US2868093A

US2868093A - Method and apparatus for setting up box blanks

Info

Publication number: US2868093A
Application number: US665683A
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph M Schmied
Original assignee: ST Regis Paper Co
Current assignee: ST Regis Paper Co
Priority date: 1957-06-14
Filing date: 1957-06-14
Publication date: 1959-01-13
Anticipated expiration: 1976-01-13

Description

Jan. 13, 1959 J. M. SCHMIED 2,868,093

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SETTING UP BOX-BLANKS Filed June 14. 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

I BY LJ OSEPHMSCHMIED.

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J. M. SCHMIED Jan. 13, 1959 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SETTING UP BOX BLANKS Filed June 14. 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JEJSEPH MSCHM/ED. BY

Jan. 13, 1959 J. M. SCHMIED 9 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SETTING UP BOX BLANKS Filed June '14. 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 I I INVENTOR.

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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SETTING UP BOX BLANKS Filed June 14. 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 YINVENTOR. I Llama-PH M Sch/M150.

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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SETTING UP BOX BLANKS Filed June 14. 1 957 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. JZw-EPH M5CHM/ED.

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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SETTING up BOX BLANKS Filed June 14. 1957 s Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR. L/OJEFH )7. ScHM/ED.

Jan. 13, 1959 J. M. SCHMIED 2,868,093

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SETTING UP BOX BLANKS Fild June 14. 195'? a Sheets-Sheet 8 i l INVENTOR. I d osEPH M SCHM/E'D.

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METHGD AND APPARATUS FOR SETTING UP BOX BLANKS Joseph M. chmied, Pawtncltet, R. L, assignor to St. Regis Paper Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 14, 1957, Serial No. 665,683

20 Claims. or. 93-49 This invention relates to methods and apparatus for setting up box blanks, and more particularly to such apparatus for erecting initially flat box blanks, such as those of the corner lock box type.

Apparatus of this general type and methods heretofore employed for the purpose of setting up flattened box blanks are considered unnecessarily slow and burdened with disadvantages largely occasioned by the reciprocation of massive parts, such as reciprocating ram devices, which are subject to substantial inertia problems.

Further, such prior apparatus is considered unnecessarily complicated and expensive.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for setting up box blanks which overcomes the above difiiculties or reduces same to insignificance.

A further object of the invention is to provide such method and apparatus which avoids the use of reciprocative motion and of massive reciprocating parts where such is derogatory of high production rate and which method and apparatus as a consequence can achieve a production rate not heretofore attained by the prior art.

The invention, in one aspect thereof, comprises apparatus for accomplishing. the above objects and includes two sets of rotatably mounted hook-like means located on opposite sides of a box erecting region and positioned for engaging opposite marginal areas of two opposite side flaps of such a box blank urging such areas toward one another responsive to such hook-like means angularly shifting towards one another about parallel spaced axes. Such side flaps are thus pivoted or angularly shifted about their respective base edges (along which they are connected to a box base) and are progressively set up or erected relative to such base. Rotatable box blank guide means are provided for coacting with and rotating with the aforementioned hook-like means during such setting up of the side flaps for engaging exteriorly thereof end lock strips located along the front and rear margins of each of such side flaps and bowing or bellying same inwardly of the box blank responsive to such angular shifting. The rotatable hook-like means and rotatable guide means are shaped for cooperating concurrently also during such setting up of the side flaps to press outwardly of the box blank, each side flap center panel located intermediate each pair of such end lock strips thereby causing such center panels to curve or belly outwardly of the box blank thereby to spread open corner lock slits of the blank, which slits separate such end lock strips from their respective center panels, the opening of each such slit adapting same for the reception of its respective corner tab which is connected to its respective side edge of a side wall of the box blank, the side walls in turn also being connected each along an edge to the box base. The aforementioned rotatable hook-like means and guide means are thus adapted for moving the box blank while so forming same, as aforementioned. Fixed side wall guide means (also referred to as fixed side wall erecting or forming elements) are positioned along opposite 2 margins of the path of the box blank for engaging the opposite side walls thereof responsive to the aforementioned movement. Responsive to such side walls being pressed against said fixed side wall guide means under the influence of the angularly shifting hook-like means, such side walls also are caused to pivot or shift angularly about their respective base edges and thus also are progressively set up or erected relative to the box base. Said rotatable and fixed guide means include portions which are shaped and disposed relative to one another for coacting during such progressive setting up of the side walls and flaps to guide such corner tabs into such open corner lock slits responsive to the aforementioned .movernent thereby fully to set up thebox. Each of the corner tabs of the box blank are provided with lock tips which, in response to the full penetration of such tabs into such corner lock slits, engage an edge of the latter thereby to lock the tabs in position and hence to lock the box in its erected condition. The box blank must be fully disengaged from the hook-like means prior to the two sets of the latter commencing to move away from one another in the course of the rotation thereof, otherwise the box blank will be destroyed. Accordingly, a pair of box blank stripper fingers is provided, each finger mounted on a suitable endles belt, and each belt mounted for movement on opposite sides of the path of the box blank. The endless belts are driven at a speed sufficient to move the stripper fingers at a substantially greater rate than the hook-like means. The movement of such stripper fingers and hook-like means is timed such that the former disengage the box blank from the latter in a timely manner as aforementioned.

The above and further objects and novel features will more fully appear hereinafter from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the latter showing examples of certain preferred embodiments of the invention but not comprising a definition of the limits of the invention, reference for this latter purpose being had to the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of apparatus embodying the present invention showing same in an operating position acting upon a box blank;

Pig. 2 is a perspective view of a slightly modified form of the apparatus of Fig. l and for purposes of clarity shown without a box blank and with parts omitted;

Figs. 3a to 3d, inclusive, comprise a series of perspective views of several successive steps in the erection of a boxblank by the apparatus of Fig. l, the apparatus shown in the latter Fig. 1 in turn showing the position of the parts of the apparatus intermediate the positions of Figs. 3b and 3c;

Fig. 4- is a side elevation, partly in section and with parts broken away, of an apparatus embodying the present invention including the apparatus of Pig. 2 and illustrating the means for setting up a box blank in combina tion with a feeder of such box blanks positioned for delivering a succession of blanks'to the apparatus per se for setting up the blanks;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation, also partly in section and with parts broken away, of the apparatus shown in Fig.

4 but with certain portions of the box blank feeder eliminated for purposes of clarity;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of a box blank feeding apparatus similar to that shown in Fig. 4 but modified by the addition of box blank lock tip bending means;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 77 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 8-.8 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view, partly in section and with parts broken away, of a pair of coaxial spaced aseaoos box forming drums also shown in Fig. 5, said pair of drums comprising one of two pairs employed in the present invention, such pairs being located on opposite sides of a box forming region;

Figs. a to 10e, inclusive, comprise a series of successive views showing successive stages in the setting up of a box blank in accordance with the present invention and in somewhat greater detail than in previous figures, and showing further the operation of slightly modified parts of the apparatus as compared with the succession of views of Figs. 3a to 3d, inclusive, aforementioned; and

Figs. 11a to 11d, inclusive, also comprise successive views of successive stages in the setting up of a box blank in accordance with the invention but from a different point of view as compared with Figs. lOa-lOd, inclusive, Figs. 1la11d, inclusive, corresponding to the successive stages of said Figs. lOa-lOd aforementioned, Figs. llalld comprising sectional views taken along a plane normal to the axes of rotation of the two pairs of rotating drums aforementioned, such plane being interposed between the pairs of coaxial drums.

Referring now to the drawings in greater detail with particular reference to Figs. 1 and 10a, there will first be described a typical box blank of the so-called corner lockbox type which the apparatus embodying the present invention is adapted for setting up. The box blank, which will now be described, is similar to that shown and described in U. S. Patent No. 2,553,870. It is, however, to be understood that the invention is not limited to a method or apparatus for setting up this particular type of box blank. Such box blank 20 comprises a box base 20a having front and

rear side walls

21 and 22, respectively, which are connected to the front and rear edges respectively of the aforementioned box base 20a. Each of the front and

rear side walls

21 and 22 has connected respectively to its left and right side edges, corner lock tabs. For example, the front side Wall 21 has connected thereto left and right

corner lock tabs

23 and 24 and the rear side wall 22 has in turn connected thereto left and right

corner lock tabs

25 and 26.

