current assignee: SHEDD BARTUSH FOODS Inc; SHEDD-BARTUSH FOODS Inc
Priority date: 1945-05-14
Filing date: 1945-05-14
Publication date: 1951-02-13
Anticipated expiration: 1968-02-13

Description

H. F. CONSER CARTON FOLDING MACHINE Feb. 13, 1951 Filed May 14, 1945 11 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 13, 1951 H. F. coNsER CARTON FOLDING MACHINE 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 14, 1945 .Mig

Feb. 13, 1951 H. F. coNsER CARTON FOLDING MACHINE 11 sheets-sheet 3 Filed May 14, 1945 Feb. 13, 1951 H. F. coNsER CARTON FOLDING MACHINE 11 Sheets-Shawl 4 Filed May 14, 1945 NVENTOR. /Vzqg F 7075er? BY m /7770KA/Er5.

Feb. 13, 1951 F, coNsER v 2,541,914

CARTON FoLDING MACHINE Filed May 14, 1945 11 sheets-sheet 5 1N V EN TOR. a/z'fer' H. F. CONSER CARTON FOLDING MACHINE Feb. 13, 1951 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 14, 1945 Y INVENToR.

/7zzlg F' 'alzfe/v BY Q1/144,

Feb. 1'3, 1951 H. F. coNsER 2,541,914

CARTON FOLDING MACHINE Filed May 14, 1945 11 shets-sheet 7 IELE- INVENTOR. /7l l0/25er;

Feb. 13, 1951 H. F. coNsER CARTON FOLDING MACHINE 11 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed May 14, 1945 mf. )wm am i 4 m 7 9, MH r .f HW q/m Feb. 13, 1951 H. F. coNsER CARTON FOLDING MACHINE l1 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed May l14, 1945 Feb.v 13, 1951 H. F. coNsER 2,541,914

CARTON FOLDING MACHINE Filed May 14, 1945 11 sheets-sheet 1o d [2 J 4f cz @mi @EAL INVEN TOR.

E EL 'fa-Awww #fran/ners,

Feb. 13, 1951 H. F. coNsl-:R

CARTON FOLDING MACHINE 11 ShQets-Sheet 11 Filed May 14, 1945 Patented Feb. 13, 1951 2,541,914 cAR-'roN FOLDING MACHINE Hugh F. Consel, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Shedd-Bartush Foods, Incorporated, Detroit Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application May 14, 1945, Serial No. 593,639 -l The present invention relates to a machine for slquaring and closing one end of the type of cardboard carton vvhich has four walls'permanently connected together at parallel fold lines to form aclosed parallelcgram and in which each of the ends lis closed by four foldable flaps, two of which fold toward each other from opposite sides of the carton and are connected together by the entry of a hook formed in one of the flapsiinto a slot formed in the other.

L' ACartons of the above type which are usedfor packaging ice' cream and similar materials are shipped in a flattened condition which is achieved by simply collapsing the parallelogram yformed by the four permanently connected sides. When the carton is to be filled, it is necessary to square up the parallelogram and close one end of the carton. Because of the construction of the box it is necessary that it be completely squared before the flaps, having the co-operating hook and slot, are folded into position. Up to date no one has succeeded in developing a commercially usable machine for automatically squaring and closing one end of such a carton, and consequently,

although millions of such cartons are used, itfhas I,been necessary to square and close one end by hand preparatory to lling. This is a slow, tedious, and expensive operation.

Accordingly, it is the general object of the present invention to provide an automatic machine for squaring and closing one end of a carton of the type mentioned.

` .Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the type mentioned, which is rugged and simple in construction and foolproof and rapid in operation. V v. l l

Another object of the invention is to provide an `,improved means for folding and interlocking a lpair of oppositely positioned flaps provided respectively with a hook and slotwhen-the fold lines of the two Aflaps extend parallel to each other at the time of folding.

Another` object of the invention is to provide an improved means for opening the slot in the slotted iiap so that the insertion of the hook on the interlocking hooked flap will be facilitated.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved squaring means for a carton of the Atype described.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine of the type mentioned incorporating an improved carton feeding mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved machine of the type mentioned in 2 Claims. (Cl. 93-49) which substantially all `of themoving parts machine are driven from a single camshaft.

