US2893183A - Carton forming apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

July 7, 1959 G. c. CURRIE ETAL 2,893,183

CARTON FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD 16' Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 6, 1955 mmm . INVENTORSZ mm/E2 (Ltumzls, BERNARD D- DAus, 8 MAURICE B. DUNN and J'osBPHRSweuums.

ATTORNEYS July 7, 1959 Filed April 6, 1955 G. c. CURRIE ET AL' 2,893,183

CARTON FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD l6 Sheets-Sheet 2 G12ovE1a C.Cum2n=., BERNARD V. VANS,

Nms MAURICE 5.17m: N am! .TosEPH 12 5 E3 5 W rm ATTORNEYS July 7, 1959 G. c. CURRIE ET AL 2,893,183

CARTON FORMINGAPPARATUS AND METHOD Filed April 6'. 1955 16 Sheets-Sheet 3 Gnzovmz C. CURRHE, BERNARD V. VANs,

MAumcE B.VUNN and .TosEPH R. 5wEsmms,.

INVENTORS ATTORNEYS Jilly 1959 v G. c. CURRIE ET AL 2,893,183

CARTON FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed April 6. 1955 16 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORSZ Gnaovsa C. Cumam, BERNARD D. DANS 1 g MAUEKZE B. DUNN and JOSEPH P. Swzemms.

BY {Gibb-km ATTORNEYS y l959 G. c. CURRIE ETAL I 2,893,183

CARTON FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed Apx il e. 1955 1e Sheets-Sheet 5' Gnaovsn C. Cumanz, BERN/mu 17. VANs, Mmnucz B. Dunn and Joszvu T2. Swzsmms.

' mvENroRs BY M A'I'I'ORNEY5 y 1959 G. c. CURRIE ETAL 2,893,183

CARTON FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed April 6, 1955 16 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS GROVER C. Cumanz, BERNARD' 17. VANS. MAURICE B. DUNN and JoszPn 12. Swesmms.

ATTORNEYS G. c. CURRIE ET AL 2,893,183

CARTON FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD July 7, 1959 Filed April 6. 1955 16 Sheets-Sheet 7 GEovEEC-CUREE, BERNARD V. VANs, Mmmcz B. 17mm and Joann E. S

W'EGI NN\5 INVENTORS ATTORNEYS y I959 G. c. CURRIE ETAI. 2,893,183

CARTON FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed April 6, 1955 16 Sheets-Sheet 8 6020 152 C.Cume\E, BERNARD V, DANs,

u E? R. waemms. MAUEKZEB D NN anclJos H S INVENTORS BY W IML ATTORNEY S y 7, 1959 G. c. CURRIE ET AL 2,893,183

- CARTON FORMING APPARATUS ANDYMETHOD Filed April 6, 1955 1s Sheets-Sheet 9" INVENTORS'.

Guam/2?. QCumzha, Bznnmw V. Ems,

F MAUQICE B. Dunn and JosiPH 12. Smmmms.

ATTORNEYS July 7, 1959 Filed A m e, 1955 G. c. CURRIE ET AL 2,893,183

CARTON FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD l6 Sheets-Sheet 1O GRovEE. Qcumauz BERNARV V. VANS;

IV NN 2 Sw'EG|NN\s. MAURACEB u anall'oszvn mvENTORs ATTORNEYS 'July 1959 G. c. CURRIE ET AL 7 2,893,183

CARTON FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD l6. Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed April 6, 1955 G'QOVEE. C. CURRVE, BERNARV D. VANS,

MAURICE BVUNN and IosEvHP. Swmmms INVENTORS ATTORNEYS July 7, 1959 G. c. CURRIE ET AL 2,893,183

I V I CARTON FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed April e, 1955 1e Sheets-Sheet 12 y 1959 G. c. CURRIE ET AL 2,893,183

CARTON FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed April 6, 1955 16 Sheets-Sheet 15 Cmovm C. CumznaBsnNmaw De VANs, MAu1z\cE B. VUNN andJbSEPH E. wzsmms.

