US2860549A

US2860549A - Box forming machine

Info

Publication number: US2860549A
Application number: US435154A
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph P Mancuso; Robert R Maffett
Original assignee: ROBERT E BAUER
Current assignee: ROBERT E BAUER
Priority date: 1954-06-08
Filing date: 1954-06-08
Publication date: 1958-11-18
Anticipated expiration: 1975-11-18

Description

J. P. MANCUSO ETAL 2,860,549

Nov. 18, 1958 BOX FORMING MACHINE i6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 8, Z L954 M Q av w y w Q. Q Q Q Ms w/ J. P. MANCUSO ET AL 2,860,549

Nov. 18, 1958 BOX FORMING MACHINE l6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 8. 1954 Nov. 18, 1958 J. P. MANCUSO ET AL 2,860,549

BOX FORMING MACHINE 16 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 8, 1954 Nov. 18,1958 J. P. MANCUISO ET AL 2,850,549

BOX FORMING MACHINE 16 Sheets-Sheet 4 ooooooooo oooooooooo Filed June 8. 1954 Nov. 18,. 1958 Filed June 8, 1954 HG. 4 M2 M5 J. P. MANcuso ET AL BOX FORMING MACHINE 16 SheetsSheet 5 Nov. 18, 1958 J. P. MANCUSO ETAL 2,850,549

BOX FORMING MACHINE l6 Sheets-Sheet 6 /d Filed June 8, 1954 1 74/5 I Nov. 18, 1958 J. P. MANCUSO ETAL 2,850,549,

BOX FORMING MACHINE Filed June 8, 1954 16 Sheets-Sheet 7 Nov. 18, 1958 J. P. MANCUSO ET AL 2,860,549

BOX FORMING MACHINE 1s Sheets-Shet 8 Filed June 8. 1954 Nov. 18, 1958 J. P. MANCUSO ETAL 2,860,549

BOX FORMING MACHINE Filed June 8, 1954 l6 Sheets-Sheet 9 J.- P. M'ANC-USO ET AL Nov. 18, 1958 BOX FR imMAcHINE 'aL s heetsfstliet 10 Filed June 8, 1954 J F Jigafi- 1701241410 HQ- M2 Nov. 18, 1958 J. P. MANCuso ET AL BOX FORMING MACHINE 16 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed June 8. 1954 Nov. 18, 1958 BOX FORMING MACHINE l6 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed June 8, 1954 NNN MN Nov. 18, 1958 J. P. MANCUSO ETAL BOX FORMING MACHINE Filed June 8. 1954 16 Sheets-Sheet 13 Manama and J. P. Mmcuso ET AL Nov. 18, 1958 BOX FORMING MACHINE l6 SheetsSheet 15 Filed June 8. 1954 Nov. 18, 1958 J. P; 'MANcu'so ET AL I 2,850,549

Box FORMING MACHINE Filed June 8, 1954 A United States Patent ice 2,860,549 BOX FORMING MACHINE Joseph P. Mancuso, Jamesburg, and Robert R. Malfett,

Westfield, N. J., assignors to Robert E. Bauer, Wyndmoor, Pa.

Application June 8, 1954, Serial No. 435,154

Claims. ('Cl. 93-51) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in packaging machines and more particularly to new and useful improvements in machine for forming a paper or cardboard box, inserting an article in the box and then sealing the box with cellophane or like material.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel packaging machine wherein a continuous supply of box blanks may be fed to the machine and formed into boxes which receive the articles to be packaged and are then automatically sealed by the machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel packaging machine wherein a box blank may be rapidly and automatically formed into a finished box.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel packaging machine wherein an article, such as a pie plate is automatically inserted into a finished box positioned beneath a supply of the articles carried by and. automatically fed one at a time by the packaging machine.

A. further object of the present invention is to provide a novel packaging machine wherein sheets of cellophane or like material are automatically severed from a continuous roll and secured across the open upper end of a finished box being conveyed longitudinally of the ma-- chine.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel packaging machine having the features and characteristics set forth which is of relatively simplified construction, operates automatically with a minimum. amount of attention by the operator, and is highly eflicient and effective in operation and use.