Another object of the inventionxis to provide a of the machine of thetype mentioned having a remova#` ble end closing head, the operating mechanism of which is so connected to the permanent parts of the machine asto facilitate removal of thev head and substitutionof another head adapted to Operate upon a different size carton.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the', following specification, the accompanying drav'vings, and the nappended claims. In 'the drawings, Figure l is aside elevation of the machine withl parts broken away; Y

Figure 2 isfa planfview lof the machine withv parts ofthe operating linkages removed to facilitate illustration of the remaining structure;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal section. taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 4 4 of Figure'l; I v Figure 5` is yan'enlarged fragmentaryelevation vtaken on the line 5 5 of Figure 2, showing on scale that portion of the'mechanism indicated by the circlerE, inf Figure 1;

Figure -9is a fragmentarv transverse section taken on the line 9 9 of Figure 1-, illustrating the operating linkage fora portion of the hooked flap closing mechanism; p -Figure 10 is a' fragmentary transverse section takenon the line llll--lll-of Figure 1 showing the operating linkage for lthe top flap closing mech- Figure 11 is af-ragmentary transverse-section takenvon the line II-I I of Figure 1` showing the operating linkage for the carton backup and end spreading member;

Figure .12 is a transverse section taken onthe line |2-I2 of Figure 1k showing vthe operating linkage f or the hooked -ap attening element;

Figure 13 is .a fragmentary section taken on the line I 3-I3 of Figure '1 showing the operating linkage for the slotted `flap closing member; f n Figure 14 is a fragmentary sectiongtaken on the linelli- I4 of Figure 1 showing the operating .linkage fer. the sleisiercinablade';

Figure is a fragmentary section on the line lB-I of Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary section taken on the line lE-l of Figure l showing the operating linkage for the bottom flap closing member and the slotted flap backup member;

Figure 17 is a fragmentary section taken on the line Il l of Figure l showing the operating mechanism for the final squaring device;

Figure 18 is a perspective View showing one end of the type of carton upon which the machine is adapted to operate;

Figure 19 is an elevation View of a carton collapsed at in the form in which it is shipped, showing the manner in which the magazine feed dog shifts a carton into the path of movement of the main feed pusher;

Figure 20 is a fragmentary longitudinal section looking from the magazine side of the machine and showing the initial position of the carton spreading blade;

Figure 21 is a view similar to Figure 20 showing the carton spreading blade after it Vhas entered the carton to the full extent;

Y Figure 22 is an end elevation taken on the line A22-22 of Figure 21;

Figure 23 is a view similar to that of Figure 22 showing the condition of the carton after it has entered the final squaring device but before the final squaring device is operated;

Figure 24.is a view'similarto Figure 23 showing the condition of the carton kafter .the nal squaring device has completed itsoperation;

Figure 25 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through the folding headl showing theclosed positions of the backup and end spreading .device and the top flap folding member;

Figure 26 is a View similar to Figure 25, showing the closed position of the bottom flap closing member and the upper position of the slotted flap backup element;

Fig. 27 is a side elevation of the carton within the folding head showing the manner in which the slot pierce blade co-operates with the slotted flap backup element to open the slot;

Figure 28 is a view similar to Figure 27 showing the closed position of the slotted flap closing member;

Figure 29 is a perspective view ofthe end of the (carton within the folding head showing the beginning of the hooked flap folding operation;

l Figure 30 is a fragmentary section taken on `the line Sil-3U of Figure 29;

Figure 31 is a perspective view similar to Figure "29 showing an intermediate stage in the hooked ap folding operation justY prior to entry of the hook into the slot and the ,slotted flap; and

Figure 32 is a perspective view similar to Figures'29 and 31, showing the final hooked flap folding .operation and the beginning of the carton ejecting operation.

In Figure 18 of the drawings is illustrated one end of the type of carton upon which the machine of the present invention is adapted to operate. As there shown, the carton comprises a bottom wall a, top wall b, and a pair of side walls c and'b. A 'flap e, integral with the bottom wall a, overlaps the side wall d and is permanently secured thereto in any desired manner, as by gluing, prior to shipment of the carton to the user. The resulting carton is in the form of a quadrilateral parallelogram which maybe collapsed flat for shipment. When the carton is to be used it must be squared up; that is to say, the angles between thesides a, b, c, land d, `must be 90 degrees,

whereupon the ends may be closed. The present machine operates to square the carton and close one end in preparation for filling.

Since the closing flaps are the same at both ends, only one end is illustrated in Figure 18. As there shown, the end of the carton is closed by four flaps; namely, a bottom flap f, a top iiap g, and side flaps `h and 7'. The flap h is pro-vided with a slot ic adapted to receive a hook m formed on the iiap i. Since the flaps and y must be folded before the flaps i and 1c, the box must be square when the flaps :i and h are folded.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 thereof, the machine is provided with a base frame indicated generally by the numeral i, which may be of any desired construction. As illustrated, it comprises a lower floor 2 adapted to support a motor 3, which is `connected by a belt to aspeed changer i of any per longitudinal rails Il constituting a portion of cross-connecting members 20' and 2l,

the base frame I.