INVENTORS "BY QI-+ ATTORNEYS July 7, 1959 G. c. CURRIE ET AL 2,893,183

CARTON FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed April 6. 1955 16 Sheets-Sheet 1 4.v

II III. lul lllll.

INVENTORS. Gnzovmz C.CUR12IE,BEENARD D. DANs, MAURICE B. 17mm andJ'os-spu R. Swsomms.

ATTORNEY 3 July 7, 1959 G. c. CURRIE El AL 2, 3,1

CARTON FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD l6 Sheets-Sheet 15 Filed April 6, 1955 INVENTORS; Geovmz C. C mamE. BERNARV V. VANS, MAURICE 1117mm anJJbsEPn P. Swzsmms.

ATTORNEY 5 July 7, 1959 c. CURRIE ET AL CARTON FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed April 6, 1955 16 Sheets-Sheet 16 -55 GROVER C. CUERIE,BE'RNA'R'D V. VANS, MmlcE B. DuNNmdJ'osh-PH R, wicmms.

ATTORNEYS United States Patent CARTON FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD Grover Cleveland Currie, Bernard David Dans, Maurice B. Dunn, and Joseph Robert Sweginnis, Charlotte, N.C., assignors to Dacam Corporation, Charlotte, N.C., a corporation of North Carolina Application April 6, 1955, Serial No. 499,652

16 Claims. (Cl. 53-29) This invention relates to packaging machinery and more especially to an improved machine for forming substantially rectangular cartons or carriers from flat cardboard or paper board blanks and wherein articles, such as mens hose and the like, may be placed in the cartons during the process of forming and closing the cartons.

It is an object of this invention to provide an automatic packaging machine having a magazine for receiving a stack of flat substantially cross-shaped carrier blanks or carton blanks, preferably made from cardboard, and including means for feeding the blanks, one at a time, onto a plate of a first folding mechanism which automatically forms each successive blank into the shape of a substantially rectangular four-walled container While projecting the blank downwardly through a rectangular die into one of a series of intermittently movable pockets of predetermined depth.

Thus, the blank is then formed into a container having leading and trailing end flaps and first and second side flaps projecting upwardly from the respective walls of the container and wherein the second side flap is substantially longer than the first side flap. After each successive blank has been formed into said substantially rectangular container, it moves past a station at which articles may be either manually or otherwise placed in each successive container, in the course of which the second relatively long side flap is folded outwardly above the upper edge of the corresponding pocket. Thereafter, each successive container is advanced beneath a folding plate which overlies the path of travel of said pockets so the leading end flap is folded beneath the horizontal folding plate and whereupon a novel form of knock-over cam engages and knocks over the trailing end flap to fold the same so that it will also readily pass beneath the horizontal folding plate.

Thereafter, the relatively short first flap is folded downwardly substantially at the same time that a narrow band of liquid adhesive is applied to the endmost portion of the second flap. The second flap is then overfolded and each successive carton then is advanced to a position in alinement with a transversely reciprocable ejector mechanism which ejects each successive carton or container thus formed into a discharge chute, said chute extending outwardly in substantially right-angular relation to the path of travel of the series of intermittently movable pockets.

As each successive carton is ejected from the corresponding pocket in said series, it is moved beneath a holddown member which tends to press the top wall thus formed on the carton or carrier against the remainder of the carton tocause the second flap to adhere to the first side fiap and, at this time, a printing device prints desired indicia on the bottom of the container thus formed to indicate the style, color, size, etc. identifying the nature of the contents of the corresponding package. Thereafter, as each successive container is subsequently ejected from the corresponding pocket in said series, it

engages a previously ejected container to move the containers beneath a normally raised pressure applying mechanism which, during each movement of the series of pockets, moves downwardly and applies pressure to the upper surfaces of the containers therebeneath to thereby press the second flap tightly against the first relatively short flap of the container to insure that they are tightly adhesively interconnected.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in Which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved carton or container forming and sealing apparatus;