These and other objects of the present invention and the various features and details of the operation and construction thereof are hereinafter more fully set forth and described with reference with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of the box forming and packaging, machine of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a box blank which is folded and assembled by the machine of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a box blank in the assembled position with the pie plate and pie positioned therein;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the completed package- 2,860,549 Patented Nov. s, 1.95s

Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional view taken on line- 12-12, Fig. 11 showing the box forming apparatus;

Fig. 13 is a transverse sectional view taken on lines: 1313, Fig. 11 illustrating the construction of the ram: for forcing the box blank downwardly into the forming:

apparatus;

Fig. 14 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 1414, Fig. 11;

Fig. 15 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 1515, Fig. 11;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 16-16, Fig. 15 illustrating the apparatus for securing the locking flaps in position in the box;

Fig, 17 is a perspective view of the mechanism-for opening the slots and inserting the flaps therein; i

Fig; 18 is a transverse sectional view of the box forming apparatus with the ram moving downwardly toiforc'e the box blank into the forming'die opening atthe beginning of the forming operation;

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the box blank during, upward folding of the side and end walls; I

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating; the

ram. in a position below that shown in Fig. l8 showing;

the mechanism for opening theflap receiving lots;

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of the mechanisml for,

bendingthe locking flaps;

Fig. 22 is a plan view of the die illustrated in Fig.,2l;

Fig. 26 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of. v the box forming, mechanism in position folding the'lock flaps downwardly;

Fig. 27 i afragmentary sectional view illustrating-the locking flap insertion mechanism;

.Fig. 28 is a fragmentary sectional view takenion line 2 8"28, Fig. 27 illustrating the relative position .ofthe knives and box end wall;

Fig. 29 is a perspective view illustrating the operation of the knife blade which guides the locking. flap-into position;

Fig. 30 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view 'of the box blank. forming mechanism at. the end of one complete operation;

Fig. 31 is a perspective View of the finished box formed by. the apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 32 is a transverse sectional view taken on line- 32-32, Fig. 1 illustrating the means for supporting-and feeding the pie plates; Y

Fig. 34 is a. perspective view of one side of thBEPiCfP'lHtE- guide means;

Fig. 35 is an enlarged transverse sectional view takers.

Fig. 33 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in auism at the start of a feeding operation;

Fig. 36 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the feeding mechanism illustrated in Fig. 32;

Fig. 37 is a sectional plan view taken on line 37 37, Fig. 36 showing a pie plate being dropped into an assembled box;

Fig. 38 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the meansfor dropping one pie plate at a time;

Fig. 39 is a perspective view of the support and feed mechanism for the pie plates;

Fig. 40 is a side elevational view of the cellophane feeding and applying mechanism of the present invention;

Fig. 41 is a sectional plan view of the cellophane applying apparatus taken online 41-41, Fig. 40;

Fig. 42 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 42-42, Fig. 40 illustrating the cellophane feeding and cutting mechanism;

Fig. 43 is a transverse sectional view of the cellophane feeding and applying apparatus taken on line 43-43,

Fig. 41;

Fig. 44 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the cellophane feeding and applying apparatus taken on line 44-44, Fig. 43;

Fig. 45 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating the means for guiding the cellophane;

Fig. 46 is a fragmentary side elevational view illustrating the brush mechanism in position for forcing the edges of the cellophane against the glued edges of the box;

Fig. 47 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on line 4747, Fig. 44 illustrating the means for maintaining the cellophane in position on the feed table.

Fig. 48 is an inverted plan view partially in section taken on line 48-48, Fig. 1 illustrating the drive mechanism for the cellophane feeding and applying apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 49 is a sectional view taken on line 49-49, Fig. 48 illustrating the intermittent feed of the present invention;

Fig. 50 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 49 with the drive mechanism in an advanced position.

Fig. 51 is an elevational view of a modified form of ram assembly and die for folding the box;

Fig. 52 is a side elevational view partially in section of the ram assembly and die illustrated in Fig. 51;

Fig. 53 is a perspective view of the pusher member operable to open the locking slits in the folded box prior to insertion of the locking tabs;

Fig. 54 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the die with the folded box fully inserted into the die;

Fig. 55 is a sectional view taken on line 55--55, Fig. 54 illustrating the pusher member opening the locking slits prior to insertion of the locking tabs;

Fig. 56 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 56-56, Fig. 54 illustrating the latch member carried by the pedestals for maintaining the box in position on the pedestals;

Fig. 57 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 55 with the pedestals raised after the locking slits have been opened illustrating the means for maintaining the locking slits in their open position; and

Fig. 58 is a plan view of one side of the box taken on line 5858, Fig. 54 illustrating the locking slits in their open position.