The top framework ofthe Vmachine comprises Va pair of longitudinally extendingtop rails i8 and 1.9 of channel construction, as best'shown in Fi gures jl and 4, which are Vconnected together by The rails i8 and i9 are supported adjacent 'their left-hand ends bya pair of inclined angle iron supportingl members 22 and at their right-hand ends by-a pair of inclined channel members 23, 'the

Ysuppporting members

22 and 23 being secured in any suitable manner to the base frame.

As best shown in Figures 2 and .4, an auxiliary frame 24 is secured Yto the longitudinal channel le and is supported b yan auxiliary'strut 25 in a position projecting transversely to the rails i8 and I9. Supported upon Ythe frame 2li is a magazine 2S whichrnay be of any desired form or .construction adapted to receive a stack of collapsed cartons indicated in dotted lines in Figure 4 by the numeral Y2'1. The cartons within the magazine rest upon a plurality of longitudinally extending strips 28 upon which the lowermost carton is adapted to slide when ejectedfrom the magazine. As best shown in Figures 2 and 7, a magazine ejector slide 2S is slidably positioned in suitable ways formed inthe frame V24 for movement in a direction transversely to the channels I8 and I9. The ejector slide -29 carries an ejector dog 30 having a pair of spaced raised knifelike projections at its forward edge adapted to enter vbetween the lowerrnost cartonV and the carton Which rests thereon when the dog '3 0 moves to the lcftj, :as viewed in Figure 4. During ejection of the lowermost carton bythe dog 30 a pivoted stop 3! carried by the magazine operates toA prevent ejection of more than one carton ata time. The pivoted s top 3l is resiliently vheld in the position illustrated in the drawings by vmeans of a leaf spring 32 shown best in Figures 3 and 4. vThe spring 32 per'- mits yielding of the stop 3l in response to any `excessive forces which `might otherwise injure the mechanism. The space between the two knifelike projections on the ejector dog permits the dog to pass beyond the stop 3l.

The ejected carton is `held fiat by apair of leaf springs 33 against the top surfaces of a pair of' longitudinally extending

top plates

34 and 35 which are secured to the top flanges of channels 'l8and i9 and extend for the major portion of the length of the machine. A pair of longitudinally extending

angle irons

36 and 31 are secured respectively to the

plates

34 and 35 and are held in spaced relation to the latter by means of a pair of longitudinally extending spacing strips 38 and 39, as best shown in Figure 4. The top flanges of the

angle irons

36 and 31, together with the

strips

38 and 39 and the

top plates

34 and 35, provide a guideway for a main carton feeding slide 40. A longitudinally extending strip 4l is secured to the feeding slide 46 and forms part thereof. Strip 4| fills the gap between the

plates

34 and 35, in order to provide a smooth surface for the reception of cartons ejected from the magazine. A similar strip 4|a is fastened to the left-hand end of slide 4G, as viewed in Figure 1, and projects beyond the end of slide 48.

A pair of carton engaging feed dogs 42 and 43 are mounted on the to-p strips 4l and 41a of the main feed slide in spaced relation to each other in position to simultaneously engage the bottom flap f of two successive cartons. The lefthand extremity of the strip 4l of the main feed slide, as viewed in Figures 1 and 8, is provided with a pivoted carton discharge dog 44 having a spring 45 normally urging it into an upwardly inclined position, as illustrated in Figure 8.

The machine is provided with a carton opening .blade 46 which is pivotally mounted upon a pin 41 carried Iby a lug 48 fixed to the feed slide 40, as best shown in Figure 3. The carton opening blade projects upwardly through a suitable slot formed in the longitudinal plate 35, as best shown in Figure 2. A spring 49, iixed to the lug 48 at one end and bearing upon a projection formed on the side of the carton opening blade 46, normally urges the blade 46 upwardly about its pivot pin 41. A roller 50 journaled on the side of the carton opening blade limits its upward movement under the influence of spring 49 by engaging the lower edge of the angle iron 31, as best shown in Figure 3. This pivotal connection of the b1ade46 enables it to swing downwardly as it moves to the right, as viewed in Figure 3, and passes beneath a carton lying on the

plates

34 and 35 in front of the magazine 26.

Asloping block 5I is mounted at one side of the rlongitudinal plate 35 immediately adjacent the slot forI the carton opening blade 46 in such posirtion that whenthe forwarding `dog 42 advances a carton to the left along the

plates

34 and 35 one yside wall of the carton will be lifted in the manner hereinafter set forth in greater detail te partially square the folded carton. Thereafter the folded carton is engaged by a squaring device 52 iin the form of a plate bent intermediate its ends to form a rig-ht angle and having one edge pivotally secured to the upper flange of the channel i9, as best shown in Figures `2, 3, and 1'7.