Each of such corner lock tabs 2326, inclusive, has connected integrally thereto at its outer corner a lock tip, the lock tips for the tabs 2326, inclusive, respectively being indicated at 27-30, inclusive.

To the left and right side edges of the box base 26a there are in turn connected left and right side flaps 31 and 32. Each of such side flaps 31 and 32 has formed therein in opposite margins a pair of substantially parallel corner lock slits, such as 33 and 34 of the

side flap

31, and 35 and 36 of the side flap 32.

The corner lock slits 33-36, inclusive, as aforementioned are substantially perpendicular to their respective base Sid-e edges, that is, to the edges Where their respective Side .flaps are connected to the box base 20a.

Theaforementioned lock slits 33 and 34 of the side flap 31 divide such side flap into parts which are designated as follows:

A pair of end lock strips 37 and 38 along the front and rear margins respectively of the side flap; and a side flap center panel 39 interposed between such end lock strips. In turn the lock slits 35 and 36, formed along the front and rear margins respectively of the side flap 32, divide the latter intoz, end lock strips 40 and 41, there being interposed therebetween a side flap center panel 42.

A box cover 43 is connected along the rear (or top) edge of the rear side wall 22 and in turn is provided with a cover lock flap 44.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 5, the operation of one form of apparatus embodying the invention will now be briefly described and thereafter the construction thereof in greater detail will be set forth.

Primary box blank supporting means 45 and 46 (Fig. 5) are Provided for supporting a flattened box blank in an initial position, such primary supporting means com- 4 prising a pair of ledges for supporting opposite outer extremities of a flattened blank, for example, the cover lock flap 44 and the margin of the front side wall 21.

The supporting means 45 in transverse cross-section, as viewed in Fig. 5, is preferably in the form of a flat ledge having a vertical flange or side edge -47 for the purpose of aiding in the alignment of the box blank.

The other supporting means 46 is also in the form of a ledge but of omewhat smaller area than the horizontal area of the means 45, and as aforementioned particularly adapted for supporting the margin of the front side wall 21 and its

locking tips

27, 28. A flange 48 is secured along one side of such ledge also toaid in box blank alignment.

Suitable means (not shown) can be employed for gently urging a blank against either one of such flanges to attain a desired alignment with the rotatable box forming drums to be described below.

To the primary supporting means 45 and 46 are de livered in succession from suitable feeding means (to be described more fully hereinafter in connection with Figs. 4 and 6) a series of box blanks in a flattened condition, the blanks being placed in a station from which they can be engaged and set up or erected as will appear below.

The box set-up means further includes a first pair of spaced apart coaxial box forming drums 49 and 50 (Fig. 1) which are fixed to a shaft 51 for rotation therewith, said shaft 51 being suitably journaled for rotation and driven by suitable means.

A' second pair of spaced apart coaxial

box forming drums

52 and 53 are provided which in turn are mounted upon a shaft 54 which is journaled for rotation in a manner analogous to that of shaft 51, both of said shafts being operatively connected for movement together in fixed phase relation whereby the drums mounted thereupon are also compelled to move in fixed phase relation in a manner to appear more fully hereinafter.

The pairs of drums 49, 5t) and S2, 53 thus are mounted for rotation on axes which are parallel to one another. The pairs of drums being spaced apart are thus adapted for rotational movement on opposite sides of a box forming or box blank set-up region and, as viewed in Fig. 5, said pairs of drums are positioned below and between the primary supporting means 45, 46 aforementioned.

Said primary box blank supporting means supports each box blank in a flattened condition preparatory to its being engaged by the devices for setting up the box, said primary supporting means thus supporting the box blank in the position as shown in Figs. 10a and 11a.

. Each pair of drums, such as 49 and 50, is provided with hook-like means for engaging the margin along the outer edge of its respective side flap, in response to rotation of the drums, thereby to urge the two side flaps toward one another and against selected surfaces of the drums. Such hook-like means for engaging such margin of the side flap 32, as shown in Fig. 1, comprises a pair of elements referred to as dogs or slotted members 55 and 56, respectively mounted on the

drums

49 and 50, such hook-like means being shown in greater detail in Fig. 3, and in a somewhat modified form being shown in perspective at 57 and 58 in Fig. 2. Dog 57 is shown in side elevation in Fig. 4. The dog or slotted member 57 as aforementioned comprises a hook-like means and is provided with a slot 57a, the attitude of which relative to the rotating drum is of importance. Such slot, as is well shown in Fig. 4, is, when the dog is at the peak of its movement, as in Fig. 4, directed downwardly, the axis thereof being approximately 45 to the vertical although the invention is not limited to a particular disposition of such slot. It is to be understood, however, that the slot of the slotted member, or the interior surfaces of the hook-like means, are so disposed that they are capable of grasping the opposite outer marginal areas of their respective side flaps substantially concurrently and pressing same downwardly and inwardly, as viewed in 'Fig. 4, for the purpose of erecting the side flaps relative to the box base and also for the purpose of urging the selected areas of the side flaps against the side flap forming surfaces of the respective drums, thereby to produce the bellying or curving of selected areas of the side flaps in opposite directions in the manner described above.

it is, of course, understood that the dog 57 of Fig. 4 coacts with its corresponding dog '58 (Fig. '2) which comprises the other of this pair of dogs.

Mounted 180 from the dogs 55 and 56 of Fig. l is another pair of analogous dogs- (not shown). In Fig. 4 a dog 59 is shown which is one of a pair of dogs opposite to pair 57, 58.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3a, as the drums 49, Eli and 52, 53 rotate at a constant angular velocity, the box blank 20 is engaged by the dogs 55, 56 of the d rp m

pair

49, 50 and also by a corresponding pair of dogs 6% and 61 respectively mounted upon the

drums

52, 53.

Referring now to Fig. 315, it will be seen that as the box blank 26 starts downwardly under the influence of the rotational motion of the pairs of dogs 55, 56 and 6t), 61 toward one another a peripheral protrusion .or annular lip on each drum, typified by the lip 62 (Fig. l) on the drum 49, engages the exterior surface of its respective end lock strip, such as 41, and sets up stresses therein causing same to bow or belly inwardly of the box, and at the same time the under surfaces of the dogs, as typified by the dog 55, press downwardly upon the marginal area of their respective center panels such as 42 and tend to urge same outwardly of the box blank and hence to cause each center panel to belly or curve outwardly thereby to spread apart and open the corner lock slits, as typifie by the lock slit 36' (Fig. 1), it being understood, of course, that all of the lock slits 33, 34 and 35, 36' are thus opened.

The opening of the corner lock slits 33-36, inclusive, occurs progressively commencing almost immedi-' ately after the outer edges of the side flaps have been forced inwardly and downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 1, by the aforementioned dogs or slotted members 55, 56 and 60, 61. Further referring to Figs. 1 and 3b, as the drums continue to shift angularly toward one another, the box blank is urged downwardly upon fixed or stationary front and rear side wall guide means (fixed box forming elements) 62a and 63. Each of such elements is substantially the form of an inverted L with an arcuate interconnection between the arms thereof, such forming elements being located with the upper surfaces thereof positioned for engaging the under surfaces of the aforementioned front and rear side wallsof the box blank in the manner shown in Fig. 1. The box blank so engaging the forming elements 62 and 63 causes the front and

rear side walls

21 and 22 respectively to shift inwardly about their respective side edges, where connected to the box base 20a, and thus to initiate the angular motion of the

corner tabs

23, 24 and 25, 26 toward their respective open corner lock slits. This is well illustrated in the aforementioned Fig. 3b.

Referring now to Fig. 30, it will be seen that as the drums 49, t) and 52, 53 rotate further, the four corner tabs 23-26, inclusive, of the boxblank are urged into their respective corner lock slits, now open. That is, the

corner tabs

23, 24, 25 and 26 are urged respectively into corner lock slits 33, 35, 34 and 36.

As aforementioned, an intermediate condition between Figs. 3b and 3c is illustrated in Fig. 1.