Referring more specifically to the drawings and particularly Fig. 1 thereof, the packaging machine of the present invention consists of four general sections designated generally as A, B, C and D. At section A box blanks are fed from a stack of blanks one at a time to box forming mechanism wherein the blanks are folded to their finished shape. A plurality of empty pie plates are supported in a stack at section B of the machine and are deposited one at a time into finished boxes being conveyed longitudinally of the packaging machine from section A. At section C pies are manually inserted into the pie plates which are positioned in the boxes; and the pies, pie plates and boxes are then conveyed to section D of the machine wherein a cellophane strip is positioned over the open upper end of each filled box and secured to the box to complete the packaging operation.

This packaging machine is operable to receive a box blank 51 formed, for example, as shown in Fig. 2, and fold the box blank 51 into a box 52, as shown in Fig. 3. A pie plate 53 is then inserted into the box 52 by the packaging machine and a pie 54 is manually placed into the pie plate 53 in the box 52 while the box is being moved longitudinally of the machine. After these operations are completed, a strip of cellophane 55 is automatically positioned and glued across the open upper face of the filled box to form the finished product shown in Fig. 4.

The box blank 51 comprises a central base portion 56 having a pair of side

wall forming flaps

57, 57 and a pair of end

wall forming flaps

58, 58 integrally secured thereto along fold lines 57a and 58a, respectively. Each end wall forming flap 58 has a pair of generally

triangular flaps

59, 59 foldably connected to the outer upper edge thereof adapted to extend across the corners of the open upper end of the finished box. The triangular flaps 59, in turn, have locking tabs 61 secured to the outer side edge thereof which outwardly overlie the side wall forming flaps 57 and are locked in position in locking slits 62 in the ends of the side wall forming flaps 57 to maintain the box in its formed position. While the packaging machine of the present invention is illustrated and described in conjunction with the forming and folding of the blank 51, it is apparent that the packaging machine may be readily adapted to fold other box blanks of the same general class as the blank 51.

The entire packaging machine is driven by an electric motor 63 which causes rotation of a pair of shafts 64 and 65extending outwardly from opposite sides of a gear reducer 66. The

shafts

64 and 65, as more fully described hereinafter, operate the mechanism for feeding and forming the box blanks, conveying the formed boxes longitudinally of the machine, inserting a pie plate into the box and securing a sheet of cellophane over the open upper surface of the box.

In accordance with the present invention, a stack of box blanks 51 is supported at the feed end of the packaging machine and the box blanks are automatically formed into boxes one at a time. The boxes are then conveyed longitudinally of the machine toward the discharge end thereof. Figs. 1 and S to 14, inclusive (sheets 1 to 6 0f the drawings), disclose the box blank feeding and forming mechanism of the packaging machine of the present invention. As illustrated in Fig. 5, a stack of the box blanks is positioned between a plurality of guide posts 67 and a weighted member 68 is placed on top of the stack of box blanks to force the same downwardly in the machine.

Positioned laterally of the machine from the stack of box blanks and carried by a ram shaft 71, for example as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings, is a ram assembly 72 which is mounted for reciprocal movement between upper and lower limit positions. The ram assembly 72 is carried by the lower end of a stub shaft 73 projecting downwardly from a transverse ram arm 74 secured to the upper end of the ram shaft 71. A post 75 extending upwardly from the frame of the packaging machine and containing a pair of slide bearings at the and engages a cam follower 81 pivotalrly carried by the lower end of the ram shaft 71. The ram cam- 78 is formed for example as illustrated .in Fig. of the drawings and has alternate high and low portions thereon, as illustrated, to cause vertical reciprocating movement of the ram assembly 72.

The ram assembly 72 has a generally rectangular configuration in the horizontal plane corresponding to the shape of the central base portion 56 of the :box blank 51. The lower surface of the ram assembly is adapted to engage the central base portion 56 of the box blank during downward movement of the ram assemblyand .cause the side and end walls 57 and'58, respectively, offthe box blank to be folded upwardly along the fold lines 57a and 58a, respectively, to a vertical position.