, During the squaring operation and the feeding of the cartons along the

plates

34 and 35, one

1 edge of each carton is engaged by a guiding angle f'iron 53, shown best in Figures 3 and 4. After a carton is fed from the squaring device 52 it passes into a one-piece guide member comprising a horizontal guide plate 54 and a vertical guide plate Y55, the forward edges of which dare upwardly and outwardly, respectively, in order to insure that the flaps on the advancing end of the carton will envter the space between the plates 54 and 55 and 'the angle iron 53. u

Y After passing the guide plates 54 and 55, the carton is fed into a folding head indicated gener-y ally at 56. This head comprises a base plate 51 carried by a pair of detachable supporting arms support the folding head.

58 which, as best shown in Figures 1 and 5, arel reA movably secured to the longitudinal channels I8 and I9 by means of bolts or other suitable fastening device. A pair of cross bars 59 rest directly upon the top edges of the arms 58 and directly engage and support the base plate 51. The head is provided with a pair of side walls 6l extending longitudinally of the machine and a top guard or wall 62 overlying the left-hand end o'f the head, as viewed in Figures 2 and 3.

suitably supported on the removable folding head are a number of elements adapted to perform the successive operations required to close the right-hand or trailing end of the carton, as viewed in Figures 1, 2, and 3. These include backup and spreader element 63 fixed to an arm 64 carried by a pivot pin 65, which is journaled in a pair of uprights 66 secured to the folding head. The backup and spreader member is formed of sheet metal and flares outwardly in the manner best indicated in Figures 1 andA 2, so that as it enters the left-hand open end of the carton it spreads the four iiaps at that end and also serves as a support, preventing movement of the carton under the influence of the flap closing elements hereinafter described.

The head also includes a top flap closing element 61 mounted on a pivot pin 68 which is journaled in supporting block 69 carried by the upper edges of side wal`s 6I. A bottom flap closing element 16 is similarly carried by pivot pin 1| journaled in supporting blocks 12, in the manner best shown in Figure 5. It will be noted 'that the bottom ap closing element is divided into two sections which are transversely spaced so that they may pivot upwardly on opposite sides of the feed slide element 4Ia, as best shown in Figures 2 and 16. Fixedly secured to the bottom flap closing element is a plate 13 which is adapted to move upwardlyV upon c'osure of the bottom flap into a position inside of the adjacent side iiap ofthe carton in which position it acts as a backup member to support the side nap' during the subsequent slot piercing operation. It will be noted that the plate 13 is provided with an opening 14 to permit penetration of the slot piercing 'blade hereinafter described. As best shown in Figure 2, it will be seen that the guide vplate 54 is slotted at 15 to permit passage of the backup plate 13. The corresponding corner of the longitudinal plate'35 is similarly cut away 'for the same purpose. Itr may be noted further that the

longitudinal plates

34 and 35 terminate Aby means of a screw 80. The bracket 18 is welded or otherwise xed to one of the arms 53 which A folding element 8l for the slotted ap pivoted on a pin 82 which, as best shown in Figure 16, is carried by the previously mentioned `blocks 69 and 12. As best shown in Figures 1, 2.

9, and 29 through 32, a folding element 83 for the hooked flap is pivotal'y mounted upon a pin 84, the upper end of which is journalled `in a Abracket 86 carried `by a'supporting `inembercfl estirar which rests upon 'the top edge of yone V"of the sidewall members The lower end of vthe pin 84 is journaled in a bracket 85 xed to theforv` Ward edge of the same side Wall member 5|. An edge retaining Velement 88 for the hooked flap is likewise freely journaled -upon'the pini-84 for movement thereon independently of the flap folder 33. The edge retaining element A3:8 is provided With a slot 89 through Which projects 'a pin -90 xed to the flap folder '83, as best shown in Figures 29, 30, and 31. A spring -9| carried by a spring supporting lug 92 on the element '88 passes through Ya suitable opening in the pin 9U and operates to pivot ythe edge retainer 88 about the pin 8`4`in advance of the ap folder '83. Consequently, the flap folder 83 drives the edge :retainer '88 `through `the spring 9|, 'andthe-slot `8.9 permits a relative lost motion between fthe elements 83 and'88. v A flattening element 93 for the hookediiapis pivoted on a pin 94, the upper end of which .is journaled, as best shown in Figure 32, in .the aforementioned bracket V85, While the lower fend of the pin 94 is journaled in a block 951 The elements of the machine so far described constitu-te all of the elements which engage -an'd ac't upon the cartons during the folding operation, and the means "hereinafter described serves to operate the above described mechanism in the desired manner and sequence.