Figures 2 and 2-A are, collectively, an enlarged top plan view of the improved machine;

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail elevation of a single revolution clutch mechanism taken substantially along line 3-3 of Figure 2A;

Figure 4 is an enlarged rear or feed-end elevation of the machine looking at the right-hand side of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional plan view taken substantially along line 55 in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged front or discharge end elevation of the improved machine looking at the left-hand side of Figure 1;

Figures 7 and 7-A are, collectively, an enlarged elevation looking at the opposite side of the machine from that shown in Figure 1;

Figures 8 and 8-A are, collectively, a longitudinal vertical sectional view through the machine, Figure 8 being taken substantially along line 8-8 in Figure 2 and Figure 8-A being taken substantially along line 8-A8A in Figure 2-A;

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 9-9 in Figure 8-A showing a detail of the valve used for controlling the feeding of carton blanks into the machine;

Figures 10 and lO-A are, collectively, another longitudinal vertical sectional view through the machine looking in the opposite direction from that shown in Figures 8 and 8-A, Figure 10 being taken substantially along line 10-10 in Figure 2-A and Figure 10-A being taken substantially along the line 10-A-1i9-A in Figure 2;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary elevation, partially in section, similar to the upper left-hand portion of Figure 10-A showing parts of the adhesive or glue applying apparatus in a different position;

Figure 12 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view looking toward the blank feeding section of the machine substantially along line 12-12 in Figure 1;

Figure 13 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view through the article ejecting mechanism or station looking forwardly substantially along line 1313 in Figure 1;

Figure 14 (Sheet 7) is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of the printing mechanism looking substantially along line 1414 in Figure 13;

Figure 15 (Sheet 7) is a sectional plan view taken along line 1515 in Figure 14;

Figure 16 (Sheet 14) is a plan view showing a form of carton blank which may be folded and formed into a carton, container, or package by the improved machine;

Figure 17 is a somewhat schematic, partially exploded isometric view, with parts in section and parts broken away, showing the manner in which the first folding or forming operation is performed on each successive carton blank;

Figure 18 is another somewhat schematic isometric view showing a mechanism for performing steps subsequent to that shown in Figure 17 including gluing one of the flaps of the carton, performing second, third and fourth folding operations in sequence, and showing parts of the ejector mechanism and the means for applying pressure -to the completed carton to permit setting of theglue or other adhesive;

Figure 19 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 19-19 in Figure 18, omitting the knock-over cam 63 and the adhesive-applying roller 56;

Figure 20 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 20-20 in Figure '7-A. BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF MACHINE The improved machine or apparatus is particularly devised for feeding fiat paperboard or cardboard carton blanks or carrier blanks broadly designated at B, wherein a blank feeding mechanism broadly designated at (Figures 4 and 8-21) picks up the uppermost blank B from a stack and then moves forwardly todeposit the blank upon a die plateor platform 11 of a first folding orjfoi'ming station broadly designated at 12.

In order to facilitate succeeding steps in the operation of the improved machine, the carton blank 3 is preferably constructed in the manner to be now described (Figure 16). The carton blank includes a main body portion or bottom 15, opposite side walls :16, 17, a relatively narrow "or short side overflap and a relatively wide side 'overfiap or top wall 21. The portions15, 16, 17, 20 and 21 are disposed in alinement and the blank is suitably scored or creased at the junctures of the side walls 16, 17 with the body portion or bottom 15, as at a, b, ies'pectivel'y. Suitable score or crease lines c, d are also formed at the junctures of the portiens 16, 20 and 17,21. A

The body portion 15 also has end walls 22, 23 connected to opposite ends thereof and defined by score lines in crease line's e, f and the outer ends of the end walls 22, 23 have respective flaps 24, 25 thereon defined by score o'r crease lines g, h, opposite side edges of the blank B being severed or cut for a relatively short length thereof in alinement with the score lines or crease lines g,j1, as at i, 1', respectively.