According to the present invention means are provided totranspose a box blank 51 from the lowermost position in the stack of box blanks to a position wherein the central base portion of the box blank is in alignment with the lower surface of the ram assembly 72. "In this position the lower surface of the ram assembly will engage the centralbase portion of the 'box blank when traveling to its lower limit position. To accomplish this a box blank shuttle 82 formed for example as illustrated in Fig. 6, is slidably mounted in

tracks

83, 83, as shown in Fig. 5, carried by an upwardly projecting frame portionof the packaging machine at the base of the stack of box blanks. The box blank shuttle is mounted for reciprocating movement transversely of the packaging machine between predetermined forward and rearward limit positions and duringmovement to the forward limit position thereof the box blank shuttle 82 operates to transfer the bottom blank of the-stack of box blanks .to the aforementioned position in alignment with the ram assembly 72.

Reciprocating movement of the boxblank shuttle. is effected bymeans of a shuttle cam 85 formed, forexample, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 9 of .the drawings, and secured to the end ofthe shaft 77 opposite the ram cam 78. .A cam follower 86 secured tothe lo-wer end of a lever =87 pivoted at its mid-point, as indicated til-$8 in Fig. 9, engages theforward surface 91 of the shuttle cam 85 whereby rotation of the shuttle;1cam:85.eifects oscillatory motionof; the-lever87- about its pivot 88. A tension spring 92 secured between the frame of;the machine and the lower end of lever 87 maintains the cam 85 and follower 86 in operative contact. The'upper end of the arm 87 is interconnectedwith a downwardly projecting lug 93 secured to the lower surface of the box blank shuttle 82 by means of a conventional adjustable coupling 94. By this construction rotation of the shaft 77 effects reciprocation of the box blank shuttle 82 between its opposite limit positions.

With reference to Figs. 6. and 9, the box blank shuttle 82 consists of a flat plate 95 having forwardly extending

arm portions

96, 96 at the opposite sides thereof. A suppo-rtingplate 97 is secured to the rear portion of the box blank shuttle and is of a thickness substantially equal to'thethickness of a single box blank 51. The forward end of the supporting plate 97 is beveled downwardly as indicated at 98 and terminates'in a pusher edge 101 which is of slightly less heighth than the thickness of a box blank. In the rearward limit position of the box blank shuttle 82 the pusher edge 101 is positioned adjacent the edge of the bottom box blank of the stack of box blanks, and the box blanks are supported by the two arm portions 96, 9.6 of the shuttle 82 while the central portion of the box blank is supported by an adjustable support 100, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. During movement of the shuttle to its forward limit position the pusher edge 101 engages the side of the box blank and forces the bottom box blank of the stack forwardly along with the shuttle. Atrough 102 extends transversely of the box blank shuttle immediately in front .of the pusher edge101 to collect any abraded. fuzz producedby-sliding of the "box blank shuttle relative to the stack of box blanks. When the box blank ,shuttle SZ reaches itsiforward limit position a box blank vis.supportedu'bythe forwardly extending arm portions of the shuttle in a position wherein the base portion 56 .of the boxiblank .is in registry with the lower surface of thelram assembly'72.

While the box blank shuttle is being moved forwardly by the shuttle cam the ram cam 78 is also rotated and causes the ram assembly 72 to move downwardly. After the box blank shuttle has reached its forward limit position thereby properly positioning the box blank beneath the ram assembly 72 the ram assembly engagesthe central portion 56 .of the box blank and continues movement to ward its lower limit position while the box blank shuttle remains in its forward limit position.

In accordance with the present invention, the initial portion of the downward travel of the ram assembly 72' after engaging the box blank causes the side walls 57 and end walls 58 of the box blank to be folded upwardly along their respective fold lines 57a 58a. To accomplish this, the box blank is positioned on the box blank shuttle with the

end walls

58, 58 thereof over-lying the

shuttle arms

96, 96 and'the inner edges of the

shuttle arms

96, 96 have beveled

upper portions

104, 104 and vertical lower portions 105,105 as illustrated in Figs. 6 and '10. In a similar manner the edge -of the box :blank shuttle interconnecting the rear ends and shuttle arms is beveled as indicated at 106 at the upper end thereof and {has a vertical portion 107 at the lower edge thereof. In addi tion, a forming member 108 is secured to'the frame of the packaging machine in a position intermediate'the forward ends of the