The main feed slide 44|lis operated by an eccentric closed cam 9B fixed to the shaft 1. The cam 96 is provided lwith an eccentric Aslot 91 which receives a roller '98 journaled on `a'lever 99. 'The lever is pivoted on va pin |90 carried Vby a bracket lili iixed to the base frame of the machine. The upper end of the lever 99 is connected to the aforementioned lug 48 on 'the -eed slide 40 by means of the pivoted linkf|=02,'shown in Figure 3.

Asbest 'shown in -Figures 4 and `r1, aicam '|93 on the camshaft l is connected to and operates the magazine feed slide 29 by means of falever |54. `The lever is pivoted on a'pin |95 carried by a fixed bracket |05, which is secured to one endnf 'the iframe members I1. A roller on the lower end .of the lever |84 operatively engagesthe can1"'|l!3, `and the upper end of the lever |94 is connected by a pivoted link |149 to alug |15 .secured to the underside of themaga'zine feed slide 29. A spring |'01'h-aving one end fixed to the lever |34 :and its opposite end connected to a bracket |08 operates ztosjhold the-roller on the lever |94 inengagement with the cam |43 at alltimes.

.A pair of longitudinally eXtending'I-beams; lil Vand, i |2 rest upon the top surfaces of .the cross members t4 and I5 in the manner best shown `in Figures 2 and .-9 through 17. Thesebea-ms support the cam operated levers which'actuatethe remaining portions .of the mechanism. Thus, as

'shown in Fig-ure 17,-cam :ll-3 on ta camshaft .ill

in engagement with the cam by spr'mg I8 hav- A.

one end connected to the lever ||5 and the lother to a bracket ||9 iixed tothe inclined-suplporting member 2-2. The upper end of -the lever :|15 is connected to thesquaring device 52 by ?means of a pivoted lever |24.

As best shown in Figure 1-0, a cam |2| -on the'I ment 93.

A cam |33 on the camshaft I5 engages a roller |34 journaled upon alever |35. The lever is-pivoted by a pin |35 on a bracket |31 carried by the I-beam I||. The roller |34 is held in engage. ment with the cam |33 by spring |33 having 'one end connected to the lever |35 and the other to a bracket |39 Xed to the I-beam As best shown in Figures 3 and 16, the lever |35 is Vconnected by a pivoted link |49 to a bell crank 14|.. The bell crank is journaled on a pin |42 carried by a bracket |43 fixed to the channel member i9; The bell crank |4| is connected by means of a pivoted link |44 to an arm. |45 xedtotheibottom flap folding element 10. 'A cam |43 is provided on the camshaft I0 for operating the slot piercing blade 15. This cam is a face type cam having a single relatively sharp projection |41, as best shown in Figure 15. As shown in Figure 14, the cam |46 engages a roller v|48 on a lever |43 which is pivoted on a pin |52 carried by a bracket |53 on the I-beam ||2. The roller |43 is held in contact with the 'cam |45 by means of a spring |53, one end of Whichisconnected to the lever and the other to a bracket |5| carried by the I-beam H2, as best shownvin Figure l. The upper end oi the lever |49, asbest shown in Figures 2 and 5, is connected by a universally jointed link |54 to an arm |55 `on the slot piercing blade 15.

vA cam |55 for operating the pierced iiap folder, as best shown in Figure 13, actuates a roller |51 on a lever |58. The lever |58 is pivoted'onfa. bracket |59 carried by the I-beam If|| and the roller is held against the cam by spring |89, one end of which is connected to the lever Vand the other to a bracket |5| on the I-beam The lever |58 is connected by means of a pivotedlink |52 to one arm of a bell crank lever |53 which is pivotally mounted on a pin |64 carried bya projection |35 on the folding head, as best shown in Figure 5. The other arm of the bell .crank lever is connected by a universally jointed link |56 to an armA |51 xed to the slottediiap lfolding element ISI.

As best shown in Figure 9, a cam |53 for the hooked iiap folder 33 engages a roller |69 oneI lever |13. `The lever is pivotally mounted `on a bracket |1| carried by the I-beam ||.2. The roller is heldin engagement with the ca-mby a spring |12, one end of which is connected tothe lever and the other to bracket |13 on the I-beam 2. The lever |10 is connected by means .of a

pivotedlink |14 to one arm of the bell crank |15 which is pivoted on t e folding head by means of a pin |15. The other arm of the bell crank |15 is connected by means of a universallyjointed `link |15 to an arm |11 fixed to the hooked 'liap folding element .83. movement of the element 83 effects movementfdf the edge retaining element 88 by reason of ythe lost motion connection and spring 9|. v

VAs best shown in Figure 12, a .cam |19 .ispr'o- -vided for operating thehooked flap flattening ele- This cam engages a roller |33 on` fa lever 18| which is pivotally mounted on a bracket |92 carried by the I-beam H2. .The rolleris -held in engagement with the cam .byspring |83.