Opposite ends "of the side walls 16, 17 have respective pairs of small end ' tabs 26, 27 and 28, 29 thereon, the blank being creased or scored at the junctures of these fabswith the "side "wan portie'ris 16, 17, as indicated at k, land m, it, respectively. The outer portions of the tabs 26 to 29, inclusive, are preferably of less width than the side wallportions 16, 17 'to form a shoulder 30 on each bf said tabs whose length is substantially the same length as 'e'a'ch'ofthe corresponding slots i, 1' so that, when the flaps 24, are folded over the upper edges of the tabs 26, wand 27, 29, respectively, in a 'rnanner'to be later described, the shoulders 30 will penetrate the corresponding but lines i, '1' to thereby lock the end walls 22, 23 against 'theouter surfaces of the respective pairs of tabs 26, 28 and 27,29.

Referring to Figures 2-A, 8--A, 12 and 17, it will be observed that the substantially horizontally disposed "die plate 11 of the first folding mechanism 12 has a'substantial-Iy cross-shaped opening therein, below which a substantially rectangular tubular die 36 is positioned, thistubular die 36 being'of substantially the saine internal dimensions as the bottom 15 of the blank B. The tubular are 36 is connected to the distal persons or the wings of the substantially cross-shaped 'opening in the die plate or platforr'n 11 by means or upwardly diverging inellned "die walls 36a to 36d, inclusive. These die walls -361: to 36d, inclu'sive, are preferably formed integral the die plate 11'so the portions of the die plate between adjacent inclined "die walls 36am 3 6cdefine tab folding projections 40 to 43, inclusive. I

As each successive blank B is released by the blank ffceding mechanism 10 the cdrr'esponding blank is .posiusnsaever meeres'ssrapeae enin 35 with the beam 5 4 wall 15 of the blank disposed in vertical alinement with the tubular die 36, whereupon a first fold block or punch 45, which is normally spaced substantially above the die plate 11 and in vertical alinement with the tubular die 36, moves downwardly to press the body portion or bottom 15 of the blank B into and through the tubular die 36. After this operation the blank B is, in fact, a container or carton and will be referred to as such. In so doing, the side walls and end walls 16, 17, 22 and 23 of the blank are folded upwardly at an anglealongthe respective crease lines a, b, e and 1 (Figures 16 and 17) and the end tabs 26 to 29, inclusive, are engaged by the respective tab folding projections 40 to 43, inclusive, and thus folded upwardly in substantially right angular relationship to the respective side walls 16, 17 as is clearly shown in Figure 17.

With further downward movement of the punch 45, the sidewalls 16, '17 are caused to extend upwardly in substantially right angular relationship to the bottom wall 15. In so doing, the tabs 26 to 29, inclusive, substantially overlie the crease lines :2, f so the end walls '22, 23 then bear against the outer surfaces of the respective pairs of tabs 26, 2S and 27, 29.

The lower edges of the side walls of the tubular die 36 are spaced above the rear -or feed end portions of a pair of laterally spaced longitudinally extending carton side wall guiding bars 46, 16' which are shown in the form of angle bars and 'between which the upper run or reach of a conveyor, broadly designated at 47, moves. The conveyor 47 is in the form of an endless sprocket chain 50 having a plurality of spaced pockets thereon eachof which pockets is formed by a pair of longitudinally spaced angle plates 51, '52. The vertical portions of the angle plates 51, 52 serve as carton end wall supporting elements, the horizontal portions of the angle plates 51, 52 serve as the bottoms of the corresponding pockets for supporting the bottom 15 of "each 'successivecarton blank and the carton side wall guide plates 46, 4'6 serve as the's'ide walls 6f the pockets.