shuttle arms

96, 96, for example as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, and has a beveled portion 111 and vertical portion 112 on the inner edge thereof corresponding to the beveled and vertical portions of the box blank shuttle. Downward movement of the ram assembly 72 after engagement with the box blank forces the

end walls

58, 58 of the box blank into engagement with the beveled surfaces of the

shuttle arms

96, 96 and forces the

side walls

57, 57 of the box blank into engagement with the beveled portion 106 of the box blank shuttle and'the beveled portion 1110f the forming member 108. This causes the end walls and side walls of the box blank to be folded upwardly along their fold lines. Continued downward movement of the ram assembly forces the side walls and end walls of the box blank into engagement with the vertical portions of the shuttle, shuttle arms and forming member thereby folding the side and end walls of the box blank upwardly to the vertical position.

Immediately beneath the ram assembly 72 and in axial alignment therewith is a die opening 113 formed bythe forming member 108, side wall members 114, 114-and an end wall member 115. This die opening 113 corresponds in shape to the external configuration of the box blank with the side and endwalls folded upwardly and is adapted to receive the box blank 51 and ram assembly 72. As the ram assembly enters the die opening 113, the shuttle cam 85 causes the box blank shuttle to move to its rearward limit position and the box blank is-maintained in the desired shape solely by the external walls of the die opening 113 and the ram assembly 72. In-this position of the box blank with the ram assembly partially inserted into the die opening and the end and sidewalls of the box blank in the vertical position the locking tabs 61 are in alignment with the end walls and extend outwardly beyond the walls of the die opening 113.

While the box blank is in the die opening-113 the triangular fiaps 59 are folded downwardly -over the corners of the open upper end of the box and the locking tabs-61 are inserted into the locking slits 62 in the side-wallsrof the box to maintain the box in the formed position. 'The 7 finished box is then removed from the die opening 113 and a new box blank is inserted into the die opening.

Before the locking tabs 61 may be inserted into the locking slits 62, they must be folded inwardly to a position overlying the side walls of the box. This is accomplished by providing forming cam surfaces 117 at the corners of the die opening 113, for example as illustrated in Figs. 21 and 22, which engage the locking tabs 61 of the box blank 51 and fold the locking tabs inwardly to a position above the side wall 57 of the box blank. The cam surfaces 117 are generally concave in the horizontal plane and converge inwardly and downwardly relative to the side walls of the die opening so that during downward movement of the ram assembly 72 the locking tabs of the box blank are brought into engagement with the cam surfaces 117 and then wiped inwardly to a position in alignment with the side walls. By this construction when the ram assembly 72 reaches a predetermined downward position during its path of travel to its lower. limit position the box blank 51 assumes the shape shown in Fig. 25.

Positioned below the die opening 113 at opposite sides thereof as shown in Fig. 9 is a pair of pedestals 118,118 which are mounted for vertical movement between upper and lower limit positions. The pedestals are mounted for vertical sliding movement in bushings 119, 119 which are carried by the frame of the packaging machine. A pair of coils springs 122, 122 bearing against the frame of the packaging machine and reacting on a cross member 123 which interconnects a pair of

stub shafts

124, 124 mounting the pedestals normally urge the pedestals to their lower limit position. The

pedestals

118, 118 are caused to move between their upper and lower limit positions by means of a pedestal cam 125 carried by the cam shaft 77 and engaging a cam follower 126 which is carried by a downwardly extending arm 127 formed integrally with the cross member 123. During rotation of the cam shaft 77 the pedestal cam 125 engages the cam follower 126 and forces the pedestals upwardly. Further rotation of the cam shaft 77 and pedestal cam 125 causes the

springs

122, 122 to force the

pedestals

118, 118, toward their downward limit position.