As previously mentioned.

Vthe spreader blade 46.

one end of which is connected to the Ylever and the other t0 a bracket |84 carried by the I-beam I2.

The backup and spreader element |63 is oper ated by cam |96, shown in Figure 11. The cam lengages a roller |9| on a lever |92 which is pivotally mounted on a bracket |93 carried by the The roller is held in engagement with the cam by a spring |94, one end of which is connected to the lever and the other end to a bracket |95 on the I-beam ||2. The lever |92 is Vconnected by means of a pivoted link |96 to an arm |91 on the pivot 65 for the backup and spreader element 63.

The sequence of operations on a single carton blank is illustrated in Figures 19 through 32. Figure 19 is a plan View showing the position and -direction of movement of the collapsed carton as -it is ejected from the magazine onto the longif'

tudinal plates

34 and 35. This occurs when the main feed slide 49 is in approximately the position shown in Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings. Thereafter, thev feed .slide is retracted and the spreader blade 46 passes under the ejected carton bla-nk in a direction from right to left, as viewed in Figure 20, until it comes to its extreme retracted position shown in Figure 20. During such retraction, the -springs 33 hold the carton blank down against the

plates

34 and 35, except as it is lifted slightly by As shown in Figure 20, when the spreader blade is in its fully retracted Jposition, it just clears the lower flap f of the carslide engages flap f and thus limits the degree of penetration of the spreader blade 46 to that shown in Figure 21.

As the carton is advanced, the side wall d of the carton engages and -is lifted by the sloping block .5 Since the lower edge of the spreader blade holds the bottom wall a of the carton down against the

plates

34 and 35, the lifting action of block 5| -will further open or square the carton in the manner indicated in Figure 23. The initial spreading Yby blade 46 is essential to make the sloping. block effective because it stiffens the carton against `bending `transversely of its length and thus insures that block 5| will not simply bend the entire forward portion of the carton upwardly.

The feed dog 42 feeds the carton without interruption from its initial position opposite the magazine over the block 5| and into the final squaring -device 52, which position is reached at the end Vof theforward stroke of the feed slide 4|). The :;z u'|'.on, whenv in that position, still engages the block 5|. The squaring device 52 then operates to complete `the squaring operation, as shown in toward the diagonally opposite corner defined by the juncture of walls a and c.

Thereafter, the feed slide 46 is retracted and again advanced. During the next advance stroke, feed dog 43 engages flap f of the carton and feedsit into the folding head 56. As soon as it enters the head, the top flap y is folded downwardly and the backup and spreading device simultaneously enters the opposite end of the carton as shown in Figure 25. The bottom flap f is then folded upwardly by member 10, as shown in Figure 26, thereby moving the backup plate 'I3 into position just inside of the flap h. In this position,

v the plate 13 supports flap h while the slot piercing blade 16 enters the slot in flap h and spreads it slightly, as shown in Figure 27, to facilitate sub- -sequent entry of the hook. The ap h is then folded into position by member 8|, as showny ijn 'Figure 28.

The final operations, which are illustrated-in Figures 29 to 32, effect a closure of theA hooked ap and the insertion of the hook m into slot lc. This operation is begun by an inward movement of flap closer 83. During the initial movement of vcloser 83, shown in Figure 29, the edge retainer 88 is moved in advance of closer 83 by spring-9|. Consequently, the edge retainer overlies the vtop edge of the flap y'. Since the axis of movement of

Ythe members

83 and 88 extends upwardly,-for

wardly, and inwardly the outer ends of

members

83 and 88 swing downwardly and the edge -re tainer forces the upper edge of the flap i below the plane of the top of the carton, as shown in 'Figure 31, which illustrates the nal position of

members

83 and 88. During inward movement of the

members

83 and 88, the edge retainer 88 engages the carton first and is held against the carton during the nal movement of'member 83 -by spring 9|, thus preventing the flap h from moving upwardly. In the final position of

members

83 and 88, the top edgeof flap j, from the upper cornerof the carton to the notch adjacent the hook, is held against the carton by member 83, but the flap extends downwardly at such an angle that the point of hook m bears against flap h just below slot 1c. The lower edge of flap h,

therefore, bulges outwardly, as indicated in Figure 31. At this time the inner surface of member 83 is flush with that of member 88, so that the edge retainer 88 no longer engages the top'edge of the flap, but the flap is held against upward movement by reason of the fact that its upper edge abuts at an angle against the carton.

