US2654981A

US2654981A - Machine for conveying and closing cartons

Info

Publication number: US2654981A
Application number: US113716A
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard C Stenger
Original assignee: Sutherland Paper Co
Current assignee: Sutherland Paper Co
Priority date: 1949-09-02
Filing date: 1949-09-02
Publication date: 1953-10-13
Anticipated expiration: 1970-10-13

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet l s Q W3 N K w Q Q? 33 5 wh X 5 3 J JHMF W 1-\\ INVENTOR. ef/e/ dafl @jga k/fi aa 1953 R- c. STENGER MACHINE FOR CONVEYING AND CLOSING CARTONS Filed Sept. 2, 1949 0a. 13, 1953 R STEN E 2,654,981

MACHINE FOR CONVEYING AND CLOSING CARTONS Filed Sept, 2, 1949 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m 750 34 7 J7 54 I0 2155 4 .47 I

j INVENTOR.

. jar ,5 /7/Z%/r z/f BY Patented Oct. 13,1953

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR CONVEYING AND CLOSING CARTONS Richard C. Stenger, Kalamazoo, Mich., assignor to Sutherland Paper Company, Kalamazoo, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application September 2, 1949, Serial No. 113,716

8 Claims. (01. 53-145) v This invention relates to improvements in a machine for conveying and closing cartons.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a machine for closing cartons,

covers hingedly connected to the rear walls and provided with tucking flaps which is eificient and of large capacity.

Third, to provide a machine having these advantages with a conveyer adapted to positively position the cartons and convey them with a;

15 chines for closing covered cartons having other step by step movement, holding the covers open to facilitate the placing of merchandise such as pies, cakes or the like in the cartons.

Fourth, to provide a machine of this character which may be associated with a carton erecting machine to receive the erected cartons therefrom.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a machine embodying my invention, parts being broken away for convenience in illustration, and only such portions of a carton erecting machine being illustrated as deemed necessary to show the operative structure of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view mainly in longitudinal section on a line corresponding to line 2-2 of Fig. 4, the top flap folders being shown in retracted position by full lines and in fully actuated position by dotted lines, a cover being shown in its relation to the top flap folders by full lines and in its relation to the cover closing member in closed position by full lines and in open position by dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view mainly in vertical section on a line corresponding to line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view mainly in section on a line corresponding to line 4-4 of Fig. 1 with the cover closing member shown in fully actuated position by full lines and in retracted position by dotted lines.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in section on a line corresponding to line 5-5 of Fig. 1 showing details of the main conveyer.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view mainly in section 2 on a line corresponding to line 6--6 of Fig. 1 showing details of the carton feed conveyer.

The embodiment of my invention illustrated comprises a suitable frame, designated generally by the numeral I, and provided with a table or top 2. 3 represents a carton erecting machine for the cartons designated generally by the numeral 4, and comprising a bottom 5, end walls 6 provided with top flaps 1, front wall 8, and a rear wall 9 having a cover In hingedly connected to its rear wall, the cover being provided with a tucking flap H. The cover illustrated is of the window type.

My invention may be readily embodied in mastructural features or diifering in structure from that described. The main conveyer is adapted to receive cartons from a feed conveyor or auxiliary conveyer and translate them with a step .by step or intermittent movement through the closing mechanism which is entirely automatic in its operation. The cartons illustrated are designed to receive pies 12 which are placed in the open cartons in advance of the cover closing mechanism. The main conveyer comprises a slide way l3 provided with side bars 14. In the structure illustrated, the way is formed of angle iron elements l5 disposed in upward and inwardly facing relation and. spaced to provide a longitudinal slot [6. The conveyer chain I! is provided with flight carrying links I8 which project through the slot. The flights l9 have rearwardly projecting base portions 20 secured to the links l8, these base portions being provided with downturned lugs 2| projecting into the slot, as is best shown in Fig. 2. The rear ends of the flight base members are spaced from the flights 19 to receive a carton between them, as is clearly shown in Fig. 2.

The driving shaft 22 is disposed horizontally below the conveyer, its connection to a suitable source of power being shown at 23. The conveyer chain is provided with a driven sprocket 24 which is connected by the sprocket chain 25 and suitable coacting sprockets to the Geneva gear 26. The Geneva gear is actuated by the coacting arm 2! on the shaft 28 connected to the driving shaft by the coacting beveled gears 29.