As illustrated in Fig. 10, the pedestal cam 125 is designed to cause movement of the pedestals toward their upper limit position during the latter portion of downward movement of the ram assembly 72. Accordingly, before the ram assembly reaches its lower limit position the pedestal cam 125 starts moving the pedestals toward their upper limit position. The

pedestals

118, 118 engage the lower surface of the box blank being forced downwardly by the ram assembly 72 as the ram assembly reaches its lower limit position and the pedestals travel upwardly for a short distance with the ram assembly. This amount of travel is approximately and after the pedestals have traveled this short distance with the" ram assembly the pedestals reach their upper limit position and are stopped. The ra'rn assembly continues-moving upwardly until it has reached its upper limit position. As illustrated in Figs. 9, 12 and 27 a pair 'of

hook members

131, 131 are pivotally secured to the outer edge of each pedestal 118, for example as indicated at 132, and have inwardly extending hook portions at the upper end thereof which engage over the upper end of the sidewall portions of the box blank. These hook members prevent the box blank from moving upwardly during upward travel of the ram assembly and cause the box blank to be positioned in the proper position relativeto the packaging machine for further forming.

According to the present invention after the ram and pedestal engage opposite sides of the base of the box blank the slits 62 are opened to permit the locking tabs 61 to be inserted therein. To this end four slit openers 133 are pivotally mounted to the ram adjacent the lower surface thereof, for example as illustrated at 134 in Figs. 9 and 13, and has a downwardly projecting tab 135 at its rearward edge which, in the normal position'of the slit opener, projects down beyond the lower surface of the ram assembly. A tension Spring 136 interconnects slit openers at opposite sides of the ram assembly and maintains the slit openers 133 in the position shown in Fig. 9 with the outer side edge thereof in alignment with the side edge of the ram assembly 72. When the pedestals engage the lower surface of the box blank being forced downwardly by the ram assembly the tab portions of the slit opener 133 are forced upwardly pivoting the slit opener about its pivot point 134 and causing the forward edge of the slit opener to engage the side of the box blank immediately below the slit 62. This breaks the lower portion of the side edge of the box away from the upper portion thereof thus opening the slit 62 to receive the locking tabs 61.

After the pedestals have reached their upper limit position with the hook members 131 in engagement with the upper portion of the side edges of the box, the triangular flaps of the box blank are folded downwardly and the locking tabs 61 are inserted into the slit openings 62. The slit openings must be maintained in their open position before the locking tabs are forced downwardly to insure proper entry of the locking tabs into the slit opening. This is accomplished by a plurality of kicker members 138 pivotally mounted at their midpoint outwardly adjacent the side walls of the die opening 113. One kicker member is provided for each slit opening in the box blank and the upper end portion of each kicker member is positioned to engage the side wall of the box blank immediately above the slit openings, for example as shown in Fig. 29. Each kicker member is actuated to its inwardly projected position by means of an actuating arm 141 having an adjustable stop 142 thereon which engages the rearward surface of the kicker member 138. An actuating arm 141 is provided at each side of the die opening and each arm carries a pair of

adjustable stops

142, 142 so that all four kicker members are actuated by the two actuating arms. Coil springs secured between one end of the kickers 138 and associated arms 141 serve to bias the kickers toward their respective stops 142. The actuating

arms

141, 141 are mounted on

shafts

143, 143 for relative vertical movement with respect to the packaging machine and

coil springs

144, 144 normally urge the shafts 143 mounting the actuating arms toward their downward limit position. Vertical movement of the

shafts

143, 143 is effected by means of a pair of

kicker cams

145, 145 which engage

cam followers

146, 146 secured to the lower ends of the

shafts

143, 143. The kicker cams are mounted on the cam shaft 77 and are so positioned on the cam shaft that the kicker arms will be caused to move to their inner position immediately after the pedestal has reached its upper limit position with the box in the proper position for insertion of the locking tabs in the locking slits.

After the kickers are in their inner position opening the slits in the side walls of the box, the triangular portion of the box blank 59 and the locking tabs 61 are folded downwardly to insert the locking tabs in the slits. This is accomplished by means of a knife assembly 147 formed, for example as illustrated in Fig. 17 of the \drawings. The knife assembly 147 comprises a shaft 148 mounted in bearings in the side walls of the die Opening 113. A plate 149 is secured to the shaft and has a pair of

side lips

151, 151 extending forwardly therefrom. One knife assembly 147 is mounted at each side of the die opening and the triangular flap portions 59 of the box blank lie against the inner surface of the plate 149 with the edges of the locking tabs 61 of the box blank projecting outwardly therefrom adjacent the inner surfaces of the

side lip portions

151, 151 of the plate 149. A pair of

arcuate knives

152, 152 project outwardly from the forward surface of the side lip portions 151 and are formed with the center of the shaft