Referring again both to Fig. 1 and to Fig. 30, it will be seen that the now partially formed box blank must be disengaged from the four dogs or slotted members 55, 56 and 60, 61 in order that it may be moved out of the way before such two pairs of dogs begin to move away from one another, otherwise the dogs would tear open the formed or erected box blank. For this purpose a pair of identical and movable'mansare employed, each interposed and mounted for movement between its respective pair of

drums

49, 5b and 52, 53, such box disengaging elements being herein referred to as stripper elements. Those provided for engaging the side flaps Sit and 32 are respectively indicated at 64 and 65 (Figs. 1 and 2). These elements are respectively mounted upon

sprocket chains

66 and 67 which in turn pass over suitable sprocket wheels 68, '69 (Fig. 2) mounted for rotation about the axes of the

shafts

54 and 51 respectively. The endless belt means or

sprocket chains

66 and 67 are operatively interconnected with suitable drive means, such as the drive means for rotating the

shafts

54 and 51 whereby the

stripper fingers

64, 65 and belts move at twice the peripheral speed of the dogs 55, 56 and 6t 61, that is, such operative interconnection is so constructed and arranged that the linear speed of the

stripper elements

64 and 65 is twice the linear speed of their respective pairs of dogs.

Thus further referring to Figs. 1 and 3c, the sprocket chain driven stripper elements or

fingers

64 and 65, having twice the peripheral speed of their respective drums, begin to disengage the box blank from the dogs, as shown in such Fig. 3c, and to urge the box blanks downward to twice the velocity theretofore attained, thereby fully to disengage the box blanks from their respective dogs at the proper time.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 3d, it will be seen that the corner tabs, as typified by the corner tab 26, has made a substantially complete entry into its respective corner lock slit 36 while the stripper element, such as 65, pushes the now fully formed box down through the final corner locking stage and onto an out conveyor (not shown).

While the box is substantially fully formed, as shown in Fig. 3d, it is desirable for further pressure to be exerted upon the opposite front and rear side walls by suitable downwardly extending arms, as shown at 70, '71 and 72, 73 of Figs. 2, 4 and 5. Said

arms

70, 71 and '72, 73 are of resilient material, such as spring steel, and are positioned in such a manner that the dimension therebetween at the lower extremity, as shown in Fig. 5, prior to the passage of a box therebetween is somewhat less than the dimension between the side walls of the fully erected box whereby, responsive to the movement of a box therebetween, there will be urged together the front and rear side walls thereby to cause full penetration of the corner tabs into the open lock slits. This will insure that the lock tips 27-36, inclusive, fully enter their respective lock slits thereby also to insure that each lock tip engages an edge of its corner lock slit thereby further to insure that the box is locked in an erected condition.

Reverting to the dogs shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5, it was mentioned above that in Fig. 4 only one of such opposite dogs, namely, 59, could be seen in Fig. 4, that is, opposite to the pair of

dogs

57, 58. However, as viewed in Fig. 5, the other dog M of this pair can be seen, the dog 74 being opposite to dog 58.

Referring again to Fig. 4, it will be noted that upon the shaft 54 the drum 53 is mounted as in Fig. l, the principal distinction between the means shown in Fig. 4 as compared to that of Fig. 1 being the type of the dogs. In Fig. 1 each of the dogs, such as 55, comprises a booklike means composed of a flat plate 55a which is substantially parallel to the axis of the shaft 51 and the upper extremity of which is secured as by screws to a protruding post or lug 551: preferably mounted in a slot 4% formed in the drum 49. The plate 55a is bent downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 1, to form the hook-like means adapted for serving the purposes described above, the space between the underside of plate 55a and the surface of the drum as being of slot-like form. 7

However, the structure of Fig. 4, by virtue of the modified type of dogs, for example, a top pair 75, 76 and a

bottom pair

77, 78 removed therefrom on drums 52, 53), distinguishes over the structure of Fig. 1. The other drums 49, 50, as aforementioned, mount similar pairs of

dogs

57, 58 and 59, 74.

In Fig. 4 the two dogs of the upper pair 75, 76 of

drums

52, 53 are indicated although only one thereof, namely 76, can be seen. Similarly

pair

77, 78 has been indicated although only dog 78 is actually represented in this figure.

The

stripper elements

64 and 65 respectively secured to the

endless sprocket chains

66, 67 are also shown in their proper relative positions in Fig. 4. The

stripper elements

64 and 65 comprise those elements which respectively coact with the pairs of

dogs

75, 76 and 57, 58 in the stage of operation which is commencing in Fig. 4.

A second stripper element 79 also is secured to the endless sprocket chain 67 at a location opposite to the stripper element 65. Analogously a second stripper element 80 is secured to the endless sprocket chain 66 also opposite to the stripper element 64, said second stripper elements 79 and 80 respectively positioned for coacting in a timely manner with the pairs of dogs which in Fig. 4 are at the lowermost point in their movement.

Box blank feeder means 81 (Figs. 4 to 8, inclusive) will now be described for consecutively delivering the box blanks onto the supporting

means

45, 46. Such box blank feeder means includes a curved rack 82 comprising a pair of

curved arms

82a, 82b which are separated by a distance adequate to permit the protrusion therebetween of the lowermost side flap 31 of the box blank or a plurality of such box blanks stacked in the manner shown in Fig. 4. Such a plurality of box blanks 20 in a stacked condition on the rack 82 is shown at 83 in' Fig. 4, the plurality of protruding lower side flaps being indicated collectively at 84.

The stack of box blanks 83 at the lowerextremity thereof, as viewed in Fig. 4, is so disposed that the lowermost box blank is at approximately 50 to the vertical, such lower box blank resting upon an angularly reciprocating rubber tired feeder roll 85 which is shown in detail'in Fig. 8 and which is composed of a plurality of separate rubber tired wheels 86 (Fig. 8), nine in number in the form shown.

The rubber tired wheels 86 are all mounted for angular movement together with a shaft 87 which is journaled for rotation upon a frame 88 ,(Fig. 4) of the feeder 81.

The shaft 87 and the wheels 86 secured thereto are angularly reciprocative, that is, they are periodically angularly shifted by any suitable means operated in proper timed relationship with the remainder of the apparatus. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, such angular reciprocation of the feeder roll 85 is accomplished by means of a rotatable crank 89 mounted for rotation with a shaft 90 which is-drivably connected to a suitable source of torque (not shown), such as an electric motor, the crank 89 preferably having connected thereto a counterweight 91. Such crank 89 is operatively connected to the shaft 87 by means of a connecting rod 92 which, at the lower extremity thereof (Fig. 4), is in suitable pivotal connection with said crank and at the upper extremity is in a suitable pivotal connection with an arm 93 which in turn is connected as by a one way clutch to said shaft 87. Said crank 89, arm 93 and the connecting rod 92 are so constructed and arranged in a well known manner that continuous rotation of the shaft 90 produces angular reciprocation through a preselected angular range of the arm 93 and hence the shaft 87 and the rubber tired feeder roll 85.

The frame 88 of the box blank feeder means 81 is secured to a frame 94 of the box blank set-up device per se, preferably in such a manner that each box blank is fed downwardly from above and into an initial box blank supporting station, namely, wherein the box blank rests upon the primary supporting means 45, 46. The frame 88 of the feeder 81 preferably is mounted for angular adjustment within selected limits in order to insure a proper feeding of the box blanks onto said primary supporting means. Accordingly, the frame 88 is pivotally mounted at 95 upon said frame 94 and the angular attitude of frame 88 can be adjusted by means of a turnbuckle device 96, the upper extremity of which is pivoted to the frame 88 at 97 and the lower extremity of which is pivoted to the frame 94 at 98.

Suitable means are provided for grasping and feeding out of the feeder 81 successively the lowermost box blank in response to angular reciprocation of the feeder roll 85. Such means comprises a metal covered roll 99 which coacts with a box blank gate finger 100. The latter finger is conformed in such a way that the lowermost edges of the side flaps 31 of the stack rest thereupon with the exception of the lowermost box blank of the stack 83, the gate finger 100 being slightly spaced from the periphery of the roll 99 to permit passage of such lowermost box blank 20 in response to angular shifting of the rubber tired feeder roll 85. Thus the lowermost box blank can be urged into a bite of a pair of

pinch roll devices

101, 102, the latter preferably having a rubber covering upon the periphery and mounted for pressing against the lowermost of the rolls 101 which preferably are provided with a metal covering. The two roll devices 99 and 101 rotate upon spaced parallel axes, the latter 101 being sufliciently close to the former roll 99 to receive an oncoming box blank in such bite of

rolls

101, 102 in response to such angular reciprocation of the feeder roll 85.