Thus, the punch plate 45 'for'ceseach successive carton blank B downwardly through the tubular die 36 and into a corresponding pocket 51, 52 then positioned therebeneath, the conveyor 47 being advanced in a step-byste'p manner, by means 'to be later described, so the convey'or 47 is stationary as each successive carton thus formed from a blank B is positioned'in one of the pockets thereof. It will be observed in the lower left-hand portion'of Figure 17 that the flaps 20, 24, 25 remain in substantial alinement with the respective walls 16, 22, 213 o' f'thecart'onB as each successive pocket in the conveyor '47 is advanced beyond the first folding station 12.

The 'top 'wall or large over-flap 21 also extends in substantial alinement with the corresponding wall 17 at this time. However, as the conveyor subsequently advances the corresponding carton B, *theinner surface of the wide over-flap or to'pwall 21 or the'c'orrespondi'ng carton B is engaged alstationary deflecting arm, rod 'orfi'n'ger'53 which folds "the top "wall or wide over-flap I21 e-f'the carwas; ontwar'd ly along the crease line d, against the upper edge of the "sidewall guiding bar "46. The lateral plane of the portionof the machine at which the deflecting rod or finger '53 'is disposed may be termed as acart'on load in'g-o'r filli'ng station, since the rod or finger '53 holds the top flap or wall 21 of the carton B in open position so that articles, such as "rn'ens hose, ma be either manually or automatically placed in each successive carton as it is positioned adjacent'thefo'rwa'rd free end of the deflecting rod'or fin'ger53.

Thereafter, each successive ca'rto'n, as formed thus far f'ro'm'a corresponding blank *B, is passed through a "second folding and gluing or adhesive applying station broadly designated at '55 which includes a continuously "driven glue-applying -or adhesive-applying wheel or roller 56 (Figures '7 -A, 9, 10-'A, 18 and 20) -to whose periphery a supply of liquidadhesive or glue is applied by means to be later described. The second folding mechanism is in the form of an angle plate broadly designated at 57 and includes a substantially horizontally disposed plate member 60 which overlies the corresponding portions of the side wall guiding plates 46, 46 in closely spaced relationship thereto and whose rear edge is turned upward- 1y, as at 61, and is also formed with a relatively narrow opening or slot 62 therein (Figures 18 and 19).

. The rear portion of plate 60 serves as a leading end flap folding means, since the rounded rear edge 61 of plate 60 is disposed in the path of the end flap 24, on the wall 22 of the carton B, and folds this flap 24 downwardly in substantially parallel relation to the bottom 15 of the carton B. It will be noted (Figure 19) that the rear portion of the plate 60 also extends laterally outwardly beyond the vertical plane of the side wall guiding bar or plate 46 to thereby insure that the top wall flap 21 remains in an outward position with respect to the corresponding pockets 51, 52.

As each successive carton formed from a blank B is advanced to a position beneath the rear portion of the plate 60, a trailing end flap folder in the form of a knockover cam 63 (Figures 6, 8, l8 and 20), whose lower portion, at times, extends partially through the opening 62 in the rear portion of plate 60, momentarily rotates in a clockwise direction in Figure 18 as a step is imparted to the conveyor 47 so that a flat radially projecting surface 64 on the cam 63 engages the outer or rear surface of the end flap 25 to move the same downwardly and forwardly. Since the corresponding carton B is also in the course of forward movement at this time, the end flap 25 then engages the rounded surface 61 and is deflected be neath the plate 60 and thus folded in perpendicular relationship or right-angular relationship to the rear end wall 23.

Upon completion of the latter step the relatively short top flap 20 is positioned against the inner surface of an auxiliary side Wall guiding member 65 alined with the inner surface of the side wall guiding plate 46. The auxiliary side wall guiding member 65 is spirally formed at 66 thereby forming a short flap overfolding member which folds the flap 20 inwardly and downwardly in horizontal position overlying the bottom 15 of the carton B. The plate 60 has an opening or cut away portion 67 therein through which the short ovelflap 28 passes in advance of its passing beneath the horizontal portion of plate 60.