The cartons are delivered from the feed conveyer, designated generally by the numeral 30. operatively associated with the carton erecting machine 3 to receive the cartons therefrom. The feed conveyer comprises belts 3| which are positioned at the side of the main conveyer and in a plane above the main conveyer to discharge the cartons on to the main conveyer. The cartons, as they are translated by the belts 3| with their covers at the rear, are tilted upon the rear walls and covers, as shown in Fig. 6, by the covers coming in contact with the tipping bar 32 which is spaced above the feed conveyer belts. However, when the cartons drop off the feed conveyer belts, 30. on to, the main conveyor; they swing to an upright position. The inwardly inclined guide plate 33 insures the cartons being aligned to pass between the side bars of the main conveyer.

To facilitate the correct positioning of the carstons, the flight bases are provided, and in. the event a carton falls from the. feed conveyor upon these bases it is jogged into correct position. between the rear ends of the bases and the flight trailing the same by the step by step movement of the main conveyer. As the cartons,- are car ried rearwardly they are engaged by the platelike cover supporting members 34 and 35 which are spaced to receive the covers between them, the member '34 having'a rearward-1y turned front end 36 and the member 35 a forwardly turned front end 31'. The contents; as the pies f2, are placed in the cartonsdesira-bly while the covers are supported by the rear member '34 which projects beyond the front member;

The top flap folders 38 are disposed at the rear of the filling station. These top flap folders actto turn the top flaps inwardly while the-cover is positively supported in upright position so that the top flaps cannot engage its edges. The top flap folders are mounted on the rock shafts 39 disposed transversely above the way, therock shafts being provided with arms suitably connected to the link. 4| which is in turn connected to the rocker arm 42 pivoted at 43 and provided with a cam fol-lower 44 coasting with the cam 45 on the shaft 22. By this arrangement the folder members '38- are simultaneously actuated. These folder members 38 are, in this preferred embodiment, plate-like and upwardly curved, their axes being positioned sothat the curved portions of the folders. engage the top flaps with a wiping action. The folders are provided: with downturned hook-like tip portions 43 which engage the edges of the top. flaps, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2, preventing their being swung down into engagement: with the contents of the carton.

While the top flaps are lifted on the return stroke of the folders thisis not objectionable as they are positioned sov that the .cover forces them down to. position and this is. further desirable in that they-are left in close engagement with the cover when the cover is closed; Atrthis top flap. folding station or position the cover tucking flap is turned to the. position shown in Fig. 3 by means of the arm 41 which is. pivoted at 48 and connected by the link: 49. to the rocker arm 42. This. synchronizesthe movement of the tucking flap turner with. the top flan folders From this station or from this; mechanism, the carton, is advanced to the cover closing Stati n. in which position the. turned tuckingflap lies below the curved, tucking flap; guide 58. The cover closing member 5t desirably in the form of a plate having a longitudinally slotted bracket 52 on its rear side receiving the pin 53" on the actuated arm 54. The closure plate i'spivotally supported at 55 while the arm is pivoted at $8. This armis connected by the link 5 to the rocker arm 58 pivotally supported at- 58 and having a cam follower 60 coacting withthc cam W, Th

further insures the timed or synchronized operation of the folder and flap folder, tucking flap turner, cover closure member in synchronized relation to the intermittent movement of the conveyer.

The spring 6| urges the follower 44 of the rocker arm 42 against the. cam while a spring 62 urges, the, follower 6,0 of the, rocker arm 58 against the cam. With this arrangement of parts the several steps are performed entirely automatically with the exception of the placing of the cartonedl product in the cartons. While I contemplate that this might be done automatically, such means. would constitute no part of my present. invention and are not illustrated.

I have illustrated and described my invention in a highly practical commercial embodiment thereof. 1' have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations which I contemplate and which might be desirable for thecartoning of certain products as I. believe that this disclosure will enable those skilled in'the art to embody or adapt my invention as may be desired.