The three

roll devices

99, 101 and 102 are operatively interconnected for rotating together at a fixed phase relationship with one another and with the other rotating parts of the apparatus by virtue of interconnection with a common source of torque therefor.

The gate finger 100 is, of course, mounted for axial adjustment relative to the periphery of the roll 99. A shaft 103 which supports the roll device 102 is journaled for rotation in a suitable manner in a pair of oppositely disposed bearing blocks 104, one of which is shown in Fig. 4. The bearing blocks 104 each are mounted for motion toward and away from the roll device 101 while holding the shaft 103 parallel to the latter device. To accomplish this such blocks 104 are guided in their motion toward and away from the roll device 101 by means of

tracks

105 and 106. The degree of pressure of the roll device 102 upon the roll device 101 can be adjusted by means of a pair of set screws 107, one at each shaft end, each of which threadedly engages a stationary yoke 108, the lower extremity of each screw 107 engaging the uppper extremity of its respective block 104 in the manner shown in Fig. 4.

Suitable resilient means, such as coil springs 109, may be employed for urging the blocks 104 toward said screw 107.

For the purpose of cleaning the periphery of the roll 99 a doctor blade 110 is mounted adjacent thereto with the edge scraping thereagainst, as shown in Fig. 4.

Referring to Fig. 5, a view from the front of the machine of the shaft 90 and the crank 89 and its counterweight 91 is shown illustrating the relationship of the shaft 90 to certain other portions of the machine, particular reference being bad to the operative interconnection between the shaft 90 and the shafts thereabove which support the rotating drums, the sprocket chain and sprocket wheel interconnections being constructed and arranged for effecting the aforementioned relatively greater peripheral speed of the stripper elements.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 10a, means will now be bri fly described comprising a part of the box blank feeder 81 which are designed for the purpose of bending the lock tips 27-80 for the purpose of insuring that each of them engages an edge of its respective corner lock slit in response to the erecting of a box blank. One means for accomplishing this purpose is shown in front elevation in Fig. 6 and comprises coacting corner tip bending aseaosa rolls 111, 112 for acting upon the

corner tips

27, 28 in succession, and corner tip bending rolls 113, 114 for acting upon the

tips

29 and 30 in that order. The

rolls

111 and 112 are respectively mounted upon the

shafts

103 and 115, the latter comprising the shaft for the roll device 101. It is, of course, understood that the roll device 101, if desired, can comprise a plurality of separate coaxial subrolls or wheels which coact with -a plurality of rubber tired rolls mounted upon the shaft 103. This construction is shown in front elevation in Fig. 6 wherein the roll device 1&2 comprises a plurality .of coaxial rubber tired wheels which act respectively upon a like plurality of corresponding metal subrolls or wheels. In the form shown in Fig. 6, there are three such rubber tired wheels 102a, 1412b and H120 and three corresponding metal subrolls 191a, 1011) and 101C.

The tip bending rolls 111, 112 and 113, 114 are, of course, located in a precise manner in the path of their respective tips whereby the latter are bent upwardly, as viewed in Figs. 6 and a. This is accomplished by means of coacting flanges 111a and 112a, the adjacent side surfaces of which are slightly spaced from one another but closely adjacent. The same bending action is achieved by means of the flanges 113a and 114a of the

rolls

113 and 114.

it will be noted that the roll 113a is pivotally mounted for resilient angular shifting motion in a manner well shown in Fig. 7 for the purpose of riding over the base marginof the cover 43 of the box blank 20. As shown in Fig. 7, the roll 113 i mounted upon a crank 115 which is pivoted at 116 and yieldingly held against a limit-stop 117 by means of a spring 118. The spring 11? is of such a strength that it is capable of urging the roll 113 toward the roll 114 with suflicient force to cause a bending of the

tips

29 and 30 but will yieldingly shift in response to the interposing of the base margin or edge of the cover 43, the

rolls

113, 114 thus being unable to bend said cover.

Referring now to Fig. 9, certain-details of a pair of drums will now be described, the

latter comprising drums

52 and 53 as viewed from the front of the machine facing toward the delivery orifice of the box blank feeder. The

drums

52 and 53 are mounted for rotation upon the shaft 54 as aforementioned and are spaced apart for accommodating the endless sprocket chain 66 which passes over the upper sprocket wheel 68, the latter being mounted for rotation about the shaft 54 but not mounted for rotation therewith thereby to permit such sprocket wheel to be moved at a greater angular speed than the

drums

52 and 53 and in turn thereby to permit the aforementioned stripper elements or

fingers

64 and 80 to move at the desired greater peripheral velocity as compared to that of the

drums

52, 53.

Each of the

drums

52 and 53 has formed thereon pairs of surfaces of revolution, one on each drum and symmetrically arranged with respect to a central plane 119 between the drums normal to the shaft 54, such pairs of surfaces being described as follows:

(a) A first and innermost pair 120, 121 tapered inwardly toward said central plane;

(b) A second and next pair of surfaces 122, 123 comprising frusto-co-nical surfaces which also taper inwardly toward said normal plane but which are of substantially greater slope;

(c) A third and next pair of

surfaces

124 and 125 which comprise right cylindrical surfaces having a common diameter greater than the maximum diameter of the previously described surfaces of revolution, said

surfaces

124 and 125 comprising protruding lip or bead-like portions which engage the outer surfaces of the end lock strip for bellying same inwardly;

(d) A third and next pair of surfaces also comprising frusto-conical surfaces tapering outwardly of said central plane and designated 126 and 127, the maximum diameter thereof being equal to that of the pre- 10 -vious'ly described :pair '124, 125 and the minimum diameter preferably being equal to that of the next pair of surfaces; and

(e) A fifth and next and outermost pair of surfaces 128 and 129 also comprising right cylindrical surfaces substantially equal in diameter to the least diameter of said fourth pair of surfaces.

The function of the first pair of surfaces and 121 is to coact'with the next adjacent tapered pair of surfaces 122, 123 to facilitate the outward bellying of a center panel, such as 31, the tapering surfaces 122 and 123 comprising a guide which in cross-section is funnellike and thus is wider at its mouth (the outermost diameter) than it is at its innermost extremity (minimum diameter) for the purpose of guiding the outer edges ofsuch center panel into a perfectly aligned position with respect to the

drums

52 and 53. The dimension between the outermost corners 122a and 123a of the tapered surfaces 122 and 123 i slightly greater than the vertical dimension between the pertinent side flap corner slits, for example 33 and 34, thereby to facilitate the bellying of the center panel 39 outwardly ofthe box and downwardly toward the junctures of the tapered surfaces 122, 123 with the surfaces 120, 121, the dimension between such junctures being substantially equal to such vertical dimension between said slits upon a given said panel;

The function of the tapered surfaces 126 and 127 is to guide the

corner tabs

23 and 25 toward the open corner lock slits 33 and 34 respectively in response to the angular shifting of the side walls in the manner above described.

Thus the bead-

like surfaces

124 and 125, which protrude from the drums to the largest degree, are capable of causing the aforementioned inward bellying of the end lock strips 37, 33 and cooperating with the surfaces 120, 121 which facilitate outward bellying of the center panel 37 thereby opening such slits and preparing the way for the tapered guide surfaces 126, 127 to perform their function of guiding such corner tabs into such slits.

It is, of course, understood that the invention is not limited to the use of the taper d surfaces 122 and 123.

The above description of the structure shown in Fig. 9 pertains to the formation and action of the

drums

52, 53, it being understood, of course, that the other pair of drum 49 and 51) are similarly formed and possess corresponding pairs of surfaces for acting upon the opposite side flap 32. in an analogous manner.