Now, it will be noted that the medial portion of plate 60 is recessed at its free edge remote from the vertical portion 65 of angle plate 57, as at 70, and a spirally formed top wall over-flap folding element 71 is positioned adjacent the recess 70. In the course of movement of each successive carton lblank B before it approaches the top wall folding element 71, the then upper surface of the top wall 21 of carton B is engaged adjacent its free edge by the adhesive applying roll or Wheel 56. This provides a relatively narrow strip of adhesive such as is indicated at 21a in Figure 16, whereupon the top wall 21 is then over-folded by element 71 to extend at a slight angle to the horizontal as it overlies the medial portion of the plate 60.

It will be observed that the foremost end of plate 68 is also cut away to provide a relatively large recess or opening 72 therein over which the inner portion of a carton ejection hold-down plate or element 73 is disposed. it will be noted that, as each successive pocket 51, 52 is positioned in alinement with the recess or opening 72; in the front end of plate 68, it is then positioned beneath the rounded or pointed inner portion of the carton ejection hold-down plate 73. This carton ejection holddown plate 73 is inclined downwardly and to the left in Figure 13 so that, as the top wall 21 of the carton B is moved a step in an ejection operation, by means of a lateral portion 74 on an ejector plunger 75, the carton ejection holddown plate 73 presses the top wall of the carton B downwardly so that the adhesive surface 21a (Figure .16) engages the then upper surface of the relatively short top wall flap 20.

Of course, as the ejector plunger 75 moves from right to left in Figure 13, it is apparent that this occurs in the interim between successive steps of the conveyor 47 and, thus, the completed carton formed from a blank B is projected into a horizontal chute or guideway broadly designated at 76. It will be noted that the ejection chute or guideway 76 is provided with side walls 77, 78 whose lower edges are connected to a bottom wall 81 which is slotted throughout its length, as at 82. The inner end of each of the side walls 77, 78 of the ejection chute 76 is slotted to form variant length projections 83, 84 thereon whose innermost ends are rounded somewhat to guide each successive carton into the chute 76.

As each successive filled carton is projected into the chute 76, suitable identifying indicia is applied thereto to indicate the color, style, etc. of the article or hose then positioned in the corresponding carton. To this end, it will be best observed in Figures 13, 14 and 15 that a printing device, broadly designated 85, is provided which comprises a printing block 86 to the upper surface of which a printing plate 87 is suitably secured, said printing plate 87 having suitable raised letters or other indicating medium thereon. The printing block 86 is carried by a vertically reciprocable printing plunger or arm 90 which is controlled, by means to be later described, to move upwardly immediately after a suitable ink pad 91 (Figure 13), impregnated with ink, moves inwardly from the position shown in Figure 13 to a position above the printing plate 87. Thus, as the plate 87 moves upwardly, it engages the ink pad 91 and some of the ink is thus transferred to the raised characters on the printing plate 87.

The upward movement of the printing plate 87 is uninterrupted, once effected, however, the ink pad 91 is then withdrawn and the raised characters on the printing plate 87 subsequently move upwardly through the slot 82 in the discharge trackway or guideway 76 and impinge against the lower surface of the bottom or body portion 15 of the carton B to thereby provide indicating indicia on each successive carton formed from a blank B.

As the next succeeding carton is ejected from the conveyor 47, it engages the preceding carton and advances the same along the chute or guideway 76 beyond the outer edge of the carton ejection guide plate 73 and beneath an intermediate hold-down bar 95 and a pair of resilient clamping elements (Figures 2, l3 and 18) which straddle and extend longitudinally of the intermediate hold-down bar 95. Although the hold-down bar 95 is spaced substantially above the normal level of the upper surface of each successive filled carton resting upon the bottom wall 81 of the chute 76, this bar 95 is provided to limit upward movement of the overfolded cover or top Wall 21 of the corresponding carton B in the event that it does not initially adhere to the narrow overfolded flap 20.