Havingv thus described my invention, what I claim. as. new and. desire to secure. by Letters Eatent, is:

1. A machine, forclosing, cartons having top flaps on. their end walls and covers hinged to their rear walls and provided with tucking flaps on their swinging edges comprising, a. conveyor including a way provided with side members and conveyer. flights operatively associated with the way for pushing. cartons therealon with a step by step movement, the. adjacent. flights. enactin to provide. spaced carton. pockets. transversely spaced cover supporting members disposed longitudinally of the way to receive the open covers between them as the cartons are translated, top flap folders comprising rock shafts disposed transversely above the, conveyor, oppositely disposed downwardly convex top. flap folder plates mounted on said, rock shafts and having downturned' hook-like portions at their swinging ends extending transversely of said way and engageable with the edges of the top flaps during the latter portion of the folding stroke, said top flap folder plates and their hook portions in their retracted positions being located closely above and extending inwardly across the top flaps of a carton located at a top flap folding station. of said conveyor, the curvature of the folders and the position or their axes being such that their convex under surfaces engage the edges of the open top flaps with a wiping folding action, said top flap folders acting on the top flaps while the cover is supported in upright position by said cover supporting members, a tucking flap turning member acting to turn the tucking flap forwardly while the coveris supported by said supporting members, aforwardly curved tucking flap guide disposed at the rear of said tucking flap turning member and said top flap folders to overhang the conveyor, a cover closing member disposed in opposition to said guide member and acting to swing the cover to closed position, and means for actuating said conveyor, top flap folders, tucking nap turner member and cover closing member in synchronized relation.

2. A machine for closing cartons having top flaps on their end walls and covers hinged to their rear walls and provided with tuckingflaps on their swinging edges comprising a conveyer including away provided with side members and 09nveyer flights operatively associated with the way for pushing cartons therealong with a step by step movement, the adjacent flights coacting to provide spaced carton pockets, transversely spaced cover supportin members disposed longitudinally of the way to receive the open covers between them as the cartons are translated, top flap folders comprising rock shafts disposed transversely above the conveyer, oppositely disposed top flap folder plates having downwardly and longitudinally convex under sides mounted on said rock shafts, the curvature of the folders and the position of their axes being such that their convex under surfaces engage the edges of the open top flaps with a wiping folding action and move into tangential relationship to the folded top flaps, said top flap folders acting on the top flaps while the cover is supported in upright position by said cover supportin members, a tucking flap turnin member acting to turn the tucking flap forwardly while the cover is supported by said supporting members, a tucking flap guide member disposed at the rear of said tucking flap turning member and said top flap folders to overhang the conveyer, a cover closing member disposed in opposition to said guide member and acting to swing the cover to closed position, and means for actuating said conveyer, top flap folders, tucking flap turner member and cover closing member in synchronized relation.

3. A machine for closing cartons having top flaps on their end walls and covers hinged to their rear walls and provided with tucking flaps on their swinging edges comprising a conveyer for translating the cartons with a step by step movement, transversely spaced vertical cover supporting members disposed longitudinally of the conveyer to receive the open covers between them as the cartons are translated, pivotally mounted oppositely disposed top flap folders having downwardly and longitudinally convex undersides and downturned hook-like portions at their swinging ends engageable with the edges of the top flaps during the latter portion of their folding stroke, the pivot axes of said top flap folders extending transversely of said conveyor and being positioned materially upwardly and longitudinaly outwardly of a top flap of a carton located at a folding station on said conveyor, the curvature of the folders and the position of their axes being such that they engage the edges of the open top flaps with a wiping folding action, a tucking flap turnin member acting to turn the tucking flap forwardly while the cover is supported by said supporting members, a tucking flap guide member disposed at the rear of said tucking flap turning member and said end flap folders, a cover closing member disposed in opposition to said guide member and acting to swing the cover to closed position, and means for actuating said conveyer, top flap folders, tucking flap turner and cover closing member in synchronized relation.