As aforementioned, the two pairs of drums rotate in opposite angular directions in fixed phase relation whereby two pairs of such hook-like means or dogs approach the peak of their angular movement (as viewed in the drawings) at substantially the same time, the opening or months of the hooks or dogs of one pair facing the opening or mouths of the opposite pair just prior to their engaging the box blank. The slots of the hook-like means upon each pair of coaxial drums are, of course, aligned for jointly engaging a common plane surface whereby such pair of hooks on one pair of coaxial drums coacts with and, during movement through its upper two quadrants of angular movement, moves towards the other pair of hook-like means upon the other pair of drums, thereby during a portion of such movement together, and in particular during movement through the adjacent two quadrants of angular motion, engage opposite outer margins of the opposite side flaps of the box blank thereby to align same for box erection by engagement of the outer edges thereof with the aligned inner ends of such. siots and to commence the erection of the box from its flattened condition. The movement of said two pairs of hook-like means or dogs towards one another after so engaging said opposite outer margins and in response to rotation of said drums in such opposite directions, causes the hook-like means or dogs to engage the outer margins of said opposite 11 side flaps preferably, but not necessarily, at areas respectively located inwardly of the two corner lock slits formed in each such side flap. Each box blank is aligned relative to the drums by means aforementioned in such a way that such slits are positioned above the respective inner edges of their respective protruding surfaces (e. g., the third pair of

surfaces

124, 125 above described). Thus a pair of dogs or hook-like means engaging a given side flap, and in response to drum rotation, is adapted for dishing Or pressing outwardly of the box blank its respective side flap center panel, the two adjacent end lock strips on opposite ends of such side flap conforming to protruding surfaces, such as 124, 125, and bowing inwardly of the box thereby to spread open such corner slits for the reception of their respective corner tabs. It is, of course, possible to alter the conformation of the pertinent surfaces of the drums to reverse such directions of bowing or bellying, if desired, it being understood that the corner tab guiding surfaces should also be suitably altered to guide the same into the corner lock slits.

The above-described side wall guide or forming

means

70, 71 and 72, 73, positioned as shown in Fig. 2 coact with the tapered surfaces 126, 127 (and their counterparts on the other two drums) in the following manner: The box blank under the influence of the two pairs of dogs which move toward one another during their upper inner quadrants of motion urge the box blank downwardly, first at least partially erecting such opposite side flaps and then pressing the opposite side walls against the upper surfaces of the fixed side wall guide means causing the side walls to shift angularly, in the manner also mentioned above, about their inner edges along their connections with the common box base thereby in turn to cause each of the several corner tabs 2326 to pivot or shift angularly about its respective edge along which it is connected to its respective side wall and concurrently to move toward its respective open corner lock slit, all the while the front and rear side walls in turn angularly shift about their respective inner edges along opposite margins of the box base. The curved surfaces of such respective corner tabs follow the tapered guide surfaces, such as 126, 127, upon the drums 52, 53 (and corresponding surfaces upon the other pair of drums) during the aforementioned motion and thence into their respective open corner lock slits.

See Figs a-10e together with Figs. Ila-11d for a representation of the aforementioned sequence of events. Referring to Figs. 10b and 1112, it will be noted that at this stage in the erection of'the box there is a separation of an edge, for example 23a, of corner tab 23 from an adjacent edge 37a of the end lock strip 37, such separation typifying analogous separations of the other corner tabs and their adjacent end lock strips.

It should be noted that the erection of a box blank in accordance with the present invention is accomplished while the blank is unobscured by box erecting devices, the inner portions of the box thus remaining open and accessible, for example, for cleansing air blasts or, if desired, a chemical spray to treat the inner surfaces of the box as may be desired.

The novel method embodying the invention comprises the following steps:

(a) Grasping a flattened or substantially flattened box blank of the corner lock type along adjacent opposite margins of opposite side flaps thereof while pushing the edges of said opposite side flaps toward one another thereby to cause the side flaps to pivot about their respective inner edges along which they are connected to opposite edges of a common box base;

(b) Concurrent with such engagement of the opposite side flaps pressure is exerted upon opposite end lock strips of each such side flap to cause same to curve or belly and force is exerted upon a center panel between each end lock strip to cause the latter to belly in an opposite direction thereby spreading open the corner lock slits which are formed between such end lock strips and its respective center panels;

(0) Concurrent with the aforementioned steps, which cause the box blank to move, the box blank is pressed upon a pair of stationary side wall guide surfaces causing the front and rear side walls to shift angularly along their respective inner edges by which they are also connected to said common box base:

(d) The corner tabs affixed to opposite ends of each of the side walls are guided into their respective spread corner lock slits as a result of the angular motion of the front and rear side walls; and

(e) Adequate force is exerted upon said front and rear walls to cause same to be fully erected relative to the box base thereby to cause the corner tabs fully to penetrate into their respective lock slits.

What is claimed is:

1. The method for setting up a flattened box blank having two opposite side flaps and two opposite side walls each connected along its respective inner edge to a box base, each side flap having a pair of corner lock slits one formed along each of the side margins thereof, such side walls having corner tabs connected to their respective side edges, which method includes the following steps: exerting force upon opposite end areas of such side flaps to urge same together while concurrently causing the side marginal areas of each side flap to belly and the side flap area intermediate same to belly oppositely, thereby to open the corner lock slits thereof while causing the side flaps to pivot angularly about the box base toward an erected condition relative thereto, and concurrently angularly shifting said side walls about their respective box base edges and guiding such corner tabs toward their respective open corner lock slits, the side walls thus being urged toward an erected condition relative to the box base thereby to cause full penetration of the corner tabs into the slits.

2. The method for setting up a flattened box blank having two opposite side flaps and two opposite side walls each connected along an inner edge thereof to a 'box base, said side flaps having corner lock slits formed along the side margins thereof and said side walls having corner tabs connected to their respective side edges, which method includes the following steps: exerting forces upon opposite end areas of said side flaps such forces being exerted in opposite directions angularly about spaced axes to urge such areas together while concurrently exerting forces upon each of the side marginal areas of each side flap in directions to cause same to belly and the area intermediate same to belly oppositely thereby to open the corner lock slits thereof while causing the side flaps to pivot angularly about the box base toward an erected condition relative thereto, and concurrently angularly shifting said side walls about their respective box base edges and guiding such corner tabs toward their respective corner lock slits.

3. In apparatus for setting up initially flattened box blanks, the combination comprising: means for engaging opposite marginal areas of side flaps of said flattened box blank, means for mounting said engaging means for rotation about parallel spaced axes and for angular movement in fixed phase relationship, means for acting upon said opposite side flaps during engagement thereof by said engaging means thereby to open corner lock slits formed along the end margins of said side flaps for the reception of corner tabs which in turn are connected to side edges of opposite side walls of the box blank side wall erecting elements positioned in the path of movement of said side walls, and guide means for guiding said corner tabs into their respective open corner lock slits responsive to relative movement of said side walls and side wall erecting elements.

4. 1n apparatus for setting up initially flattened box blanks, the combination comprising: means for enl3 gaging opposite marginal areas of side flaps of said flattened box blank, means for mounting said engaging means for rotation about parallel spaced axes and for angular movement in fixed phase relationship, and means for acting upon said opposite side flaps during engage ment thereof by said engaging means thereby to open corner lock slits formed along the end margins of said side flaps for the reception of corner tabs which in turn are connected to side edges of opposite side walls of the box blank, and means for guiding said corner tabs into their respective open corner lock slits.

5. In apparatus for erecting a box blank having two opposite side flaps and two opposite side walls, each connected to a box base along an inner edge thereof, the combination comprising: side flap erecting means comprising a pair of oppositely. disposed side flap engaging means, means for mounting said side flap engaging means for rotation about spaced parallel axes and in fixed phase relation whereby corresponding marginal areas of said side flaps are engaged by said rotatably mounted side flap engaging means, the latter being adapted for rotation in opposite angular directions whereby such side flaps are movable toward one another thereby to erect same relative to the box base, means for exerting pressures in opposite directions upon selected areas of such side flaps for opening corner lock slits formed along the side margins thereof thereby to prepare same for the introduction of corner tabs connected to the side edges of such side walls, side wall erecting elements positioned in the path of movement of said side walls for engaging same responsive to angular movement toward one another of said side flap engaging means thereby angularly to shift such side walls and to erect same relative to the box base, and guide means for guiding respective of the corner tabs into their respective open corner lock slits.