The bulged lower edge of the flap h is then flattened against the carton by member 93, as

shown in Figure 32. This forces the flap to move upwardly past member 3 and causes the hook to enter the slot. It will be noted that the flattening of the bulge is effected progressively from the corner of the carton, due to the fact that the axis about which member 93 is pivoted is locatedin the transverse plane of the end of the carton.

:This insures that the ap will be folded at the exact corner of the carton. The instant that the hook begins its entry into the slot, members 83 land 88 are retracted so that they will not inter- ...apnic 1.4

-engagefand leject the. 1.foldedcarton Spring --45 von the pivoted ejecting -dog-:permtsethedog :to

wpivot downwardly so .thatA it can be rwithdrawn .beneath -the .carton `which isfbeing .folded .in-the head.v As-thedog 38'-.ejects the carton, the backup 5 spreading Ymember t3y is withdrawn.

.-Itwill be observed that one .carton-is completed and sejected .oneach cycle of movement-ofthe 4feeldeslide 40, but that -three cartons. .are being y operatednponat once. .The necessary correlation ofithe variouszoperating movementsis-.controlled .theshape andpositionof `the cams onrcam- .shaft-lfandhthe main feed-cam 96. Figures. 1- .to

-L7-ofztheedrawingsshowthe parts in the position ,they assume just beforel the ,main .slide `MJ .com-

plates .itsl Kforward movement, during whichit ,ejectsa completed carton, feeds. a squared carton into-.the folding head.V and `a partially square carton into the squaring device 52, The backup-def-.vice.53.- has just-started moving in. .The operat- 4ingcams fare so` arranged that they various elementsof the machine are operatedin theffollow- .ing ,sequencer from the 4positions illustrated dur'- :.ingonefrevolution of camshaftl: .(.W-here. more thanone operation appearszunder a single-num.-

`,4..The1 main slide 40 vcompletes its forward A.movement andstarts to. retract. The bottomap iolder 1.0.. starts up. The magazine slide. 29 -com- Vpletes. its :feed stroke yand '.begins to retract.

.5. .Backup device-.63 completes its inward moveamont. .Top flap folderiS-'I'vcompletes.itseinward movement .and starts to return.

:6..Squaring device 52 completes its closing vmovement l .7'. 'Iop .flap `:folder -6-1 completes its vreturn .-movement.

8. Bottom flap -folder 1-0 completes its upward movement.

Slot vpiercing blade

1,6 starts in.

7.9;. @Slot piercer -lfstarts to return. Bottom flap :folder '10 starts down.

1L10. vSlotted flap closer 8 I .startsin LL. -Hookedzfiap folder 83 starts in.

i12. Bottom .flap folder completesy Vreturn amovement.

l -13. Pierced flap -closer 81 completes finward .movement.

14. YHooked Yflap-edge .retainer -icontactsrcarv17.0.11.

15. Hooked flaprliiattener 93 startsjn.

:16..1Hooked flap "folder 33 :completes inward :movement Hooked .fiap yiiattener 93 starts entry of :hook min slot/Ic. Hooked-nap folder StandI edge .retainerBBstart to return. Feed slide 4D com.- ;pleteswreturn--movement and starts vto advance. .-I-Iooked .flap fiattener-93 completes entry of.. hook .in slolt. and startsfreturn.

-l8.-Backup' device E3 startsout.

:19.Hooked ap folder 83'ful1yv out. Hooked fapmattener 93 .fully out. Slotted Aflap-.holder 5&1! .startsout Squaringdevice-starts out.

' "20... Slotted ap folder r8l :fully out. Ejector .dog 3,-8; engages folded box.

21. Backup device 63 fully out and startsreturn.

:It/.should be notedthat the-movements ofmany ci .thefpartsi occur simultaneously and thati the :movements .of .the elements Ywhich eifect theend [closing opera-tion overlap to themaximum Vdegree possible without-actual mechanical interference. Accordingly, themachine can be: operatedat .high lspeed; so. `that all :of the end. closing operations occur almostl simultaneously. A .complete .carton is ejected from the. machine; on `each-revolu- .tion of the Vcamshaft vIIJ.

vIt will be observed that all ofthe operating movements of the 'various vmechanisms are positively effected by cams and linkage and that return movements of :the elements are ,eected inmost instances by springs. Since all of the cams are on a single camshaft, the proper se- `quence of operations. may be readily .adj usted by the relative rotative-positions of the camsA 'on .the shaft. Once vthe cams are xed.-in,pr,o,per position the fact that the operating movements fofV the: elements are effectedV by Apositive camfaction makes it possible to.operatethemachine-fat-very high speed, without .danger of interference-resultingA from kinertia effects. .The return .movements lof the various .elements, which areless critical,4 may be :satisfactorily yperformed `bv springs which need only be of sucient strength to .complete the return movement within vthe time available `for'anygiven speed of operation. '.I'f 1desired, =all of `the cams may be `fornLd as closed-cams .rin .themanner offcam- 96, in which .event both .the operating and return movements of all elements will'be positive. Y