As each successive carton passes to a position beneath the resilient clamping elements 76, a clamping plate Q7, to which the clamping elements 96 are suitably secured, is dropped from a raised position so the clamping elements 96 engage and press the top wall 21 of the corresponding carton against the portions of the carton therebeneath to particularly cause the adhesive material applied to the cover or top wall 21 of the carton B to tightly seal the top wall 21 in engagement with the narrow side overflap 28. The hold-down or clamping plate 97 is raised dur ing each movement of the cartons along the chute 76.

It will be observed in Figures 2, 4, 6 and 13 that the chute 76 has a pair of longitudinally spaced transverse bars 1%, 101 suitably secured to the upper edges of the walls '77, 78 thereof, to each of which a plurality of leafspring pressure applying plates or members 102 are suitably secured and which, during the course of further movement of each successive carton along the chute 76, applies further pressure to the upper surfaces of the filled cartons so that, when the cartons are finally ejected from the free outer end of the guideway or chute 76, the top walls 21 will have tightly adhered to the upper surfaces of the side overfiaps 20.

A suitable container, not shown, may be provided beneath the'free end of the discharge chute or guide way 76 for receiving .each successive carton as it is ejected from the discharge chute 76. The description thus far is given to provide a general understanding of the entire machine, particularly as to those parts which contact the blank from the time that it is in its flat stage at the stack to the time at which the completed carton is discharged from the machine. The various operating elements of the machine will now be described in detail.

Frame and machine drive The frame of the machine comprises an elongated base 110 to which left-hand and right-hand side frame members 1'11, 111' are suitably secured, the left-hand frame member 111 being spaced inwardly from the left-hand side of the base 110 as is most clearly shown in Figures 2, 2-A, 4 and 20. The side frame members 111, 111 are spanned by front and rear conveyor-track-supporting transverse frame members or plates 114 and a pair of spaced transverse first folding guide supporting frame members 115, 116 (Figures 2-A, 4, 8, l and 12).

The main drive for the machine includes an electric motor 120 fixed on a base 121 (Figures 1 and 2) adjustably supported on a pair of guide rods 122 and on a screw 123. The guide rods 122 and screw 123 are mounted in standards 124 fixed to the base 110 and the screw 123 has a hand-wheel 125 thereon for adjusting the motor 121} longitudinally of the base 110. The shaft of the electric motor 120 has a variable pitch pulley assembly 126 mounted thereon which is engaged by an endless belt 127 (Figures 1, 2, 4 and 6). The endless belt 127 is also mounted on a relatively large pulley 130 fixed on the outer end of a shaft 131 journaled in a standard or bracket 132 fixed to the base 110. Shaft 131 is also journaled in the left-hand side frame member 111.

A pinion 133, also fixed on shaft 131, engages a relatively large gear 134 fixed on the outer end of a shaft 135 (Figure 2-A) journaled in bracket 132 and in the lefthand side frame member 111. Shaft 135 also has a relatively small gear or pinion 136 fixed thereon which engages and continuously imparts rotation to a relatively large gear 137 loose on a shaft 140 journaled in the standard or bracket 132 and in both side frame members 111, 111' (Figures 4, 7, 8A, and 12). The gear 137 also has a sprocket wheel 141 fixed thereon which drives the gluing mechanism or adhesive applying mechanism 55 in 'a manner to be later described.

The gear 137 also has a clutch plate 142 fixed to the inner surface thereof which is a part of a manually controlled single-revolution clutch mechanism which may be of any desired construction and is shown as being of a type disclosed in Figures 34 to 37, inclusive, of US. Patent No. 2,677,221 issued to Grover C. Currie et al. Accordingly, only so much of the single-revolution mechanism will be described as is necessary to a clear understanding of the present invention. It will be observed in Figures 3 and 12 that the periphery of the disk or clutch plate 142 is provided with a plurality of circularly spaced notches 143, any one of which may be engaged by a dog, not shown in the present drawings, but being clearly shown in said patent, carried by a clutch arm 144 fixed on the dog shaft 140. The dog and clutch ann 144 are normally maintained stationary by a knife mechanism 145 mounted on a lever 158 normally urged upwardly into engagement with the arm 144 by a tension spring 151.