6. In apparatus for, erecting a box blank having two opposite side flaps and two opposite side walls all connected to a box base along an inner edge thereof, the combination comprising: side flap erecting means comprising a pair of oppositely disposed side flap engaging means, means for mounting said side flap engaging means side flaps are engaged by said rotatably mounted side flap engaging means, the latter being adapted for rotaflaps are movable toward one another thereby to erect same relative to the box case, means for exerting pressures in opposite directions upon selected areas of said side flaps for opening corner lock slits formed along the side margins thereof thereby to prepare same for the introduction of corner tabs connected to the side edges of said side walls, side wall erecting elements positioned in the path of movement of said side walls for engaging same responsive to angular movement toward one another of said side flap engaging means thereby angularly to shift said side walls and to erect same relative to the box base, and guide means mounted for rotation with said side flap engaging means for guiding respective of said corner tabs into their respective open corner lock slits in response to such shifting of the side walls.

7. In apparatus of the class described, a pair of hooklike means, means for mounting the latter means for rotation about spaced parallel axes and in fixed phase relation whereby said pair of hook-like means can simultaneously engage opposite marginal areas of two opposite side flaps of a box blank at selected corresponding positions in their path of rotation, said rotatable hooklike means being mounted for rotation in opposite directions thereby being enabled angularly to shift towards one another during selected parts of their rotational movement thereby angularly to shift said side flaps about their respective base edges along which they are connected to a box base, said side flaps thus progressively 14 being erected relative to such base, side flap forming means mounted for rotation with said hook-like means for coacting with the latter means during such erection of the side flaps for engaging selected portions of the latter thereby to cause a beliying of same responsive to such angular shifting of the hook-like means and side flap forming means, the latter means also being shaped for cooperating concurrently also during the erection of said side flaps to press other selected areas of the side flaps to cause same to belly to spread open corner lock slits of the box blank, the opening of each such slit adapting same for the reception of its respective corner tab which is connected to its respective side edge of a I fixed side wall forming means positioned along opposite margins of the path of the box blank for engaging the opposite side walls thereof responsive to the aforementioned box blank movement, the side walls in response to such movement being pressed against said side wall forming elements under the influence of said angularly shifting hook-like means, the side walls also thus being caused to pivot about their respective base edges and thus also are progressively erected relative to the box base, said rotatable guide means including portions which are shaped for guiding such corner tabs into the aforementioned open corner lock slits responsive to the aforementioned movement of the box blank thereby to erect the latter, and means for disengaging the box blank from said hook-like means at a'preselected stage in the angular motion of the latter means.

8. ln apparatus of the class described, two sets of rotatably mounted hookelike means located on opposite sides of a box erecting region and positioned for engaging opposite marginal areas of two opposite side flaps of a box blank and urging such areas and such side flaps toward one another responsive to such hook-like means shifting angularly towards one another about parallel spaced axes, such side flaps thus being caused to pivot about their respective base edges along which they are connected to a box base and thus are progressively erected relative to such base, rotatable guide means mounted for rotating with and coacting with said hook-like means during such erecting of the side flaps for engaging exteriorly thereof end lock strips located along the front and rear margins of each of such side flaps and curving same inwardly of the box blank responsive to such angular shifting of the hook-like means toward one another, said hook-like means and guide means being shaped for cooperating concurrently also during such erecting of the side flaps to press outwardly of the box blank each side flap center panel located intermediate each pair of such end lock strips thereby causing both center panels to curve outwardly of the box blank thereby to spread open corner lock slits of the blank, which slits separate such end lock strips from their respective center panels, the opening of each such slit adapting same for the reception of its respective corner tab which is connected to its respective side edge of a side Wall of the box blank, the side walls in turn also being connected each along an inner edge thereof to the box base, said rotatable hook-like means and guide means thus being adapted for moving the box blank relative to a plane through the aforementioned spaced parallel axes while so erecting the box blank, relatively fixed side wall guide means positioned along opposite margins of the path of the box blank for engaging the opposite side walls thereof responsive to the aforementioned movement of the box blank, such side walls being pressed against said fixed side wall guide means under the influence of the angularly shifting hook-like means, such side walls also responsive to preselected angular advance of the latter means and for moving the now substantially fully erected box blank further relative to said fixed side wall guide means, the latter being positioned for further urging the side walls toward one another to ensure full penetration of the corner tabs into the corner lock slits.

9. In apparatus of the class described, two sets of rotatably mounted hook-like means located on opposite sides of a box erecting region and positioned for engaging opposite marginal areas of two opposite side flaps of a box blank and urging such areas and such side flaps toward one another responsive to such hook-like means shifting angularly towards one another about parallel spaced axes, means for mounting such hook-like means for angular motion about such axes, such side flaps thus being caused o to pivot about their respective base edges along which they are connected to a box base and thus are progressively erected relative to such base, and rotatable guide means mounted for rotating with and coacting with said hook-like means during such erecting of the side flaps for engaging exteriorly thereof end lock strips located along the front and rear margins of each of such side flaps and curving same responsive to such angular shifting of the hook-like means toward one another, said hook-like means and guide means being shaped for cooperating concurrently also during such erecting of the side flaps to act on each side flap center panel located intermediate each pair of such end lock strips thereby causing both center panels to curve in a direction different from its respective end lock strips, thereby to spread open corner lock slits of the blank, which slits separate such end lock strips from their respective center panels, the openng of each such slit adapting same for the reception of its respective corner tab which is connected to its respective side edge of a side wall of the box blank, the side walls in turn also being connected each along an inner edge thereof to the box base.

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9, including means for feeding said blanks seriatim to a blank receiving station positioned adjacent the path of movement of said hook-like means whereby the latter successively can engage the aforementioned opposite marginal areas of the box blanks.

11. In apparatus for setting up box blanks of the corner lock box type, a pair of rotatable slotted means for l;

engaging in the slots thereof opposite marginal areas of side flaps of such a blank and urging such areas toward one another responsive to such slotted means shifting angularly towards one another about parallel spaced axes; guide means coacting with said slotted means for en- 0 gaging end lock strips of such blank exterioriy thereof and bowing same responsive to such angular shifting, said slotted means being adapted concurrently for pressing center side flap panels of such blank adjacent said strips and bowing same in a direction to open corner lock slits of such blank for the reception of corner tabs connected to side walls of the blank, said side flaps and side walls being connected to a box base, said means thus being adapted for moving said box blank while so forming same; and box forming elements positioned adjacent opposite sides of the path of such movable box blank for engaging the opposite side walls thereof responsive to such movement, said guide means and box forming elements being disposed for coacting to urge such corner 16 tabs into such open slits responsive to such movement thereby to set up the box. 7

12. In apparatus for setting up box blanks of the corner lock box type, a pair of rotatable slotted means for engaging in the slots thereof opposite marginal areas of side flaps of such a blank and urging such areas toward one another responsive to such slotted means shifting angularly towards one another about parallel spaced axes; guide means coacting with said slotted means for engaging end lock strips of such blank exteriorly thereof and bowing same inwardly of the box blank responsive to such angular shifting, said slotted means being adapted concurre tly for pressing outwardly of the box blank center side fiap panels of such blank adjacent said strips and bellying same outwardly of the box blank thereby to open corner lock slits of such blank for the reception of corner tabs connected to side walls of the blank, said side flaps and side walls being connected to a box base, said means thus being adapted for moving said box blank while so forming same; and box forming elements positioned adjacent opposite sides of the path of such movable box blank for engaging the opposite side walls thereof responsive to such movement, said guide means and box forming elements being disposed for coacting to urge such corner tabs into such open slits responsive to such movement thereby to set up the box.

13. In apparatus for setting up box blanks of the corner lock box type, the combination comprising: a first and a second pair of slotted box blank engaging members; means for mounting said two pairs of members for rotation upon parallel axes and in opposite angular directions; two pairs of rotatable side flap forming means mounted for rotation with respective of said slotted members and each including an arcuate protruding guide surface aligned for movement in a path adjacent the path of its respective slotted member, a tapered guide surface adjacent each such protruding guide surface positioned for guiding box blank corner tabs, and a pair of coacting spaced side wall forming means positioned in a region intermediate the axes of rotation of said slotted members for engaging and aiding in forming the box blanks responsive to relative movement of said forming means and the box blanks as caused by said pairs of slotted members moving toward one another in rotation engaging a flattened blank and urging same into engagement with side flap and side wall forming means.