4. A machine for closing cartons having top flaps on their end walls and covers hinged to their rear walls and provided with tucking flaps on their swinging edges comprising a conveyer for translating the cartons with a step by step movement, transversely spaced upright cover supporting members fixedly disposed longitudinally of the conveyer to receive the open covers between them as the cartons are translated, pivotally mounted oppositely disposed top flap folders, the pivot axes of said top flap folders extending transversely of said conveyor and being positioned materially upwardly and longitudinally outwardly of a top flap of a carton located at a folding station on said conveyor, a tucking flap turning member acting to turn the tuckin flap forwardly while the cover is supported by said supporting members, a tucking flap guide member disposed at the rear of said tucking fia-p turning member and said end flap folders, a cover closing member disposed in opposition to said guide member and acting to swing the cover to closed position, said cover closing member having a plane cover engaging surface extending generally radially of its pivot to its swinging edge whereby the tuckin flap is guided solely by said tucking flap guide member, and means for actuating said conveyer, top flap folders, tucking flap turner and cover closing member in synchronized relation.

5. A machine for closing cartons having top flaps on their end walls and covers hinged to their rear walls, comprising a conveyer for translating the cartons with a step by step movement, swingably mounted oppositely disposed top flap folders having downturned hook-like portions at their swinging ends engageable with the edges of the top flaps during the latter portion of their folding stroke, said folders extending trans versely over said conveyor and being disposed in opposingly inwardly extending relation from their pivots longitudinally of said conveyor, means connected to said folders and operative to swing the same simultaneously downwardly and longitudinally outwardly of top flaps of a carton located therebeneath, and a cover closing member disposed at the rear of the top flap folders.

6. A machine for closing cartons having top flaps on their end walls and covers on their rear walls provided with tuckin flaps, comprising a conveyer for translating the cartons with a step by step movement, means for supporting the cover in open position during one period of rest, swingably mounted oppositely disposed top flap folders having downwardly and longitudinally convex undersides and downturned hook-like portions at their swinging ends engageable with the edges of the top flaps during the latter portion of their folding strokes, the pivot axes of said top flap folders extending transversely of said conveyor and being positioned materially upwardly and longitudinally outwardly of a top flap of a carton located at a folding station on said conveyor, the folders being adapted to engage the open top flaps with a wiping folding action, the hook-like portions acting to partially lift the flaps on the return stroke of the folders, a tucking flap turning member acting to turn the tucking flap forwardly while the cover is supported by said cover supporting means and while the carton is acted upon by the said top flap folders, a tucking flap guide disposed at the rear of said top flap folders and adapted to receive the turned tucking flap, and a cover closing member disposed in opposition to said guide member to act on the cover after it has cleared said cover supporting means.

'7. A machine for closing cartons having top flaps on their end walls and covers on their rear walls, comprising a conveyer for translating the cartons with a step by step movement, swingably mounted oppositely disposed top flap folders having downwardly and longitudinally convex undersides and downturned hook-like portions at their swinging ends engageable with the edges of the top flaps during the latter portlon oil their folding stroke, the pivot axes 01 said top flap folders extending. transversely of said conveyor and being positioned materially upwardly and longitudinally outwardly of a top fiapof av carton located at, 3V folding, station on said, conveyor, the folders being adapted to enease. the open top flaps. with a wiping folding, action, the hook-like portions acting to partially lift the: flaps on the return stroke of the folders, and a cover closing member disposed at the rear of said top flap folders.

8. A machine for closing. cartons having top flaps on. their end walls: and covers on their rear walls, comprising a conveyor for translating the cantons with a step by step movement, swingably mounted oppositely disposed topfiap folders having downwardly and longitudinally convex undersides and downturned hook-like portions at their swinging ends engageable with the edges of the top flaps during the latter portion of their foldingv stroke, said foldersv extending transversely over said conveyor and being disposed in oppos-- 8t ingly inwardly extending relation from their .pivots longitudinally of said conveyor, means connected. to said folders and operative to swing. the same. simultaneously downwardly and 1ongitudinally outwardly of top flaps. of a carton located. therebeneath, the folders being adapted toengage the open top flaps with a wiping folding action, the. hook-like portions acting to partially lift the flaps on. the return stroke of the folders.

RICHARD C. STENGER.

Betexences our in the file of: this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,916,515 Kraft July 4, 1933 2,051,339 Little Aug. 18, 1936 2,064,200 Ford et a1 Dec. 15, 1936 2,091,426 Benoit Aug. 31, 1937 2,387,674 McIntire Oct. 23, 1945 2,391,691 Engels l. Dec. 25,1945