The arm 150 is fixed on one end of a transverse rocker shaft 152 suitably journaled in the side frame member 111, 1111' (Figures 2--A, 4, 7, -8-A, 10 and 12). The end of rocker-shaft 152 remote from the clutch operating lever 150 hash-crank 153 fixed thereon to which one end of-an adjustable link 154' is pivotally connected. The lower end of link 154 is pivotally connected to a treadle plate 155. The treadle plate 155 is fixed on a shaft 156 (Figure 12) journaled in bearing blocks 157 fixed to the corresponding side of the base 110.

It is thus seen that an operator sitting or standing ad jacent the right-hand side of the machine and laterally of the cover outfolding or deflecting rod 53 may depress the treadle plate 155 whenever he desires to impart a step in movement to the conveyor 47 to effect a cycle in the operation of the machine. In so doing, the treadle plate 155 causes rocker shaft 152 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction in Figure 7 or in a clockwise direction in Figure 3 to thereby move the clutch actuating lever 150 downwardly (and thereby effecting an operation of the single revolutionclutch) so the disk 142 then imparts a complete revolution to the clutch arm 144 and shaft 140.

Drive for conveyor With each complete revolution of the cam shaft 140, in the manner heretofore described, a single step in movement is imparted to the main conveyor 47 in a manner which will now be described in detail. It will be observed in Figure 12 that the cam shaft 140 has a sprocket wheel 16% fixed thereon which is disposed closely adjacent the inner surface of side frame member 111. By referring to Figures 10 and 10-A, it will be observed that the sprocket wheel 160 is engaged by an endless sprocket chain 161 which also engages a sprocket wheel 162 (Figure 6) fixed on a second or rear cam shaft 163 suitably journaled in the side frame members 111, 111'. Suitable means are provided for maintaining tension in the sprocket chain 161 and, referring to Figure 10 it will be observed that the sprocket chain 161 is engaged by an idler sprocket wheel 165 journaled .on a stub shaft 166 fixed to one end of an arm 167. The outer end of said arm 167 is adjustably secured to the inner surface of side frame member 111 by means of a screw 17!). The arm 167 also has one end of a hand-lever 171 fixed thereto which may be manipulated by the operator for adjusting the position of the arm 167 about the screw 170.

Referring to Figures 6, 7-A and 20, it will be observed that the cam shaft 163 has a face cam 173 fixed thereon which is provided with an irregular groove 174 in one side thereof which is engaged by a follower 175 projecting outwardly from a follower arm or yoke arm 176 whose bifurcated front end straddles and is guided on the shaft 163. The rear end of the follower arm 176 in Figure 7-A has an overriding mechanism thereon including a pivoted lever 180 which is normally urged upwardly against the rear end of the follower arm 176 by a compression spring 181. The compression spring 181 is carried by an adjustment screw 182 which loosely penetrates the outer portion of the lever 180 and is threadably embedded in the rear end of the follower arm 176.

The follower arm 176 and the safety lever or overriding lever 180 are recessed to form a seat for a stub shaft 183 to which the lower end of a segmental gear arm or lever 184 is fixedly secured. The rearmost end of the follower arm 176 has a normally open switch 185 fixed thereto and it is thus seen that, in the event of any obstruction preventing advancement of the conveyor 47, the follower arm 176 may move rearwardly relative to the pivot shaft 183 and seat for the pivot shaft will thus be moved rearwardly beyond the pivot shaft 183 which will then cause the lever 180 to move away from the main portion of the follower arm 176. This permits the switch 185, which is normally held in closed position by the lever 180, to open and thereby break the circuit to the electric motor 126, since the switch 185 is interposed in the circuit to the electric motor 126.

The segmental gear lever 184 is pivoted intermediate its ends, as at 186, on a bearing block 187 suitably secured to the outer surface of the-side frame member 111. The upper end of lever 184 has a segmental "gear or gear segment 190 fixed thereon or integraltherewith which meshes with

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