14. In apparatus for setting up box blanks of the corner lock box type, the combination comprising: a first and a second pair of slotted box blank engaging members; means for mounting said two pairs of members for rotation upon parallel axes and in opposite angular directions; a plane passing through said axes defining a first and second quadrant of angular motion for each pair of slotted members, the two first quadrants being outermost and the two second quadrants being innermost of said axes, means for operatively interconnecting said slotted members for rotation in a fixed phase relation whereby the two pairs thereof pass through the beginning of their respective second quadrants concurrently and thus are in fixed selected phase with one another, two pairs of rotatable side flap forming means mounted for rotation with respective of said slotted members and each including an arcuate protruding guide surface aligned for movement in a patch adjacent the path of its respective slotted member, a tapered guide surface adjacent each such protruding guide surface positioned for guiding box blank corner tabs, and a pair of coacting spaced side wall forming means positioned in a region intermediate the axes of rotation of said slotted members for engaging and aiding in forming the box blanks responsive to relative movement of said forming means and the box blanks as caused by said pairs of slotted members moving toward one another in rotation engaging a flattened blank and urging same into engagement with side flap and side Wall forming means.

15, In apparatus for forming a box from a flattened box blank of selected shape, the combination comprising: a first pair of spaced coaxial drums; a second pair of spaced coaxial drums; said pair of drums being mounted for rotation on parallel axes positioned on opposite sides of a box forming region; each of said pairs of drums having formed thereon respectively pairs of surfaces of revolution, one on each drum, as follows; a pair of protruding surfaces of revolution, each protruding beyond adjacent guiding surfaces of revolution positioned on either side thereof; means for rotating said drums in fixed phase relation in opposite directions; each of such drums mounting on the periphery thereof a box blank engaging slotted member having aslot extending substantially tangentially to the periphery of the drum, such slots of said members upon each pair of coaxial drums being aligned for jointly engaging a common plane surface, the mouths of said slots on the two pairs of slotted members being movable towards one another through a selected range of their angular movement, thereby during a portion of such movement to engage opposite outer margins of the side flaps of a box blank which are connected to a box base and to commence the erection of the box from its flattened blank, said two pairs of slotted members thus engaging such opposite outer margins, and in response to drum rotation moving closer together, such slotted members being formed for pressing upon a center panel of each such side flaps at areas inward of a pair of lock slits formed in each such panel, which pair of slits divides such center panel of each side flap from end lock strips formed on either end thereof, said end lock strips of each side flap being positioned against a respective one of said protruding surfaces, such pressing by said slotted members thus causing a bowing in one direction of each of said center panels and a bowing in a different direction of the end lock strips of each such center panel, thereby opening each of such slits for the reception of its respective box corner tab connected to the end of its respective box blank side wall, each of the two side walls being connected in turn to the box base; a pair of spaced side wall forming elements positioned in the path of 1 movement of the box blank, such movement being caused by said slotted members rotating towards one another while engaging the blank as aforementioned, thereby to move each side wall into engagement with its respective forming element and thereby to shift the side wall angularly relative to the box base in response to such movement and further thereby to urge such corner tabs against their respective guiding surfaces of revolution upon the drums and thence into its respective corner lock slit; a pair of box stripper elements, means for mounting each of such stripper elements for movement in a path located between its respective pair of said drums, means for operatively associating each such stripper element with its respective pair of drums for movement at a greater speed and ma selected phase relation, for engaging the outer edges of respective of said side flaps at locations intermediate said slotted members and progressively moving such side flaps out of such slots prior to said slotted members moving away from one another during the course of their rotation.

16. In apparatus for forming a box from a flattened box blank of selected shape, the combination comprising: a first pair of spaced coaxial drums; a second pair of spaced coaxial drums; said pair of drums being mounted for rotation on parallel axes positioned on opposite sides of a box forming region; each of said pairs of drums having formed thereon respectively pairs of surfaces of revolution, one on eachdrum, and symmetrically arranged with respect to a centralplane normal to said parallel axes as follows: a pair of protruding surfaces of revolution, each protruding beyond adjacent guiding surfaces of revolution positioned on either side thereof; means for 18 rotating said drums in fixed phase relation in opposite directions; each or" such drums mounting on the periphery thereof inwardly of its respective protruding surface a box blank engaging slotted member having a slot substantially tangent to the periphery of the drum, such slots of said members upon each pair of coaxial drums being aligned for jointly engaging a common plane surface, the mouths of said slots on the two pairs of slotted members being movable towards one another through a selected range of angular movement, thereby during a portion of such movement to engage opposite outer margins of the side flaps of a box blank which are connected to a box base and to commence the erection of the box from its flattened blank, said two pairs of slotted members thus engaging such opposite outer margins, and in response to drum rotation moving closer together, such slotted members being formed for pressing upon a center panel of each such side flaps at areas inward of a pair of lock slits formed in each such panel, which pair of slits divides such center panel of each side flap from end lock strips formed on either end thereof, said end lock strips of each side flap being positioned against a respective one of said protruding surfaces, such pressing by said slotted members thus causing a bowing in one direction of each of said'center panels and a bowing in :a different direction of the end lock strips of each such center panel, thereby opening each of such slits for the reception of its respective box corner tab connected to the end of its respective box blank side wall, each of the two side walls being connected in turn to the box base; a pair of spaced side wall forming elements positioned in the path of movement of the box blank, such movement being caused by said slotted members rotating towards one another while engaging the blank as aforementioned, thereby to move each side wall into engagement with its respective forming element and thereby to shift the side wall angularly relative to the box base in response to such movement and further thereby to urge such corner tabs against their respective guiding surfaces of revolution upon the drums and thence into its respective corner lock slit, a pair of box blank stripper elements, means'for mounting each of such stripper elements for movement in a path located between its respective pair of said drums, means for operatively associating each such stripper element with its respective pair of drums for movement at a greater speed and in a selected phase relation, for engaging the outer edges of respective said sidefiaps intermediate said slotted members and progressively moving such side flaps out of such slots prior to said slotted members moving away I from one another during the course of their rotation; said stripper elements by means of such operative association with said drums, and after engaging the edges of the side flaps, being adapted for moving the partially formed box further relative to said side wall forming elements thereby to move the box blank corner tabs fully into their respective lock slits whereby the corner tips upon such tabs engage a respective edge of a slit and to lock the corners of the erected box blank in position.

17. In apparatus for forming a box from a flattened box blank, the combination comprising: a first pair of spaced coaxial drums; a second pair of spaced coaxial drums; said two pairs of drums being mounted for rotation on axes parallel to one another and thus being spaced apart for rotation on opposite sides of a box forming region; each of said pairs of drums having formed thereon respectively pairs of surfaces of revolution, one on each drum, as follows: a first and innermost pair comprising surfaces tapering inwardly toward a central plane located between said drums, a second and next pair comprising surfaceshaving a diameter greater than the maximum diameter of said first pair of surfaces, a third and next pair comprising surfaces tapering outwardly of such central plane, and a fourth and next and outermost pair; said second pair of surfaces having the maximum diameter of all said pairs of surfaces and comprising protrud- 19 ing bead-like surfaces on the drums; means for rotating said drums in fixed phase relation in opposite directions; two pairs of box blank engaging hooks having slots directed substantially tangentially of selected of such pairs of surfaces, one of such hooks being mounted upon each of said drums, the slots of the hooks upon each pair of coaxial drums being aligned-for jointly engaging a comnion plane surface whereby the pair of hooks on one pair of coaxial drums coacts with, and during 180 of movement moves towards the other pair of hooks upon the other pair of coaxial drums, thereby during a portion of such movement to engage opposite outer margins of the side flaps of a box blank thereby to align same by engagement with the aligned inner ends of such slots and to commence the erection of the box from the flat box blank, such side flaps being connected to a box base, the movement of said two pairs of hooks towards one another after so engaging said opposite outer margins, and in response to rotation of said drums in opposite directions, causing said hooks to engage such margins at areas respectively located inwardly of two corner lock slits formed in each such box blank side flap, said blanks being aligned with said slits positioned at the inner edges of their respective bead like protruding surfaces aforementioned whereby the two pairs of hooks engaging the side flaps, and in response to drum rotation, dish outwardly the respective side flap center panels, the two end lock strips on each end of each side flap conforming to their respective bead-like protruding surfaces and bowing inwardly of the box thereby to open such corner lock slits for the reception of their respective box corner tabs each formed on the sides of the front and rear side walls of the box blank and each tab having a corner lock tip formed thereon; side wall guide means; and stripper means positioned between said spaced drums for engaging the outer edges of the box blanks to urge the partly formed box past said side wall forming means and constructed and arranged to remove the box from the hooks, said side wall guide means being relatively stationary and being formed and positioned for engaging said box blank side Walls responsive to relative movement therebetween, and for angularly shifting the side walls about their respective edges connected to the box blank base thereby concurrently to urge the corner tabs to follow said third pair of surfaces as a guide and thence to enter into said slits to permit the lock'tips to engage the respective edges of such slits and to lock the tabs and side walls in desired position relative to the side flaps.