.It vwill be further; noted'that during eachforward' movement -of the main 'slide three cartons in various `stagesof. squ-aring` 'ori folding arezadsvanced. .Thus the `feed dog 42 advancesajcarton Vfrom a position in fronty of lthe magazine t0 .5a. position within `the .squaring device 552-.` The .feed dog 413 :at the same time .feeds a squared lcarton: from theV squaring :device A52 into fthe fold 'ing'head'56f and the ejecting -dog.`38;ejects; acompl'eted fcartonfrom the folding head. Substantially allr of `the operating. movements :of -the Vfolding head occur during `thereturnstizokeccf the. slide;

While for convenience locating tire .motor 3 :and speed reducer "4, :the machine is :provided Ivvitha .cross..-shaft 'I which. carries Ythefmain feed :slide cam 96, .it will be obvious. A.that since; .the shafts l and I0 rotate at the.z:same.;speed`,ithe cross. shaft..` T :may be omittedyiand main-feed `slide cam A96 mounted onzithe 4.camshaft lll. In 'thatcase'v the mainfe'ed 4oarnilii .would beformerl "as/a face typegcam, .suchas thefcam M6.

:An "important 'feature fof' the 'machine resides 'Tin Vthe ifact. that :of '.thefoperating :elements .of vthevfol"ding.flf`1ead are :carried byl the `:head Vandfare simple pivoted elements which effect theircfuncftions upon a4 predetermined 'annular kmovement tabout their '.'pivoted rsupports. As 'the result 'of athis:arrangement,v the entire headr 56 maybe rermoved` fromzthee machinebyfsimplydisconnecting the supporting#arms58-from1'the channels |8 and -I'9', .and .disconnecting `the upper `ends Vof "the pivoted linksflf'ld, A1.28, 196, L85, IBL-and 140 vand V`the Vupper end of the lever |49 'from themechanism .theasfolding head'. Thehead' may then be replaced by a head' constructed Yto fold cartons of :adiiferentsize loutV whichl would(ot-herwise vbe similar in` construction to that illustrated. Since :the movements loflthe various loperating levers are effectedV by 'predetermined annular '.movementxof each, A:the .throw of the operating links l14,:!26,.|f96, 185,162, and Mil-and thell'ever |159 will' be .thelsamefor allisizes o`f"carton's and; `consequently,.no changes need .be made inthe operating .cams and `levers 'associated withltlfl'e .camshaft Hin order to .adapt the machine to opiate. .onicartons of different sizes. It Will'ibe understood, `offcourse,that. it may .also beneces'- sary `to change. the :squaring plate152 andi'lthe i3 magazine 26 so that they fit the new carton. The stroke of the magazine feeding slide may be changed in any desired manner, if necessary, as by relocation of the pin |05 on the bracket |06 and by shifting the cam engaging roller along the length of the lever |04. The machine thus may be readily adapted to operate on diierentsize cartons, or machines for operating on two different sizes may be constructed to a. large extent from identical parts.

While only one form of the invention is shown and described it Will be understood that ordinary mechanical changes and substitutions may be made without departing from the'spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine for closing the end of a carton having a pair of end flaps which fold toward each other on parallel lines, one of said aps having a slot and the other a hook adapted to enter and interlock in the slot When the flaps are closed and having a third end ap adapted to fold at right angles to the other flaps, said machine having a pivoted member adapted to close the third flap, a backup plate carriedby the pivted member and adapted to move into a positionv parallel to and along one side of the slotted flap when the pivoted member is in flap closing position, a spreading blade adapted to enter the slot from the opposite side of said slotted flap and permanently displace one edge thereof out of the plane of the slotted ap While the backup plate is in said position, means operable thereafter to close the slotted ap and means for closing the hooked flap and causing the hook thereon to enter the slot by movement of the point of the hook parallel to the plane of the slotted flap.

2. In a machine for closing the end of a squared carton having at least three end aps, a removable folding head, pivoted elements cn the head each adapted to close one ap, an opertng cam for each element, and means operatively connecting the cams and elements, said connecting means being detachable from said elements to permit the substitution of a folding head adapted to operate on cartons of a different size.'

' HUGH F. CONSER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent: l

UNITED STATES PATENTS