18. In apparatus for forming a box from a flattened box blank, the combination comprising: a first pair of spaced coaxial drums; a second pair of spaced coaxial drums; said two pairs of drums being mounted for rotation about axes parallel to one another and thus being spaced apart for rotation on opposite sides of a box forming region; each of said pairs of drums having formed thereon respectively pairs of surfaces of revolution, one on each drum, and symmetrically arranged with respect to a central plane between each pair of drums perpendicular to the common axis of such pair of drums, such surfaces comprising: a first and innermost pair comprising frusto-conical surfaces tapering inwardly toward such central plane, a second and next pair comprising right cylindrical surfaces having a common diameter greater than the maximum diameter of said first pair of surfaces, a third and next pair comprising frusto-conical surfaces tapering outwardly of such central plane, the maximum diameter thereof being equal to that of said second pair, anda fourth and next and outermost pair comprising right cylindrical surfaces substantially equal in diameter to the least diameter of said third pair; said second pair of surfaces having the maximum diameter of all said pairs of surfaces and comprising protruding bead-like surfaces on the drums; means for rotating said drums in fixed phase relation in opposite directions; two pairs of box blank engaging hooks having slots directed substantially tangen- 26 tially of said innermost pair of surfaces, one of such hooks being mounted upon each of said drums, the slots of the hooks upon each pair of coaxial drums being aligned for jointly engaging a common plane surface whereby the pair of hooks on one pair of coaxial drums coacts with, and during of movement moves towards the other pair of hooks upon the other pair of coaxial drums, thereby during a portion of such movement to engage opposite outer margins of the side flaps of a box blank thereby to align same by engagement with the aligned inner ends of such slots and to com mence the erection of the box from the fiat box blank, such side flaps being connected to a box bottom, the movement of said two pairs of hooks towards one another after so engaging said opposite outer margins, and in response to rotation of said drums in opposite directions, causing said hooks to engage such margins at areas respectively located inwardly of two corner lock slits formed in each such box blank side flap, said blanks being aligned with said slits positioned at the inner edges of their respective bead-like protruding surfaces aforementioned whereby the two pairs of hooks engaging the side flaps, and in response to drum rotation, dish outwardly the respective side flap center panels, the two end lock strips on each end of each side flap conforming to said respective beadlike protruding surfaces and bowing inwardly of the box thereby to open such corner lock slits for the reception of their respective box corner t-abs each formed on the sides of the front and rear side walls of the box blank and each tab having a corner lock tip 'formed thereon; side wall forming means; and stripper means positioned between said spaced drums for engaging the outer edges of the box blanks to urge the partly formed box past said side wall forming means and constructed and arranged then .to remove the box from the apparatus, said side wall forming means being stationary and being formed and positioned for engaging said box blank side walls responsive to relative movement therebetween, as caused by said stripper means, and for angularly shifting the side walls about their respective edges connected to the box blank bottom thereby concurrently to urge the corner tabs to follow said third pair of surfaces as a guide and thence to enter into said slits to permit the lock tips to engage the respective edges of such slits and to lock the tabs and side walls in desired position relative to the side flaps.

19. In a box forming apparatus, the combination comprising: primary supporting means for a box blank, the latter being in substantially a flat condition and being formed with: a box base, front and rear side walls connected to the front and rear edges of such box base, said front and rear walls each having connected respectively to its left and right side edges corner lock tabs, each having a locking tip connected to its outer corner, and left and right side flaps connected to the left and right side edges of said box base, each such side flap having a pair of substantially parallel corner lock slits formed therein substantially perpendicular to their respective base side edge, said lock slits in turn forming a pair of end lock strips on each side flap along the front and rear edges thereof and interposed therebetween a side flap center panel; a first pair of spaced apart coaxial box forming drums; a second pair of spaced apart coaxial box forming drums; said pairs of drums being mounted for rotation on axes parallel to one another, said pairs of drums being spaced apart for movement on opposite sides of a box forming region and thereby positioned for acting on the opposite side flaps of a box blank, each pair of drums being formed with selected guide surfaces, and with means for engaging the outer margin of its respective side flap in response to rotation of the drums thereby urging the side flap against such selected surfaces and dishing outwardly the center panel of the side flaps and concurrently bowing inwardly the end lock strips thereof thereby to open the lock slits while angularly shifting said side flaps about their respective side ,edges toward a position 21 perpendicular to the box base, said drums with their box blank outer margin engaging means being thus adapted for moving the blank while so forming same, stationary frontand rear side wall forming elements located with the upper surfaces thereof positioned for engaging the under surfaces of the front and rear side walls of the box blank thereby to cause same to shift angularly inwardly about their respective side edges toward a position perpendicular to the box basein response to relative movement therebetween; selectedcylindrical surfaces of said drums being formed for engaging and guiding the tabs of the blanktoward their respective open lock slits responsive to such side wall movement, and means for disengaging said box blanks from said margin engaging means. i

20. In a box forming apparatus, the combination comprising: primary supporting means for a box blank, the latter being in substantially a 'flatcondition and being formed with: a box base, front and rear side walls connected to the front and rear edges of such box base, said front and rear walls each having connected respectivley to its left and right side edges corner lock tabs, each having a locking tip connected to its outer corner, and left and right side flaps connected to the left and right side edges of said box base, each such side flap having a pair of substantially parallel corner lock slits formed therein substantially perpendicular to their respective base side edge, said lock slits in turn forming a pair of end lock strips on each side flap along the front and rear edges thereof and interposed therebetween a side flap center panel; a first pair of spaced apart coaxial box forming drums; a second pair of spaced apart coaxial box forming drums; said pairs of drums being mounted for rotation on axes parallel to one another, said pairs of drums being spaced apart for movement on opposite sides of a box forming region and thereby positioned for acting on the opposite side flaps of a box blank, each pair of drums being formed with selected guide surfaces, and

with means for engaging the outer margin of its respective side flap in response to rotation of the drums thereby urging the side flap against such selected surfaces and dishing outwardly the center panel of the side flaps and concurrently bowing inwardly the end lock strips thereof thereby to open the lock slits while angularly shifting said side flaps about their respective side edges toward a position perpendicular to the box base, said drums with their box blank outer margin engaging means being thus adapted for moving the blank while so forming same, stationary front and rear side wall forming elements, each being substantially in the form of an inverted L with an arcuate interconnection between the arms thereof, said forming elements being located with the upper surfaces thereof positioned for engaging the under surfaces of the front and rear side walls of the box blank thereby to cause same to shift angularly inwardly about their respective side edges toward a position perpendicular to the box base in response to relative movement therebetween; selected cylindrical surfaces of said drums being formed for engaging and guiding the tabs of the blank toward their respective open lock slits responsive to such side wall movement, second means for engaging opposite parts of said box blank; and means for moving said second means at a greater speed than said first-mentioned outer margin engaging means and for guiding such second means to move said blank out of engagement with said drums and said outer margin engaging means and thence further relative to said front and rear side wall forming elements, the latter having resilient lower arms positioned for resiliently urging said front and rear side walls to a position substantially perpendicular to the box base whereby all of the tabs penetrate fully into their respective slits and the respective lock tips of such tabs engage an edge of the respective lock slits to lock the Walls and flaps in position.

No references cited.